Rain Barrels on Parade Kickoff

Groups to Shower Elgin with "Green Art"
Rain barrels will be on double-duty this summer, as painted works of art around town and as eco-friendly containers saving rainwater throughout the community.

Neighborhood and community organizations will decorate 50 rain barrels that will be displayed at 50 various Elgin locations. Visitors will get a passport stamped for each barrel to be entered in a prize drawing. The rain barrels will be moved to Gail Borden Public Library, where they will be viewed and voted on to decide the community’s favorite, then auctioned off by ECN at FoxFireFest August 2 to benefit neighborhood projects. The deadline for submitting your barrel is May 25th. More info here.

Some photos from today's kickoff.

 

Mayor Schock

 

Sigi Psimenos and the performers.

Dancers in motion. Sometimes the iPhone camera can capture the moment.

Downtown Mixer - Tweetup

Wednesday, April 1 (No Fooling)
5 to 7 pm
Douglas Street Sports Bar
231 Douglas Ave.
Elgin, IL 60120

Cash bar, free knowledge.
RSVP here or on Facebook.

Last year, at our first Downtown Mixer we had Speed Networking. This year we're offering a different take on the same concept. We've been hearing that you want to learn more about all this social media stuff, so here's your chance.


"Speed Learning" at 5:30, 6:00 and 6:30 pm
At least three topics, a 15 minute small group presentation, Q&A.

Twitter, presented by Sarah Evans
Facebook for Business, presented by Steve Munson
Blogging, presented by Jessica Thompson

So join us for an evening of learning, networking and maybe even some fun.

The Burnham Plan Centennial

In 1909, Daniel Burnham and Edward Bennett collaborated with the Commercial Club of Chicago and others to create a new plan for the greater Chicago region. 100 years later you can see the results and plan the next 100 years here.

Follow @Burnham100 on Twitter for info on The Burnham Plan Centennial.

Take the Daniel Burnham Walking Tour presented during the 2009 National Main Streets Conference in Chicago.

Check out Elgin's contribution to the centennial starting May 19th. Elgin Alive:  Deep Roots, Green Future Exhibit

Be like Burnham. Make no small plans.

Walking in a Window Wonderland

In my former life I was a dancing snowflake. And a mechanical doll. And an Arabian dancer. And a waltzing flower.

Who knew that all those years of dancing roles in The Nutcracker would help me in my role as director of the Downtown Neighborhood Association?

This year’s theme for the DNA’s annual holiday event, Window Wonderland, is The Nutcracker Suite.

Visions of sugarplum fairies and other Nutcracker characters will be painted and displayed on downtown storefront windows beginning this week, just as the construction workers start to settle down for a long winter’s nap.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year to come to downtown Elgin. No flying dust, no deafening jackhammering, no traffic backups . . . just lots of holiday cheer and fun for the whole family.

Yeah, it’s cold, but I’ll take that over a mouthful of dust any day.

Window Wonderland was one of the first events that the DNA hosted when the organization was established back in 1998. The goal of the event was to bring people downtown to look at the decorated windows and get them into the businesses with enticing treats and specials. This year’s theme, The Nutcracker Suite, is a throw-back to the very first Window Wonderland in 1998.

Ten years later, the goal remains the same, though the event has grown tremendously in scope. More than 40 storefronts will be decorated by community groups, individuals and businesses competing for great prize packages. The public is invited to view the windows and vote for their favorites on December 6, while enjoying a flurry of other fun holiday activities, such as lunch and pictures with Santa, live reindeer, a live nativity, free ice skating, roaming carolers, chestnuts roasting on an open fire, the City’s tree lighting ceremony and much, much more.

So, mark your calendars to go walking through a “Window Wonderland” in Downtown Elgin on December 6. Visit DowntownElgin.com for details.

GPA Merchant's Night

Tuesday, November 18 6:00pm - 9:00pm

Join your GPA neighbors for a free evening of fun and friendship as we visit the businesses in Downtown Elgin. Local merchants have agreed to stay open late on Tuesday night so we can visit the shops, meet the owners, chat, learn what they have to offer, see what's new, socialize, and let them get to know us. It's a first step in building a relationship between the Gifford Park Association and the entrepreneurs who are choosing Elgin as the spot for their new endeavors.

Tuesday, November 18
Begin gathering at Ravenheart Coffee between 6:00 - 6:15pm
A bit of socializing at the coffee shop 6:15 - 6:40pm; depart Ravenheart at 6:40
Visit Lily Falls between 6:40 - 7:00pm
Visit Elgin Books from 7:00 - 7:20pm
End the evening at Elgin Public House 7:20 - ???

Use the Downtown Directory to find your way.

Downtown Elgin Top 10 List - November 12, 2008

Top 10 List

1 - Old Times

2 - Holiday Open House

3 - ESO - John Williams

4 - Book a Holiday Party

5 - End of Suburbia

6 - Salsa / Tech Blender

7 - Elgin Books & Coffee

8 - Yoga Classes

9 - Bjorn Again

10 - Night to Remember

Click to view details

Click here to have the Top 10 List delivered to you every week. All those who sign up in November will be placed in a drawing to win a $10 gift card for Mad Maggie's.

Downtown Elgin Top 10 List - October 8, 2008

Top 10 List

1 - Oktoberfest

2 - Tubes & Ira Glass

3 - Showcase is Open

4 - Football Packages

5 - Elgin 1440

6 - E-mail Marketing

7 - Window Wonderland

8 - Gala's and Dinners

9 - Broadway Favorites

10 - Lunch/Dinner

Click to view details

Click here to have the Top 10 List delivered to you every week. All those who sign up in October will be placed in a drawing to win a gift card for a Holy Cow Pie from Elgin Public House.

Downtown Elgin Top 10 List - September 24, 2008

Top 10 List

1 - DNA Gala

2 - Hemmens Season

3 - Tonya the Mechanic

4 - Showcase is Open

5 - "Y" Walk Weekend

6 - Music at Restaurants

7 - Cemetery Walk

8 - Last day at Market

9 - Midori in Elgin

10 - E-mail Marketing

Click to view details

Click here to have the Top 10 List delivered to you every week. All those who sign up in September will be placed in a drawing to win a $10 gift card from Quiznos.

Downtown Elgin Top 10 List - September 19, 2008

Top 10 List

1 - Out to Lunch

2 - Munching & Music

3 - ESO Gala Celebration

4 - DNA Awards & Gala

5 - Yoga Classes

6 - Harvest Market

7 - Hemmens Season

8 - Showcase is Open

9 - Y" Walk Weekend

10 - Cemetery Walk

Click to view details

Click here to have the Top 10 List delivered to you every week. All those who sign up in September will be placed in a drawing to win a $10 gift card from Quiznos.

Downtown Elgin Top 10 List - September 12, 2008

Top 10 List

1 - Yoga Classes

2 - Events of Interest

3 - Fiesta Salsa

4 - The One-Watt House

5 - Calling All Artists

6 - Harvest Market

7 - September Discount

8 - Mad Maggies is Open

9 - ESO Gala Celebration

10 - DNA Awards & Gala

Click to view details

Click here to have the Top 10 List delivered to you every week. All those who sign up in September will be placed in a drawing to win a $10 gift card from Quiznos.

Los Hermanos Rosarios at The Centre

Fiesta Salsa was canceled but the main act, Los Hermanos Rosarios, will perform on Saturday, September 13th at The Centre of Elgin, 100 Symphony Way. Admission is $15. Food will be available for purchase. Doors open at 7 pm.

Fiesta Salsa and Parade Cancelled

 

Fiesta Salsa and the Hispanic Heritage Parade have been cancelled. See www.cityofelgin.org for more information. Organizers and trying to find an indoor venue for the main act to perform tonight. Check this blog for updates.

Downtown Elgin Top 10 List - September 4, 2008

Top 10 List

1 - Mad Maggies is Open

2 - Cars & Carnival

3 - 2008 Duckapalooza

4 - Native American

5 - For Your Health

6 - Senior Fun

7 - 9/11 Observance

8 - Harvest Market

9 - Fiesta Salsa

10 - DNA Gala

Click to view details

Click here to have the Top 10 List delivered to you every week. All those who sign up in September will be placed in a drawing to win a $10 gift card from Quiznos.

Downtown Elgin Top 10 List - August 28, 2008

Top 10 List

1 - Harvest Market

2 - Sidewalk Sales

3 - Asian Fest

4 - Theater & Art

5 - SBDC Class

6 - Cars & Carnival

7 - Native American

8 - 2008 Duckapalooza

9 - For Your Health

10 - DNA Gala

Click to view details

Click here to have the Top 10 List delivered to you every week. All those who sign up in August will be placed in a drawing to win a $10 gift card from Ravenheart Coffee.

Downtown Elgin Top 10 List - August 21, 2008

Top 10 List

1 - Harvest Market

2 - Brown Bag

3 - Sidewalk Sales

4 - Out to Lunch

5 - Comedy

6 - Theater & Art

7 - Library Card Sign-Up

8 - Asian Fest

9 - Car Show

10 - DNA Gala

Click to view details

Click here to have the Top 10 List delivered to you every week. All those who sign up in August will be placed in a drawing to win a $10 gift card from Ravenheart Coffee.

Alley of Art - Week 1

The Alley of Art's first week had music and art along with great weather.

Margot Seigle explains how A'i jewelry is handcrafted by Cofan women in the Ecuadorian Amazon.

You have two more chances to experience Alley of Art and Walkabout Theatre for yourself on August 23rd and 30th. More info is available here.

Daily Herald article - Live theater comes to Elgin

BoriquaFest 2008

The music

The booths

The colors

The roasted pork

The drinks

Courier News article - Elgin fest celebrates all things Puerto Rican and photos