Downtown Elgin Harvest Market Applications Available

The Downtown Neighborhood Association, and partners Activate Elgin, Elgin Community Network (ECN) and Elgin Climate Change Organization (ECCO) are pleased to invite area farmers and the like to join Downtown Elgin’s 9th Annual Harvest Market. This market has featured everything from fruits, vegetables, plants, delicious jams, healthy gourmet dog treats, bread, pies, muffins and scones, olives, pita bread and hummus, spices, Mirai corn, free range meats and eggs, cheese, pickles, and olive oil all displayed in an open-air market like venue.

The market will be held in the Downtown core at the Civic Center parking lot at the corner of E. Highland and Douglas Avenue, near the Post office and City Hall, every Thursday June 11 through October 8, and will be open at 10am and ending this year at 4pm.

All area farmers, and the like, interested in an application for the 2009 season, along with Harvest Market sponsorship forms for health related businesses can call the Downtown Neighborhood Association at 847.488.1456, e-mail jbenson@elginil.org go to www.downtownelgin.org, or stop by the office on the first floor of the Elgin Tower Building, at 2 Douglas Avenue in Downtown Elgin. The deadline for the early registration fee, and to be in the marketing brochure for the season, is May 1, 2009.

New this year will be two educational booths that promote wellness and the environment via Activate Elgin and ECN & ECCO. Those interested in being at the Harvest Market educational booths for wellness related topics can contact Melissa Serritella from Activate Elgin at mserritella@elginymca.org. Those interested in being at the educational booths for environmental related topics can contact Sigi Psimenos at sigi777@sbcglobal.net.

Bands Playing Easter Weekend

This Friday, April 10 local band River Gypsies (rock covers and originals) opens for Late Night Hooligan Riff Raff, a new up and coming all original Chicago band playing music with a funkadelik crossing of genres! Watch this band, they're going places!

Saturday April 11 is a night of Blues / Rock! The Normal Street Band (blues and rock covers) and The Progressive Blues Experiment (now called Tuff Enuff) share the stage to bring you a night of blues and rock covers. This ain't your mama’s blues band; they incorporate elements of rock, funk, and pure jammin' into an elaborate style which follows in the steps of soulful innovaters such as Doyle Bramhall, Derek Trucks, Gov’t Mule and many many more.
We're not your father's Gasthaus, but we've been around for over 40 years and we're still going strong! A neighborhood bar where you are guaranteed to be remembered by name --with live music every weekend. Don't forget we specialize in birthdays! Come in within 5 days of your birthday and when your party has spent $50 we'll give you a $50 credit to keep the party going! PLUS- drink Das Boot- it's your day!!

Downtown Street Work - April 6th

Douglas between Highland & Dexter Ct, Symphony Way between Dundee & Center

Elgin – Phase III of the Central Business District’s $40 million Street Resurfacing and Streetscape Project is again underway as the City of Elgin continues to work toward the revitalization of its downtown area.

Water main service construction on Douglas Ave. between Highland Ave. and Dexter Court continues the week of April 6, 2009. Two-way traffic will be maintained and motorists will be able to maneuver through the work zone with flagger assistance.

On street parking will be limited during construction.  Patrons wishing to access businesses within this construction zone are encouraged to use the City Hall parking lot on the northwest corner of Douglas Ave. and Highland Ave.  Pedestrian access through and around the construction zone will be maintained.

Water main installation on Spring St. at Division and Center Streets and at Symphony Way between Center St. and Dundee Ave also continues this week.  Center St. at Symphony Way will be closed briefly during the installation of the water main.  Access to businesses on Center St. north of Symphony Way can be attained from Kimball Street.  Access to businesses on Center Street south of Symphony Way will be available from Symphony Way and will be directed by flaggers.  Parking is restricted in the construction zones, but is available along area streets. Motorists are asked to use caution when traveling. 

Lane closures will occur during normal working hours, approximately 7 a.m. through 4:30 p.m.  All lanes will be open during the overnight hours.

PHASE II STREETSCAPE CONSTRUCTION

Installation of the brick paver crosswalks on Chicago St. between Riverside Dr. and Center St./Villa Court and the adjacent side streets, Grove and Douglas Avenues and Spring St. is scheduled to begin April 27.  Completion of the crosswalks is expected to take approximately two weeks once construction begins.  Detailed information on construction schedules and lanes closures will be available prior to the start of the work.

Weekly progress meetings for the water main project are held on Thursdays at 8:30 a.m. at the construction office located at 201 E. Chicago Street.  Business and property owners are invited to attend the first 15 minutes of the meeting to address questions or concerns regarding the construction. 

Specific construction questions can be directed to Shelley Costello with TranSystems at 847-871-3185.

For general information, contact Joe Evers at 847-931-5955 or visit the City’s website at www.cityofelgin.org or Gettin’ Around in Downtown