Do You Have Old Photographs of Downtown Champaign?

The City of Champaign’s 150th Celebration Committee is looking for old photos and artifacts from Downtown Champaign.  If you have any in your personal collection and would be willing to have them scanned please contact T.J. Blakeman with the City of Champaign’s Planning Department at terry.blakeman@ci.champaign.il.us or call (217) 403-8800.

The photographs will be collected and possibly used in the kick off event for Champaign’s 150th Anniversary in March.  The event will feature a three week long historical exhibition on the 4th floor of the Illinois Terminal in Downtown Champaign.  Photos and artifacts from Champaign’s past will be on display thanks for the generous contributions by community members and the Champaign County Historical Museum.

The Committee thanks you for your time and ask that you check back closer to March for more details on our year long celebration!

Ring in New Year’s 2010 in Downtown Champaign

Downtown is the place to be for New Years Eve 2010!

FAMILY EVENTS

The Virginia Theater – The Chorale: On Broadway @ 7:00 PM / $20.00

Orpheum Children’s Science Center – Noon Day Celebration @ 11:00 AM / Free

EVENING CELEBRATIONS

Mike & Molly’s – New Years Eve featuring New Ruins with Common Loon, Golden Quality, and Dottie & the Rail @ 9:00 PM / $5.00

Bentley’s Pub - New Years Eve Party with the Delta Kings @9:00 PM

Memphis on Main – New Years Eve Bash featuring Schizer @ 9:00 PM / Free

Cowboy Monkey – Dumstep Massacre @ 9:00 PM / $10.00 Advance Tickets

Highdive - New Years Eve Party @ 9:00 PM / $20.00 and up

Boltini Lounge- NYE 2010 with DJ Mertz @ 9:00 PM / Packages between $50-$70, Tickets Required

SOMA Ultralounge - New Years Eve Party @ 9:00 PM / $30.00 tickets, Table reservations available

Clark Bar – Stitches Goth Night with DJ Rickbats, DJ Kannibal @ 10:00 PM / Free

Art Theater Continues Under New Management

On January 1, the Art Theater will open under new management. The new operator, Champaign local Sanford Hess, promises that the Art will continue to show great Art and Independent films that the multiplexes may overlook. He also promises some changes in terms of the theater’s operations and concessions. First and foremost, Mr. Hess promises a greater emphasis on customer service, starting with having an on-site operator. New concessions features will offer treats from local Champaign businesses: baked goods from Pekara Bakery and gourmet popcorn from Popped Bliss.

The first film will be “Me and Orson Welles” an upbeat film about the famous staging of Julius Caesar by the fledgling Mercury Theatre. The film is directed by Richard Linklater (‘Slackers’, ‘School of Rock’, ‘Before Sunrise’) and featuring a breakout performance by Christian McKay as Orson Welles.

Links about the film and showtimes are available on the Art’s website: www.theCUart.com

To read an interview of  new owner Sanford Hess by Smile Politely check out this article

http://www.smilepolitely.com/arts/a_new_era_for_the_art_theatre/

Help Decorate Downtown for the Holiday’s Saturday November 21st

Join the Champaign Downtown Association for a fun day of decorating as we set the stage for the Parade of Lights and the Holiday Shopping Season.  Each year the Downtown Association organizes a group of dedicated volunteers to hit the streets and wrap garlands around each of our light poles.  This effort wouldn’t be possible without the continued support of the community.  If you or your group is interested in helping this year please contact info@downtownchampaign.com to sign up.

Downtown Holiday Decorating

Saturday, November 21, 2009

11:00 AM – approx 4:00 PM

Meet at the corner of Taylor and Neil Street in the Taylor Street Plaza

Please dress appropriately for the weather that day!  We will be outside the whole time.

Extras if you have them: pair of pliers, 6 foot + ladder, wheel barrow.

Champaign Downtown Association

(217) 352-2400

info@downtownchampaign.com

Children’s Building Fair May 16th

Parents and kids it’s time for the 2009 Kids’ Building Fair at the Orpheum Children’s Science Museum, located at 346 North Neil Street in downtown Champaign.  Bring the whole family for a day of fun!  Learn about and participate in hands-on building trade activities! Admission to outside activities is free; regular admission will be charged to enter the museum.  This event runs from 11 A.M. – 4 P.M. on Saturday, May 16th.

If you would like more information about this free family event please contact the museum at 217-352-5895 weekdays from 10-4 and weekends from 1-5.

You can also go online to the museum website at http://www.orpheumkids.com

For adults and interested older children there will be a walking tour covering current and former downtown theater locations. Some of these theaters were in the same building.  Orpheum Board historian Perry Morris will lead these walking tours.  The tours will start at the fountain in front of Jim Gould’s restaurant.  The first tour will start at noon the second tour will start at 2 pm.

The Orpheum Children’s Science Museum

The Orpheum Children’s Science Museum is located at 346 North Neil Street in downtown Champaign.  The museum is open weekdays from 10-4 and weekends from 1-5.  The museum is closed on Mondays.  With advance notice staff can be available for on-air interviews during open times.

The mission of the Orpheum Children’s Science Museum is to provide children of all ages the chance to explore and learn science at their own pace in an informal setting. Our home, the 1914 Orpheum Theatre, is one of the finest buildings in downstate Illinois, and20our facility is one of the best examples of adaptive reuse of a historic build ing in the country.

Pavlov Media

Pavlov Media has been supplying internet to residential and commercial customers since 1992.  Their commitment to diversity, professionalism and top-class 24-hour customer support didn’t just happen overnight. They are focused on providing fast, customized solutions for internet, phone and cable television needs.

you ring. we respond.

Pavlov Media, Inc.
Phone: 217-239-3647
Toll Free: 866-239-3647
Fax: 217-239-1112

Downtown Clock Ticking Again

The Downtown Clock is running again thanks to the careful craftsmanship of Paul Cain of Cain’s Marine Welding, Inc.  The clock who’s hands have been ticking since 1917 was severely damaged in April of this year after being struck by a vehicle in a one car accident.  While there were no injuries, the clock was thought to be un-salvageable.  It’s cast iron base and head were broken and its new electric inner workings damaged.  However, today the Downtown community can celebrate the return to its prominent corner at Neil and Main street.

This clock was donated by Jim Greenfield of Spritz Jewelers.  The clock stood faithfully outside their store on Neil Street for over three quarters of a century.  following its donation to that City the Clock was given its prominent spot in the heart of Downtown Champaign.

The CDA would like to thank the City of Champaign for all their hard work in restoring this recognizable local landmark.

Downtown Saddened By Loss Of Historic Landmark

Downtown awoke to devastating news that a predawn blaze had stolen one of Downtown’s most prized landmarks.  The Metropolitan Building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has stood at the heart of Downtown for over 137 years.  This building, along with Cattle Bank at First and University, stood as the oldest remaining buildings in Champaign.

This building was in the midst of a multi-million dollar painstaking renovation by Jeff Mellander, Bob Ballsrud and George Grubb and was only a few months from being complete.  While the cause is still unknown it is clear that Downtown and the City of Champaign has lost an irreplaceable gem.  The Champaign Downtown Association would like to thank all of the fire fighters who put their lives on the line to save our surrounding downtown buildings.  Your heroism is never questioned and our praise is never enough. Like the One Main Fire in 1987, Downtown will rebuild and be stronger because of it.  We would love to hear your thoughts and memories of this landmark.

For more stories and video visit the following sites.  If you have photos or video and would like to share please contact T.J. Blakeman at tblakeman14@hotmail.com

News-Gazette

WCIA3 News Coverage

WCIA3 News Raw Video

Amateur YouTube Raw Video 1

Amateur YouTube Raw Video 2

Amateur YouTube Raw Video 3

The Best (and Most Inexpensive) Movie Ticket In Town!

There is no better (and inexpensive!) way to watch a movie than on the giant silver screen of the Historic Virginia Theatre.  The Virginia plays recent out of theater movies during their “Reel Deal” Tuesday and Thursday showings for $2.00 & $3.00 respectivly.  The News-Gazette Classic Film series brings the great classics back to the screen the way they were origionally cast.  Check the Virginia Theatre website for upcoming shows www.thevirginia.org.

Rick Orr Florist

Rick Orr Florist is the place to go for world-class flowers to celebrate, comfort, and compliment the occasions of your life. You can contact them at 217-351-9299 or stop by at 122 North Walnut Street on weekdays between 9 am and 5:30 pm or Saturdays from 9 am to 3 pm. Special orders are welcome, see some amazing arrangements at www.rickorrflorist.com.

Next Page »