| 2010 Elgin Events & Happenings Master Calendar
(Fall Update) |  |
| Downtown Dining & Entertainment Guide |  |
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Deadline for DNA Awards Gala Nominations - October 1 |
Please help us recognize outstanding downtown Elgin volunteers, businesses, groups, organizations or DNA partners/members by nominating them for an award at the 2010 DNA Awards Gala taking place Thursday, October 14 at the Grand Victoria Casino from 6-9pm.
Categories include "Remarkable Renovation", "Excellence in Business", "Outstanding DNA Member/Partner" and "Extraordinary Volunteer".
Each award category has specific eligibility requirements. Nomination deadline is October 1. Nomination forms are available at the DNA Office at 2 Douglas Avenue or by clicking here! |
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Elgin Pub Crawl Drawing Winners |
Thank you Pub Crawlers for packing ten great downtown venues last Saturday night for the 2010 Elgin Pub Crawl. Not only did the event bring hundreds of people into the downtown area but Pub Crawl raffle ticket sales helped raise over $2,500 for Senior Services Associates, the John E. McCue Memorial Scholarship Fund and the DNA. For a list of winners from the charity raffle drawing and the passport drawing, click here! |
| "Docktoberday Deals" at Elgin Antiques & Uniques | |
"Orange You Glad" it's October? Or should that be "Docktober"? Elgin Antiques and Uniques is hosting an huge outdoor Antique Flea Market Sale on Saturday, October 9 from 9am-6pm. Enjoy food, music, great autumn savings including in-store specials on Saturday and Sunday as well as covered shopping convenience in their back alley dock.
Elgin Antiques and Uniques 207 E. Chicago Street 847.606.6284 |
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DOWNTOWN CONSTRUCTION UPDATE |
Access to Route 31 from E. Highland Avenue through downtown Elgin is now open. Please use caution as there are still construction barricades in this area prohibiting access to Highland Avenue west of Route 31. The traffic signals at Highland and Route 31 are now in operation.
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The City's Highland Avenue Sewer Separation project continues on W. Highland Avenue between Route 31 and Jackson Avenue. The underground work is complete, and restoration is expected to be complete within the next 2 weeks on W. Chicago St and the valley between Jackson and Lynch, weather permitting. The City's Highland Avenue Reconstruction project, which includes the complete removal and replacement of pavement, curb and gutter on Highland Avenue between Route 31 and the split at Larkin Avenue, is expected to be complete by late-October, weather permitting.
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Dexter Court will be closed for two weeks to allow for reconstruction. Access to City Hall is available through the Civic Center parking lot with access from Douglas Avenue, Highland Avenue and Grove Court. The City's payment drop box will be temporarily relocated during construction. To access the drop box, enter the Civic Center Parking lot from Douglas Avenue. Vehicular access to the drop box will be available in a drive up lane set up in the parking area along the north side of this entrance. This closure is expected to last until Monday, October 11. |
LWVEA
Open Debate Forums at Gail Borden Library | |
In conjunction with the Gail Borden Public Library at 270 N. Grove Avenue, League of Women Voters of the Elgin Area (LWVEA) will be hosting two open debate forums in the Community Rooms at the library.
On Thursday, September 30, at 6:30pm, the election debate forum will center on the 22nd Legislative District for State Senator wherein incumbent Michael Noland will debate Steve Rauschenberger; for the 25th Legislative District incumbent Chris Lauzen will debate Leslie Juby; and a question & answer format will be used for the candidates for Judge of the 16th Judicial Circuit John Dalton and David Akemann. On Sunday, October 3, at 2pm, debates will center on candidates for the 43rd Representative District where incumbent Keith Farnham will debate Ruth Muson; and for the 49th Representative District incumbent Tim Schmitz will debate Jennifer Barconi. |
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| Downtown Elgin Top 10 | September 29-October 8 | |
| #1: DNA Awards Gala - "Bright Lights, Big City" | |
Please plan to join us for a hotsy-totsy night on the town at the Downtown Neighborhood Association's Awards Gala - "Bright Lights, Big City" on Thursday, October 14 at the Grand Victoria Casino. In typical DNA fashion, we will be celebrating in style with a 1940's-themed night of fun, festivities and DNA fundraising.
There will be a live jazz band, ballroom dancers, cocktail dresses (and cocktails), black ties, awards, accolades, photo booth, art gallery, and after-parties in downtown.
Individual tickets are $60 each ($50 for current DNA members) and sponsored tables of 8 are $600 each ($500 for current DNA members). Cocktail dresses and tuxedos are encouraged, and the best-dressed 1940's guy and gal will be rewarded. Click here to RSVP and purchase tickets online!
DNA Volunteers are selling 50/50 Raffle Tickets for $10 each right now! If you would like to purchase 50/50 raffle tickets, call the DNA Office now at 847.488.1456. You can even pay for them online! Click here to access our online payment processor! Then enter the dollar amount of tickets ($10 per ticket) you wish to purchase under "Another Amount".
This event is sure to be the cat's meow. You won't want to miss it, so mark your calendars, or give us a call to RSVP today! To see pictures from last year's Gala, click here! |
| #2: Psychosis Haunted House Comes to Downtown Elgin | |
On Thursday, September 30 at 7pm, Psychosis Haunted House celebrates their grand opening at their new downtown Elgin home at 200 N. Spring Street.
Inside this ghoulish haunt, you will help the police of Kingsfield find the Maze Master! He's on the loose and terrorizing this small city. Go deep inside his mind to see what made him this way and pray you make it out alive!
Psychosis Haunted House has been called Illinois' most interactive haunted house with over 20,000 square feet of sheer madness including a covered waiting area, free parking and portolets on site. Admission is $15 per person with a special same night "go again" price of $5!
Hours of operation are Thursdays and Sundays from 7-10pm and Fridays and Saturdays from 7pm-Midnight. Recommended ages for the night time haunts are 13 years and older. There are also child-friendly, special matinees every other weekend (October 2 & 3, 16 & 17 and 30 & 31) from 1-4pm.
A portion of Psychosis Haunted House's proceeds will be donated to local Elgin Charities. Stay tuned to the DNN Top 10 for a list of specific nights for Elgin charities and not-for-profits. If your charitable organization is interested in having a "night" at Psychosis Haunted House, contact Brandy Litz at homicidalprincess@psychosishauntedhouse.net |
| #3: Elgin Symphony Orchestra 2010-11 Season Debut | |
 The Elgin Symphony Orchestra's 2010-2011 Season opens Friday, October 1 at The Hemmens Cultural Center at 45 Symphony Way with Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. Performance dates/times:
Friday, October 1 - 1:30pm
Saturday, October 2 - 8:00pm
Sunday, October 3 - 3:30pm
Tickets are available through the Elgin Symphony Orchestra Box Office by calling 847.888.4000 or visiting their website at elginsymphony.org |
| #4: This Week at the Harvest Market | |
The Downtown Elgin Harvest Market - Presented by Alexian Brothers continues its landmark tenth season this Thursday, September 30 from 10am-4pm at the Civic Center Parking Lot at the intersection of Highland and Douglas Avenue near City Hall. Our last "First Thursday" market of the season is slated for October 7. Among the attractions confirmed for October First Thursday include:
* Musical performance by the Fox River Trio
* Terrifying costumed characters from downtown Elgin's newest Halloween attraction, Psychosis Haunted HouseIf you have not been out to one of our "First Thursday" markets, click here to see what you've been missing! |
| #5: Hispanic Heritage Family Festival at Gail Borden | |
 On Saturday, October 2 from 2-5pm, Gail Borden Public Library will host their innaugural Hispanic Heritage Family Festival at 270 N. Grove Avenue in downtown Elgin. Folkloric dancing by Huehuecoyotl, Corazón Boliviano and Somos Colombia, mariachi, Latino food and artists are just a small sample of the flavor that will make up Gail Borden Library's first ever Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration. Gail Borden Public Library l 270 N. Grove Avenue847.742.2411 l gailborden.info |
| #6: This Week at Villa Verone | |
 Villa Verone Ristorante Italiano at 13 Douglas Avenue in downtown Elgin is the place to be this week!
On Thursday, September 30, Villa Verone will once again honor another outstanding Elgin citizen.
This week's Elgin Person of the Week and celebrity bartender is Tom Brockner, Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin Board President and owner of Tom's Auto Clinic at 264 Prairie Street. The fun starts at 6pm!
Then on Friday, October 1 beginning at 9pm, Villa Verone debuts Hot and Sexy Friday Night Salsa!
For $5 Admission, enjoy the hottest "salsa-riffic" tunes including Salsa, Bachata, Cha Cha, Cumbia and more! Must be 21 or older! STRICT DRESS CODE WILL BE ENFORCED: No baggy jeans, baseball caps, white t-shirts or gym shoes!
Villa Verone Ristorante Italiano l 13 Douglas Avenue847.742.0263 l villaverone.net |
| #7: Three Olives Purple Vodka Tasting Event | |
 On Friday, October 1 from 8-10pm, Martini Room at 161 E. Chicago Street will host their Three Olives Purple Vodka Tasting event. Beginning at 8pm, enjoy complimentary samples of: - Purple Crush Long Drink - Purple Martini - Purple Bomb Shot All night long, Martini Room will be serving Purple Martinis for $6, Purple Crush for $5 and Purple Bombs for $4. Martini Room l 161 E. Chicago Street |
| #8: DOUBT, A Parable at Elgin Art Showcase | |
 Independent Players presents:
DOUBT, a Parable by John Patrick Stanley
October 1-16
Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm
Tickets: $15, Senior Citizens $12, Students $10
For information and reservations call Don Haefliger at 847.697.7374
In the Gallery: "The Window To Our World"
Photography by Steve Sturgill |
| #9: Elgin's Halloween Howl | |
On Saturday, October 30 beginning at 1pm, the DNA, the City of Elgin, The Hemmens Cultural Center and the Elgin Symphony Orchestra present Elgin's Halloween Howl: A Nightmare on Chicago Street - a day of ghosts, goblins and good times for the whole family!
1 pm - Registration for Costume Contest (open to kids ages 12 and under) at Civic Plaza, 150 Dexter Court. Trick or Treating and Kids Activities including Pumpkin Decorating, Face Painting, and "Thriller" dance demo throughout downtown Elgin, and Arts & Crafts at The Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way.
2 pm - Halloween Storytelling by Gail Borden Public Library at Civic Plaza, 150 Dexter Court.
3 pm - Parade of Costumes/Awards for Best Costumes at Civic Plaza, 150 Dexter Court.
3:30 pm - ESO's Halloween Spooktacular at The Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way - Tickets: $10/kids, $15/adults.
8 pm - The Rocky Horror Picture Show at The Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way - Tickets: $7 - ADULTS ONLY! Come early to meet your Master of Scare-emonies WCIU-TV Channel 26's Svengoolie!
Afterwards enjoy a howling haunt at Psychosis Haunted House or check out all the ghoulishly good times downtown Elgin's night life has to offer.
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| #10: Downtown Car Show & Midwest Green Car Expo | |
 Thank you to everyone who attended and participated in the 2010 Downtown Elgin Car Show and 2010 Midwest Green Car Expo last Saturday at the Civic Parking Lot. Nearly 60 classic antique cars, street rods, muscle cars, electric cars and fuel-efficient hybrids were showcased in the heart of downtown Elgin. The winners, as chosen by the car show participants, were as follows: 1st Place: Joe Sant of Elgin - 1957 Ford Thunderbird 2nd Place: Alan Wagner of Streamwood - 1958 Berkeley 3rd Place: Phil Pahl of Hoffman Estates - 1965 Pontiac GTO Click here to view photos from the car show > > >
A big thank you to our car show sponsors: Insure One, Redmon's Towing, Kellenberger Auto/Napa Auto Care Center, Lee Auto Parts and Tom's Auto Clinic. Thank you also to our booth vendors Landin Chiropractic and Chiro One Wellness.
And car enthusiasts, don't forget to check out ONE & RAW1 PRODUCTIONS "2010 TROPICAL SUMMER JAM" Car Show at Elgin's Civic Plaza at Highland and Douglas Avenues on Sunday, October 10 beginning at 9am! Over 35 categories, trophies, live entertainment and more!
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