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!

Harvest Market Recap- July 2

I hope everyone had a happy 4th of July! Melissa here from Activate Elgin. This past Thursday's market again was a bustle of activity, and the weather was perfect to do some last minute shopping for the holiday weekend. I was not an exception, as I stocked up on some goodies to bring to the lakehouse for an Independence Day feast. I also brought my puppy Layla to meet some new friends and sample some tasty treats!

Layla and I first went to the Pawprint Barkery for some of her favorite treats- peanut butter cookies! (I later found out that my roommate tried snacking on these cookies while I was gone because they look and smell like the real thing!) We then made our way down the rows of vendors and stopped for some focaccia bread, cherries, tomatoes, corn, cheddar cheese, and specialty olive oil. I also grabbed a hot dog and some popcorn to top it off with a quick lunch. After leaving the market, I headed up to Wisconsin to spend some quality time with the family. The focaccia bread was dipped in the olive oil as a snack, and the cherries, tomatoes, and corn accented our 4th of July picnic out on the boat. These items went over BIG, even though I didn't buy the cheese in cheese country!

I was also sure to check out the educational booths while I was at the market. The Elgin Area Historical Museum was teaching people how to make butter- such a great idea if you couldn't wait to get home to munch on some of your goodies from the Breadsmith. The League of Women Voters space was also bustling with people registering to vote, and Ina was hard at work at the DNA booth entering people in the raffle and promoting downtown businesses.

Be sure to check out this coming market day on July 9th- there will be plenty of familiar faces, new foods to try and interesting sights to see :)

June 18, 2009 Market Summary

When talking to consumers at today's market, more people are focusing on the healthy choices they can make by purchasing foods from local farmers markets. These purchases are not only beneficial for consumers, but have a positive impact on the environment and promote sustainability of local businesses. In the past, I have not always shopped at farmers markets however working at the Downtown Elgin Harvest market has changed my outlook when I purchase foods for my household.
This week after work I made some great buys from some of our vendors at the market. Twin Garden Farms was my first stop where I purchased boldly colored yellow and red peppers, along with fresh corn that had just been placed in bags a few days before. As I made my way down the line, I found myself at PawPrint Bakery to buy ostrich jerky for my neighbor’s 150 pound Newfoundland. Debbie the owner advised me that I could cut the large strip in half if it is too much for the dog however, that was not the case as Gracie devoured it in a matter of a few bites! I finished my round of purchases at Olives 4 You where I couldn't help but think of my mother's fond desire for Mediterranean olives. These locally produced products were all affordably priced, and supporting local businesses made me feel good about my decision to buy at a farmers market.

Gasthaus's Weekend Bands for July

Friday July 3rd- Alterior Motives, Gates of Dis, & Caldera- classic metal covers (Slayer/Pantera) & originals
Saturday July 4th- Punk Night- Join us for your favorite local punk pands including the Oil Can Boys!

Friday July 10th- is a night of metal madness with The Madhatters & Develin
Saturday- Nitrous Rockside takes the stage playing your favorite classic rock covers from the 70s through today!

Friday July 17th- Southern Jack performs the best of ZZ top, Lynard Skynard, The Allman Brothers & all your other favorite southern rock bands!
Saturday July 18th- Local metal and rock bands including Dont' tell Momma, Article B, & Still Kickin perform!

Friday July 24th- The Bungdoons, Hay Perro, & the Repulsators - punk rock is alive in Elgin!
Saturday July 25th- Life Sentence & The Pimps- High energy classic rock is performed! PLUS- the Elgin Bar crawl- a night of music/prizes and great entertainment!

Kitchen is now open serving great wraps, sandwiches, appetizers & even a couple of classic German favorites! Stop in today! Open for lunch beginning in July!!

Parade in the works

The 4th of July Parade is coming along nicely. I never realized how many people want to be in a parade before. Once all the paper work is done the real challenge then becomes getting people in order on the day of the parade. I can only imagine the (organized?) chaos that will ensue on that day. People really seem to care about this event which is good. The amount of people in this event makes me appreciate the amount of logistics that are involved in this. The amount of people really makes this amazing.

--

There was a reporter who came in yesterday asking what was going on in the downtown area. We gave her a few ideas and talked about what's happening in the downtown area. She was a change of pace from a few people I've seen walk in here so far. A few eccentrics have walked in here talking about the town. Well, to be fair they're really more passionate than anything else. They have an investment, having lived here for so long, they can't just stand by and let things happen. This is where our organization becomes the unoffical "suggestion box."

It's usually someone older, who still wants to be active in some way. If I keep working here long enough I could probably learn enough history from them to fill up another blog. The next time the reporter is in here I should probably just send her to one of the people who come in here. It will either be a great article or the Courier News will bill me for wasting a reporters time.

Initial Harvest Market Grocery Purchases

I finally was able to go grocery shopping at the market this past Thursday after eyeing the food items longingly the previous week during Opening Day. Now, five whole days later, I am wondering if I need to talk to my husband about changing our budget to accommodate weekly purchasing as half of the below items are gone. And don’t think it is for summer hors d'oeuvres to entertain the friends on the veranda or anything like that. My husband and I work hard for our money and have found that most of what we eat is at the market. Take into account my first purchases of the season:

• 1 Cherry Almond Scone (Breadsmith)
  Mid-morning snack, gone as soon as I got back to the office Thursday, soooo tasty!
• ½ a Hotdog (In the Neighborhood Deli)
  Sigi actually bought this and shared with me.
• 1 Small bag of Dill Cheddar Cheese Curds (Gloria’s Gourmet Meats)
  My sister, husband and I polished it off while partaking in…
• 1 Roasted Garlic Hummus (Olives 4 You)
  Completely gone in one seating with some tortilla chips I had in my pantry.
• 1 Cute box of Ham and Cheese Dog Treats (Paw Print Barkery)
  My friend’s two golden’s inhaled them like they are never spoiled in that household.
• 1 Carmel Pecan Brownie (Sweet Whimsy/Monkey Bar)
  A tasty treat for dessert on Friday, so moist, and all the ingredients I can pronounce!
• 6 Ears of Mirai Corn (Twin Garden Farms)
  Also gone for dinner Friday and Saturday, and were good despite our overcooking. There are also stories of a city staff member eating the raw corn on her drive home every Thursday.
• 1 Loaf of Honey White Bread (Breadsmith)
  Still have a couple slices left, but I have been diligently eating it for a snack or with dinner, with butter, jam, toasted or not. This also has ingredients I can pronounce and has less than ten ingredients to make dense, tasty bread.
• 1 Container of Blueberries (Windy Acres Farm)
  Tasty in French Vanilla yogurt or just plain to go with my lunch today.
• 2 White and I Red Onions (Windy Acres Farm)
  Overestimated the onions I had left, so they are patiently waiting in my fridge.
• 3 Green Peppers (KAP Farms)
  I also underestimated the peppers I had left over from those “other” stores. Maybe I will have stuffed peppers one of these nights.
• 1 Bag of Lettuce (KAP Farms)
  My husband likes it in his sandwiches he takes to work.
• 1 Pound of Hamburger (Gloria’s Gourmet Meats)
  Starting to unthaw now in my fridge.
• 1 Spice Container of Smoked Sea Salt (La Spiceria)
  This was to appease my husband as he is an addict for anything smoky or salty.
• 1 Package of Wheat Linguine (Gloria’s Gourmet Meats)
  Have not broken it out yet, but I am thinking a light pasta dish one of these hot summer days this week.
• 1 Bunch of Asparagus (Windy Acres)
  Waiting for the chance to grill out.
• 3 Zucchini (KAP Farms)
  Will become Zucchini bread before the week is over and who knows maybe after Thursday there will be blueberry cake, raspberry tarts, more grilling, etc.

Opening day at the Harvest Market

My first experience at the Downtown Elgin Harvest Market was filled with friendly faces and fresh food! When I first arrived it looked as if there was the potential for rain, but it turned out to be a warm sunny day with a nice cool breeze. I started the day by meeting all of the vendors that will be participating in this year's market and telling them about the free reusable tote bags available for customers . It looks like we are going to have a great lineup offering all kinds of fresh produce, along with unique products that you will not be able to find in your grocers freezer!
After greeting the vendors I got down to work. One of my main tasks as the intern for the Harvest Market will be conducting consumer surveys next to the Downtown Neighborhood Association tent. These surveys are going to help me compile data relevant to the market so I can log results for this year, and recommend areas of improvement for the 2010 season. I started recruiting people to take my dot survey, and before I knew it I had over 50 responses. As the day progressed, it seemed like more and more people came to the market on their breaks from work looking for that perfect lunchtime option. Conveniently, the organic hotdog vendor was on site taking care of appetites (including my own). When the market came to a close I packed up my survey materials and chatted with the vendors one last time. Overall, the opening day for the market was a great success and I look forward to helping every Thursday!

Harvest Market Top Ten on Opening Day

The time has come to peruse this weekly market which opens Thursday, June 11 10am - 4pm and is every Thursday until October 8, where area growers bring fresh, quality vegetables, fruits, bread, meat, eggs, olive oil and more in this neighborhood setting in Downtown Elgin at the Civic Parking Lot - corner of E. Highland & Douglas Avenue.

So here are the Top Ten reasons to check out opening day at the market this Thursday:

1) The Harvest Market Vendors
Welcome and sample new vendors like Oberweis, Monkey Bar, Copa do Sol, and later on in the year Royal Oak Farms and Oriana's Orchard. But don't worry the “regulars” are all back like the "Dog lady", Breadsmith, "Olive Man", "Spice Man", Gloria's Meats & Eggs, KAP Farms, Windy Acre Farms, and the "Mirai Corn" folk!

2) Chicago Bandit’s “Veggie Pitch”
The 2008 World Champion Chicago Bandits will be testing their fast pitch skills not with 12 inch softballs, but with vegetables! Not only will the Bandits be tossing veggies around, but they will be signing autographs as well as giving Harvest Market customers a quick lesson in how to really pitch a softball. (Must be at least 18 years old to play ball) They will also be raffling off game tickets and an autographed pennant.

3) FREE Harvest Market Reusable Tote Bags
NEW THIS YEAR you can own a free Harvest Market tote bag by showing us your proof of purchase at the market and then reuse it again, again, and again while promoting we are your preferred market. And plus our bags are eco-friendly made out of 100% recyclable materials!

4) Harvest Market Sponsors
Alexian Brothers Hospital Network has partnered with the Harvest Market as its main sponsor to bring you those spiffy eco-friendly tote bags mentioned previously and will be at the market every week helping your overall wellness. On Opening Day they will be providing blood pressure and body fat screenings, pedometers and step tracking logs and other health related information.

But not to be left out, our supporting sponsors of the market are chiropractic in nature from Chiro One Wellness Centers, to Lifetime Health and Wellness, and Rominski Active Healthcare. These three will rotate in and out during the season offering various information, advice, etc. Lifetime Health and Wellness will have a money box where everyone can grab a prize like t-shirts and various chachkeys.

5) Activate Elgin Educational Booth
Learn about this great partnership that concentrates on combating obesity and is all about eating healthy. They will have handouts and giveaways at their booth, along with hosting a cooking demo with Chef Virginia Lopez at noon. Come learn how to make Veggie Kabobs and savor a sample! For more information about this Elgin organization go to www.activateelgin.org

6) $1 Raffle Tickets – BBQ Set
Also take advantage of a $1 raffle (or 6 for $5) to win a Bears Tailgate BBQ Grill and Tool Set (which will be set up on site). The winner will be notified Thursday afternoon/evening after the market. Proceeds of the raffle will go back into the market getting bigger and better!

7) Elgin Climate Change Organization (ECCO) and Elgin Community Network (ECN) Educational Booth
Join these two groups at their booth that is all about sustainability and Elgin neighborhoods! They will have “Take the Challenge” postcards, rain barrel information, FREE CFL’s (Yes, those energy efficient light bulbs), and a composter. Also joining them will be the Elgin Public Museum with soil samples and info on ecosystems.

8) Free Rediscover Downtown Elgin Tour
Join Jennifer Benson, program coordinator for the Downtown Neighborhood Association, in perusing and rediscovering stores and organizations like Pastigel, Bella’s Fashions, Super Print, Central Barber Shop, Ravenheart Coffee, Salon Couture, Top Notch Tattoo, YWCA, Carswell’s Flooring, Simple Balance Holistic Center, Elgin Public House, Elgin Books & Coffee, Wrona Brothers, Antiques & Uniques and Union National Bank.

9) Lunchtime/Snack Options
Besides munching your purchases from Harvest market vendors, there will also be on site In the Neighborhood Deli, an Elgin deli which will be providing hotdogs (regular and organic), chips, and beverages during your lunch hour – roughly 11am – 2pm.

Also the Community Crisis Center will be selling popcorn 10am – 3pm every Thursday, so make sure to buy it with your lunch or for a quick snack during the mid-morning or mid-afternoon break!

Want more variety? Visit one of 15+ Downtown Elgin restaurants which are in walking distance of the market. Get your lunch to go or sit in their air conditioned locations, and enjoy food to match your mood from Italian, to American, to German, to Thai, to Pub fare, to Mexican, to Chinese, to Bistro or Café menu items. Downtown Elgin restaurant flyers and maps will be available at the market.

10) Outdoor Art Exhibit
Elgin artist, Erin Herner, will showcase her paintings and print makings all day at the market, along with the rain barrel that is DNA’s Harvest Market submission in “Rain Barrels on Parade” which will be at the market the next 6 markets. Several of her art pieces will be for sale for those interested.

For more information go to www.downtownelgin.org or call 847.488.1456.

Gasthaus's Kitchen is Open + June Band Schedule

The kitchen is now open! Come try their sandwiches and wraps, even a couple of your German favorites remain on the menu! Home made onion rings, and other great appetizers! Large portions, reasonable prices! Open at 4:30 every evening - open for lunch starting late June! Bar closes at 1am on week days, and 2am on Friday and Saturday. Free WiFi access, and all UFC fights are broadcast for your pleasure! Come see the new and improved Gasthaus!

Band Line-Up

Friday June 5 it's the return of Blackened!
Chicago's premier Metallica cover band returns to the Gasthaus by popular demand! Opening for Blackened is the Madhatter band, an up and coming band playing '80s metal band covers.

Saturday June 6 come see the Blizzard of Ozz!
Not only does the lead singer look and act like Ozzy Osbourn (you'll seriously think it's him) but the lead guitarist, Kevin Buck is amazing! Kevin was recently signed by Jackson guitars as a spokesperson and after watching him play you'll know why!

(It's also Evie's birthday! Pay the $5.00 cover to see Blackened play and get in free on Saturday! Not only do you get to see both shows for $5.00 but Evie is going to buy your first drink if you attend! Lots of other surprises and specials to help her celebrate Saturday night as well! Come down and hear two great bands, wish Evie a happy birthday, and have a great time!)

Friday June 12
The Gasthaus does something a little bit different with Universal Slim and the blues kangaroos. Come here some great blues and rock covers.

Saturday June 13
The Gasthaus hosts a charity event featuring The Hatters Mad, Groovy Love Vibes and Doomsday Luck. Proceeds go toward buying a handicapped accessible vehicle for Jay Cramer. During a rock climbing excursion in Malibu, three and a half years ago, Jay Cramer fell and broke his neck. He is now a C-5 level quadriplegic and in a power wheelchair – with a spirit that has never faltered. Refusing to let anything stop him, he began performing stand-up comedy from his wheelchair, just four months after the accident. Jay believes that humor exists in the strangest places and that a good strong smile heals all. A $20 donation is suggested.

Friday June 19 Hyperflo takes the stage~!
Great rock covers! Opening for Hyperflo is Brace for the impact! A great night to dance!

Saturday June 20 it's metal time!
Nemesis Theory opens for Judas Beast! Relive the days of Judas Priest and Iron Maiden with one of the best cover bands around!

Friday June 26
Her Savage Grace (great rock covers) will be opening for Slippery When Wet! Jon Bon Jovi time! You loved him in the '80s and he's still going strong! All your favorites from Livin on a prayer to Have a Nice Day performed on our stage! Sounds like fun to me!

Saturday June 27 is a night of heavy rock and metal bands.
From the Broken, Remote Viewer, Inner Fall, and Five O Six all perform original and covers of many of your favorites!

It's not your father's Gasthaus-- but 40 years and still going strong!

Gasthaus's May Band Line-Up

Mark your calendars and save the date:

May 8 - Mercury Rising
An awesome cover band playing rock music from the '70s, through today!

May 9 - Leo and the boy's
90 West takes the stage playing a great night of Rock and Roll.

May 15 - Cloud Nine & 30 Pound Stone
A local band, Cloud Nine plays great rock and roll covers for Gasthaus.

May 16 - Man the Mitey & Power Slave
A local metal band (Man the Mitey) opens for one of the Gasthaus' favorites, Power Slave - Chicago's own Iron Maiden tribute band!

May 22 - Shuffled & Rearview Mirror
This band will start things off right with your favorite hits from the '90s through today, followed by Rearview Mirror - a tribute to Pearl Jam! You'll think Eddie Vedder is in the Haus!

May 29 - My Lazy Elephant & The Oil Can Boys
Your favorites & Gasthaus's - My Lazy Elephant and The Oil Can Boys! Local Boys that always rock!

May 30 - The Usual Mistakes & Antipop
This band is funk/pop open for Antipop - Chicago's only Primus Tribute Band! You have to hear this!!

Kitchen to open in May! - Gasthaus will still make you a Schnitzel or a Brat along with other great burgers/sandwiches/wraps and more!

Manhole Covers or Missile Silos

There are at least 13 manhole covers in a one block stretch of Douglas Ave in Elgin. Is there really a need for that many or are some actually covers for missile silos?

Belated Blog Anniversary

Oops!
Missed it again. March 11th was the Downtown Elgin blog's 4th anniversary.
Four years and 380 posts ago... no, I'm not making a speech.
Just think back to 2005.
Facebook was a year old. It was for kids then.
Twitter didn't exist. We didn't know a tweet from a twit. A Tweetup, forget about it.
What did we do with our time?
Interesting enough, the first post was Fulton Street will be closed until late November.
Sound familiar?
Here's to another year and working to make a difference.

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.

Sherman Twitter Surgery on GMA

Tune into Good Morning America on Thursday, April 16th at 8:05 am CST for a piece on the Sherman Health surgery covered on Twitter. Their press release is below.

The surgery that we simulcast on Twitter and Facebook has helped a lot of people better understand the benefits of our high-tech surgical robot and how Sherman Hospital has become a leader in advanced medicine. Possible candidates for surgery in our community followed along and became more comfortable with the procedure. Even the patient's family was able to watch on a Blackberry from the waiting room! We've been featured on TV, websites, blogs, medical journals, magazines and newspapers across the country and as far away as India and Australia. But tomorrow morning we're proud to announce that we will be featured on ABC's Good Morning America at 8:05am CST! Check your local guides for channel information.

Local firm, Demi & Cooper, assists Sherman Health with their social media presence. Follow the Tweets here.

Downtown Elgin Harvest Market Applications Available

The Downtown Neighborhood Association, and partners Activate Elgin, Elgin Community Network (ECN) and Elgin Climate Change Organization (ECCO) are pleased to invite area farmers and the like to join Downtown Elgin’s 9th Annual Harvest Market. This market has featured everything from fruits, vegetables, plants, delicious jams, healthy gourmet dog treats, bread, pies, muffins and scones, olives, pita bread and hummus, spices, Mirai corn, free range meats and eggs, cheese, pickles, and olive oil all displayed in an open-air market like venue.

The market will be held in the Downtown core at the Civic Center parking lot at the corner of E. Highland and Douglas Avenue, near the Post office and City Hall, every Thursday June 11 through October 8, and will be open at 10am and ending this year at 4pm.

All area farmers, and the like, interested in an application for the 2009 season, along with Harvest Market sponsorship forms for health related businesses can call the Downtown Neighborhood Association at 847.488.1456, e-mail jbenson@elginil.org go to www.downtownelgin.org, or stop by the office on the first floor of the Elgin Tower Building, at 2 Douglas Avenue in Downtown Elgin. The deadline for the early registration fee, and to be in the marketing brochure for the season, is May 1, 2009.

New this year will be two educational booths that promote wellness and the environment via Activate Elgin and ECN & ECCO. Those interested in being at the Harvest Market educational booths for wellness related topics can contact Melissa Serritella from Activate Elgin at mserritella@elginymca.org. Those interested in being at the educational booths for environmental related topics can contact Sigi Psimenos at sigi777@sbcglobal.net.

Bands Playing Easter Weekend

This Friday, April 10 local band River Gypsies (rock covers and originals) opens for Late Night Hooligan Riff Raff, a new up and coming all original Chicago band playing music with a funkadelik crossing of genres! Watch this band, they're going places!

Saturday April 11 is a night of Blues / Rock! The Normal Street Band (blues and rock covers) and The Progressive Blues Experiment (now called Tuff Enuff) share the stage to bring you a night of blues and rock covers. This ain't your mama’s blues band; they incorporate elements of rock, funk, and pure jammin' into an elaborate style which follows in the steps of soulful innovaters such as Doyle Bramhall, Derek Trucks, Gov’t Mule and many many more.
We're not your father's Gasthaus, but we've been around for over 40 years and we're still going strong! A neighborhood bar where you are guaranteed to be remembered by name --with live music every weekend. Don't forget we specialize in birthdays! Come in within 5 days of your birthday and when your party has spent $50 we'll give you a $50 credit to keep the party going! PLUS- drink Das Boot- it's your day!!

Downtown Street Work - April 6th

Douglas between Highland & Dexter Ct, Symphony Way between Dundee & Center

Elgin – Phase III of the Central Business District’s $40 million Street Resurfacing and Streetscape Project is again underway as the City of Elgin continues to work toward the revitalization of its downtown area.

Water main service construction on Douglas Ave. between Highland Ave. and Dexter Court continues the week of April 6, 2009. Two-way traffic will be maintained and motorists will be able to maneuver through the work zone with flagger assistance.

On street parking will be limited during construction.  Patrons wishing to access businesses within this construction zone are encouraged to use the City Hall parking lot on the northwest corner of Douglas Ave. and Highland Ave.  Pedestrian access through and around the construction zone will be maintained.

Water main installation on Spring St. at Division and Center Streets and at Symphony Way between Center St. and Dundee Ave also continues this week.  Center St. at Symphony Way will be closed briefly during the installation of the water main.  Access to businesses on Center St. north of Symphony Way can be attained from Kimball Street.  Access to businesses on Center Street south of Symphony Way will be available from Symphony Way and will be directed by flaggers.  Parking is restricted in the construction zones, but is available along area streets. Motorists are asked to use caution when traveling. 

Lane closures will occur during normal working hours, approximately 7 a.m. through 4:30 p.m.  All lanes will be open during the overnight hours.

PHASE II STREETSCAPE CONSTRUCTION

Installation of the brick paver crosswalks on Chicago St. between Riverside Dr. and Center St./Villa Court and the adjacent side streets, Grove and Douglas Avenues and Spring St. is scheduled to begin April 27.  Completion of the crosswalks is expected to take approximately two weeks once construction begins.  Detailed information on construction schedules and lanes closures will be available prior to the start of the work.

Weekly progress meetings for the water main project are held on Thursdays at 8:30 a.m. at the construction office located at 201 E. Chicago Street.  Business and property owners are invited to attend the first 15 minutes of the meeting to address questions or concerns regarding the construction. 

Specific construction questions can be directed to Shelley Costello with TranSystems at 847-871-3185.

For general information, contact Joe Evers at 847-931-5955 or visit the City’s website at www.cityofelgin.org or Gettin’ Around in Downtown