February 28, 2013 

Art News -- A brand new Monument Square Art Festival is coming June 1 and 2.  Artist registrations are being accepted online.  The deadline for submission is tomorrow - March 1!  There is room for approximately 70 booths. All the scoop can be found on the website at www.monumentsquareartfest.com.  Like the new art festival on Facebook too! 

Public Transit --You are invited to provide comments and feedback on proposed alternative for improving transit services in the City of Racine and Racine County over the next five years.  Two public meetings are being held to get your input on the proposed alternatives.  The meetings will be held in "open house" format, allowing you to attend at any time during the two-hour time frame for each meeting.   

Tuesday, March 5 from 4:30-6:30pm at the Veterans Terrace in the Patriot Room located at 589 Milwaukee Avenue, Burlington, WI or Wednesday, March 2 from 4:30-6:30pm at Corrine Reid-Owens Transit Center located at 1421 State Street, Racine, WI.  

Information about the plan, including a newsletter describing the proposed alternatives, is available on the plan website at www.sewrpc.org/racinetransitplan, or by contacting the Commission at 262-547-6721 or racinetransitplan@sewrpc.org.   

Upcoming Downtown Events

Racine Public Library-- Facebook 101: Participants will sign up for an account, learn how to post to your wall and find friends.  Tuesday, March 13 or Wednesday, March 14 from 9:30-11:30am.  Pre-registration and a library card are required.  Seating is limited to 8 people per session.  Call the Racine Public Library at 262-636-9217 or 262-636-9245 for more information or to register for a workshop.   

Racine Symphony Orchestra -- Continuing the stability and sustainability of the Orchestra, the

Free Racine Symphony Orchestra events:

Sunday, March 10 - Sharan Leventhal concert at First Presbyterian Church, Seventh and College Avenue, at 2:00pm.

Tuesday, March 19 - free concert for 5th grade students, open to the public, 9:15am or 10:45am at Grace Church, 3626 Green Bay Road.  For more information, call 262-636-9285 or go online at Racine Symphony Orchestra website. 

Racine Art Museum -- Free First Friday continues at RAM on March 1, with free museum admission, 10:00am to 5:00pm.  In the winter months of 2013, the Racine Art Museum is featuring a series of exhibitions that showcases work dominated by a black and white color scheme. The popular Free Family Hands-On Art Activity moves to Saturday afternoon each month during the winter. Join RAM for the March Hands-On Art Activity on Saturday, March 2, from 1:00-4:00pm. Enjoy free RAM admission during the art activity. 

This year marks the Racine Art Museum's 10th Anniversary in Downtown Racine. Visitors are invited to discover stunning exhibitions that shine a light on RAM's achievements over the past decade and predict an even brighter future.

Free admission days at RAM are generously sponsored by the Osborne and Scekic Family Foundation.  All free art activities and tours for children and families at RAM are generously sponsored by SC Johnson & Son, Inc.

First Presbyterian Church --First Presbyterian Church, 716 College Avenue, invites you to feed your body and soul Wednesday evenings during Lent, beginning at 5:30pm. Enjoy a meal and then stay for some conversation, as Pastor Ben Johnston-Krase leads a Bible study on the Gospel of Luke. EVERYONE is welcome!  Please use the south entrance adjacent to the parking lot.  

First Sundays at 5:07pm - On the first Sunday of each month at 5:07pm, First Presbyterian Church will gather for a time of worship and then a potluck meal.  Bring what you can, come as you are, be with us, and be with God!  First Sunday is a perfect worship experience for children, as they are not expected to be quiet during the service.

Golden Rondelle

Real Racine in partnership with SC Johnson is pleased to present the premiere of Discover Wisconsin: Racine County with Emmy Fink at the Golden Rondelle Theater as part of the Community Interest Programs. The Racine County episode of Discover Wisconsin showcases community icons like the Wind Point Lighthouse, North Beach, the Racine Zoo, the SC Johnson Administration Building and the Racine Art Museum.  The Discover Wisconsin team also took in The Big Chill, the Real Racine  Skeleton Skamper and The Color Run.  There is much, much more but we don't want to spoil the surprises!

Please join Real Racine and SC Johnson on Wednesday, March 20, from 7:00-8:00pm at the SC Johnson Golden Rondelle Theater. Reservations are required.  RSVP to www.scjohnson.com/visit under "Schedule Your Tour" or call 262-260-2154. 

Anything's Possible  

At Anything's Possible we're thinking spring early- now through Daylight Savings    Time - 3/10/13 (when we spring forward) we are offering a $ 5.00 gift certificate with the purchase of anything sunny, beach, and warm-weather related!  There are many options included in this offer from wall art to fabric arts. Come look around and see all the ways we can brighten your home, wardrobe and mood! Mention sale code- SPRING SAVINGS to receive this special offer.

Fired Up!  

Spring Fling Painting & Wine Event!  Fired Up! Racine, Uncorkt and Tastefully Simply have team  ed up again for a fun night.  Wednesday, March 27 from 6:30-8:30pm at Uncorkt. We will be painting a flower pot with base and a flower pot stake.  Taste test six wines and sample goodies from Tastefully Simple.  Cost is $35.00 and reservations are required.  Gather up all your friends for a fun night out and call Fired Up! Racine at 262-619-9234 to reserve your spot today!  

Art Metals  

Art Metals Studio located at 332 Main Street, invites you to stop in and see their collection of Aquamarine, March's beautiful blue birthstone. We have large faceted gemstones, statement strands of natural crystal aquamarines, lovely matched pairs , faceted beads, and cabochons that can be made into something special or just added to your collection, and all at 20% off during the month of March. Follow us on Facebook or visit our website at www.artmetalsstudio.com 

Copacetic Has Your St. Patrick's Day Spirit Wear!

March on in to Copacetic, located at 409 Main Street, is having a Slipper, Sandal and Shoe March Sale with 25% off all in-store Vibram Five Finger, Olukai and Acorn indoor and outdoor styles for men and women. Forward this newsletter to your friends to share the word because it is promoted only through social media.  Follow Copacetic at www.Facebook.com/CopaceticStores.  Look good, feel happy and enjoy the savings at Copacetic!    

Henry & Wanda's, 501 6th Street

March 1: Step-In-Out  (Classic Soft Rock to Today's Hits)

March 2: Thoughts for Food Event (Please bring canned goods as a donation)

                        Group Therapy (Rockin Blues Hits)

                        Roy Edwards and Friends (Classic Rocking Blues)

                        Night Wing (Classic to Current Dance Hits)

March 8: DuoSonic (Racine's Favorite Dance Band)

March 9: Jackie Brown & the Boys (Classic Hits from the 80's to today)

The Ivanhoe Pub and Eatery

The four categories and their winners are: 

The Downtown Champion Award is awarded to an individual who has been a catalyst in improving downtown; has provided service to the downtown community and has worked tirelessly to promote downtown. This award was presented to Jim Wardrip and Brian O'Connell.    

Jim Wardrip's career includes educator, newspaper man and artist and Jim leaves behind an amazing legacy.   Jim has done wonderful things for the Racine community such as helping start the Animal Crackers series at the Racine Zoo.  He was also  a leader in the creation of the Community Oriented Policing program and houses in Racine.  While Jim has many significant commitments, it was his dedication to reinvigorate Gallery Nights which earned him the Achievement Award.   

In 2012, Jim spent hours going door to door seeking business participation.  He personally recruited over 50 artists to participate for both November and July Gallery Nights including living statues and a live mannequin competition.   

Brian O'Connell, the Director of City Development, was the other Downtown Champion Award recipient.  Brian was new to Racine in 2001 and helped to guide the Downtown BID through the initial stages of organization.  The facade grant program was created by Brian to assist and incentivize property owners with the improvement of their buildings, including maintaining city financial support for the program.   

Brian continues to nurture and assist complex developments through the approval process at City Hall, including obtaining financial support when it is needed.  Noteworthy projects include Belle Harbor apartments, State and Main development, and Porters redevelopment which is in process.   

The Best New Small Business Award is awarded for a new retail shop, gallery or restaurant that has captured the attention of the marketplace and helped enhance downtown was presented to Tina's Dress Boutique.

Tina's Dress Boutique provides women in the area with an affordable option for bridal, prom and special occasion dresses.  In addition, women are able to sell their dresses on consignment, making Tina's Dress Boutique an environmentally-friendly business. 

Tina worked diligently with the Small Business Development Center after creating a seamless business plan which helped to award her a small business loan.  When Tina needed a storefront space, her diligent networking helped find the perfect fit - Flowers by Walter.  Future brides, prom-goers, and cocktail party attendees have a one-stop option for dresses and flowers right in Downtown Racine.   

The CPR Award, is awarded for the redevelopment of a downtown building that has helped enhance the overall downtown neighborhood and revitalize the area, was presented to Lee Jaramillo of Northterra Real Estate Group.

Northterra Real Estate Group is a commercial real estate firm located in Racine County, concentrating on office and retail development and redevelopment.  As the principal at Northterra, Lee Jaramillo has almost ten years of experience in commercial real estate development and acquisitions.  Lee has dedicated his firm to have a more local presence including downtown Racine.  As one of only a few full-service commercial real estate firms located in Racine County, Northterra was able to see an opportunity come together with the relocation of the Public Defenders Office, and subsequently, the redevelopment of the Sixth Street property where the office now resides. 

In responding to new space needs from the Public Defenders Office, Northterra was able match the space requirements from the State with the building at 420 Sixth Street.  In October of 2011, Northterra purchased the building and in March of 2012, the State Public Defenders Office and Northterra Real Estate Group began a long-term lease at 420 Sixth Street.  

The Corporate Citizen Award is awarded to an organization that is the ultimate citizen, supporting downtown through employment, facilities and sponsorship. The 2011 award was presented to Racine County.

In April of 2012, Racine County agreed to purchase Reefpoint Marina.  After many years of declining slip rentals, and deferred maintenance, County Executive Ladwig led the county board to commit to re-energizing what is an extremely important economic generator for downtown Racine.  New management was brought on board and significant improvements were made to the facilities including the docks, bathrooms, boaters' lounge, lighting, etc.  During the past few months, plans for continued re-investments in the marina have been ongoing.  And, a marketing effort like none other has been undertaken to recruit more boaters and visitors to downtown.

Not only is Downtown Racine Corporation strengthening the partnership with the County at the Marina, but have forged new partnerships with Racine County Sheriff, Christopher Schmaling.  Through the Huber program, the sheriff has been providing greatly needed and appreciated labor for event setup and production, downtown cleaning and snow removal.  

The Downtown Racine Corporation has announced new members of the corporation's Board of Directors who were recently elected for two year terms:

Joe Cronin - Robert W. Baird & Company

Jay Emmett - The Journal Times

Margie Kuzia - Humble Home 

Karla Krehbeil - Johnson Bank

Joe Mooney - Blue Moon Detective Agency

Mark O'Neill - O'Neill Law Offices

Congratulations to our new Board and thank you to all members of the Board which work tirelessly and passionately to support Downtown Racine!