Welcome to Family Book Club! This is an exciting club for families who love to read and is appropriate for ages 8-15. The books chosen are always within the third to sixth grade level but both younger and older kids have enjoyed them! If your child is younger, I encourage the family to read the book aloud together or listen to the audiobook (if available)!
This month we are reading "The Magic in Changing Your Stars" by Leah Henderson. Ailey loves to dance but struggles with fears such as stage fright. With a magical pair of tap shoes, Ailey travels back in time and meets his grandfather and together they help each other build confidence. However, now that Ailey has changed the past, can he get home again to the present? Genre: FANTASY.
Chapters 1 (If I Only Had a Brain) – 14 (A Deal is a Deal is a Deal)
1. Have you ever tried out for a school performance?
2. Ailey said he wasn’t scared but, when up on stage, forgot everything he had practiced. What do you think happened?
3. Have you ever failed at something like Ailey did at the audition?
4. Do you have a passion? Something you love to do, that you are good at?
5. If you could travel back in time, where would you want to go?
Next week read chapters 15 (Chicken’s Not My Name) – 29 (Spilling Truth)
We will be having a special virtual event on Monday, June 28 at 5 p.m. to meet the author! Please register here.
Copies of the book are available for checkout at the Tallyn's Reach Library. Please call 303.627.3050 if you'd like to put one on hold to be picked up at a different branch. Copies are also available through Prospector here.
On Friday, June 11th, 2021 at around 10:20p.m. officers from the Aurora Police Department responded to a report of shots fired in the area of South Fraser Street and South Fraser Court in the Meadow Hills Neighborhood. Upon arrival they located evidence of an apparent shooting at that location; however no victims were located at the scene. A short time later two shooting victims arrived at the Emergency Department of a local hospital by private vehicle.
Tragically, one of the victim, who is an adult male, has died from his injuries. The second victim, a 17-year-old male was treated and released from the hospital this morning. The name of the deceased victim is not being released at this time and will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner's Office once he has been positively identified and his next of kind have been notified.
The Major Crimes/Homicide Unit responded to the scene and is conducting the investigation into this homicide. It is in the very early stages and at this time there is no additional information that is being released. Investigators are still in the process of interviewing witnesses, area residents and sorting through details to determine exactly what lead up to this fatal shooting.
Anyone who witnessed this shooting or has information about the case is asked to contact Agent Ethan Snow at 303.739.6523. Tipsters can also report information by using Metro Denver Crime Stoppers. By using Crime Stoppers tipster can remain anonymous and are eligible for a REWARD of up to $2,000.
Lieutenant Chris Amsler
Commanding Officer/Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
Resources listed are for informational purposes only and should not be used to diagnose or treat a condition without the guidance of a mental health professional. If you or someone you know is having a mental health emergency, please call 911 or Colorado Crisis Services at 1.844.493.TALK.
Hey teens! Interested in mental health?
Every month, Aurora Public Library has a Mental Health Spotlight. For June’s spotlight, we’re celebrating Pride! A lack of support and understanding from community, family, and friends can impact the health of LGBT+ teens at a higher rate than their peers. Check out your local Aurora Library’s display for stories celebrating queer identity and LGBT+ voices, and visit Aurora Central Library’s Teen Resources display for additional community resources if you or someone you know is dealing with prejudice and hate.
Remember, your mental health matters.
For our June Spotlight, we will be celebrating PRIDE Month!
Pride Month is celebrated a celebration of LGBTQIA+ Americans! Each June, PRIDE serves to honor the 1969 Stonewall riots and works to achieve equal justice and opportunity for LGBTQIA+ Americans. Learn more about PRIDE Month here.
LGBTQIA+ teens face mental health challenges at higher rates than their peers. There are a variety of factors that contribute to this, including stress regarding sexual orientation, bullying, feelings of isolation, etc. While many LGBTQIA+ teen struggle with their mental health, it is important to remember that you are not alone. Many teens have similar challenges and help is available. Read more here.
Resources:
The Trevor Project | CenterLink: The Community of LGBTQ Centers | Q Chat Space | It Gets Better Project | We Are the Youth | Rainbow Alley
Articles:
The Top 10 LGBTQ Social Media Influencers to Follow Right Now
LGBTQ Youth and Mental Health
20 Affirmations and Readings for Folks Raised in Anti-LGBTQIA+ Church Families
Here’s What It Means to be A Demi-Romantic Asexual Agender Teen
5 Mental Health Takeaways From a Panel of Queer Asian Voices
Inspiring Stories of LGBTQ High School Teens
Supporting the LGBTQ Community
What It’s Like to be Out as LGBTQ at School
Explore more Young Adult novels & non-fiction focusing on queer experiences below.
For more resources for all ages, visit the non-fiction department at your local library and look for call number 306.76.
Resources are also available at Aurora Mental Health Center.
Check back in July for our next Mental Health Spotlight!
Aurora to Host Juneteenth Celebration Event
Singer-songwriter Toney Rocks among the performers
AURORA, Colo. - A Juneteenth celebration featuring live entertainment, kid's activities and community resources will be held Saturday, June 19, at Town Center at Aurora, 14200 E. Alameda Parkway. The event, which runs from 1 to 5 p.m., is sponsored by the Aurora Police Department, city of Aurora, Town Center at Aurora and ReACT (Responding to Aurora's Critical Topics), a volunteer group.
Aurora’s Juneteenth celebration is a family event that will include youth performances, a storyteller, local exhibitors, and musical acts, including Las Vegas singer-songwriter Toney Rocks.
The event will be located inside the shopping mall. "Town Center at Aurora is honored to partner with the City of Aurora to provide a free event in celebration of Juneteenth. We invite the community to join us as we work to create an equitable future for all based on empathy, love and respect." Joel Boyd, General Manager of Town Center at Aurora.
"Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom and an opportunity to promote an inclusive community," said Claudine McDonald, Aurora Police Department's Community Relations Chief Executive. "When a community member brought the idea for this event to our ReACT group, we knew this fit right in with Chief Wilson's 'New Way' plan to elevate community voices and show our commitment to a collaborative and community-based future."
"A New Way" is Police Chief Vanessa Wilson's plan for restoring community trust.
"Planning a community event during the pandemic has been a challenge. But our desire to bring Aurora together to learn more about each other, recognize our humanity and where our lives may connect in surprising ways - this is what made us push forward with the event. We invite everyone to come learn more about history and grow together as a community," said Gerald Brewer, Chair, ReACT.
Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when news of Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation reached African Americans in Texas and commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States. The historical significance of the event is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate Aurora's diverse cultures.
For scheduled line up of events and exhibitors, please visit www.auroragov.org/Juneteenth.
Agent Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Aurora Police Department
720.432.5095
Welcome to Make & Learn! In this program, our librarians will be sharing easy-to-make games and activities that support cognitive development and practicing early literacy skills.
In this video, Miss Sara shares how to make the game Feed the Kitty - a fun and easy game that helps support letter knowledge, print motivation and phonological awareness.
This month we are reading COG by Greg Van Eekhout. Cog (short for Cognitive Development) looks like a normal kid but is actually a robot. When he gets damaged and is returned to the lab for repairs, he discovers his creator has disappeared. With the help of four robot friends, Cog sets out on a mission to find her. Genre: SCIENCE FICTION.
Chapters 12 - 22
1. What did Cog realize about how uniMIND treats robots?
2. Cog does not want to treat others the way uniMIND has treated him. What does Cog do differently when re-programing Car with the X-module?
3. Did you expect their brain-switching plan to work?
4. Did you like how the book ended? How did you like the novel overall?
5. Who was your favorite robotic character?
We will be having a special virtual event next Monday, June 14 at 5 pm to meet the author! Please register here.
Copies of the book are available for checkout at the Tallyn's Reach Library. Please call 303.627.3050 if you'd like to put one on hold to be picked up at a different branch. Unlimited copies of the eAudiobook and eBook are also available through HooplaDigital.
UPCOMING JUNE BOOK
"The Magic in Changing Your Stars" by Leah Henderson
Suggested reading schedule:
Monday, June 7 – Sunday, June 13: Chapters 1 (If I Only Had a Brain) – 14 (A Deal is a Deal is a Deal)
Monday, June 14 – Sunday, June 20: Chapters 15 (Chicken’s Not My Name) – 29 (Spilling Truth)
Monday, June 21 – Sunday, June 27: Chapters 30 (Truth Rings True All the Way to Your Toes) – 43 (A Smidgen of Your Own Magic)
We will be having a special virtual event on Monday, June 28th at 5:00pm MT to meet the author! Please register here.
Copies of the book are available for checkout at the Tallyn's Reach Library. Please call 303.627.3050 if you'd like to put one on hold to be picked up at a different branch. Copies are also available through Prospector.
On Saturday, June 5, 2021 at 11:45 a.m., the Aurora Police Department and Aurora Fire Rescue responded to a single vehicle crash into a Heather Gardens residential building located at 13952 East Marina Drive.
The initial investigation has revealed an 88-year-old male driver experienced an apparent medical episode causing him to lose control of his vehicle and crash into the building. A front seat passenger of the vehicle was the driver’s elderly wife.
The driver and his wife were transported to an area hospital where tragically his wife died as a result of her injuries related to the crash. Additionally, a leashed dog being walked by their owner near the building was struck by the vehicle and died at the scene.
The driver remains hospitalized in serious condition. The identity of the deceased will be released by the Arapahoe County Coroner's Office once she has been positively identified and next of kin have been properly notified.
This crash remains under investigation by the Aurora Police Traffic Investigations Unit. At this time, no criminal charges are expected to be pursued. Anyone who witnessed this crash is asked to call police.
Officer Crystal McCoy
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720.432.5095
Need a sweet treat? A savory mouthful? Join us for "APL Made in a Mug" for your next bite-sized recipe!
June's recipe is Strawberry Vanilla Mug Cake with Vanilla Buttercream Glaze from Averie Cooks! Thank you to Averie for letting us share this yummy recipe! Visit her website for this and many more recipes!
The Aurora Police Department, in partnership with Food Bank of the Rockies, area school districts, and local nonprofit organizations, will host a Summer Kick-Off event on Saturday, June 5, at Overland High School, 12400 E. Jewell Ave. in Aurora. This free event is open to the public and will provide food and resources to 1,000 Aurora families. The event begins at 10 a.m. and will continue until all food has been distributed.
All Aurora households are eligible regardless of income, size or status. Food items will include ready-to-eat meals, canned and boxed goods, grains, fresh produce, dairy and protein. In addition, 30,000 diapers, 5,000 pounds of pet supplies and 1,000 summer activity packs will be distributed to community members. Summer activity packs include books, at-home activities, water bottles, online resources and community engagement opportunities for kids and teens.
If you drive to the event, remain in your car and wait your turn in line; do not park and leave your vehicle. If you are walking, please remember to practice social distancing while waiting your turn and wear a face covering.
For more information about this event, contact [email protected] or 303.739.7281.
What: The Aurora Police Department, in partnership with Food Bank of the Rockies, area school districts, Denver7 News and other nonprofit organizations, is hosting a drive-thru kick-off event to provide food and resources to 1,000 Aurora families.
Who: Aurora Police Department, Food Bank of the Rockies, Aurora Public Schools, Cherry Creek School District, Denver7, Aurora Animal Services, Colorado Pet Pantry, Racing for Paws, SECORCares, WeeCycle and Servicios de La Raza have partnered on this event.
When: Saturday, June 5. The event begins at 10 a.m. and will continue until all food has been distributed.
Media is invited for interviews between 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Where: Overland High School
12400 E. Jewell Ave., Aurora, CO 80012
Why: The past year has caused hardships for many local families. By leveraging resources, community partners are able to expand their reach with the goal of helping Aurora families start the summer with much needed food, baby and pet supplies and summer activity packs to keep teens and kids active.
Event Coordinator: Joshua Nicholas, Senior Community Engagement Specialist, Aurora Police Department
Interview Opportunities:
• Claudine McDonald, Community Relations Chief Executive– Aurora Police Department
• Katie Lopez, Assistant Director of Nutrition Services – Aurora Public Schools
• Erin Pulling, President/CEO – Food Bank of the Rockies
• Julissa Soto, Director of Statewide Programs, Servicios de La Raza
• Amy Pfister, Community Outreach Coordinator, SECORCares
• Christina Stinson, Executive Director, Aurora Interfaith Community Services
• Community Volunteers
Officer Crystal McCoy
Public Information Officer
720.432.5095
 
(June 2, 2021) On May 17, 2021, around 5:54 p.m., Aurora Police Officers responded to the Flying J, located at 16751 East 32nd Avenue, on an injured person call. An adult male was transported to the hospital after falling backwards and hitting his head in the parking lot of the business. This male was later pronounced deceased on May 20, 2021.
The Adams County Coroner later performed an autopsy and has since ruled this death a homicide. Following this determination, detectives with our Major Crimes Homicide Unit has been investigating this case. The victim has been positively identified as 72-year-old Kevin Stymiest.
Investigators have determined that an argument in the parking lot led to a physical altercation between the victim and another adult male. During the fight, the victim was punched and fell backwards which is when he suffered the fatal injuries. The other male involved in the altercation is cooperating with the investigation and we are consulting with the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office for potential criminal charges, if any. This other male will not be identified at this time.
Anyone who might have information on this case, that has not yet spoken to detectives, is asked to submit an online crime tip by going to Metro Denver Crime Stoppers or calling 720.913.7867. Tipsters can also remain anonymous.
Agent Matthew Longshore
Public Information Officer
Aurora Police Department
720.432.5095
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