April 2014

Regardless of what it actually looks like out there, we recommend you put a spring in your step and hustle downtown to take in some of the fun events going on.

Get started by checking out our Downtown Events calendar. Since there are more events than can be listed, also check in with your favorite shop or restaurant to make sure you aren't missing out on all the spring happenings!

Have fun downtown!

The Editors

Quick Links

DRI Website

DRI Facebook page

DRI PotatoFest facebook page

Mainstreet with Maggie

Happy Spring!

April showers and donations bring May flowers! The flowers are already being planted for the downtown hanging baskets, thanks to Forth Floral and the Master Gardeners. The 115-plus baskets are among our most treasured features during the summer, adding color and life and showing that the community cares about our downtown.

We are asking you to sponsor a basket. Your donation of $100 funds the flowers, and the watering, fertilizer, insurance and gas used to keeping them looking good all summer. (Our thanks to Rhinelander GM for donating a truck for our use.)

Make the donation to honor someone. Or make it because you believe in the program, or because you appreciate how the downtown looks with beautiful flower baskets swaying in the breeze. Maybe you're looking for something special to give your mom for Mother's Day...a basket of flowers that everyone can admire makes the perfect gesture, and she doesn't even have to take care of it! Whatever the reason, your donation will be greatly appreciated, on so many levels by so many people.

As always, thank you for supporting Downtown Rhinelander.

Maggie Steffen,

DRI Executive Director

Diane's Frame Shop:

Artist in Residence
April 12 10-2

Downtown Rhinelander Inc. prepares for façade renovation

The 2013 DRI Strategic Plan identified the need for façade improvements. As a result, the DRI board earmarked $40,000 as seed money to begin the process of gathering resources to develop a façade grant program. At this point, the City of Rhinelander also has committed $20,000 to the project. Our next step is to write a grant to the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation for matching funds.

Façade grants are not a new idea for DRI. The last time one was established was 2006. It served a limited time-limited amount project designed to stimulate new signs and façades. That grant expired in 2007, and the Downtown Works low-interest loan program was established. Downtown Works has been successful. At this point more than 11 loans have been given out with a 100 percent return payment.

The new façade grant has been redesigned to be a combination of the Downtown Works and façade grant funds. We anticipate hearing about the grant this summer. If you are interested in this program, we are taking names for "interested partners" and will contact you when we have more information.

Frasier's Plumbing and Heating is our Spotlight Business for this week. Ryan Black is the company's manager.

DRI Committee Reports

This is a brief update on what the DRI committees are working on each month. We always have room for more participants. If you see a project you would like to participate in, call and join us. Most meetings are held once a month the second week of each month.

Design: Pat LaPorte, Chair

We're beginning the talks with Vierbicher Consulting firm to discuss the streetscape for Brown Street.
We will plant the flower baskets this month.

Economic Restructuring: Ray Burgan, Chair

We introduced the new program Business Advisors for helping businesses through the use of local experts. This initiative will focus on assisting business owners to "take the next step" to improve their bottom line. If you are interested, call the DRI office and take advantage of this free service.

Organization: Sally Latimer, Acting Chair

Committee members evaluated our website pages. We are in the process of updating and changing some areas.
We started planning for the May Volunteer Lunch, which will be held outside (weather permitting) in front of the Hext Theatre.

Promotions: Sandy Buss, Chair

The promotions committee is organizing volunteers and leaders for our 2014 event line up.
We're looking for a couple more members to round out our committee. There are opportunities for all levels of involvement. If you enjoy events and promotions, come and join us!
Our next meeting is on Monday, April 14th at 2:00 pm in the DRI office.

In This Issue

Main Street with Maggie

How Not to Ruin Your Old House

April 10, 12:30 - 1:30 pm

Rhinelander Library

Avoid common renovation mistakes and learn how to effectively upgrade your home.

***Also***

How to use Rehabilitation Tax Credits for

Commercial Property

Rhinelander City Hall

April 10, 6 - 7 pm

Sponsored by the Rhinelander Historic Preservation Commission

SAVE THE DATE

Downtown Events

April 5	Hext Theatre: Jerry Duginski Comedy singer, songwriter. 6:30 pm. For more events, go to www.hexttheater.com
April 7	Business Advisors meeting at Nicolet College 5:30-7pm. Call DRI for more information.
April 12	Robert "Oneman" Johnson Sacket's Bar and Grill "Welcome Home" singer, songwriter 8-12pm
April 12	Photos with the Easter Bunny at Forth Floral. Call for an appointment at 715-365-7600.
April 12	Artist in Residence at Diane's Frame Shop: Barb Whenal. 10 am - 2 pm.
April 22	Earth Day Celebration @ ArtStart. Music, exhibits, refreshments. Noon - 6 pm.

Message by DRI President

Mark Gutterer,

Rhinelander Cafe & Pub

WE HAVE AN IMAGE PROBLEM

and it can be easily fixed.....

What do we look like from a visitor's perspective? We don't look bad, do we? Sure, I could use a new coat of paint on my building, but my neighbor's building looks worse. Heck, when that garbage can was in front of my building, I emptied it most of the time, especially when it got to the point of overflowing, and now that it's been moved down the street, so-and-so never empties it. Sure, it is hard for people to climb over the snow banks, but that's because the city crew doesn't know how to plow, and what do they care, anyway...? And now that the snow is melting, I see lots of cigarette butts in the streets, but I am not a smoker, and most of them come from my darn neighbor's bar or restaurant.

And by the way, doesn't DRI do anything?

Well yes, I guess they do. There are flower baskets, and that nice park (the Plaza), and soon a brand new Brown street, and some planned façade improvements, and look at what Trig's did with their mall. Maybe we don't have an image problem... It's not that bad, is it?

Well, let's look at the details. We don't see them because we are here every day, day after day, week after week, year after year. But when you take a closer look, you see that we do have an image problem, and in some ways we are to blame, not our neighbors.

Approach your building as a visitor would. What do you see? Clutter? A mess? A sign in the window blocking your window merchandising display?

We all share a responsibility to make our downtown inviting. A full garbage container looks just as bad in front of your neighbor's building as it does in front of your own. Just because your neighbor's façade is older than yours, doesn't mean yours looks good. Fresh paint and a broom can go a long way towards making your place look more inviting.

Whether you do a lot or a little, let's work together to fix our image problem.

Your President,
Mark Gutteter

ArtStart re-opens with the exhibition: WisconsinCity

WisconsinCity is a group exhibition featuring the contemporary work of seven artists living in Wisconsin's urban areas who are developing a wider reputation beyond our state's border.

Artists include Mark Brautigam, Teresa Getty, Letha Kelsey, Collin Matthes, Mollie Oblinger, Gabe Pionkowski and Rafael Salas. All of the artists work in Milwaukee, Madison or the Fox Valley.

There is a lot of diversity of work in this exhibition -- everything from the humorous to the very personal to the experimental.

This exhibition is co-sponsored by WXPR Public Radio.

ArtStart is open Thurs., 11 am - 5 pm; Fri., 1 - 7 pm; and Sat., 11 am - 5 pm.

66 S. Stevens St.