Decorate a Window and You Could Stuff Your Stocking with $500 Cash!

Attention local artists, schools, neighborhood associations, non-profits, businesses and community groups! DNA is offering a $500 Cash Prize for our 2011 downtown window decorating contest as part of this year's "Rockin' in a Window Wonderland" holiday event on Saturday, December 3, 12-5PM in downtown Elgin.

Windows should be decorated to the "Rockin' in a Window Wonderland" theme, incorporating holiday music and performance themes in the window's visuals, props and messages. Bonus points are given for entries that bring the theme to life during the event on December 3. Judging categories include Business, Children's, Open and a People's Choice Award. Winners in each category receive a $50 Downtown Elgin Gift Certificate, and one overall winner will be chosen by a panel of judges to receive the overall $500 cash prize.

Window decorating takes place throughout the month of November. Judging takes place on Saturday, December 3 and windows stay up until January 2. Groups can request a specific downtown storefront window or our committee can assign you one.

If your group is interested in participating in the 2011 Window Wonderland Window Decorating Contest, please download the participation form, complete and submit to:

DNA
Attn: Window Wonderland Committee
2 Douglas Avenue
Elgin, IL 60120

Completed participation forms and any applicable fees are due by no later than Friday, November 11.

Download Window Wonderland Participation Form > > >

If you have any questions, please contact the Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin at (847) 488-1456.

Elgin Commerce Building Debuts New Business Center

On Thursday, November 3 from 4-6PM, the Elgin Commerce Building, 40 DuPage Ct, invites you to attend an Open House for their beautiful, brand new Business Center. Light refreshments will be served.

The Business Center offers over 2,200 sq. ft., 9 unique offices for lease, conference room, kitchenette and common work area. These are great opportunities for start-up businesses looking for office space.

For more info about the Elgin Commerce Building's new Business Center and Open House, contact Chris Kravetz at ck@ckrealtor.com.

Toom Toom Thai Celebrates 2-Year Anniversary with Thailand Flood Fundraiser

On Wednesday, November 2, Toom Toom Thai Restaurant, 23 S. Grove Avenue, will be celebrating their two-year anniversary in downtown Elgin.

To mark the occasion, Chef Uthaiwan (Toom) Wiitanen is hosting a day-long fundraiser with the proceeds benefiting The Princess Foundation, which provides relief and support to the victims of the recent floods in Thailand.

From 11:30AM until 9PM, in lieu of the restaurant’s traditional lunch and dinner menu, guests will be treated to a special menu of Vegetable Egg Rolls, Chicken Pot Stickers, and Beef, Chicken or Vegetable Noodle Soup. All food is free with a donation.

At 12PM, representatives from the Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin along with the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce and the Elgin Area Convention and Visitors Bureau will conduct a brief ceremony congratulating Wiitanen on her two years of business in downtown Elgin. The ceremony will conclude with Mayor David Kaptain reading a proclamation recognizing November 2, 2011 as Toom Toom Thai Restaurant Day in Elgin.

In addition to collecting donations, there will also be silent auctions for unique prizes as well.

For more information about the, please contact Chef Toom Wiitanen at (847) 531-8755.