Harvest Market and Salsa Challenge

Two more weeks of Harvest Market. Bring the grocery list for your salsa recipe and enter it in the Salsa Challenge at Fiesta Salsa.

Harvest Market is from 12 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, September 15th and 22nd. Look for the tents in the Civic Center parking lot at Highland and Grove.

How does your salsa size up? Enter it in the Salsa Challenge to find out.
Salsa Challenge takes place during Fiesta Salsa at Kimball and Grove on Saturday, September 17th. Preparation begins at 8 a.m. and the public taste test starts at 12:30 p.m. Check the web site for details or call (847) 468-7212 to register for the competition.

Coffee Anyone

Coffee shop For Sale, anyone interested? The Daily Bean on Highland Avenue in downtown Elgin is for sale according to owner Claire Gouge.

“We know everybody wants it downtown and we want it to stay downtown,” said
Gouge, who has owned the business for about a year. “But we hope someone
buys it and loves it.” Daily Herald, September 8, 2005

Read Lenore Adkins article.

Downtown as a Classroom

Students from Judson College use downtown Elgin as a classroom on Thursday afternoon. Professor Christopher Miller brought his Architecture of Cities class down to experience the historic and diverse architecture that is downtown Elgin.

Hurricane Evacuees Arriving in Elgin Today

250 people are scheduled to start arriving in Elgin, Illinois Tuesday, September 6, 2005 and will be housed at the Elgin Mental Health Care facilities at 750 South State Street.
Items needed include the following: canned food, bottled water, clothes, shoes, blankets, baby items, school supplies, new underclothes, etc. If you are interested in volunteering or can provide goods, please contact Dolly Scanlan at 847.742.1040 x-2005 or Raul Almavar at 847.742.1040 x-2010.

Local Efforts to Help Hurricane Katrina Victims

How you can help from the Daily Herald

Hurricane Katrina Taize Prayer Service - Tuesday, September 6th at 7:00 pm
First Congregational Church
256 E. Chicago St.
Elgin, IL
(847) 741-4045

Hurricane Katrina ESO Benefit Concert - Wednesday, September 7th at 7:30 pm
On Wednesday, September 7, 2005 the Elgin Symphony Orchestra will hold a benefit concert to assist in the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Hemmens Theatre, 45 Symphony Way in downtown Elgin.

The concert was inspired as Robert Hanson, Music Director of the ESO, viewed the horrific scenes of devastation left in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Tom Roeser, ESO Board President said “When we started placing calls to our musicians and other community organizations to organize the event, the response was overwhelming. Everyone wanted to do something to help. ESO musicians and community organizations are donating their services so that all monies raised can go directly to relief effort.”

Community partners in this event include the Elgin Symphony Orchestra, the Elgin Choral Union, the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra, Heartland Voices, EFS Foundation, Otto Engineering and the City of Elgin. Originally, the Elgin Children’s Theatre had a scheduled rehearsal in the Hemmens Theatre and generously offered to move their rehearsal so the benefit concert could take place.

Admission to the concert is free and all donations will go directly to The McCormick Tribune Foundation Hurricane Katrina Relief Campaign. This fund was established by The McCormick Tribune Foundation and many of its Communities Program Partners to raise money for victims of Hurricane Katrina. The McCormick Tribune Foundation will match the first $2,000,000 contributed to the campaign at 50 cents on the dollar.

The Elgin Choral Union, the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra and Heartland Voices will join the Elgin Symphony Orchestra in the performance. The program will include Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5, choral selections from Mozart and Mendelssohn, America the Beautiful and more. Also, guests from the City of Elgin and members of the clergy will speak during the concert, lending support and uniting the community in this cause.

The Elgin Symphony Orchestra last held a benefit concert after the September 11th disaster. Over 1,000 area residents attended that benefit, donating more than $13,000 to the effort.

“We hope that the concert will serve to unite the community, the music we’ve chosen is uplifting and it will help people come together to do what we can in the face of this disaster” remarked Robert Hanson, Music Director.

A musician from the Louisiana Philharmonic (out of New Orleans) will speak about what she saw and experienced.

For more information about the concert, visit the ESO’s website at http://www.elginsymphony.org/ or call the administrative office at (847) 888-0404.

It's Happening Downtown - September 5th - September 11th

It's Happening Downtown
The Dinosaurs have Arrived at the Gail Borden Library!!
Along with dinosaurs around the Downtown for "Dinos on Parade" the dinosaurs are in place at the library. The ribbon cutting for the African Dinosuar Exhibit is Tuesday, September 6th. So bring your friends and family to the see the Dinosaurs between September 6th - December 30th at the Gail Borden Library!!

2005 Citizens Police Academy - Tuesday September 6th - October 18th
It's not too late to get your application or contact Paula Emerson at 847.289.2588 to be an Elgin Citizen Cop! This 8 week session will be every Tuesday from 6:30-9:30pm.

Harvest Market - Thursday, September 8th
Located in the Civic parking lot next to the Elgin post office this weekly happening is every Thursday from 12pm-6pm.
So head on over as the last day of the Harvest Market is September 22nd! Call DNA for more info 847.488.1456.

Neighborhood Watch Meeting - Thursday September 8th @ 7pm
This meeting will be held in the Elgin police station and is a good opportunity to learn more about the Neighborhood watch groups and possibly join :)

2005 Day of Caring - United Way of Elgin's Extreme Community Makeover - Friday, September 9th
If you have signed up already don't forget to go to your project and enjoy the free breakfast and lunch.
For more info or to volunteer last minute call United Way at 847.741.2259

How Does Your Salsa Size Up? Enter it in the Salsa Challenge at Fiesta Salsa and get your share of the $2000 in prize money.
Last day to register is September 9th.
Go to fiestasalsa.org or call 847.468.7212 for more information.

The Midwest Vintage Clothing, Jewelry, and Textiles Sale and Show – September 9th & 10th Friday 5-10pm Sat 10am-5pm
This is a great event for all of you who enjoy the antique, unique, and most interesting.(This would include myself!) With over 75 dealers there will be plenty to go around. You can even get a discount if you dress in vintage! This terrific show is located at the Hemmens Cultural Center. And even if you are not in the mood for buying there will be certified appraiser and a jewelry repair on site. There will be admission at the door, for more information call 847.428.8368.

24th Annual Elgin Historic House Tour – September 10th & 11th 10am-5pm
House guides will show you all of the nooks and crannies each house has to offer, along with any juicy stories! And what do you know, tickets are on sale in the Downtown at Al's Cafe & Creamery and Ziegler's Ace Hardware. A big thanks to the Gifford Park Association who made this event possible. $20 at the door, $10 students
For more information call 847.695.4022 or go on the web to http://www.gifford-park-assoc.org/

Get Centricised at the Centre - September 10th 8:30am-2pm
Yes ladies. It is true. No men allowed. Here is a day set aside exclusively for you to check out what the Centre has to offer for your fitness, health, and enjoyment.
Hey, there's even babysitting services offered that day. So try the fitness classes, try the equipment, refreshments, rock climbing, and spa treatments!
For more information call 847.531.7000.

Peace Pole Dedication, First Congregational Church - Sunday, September 11th 11:30 am
256 E. Chicago Street. Call 847.741.4045 for the details .

Literary Fundraiser at the Martini Room - Sunday, September 11th 6:30pm
Like going to Fundraiser galas? Want to go to a book club with a little more pizzazz? It’s time to go to a Literary Fundraiser where you can lounge, talk books, read from your favorite books, drink a Martini, and raise money for the Literacy program at the same time!! This event is sponsored by the Books at Sunset and The Martini Room.
To RSVP call 847.888.1860 and to become a volunteer tutor for the Literary Connection contact 847.742.6565.

Downtown Elgin Flea Market - Saturday September 24th 9am-3pm
Looking for Vendors!! So call the Downtown Neighborhood Association to get your space at 847.488.1456. Don’t miss it!!!

Are you aware of other activities going on in the Downtown that DNA needs to promote?
Please call (847.488.1456) or e-mail DNA with the details.