Arts Funding Workshop - February 6th

The Elgin Cultural Arts Commission, Representative Ruth Munson and Senator Steven Rauschenberger are sponsoring an Arts Funding Workshop conducted by the Illinois Arts Councilat 5:00 p.m. in the lower level of the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way in Elgin.

Thousands of dollars are distributed each year for the arts by the Illinois Arts Council. This free workshop will provide information about funding, resources, and programs that will help keep Elgin a vibrant arts community.We are sponsoring this workshop as a service to the organizations in the area that may be eligible for funding. We will discuss what arts programs are available, the application process for grants, and when and how often organizations can apply.

The workshop is free, however seating is limited. Therefore you must be registered to attend. You may register by calling Gil Feliciano at 847-931-6019.

"Giving Hope" in Rwanda Africa

The First Congregational Church of Elgin Mission Grants Committee is hosting Ms. Epiphanine Mujawimana, the program director for the Rwanda YWCA. She oversees the "Giving Hope" program which is empowering orphaned heads of households affected by HIV/AIDS. The program was a recipient of a 2006 Mission Grant.

If you are interested in attending please RSVP at (847)741-4045 by 2/3/2006.

First Congregational Church of Elgin
256 E. Chicago Street (Yahoo! Maps, Google Maps)Elgin, Illinois 60120

Tonight's aring of Chicago Tonight had a segment on the documentary, "Somebody's Child: The Redemption of Rwanda", by Felicia Middlebrooks.

Favorite Children's Book Animals Stamp Unveiling

stamp2
Originally uploaded by downtownelgin.

Postmaster Diane Tindle at the stamp unveiling on Friday at the Gail Borden Public Library. A large crowd was on hand including librarians from the U46 school district. Good planning to have this on a teacher in service day so children could attend. See the previous post for more details on the event.

george
Originally uploaded by downtownelgin.

A photo-op with Curious George, I'm the one on the left. I remember reading his books on trips to the school library during my early years. After seeing this picture I think George and I should visit The Centre and exercise.

Goodyear Building Demolition

goodyear
Originally uploaded by downtownelgin.

Demolition of the Goodyear Training Center at 211 Douglas started yesterday. See previous post for a list of buildings on the demo schedule.

The city has plans to redevelop the entire block.
From the Courier News.

Also on the council's agenda is spending $20,000 to tear down the city-owned former Goodyear building directly north of the Elgin Law Enforcement Facility.
The building occupies one corner of a downtown block that is largely taken up by the Grater Inc. cheese factory but which the city would like to see redeveloped. Officials probably are not interested in seeing the Goodyear site redeveloped on its own, being more interested in a large-scale project that would include the majority of the block bound by Spring and Kimball streets, Douglas Avenue and Symphony Way, according to Deering."I think we would like to see a bigger plan, a bigger approach, maybe the whole block," he said.

What are your thoughts?