History Meets Progress

Resurfacing of Douglas Avenue is underway! I snapped a couple pics of the old brick streets that have been hiding under the asphalt. Cool stuff.

For more information on the Downtown Streetscape Project, visit http://www.downtownelgin.info/.

Sign up to receive weekly construction updates via email here. Click on "Join the Top Ten Mailing List," then choose "Downtown Streetscape Construction Update."

Rediscover Downtown Elgin Walking Tour VI

Tomorrow, Jerri McCue, Downtown Neighborhood Association board member and owner of Ravenheart Coffee, will be leading the fourth and last walking tour of the year through Downtown Elgin, specifically on Douglas Avenue and South Spring Street. Tour goers will be lead through many retail and restaurants businesses like Keeney’s Sporting Goods, Villa Verone, Bangkok House, Kim’s Black Belt Academy, Rancho Vargas, Al’s Café & Creamery, Elgin Pianos, Tongue N Chic, WRMN, and Shockey Jewelers! The public is welcome to enjoy this FREE event by meeting at the Harvest Market location, the Civic Center parking lot at the corner of Douglas Avenue and East Highland. In case of rain bring an umbrella, as most of the tour will be inside. For more information contact Jennifer at 847.488.1456 or e-mail jbenson@elginil.org.

Power Outage in Downtown Area on Thursday

**** Special Alert from the Downtown Neighborhood Association ****

Power Outage in Downtown Area on Thursday

Commonwealth Edison is doing work on a transformer near Fountain Square Condos on Thursday, October 8 from 9am to 1pm.

The following buildings/units may experience power outages
lasting 1/2 hour to 1-1/2 hours during this time:

101 E CHICAGO ST
22 S SPRING ST
23 S GROVE AVE
24-26 S GROVE
25 S GROVE AVE *BLDG
25 S GROVE AVE *ELEV
25 S GROVE AVE *PUMP FIRE
25 S GROVE AVE *UNIT 1ST
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31 S GROVE AVE
33 S GROVE AVE
40 DU PAGE CT *UNIT 212
40 DU PAGE CT
40 DU PAGE CT
40 DU PAGE CT
40 DU PAGE CT
40 DU PAGE CT, 01
47 FOUNTAIN SQ
50 S GROVE AVE *BLDG
50 S GROVE AVE *BLDG
50 S GROVE AVE *UNIT 201
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50 S GROVE AVE *UNIT 810
50 S GROVE AVE *UNIT A


If you received a call from ComEd earlier in the week and your address is not on this list,
you will most likely not be affected by this outage.

Thank you for your understanding.

Downtown Neighborhood Association

The 3/50 Project

Thanks to our friends at the Downtown St. Charles Partnership for bringing an uber cool cause to our attention - the 3/50 Project.

Here's how it works . . .

3 Think about which three independently owned businesses in Downtown Elgin you'd miss most if they were gone. Stop in and say hello. Pick up a little something that will make someone smile. Your contribution is what keeps those businesses around.

50 If just half the employed U.S. population spent $50 each month independently owned businesses, their purchases would generate more than $42.6 billion in revenue. * Imagine the positive impact if 3/4 of the employed population did that.

68 For every $100 spent, in independently owned stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll, and other expenditures. If you spend that in a national chain, only $43 stays here. Spend it online and nothing comes home.

1 The number of people it takes to start the trend...you.

Pick 3. Spend 50. Support Downtown. Sustain Our Local Economy.

Bicycle to Shop & Bicycle to Eat - All in Downtown Elgin!

Nearly fifty downtown Elgin businesses ranging from Al’s Café & Creamery to Topnotch Tattoo are taking part in an “Elgin by Bike” campaign during the month of September. The purpose of Elgin by Bike is to encourage bicycling and shopping locally. All participants who visit at least ten participating businesses by bicycle may receive a small gift and enter in a raffle to win prizes, including a new Raleigh bicycle from Main Street Bicycles in Carpentersville. Anyone interested in taking part in Elgin by Bike may pick up their Elgin by Bike wallet guide at any of the participating businesses or the Elgin Downtown Neighborhood Association offices. Business employees will initial the guides of any bicycling customers. A helmet is considered evidence enough that one rode a bike to a business.

The Elgin Bike & Dine is another event that promotes both bicycling and local spending. Scheduled for September 19th from 11 am – 4 pm, the Bike & Dine is a 13-mile bike ride and progressive dinner that will visit Ravenheart Coffee, Douglas Street Sports Bar & Grill, In the Neighborhood Deli, Elgin Public House, and Elgin Public Museum (where Al’s Café & Creamery desserts will be served). The cost is $30 and the registration deadline is September 16th. To register, or for more information, call the Elgin Downtown Neighborhood Association at 847-488-1456 or e-mail jbenson@elginil.org.

Elgin by Bike and the Bike & Dine conclude a summer-long bicycle safety campaign in Elgin. For more information on this campaign, visit www.cityofelgin.org/bikes. This campaign was funded by the City of Elgin and federal highway safety funds through the Illinois Department of Transportation. Active Transportation Alliance has worked as the consultant on this campaign. The Elgin Downtown Neighborhood Association partnered on the Elgin by Bike and Bike and Dine events.

Trivia Night in Downtown Elgin

So I went with a girlfriend last night to Trivia Night at Elgin Public House. And man, do I feel dumb.

Who knows what the three parts of a comet are? Anybody? Anybody? Bueller? Bueller?

The three parts are the nucleus, the tail and the coma. I feel like that was buried somewhere deep in my brain from elementary school. Same goes for many of the questions - the answers were in there somewhere, just couldn't dig 'em up. Of course, beer doesn't help.

Though it does help you come up with very funny answers when you don't know the real answer. Which for us was the majority of the time. And probably only the two of us thought they were funny. Whatev.

They say two heads are better than one. When it comes to Trivia Night, 10 heads are better than two. There were 5 large teams playing against eachother, all having a great time, and using their combined brain power to come up with the answers to some pretty difficult questions.

The music round was entertaining. And not just because emcee Brent Edwards was nerd dancing to the sound bytes. The theme was musicals. And the team who got every answer right was made up of young, athletically inclined guys. Kinda funny. Maybe you had to be there.

And you should be there! Check out Trivia Night at Elgin Public House on Wednesday nights starting promptly at 8 p.m. 219 E. Chicago Street in Downtown Elgin. www.ElginPublicHouse.com or call (847) 468-8810.

What Harvest Market Means to This Girl, This Month

Okay so it is apparent that I am from Maine when I get excited that Fall is coming after what you Midwesterners call a "mild" summer. But I can't help it. When you are born in the fall, have memories of straw, pumpkins, apples, plus the seasonal changes of entering a new grade, a different swing at work, it all accumulates to good times for this girl.

So having a Harvest Market here in Downtown Elgin during this season floods the memories and realities of a bit of the farm, nostalgia, and crisp, warm yummy items. For example I am so searching for gourds and apples tomorrow, along with possible gifts for friends born in September (maybe soaps and yummy brownies?). And since I don't have a bread maker or much patience in making bread I will load up on some bread purchases via Breadsmith. Plus I might grab a snack while I am in shopping mode from the Community Crisis Center (their last day at market!) and get that popcorn they are always popping up. Then Lucy Elliot, a great Downtown partner and Elgin Area Historical Society chica, will be displaying and playing with old fashioned games: no batteries included she says.

Now if all this fall talk has you disgusted, the market will not fail you in continuing on your summer kick. There is still ice cream and lemonade via Oberweis for sure tomorrow, plus many greens and veggies to make those nice grilled recipes the demo chefs have been displaying at the market each month, or a simple salad. Find that meat to grill over Labor Day, treats for the dog, and bring your knifes to get sharpened before guests arrive over the long weekend!

Whatever purpose the market fulfills for you I hope to see you the next couple Thursday's in Downtown Elgin. I'll be that girl with that big red apple in her hand and a tote bag full with gourds;)

Gasthaus September Bands

Madman Karaoke joins 2 for Tuesdays- every Tuesday great $2 specials on food and drink followed by karaoke! And 2 Nicole bartenders!!

Friday Sept. 4th- local punk bands The Turdles, Sleeping Under 47 & Dressed for Radio take the stage!
Saturday Sept. 5th- Human Garbage --local film crew unveils their own "Jackass" type movie premier with special guests Tongues & the Oil Can Boys performing
Sunday Sept. 6th-- Banner Pilot, Bust, Liarbirds, Arms aloft & Written off - Labor day punk fest!

Friday Sept. 11th- Laterdaze Band - awesome classic rock covers for the "grownups!"
Saturday Sept. 12th- enjoy the Downtown Elgin Car & AFV Show in the Civic parking lot. The Gasthaus is a proud sponsor and will be open for lunch that day offering a 10% discount to car show patrons all day and night! Immediately following the car show enjoy great Rockabilly music with The Boneyard Brawlers & The Blue Lincolns from 5 to 9 followed by Negative One - Classic Rock covers at 10:00! A weekend of music we grew up with!!

Friday Sept. 18th- The Return of BLACKENED- Chicago's premier Metallica cover band!!
Saturday Sept. 19th- Pooch Carver opens for Iron Horse Chicago- Motorhead tribute-

Friday Sept. 25th- The Lenny's - great oldies by a great Elgin band!!
Saturday Sept. 26th- Metal Fest- 5 metal bands perform beginning at 8:00 p.m.

Enjoy our $5 lunch specials Monday -Friday
September is ride your bike month-- The Gasthaus is offering a 10% discount when you show your bike helmet for lunch!

Market Cancelled Today

The Harvest Market is cancelled today due to weather. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Market Cancelled Today

The Harvest Market is cancelled today due to weather. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Kings of the NightTime World Playing Saturday

This Saturday, August 29, performing live at the Gasthaus,will be KINGS OF THE NIGHTTIME WORLD. Chicago's only KISS tribute band performing in full make up and costume! You'll think you're seeing the real thing! Show starts at 10:00pm! Have your picture taken with the band after the performance!

Rediscover Downtown Elgin Walking Tour

This Thursday, August 20, 2-3pm, Steve Munson, Downtown Neighborhood Association board members and business owner will be leading the second walking tour of the summer through Downtown Elgin, specifically around the Harvest Market on Division, E. Highland, and North Grove. Tour goers will be lead through historic buildings like the Professional Building and the old, old Gail Borden Public Library; step into tasty restaurants like La Quebrada, La Puesta Del Sol, Quiznos, Domani Café, Gasthaus; experience the retail and services by visiting The Razor’s Edge and Artistic Framing & Supply. The public is welcome to enjoy this free event by meeting at the Harvest Market location, Civic Center parking lot, corner of Douglas Avenue and East Highland. In case of rain bring an umbrella, as most of the tour will be inside. For more information contact Jennifer at 847.488.1456 or e-mail jbenson@elginil.org. The next Rediscover Downtown Elgin walking tour will be September 17, same time and place.

Harvest Market Goes Americana this Thursday

The Downtown Elgin Harvest Market will be hosting its monthly mini-fest with an “Americana” theme this Thursday, August 20, 10am – 4pm. Live entertainment, a cooking demo, and Cow Chip Bingo will set the tone of the mini fest that day. The market is located at the Civic Parking lot in Downtown Elgin (the corner of E. Highland and Douglas Ave.) and is held every Thursday from 10am – 4pm until October 8. The following opportunities and activities will be offered at this “Americana” themed market:

• Cow Chip Bingo
Two cows from a local farm will be let into a pen at 1pm with 132 chalk squares. The first chip to fall will make one person a lucky winner of the “Basket of Bounty” – a basket filled with items from all of the market vendors. To buy your square before 1pm either go to the Downtown Neighborhood Association at 2 Douglas Avenue between 8:30am – 5pm or on Thursday buy them between 10am – 1pm at the market site.

• Entertainment & Art
Enjoy music between noon – 2pm by the Fox River Trio, a folk band featuring locals Paris Donehoo, Beth Iverson, Steve Stauffacher, and John Kauffman. Also during that time will be The Savino Sisters who help sell produce at the Twin Garden Farm booth. The five sister names are Elizabeth (Savino) Nye, Dana, Caitlin, Stephanie, and Gianna Savino. Also there will be an outdoor exhibit of work by artist Deborah Erica Clarkson.

• In the Activate Elgin Booth:
Be sure to stop by at noon for a Cooking demo with Chef Virginia Lopez who will be cooking Grilled Veggie Quesadillas, be sure to get some tips and samples. The City of Elgin will also have information on hand at this booth before and after.

• In the Elgin Climate Change Organization booth:
The Elgin Public Museum will have a weather presentation for kids along with ECCO’s information.

• In the Harvest Market Sponsor Booth: Chiro One Wellness Centers
Get feedback and questions answered with these chiropractic professionals.

• Buy a Harvest Market or Rediscover Downtown Elgin T-shirt (Med – XXL) for $10 or a Tote Bag for $1 while supplies last.

The Downtown Elgin Harvest Market is organized by the Downtown Neighborhood Association (DNA), and partners Activate Elgin, Elgin Community Network (ECN) and Elgin Climate Change Organization (ECCO). The Harvest Market’s main sponsor is Alexian Brothers Hospital Network and supporting sponsors are Chiro One Wellness Centers, Lifetime Health & Wellness Inc., and Rominski Active Healthcare.
For more information about upcoming activities, vendors, etc. contact Jennifer by calling 847.488.1456, e-mailing jbenson@elginil.org.

Gasthaus Band Line-Up for August

Friday 14th- Marc the intern's going to Berkley! Come say goodbye and hear him play guitar! Several guitar masters take the stage to showcase shredding techniques! Followed by local bands to round out the night!

Saturday 15th- It's country night! First Jerry Hudson will perform his tribute to Johnny Cash! Followed by a Gasthaus favorite- The Roadhouse Profits playing today's country hits! Line dancing guaranteed!

Friday August 21st- Backyard opens for Selective Recall- one of The Fox Valley's premier Classic Rock cover bands! Feel like dancing?

Saturday 22nd- Heavy rock covers performed by Rough Trade, and Stone Free!

Friday 28th- Jam night- come enjoy a night of jam bands- featuring Rhombus!

Saturday 29th- This is a night you do NOT want to miss-- KINGS OF THE NIGHTTIME WORLD- A KISS tribute band in full costume!! We want to Rock and Roll all night & party every day!!

The Gasthaus is now open for lunch- great specials- many $5 or less! Daily drink specials! We're new and improved!

An interesting fact to note about the Downtown Elgin HarvestMarket is the additional shopping that consumers do in the businessdistrict. According to one of my recent consumer dot surveys, 26% ofthe people noted that they would be spending $1-$10 while on this tripat a local establishment. When I questioned what types of purchaseswere going to be made, most said that they ate or were going to eat at alocal restaurant like Quiznos. Additionally, 22% of the people surveyedmarked that they would be spending between $10 and $30. Some of therespondents in this category said that they were going to places likeMad Maggie's and Red Bar Winery.

These facts illustrate that the HarvestMarket draws consumers to the downtown Elgin area for more than just vendors selling fresh produce and specialty items. Local businesses are thriving and their long-term sustainabilityis being reinforced by the patrons that frequent the market each and every week. The downtown area is expanding rapidly primarily because of the support given to local businesses, and showing that Elgin is capable of considerable economic growth. Shopping at the Harvest Market is the first step in showing that you care about Elgin!

Keep it up!

My purchases:

Gloria's Gourmet Meats-One pink rose $1
Twin Garden Farms-Half dozen Mirai Corn $4

Thursday July 16, 2009 harvest market recap

The Peruvian market was filled with interesting sights and sounds that made the atmosphere on this particular day one of a kind. My favorite part had to have been Inkapirka, an Ecuadorian pan flute band from Wisconsin. Nothing compares to renditions of my favorite Elton John and Beatles tunes while volunteering at the market!

Today my two main tasks were conducting my second consumer survey and filming a YouTube video that is going to profile the atmosphere of the Harvest Market. My consumer survey had over 75 responses, and is telling me some important information about why people come and what they come for. This week I learned about spending patterns in the surrounding business district and in the Harvest Market, how frequently consumers purchase organic foods, and why people tell others to shop at the Harvest Market. In the middle of recruiting consumers to take my survey, I helped direct Tony from Hudson Productions with the video shoot. We captured some great footage of the live alpacas, the tribal drum group from Heather's Studio for Drums and Percussion, and El Cenzontle dance troupe. Also in the mix were a few customer testimonials and interviews with our vendors Sweet Whimsy and Twin Garden Farms. Be sure to check the video out, you can find the link through Facebook when complete!

Unfortunately this week I was strapped for cash, so my purchases were minimal:
PawPrint Barkery
One Pig Ear $2
Gloria's Gourmet Meats
One package Beef jerky $5

Waffle Fries and the (Almost) All-New Gasthaus

Funny, the things that inspire us.

I haven't blogged in a while, but today I just couldn't help myself. I was inspired by the strangest thing . . . waffle fries.

I ordered lunch to go at Gasthaus. YES! Gasthaus is open for lunch (and dinner for that matter). I ordered a BLT wrap from their surprisingly varied and "non-bar food" menu, and my good friend Ack asked me if I would like regular fries or waffle fries.

OMG...the only thing I love more than waffles is waffle fries.

I was reminded of the first time I ever had them - at Shoney's on Rte. 25 in Carpentersville. Anybody remember that place?

Anyways, the fries were great and the wrap was great, too.

You can check out the (almost) all-new Gasthaus and its almost all-new menu (there are still some German favorites on there) at the DNA's Out to Lunch on Monday, July 27 at Noon.

Our speakers are the Elgin Bicycling Ambassadors. Some of you may have seen them at Wing park concerts, the Harvest Market, or at other events promoting bicycling in Elgin.

The cost is $10.50, all inclusive, for lunch. To RSVP call 847.488.1456 or e-mail jbenson@elginil.org by Friday, July 24.

Peruvian Harvest Market

Downtown Elgin Harvest Market will be Peruvian themed with live entertainment and live alpacas to add some South American flavor to the market on Thursday, July 16. Located at the Civic Parking lot in Downtown Elgin (the corner of E. Highland and Douglas Ave.) the market is held every Thursday from 10am – 4pm until October 8. The following opportunities and activities will be offered at the Peruvian market:

Live Alpacas
An alpaca or two from Rivendell Alpaca farm here in Elgin will be on site for the public to meet and learn about, including what clothing items you can make out of their fleece.

Entertainment
Enjoy music throughout the day by Inkapirka, an Ecuadorian pan flute band from Wisconsin, and between noon and 2pm El Cenzontle, a dance troupe from Church of the Redeemer here in Downtown Elgin, a tribal drum group from Heather’s Studio for Drums and Percussion.

In the Activate Elgin Booth:
Listen and ask questions during “Robin’s Ramblings on Food and Health” with Robin Migalla, along with enjoying a cooking demo at noon with a grilled vegetable salad. Enjoy some samples!

In the Elgin Climate Change Organization booth:
Create sugar skull masks and/or paper marigolds with the Elgin Public Museum for Dia de Los Muertos – “Day of the Dead”.

In the Harvest Market Sponsor Booth: Rominski Active Health
Get feedback and questions answered with these chiropractic professionals.

Buy a Harvest Market T-shirt (Med – XXL) for $10 or a Tote Bag for $1 while supplies last.

Highlighted Vendor of the Week: Olives 4 You
Pierre welcomes you with a “Bonjour” and a debonair smile while methodically keeping his olive containers neat and in a straight row with more than 15 varieties of olives, and pita bread, hummus, tapenade, and bab ganosh on either side. Perfect for snacks, Mediterranean dinner, pita sandwiches to take to work and so gosh darn yummy, this should be a staple to get at the Harvest Market. For more information on their olive varieties go to www.olives-4-you.com

The Downtown Elgin Harvest Market is organized by the Downtown Neighborhood Association (DNA), and partners Activate Elgin, Elgin Community Network (ECN) and Elgin Climate Change Organization (ECCO). The Harvest Market’s main sponsor is Alexian Brothers Hospital Network and supporting sponsors are Chiro One Wellness Centers, Lifetime Health & Wellness Inc., and Rominski Active Healthcare. For more information about upcoming activities, vendors, etc. contact Jennifer by calling 847.488.1456, e-mailing jbenson@elginil.org or visiting http://www.downtownelgin.com/Page.aspx?ID=149&PID=17

July 9, 2009 Harvest Market

July 9, 2009 Harvest Market
For a moment, I would like to focus on the short distance that most of these items travel to get to the market, and the impact it has on the environment. According to sparkpeople.com, the average food item travels over 1300 miles to get to your table. This puts a strain on an enormous amount of energy and resources across the United States, while also creating significant problems for the environment. Not to mention, the product must suffer in regards to freshness and quality due to the duration of the transportation. Vendors at the Downtown Elgin Harvest Market are aware of these facts and pride themselves in bringing fresh produce from a very short distance. When talking to Twin Garden Farms at the market today they mentioned that their location in Harvard, Illinois is less than 25 miles away. Because they are so close, they use a significantly smaller amount of fossil fuels when transporting their product which aids the environment, and deliver a more nutritious product than many commercial sources. Facts like these are why I choose to shop at the Downtown Elgin Harvest Market.

This week, my mother came along to the market today for the first time, and couldn't help but make some purchases of her own:
Windy City Farms
1/2 Pound of white asparagus, 1/2 Pound of green asparagus- 2 For $5.00
Copa Do Sol
French Malongo decaf coffee $15.00 For 8oz. can
Sweet Whimsy
One raspberry and one caramel walnut specially cake $4 ea.

July 2, 2009 Harvest Market

One of my favorite parts about the Downtown Elgin Harvest Market is the atmosphere that I get to enjoy on a weekly basis. Meeting genuine people and the great conversations that follow make my trip to Elgin from Aurora a worthwhile commute. It is so relaxing going into my volunteer efforts knowing that I am going to have a great day because of the stress-free environment that a farmers market embodies. Today, I started by greeting all of the vendors and passing out my weekly survey. These surveys are helping me find out important information regarding each vendor such as peak times for sales, how many transactions were made in a given day, and what their top products sold were. In my conversations I can tell that all of the businesses that participate are comprised of hard-working people that truly care about the customers. They are not just in it for the money!
Of course my blog would not be complete without mentioning my weekly purchases. They say it's always better to give than to receive, and it seems that the saying holds true in my mind when shopping at the Harvest Market. Today, I couldn't help but thinking of my significant others’ fond desire for anything involving cinnamon. I stopped at La Spicera and Pierre recommended some finely ground Vietnamese cinnamon that he had just got in. Afterwards, I proceeded to Breadsmith where a cinnamon roll and a cinnamon scone found their way into my tote bag. I couldn't help but steal a small bite of the cinnamon roll and wow! What a treat. The quality and freshness of these products was excellent. What more is there to say, it was another successful day at the market!