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| October 2009 |
Vol 4, Issue 10 |
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| Business News |
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 This month, we have our "eye" on downtown. Summer has seen its share of downtown business relocations, expansions and new additions as well as several significant building improvements...with more in the works.
The Credit Bureau of Allegan is now located at 221 Trowbridge, next to the Regent Theatre. R.J. Baker Attorney has moved to 225 Hubbard Street -- the spot where you could find Bob Hayes for many years -- but don't worry; Bob Hayes Insurance has moved to 200 Trowbridge, joining State Farm forces with Sarah Haist. Still Point Massage has relocated to 207 Locust Street and will be holding an open house on December 3 from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m., giving you plenty of time to schedule your holiday stress relieving session!
Antiques Etcetera & 3-D Beads on the corner of Locust and Hubbard has expanded, adding an entire storefront! In addition to many unique antiques and beads of every kind imaginable, they also offer an amazing stringed instrument selection - acoustic and electric.
Recent new additions to "the neighborhood" include Dragon's Desire at 412 Water Street and Silver Crescent at 140 Brady Street; both offer a variety of gift and specialty items. Aubrey's Closet, located at 118 Locust Street, offers resale consignment clothing and items for children -- infant through teen.
Confused? Don't be! Updated downtown maps are being printed, three new map kiosks will be installed downtown within the next couple of weeks, and the latest listing of downtown businesses and locations is available at www.downtownallegan.com. Click on the "Discover Downtown" button.
Thanks for reading! | |
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| Here Comes the "A-Line" |
 A bus route connecting Eastern Avenue with downtown Allegan will begin on Tuesday, October 13. The bus stops include the Eastern Avenue apartment complexes, Perrigo's Corporate offices, Ravines Senior Housing, Village Market, Perrigo Outlet Store, and the post office. It will be on a continuous loop from 11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays through December 29.
A pilot program, the A-Line will begin as a free service to the riders. It is also "green": more people using a single vehicle will reduce emissions, fuel consumption, and ease traffic congestion.
This project is sponsored by the DDA (Downtown Development Authority), Allegan County Transportation, The Perrigo Foundation, and the Allegan Area Chamber of Commerce. |
| Jaycee Park Skate Plaze - |
 The taxpayers in the City of Allegan voted for it, young skateboard enthusiasts helped design it, City Council and the Parks Commission followed through with it , and now the Completion of the Allegan Skate Park in Jaycee Park, Grand at Water Streets, Allegan, will be celebrated on Saturday, October 31, at noon.
Ground was broken on the new facility that will be paid for through the city's Sinking Fund during the third week of September, and American Ramp Company expects completion no later than October 12. Skate enthusiasts were hanging breathlessly on the orange fencing placed to protect the cement while drying. From the time the fence was removed, groups of young people have trekked through the rain and mud with boards in hand to "break" in the new attraction.
A team from the Department of Public Works is working on landscaping the area so the finished project can be enjoyed by all at the ribbon-cutting ceremony on the last day of the month featuring Mayor Mike Morton and Parks Commission Chair Matt Antkoviak along with the young skaters who were involved from start to finish. For them this will certainly be a day to celebrate.
The ceremony, sponsored with a sense of humor by Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Mark Warner, will be kept short so the kids can begin to enjoy the skate park without too much fuss. In the spring of 2010 a larger celebration is planned that will incorporate prizes, skate demonstrations, music and lots of kid-friendly free pizza and hot dogs. |
| Colorful Company VI |
 It is with the greatest pleasure that along with the children and extended family of Eunice Gavan the Allegan Area Arts Council invites the public to Colorful Company VI, celebrating "A Life in Art" featuring seven decades of fine artwork produced by Mrs. Gavan, a lifelong Allegan resident.
On Friday, October 23, from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. the main floor of the Griswold Auditorium, 401 Hubbard Street, Allegan, will be the setting for Gavan's opening reception, including music, light refreshments and a cake in her honor. Along with a showing of her best work the artist will have both originals and prints for sale.
Note cards depicting a few of her paintings will be offered during the evening to benefit the Allegan Area Arts Council. With the cooperation of the city's Arts & Entertainment Action Committee this free exhibition will remain in place during normal business hours at the Griswold until November 20. Please call 673-3456 for details. |
| Hometown Halloween & Downtown Tick or Treating! |
 Announcing the start of a new tradition for Allegan! Hometown Halloween will be replacing the much loved Ghoul Times at the Gazebo. This event has been given a new name and location, but is still going to provide the community with tons of Halloween fun on Saturday, October 24, from Noon to 2:00 in the basement of the Griswold. The weather no longer will dampen "The "Spirits" as most of the event will take place indoors. This year we offer families hayrides, trick or treating, a costume contest, a carved pumpkin contest, face painting, a cake walk, games, snacks, lots of prizes, and even some surprises, at NO cost. Please come celebrate with us! Event Schedule: 11:30-12 Halloween stories with Ms. Barb at the Allegan Public Library 12-2:00 Trick or treating at participating businesses throughout downtown 12-2:00 Games and fun in the basement of the Griswold 12-2:00 Hayrides: line up by the Griswold 12:30 Costume contest judging begins *Ages 0-5 at 12:30 *Ages 6-11 at 1:00 *Ages 12-teen at 1:30 1:00 Carved pumpkin contest judging begins 2:00 Inter-active, haunted movie at the The Regent Theatre: "Return to Oz" 10-4 Frightfully free tours at the Old Jail Museum Thank you to our sponsors: the Downtown Development Authority, the Allegan Chamber of Commerce, Allegan Auto Zone, the Allegan Jaycees, and Friends to Elect Tom Clark! |
| Rocky M. Shadows |
The Friends of the Library Committee is proud to present a delightful Sunday afternoon event at 2:00 p.m. November 8, in the upstairs Carnegie Room. Free admission.
Singer/songwriter Gary Brandt will perform a combination of classic and original folk songs, and there is a lot of audience interaction. Do be prepared to be entertained by Gary's beautiful guitar renditions, his wonderful voice and his infectious personality. Whether you're a child of the sixties or a teen, you'll leave humming both traditional and new folk melodies.
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| Steel Magnolias Auditions |
The Allegan Community Players announce auditions for their Fall production befitting the Marilla Griswold Endowment!
Show dates for Steel Magnolias by Robert Harling are November 13 and 14 at 7:00 p.m. and November 15 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets at $10 in advance or at the door. For more information, call 269-216-9088 or email allegancommunityplayers@gmail.com |
| Farmers' Market |
As the cool fall air begins to arrive, October marks the final weeks of the Farmers' Market. Pumpkins, squash, gourds, and mums arrive at the market in the fall and are sure to brighten your home décor. Please join us for the final weeks of the Farmers' Market on the final two Thursdays of October. The market is open from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. and is held in the parking lot located at the corner of Cutler Street and Water Street. |
| Allegan Area Chamber "Rise 'n' Learn" Events |
The Allegan Chamber of Commerce is holding its 3rd annual "Feet on the Street" silent auction. It will be taking place throughout Allegan the whole month of November. To place a bid on the item(s) of your choice, you will need to go into the stores or businesses where the items were donated, and while you are there, why not shop around? You are encouraged to visit all participating merchant.
The last two auctions were a huge success, with many wonderful donations: a beautiful glider with ottoman, a Toro two-stage Snow blower, car wash tokens, sports passes, movie theater passes, oil changes, a catered dinner for up to eight people with live music, Fossil sun glasses, a BMX bicycle, a quilted table topper, a 175-piece tool kit, and much more.
Remember to watch for the big red foot in the store/business window. If you have any questions, please call Kandy at 269-806-4629.
For information about the Chamber, membership and activities contact (269) 673-2479 or email mail@alleganchamber.com
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| THANK YOU! |
A big THANK YOU to the Allegan Area Arts Council and Jude Hardin for donating the planter arrangements at the Griswold and City Hall. All can enjoy this effort to support their theme: "Life is what you make it - create something beautiful."
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| Looking Good! |
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This month we will defer to those in the community with a more artistic eye to select the winning windows. The Arts Council will be judging the Hometown Halloween Window Decorating Contest on October 29th. Winners will receive advertising prizes from the Regent Theatre and Flashes Publications. Stroll through downtown to see what you think and look for the announcement in the November Connector. |
| Events & Happenings |
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Allegan Farmers Market
Thursdays 8am-2pm
May - October
Corner of Cutler & Water
Colorful Company
Griswold Auditorium
Oct 23 :: 6pm
Hometown Halloween & Downtown Trick or Treating
Griswold Auditorium
Oct 24 :: Noon-2pm
Skate Park Plaza Ribbon Cutting
Jaycee Park
Oct 31 :: Noon
Allegan Community Players Present
Rocky Horror Picture Show
Griswold Auditorium
Oct 30 & 31 @ 8pm & Mid-Night
Allegan Community Players Present:
Steel Magnolias
Griswold Auditorium
Nov 13-15 :: 7pm on 13th & 14th; 2pm on 15th
Allegan High School Presents:
The Wizard of Oz
AHS Performing Arts Center
Nov 19-21 :: 7pm | |
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Ideas, Suggestions, or Comments. . . The Connector is distributed the third Tuesday of each month. If you have article ideas, suggestions, or upcoming events, or if you would just like to comment on the Allegan Connector, please do! Feedback about the Connector or how to make it better is appreciated and can be emailed to vknuckles@cityofallegan.org Sincerely, Vicki Knuckles City of Allegan Downtown Coordinator |
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