They carry everything from the practical everyday essential to the upscale eco-fabulous must-have. It’s about helping you ease into a greener lifestyle, and they’ve discovered that most things in your life can be “greenified”. They carry brands like Bambu, Earthlust, BioKleen, Fish Lips Paper Designs, EcoJot, Under the Canopy, LOOP, Simple Shoes, Brand of the Free, West Paw Design, RuMe, Green To Grow, Loveybums, and 100% Pure. You’ll find rain barrels, compost pails, pet accessories, organic cotton tees, sheets and towels, stainless steel water bottles and food containers, bamboo kitchen essentials, baby items, cloth diapers, floor mats, solar gadgets, LED bulbs, laptop bags, reusable grocery bags, journals, notebooks, wrapping paper, jewelry, socks, cleaning products, and cosmetics… the list continues to grow so check in often.

To get to the store, take the Greenhopper Bus, MTD, ride your bike or walk. For drivers: Metered parking is available in front of the store and on Hickory at a reduced rate of .50/hour, and across the street in the lot @ .75/hour. You’ll always find a spot! Downtown also offers FREE parking on WEEKENDS! B. Lime offers customers FREE half-hour parking on TUESDAYS! 

Hurry in as this is the last week of their sale! The following items are 30% off:
ALL Mens and Womens Apparel (tees & tanks)
Select BABY Apparel by Speesees, Pixel, Under the Nile Organics
Socks & Tights
In-stock Simple Sneakers (mens, womens and kids)
ALL jewelry
Solar Oven and Solar Lanterns
Hats
Dog Collars
ALL BOOKS!
Select cleaning items and deck care

Additionally, they will have a 10% off sale on all 100% Pure skin care, lotions, shower gels and cosmetics, and 10% off all Priti nail polishes and polish remover.

Visit their website: www.blimegreen.com

The Champaign Park District’s 7^th Annual Downtown Festival of the Arts, is August 21^st just in time for students returning to campus. This festival is in the streets of Downtown Champaign and is continuously growing and capturing the cultural atmosphere of Champaign. Along Main, Neil, and Walnut Streets artists will have booths displaying their art for one day. Along with artists selling their wares there are three stages: the main entertainment tent, performing art stage, and a family entertainment stage. This is a great chance to enjoy some late summer outdoor seating and visit your favorite stores and restaurants as well. Or you can pick up lunch or dinner and some drinks and enjoy the stage seating.

Main Entertainment Tent

Performing Art Stage

Family Entertainment Stage

A quick, informal Facebook/Twitter poll has yielded some results of artists that will taking place this year. Below are links to their blogs, if you are an artist that will be taking part email info@downtownchampaign.com or tweet DTChampaign or Facebook the Champaign Downtown Association.

Participating Artists

Shoshanna Bauer

Jason Bentley

Sarah Coulter – Who will also be demonstrating her loom weaving.

Audra Ziegel

From recent News-Gazette articles, downtown is slowly hearing about a large scale project being developed that will make Downtown Champaign a leader and an example of smart gird technologies. High-performance infrastructure could become the next major economic driver for Champaign-Urbana. According to Melia Smith, Special Projects Coordinator with One Main Development, “we imagine that if we are successful, companies with these kinds of special needs will flock here.” One Main Development, in partnership with First Busey Corporation, GE, and Ameren is exploring the development of the micro grid.

Currently life on the power grid gives us power when we need it whenever we need it. However, when the power goes out a microgrid helps ensure that uninterrupted power is available to data centers and other high-performance computing facilities in town. Why this is so important is that as Champaign works toward being a competitive center to gain larger economic endeavors we require more power. According to a recent an article in this month’s National Geographic, “The federal government is spending money on the grid-the economic-stimulus package allocated $4.5 billion to smart grid projects and another six billion dollars or so to new transmission lines.”

Smart grid technology is already being employed in Boulder, CO. With sensors to monitor power flow and controls to manage equipment, installation of smart meters that transmit data allows consumers to see how much electricity costs. In the long term this will allow for choice in usage. For example choosing to do high energy activities in the evening when electricity is in less demand. As well, with prior agreement with homeowners, smartgrids can regulate private use with automatic reductions.  

The partners working on this new endeavor will be starting with development in the first phase from M2. Long term goals involve new construction of a stand alone building. It is also the desire of the partners to explore how this grid may be served by renewable energy generation systems. They are exploring the development of a large wind turbine generator project in the county or the possibility to partner with a project currently under construction. Additionally, several rooftops in the urban core may be well-suited for the location of solar photovoltaic panels.

This new development will be of overwhelming benefit to the urban core, local hospitals, and for the future progressive movements towards higher-quality power infrastructure. The partners are beginning conversations with potential customers to outline the needs, opportunities, and limitations of various entities that might be served by this grid. This will be a long term huge benefit to downtown Champaign and all of Champaign County.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – JULY 12, 2010

Contact: Jill Guth, JSM Development, CBG Chair 217-359-8058 or 217-778-8305

Trisha Sutton, Cakes on Walnut, CDA Chair, 217-352-2400

Craig Rost, City of Champaign 217-403-8710 or 217- 493-5773

A Steering Committee comprised of representatives from the Campustown Business Group (CBG), the Champaign Downtown Association (CDA), the City of Champaign, and the Champaign Park District have begun meeting to discuss the possibility of merging the CBG and the CDA in order to share administrative resources and work cooperatively in marketing initiatives.

“I think this is awesome. Our resources will go farther and the whole community will benefit.” said CDA President Trisha Bates, owner of Cakes on Walnut. Jill Guth, CBG Chair agreed “In today’s world of limited resources, it only makes sense for the CBG and the CDA to work together. Instead of having two duplicative organizations in the City of Champaign, this new organization can meet the needs of both districts without competing with each other for limited funding and other resources.”

Both organizations offer each other valuable resources. The CDA, a 501 c 3 organization with its lengthy history serving the Downtown, has an active board of directors, dedicated staff and a cadre of volunteers. The CBG also has an active core of volunteers working on cooperative marketing efforts, such as the popular Thirteen Thursdays, among the Campustown retailers. Both organizations work with property owners and retailers to attract customers to their respective areas, usually serving a different customer base. In addition, the groups become involved in issues that impact the success of the retailers located in their geographic areas.

“The timing of this initiative is crucial,” said Deputy City Manager for Development Craig Rost. The City is completing the massive Boneyard Creek Second Street Reach project this year which will open up development opportunities in the “Mid Town” area between Downtown and Campustown, including First Street and East University Avenue. Although no formal group yet exists to support this area, the CDA/CBG merger can accomplish that by including the territory between Campustown and Downtown.

The City of Champaign has been in discussions with the group’s leadership about funding to seed the creation of the organization over a three year time period – with the expectation that the organization would then be self supporting. Rost is enthusiastic about this initiative and the new partnership that will lead it.. “Just as the Boneyard Project has physically connected Campus and Downtown, it’s time for Champaign to work together as one for the benefit of our community and visitors.”

All summer stock is currently 25-75% off!  Circles had intended to end their sale this weekend, but the state of Illinois has graciously implemented a sales tax holiday (less 5%)  from August  6-15 on all clothing, shoes (with a few exception), and school supplies under $100. This is after any sale price that the store is offering, so it could really add up!

On a new note, all of you who were looking for Eileen Fisher all summer……first fall shipment has been received and it looks beautiful. Come and see for yourself before it goes out the door! Also new in the store is Babette, a line from San Francisco that is known for their pleated fabrics. Modern styling, and simple shapes allow you to layer or not depending on your preference!
www.babettesf.com

Circles Boutique
114 North Neil Street
Champaign, IL
359-2195

Downtown Champaign is celebrating 150 years this summer with a fantastic Music Festival on July 9^th and 10^th. Come out for a jamming evening in downtown Friday the 9^th for a music crawl at some of your favorite spots! See a preview of Friday’s line up below!

And don’t forget to come out on Saturday for a full day of all your favorite music acts showcased on three stages throughout downtown Champaign! For these stages to be set-up, remember there will be street closings July 10^th:

Neil Street – From Hill to University
Church/Main Street – From Randolph to Chestnut
Park Street – From Randolph to Neil
Walnut Street – University to Washington
Chester Street – Next to the City Building

Check out www.champaign150.com for more information!  Find a map of road closures and event locations here.

MUSIC CRAWL – Friday July 9^th

4:00-10:00pm- DJ Mertz, DJ Belly, DJ Kirkwood, The Fresh Kills (punk), and Ryan Groff (acoustic) @ Exile On Main Street

5:00-7:00 pm- Special Showing of “Some Like it Hot” at The Art Theater

6:00-7:30 pm- Ashley Riley @Aroma Café

6:00-10:00pm- Jeremy Harper & Bryce Johnson (Modern Rock), Lisa Cerezo & Steve Meadows (Classic/Modern Rock), and Mayhew The Traitor (Indie/Folk Rock/Old Country) @ Memphis on Main

6:30-8:30pm- Cara Maurizi and Jason Bentley @ Boltini- Jason Bentley is a singer/songwriter whose guitar driven folk/rock suspends lyrically earnest songs that range from uncertainty to adoring appreciation. Singer/songwriter Cara Maurizi uses her clear voice and her simple keyboard to create hummable melodies and lyrics from the heart.

7:00-8:30 pm- Paige Luebchow @ Cakes on Walnut

7:00-9:00pm- Ryan Groff (from Elsinore) solo acoustic @ Indi-Go Artist Co-Op

8:00- 8:30 pm- Eva Hunter @Aroma Café

8:00-10:00pm- Los Guapos (afro-cuban jazz) @ Cowboy Monkey

8:00pm—10:00pm- Dudley Owen Jazz band @ Cafe Luna

9:00pm- 12:00 am- David Howie @ Bentleys Pub

9:00pm-12:00 am-   Delta Kings (rock/blues) @ Mike-N-Mollys

Music acts on Saturday, July 10th

NEIL and MAIN ST. STAGE
12:00-1:00pm – Bow-Dacious String Band
1:30-3:00pm – Feudin’ Hillbillys
3:30-5:00pm – Kilborn Alley
5:30-7:00pm – Candy Foster and Shades of Blue
7:30-8:30pm – Lonely Trailer
9:00-10:30pm – HUM

WALNUT and CHESTER ST. STAGE
12:00-1:00pm – CU Symphony and Conservatory of East Central Illinois Students
1:30-2:30pm - Desafinado

3:00-4:00pm – Recycled Rhythms
4:30-5:30pm – Rumba Na Biso
6:00-7:00pm – Beat Kitchen
8:00-9:00 – Finchley Boys
9:30-11:00pm – Tons O Fun Band

CHESTNUT and MAIN ST. STAGE
12:30-1:30pm – One Voice
2:00-3:00pm – New Orleans Jazz Machine
3:30-5:00pm – The Prairie Dogs
5:30-6:30pm – Shark Bandit
7:00-8:00pm – The Duke of Uke and His Novelty Orchestra
8:30-10:00pm – Delta Kings

As well the historical exhibit that was previously at the Illinois Terminal will be temporarily at 34 E. Main St. TJ Blakeman, Planner II with the City of Champaign, will also be leading historical tours beginning from here at 1 and 3 pm.

Article by Ayla Ault, CDA Communications Intern

For those who enjoy Downtown Champaign nightlife, Altered Egos in partnership with the Cowboy Monkey presents their third annual photo scavenger hunt on June 27. The event, first created three years ago by Altered Egos owner Jason Dunavan, Adam and Ben (General Managers of Cowboy Monkey and SOMA), to celebrate Dunavan’s birthday. It has become a public event for anyone 21 and older.

The event begins at 6 PM at the Cowboy Monkey and ends at Soma for the after party. There is a $10 entry fee per person, or $50 for a team of five.

Teams search for items such as Champaign’s oldest bar. The list is a composite of ideas generated by many people.

“It is just a bunch of friends for a day, nothing too insane,” Dunavan said. There are prizes for the event such as a paid bar tab.

Last year there were about 15-20 teams, and then people who didn’t participate also went to the after party at SOMA. Dunavan expects more teams this year.

“I’m just looking forward to seeing everyone.”

The event is sponsored by Red Bull and Power & Soul Productions.
Date: June 27, 6 PM
Price: $10
Location: Downtown Champaign, begins at the Cowboy Monkey

To RSVP on Facebook click here.

Article written by Liz Fedak, CDA Communications Intern

“A laboratory that supports student-initiated projects, exhibitions, and events from all areas of study at the undergraduate and graduate levels,” is the mission statement for the new gallery that will be going in next to Cakes on Walnut at the location of Old Main Book Store. “As an off-campus venue, the gallery/exhibition space is a public test bed for new ideas to take shape in the space between the safety of the classroom and the rigor of the professional world. The goal of the space is to fuel critical dialogue between students of the School of Art + Design and the broader University and local communities.”

This new Art + Design program will have a staff member as exhibition coordinator, but the space will be coordinated by a board of students. Students will be making the decisions on what art will be hosted, programs that will be developed, and all other arrangements. The space will be a teaching experience on curating, hosting shows, inviting visiting artists, and all other management of a gallery. This is just in time as the college has created a new minor focused on gallery curating. The new gallery space will be one devoted to all types of artwork and will also be open for music, crafts, lectures, and workshops- whatever the student board decides. The program will also be connected to the visiting artist program, for not only artists but architects and musicians as well.

Hours of operation will be decided by the board of students, but will be in the range of twenty hours a week. It will be run by possibly work study students, classes focused on gallery work, those pursing the gallery curating minor, graduate assistants, and/or interns. Some minor renovations on the building are taking place to prepare for the exhibit space. Keeping the original floor and ceiling, the building will be taken back to its original design with the changes of new restrooms, the outside area will be flush, the old Grubbs sign will be moved higher on the building, and a window is being put in between Cakes on Walnut and the gallery. Nan Goggin, the director of the Art + Design department, says everyone working on the program is very excited and that opportunities to connect with other businesses in downtown and be a part of the other area events is something they look forward to. The renovations will be completed as of September 15th and the Art + Design Gallery/Exhibition Space will be opening at the end of September.

Hello -
        As many of you may know we decided to add this season an additional five apartments on the first floor of our building The Hickory (northwest corner of Washington and Hickory).  This brings the total number of apartments in our building to sixteen – fourteen two bedrooms and two one bedroom apartments – total residential living space of 21,600 square feet.

        I am pleased to report that this morning we leased the last of the sixteen apartments for the August 2010 thorough July 2011 rental season.   You may find our tenant mix of interest.

       We have a certain number of graduate students.  However the bulk of our tenants are not students.  Among the non-student tenants are:  U of I professors, an Urbana business owner, two executives with Archer Daniel Midlands, a retired school teacher from the Chicago area, a post doc at the Beckman and an empty nester couple selling their home in Cherry Hills subdivision in southwest Champaign to move downtown. 
   

     I would suggest that our tenant mix is an indication and a good sampling of who is seeking to live in downtown. A major change for East Columbia and North Hickory from just eight years ago when I purchased the empty Vans Wholesale Florist building with the idea to convert it into Uptown On Columbia.  Now with Uptown as custom boutique condominiums, Escobar’s Latin Fusion Restuarant with its upscale second floor apartment and The Hickory a mixed residential and retail development there are over forty people living in that small area centered on the 500 block of N. Hickory. 
        In 1994 it was a semi-abandoned low rent warehouse district.  Now one of Escobar’s weekly customers is former Governor Edgar.  Nine years ago most of those living, dining and shopping in the N Hickory/ E Washington/E Columbia Neighborhood would not have even been able to find it.  If they had found it they likely would have been afraid to get out of their cars.

 In additional to those mentioned already there are B. Lime, Columbia Street Roastery, Evolve Gym, Bentleys Pub, Carmon’s Restaurant, PACA, The Holy Land Restaurant, and Simply Amish.  Perhaps we should call it the Mulberry St Neighborhood as that was the original name for Hickory Street when Champaign was founded. But then again at that time Washington was Kentucky Ave and Columbia was Bloomington Rd.  No matter what it is called it is clear that the Downtown’s north side is alive, booming and vibrant.
All the best,
 
Michael Markstahler