Hearts for Haiti at Class Act

New CDA Committee Structure

Following the Tuesday, February 23rd board meeting of the CDA, a new committee structure to better suit the needs of the members and the community has been put into place. The new committees and chairs are as follows.

Finance Committee- Chris Ehley

Working towards a sustainable budget and financial plan.

Communication Committee- Don Elmore & Carol Timms

Bettering communication with the community and members with an e-newsletter and researching website options.

Outreach Committee- Amy George & Karen Foster

Communicate and engage with community partners about existing opportunities for downtown businesses.

Partnership Committee- Mike Royse & Sonya Darter

Establish partnerships in Champaign- Urbana and work closely to develop value in these partnerships.

Membership Committee- Jan Kijowski

Welcome each new business as well as host events and get togethers for face-to-face contact with each member business.

Urban Environment Committee- Douglas L. Milburn

Works on projects related to the aesthetics and “environment” of Downtown.

Executive Committee- Trisha Bates

Establish and operate organization’s management structure.

 

The board and staff are excited to be implementing this new system to better suit member’s needs. If you are interested in being a part of any of these committees contact the office at info@downtownchampaign.com.

Mad Hatter Tea Party and Bella Fashion Show at Jim Gould’s

The Orpheum Children’s Science Museum will be hosting an Alice in Wonderland themed exhibit in conjunction with upcoming release of Alice in Wonderland. For more information visit their website.

In addition to the event at the Museum, join them for a high tea with all of your favorite Wonderland characters at Jim Gould’s Restaurant in Downtown Champaign on February 27th. You’ll enjoy a fanciful high tea, meeting Alice in Wonderland characters. Guests will also enjoy a fashion show from Bella Bambini Boutique! Reservations are available by calling Jim Gould’s at 531-1177. $20 for adults and $15 for children

March 5,6, and 7

Join Alice also for a magical adventure and experience the Museum and Orpheum Theatre as an interactive Wonderland that is curiouser and curiouser! In this imaginary land, you will sip from a “Drink Me” bottle, paint the white roses red, play croquet with the Queen of Hearts, join the Mad Hatter for tea, encounter the Walrus and Carpenter, joust with TweedleDum and TweedleDee, and much, much more. See you down the rabbit hole!

Alice (and me) in Wonderland is proudly sponsored by: MTD, Chambanamoms.com, Davis Electric, Car-X Auto Service, Carle Foundation Hospital, O’Brien’s, Erwin, Martinkus, and Cole, Limited, Fox Development, Springfield Electric Supply Company, Davis Houk Mechanical, Busey Bank, Champaign Telephone, and Dodds Construction.

More information and tickets are available at www.orpheumkids.com.

Champaign 150th!

Going Out Guide for Fat Tuesday

Mardi Gras is French for “Fat Tuesday”, referring to the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season, which starts on Ash Wednesday. So engorge yourself today Downtown, see all the specials going on!

Dining
Farren’s Pub
Blackened catfish with shrimp etouffe on rice, Grilled Andouille sausages with red beans & rice, Salmon with lobster hollandaise, sauteed spinach and Creole potato chips, Chipotle Bison burger with fries and house salad.
Their soup today is chicken & sausage gumbo. They also have oysters and mussels for appetizers!

Jim Gould
Gumbo along with a Muffuletta, Cuban Sandwich, or Philly Steak Sandwich
Lunch Buffet includes Sweet Potato Soup, Spaghetti, Meatballs, Red Beans & Rice, Fried Chicken, Pork with Sesame Garlic, Mixed Vegetables, and Assorted Salads.

Carmon’s Restaurant
$2 Tuesday with $2 off glasses of Luis Glunz Blanc, an easy drinking white wine from France and $2 off dessert crepes with the purchase of an entree! Other specials include Sparkling Hurricanes, Muffeletta Crepe and Sausage Gravy Crepe. In the evening, Blackened Escolar and Bread Pudding

Boltini Lounge
Have a traditional Mardi Gras HURRICANE. They will also be serving up some traditional “Nawlins” fare too: Gumbo and Jambalaya!

Cakes on Walnut
Serving up their delectable King Cupcakes!

Entertainment
Mardi Gras Mambo at Class Act Storytime 2-3pm

Boltini Lounge is hosting their weekly TNT- Tuesday Night Trivia along with a kick-off of their 9 week patio party promo with the Bud Girls. Tonight you can win a Budweiser Grill Set and of course BEADS!

Looking for Mardi Gras apparel? Check out Dallas & Co., Dandelion, Carrie’s, or Le Shoppe.

The Orpheum goes to the Dogs!

Attention animal lovers—the Orpheum has a new exhibit just for you! Their new veterinary clinic and animal care center will focus on teaching proper pet care and encourage compassion and respect toward all living creatures. Children will enjoy learning about keeping animals healthy and happy. This exhibit is sure to inspire an interest in veterinary medicine and create a better understanding of the scientific principles of the field. Members only opening on February 19, 6-8 p.m. Grand opening on February 20, 1:30 p.m. (ribbon cutting)-5 p.m.

Children, please bring your favorite stuffed animal for a check up at the opening events!

This exhibit celebrates a community of partners to further Veterinary Science including: The Neitzel Family, U of I College of Veterinary Medicine, Orange Krush, and The CARE Center! Educational support from: Champaign County Humane Society , Teachers for Creatures, and Canine Connections.

Valentines Day Specials!

Looking for a dinner spot for Valentines Day? Downtown is the place to go.

Choose from fine dining restaurants such as Jim Gould Restaurant, Bacaro, Radio Maria, Kofusion, Café Luna, Carmon’s Creperie, Escobar’s, Manzellas Italian Patio, Minneci Ristorante, Nitaya Thai, or Peking Garden.

Or a more casual atmosphere at Fiesta Cafe, Bombay Grill, Farren’s Pub and Eatery, Jupiter’s Pizza, Merry Ann’s Diner, Sam’s Café, or Seven Saints.

Remember to book early before it’s too late.

Attached or single, many bars to choose from for a night out and many with dinner selections also: Cowboy Monkey, Boltini Lounge, Esquire Lounge, Guido’s, Blind Pig Brewery, Bentley’s Pub, Blind Pig Company, Brass Rail, Highdive, Mike and Molly’s, and SOMA Ultralounge

Or grab a cup of coffee with your sweetie or potential sweetie at Aroma Cafe, Cafe Kopi, or Pekara.

Looking for a unique gift? Downtown Champaign is also the place to go.  For one-of-a kind jewelry a number of places are available: Christopher’s Fine Jewelry Design, Robert’s Fine Jewelry, Spritz Jewelers, or Miagallo.

From Ten Thousand Villages Celebrate with Fair Trade Chocolate from Divine; Love Buzz coffee from Equal Exchange; and beautiful jewelry from around the world!

At B. Lime hurry in and take a look at our clearance items at half price. Also, 20% off Vers iPod cases and solar lanterns, and many great Valentine gifts ideas!

Other great places to visit for gifts are: Austin Sportswear for dance apparel; Carrie’s for cool vintage clothing and items; Champaign Surplus for the date who enjoys outdoor and active wear; Circles Boutique is rated by the217.com’s poll as the best women’s clothing store in Champaign; Dandelion, rated the best vintage store by the216.com’s poll, is ideal shopping for the eclectic date; Jos. Kuhn and Company has a large supply of men’s apparel for the perfect outfit on the big night; and for the musically oriented CV Lloyd Guitar Shop or Skins and Tins Drum Shop or music to set the mood at Exile on Main Street. Find love poems or perhaps romance novels at Jane Addams Bookshop.

And of course the flowers for the night? Rick Orr Florist

But What Else To Do?

Cakes on Walnut is celebrating Valentine’s Day in style! They will be open Friday, Feb 12 through Sunday, Feb 14 from noon-10PM. They are offering all kinds of specials from great dates to gifts to kid’s Valentine’s for school. Check them out and call to place your order early! Click here to see the great specials they are offering.

They’re also hosting Couple Cupcake Classes- two hours of a  private class in the kitchen of Cakes on Walnut. Mixing, baking, frosting, and tasting! They will have one class per day, Feb 12, 13, 14. $150/couple. Call them at 217.355.5400 to sign up.

Other great sweet tooth options can be found at Pekara, where they are rolling out a great menu with such items as heart-shaped cookies and cakes, pink and red parisian macaroons, Cherry Cannolies, etc. To see their full menu click here.

Preparing for the night? Ippatsu or Kane & Company is the place for getting your hair done; Hada can prepare you with the right make-up; and a number of gyms to assist with those leftover Christmas pounds: Evolve Fitness, Studio Helix, or The Pilates Center.

More entertainment?

Check out The Art Theater’s website for your date night movie. Virginia Theatre will also be showing Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind at 1 and 7 pm.

Civil Rights Project at Indi Go Artist Co Op

A new series of paintings and drawings depicting the work carried out by African-Americans and their supporters during the mid twentieth century. Work is by James Patterson. Proceeds will benefit the Don Moyer Boys & Girls Club.

Opening reception will be February 5, 7-10 pm

Solo Exhibitions: February 5 and 21

Indi Go Artist Co-Op is located at 9 E. University Ave.

Check out the Facebook pictures

January Sales!

Downtown businesses are having many after Christmas sales!

At Carrie’s pick up something Funky and Fabulous during their MEGA Sale. Items priced at 30-50% off for the entire month of January.Their hours are Monday-Saturday 10-5 pm and Sunday 12-5 pm.

Also Jane Addams Book Shop joining the MEGA Sale with 50% off greeting cards, 40% off everything in the mystery room, and 10% off everything else.

Visit Ten Thousand Villages and explore savings on handmade jewelry, decor, art pieces, and gifts from around the world. Discounts up to 75% off on selected merchandise during their semi-annual World Caravan Sale going on January 8-16!

Circles Boutique has a large sale going on also on all their posh apparel. All merchandise is 10-50% off! Great time to update your wardrobe with some sophisticated new pieces.

Stop in to Wind Water and Light during their new hours from Tuesday – Saturday 11:00 am – 6:00pm.

Think Parking Deck during the snow!

To My Fellow Downtown Parkers:

If you live and work downtown, I recommend you consider using the new downtown parking deck on days or nights when the forecast calls for heavy snowfall. Its nice to have a downtown garage to park our cars safely off the streets and out of parking lots.

Its a great way to let the plows do their work. You can be be off and running without having to scrape your windows, shovel around your car, have shoes filled with snow, and then maneuver through snow to get to a clear road.

I did it last night, and plan to do it more. It was great to walk on shoveled sidewalks past One Main,  cross Neil opposite Ko-Fusion, and go through the covered walkway “tunnel” of M2 directly into the lot.

And be reminded the deck is a “no-ticket zone” with a maximum 24 hour rate is $7.50. Thats a pretty sweet deal.

Jeff Mellander, President
Precision Graphic Services, Inc.

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