Downtown Day (and Night) Planner for Thursday, August 4

Seriously? What isn't there to do in downtown Elgin today?

Not to worry, we've got your Thursday all planned out:

- Start with one of Domani Cafe's new Frappes or Fruit Smoothies. They're delish!

- Then head over to the Downtown Elgin Harvest Market, across from the Gail Borden Public Library, where it's "First Thursday" time! That not only means the market stays open for two extra hours (until 6PM) but also live music and entertainment from strolling minstrels, a food-art demonstration by Jeff Turner from In the Neighborhood Deli, kids activities, Artz Zone and, of course, fresh locally produced fruit, veggies, bread, olives, hummus, spices and much more! Plus you can look for our roving Harvest Market Gnome hiding in one of our downtown Elgin DNA member businesses.

- After a busy morning of shopping and eating at the market, maybe you need to work off some of those calories? No prob. Head over to The Centre of Elgin for a workout in their beautiful fitness center. Not a member? Why not join today? Call 847-531-7000 for information about membership?

- Lunch time! Lots of choices here folks: authentic Thai cuisine or Sushi at Toom Toom Thai, homestyle Mexican fare at La Puesta Del Sol and La Quebrada, "pub grub" at Elgin Public House and The Gasthaus, Chinese and Thai inspired flavors from Bangkok House & Shanghai Restaurant, American fare for a variety of palettes and legendary Burn's Malts at Al's Cafe & Creamery, sandwiches from Ravenheart Coffee, cookies and pastry from Pastigel Bakery and La Rosita Bakery...is your mouth watering yet?

- Elgin's rich history is preserved and showcased throughout the year at the Elgin History Museum at 360 Park Street. The museum is open today from Noon-4PM. Stop in and celebrate your City's heritage.

- Want to get your read on? Elgin Books has you covered with wall-to-wall used and vintage books. Don't forget to sample their coffee and root beer floats!

- How about getting a head start on that holiday shopping list? Find unique treasures for all the people on your list at Elgin Antiques and Uniques, Two Doors Down Antiques (featuring Rediscover Records) and Spacetaste Gallery. How about something for that special someone? Jewelry makes a great gift and Shockey Jewelers and Elgin Jewelers both offer a vast selection of high quality gold, silver, diamonds and estate pieces - as well as repair services. For the handyman, stop into Ziegler's Ace Hardware for all things tool-icious. Don't forget Andersen's Engraving and Artistic Framing and supplies for unique gift ideas and Wrona Brothers for all of your office supply needs.

- The question: Where can I get a style, massage, mani/pedi or just chill out and feel pampered? The answer: Salon Couture. For more answers, call now for your appointment.

Now, here's where your day in downtown gets really interesting...

- It's Girls Night Out at Douglas Street Sports Pub from 6-9PM. Ladies receive free admission, free goody bags and the chance to shop-til-you-drop with a variety of vendors. A great way to spend a great night with the girls.

- Beginning at 6:30PM, Villa Verone rolls out the red carpet for another Elgin Person of the Week. This week's EPOW celebrity bartender is Elgin broadcasting legend Jeff Myers from Channel 17's Elgin Today and the Chef Jeff & Jeff Show on WRMN-AM 1410. There's karaoke, free appetizers, dancing and fun with friends!

- Get your motor running and head out to Festival Park for the DNA's first-ever Downtown Elgin Cruise Night - Presented by Ken Stepps. In conjunction with the City of Elgin's Free Movie Night presentation of the movie Cars, the DNA is inviting car enthusiasts to show off their cool cars and vintage vehicles to the movie night crowd. The DNA will also be selling pop, water, popcorn and other treats as a fundraiser to support continuing downtown revitalization efforts.

- Afterwards, stop off at Martini Room or The Afterset for an after-movie cocktail or slide over to the Grand Victoria Casino for some late night gaming excitement.

How's that for a full day? Still not enough? There's always Friday. :)



The Afterset
158 Symphony Way
(847) 608-7570

Al's Cafe & Creamery
43 DuPage Court
(847) 742-1180

Andersen's Engraving
27 N. Grove Avenue
(847) 742-5434

Artistic Framing & Supplies
25 N. Grove Avenue
(847) 741-8811

Bangkok House & Shanghai Restaurant
11 Douglas Avenue
(847) 695-2644

The Centre of Elgin
100 Symphony Way
(847) 531-7000

Domani Cafe
109 E. Highland Avenue
(847) 695-8851

Douglas Street Sports Pub
231 Douglas Avenue
(847) 695-5659

Elgin Antiques & Uniques
203 E. Chicago Street
(847) 606-6284

Elgin Books & Coffee
209 E. Chicago Street
(847) 695-2680

Elgin Jewelers
11 N. State Street
(847) 695-1384

Elgin Public House
219 E. Chicago Street
(847) 468-8810

Festival Park
136 S. Grove Avenue

The Gasthaus
15 N. Grove Avenue
(847) 695-8828

Gail Borden Public Library
270 N. Grove Avenue
(847) 742-2411

Grand Victoria Casino
250 S. Grove Avenue
(847) 468-7000

In the Neighborhood Deli
185 Edison Avenue
(847) 888-9486

La Puesta Del Sol
165 E. Highland Avenue
(847) 468-1416

La Quebrada Restaurant
50 N. Spring Street
(847) 622-7970

La Rosita Bakery
7 N. State Street
(847) 742-6680

Martini Room
161 E. Chicago Street
(847) 741-0349

Pastigel Bakery
154 E. Chicago Street
(847) 429-1969

Ravenheart Coffee
176 E. Chicago Street
(847) 841-8451

Rediscover Records
(inside Two Doors Down Antiques)
207 E. Chicago Street
(847) 741-4300

Salon Couture
176 E. Chicago Street
(847) 488-1465

Shockey Jewelers
18 Douglas Avenue
(847) 742-0113

Spacetaste Gallery
10 Douglas Avenue
(847) 284-0810

Two Doors Down Antiques
207 E. Chicago Street
(847) 741-4300

Toom Toom Thai Restaurant
23 S. Grove Avenue
(847) 531-8755

Villa Verone
13 Douglas Avenue
(847) 742-0263

Wrona Brothers
205 E. Chicago Street
(847) 742-4296

Ziegler's Ace Hardware
215 N. Spring Street
(847) 741-5610

Inaugural Downtown Elgin Cruise Night Motors Into Festival Park on Thursday, August 4

On Thursday, August 4 beginning at 7PM, the Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin invites you to crank your engines and motor on down to Festival Park in downtown Elgin for a triple feature of fast-moving family fun, food and a flick.

In conjunction with the City of Elgin's Free Family Movie Night in the Park featuring the hit Disney movie Cars, the DNA rolls out its first ever Downtown Elgin Cruise Night – Presented by Ken Stepps State Farm.

The Cruise Night will showcase classic, cool cars from all eras and styles parked along the walkways in Festival Park. Redmon's Towing is scheduled to bring their antique tow truck out to the park and other unique vehicles will also be on hand.

That night the DNA will also be selling popcorn, soft drinks and other treats to all Cruise Night and Movie Night patrons as well as promoting all things downtown Elgin. Concession proceeds benefit the DNA's downtown revitalization efforts.

For kids and families, the City of Elgin will have a Cars-themed bounce house and a photo booth, where kids can have photos taken with lifelike Cars characters created by ACME Design.

Car enthusiasts who own vehicles they would like to show off at Thursday's Cruise Night or at the final Cruise Night of 2011 scheduled for August 25, are encouraged to contact DNA Promotions Coordinator Jason Pawlowski at 847-488-1456 or e-mail jpawlowski@elginil.org.

For more information about Downtown Elgin Cruise Nights or the Downtown Elgin Car Show on Saturday, September 10 from 9AM-3PM at Elgin Civic Plaza, visit DowntownElgin.com.

This Week at the Downtown Elgin Harvest Market

This Thursday, August 4 is First Thursday time once again at the Downtown Elgin Harvest Market, 200 N. Grove Avenue in the Old Library Lot across from Gail Borden Public Library and next to The Centre of Elgin, which means special extended hours from 10AM-6PM to squeeze in all of these fun events and activities:

New Market Layout - More Parking!

Live Entertainment – Strolling violinist Jennifer Silk between Noon–1:30PM and Me & My Band 4-6PM

“Art at the Market” – a First Thursday’s series made possible by the Palmer Foundation will feature Jeff Turner from In the Neighborhood Deli creating food art for the public to see and taste from 12:30-2PM, including a bag of goodies to practice your food art.

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), Jewelry for You (handcrafted and custom jewelry), Kathryn Longo (lambs made out of clay and real wool, recycled fabric flowers), and Kards by Kay (photo greeting cards)

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

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

New Vendor - Cook, Seal & Process - JamLady with delicious jams, fruit butters, vinegars, etc.

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

Simple Balance Holistic Center Booth – will have information on hand of wellness programs and packages offered, as well as upcoming workshops and events.

Landin Chiropractic Booth – performing free spinal screenings, with state of the art equipment, using infrared cameras to measure the temperature of the nerve roots on the spine.

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” to “I Eat My Veggies”. Adult sizes are $15 and Youth 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. Plus get free CFL light bulbs.

Community Booth: International Teams - Promoting "Ride for Refuge" - Fox Valley Bike Ride to raise awareness and funds for refugees and anti-trafficking projects, along with fair trade items for sale.

Find the Downtown Wandering Gnome - find clues posted at the market with a picture of the gnome hiding in a nearby DNA member organization/business. First ten people to find the gnome within the next week will get a prize.