Yes, I know, talking about the weather is cliche alright. One of the merchants exclaimed to me in a dramatic way yesterday--Wade! It' hasn't rained in a half hour!!! What are you going to do??? Well just wait around, which I did, and it blasted forth.
Now the sun is out, but government forecasts are calling for more showers and storms, and we're not going to take chances. We've discussed all the pros and cons, contingencies, and the Wachovia Movies a la Mode Tales of Despareaux is being postponed to next week. We think everyone is just too soggy and the likelihood of it getting worse is just too strong.
Perhaps a dove will fly by with an olive branch tomorrow!
Friday, May 29, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
How does it all come together?
As much as we are all complaining, and I do stress the WE, you'd expect us to be made of pure sugar and fearful of melting away in the rain. Nah! Never happen for any number of reasons.
At least we had a bright and shining moment for the first of our Alive After Five concerts this past Thursday. Contagious Blues kept the tempo revved up to a high level all evening, and it seemed that everyone was enjoying the liveliness, whether they were active listeners, dancers, people watchers, or visiting with neighbors. It's always hard to do an accurate headcount of attendees, especially when there is coming and going over a three hour period. But I feel justified in saying we had about a thousand folks or more who enjoyed a good old block party setting. That's more than decent for the start of a season.
Just so we get the word out a little more widely every time, this series has been in the planning stages since last November, and was finalized in early Februrary. Like clockwork, I picked up a call in the office on Friday with a fellow who asked if we were having Alive After Five concerts this year and could we feature his band?
I'd just like for people to learn that it takes a lot of preparation for these events to work without total mayhem breaking loose. Allison Gragg at Uptown Shelby spent much of December and January booking the bands, talking with agents, and meeting with our Promotion/Events committee. Then she spent March and April talking with sponsors and vendors to be sure there were spaces available, and refreshments for the audience to enjoy.
Lastly, the volunteers from Uptown Shelby's board of directors and from our sponsor businesses all helped keep the wristbands organized, popcorn boxed up and drinks poured at the Uptown tent. Then we fanned out working to be sure every candy wrapper and cigarette butt was picked up. It takes hard work to keep things smooth and get the place looking decent the next day.
By the way, personally, I picked up at least 1,000 nasty cigarette butts on my own. As a cigar smoker, I'm not about to rip into a righteous sermon on smoking. But good lord, folks! Find an ashtray or something! My back hurt for two days!
At least we had a bright and shining moment for the first of our Alive After Five concerts this past Thursday. Contagious Blues kept the tempo revved up to a high level all evening, and it seemed that everyone was enjoying the liveliness, whether they were active listeners, dancers, people watchers, or visiting with neighbors. It's always hard to do an accurate headcount of attendees, especially when there is coming and going over a three hour period. But I feel justified in saying we had about a thousand folks or more who enjoyed a good old block party setting. That's more than decent for the start of a season.
Just so we get the word out a little more widely every time, this series has been in the planning stages since last November, and was finalized in early Februrary. Like clockwork, I picked up a call in the office on Friday with a fellow who asked if we were having Alive After Five concerts this year and could we feature his band?
I'd just like for people to learn that it takes a lot of preparation for these events to work without total mayhem breaking loose. Allison Gragg at Uptown Shelby spent much of December and January booking the bands, talking with agents, and meeting with our Promotion/Events committee. Then she spent March and April talking with sponsors and vendors to be sure there were spaces available, and refreshments for the audience to enjoy.
Lastly, the volunteers from Uptown Shelby's board of directors and from our sponsor businesses all helped keep the wristbands organized, popcorn boxed up and drinks poured at the Uptown tent. Then we fanned out working to be sure every candy wrapper and cigarette butt was picked up. It takes hard work to keep things smooth and get the place looking decent the next day.
By the way, personally, I picked up at least 1,000 nasty cigarette butts on my own. As a cigar smoker, I'm not about to rip into a righteous sermon on smoking. But good lord, folks! Find an ashtray or something! My back hurt for two days!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
What am I forgetting?
I don't care how old or young you are, you know that feeling. It's gotten more common for all of us as we are catching more phone calls to more phones, and the flicker of the computer with more messages from email to social media pages.
But I'm trying to enjoy the moderate temperatures and days when the sun is out to be sure I get a chance to slow the brain down a little. There will be a time this summer, when the Dog Days of August are beating down upon us, and we will fondly wish for a cool day like May.
But I'm trying to enjoy the moderate temperatures and days when the sun is out to be sure I get a chance to slow the brain down a little. There will be a time this summer, when the Dog Days of August are beating down upon us, and we will fondly wish for a cool day like May.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Meanwhile, back at the office . . .
I'm back in the office after three days of workshops and conferences out of town. That was both exhausting and invigorating, with a chance to talk with colleagues and compare notes on how things are going in other towns and cities around the state.
On Wednesday, a workshop in Mooresville explored various aspects of federal stimulus grants coming available for governments and non-profits here in the region. Then on Thursday and Friday I was with about 25 to 30 other Main Street managers from across the state. Some were from programs that were just admitted in the last year or two. Others were like ours, among the oldest Main Street organizations in the US.
All of us reported tighter sponsorship situations, but some were obviously much tighter than ours. Some are getting little or no support from local governments, while others are getting what I felt like would qualify as lavish public funding. We're more or less in the center when it comes to funding, perhaps a little more stable in the past couple of years with strong fiscal management.
But I do think we are also stretching our dollars pretty well, getting more accomplished in some areas. But there were plenty of ideas for new projects and services that were suggested. And we Main Street managers are pretty honest about borrowing ideas and inspiration from each other. We do, however, try to remember to give credit when we gather twice a year.
Back home I got here in time to help celebrate the Grand Opening at Country Heart on the corner of Marion and Lafayette streets. Ann Finnigan cut the big red ribbon as Mayor Alexander and former Mayor Roark watched, along with USA Board members Holly Brock and Trish Butler. Best of all, there was a pretty steady number of shoppers exploring a new location.
On a rather more difficult front, Uptown is sad about the early morning fire at Arizona on Lafayette. I've been watching a steady stream of professionals with cleaning and repairs go in and out to prepare estimates today, and hope that means things will be back to normal soon. Good luck neighbors!
We also had a lightening fire at Coldwell Banker Horne on DeKalb Street a couple of weeks back. They are almost back online with the operation, and I want to say thanks to the neigbors and friends who offered the staff at Coldwell Banker a spare desk or phone station to fill in. That is one true measure of a community.
Have a great week here in Uptown, and if you are someplace else, come visit.
On Wednesday, a workshop in Mooresville explored various aspects of federal stimulus grants coming available for governments and non-profits here in the region. Then on Thursday and Friday I was with about 25 to 30 other Main Street managers from across the state. Some were from programs that were just admitted in the last year or two. Others were like ours, among the oldest Main Street organizations in the US.
All of us reported tighter sponsorship situations, but some were obviously much tighter than ours. Some are getting little or no support from local governments, while others are getting what I felt like would qualify as lavish public funding. We're more or less in the center when it comes to funding, perhaps a little more stable in the past couple of years with strong fiscal management.
But I do think we are also stretching our dollars pretty well, getting more accomplished in some areas. But there were plenty of ideas for new projects and services that were suggested. And we Main Street managers are pretty honest about borrowing ideas and inspiration from each other. We do, however, try to remember to give credit when we gather twice a year.
Back home I got here in time to help celebrate the Grand Opening at Country Heart on the corner of Marion and Lafayette streets. Ann Finnigan cut the big red ribbon as Mayor Alexander and former Mayor Roark watched, along with USA Board members Holly Brock and Trish Butler. Best of all, there was a pretty steady number of shoppers exploring a new location.
On a rather more difficult front, Uptown is sad about the early morning fire at Arizona on Lafayette. I've been watching a steady stream of professionals with cleaning and repairs go in and out to prepare estimates today, and hope that means things will be back to normal soon. Good luck neighbors!
We also had a lightening fire at Coldwell Banker Horne on DeKalb Street a couple of weeks back. They are almost back online with the operation, and I want to say thanks to the neigbors and friends who offered the staff at Coldwell Banker a spare desk or phone station to fill in. That is one true measure of a community.
Have a great week here in Uptown, and if you are someplace else, come visit.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Art Riot?
The Mystery Art affair at the Cleveland County Arts Council Thursday night was a great success. The air of mystery created around the event worked to create quite a buzz in certain circles. Getting images of all of the paintings up on the Web site helped everything by letting people see what quality had come through. But the identity of the artists was never disclosed before one purchased the work.
Well, the buzz was enough that many of us would have gotten there before the opening time to be sure we staked out our purchases. The Arts Council was getting worried. Then they decided to lock the doors at 5 and re-open at 5:30. About 20 of us were on the steps a few minutes after 5. People could be seen walking in that direction too. Would order be maintained?
Yes, the City of Pleasant Living was orderly, but we streamed in there with no delay, no greeting old friends, but headed directly for our targets. I scored two of the best small portraits I've ever seen. Isaac Shelby and Maj. Patrick Ferguson will soon be framed and grace the front hall.
But even better news is that there was a really strong group of 5 x 7 canvases from area artists. 270 or so, in fact. Some were student works, students from local high schools and adult classes, and some were by professional artists. Best of all, it wasn't possible to tell amateur from pro in most cases. Some were playful, some very serious, but most were objects that I'd feel good about seeing every day. And even when we know the identity of the artist, there's still mystery there if you are going to live with art.
Well, the buzz was enough that many of us would have gotten there before the opening time to be sure we staked out our purchases. The Arts Council was getting worried. Then they decided to lock the doors at 5 and re-open at 5:30. About 20 of us were on the steps a few minutes after 5. People could be seen walking in that direction too. Would order be maintained?
Yes, the City of Pleasant Living was orderly, but we streamed in there with no delay, no greeting old friends, but headed directly for our targets. I scored two of the best small portraits I've ever seen. Isaac Shelby and Maj. Patrick Ferguson will soon be framed and grace the front hall.
But even better news is that there was a really strong group of 5 x 7 canvases from area artists. 270 or so, in fact. Some were student works, students from local high schools and adult classes, and some were by professional artists. Best of all, it wasn't possible to tell amateur from pro in most cases. Some were playful, some very serious, but most were objects that I'd feel good about seeing every day. And even when we know the identity of the artist, there's still mystery there if you are going to live with art.
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