Main Street Day 2005 Report

Elgin was well represented by Joe and Armida Dominguez along with RuthAnne Hall and Steve Munson (taking picture). Our booth attracted a lot of attention thanks to the generous donations of pastries from Pastigel Bakery and award winning salsa from Akina’s Thai Restaurant, it also made for a good lunch as there wasn’t any time to eat with the busy schedule.

Mike Jackson, from the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency (not the other Mike Jackson), stopped by for conversation and eats.

Lt. Governor Pat Quinn sampled the salsa and visited. He commented on the great Main Street State Conference held in Elgin in 2003 and had time for a photo op.


The man in the hat next to the Lt. Gov is Max, the new symbol of Illinois Main Street. You’ll be seeing him in promotions, a new web site and maybe visiting a town near you. Six legislators from across the state joined the press conference in the rotunda. That is up from last year.
More photos and stories later, I have to go for now.

Learn How Dinosaurs Can Help Your Business

Date: Monday, May 2nd
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Location:
Gail Borden Public Library
270 N. Grove Ave
Elgin, IL 60120

Come learn how the Dinosaur Exhibit coming in Fall 2005 can impact your business. RSVP to Denise Raleigh at draleigh@nsls.info or (847) 429-5981.

The exhibit is Project Exploration’s GIANTS: African Dinosaurs. When parts of this exhibit were at Navy Pier in 2000, it experienced 600,000 visitors during a normally slow time from January to March, with 60% of visitors citing the exhibit for their reason for attending. The Sue dinosaur exhibit that just closed at Aurora's Sci-Tech Museum almost doubled their normal attendance. The Gail Borden Library has approximately 2,000 visitors per day when there isn’t a special exhibit.

The Grand Victoria Foundation provided a substantial gift to make this happen. Let’s take advantage of this unique opportunity to show visitors to Elgin that It’s Happening Here!

Spring Into Health

April 4 - May 13, 2005

The YWCA in conjunction with Simple Balance Holistic Center has created the YWCA Health Challenge. This program offers you the the opportunity to experience a variety of health and fitness classes. For a $5 fee you receive a fitness evalution, health information packet, 6 weeks of daily exercise and health related activities and personal support.
For more information call Mary Rees Freeman at YWCA Elgin 847.742.7930 or Simple Balance Holistic Center at 847.468.6012
Link to a Calendar of the activities during the month of April and May.

Main Street Day in Springfield

April 14th is Main Street Day in Springfield

The Downtown Neighborhood Association will represent Elgin at the second annual Main Street Day in Springfield. It is a great opportunity to share the fact that It’s Happening Here with the rest of the state. We will have a display in the capitol along with the other Illinois Main Street communities. The event takes place on April 14th in the state capitol. Pass the word to your friends and colleagues to stop by the booth if they’re downstate on the 14th.

Elgin Main Street Event – Downtown Development

Elgin Main Street Event – Downtown Development
Date: Tuesday, April 19th
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location:
Fountain Square on the River Sales Center
51 S. Grove (J.C. Penney Building)
Elgin, IL 60120

Come learn about the revitalization of Elgin's Downtown Neighborhood and the plans to accommodate the change. City staff will be on hand to discuss the current and future development projects and their impact on the neighborhood. For more information please contact the Downtown Neighborhood Association at 847-488-1456.

UPDATE: Story in Daily Herald.