Illinois Main Street celebrates 20 years in Historic Downtown Pontiac

SPRINGFIELD - October 2, 2013. As the ambassador of Illinois Main Street, Lt. Governor Sheila Simon today honored the recipients of the Lt. Governor's Award for Excellence at this year's Illinois Main Street conference. The program is celebrating its 20^th anniversary with the "Driving into the Future" conference taking place Oct. 1 - Oct. 3 in Historic Downtown Pontiac.

"For 20 years now Illinois Main Street has been helping support communities throughout Illinois," said Lt. Governor Sheila Simon, who chairs the Governor's Rural Affairs Council. "I look forward to continuing to work to preserve these communities that often provide an important snapshot of our past and a vision for our future."

The conference, which is being hosted by Pontiac P.R.O.U.D. Main Street and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) - which administers the Illinois Main Street program - gives community and economic development professionals from around the state an opportunity to network, and learn about innovative new practices to rejuvenate Illinois' downtown business districts.

Simon honored individuals who have excelled in organization, design, promotion and economic restructuring of downtown commercial districts with the Lieutenant Governor's Award for Excellence. Awards were also presented for Main Street Innovation, Business, Property Owner, Innovation and Volunteer of the Year.

Recipients included:

·         Batavia Main Street for its River Street: "Woonerf," which is a European concept for shared space

·         Chicago Six Corners Association: Renovation of the Grayland Theater Façade and Tuck Point

·         Pekin Main Street: Converting the Elks Lodge into the Fusion Building/Sabella St. Station

·         Pontiac P.R.O.U.D.: Restoration of the historic Livingston County Courthouse

·         Aledo Main Street: Digital promotion project

·         Batavia Main Street: Creation of the Batavia Main Street Award for local residents and businesses

·         Jacksonville Main Street: 2013 Diamonds and Ice Masquerade Ball

·         Main Street Libertyville: Membership drive to promote local merchants

·         Chicago Six Corners Association: Six Corners BBQ Fest

·         Downtown Crystal Lake: 20^th Annual Johnny Appleseed Festival

·         Jacksonville Main Street: Art Fair on the Square

·         Main Street Orion: Band shell 100^th birthday celebration

·         Aledo Main Street: New Business Springboard

·         Batavia Main Street: Artisan Collective

·         Chicago Six Corners Association: Revitalizing vacant storefronts and streetscapes

·         Jacksonville Main Street: Creation of a Downtown Business Alliance

·         Volunteer of the Year: Meek Family, Jacksonville Main Street

·         Outstanding Main Street Business: Green Town Tavern, Waukegan Main Street

·         Outstanding Main Street Innovation: ShopDowntownQuincy.com

·         Outstanding Main Street Property Owner: Austin Properties, Quincy

Over the past 20 years, Illinois Main Street communities have created 9,300 jobs, opened over 1,200 new businesses, and represent public and private investment of over $750 million. In Illinois, 42 communities hold the Illinois Main Street designation.

Additional conference highlights include a 20^th anniversary celebration featuring Illinois products, walking tours of Historic Downtown Pontiac, the Lieutenant Governor's Award of Excellence Gala and a proclamation from Governor Pat Quinn in honor of Illinois Main Street's 20^th anniversary.

This year's keynote speaker is Valecia Crisafulli, who served as the first state director of the Illinois Main Street Program and most recently as the CEO of the National Main Street Center. The center works with a nationwide network of communities to encourage preservation-based economic revitalization, and has participated in the renewal of more than 2,000 older commercial districts during its 30-year history.

Click here for more information about Illinois Main Street.

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Dear Friend,

As you have probably heard, due to the reckless brinksmanship in Washington, the federal government has needlessly been shut down.

During this shutdown, my number one priority as your Representative is making sure your needs continue to be met. Just because it remains closed, does not mean that problems with federal agencies don't arise. My offices are open and ready to help any Iowan.

CLICK HERE IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE DURING THE SHUTDOWN.

I will continue to work to help mitigate the impact that any dysfunction in Washington may have on you. I taped a short video to tell you about the various ways to get in touch with my office.

Click here to watch the video and find out how my office can help you.

Please do not hesitate to be in touch.

Sincerely,

Dave Loebsack
Iowa's Second District

Monticello, IA-- On Sunday, October 13, 2013, The East Central Federation and Cedar Valley Callers Association will sponsor the 24th Annual Square Dance Benefit for Camp Courageous. The calling begins at 1:30 p.m. and ends at 4 p.m. in the main lodge of Camp Courageous.

Callers and cuers from all over eastern Iowa and the surrounding areas are invited. Dance clubs as well as individuals and couples are welcome to enjoy the afternoon dancing or just observing in the spacious camp lodge. Tours will be available for anyone interested in seeing all that camp has to offer. Admission fee is a donation to camp. Participants are asked to bring cookies or a snack to share. Beverages are provided.

Located near Monticello IA, Camp Courageous is a year-round recreational and respite care facility for individuals with mental and physical disabilities. The camp was built and continues to operate on donations, without government support, without formal sponsorship, and without paid fundraisers. The camp serves over 6,500 individuals with special needs annually.

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WHAT: Quad City Arts Art @ the Airport

WHEN: September 9-October 30, 2013

WHERE: Quad City International Airport Gallery, 2200 69^th Ave., Moline, IL

WHO: Paintings by Michael Acerra and Peter Xiao (pronounced Shouw) with ceramic sculptures by Dusty Hanson

Exhibiting in September and October at the Quad City International Airport Gallery is Michael Acerra of Galesburg, IL, Peter Xiao of Rock Island and Dusty Hanson of Bettendorf, IA.

Michael Acerra uses oil paints and pastels to create paintings which capture a moment in time. From still-lives to landscapes, Acerra's style and technique are reminiscent of Reubens. His color palette is similar to French painters like Pisaro and Degas. Michael can often be found painting on location in downtown Galesburg.

Peter Xiao presents a series of oil, acrylic and mixed media paintings which explore personal memories of "Mao's so-called Cultural Revolution and human life's fragility and travails." Peter is a painting instructor at Augustana College and has exhibited at Quad City Arts in the past.

Dusty Hanson builds sculptures from solid blocks of clay. He carves, manipulates and textures the clay into anthropomorphic forms. Ranging in size from tabletop pieces to life-sized, Hanson's work begs touching and must be seen from all angles. This is Dusty's first major exhibit with Quad City Arts.

Art @ the Airport Gallery never closes and non-ticketed passengers can drop by the airport to see the exhibits, with just one dollar for parking.

The Quad City Arts Center Gallery is located at 1715 Second Avenue in the Arts and Entertainment District of Rock Island. Gallery hours are Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Quad City Arts is dedicated to enriching the quality of life in the Quad City region through the presentation, development and celebration of the arts. This gallery and exhibit is generously sponsored by the Quad City International Airport.

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