Tuesday, July 05, 2011

This Week at the Downtown Elgin Harvest Market - July 7


Here's what's in store for you at our July First Thursday Harvest Market on Thursday, July 7 at the Old Library Parking Lot at 200 N. Grove Avenue:
- Extended Harvest Market Hours from 10AM-6PM

- Alexian Brothers Health System Booth – health information and screenings

- Davey Tree Booth – Ask an Arborist! Educational information about trees and our environment.

- City of Elgin Booth – The Fire Department’s Suppression division will be present.

- Kids’s Corner provided by Highland Fellowship Church/Highland Christian Academy will be complete with face painting, table games, coloring pages, puzzles, plus prizes and more!

- Bocajump – find out about this online business, its local news, and its local business opportunities for Elgin and more!

- Chiro One Wellness Center Booth – information and free screenings for your overall health and wellness.

- Salon Couture – showcasing their Aveda product line, fun info about their salon, raffles, and opportunities to relax, enjoy, and take care of yourself!

- FOR KIDS & ADULTS! Downtown Neighborhood Association Booth – check out our new T-Shirts made out a recyclable blend for all ages, youth to adult, to wear with fun slogans like “We got the Beet” and “I Eat My Veggies”. Adult sizes are $15 and Youth sizes are $10.

- ECCO/ECN’s Sustainable Booth – learn more about Elgin Climate Change Organization and its various activities in Elgin, along with the Elgin Community Network made up of many active Elgin neighborhoods.

- Community Booth: International Teams
Distributing “Bring Change” campaign literature to raise awareness of issues in human trafficking locally and internationally. Additionally, will have “Bring Change” cd for sale.

- Live Entertainment – Strolling violinist Jennifer Silk between Noon–1:30PM, Annalee Hooson singing from 2-4PM, Fox River Trio 4-6PM, and Carleton the Mime might even be seen roving amongst the crowd!

- FOR KIDS & ADULTS! “Art at the Market” – a First Thursday’s series made possible by the Palmer Foundation will feature from Noon-2PM artisan volunteers helping market goers create art out of “junk” in 5-10 minutes. Known for their Transformer made out of junk at FoxFireFest several years ago Art by Joseph, out of Batavia, will be on hand all day creating a “Marketpiece” sculpture made out of junk found in the local area.

- Artz Zone from 4-6PM where artists in the community have the opportunity to set up for free at the Harvest Market and sell/demo their art! Artists currently participating at the market are Beadlicious (Bead & glass jewelry), Gail Azinger (functional pottery), Cheshire Kat (bamboo and acrylic jewelry, cards, buttons) Sister Craft Arts (water color paintings and art notecards), Zuq & Zoe (unique paper and fabric products), Julie’s Jewels (handmade jewelry and accessories), Karol’s Jewelry Shop (necklaces crafted with various materials), Eftstudios (etchings/artwork). Artists interested in joining should contact Jennifer Benson at 847-488-1456.

- “Market Munchies” for customers who shop between 4-6PM with purchase over $15.

- FOR KIDS & ADULTS! Find the Downtown Wandering Gnome!
Find clues posted at the market with a picture of the gnome hiding in a nearby Downtown Elgin DNA member organization/business. The first ten people to find the gnome within the next week receive a prize.

For more information about the Downtown Elgin Harvest Market, contact Market Manager Jennifer Benson at 847-488-1456 or e-mail ElginHarvestMarket@gmail.com.

Downtown Elgin Live Music and Entertainment Scene - July 7-12


Thursday, July 7

Douglas Street Sports Pub
231 Douglas Avenue
847-695-5659
DouglasStreetSportsPub.com

From 6-9PM, Douglas Street Sports Pub invites all the ladies in the house to their Girls Night Out.

The first 50 ladies to attend receive free admission, free Mai Tai & Lei, free entry to the prize raffle and a free goodie bag and shopping, shopping and more shopping with products available from local vendors.

Villa Verone Ristorante Italiano
13 Douglas Avenue
847-742-0263
VillaVerone.net

Thursday nights in downtown Elgin can be summed up in four simple letters: E.P.O.W. - also known as Elgin Person of the Week at Villa Verone Ristorante Italiano.

Beginning at 6:30PM, say hello to this week's EPOW and celebrity bartenders, Howard Stege and Robert Knizer...better known to downtown Elginites as Butch and Bob.

Come out to enjoy drinks, free appetizers, karaoke, dancing and an all-around good time in classic Villa Verone style!


Friday, July 8

Martini Room
161 E. Chicago Street
847-741-0349
MartiniRoomElgin.com

This Friday, Martini Room bids farewell to some of its older martinis, in advance of the upcoming launch of their NEW cocktail menu which debuts on Friday, July 22.

The following classic martinis will be featured for just $5:

· Chocolate Covered Cherry
· Berry Fusion
· Tootsie Roll
· Cherry Blossom
· Naked Smoothie
· Love Potion
· The Perfect Peach

Be sure to stop by Martini Room on Friday and have a good time with their budget-conscious "going away party".


Sunday, July 10

2011 Tropical Summer Jam
Parking lot in front of City Hall
150 Dexter Court

The 2011 Tropical Summer Jam Car & Motorcycle Show begins at 9AM in the parking lot in front of City Hall at 150 Dexter Court in downtown Elgin. Awards and prizes for 1st-3rd place for all categories. Cash award for Overall Best of Show. Enjoy live entertainment, beer garden, vendor & food booths, children's play area and much more!

For more information, contact Esteban at 847-529-7570 or e-mail raw1productions@yahoo.com.


Monday, July 11

Douglas Street Sports Pub
231 Douglas Avenue
847-695-5659
DouglasStreetSportsPub.com

From 6-11PM, Douglas Street Sports Pub invites everyone to "A Benefit for Dean Williams" - a very special fundraiser all for Dean's dream to walk again.

$10 cover at the door and 10% of all food sales with a matching 10% donation by DSSP all going to Dean.

There will be giveaways, door prizes and silent auctions for Cubs tickets, White Sox jerseys and signed sports and music memorabilia. Plus enjoy Minute-to-Win-It games, a Water Pong Tournament ($10 per team - cash prize for 1st and 2nd place), Miller Lite Specials, Learn the Melbourne Shuffle, music from DJ Cheez and much more!


Tuesday, July 12

Elgin Public House
219 E. Chicago Street
847-468-8810
ElginPublicHouse.com

Come check out EPH's monthly installment of "Fun with Food". This July's Fun with Food is BBQ. Mike has come up with some great specials including BBQ pizzas, BBQ Tacos, Fish with a Peach BBQ sauce, or BBQ Pulled Pork Spring Rolls.

Monday, July 04, 2011

4th of July Parade Float Judging Results

Judging by the crowds that poured into Elgin to partake in this summertime tradition, this year's City of Elgin 4th of July Parade - Presented by Sherman Health was a tremendous success!

Speaking of judging, we have the results of this year's Parade Float Judging contest. Here are the winners by category:

OPEN

1st Place -
A.B.O.D.E.
2nd Place - People Who Make Patriotic Floats
3rd Place - First Congregational Church of Elgin

BUSINESS

1st Place - Lamp Incorporated
2nd Place - Provena St. Joseph Hospital
3rd Place - Danny's Pizza

CHILDREN'S

1st Place - Spring Hill Gymnastics

2nd Place - Kids' First Pediatric Dental
3rd Place - St. John's Lutheran School

ECO-ELGIN AWARD

Elgin Climate Change Organization


SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD

The Crystal Lake Strikers


These organizations will be honored at an upcoming Elgin City Council meeting, later this July.

The 2011 Parade Float Judging panel consisted of Bob Malm, Riccardo Mancha, Krisilee Murphy, Velma Sept and Rich Wagner. The City of Elgin and the Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin would like to thank our esteemed judging panel for their service.

Don't forget, that there is one more bit of parade kudos yet to be awarded. Beginning Wednesday, July 6 at DowntownElgin.com, the general public will have the opportunity to vote for the 2011 Elgin Fourth of July Parade People's Choice Award through our online voting form. This award is open to any parade unit - not just floats - that you feel represents the best of the best in this year's parade.

Tell your friends and family to get out and rock the vote for your favorite parade unit. People's Choice Award voting concludes on Tuesday, July 12 at Noon.

A special thanks to everyone - sponsors, participants, staff and all of our amazing volunteers - for making this year's City of Elgin 4th of July Parade - Presented by Sherman Health a tremendous success!