How Far Does Our Web Presence Reach?

The Internet exposes life in Elgin, IL to the world. The vast majority of visitors to the DNA's web site and blog are from the Fox Valley but every week there are hits from other states and other countries. Today I took note of a visitor from Cote d'Ivoire. Now it has been many years since my last geography test but I still recognize most countries listed in the log but this one stood out so I did a quick Google search to enlighten me. These are the facts on Cote d'Ivoire according to the CIA. Go to the link for all the details.

Cote d'Ivoire
Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Ghana and Liberia
Area - Comparative: slightly larger than New Mexico
Climate: tropical along coast, semiarid in far north; three seasons - warm and dry (November to March), hot and dry (March to May), hot and wet (June to October)
Terrain: mostly flat to undulating plains; mountains in northwest
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Gulf of Guinea 0 m highest point: Mont Nimba 1,752 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, diamonds, manganese, iron ore, cobalt, bauxite, copper, gold, nickel, tantalum, silica sand, clay, cocoa beans, coffee, palm oil, hydropower
Population: 17,654,843
Note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2006 est.)
Economy - overview: Cote d'Ivoire is among the world's largest producers and exporters of coffee, cocoa beans, and palm oil. Consequently, the economy is highly sensitive to fluctuations in international prices for these products and weather conditions.

Now if I had studied French it wouldn't have taken me until this point for the light bulb to go off and to realize that Cote d'Ivoire was formerly known as the Ivory Coast. The Google translation is Dimension Ivory, so maybe someone that did study French can comment on the translation.

If the person who viewed our site from Cote d'Ivoire happens to read this, please post a comment so we know the circuitous (I had to use the dictionary for this one) path that lead you to us.

Anyone else who uses the web to keep up with What's Happening Here or just happened to land here, please post a comment to let us know where you are located and what you were looking for.
It would interesting to hear from our regular visitors from Arizona, France and Texas.

Police Officer Memorial Service

The Elgin Police Department is hosting the Annual Police Officer Memorial Service Monday, May 15th at 2:30 pm. It will be held in front of the police station at 151 Douglas Ave. The service is held annually to pay respect to officers who were killed in the line of duty locally and across the country as well as those members who have passed away during the past year.

The week of May 14th through May 22nd is National Police Week.

Preservation Month Activities - May 12 to May 18

“Historic Visions” A Gallery Walk in Downtown Elgin
The Downtown Neighborhood Association invites you to a special gallery walk May 17th from 5pm to 9pm showcasing Elgin’s vibrant history, as various artists - Elgin Area Historical Society, Keith French, Kirk Lawler, Warren Mogler, and Robert Winner - share their vision of historic preservation at Elgin in several Downtown locations:
Hines Building at 24 Douglas Ave.
The Elgin Tower Building at 2 Douglas Ave.
Pastigel at 154 E. Chicago Street
Elgin Books at 209 E. Chicago St
Kirkpatrick, Jones & Sharf Insurance at 19 S. Spring St.
Attendees may enter a free raffle for a framed architectural detail in Downtown Elgin courtesy of Artistic Framing and Supplies and professional photographer Kirk Lawler. This event is organized by the Downtown Neighborhood Association's Design Committee as part of the Preservation Month activities and in an effort to promote the rich and historic architecture of Downtown Elgin. For more information, please call (847)488-1456 or visit www.downtownelgin.org

I Spy Downtown... An Architectural Hunt for Kids
Bring the whole family in a search of architectural details throughout the various buildings in Downtown Elgin. Enjoy the unique historic atmosphere on an ongoing self guided treasure hunt as part of the Preservation Month activities. Find the "I Spy Downtown" flier at the Gail Borden Public Library (270 N. Grove), at Al’s Café & Creamery (43 Dupage Court), and the Downtown Neighborhood Association's office ( 2 Douglas Avenue). Completed entries can be returned at 2 Douglas Avenue between M-F 8:30 - 5:00pm and will receive a FREE “Exploring Elgin” coloring book. Correct entries will be entered into a raffle for prizes from Al’s Café & Creamery, Elgin Area Historical Society, Elgin Books, and photographer Kirk Lawler. Don't miss it! The deadline for entries is June 9th. This event is organized by the Downtown Neighborhood Association's Design Committee in an effort to promote the rich and historic architecture of Downtown Elgin. For more information, please call (847)488-1456 or visit www.downtownelgin.org

Sell to the City

Do you have an Elgin business that is interested in selling your product to the city? Then this is an opportunity for you.

The City of Elgin is hosting a vendor fair for their employees. This will be an opportunity for Elgin businesses to showcase their products and services to the City employees. Every Elgin business is eligible but due to space constraints selected vendors will be chosen based on response, vendor variety and employees' needs.
The goal is to provide businesses access to City employees as potential customers. It is recommended that participating vendors provide samples, offer coupons or discounted rates for individual employee purchase. There is no fee for participation in the event.
The event will be held on Tuesday June 27 from 10 am to 1 pm at The Centre Heritage Ballroom.
All interested merchants must complete an application and return it to Daina DeNye, City of Elgin Purchasing Department, 150 Dexter Court, Elgin IL 60120, fax (847) 931-5689, no later than June 6, 2006.
If you have any questions regarding this event, please email Daina Denye at denye_d@cityofelgin.org or call 847-931-5604.

Construction on Riverside Drive and Grove Ave

Novak Construction, the General Contractor doing the construction on Riverside and Grove Streets will begin May 8, 2006. The work on Grove will require a large excavation in the public sidewalk along the west side of the street. The work will be done on the west half of the road from the center line toward the building requiring southbound lane closures during the day. Flagmen will be used to direct traffic in the remaining northbound lane and trench platting at night.

Please avoid the portion of Grove Avenue between Chicago and Spring if possible.