Mayor Kaptain to Speak at September Out to Lunch

The Downtown Neighborhood Association (DNA) of Elgin's next monthly "Out to Lunch" meeting will be Monday, September 26 at Bangkok House and Shanghai Restaurant, 11 Douglas Avenue. Networking begins at 11:45AM and the lunch program runs Noon-1PM.

The featured guest speaker for September will be City of Elgin Mayor David Kaptain.

For $12 per person (all inclusive with tax & tip included - cash only) guests will enjoy a lunch buffet consisting of Crab Rangoon, Thai Style Egg Rolls (vegetarian), Thai Yellow Curry with Chicken, Szechwan Beef, Chow Foon (vegetarian), seasonal fruits and choice of soft drinks or tea.

RSVP with your name and e-mail address to DNA Promotions Coordinator Jason Pawlowski by phone at 847-488-1456, by e-mail at jpawlowski@elginil.org or via our Online RSVP Form by no later than Friday, September 23.

The Out to Lunch Meetings, presented by the DNA and typically conducted on the last Monday of each month, are an effort to showcase a different downtown Elgin restaurant each month and engage the public by featuring guest speakers and topics relevant to the community. Recent Out to Lunch guest speakers have included City Manager Sean Stegall, Police Chief Jeff Swoboda, Downtown Elgin Harvest Market Manager Jennifer Benson and Provena St. Joseph Hospital CEO Dr. Eugene McMahon.

'Mayor at the Market' Highlights This Week's Downtown Elgin Harvest Market

This week’s Downtown Elgin Harvest Market, taking place on Thursday, September 15 from 10AM-4PM at the Old Library Lot at 200 N. Grove Avenue, is highlighted by a special visit from Mayor David Kaptain entitled “Mayor at the Market”.

Mayor Kaptain will be on hand to discuss sustainability issues with market patrons from 11AM-12PM. The setting will be informal and “market munchies” will be available to those who wish to participate.

Other events and activities planned for this week’s Harvest Market include:

• Davey Tree Booth ”Ask an Arborist” - Davey Tree will conduct a tree pruning demonstration.
• Alexian Brothers Health System Booth – health information and screenings.
• City of Elgin Booth – Fire Department will be on hand with their fire vehicles.
• Salon Couture – check out their latest natural beauty products and services.
• ECCO/ECN’s Sustainable Booth: Elgin Public Museum - promoting all of their exciting fall programming.
• Community Booth: The Literacy Connection – information about their programs and upcoming events.

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

The 2011 Downtown Elgin Harvest Market season closes on Thursday, September 29.

Congratulations to Andersen's Engraving on 50 Years in Downtown Elgin

This September, Andersen's Engraving, 27 N. Grove Avenue in Elgin, is celebrating 50 years of service to the downtown Elgin community.

On Wednesday, September 14 at Elgin's City Council meeting at 7PM, Mayor David Kaptain will read a formal proclamation honoring owner Dave Andersen, by proclaiming September 21 Andersen's Engraving Day in Elgin.

Then on Wednesday, September 21 beginning at 1PM, owner Dave Andersen and other Elgin dignitaries will take part in a ceremony in front of the shop, which includes a very special unveiling of the original restored "Andersen's Gifts" sign that marked the shop's original storefront location at 170 DuPage.

As an added bonus, Andersen's neighbor The Gasthaus, 15 N. Grove Avenue, will offer a special pre-ceremony cook-out, featuring burgers, brats and non-alcoholic beverages, on their beautiful new outdoor patio for all attendees beginning at Noon.

S.J. Andersen opened Andersen's Gifts in September 1961 at 170 DuPage in downtown Elgin. Over its 50 years in business, the store has called several downtown locations home, including stints at 163 E. Chicago Street next to the old Wilson's Shoes where the Martini Room currently resides; 21 Douglas Avenue next to Keeney's Sporting Goods; and its current location at 27 N. Grove Avenue next to Artistic Framing and Supplies.

The core business of the shop has always focused on trophies, custom engraving services, wedding invitations, graduation announcements, greeting cards, gifts and foil imprinting services. For more information on available products, specific services and pricing, contact Dave Andersen at 847-742-5434.

The Downtown Neighborhood Association congratulates the Andersen family on a well-deserved 50th Anniversary celebration in downtown Elgin!

Photos of Andersen’s different storefronts from over the decades are available at http://photobucket.com/Andersens50th

Downtown Elgin Car Show Results

Over 70 different cars, trucks and alternative fuel vehicles rolled into Elgin’s Civic Parking Lot on Saturday, September 10 for the Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin’s 5th Annual Downtown Elgin Car Show – Presented by Ken Stepps State Farm.

In addition to raffles, silent auctions, music and other fun activities, participants and spectators alike were asked to cast their ballot for the vehicles they deemed Best in Show.

The overall winner of Best in Show was Ron Barclay of Gilberts and his 1958 Pontiac Bonneville. Barclay received a trophy from Ken Stepps of Ken Stepps State Farm Insurance Agency, 111 Douglas Avenue, courtesy of Andersen’s Engraving, 27 N. Grove Avenue.

Other winners included Kurt Berghahn of Sleepy Hollow with his Ford Model A; Joe Sant of Elgin with his 1957 Ford; and Jon Schwartz of Dundee with his 1936 Aston Martin. The People’s Choice Award winner was Bruce Flescher of Hampshire with his 1969 Chevy Chevelle.

The Downtown Neighborhood Association hosted two Cruise Nights in August, which included an impromptu cruise around the streets of downtown Elgin, to engage local car enthusiasts as well as promote the September car show.

The DNA would like to thank our car show sponsors, Ken Stepps State Farm, Chicago Area Clean Cities Coalition, Redmon's Towing, Kirkpatrick, Jones & Herzog and Tom's Auto Clinic; our booth sponsors, Huntington Learning Center, Chiro One Wellness and Titan Self Storage; our 2011 Car Show Committee Chair Rich Hirschberg; and everyone who participated in or attended this year's Downtown Elgin Car Show.

Click for a photo slideshow from the Downtown Elgin Car Show >>>