Results

City Council decided; run-off Mayoral election in May

Five at-large and two district candidates were elected to City Council during this month's mail-in election. Jan Martin will keep her seat and joining her on the dais will be Merv Bennett, Val Snider, Brandy Williams, Tim Leigh, Lisa Czelatdko (District 3) and Angela Dougan (District 2).

No single mayoral candidate achieved a greater than 50 percent vote, so contenders Richard Skorman (36 percent) and Steve Bach (34 percent) face a mail-in runoff election on May 17. Whomever wins the election will be sworn in on June7 and begin serving as Mayor on June8.

Changes coming

Colorado College transitions leadership

Outgoing Colorado College President and former Downtown Partnership President Dick Celeste and his wife, Jacqueline Lundquist will be honored with the college's 7^th Annual Partners in Service Award at a farewell reception on May 10, 2011, 6 p.m., in the Cornerstone Arts Center at 825 N. Cascade. The event is free and open to all.

Celeste has served at the helm of CC for nine years-by his own account, his longest tenure in any one position, including his two-term governorship in Ohio. His CC leadership is reflected in heightened student retention and graduation rates, increased selectivity, 20 additional tenure-track faculty positions, major campus renovations, and the construction of the Edith Kinney Gaylord Cornerstone Arts Center-an architectural as well as functional gem. Celeste also pushed forward a sustainability agenda, achieving LEEDs certification for the arts center and the Tutt Science Center, among other efforts.

He became a Downtown champion the moment he arrived in town, joined the DP Board in 2003 and served as its President in 2008 and 2009.

WE WISH DICK AND JACQUELINE ALL THE BEST IN THEIR FUTURE ENDEAVORS.

Colorado College will officially welcome Jill Tiefenthaler as its 13^th president when she assumes duties of the position on July 1, 2011. Tiefenthaler currently serves as provost and professor of economics at Wake Forest University. Learn more about her and why CC's Board of Trustees unanimously selected her at http://www.coloradocollege.edu/president/.

Downtown summer events

Crossword puzzle.  You can find

assistance at www.downtown80903.com under EVENTS!

Broadening the cultural landscape

THEATREdART moves Downtown

Since it's 2003 establishment, THEATREdART has utilized UCCS's Osborne Theatre for its productions. Now, thanks to assistance from the Bee Vradenburg Foundation and Vintage Communities, the organization is calling 128 North Nevada its home.

THEATREdART was founded in 2003 by Brian Mann and Jonathan Margheim to provide bold and engaging productions-absurdist, surrealist, and avant-garde theatre- that continually challenge audience notions of what theatre is and can be. Controversial and complex social issues like war, politics, and human relationships-nothing is off-limits.

Todd Wallinger of the Colorado Springs Gazette has called THEATREdART productions "some of the most provocative works ever produced in this city" with "staggering ambition and depth."

The new space is intended to serve as a cultural hub housing not only the theatre company, but offering room for other theatre productions, art galleries, concerts, burlesque shows, and any other events that are in need of a home. Mann says the group will continue to some productions at Osborne, but on a limited scale.

Coming up: Hell Bent on the Tent, or The Phantom of the One Ring, performed Fridays through Sundays, April 22 through May 8, at 8 p.m. Written and directed by the Vaudeville Tycoons, this is a neo-vaudeville style comedic melodrama about the misadventures of the Brothers Kavanaugh as they try to raise money so they don't get kicked out of the circus.

Late May will feature a collaboration with Starbar Players, called Why Torture is Wrong. 

For tickets and to learn more about THEATREdART, visit www.theatredart.org. 

New kids on the blocks

From fly-fishing to kitchen remodels

Three new businesses have opened Downtown. Check them out:

Ghillies Fly Shop at 117 S. Nevada carries all manner of fly-fishing gear, tackle and apparel. Stop in 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday (9-5 on Saturdays) or give owner Gary Almeida a call at 531-5413.

Fabulous Finds is located at 130 N. Tejon features unique home furnishings, accessories and art. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Contact manager Debra Saunkeah at 473-7600 or visit online at www.fabulousfinds.qwestoffice.net.

Formerly Kitchen Design Specialists, Total Design Specialists, also at 117 S. Nevada Ave., now offers not only kitchen design, but also home theatres ("Total Theatre"), lighting, flooring, custom painting, plumbing and fixtures and landscaping services all from a newly remodeled store. Can you say one-stop-shop? Hours are 8:30 to 5 Monday through Friday and 10 to 2 on Saturdays. For more information call 477-1617.

Join us!

Membership matters

What does it take to sustain a vibrant, diverse, economically healthy and aesthetically pleasing Downtown? It takes a village (of people) of course!

As the go-to nonprofit driving Downtown's vitality, Downtown Partnership brings together individuals, businesses, community organizations and government entities to work toward the district's common good. When you become a member, you link to other like-minded Downtown advocates and patrons. Together, we all make Downtown better.

With your investment and participation, we are able to articulate the vision for Downtown, effectively advocate for it, nurture Downtown leadership and mobilize resources.  Downtown Partnership developed the Imagine Downtown master plan, helped create the Business Improvement District (BID), Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and Community Ventures, Inc (CV), which facilitates the annual Art on the Streets yearlong exhibit as well as other arts and cultural opportunities. We host the annual Mayors Breakfast and are the district's liaison to local government. And lots more.

Memberships include company name on our web site-with a link to yours-invitations to quarterly mixers and other exclusive events, special sponsorship opportunities, and monthly newsletter as well as other timely e-blasts. Won't you join us? We offer membership options to accommodate just about everyone and every budget. Click here to print and complete a membership form. Questions? Give us a call at 886-0088.

Can you guess?

Downtown Puzzler

As evening falls, a woman emerges as if from a cocoon, energized by the potential of her life that lies before her.Thus was described this ethereal beauty by her maker. What is her name and where is she located?

Cinema extraordinaire

Indie Spirit Film Festival

It may have already started, but you've got until April 17^th to catch a flick or ten.

The Indie Spirit Film Festival (ISFF) is an annual event for filmmakers (professionals and students) and film lovers alike, with a superb program of feature films, shorts, docs, animation, and many other films from around the world.

ISFF is about filmmakers, audiences, distributors and film professionals establishing a relationship and supporting independent film. ISFF has showcased an average of over 100 films from all over the globe, covering a variety of subjects and genres. It has quickly become Colorado Springs's largest film festival, with numerous filmmakers and film fans attending screenings, Q & A sessions, filmmaker panels, parties and receptions. Boasting a broad, unrestricted selection of films, ISFF presents genre-specific awards, as well as Best Short, Feature, Documentary and Festival Director's Choice. Several films from previous years have achieved further success on the festival circuit and many films from all three years are available on DVD.

Get the full scoop and schedule at http://www.indiespiritfilmfestival.org. 

Coming and going Downtown

Mountain Metro Transit

Transit comes and transit goes .... Keeping up with routes and schedules, what's on and what's off, can get complicated. One way to keep track of what's going on with Mountain Metro is its newsletter, Metro Matters, which Downtown Partnership now posts on its website. The current issue offers an FAQ about the Future of Regional Transit Study, tips for riders, volunteer opportunities and more.  Check it out at http://www.downtown80903.com/visit/metro-matters.