Storypalooza - What is it?

Storypalooza is coming to the Gail Borden Library.


What's a Storypalooza you might ask? Well, if you are budding videographer, this is your chance for fame and fortune and here's how you do it.

1) Create a video or slideshow on your favorite book or community event. The maximum length is four minutes. Click here for tips on creating your masterpiece.
2) Submit your entry before midnight on February 19th. You must upload the video to YouTube, and then link it to the library by sending an e-mail to Denise Raleigh with the subject line “Storypalooza.”
3) Wait until March to see if your entry is a winner. Public voting for the “My Favorite Book” and "Community Favorites" categories begins Feb. 22 through the library’s Web site, and ends at 5 p.m. March 12. Judges will select the first and second place winners.
4) This is want you could win.
First Community Bank in Elgin is offering cash and merchandise to the top entrants. Judges will award a $350 digital camcorder to the first-place contestant, a $150 camera to the second-place winner, a $50 Barnes & Noble gift card to the “My Favorite Book” entry, and a $50 gift card to Barnes & Noble for the top pick in the “Community Favorites” category. Winners of the first and second prizes are not eligible to win in the book and community categories.

For information, including ways to make videos or use digital pictures or slide shows for the contest, visit the library’s Web site or call Denise Raleigh at (847) 429-5981. Videos must be appropriate for the library’s general audience.

‘Storypalooza’ videos take Elgin’s Gail Borden library by storm - Daily Herald article by Mark Billings

Elgin Then & Now - The Henrietta Block

This article is courtesy of The Elginite.

Link to the location.

The downtown Elgin Community College building-often referred to as the Sears building-was built in 1908. It first was called the Henrietta because of the name carved in stone on the pediment above the main entrance, in memory of Henrietta Hackerodt Burritt. She was the first wife of Peter Burritt, whose extensive real estate holdings in Elgin were inherited by Rebecca McBride Burritt Gilbert, his second wife. It was Rebecca who named the building for Henrietta.
The Henrietta was constructed for leasing to Swan's Department store, which occupied the building for 30 years. Theodore F. Swan began his Elgin mercantile career with- a grocery store on River Street (North Grove Avenue) in 1867. By 1880 he had added dry goods and shoes in larger quarters on South Grove. In 1893 he moved his growing business to the Spurling Block (now the Commerce Building) on the northwest corner of DuPage and Spring Streets.
Swan was the first Elgin merchant to introduce the "cash railway system" to send money from any part of the store to the cashier. He also was the first to abandon evening hours in the interest of his employees. Unlike many other stores of the time, Swan's terms were strictly cash. Carrie Jacobs Bond, the composer of "I Love You Truly","Just a Wearying for You", and "The End of a Perfect Day", plugged sheet music sales at Swan's in the early '90s.
Swan's move across the street to the Henrietta gave his operation a main floor of 25,000 square feet. The basement was initially used for storage. The second floor at one time housed the Elks Club. When Theodore F. Swan died in 1922, the business was carried on by his son, Theodore 1. Swan. The store closed in 1938.The Henrietta was then occupied by Sears, Roebuck & Company, which had arrived in Elgin ten years earlier. In 1941 the basement and second-floor selling areas were expanded, and a parking lot to accommodate 85 cars was developed. This compelled the removal of six small houses owned by Gilbert along the Fulton Street frontage. The Sears automotive wing was added in 1948.
The Henrietta block, was erected for $60,000. Its renovations for college use cost more than $2 million. (source: ElginHistory.com)

Elgin Then & Now - The Hubbard Block

This article is courtesy of The Elginite.

Link to the location.

While many of Elgin's pioneers made their money through farming or the dairy industry, William G. Hubbard made his fortune through the dry goods business. Hubbard, a pioneer merchant, opened his building on the corner of Chicago and Douglas in 1851. It was there that he kept company with the best of the movers and shakers that Elgin had to offer. One of HubbardÂ’s original tenets was John Newman, owner and operator of Springbrook Creameries, as well as the owner of over 500 dairies. His other tenets were many of the German enterprises of the day, including SiedelÂ’s Bakery, AdlerÂ’s clothing store and Pabst Chicago House.
The original wooden building was destroyed in one of ElginÂ’s worst fires ever, on March 23, 1974. The fire shattered the glass windows across the street and seared buildings blocks away. It would be replaced with a white brick building that connected many other building on the block via the second and third floors. The second building would come to be known as The Lawyers Building, which was gutted by fire in 1979. It was torn down in 1980. (Source:elginpostcards.tripod.com)

The present building, was built in 1999 by Kurt Kresmery.

Rural Neighbors Visit Downtown Elgin

Today's Daily Herald had a photo of a coyote roaming Douglas Ave just north of downtown. This is not the first sighting of our animal friends in the urban landscape of downtown. In the past, I have seen a pheasant strolling across Highland Ave., ducks making nests in the sidewalk planters or on roof top patios. Of course there are the ever present geese, not so unusual. Once, while at Burger King on Dundee, I observed two deer making their rounds with the Elgin police in hot pursuit. I had to go back to the office and email my find. The replies varied from, "Were they pink?" to my wife's question, "Where did you go for lunch?".

Elgin Art Showcase

From the Daily Herald:

After years of running around in circles looking for places to perform, the Janus Theater Company can finally stand still. And this weekend, you can make a beeline to see them in its new home - at the new Elgin Art Showcase in downtown Elgin's Professional Building.

Read the article here.

The Elgin Art Showcase opens this weekend with "Life X 3," a play about a boss's dinner gone horribly wrong. The 90-minute play runs Saturday through March 4 on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

What follows below is a list of the showcase's current lineup for this season.
-Art for All's "Uniting People through the Arts" will feature 30 artists in conjunction with Janus Theater performances. This runs Friday through March 4. For more information, call (847) 741-7375.

-The Independent Players will present Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest." It will be performed March 9 and 10, 16 and 17 and 23 and 24. For more information, call (847) 697-7374.

- The SoapBox Theater Company will put on "The Mystery at Twicknam Vicarage" by David Ives and Emma Thompson. For more information, call (847) 697-7374. The show runs April 13 through the 29.

-The Janus Theater Company will perform "Murdering Marlowe," a play about the rivalry between William Shakespeare and playwright Christopher Marlowe. It runs May 18 through June 10.

-William Shakespeare's "Measure for Measure" also will be performed by the Janus Theater Company. It runs Aug. 17 through Sept. 9. For all Janus productions, call (847) 931-0637.

If you're an arts group interested in renting space at the venue, call (847) 951-1515

City Launches Downtown Sales Reimbursement Program for Businesses

The City of Elgin formulated a reimbursement program for downtown business owners adversely affected by the recent Center City street reconstruction.

Businesses located within the geographic area bounded by Grove Avenue to the west, Dexter Avenue to the north, Prairie Avenue to south and Center/Villa Streets to the east may apply for reimbursement for losses incurred between October 1, 2006-November 30, 2006.

Affected businesses will be required to verify the amount of the loss by completing and returning a reimbursement form and supporting documentation to City Hall. City staff will assess the total amount of loss from all businesses and provide that information to City Council for action.

Application forms are available from the City of Elgin Finance Department at City Hall, or the Downtown Neighborhood Association (DNA) offices at the Tower Building, 2 Douglas Avenue. Forms will also be available from the city website at or the DNA website.

Completed forms and documentation must be received or post marked by February 16, 2007 to the City of Elgin Finance Department. For questions regarding the rebate, please contact Mary at 847-931-5625 or email maskel_m@cityofelgin.org.

Links to newspaper articles:
Courier News
Daily Herald

Traffic Signal Has A New Sequence

Beginning Friday, Dec 22nd, the traffic signals at the intersection of Highland and Douglas Avenues will display a new signal sequence that will include a left-turn green arrow along with the normal green pass signal on northbound Douglas Ave..

“We’re just letting drivers know that there is a change in how to they should proceed through the intersection,” said John Loete, Director of Public Works. “Drivers on southbound Douglas Ave. should be aware that their green signal will be delayed for a short time to allow the northbound traffic onto westbound Highland Avenue the needed time to make that turn. “

New traffic signal equipment is being installed throughout the City’s Central Business District (CBD) as part of a $3.1 million CBD Traffic Signal Replacement Project. Currently, new signal equipment is operational at seven intersections with additional new equipment at six intersections waiting for Commonwealth Edison to connect power to the new equipment.

For more information, contact Steve Pertzborn, Senior Engineer, at (847) 931-3160.

Metra Schedule Changes

Some changes to the Milwaukee District West Line Schedule as of December 11th.

The Milwaukee District West Line, which runs between downtown and Big Timber Road in Elgin, now stops at the new station at Grand and Cicero. That station replaces the Cragin stop, at 1912 N. Leclaire, and the Hermosa stop, at 1800 N. Keeler.

Hey, Metra riders: Check that new schedule - Sun Times article

Water Main Installation Night Work to Continue

Central Business District (CBD) Street Resurfacing and Streetscape Program

Weather permitting, construction of the new water main from Chicago Street south down South Grove Avenue will begin the week of December 11, 2006. This work will be done at night in order to minimize impact on downtown businesses and the motoring public. The far right lane on Chicago Street from the river to just east of South Grove Avenue will be closed as well as South Grove Avenue between Chicago Street and Prairie Street. The lane closures will begin at 9 p.m. each evening and will be reopened before 5 a.m. the following morning.

Parking along South Grove Avenue will not be allowed during the lane closures. All vehicles should be removed prior to 9 p.m.

Traffic wishing to travel north from Prairie or Fulton Street can use Spring Street as an alternate.

For further information, please contact Steve Pertzborn, Senior Engineer, at 847-931-5955.

Street Closures Set for Snow Removal

Several downtown streets will be closed from 6 to midnight on Wednesday, December 6th as city crews work to clear snow from on-street parking areas. South Grove Avenue, from Chicago to Spring streets, will be closed throughout the six-hour span.
The following blocks will be temporarily closed between Highland Avenue and East Chicago Street:
• Riverside Drive.
• East side of State Street (Illinois 31).
• South Grove Avenue.
• Douglas Avenue.
These blocks will be closed only as long as it takes crews to clear snow piles from the street parking areas. City crews worked to clear nearly 310-center lane miles of city-owned roads after about 10-inches of snow fell over the entire Elgin area Friday. Signs will be posted to inform residents and guests of road closures and detour routes. For more information, contact Public Works Director John Loete at (847) 697-3160

Christmas Open House at Elgin Windmill Factory Antiques

Wednesday December 6, 5-9pm

Elgin Windmill Factory Antiques
80 N. State Street (Route 31)
Elgin, Illinois 60123
847-717-0327

We will be celebrating the entire day so stop in whenever is convenient for your busy
schedule. We will have finger sandwiches, hot cider, punch and other goodies for
you to munch. The antique mall will have several dealers present and many
discounts will be available to you during that time. We will have live music with
piano playing, harp, flute, and maybe even cow bells. We hope that many of you
can make it on this special night of fun and just enjoying being out with many of our
friends. You can always check out our website at http://www.elginwindmillfactoryantiques.com
for further details, directions or just to contact us.

Aaron Neville Concert Cancelled Due to Weather

The Aaron Neville concert at the Hemmens Auditorium in Elgin scheduled for tonight is canceled due to weather conditions. Ticket holders are asked to keep their tickets until further information is available. An announcement will be made by Hemmens’ management by Monday, with more specific details concerning a rescheduled date. Check the Hemmens’ Web site at www.hemmens.org for updated information.

Meanwhile, any current ticket holder to the Aaron Neville Concert can purchase tickets at half-price for Saturday (Dec. 2) Windham Hill Winter Solstice performance by showing their tickets at The Hemmens’ Box Office. This concert is scheduled for 8 p.m., after the Elgin’s Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Civic Plaza.

Elgin's local artists get home of their own

From the Chicago Tribune on November 28, 2006

A nomadic existence isn't uncommon for theater groups, but Sean Hargadon will happily relinquish the role when Elgin opens a city-subsidized theater space next year.

The Elgin resident founded Janus Theatre Company eight years ago, and his troupe has done shows in Chicago and around the suburbs.

"I think this is overdue; there has been a real need for this type of venue in Elgin," Hargadon said. "We had to do a lot of work in Chicago because there wasn't any space in Elgin."

Renovation of the eighth floor at 164 Division St. for the "black box" theater, whose spaces are typically unadorned, is expected to be complete in time for a January opening. The eight-story Gothic-style office building opened in 1928 and is registered as a local historic site. The city will pay about $115,000 over three years to owner 164 Division LLC, a Chicago investment group.

Read the article here.

Elgin Academy Media, Science and Fine Arts Center

The Media, Science, and Fine Arts Center--a major building in the center the of the Academy’s Hilltop Campus--assumes the highest priority for facilities improvements that will be instrumental in helping the school accomplish its goals.

The building is designed as an environmentally sensitive, LEED-certified structure under the criteria of the U.S. Green Building Council. It will be a “campus hub” while serving the needs of every student in Early Childhood, Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools.

The Academy anticipates construction of the Center at the corner of Dundee Avenue and Kimball Street. The facility will encompass approximately 42,300 square feet on four levels. It is designed to meet a variety of needs for all students, from preschool through twelfth grade.
· A new Library will provide ample space to increase the print and electronic collections that compliment the EA curriculum and will be fully integrated with the computer technology resources of the Academy.
· The Fine Arts Department and virtually all Fine Arts activities will be served by the new Center. The Black Box Theatre will serve the needs of all EA students, as well as providing performance space for many community performing arts groups who will rent the space.
· New state-of-the-art Science and Math Labs will serve Middle and Upper School students.

The new Center will spark many other beneficial changes and will create new opportunities to use space in Edwards, Sears, and North Halls. The greatest changes will occur in Sears Hall where several classrooms are being renovated, lockers replaced, and bathrooms remodeled. Changes in North Hall include converting the art rooms to Preschool and Lower School classrooms. Changes in Edwards Hall include enlarging the computer lab and renovating science classrooms.

Schedule:
Spring 2007 Groundbreaking for the new Center, and construction begins
August 2008 Occupancy of New Media, Science, and Fine Arts Center

Go to the Elgin Academy web site for more information.

Water Main Installation Being Done At Night

Construction of the new water main on and across Chicago Street is being done the week of November 20th at night in order to minimize impact on downtown businesses and the motoring public. This work will include the installation of water main along the south side of Chicago Street from North Grove, where new water main has already been installed, to South Grove. At that intersection, the water main installation will turn south along South Grove. No further water main work on Chicago Street is anticipated in this phase of the project.

Lane closures on Chicago Street will begin at 7 p.m. but the street will remain open to traffic. All lanes on Chicago will be open before the morning rush hour. Utility construction in the downtown area has created many challenges. The night construction for the crossing of Chicago Street is being utilized in order to maintain full access to businesses during the day and to minimize disruption to traffic during peak times.

For further information, please contact Steve Pertzborn, Senior Engineer, at 847-931-5955.

Elgin Receives Three Awards for Excellence in Downtown Revitalization

Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn concluded the 13th Annual Illinois Main Street Downtown Revitalization conference November 14 and 15 held in Waukegan with the Lieutenant Governor Awards for Excellence in Downtown Revitalization. The Downtown Neighborhood Association (DNA) with Community partners brought back to Elgin three awards recognizing local efforts.

The 2005 Block Walk Report Project completed by the DNA Design Committee was a co-winner of the Design Committee Project, the Judson College Partnership with DNA won in the Partnership Development category, and lastly Giants: African Dinosaurs Created by Project Exploration/ Dinos on Parade was a co-winner in the Special Event category. The Downtown Neighborhood Association also received designation as a Premier program through the Illinois Main Street Program, which there are only seven of in Illinois out of sixty-nine communities.

Present to receive an award for the 2005 Block Walk Report was architect, Eric Pepa, urban planner and landscape architect, Paul Bednar, and construction contractor, Rick Krocza as active DNA Design committee participants in this project. The judges declared,” This was a wonderfully proactive approach and a great model for other Main Streets.”

Present to receive an award for the Judson College Partnership was Provost & VP for Academic Affairs, Dale Simmons, Architecture department chair Dr. Curtis Sartor, and students Josh McGarvey, Nickolas Coile, John Wetendorf, Aaron Wood, and recent graduate Maria Sierra. One judge commented, “What a great use of their resources! The students benefit from practical experience and the community reaps the awards!”

Present to receive the “Giants: African Dinosaurs Created by Project Exploration/ Dinos on Parade” award from Gail Borden Public Library was Carole Medal, executive director, Karen Maki, deputy director, Denise Raleigh, director of communications and Jean Bednar, library board member and foundation trustee. The judges declared this a “Dino-mite project” that Gail Borden Public Library, the community and DNA took part in. The project was a success because of a tremendous number of people that contributed.

Illinois Main Street communities from throughout the state submit their best projects for the annual awards. A distinguished panel of judges, including economic development specialists, historic preservation architects, and downtown professionals made the award decisions.

The Lieutenant Governor’s Office administers the Illinois Main Street program, which has 69 designated communities, with an additional 25 introductory communities on the way. It is based on a national model that offers communities help with issues of historic preservation, economic development and downtown improvements. Illinois has the 4th largest program out of the 40 plus states that belong to the National Main Street program administered through the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Downtown Elgin’s Window Wonderland “Holidays Around The World” Event Ushers in Holiday Season

The Downtown Neighborhood Association’s 8th Annual Window Wonderland Event kicks off the holiday season on December 2 from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. All of the event festivities will take place on Elgin’s east side in historic downtown Elgin. This year’s theme, “Holidays Around The World” features activities and events offered by eighteen downtown businesses and several outside organizations. Offerings include refreshments, crafts for children, story-telling, dance workshops, music, dessert and coffee sampling, face-painting, and games. The event coincides with the City of Elgin’s annual tree-lighting ceremony.
Photos with Santa Claus will be offered in the historic Tower Building on the corner of Douglas and Chicago/Grove Streets from 2:00-5:00 p.m. Cost for photos will be $5 each if individuals present a stamped Holidays Around The World “passport,” or $8 each without an event passport. Event passports may be picked up at the Downtown Neighborhood Association (DNA) office at 2 Douglas Ave. or businesses listed below. All activities are free and open to the public.
Assett Realty, 123 S. Grove will have food sampling; Aztec Imports, 163 E. Chicago will offer refreshments; Café Magdalena, 13 Douglas will offer story-telling, “African Christmas” with a craft and refreshments for 3-10 year olds at 2pm and 3:30pm; Evolution Staffing, 10 Douglas will host a bean bag toss game by the St. Edward’s Crusader Youth Cheerleaders; Gasthaus, 15 N. Grove will offer strudel and hot chocolate; Great American Family Diner, 231 Douglas will offer ornament decorating and cheesecake sampling; Jalapenos Restaurant, 7 Clock Tower Plaza will offer a craft for 3-10 year olds, music and Mexican dessert sampling; Kirkpatrick, Jones & Herzog, 19 S. Spring will offer a craft for children; La Quebrada, 50 N. Spring will offer Mariachi’s (music); Let’s Meet For Coffee, 109 E. Highland will offer coffee samples; Mobile Media, 231 Douglas will offer doughnuts; Montana Realty, 8 N. Douglas will offer face-painting and temporary tattoos by the St. Edward’s Crusader Youth Cheerleaders; Razor’s Edge, 55 Douglas will offer hot apple cider; ReRuns Thrift Store, 72 S. Grove will offer refreshments and a sale; Shockey Jewelers, 18 Douglas will offer champagne, refreshments and a sale; Tower Building—ground floor, Corner of Douglas and Chicago/Grove will offer photos with Santa for a fee; YWCA of Elgin, 220 E. Chicago will offer refreshments. Reflejo Latino Dance Group, 15 ½ Ziegler Court will offer dance workshops for 10-16 year olds at 2pm and 2:30pm and 4pm and 4:30pm; Individuals 17 years old and up may attend dance workshops at 3pm and 3:30pm. The Bartlett High School Choir and the Salvation Army will also offer special music all afternoon.
Area groups and downtown businesses and organizations begin decorating windows for the window decorating contest to the theme, “Holidays Around The World” Nov. 17- Dec. 1. Judging by popular vote begins on the day of the event, Dec. 2 and continues through Dec. 24. Windows will also be evaluated by a panel of judges on the day of the event. Votes by the public may be cast by picking up a ballot on the day of the event from the Downtown Neighborhood Association office on 2 Douglas or at any of the participating businesses. Additional information is available online www.downtownelgin.org. The event is sponsored by Chase Bank, Elgin Toyota, and Nick’s Liquors.
If you are interested in more information on how to be part of the Downtown Neighborhood Association or would like to volunteer, please contact the office at 847-488-1456 or visit www.downtownelgin.org.

Elgin on WTTW-Channel 11 on 11/28

WTTW-Channel 11 will air “The Fox River Valley and Chain o’ Lakes” at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 28.

The show will feature the Watch Factory, the observatory and Walton Island.

Update:
Encore Airings of this Episode
Tuesday, November 28 at 9:30 pm
Sunday, December 10 at 7:30 pm
Sunday, December 10 at 10:00 pm

Water Main Break on Grove

Some drivers may have had a few choice words for "the City" when they encountered Grove Ave closed during the Friday evening rush hour. You can take back those words, Public Works was just doing their job. A water main decided it was time to break. With Chicago and Highland down to one lane and the traffic signal work at every intersection, the traffic was backed up in all directions.

The good news is there will be less of these unexpected inconveniences as the five year project to replace all the water mains downtown gets started next week. The bad news is in order to do this there will be planned street closings in limited areas over the next five years.

Hemmens Shows x Four - November 7,9,10,11

There is a show for everyone next week at the Hemmens. For tickets call the box office at 847.931.5900.

- George Winston - Tuesday, November 7, 7:30pm (Solos on piano, guitar, harmonica, and piano dances)
- B.B. King - Thursday, November 9, 8pm (Need we say more about a Blues Legend?)
- Kathy Griffin - Friday, November 10, 8pm (An evening of laughs with this stand-up comedian) SOLD OUT
- Eric Burdon & The Animals - Saturday, November 11, 8pm (Say what British Invasion of the 60's)