In the past few months, news stories have described the arrest and/or removal of individuals from shopping malls in various cities across the country. Their crime has been that of wearing tee-shirts stating anti-war views. The argument has been made that because shopping malls are private property, their owners generally are able to set rules and limits for patrons' behavior that might be more restrictive than what might be in place in the "outside world." In this case, private property rights trump free speech.

Do you remember your ancient Greek history? Think back to fifth century Athens, where the "agora" or "marketplace" was a focal point for Greek society and culture. The marketplace was not only a center for commerce, but also a gathering place for the populace. The agora was a place where a free exchange of ideas could be found, where people could gather politically and to trade. It played an important role in the democracy that was so much a part of Athens's identity and legacy to the future.

If we fast-forward to 21st century America, we might find the best example of the Athenian agora in an urban downtown like Aurora's. Because downtown buildings are owned by a multiplicity of private individuals with a variety of personal beliefs and political leanings, one finds a high level of diversity within the retail shops and service businesses located in our neighborhood. The exchange of ideas and outlooks is alive and well in our downtown. By contrast, though shopping malls offer a variety of goods and services, they are less likely to foster diversity of products and viewpoints because they are organized under a single corporate ownership; and, in fact, may have a thematic uniformity that does not vary even by geographic region because of that corporate identity. That is certainly not to say that malls are bad, but it is to say that diversity is probably somewhat more limited in a mall environment than it is in a marketplace like downtown Aurora's.

An opportunity to experience our neighborhood's diversity first-hand is being offered by Aurora Community Study Circles, which is sponsoring a "Downtown Aurora Restaurant Taste" on Tuesday, May 6, 2003 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Ticket packets can be purchased for $25, and can be redeemed at any five of six participating restaurants: Aurora Pizza and Pasta, Ciara's Place, Cody's, La Roca, Tavern on the Fox, and Tecalitlan. Free parking is available at the Stolp Island Garage (Downer and Stolp) and at selected downtown bank lots. Tickets for the event can be purchased at participating restaurants, at 501 College Drive (the Study Circles office), and at the Mayor's Office of Special Events, 43 E. Downer Place.

In addition to a variety of unique food choices, entertainment will be ongoing at Millennium Park, located on Stolp between Galena Boulevard and Downer Place. Among the performers slated are the East Aurora High School Jazz Bank, Emry's Band, the Fox Valley Festival Chorus, the Rosary High School Chorus, the Lamplighters Barbershop Chorus, and the East Aurora High School Performing Arts Group.

Aurora Community Study Circles is a program specifically designed to foster "an informed citizenry that seeks solutions to community concerns across multi-cultural boundaries." Its mission is to "create dialogue to promote an active and socially-just citizenry." It works through Circles of Understanding (adults) and Many Young Voices (young people). You can get information about Study Circles by calling 898-7515.

Downtown Destinations members ask you to support the "Downtown Aurora Restaurant Taste" and the other non-restaurant services and businesses their organization represents. Diversity and a healthy exchange of ideas and culture help make for an interesting and engaging neighborhood. We think downtown Aurora's got that, and we invite you to come out and enjoy it.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT KAREN CHRISTENSEN AT 630-844-3670 OR kchristensen@aurora-il.org.

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