The holidays are a time to enjoy the company of family and friends, the glow of twinkle lights on trees, and a warm cup of cocoa or hot cider. Downtown offers all that and more this holiday season. Amidst your holiday shopping, which there is plenty of in Downtown Spokane, take a break with fun holiday events and activities without leaving the core!

Downtown not only has some of the region's best shopping, but it's also the center of entertainment with White Christmas at the Civic Theater, strolling carolers on the weekends (courtesy of the BID), Nutcracker performances at the INB, among other festive concerts and shows. 

If you're looking for some activities to work off your holiday party snacks, the Ice Palace, one of the nation's best outdoor skating rinks, is now open at Riverfront Park! If shopping is your cardio, be sure to stop at the Flour Mill next week for Ladies Day Out or spend some time at River Park Square while the kids are entertained at Mobius Kids' Shop 'n' Drop.

And the best way to get in the holiday spirit is through the gift of giving. The Tree of Sharing is at River Park Square Atrium, now through December 12. Santa Express, in Crescent Court is the perfect spot for young shoppers to make a few purchases and benefit the Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery.

Top it all off on December 31st at First Night Spokane's 10th Anniversary Celebration! This family-friendly way of celebrating New Year's Eve kicks off with a 5k Resolution Run followed by an evening of musical performances, artists, kids activities, a snowboard rail jam, and more, all culminating with a midnight fireworks extravaganza!

For more information on these events, and many more over the next month, click here, or visit the holiday page at DowntownSpokane.net.

• Never leave anything of value in plain sight.
• Place all shopping bags in the trunk, not in the front or back seats where they are visible.
• Always have your keys ready when approaching a car.
• Never leave pets unattended in your vehicle.
• When using public parking lots, be sure to use a key or the tool on the parking pay box to push your money fully in the slots.

Security Ambassadors continue to make their rounds in the BID at new hours. You can always contact the Security Ambassadors Tuesday-Saturday, 11:30am-7:30pm at 509.353.9111.

 

To report snow/ice removal, graffiti or other cleaning needs to the Clean Team, please call 509.294.4367.
 

Santa arrived in Downtown Spokane to kick off the holidays and now his lap is available for children of all ages to sit upon while telling Santa their Christmas wish and getting their photo taken. Santa waits in his comfy green chair in River Park Square Monday - Saturday, 11am-8pm, and Sundays 11am-6pm.

And don't forget to bring Fluffy and Spike Downtown for their photo ops at Paws with Claus on December 5 and 12, 6-9pm, when pets can get their picture with Santa! For more information visit RiverParkSquare.com.

The Business Improvement District (BID) Ratepayer Advisory Board has adopted and is submitting their 2011 BID Management Plan and Budget to the City of Spokane. The budget includes a $100,000 general fund contribution from the City for the Clean and Safe program and an assessment roll of approximately $970,304.
 
A public hearing is scheduled for Monday, December 6th at City Council to approve the budget, assessment roll and management plan for 2011. Ratepayers are welcome to attend and give their comments. For BID questions, please call 509.456.0580. 

As you walk through Downtown lately, you may have noticed this web site stenciled on sidewalks, posted in businesses and billboards or on a car passing by. If you look up the link, or click here, you'll find that it's the Ronald McDonald House of Charity's (RMHC) latest campaign to bring awareness to their services and needs. While the web site is a global site, Nathan's story happens in Spokane, and you can learn more about him on RMHC's local page.

If you're a business that would like to get involved in the campaign with a stencil on your sidewalk, or tempera paint on a window, contact Sherrie Martin at 509.435.1576 or  SherrieAMartin@comcast.net.  Or you can make a donation on-line. It's a great way to get in the holiday spirit for a worthy cause!

What are you doing to be innovative and sustainable?  Is your Downtown or University District (U.D.) business or building energy efficient? LEED Certified? Do you utilize renewable energy? We want to hear about and promote what Downtown and U.D. businesses are doing, so let us know by filling out this form and sending it to intern@downtownspokane.net.