Celebrating Mother Earth in Downtown Sebring

Downtown Happenings

April 2013

Upcoming Events

A full list of Upcoming Events is on Downtown Sebring's website.

April 5: Artworx in the Afternoon Open House

The Yellow House Gallery artists at the Highlands Art League present "It's Spring, it's Spring, a Rabbity Time of Year" on April 5 from 1-3 PM. Drop by the Yellow House Gallery, view the new Spring works of art and visit with the artists. Call (863) 385-5312 or visit www.HighlandsArtLeague.org.

April 7: Customer Appreciation at Up Next Barber Shop

Celebrating one year in business, Up Next Barber Shop (107 W. Center Ave) invites everyone to enjoy music, free food, drinks, snacks, free raffle prizes, face painting, coloring contest for the children and much more. Come and enjoy from Noon - 3:00 PM. For more information, call (863) 451-6177.

April 12: Destination Downtown Sebring's "Green Thumb Festival"

Held the second Friday of each month, Sebring's Downtown will come alive with the unique and enjoyable monthly Destination Downtown event from 5-8 PM. Celebrate Mother Earth in April with the Second Annual Green Thumb Festival with music, shopping, dining and strolling around the historic Downtown area! Visit www.DestinationDowntownSebring.com.

April 13: Saturday Night Cruise

Held the second Saturday of each month from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., cruisers come from near and far to Sebring's Downtown Circle to see classic cars, listen to live entertainment and enjoy delicious food. For more information, visit www.SebringCruise.com.

April 16: Art Uncorked "Heron"

Art Uncorked is an art experience in a social setting, with wine and friends, with nature themes planned for April. On April 16, artist Alice Hansen leads the class through her "Heron" painting during this evening class at 6:00 PM. Have fun at this step-by-step painting process and leave with one complete project! Space is limited. To register, call (863) 385-5312 or visit www.HighlandsArtLeague.org.

April 20: Downtown Community Garage Sale & Farmers Market

Bargain shoppers and browsers, stop by Downtown Sebring from 7AM-1PM for our local monthly garage sales. For information, call (863) 382-2649 or visit www.DestinationDowntownSebring.com.

April 22: Centennial Park/Earth Day Tree Planting Dedication Ceremony

In order to celebrate the opening of Downtown Sebring's Centennial Park, as well as commemorating Earth Day 2013 and its commitment to sustainability and the environment, the Sebring Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) will host a tree planting and park dedication ceremony at 11:30 AM. Visit www.DowntownSebring.org.

April 23: Art Uncorked "Funky Flowers"

Art Uncorked is an art experience in a social setting, with wine and friends, with nature themes planned for April. On April 23, artist Linda Kegley leads the class through her "Funky Flowers" painting during this evening class at 6:00 PM. Have fun at this step-by-step painting process and leave with one complete project! Space is limited. To register, call (863) 385-5312 or visit www.HighlandsArtLeague.org.

April 25: Art Uncorked "Happy Tree"

Art Uncorked is an art experience in a social setting, with wine and friends, with nature themes planned for April. On April 25, artist Linda Kegley leads the class through her "Happy Tree" painting during this evening class at 6:00 PM. Have fun at this step-by-step painting process and leave with one complete project! Space is limited. To register, call (863) 385-5312 or visit www.HighlandsArtLeague.org.

April 30: What's Up Downtown Sebring? Meeting

Held the last Tuesday of the month at 5:30 p.m., these informational meetings are a way to share news and happenings with anyone interested in Downtown Sebring. Meeting locations rotate to various places within the Downtown Sebring district. This meeting will be held at the Downtown Sebring Weight Watchers office upstairs on Circle Park Drive. Call the CRA office for more information, (863) 471-5104.

May 3-4: Heartland Tailgate Extravaganza

Calling all truck lovers...join us in Downtown Sebring for a Friday night Tailgate Party on the Circle Featuring Food, Games, Live Music, Truck Show Pre-registration and a Preview of Monster Trucks, Swamp Buggies, Class Trucks, Low Riders. On Saturday, Downtown will feature a Truck Show, Food, Vendors, Live Music and much more! For more information, contact Lora Todd at (863) 381-6467.

May 10: Destination Downtown Sebring's "Girls Night Out"

Held the second Friday of each month, Sebring's Downtown will come alive with the unique and enjoyable monthly Destination Downtown event. Celebrate the beginning of Mother's Day weekend with a fun and festive Girls Night Out with Wine Walk, music, shopping, dining and strolling around the historic Downtown area! Nearly 20 participating galleries and stores will feature one-of-a-kind art and gifts available for purchase as well as entertainment, gallery exhibits, and special drawings from 5:00-8:00 p.m. For more information, visit www.DestinationDowntownSebring.com.

Greetings!

The month of April includes two very special recognitions: 1) International
Downtown Sebring's Hobby Hill Florist celebrates with Earth Day decorations.
Mother Earth Day is a celebration of the Earth and its ecosystems, which provide all of its inhabitants with life and sustenance. Observed each year on April 22, this day is a call to action as it acknowledges our collective responsibility "to promote harmony with nature and the Earth" in order to "achieve a just balance among th economic, social, and environmental needs of present and future generations" of humanity. 2) Arbor Day encourages people to appreciate, plant and care for trees. It falls on the last Friday of April every year.

With these two special occasions occurring in April, the Sebring Community Redevelopment Agency's (CRA) Downtown Sebring Monthly Promotional Campaign theme for the month of April is "Celebrating Mother Earth." Read below for details or visit www.DowntownSebring.org.

What's New in Downtown Sebring?

Second Annual Green Thumb Festival Held April 12 in Downtown Sebring

To celebrate International Mother Earth Day and National Arbor Day, Historic

Downtown Sebring is going green and kicking off the celebration with a fun-filled, Second Annual Green Thumb Festival on Friday, April 12 from 5:00 - 8:00 PM that is free for the public to attend and fun for the entire family. This event will feature:

Local Produce Vendors
Garden Art
Chainsaw Artist Demonstration
Hydroponic Systems For Home Use
Live Bluegrass Music by Flatland Band
FREE Orange Juice
Wine Tasting Event by Henscratch Farms & Winery
Local Plant Vendors
Evening Shopping at the Downtown Sebring boutiques, galleries and stores
Evening Dining at the Downtown Sebring eateries and restaurants
FREE Reusable " I Love Downtown Sebring" Tote Bags with Downtown Sebring purchase (while supplies last)

For details about the events and participating stores, visit Destination Downtown Sebring. This event co-sponsored by the Sebring Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA).

Brenner Named Sebring Citizen of the Year

Gene Brenner, a member of the Sebring Community Redevelopment Agency

(CRA), liaison to the Sebring Historic Preservation Commission, moving spirit behind the Downtown Merchants Association, brilliant artist and successful businessman, was named City of Sebring's Citizen of the Year at the April 2nd Sebring City Council meeting.

The proclamation states 'Gene Brenner has been widely recognized for the quality of his restorations as well as for his continuing interest in the landscaping, aesthetics, and safety of the Sebring Circle and Historic Downtown Sebring in its present lustrous beauty would not exist without Gene Brenner's years of commitment to civic action.'

Photo: Sebring Mayor George Hensley and Sebring Historic Preservation Commission Chair Charlotte Pressler present the Citizen of the Year Award to Gene Brenner at the April 2 Sebring City Council meeting.

Sebring CRA Assists Downtown District Businesses Impacted By County-Wide Property Damage Shootings

At the March 25 Sebring Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meeting, the CRA Commissioners voted to relax some of the requirements of their Facade Grant Program in order to financially assist the Sebring CRA District merchants who were impacted by the county-wide shooting spree that occurred on March 24.

District business owners who suffered damage are eligible to apply for reimbursable funds that will cover 60% out their out-of-pocket expenses. The Sebring CRA voted to waive the $1,000 minimum expense required, allow all CRA District merchants to receive 60% funds reimbursed, and to expedite the process by authorizing CRA Executive Director Robin Hinote to approve the grant applications. Unlike the typical Facade Grant Program, applicants who are recognized on police and sheriff reports in conjunction with the shooting spree will not have to wait for grant approval to begin repairs.

The Sebring CRA District encompasses 650 acres. To see if your property is inside the District, please visit the CRA Section at www.DowntownSebring.org. To receive a Facade Grant Application or for more information, call the CRA office at (863) 471-5104 or email RobinHinote@MySebring.com.

CRA Hosts Marketing Seminar on April 15

The CRA's Retail Academy is a series of workshops designed for

small retail businesses in the Downtown Sebring CRA District,and they are presented by the Sebring Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for Downtown Sebring business owners, managers, volunteers and employees. Due to the success of this first workshop, additional seminars are being planned to address Internet Marketing and Advertising.

The next workshop will be held on Monday, April 15 and address Marketing. For more information about these seminars or to reserve your seat, please contact the CRA office at (863) 471-5104. Space is limited to 20 people.

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"Celebrating Mother Earth" in Downtown Sebring

From the 2nd Annual Green Thumb Festival to an Earth Day Tree Planting

Dedication of Centennial Park, there are a lot of fun events, great merchants offers, and eco-friendly happenings in Downtown Sebring during April:

EVENTS

April 5: Artworx in the Afternoon Open House
April 12: Destination Downtown Sebring's "Green Thumb Festival"
April 16: Art Uncorked "Heron"
April 20: Downtown Community Garage Sale & Farmers Market
April 22: Centennial Park/Earth Day Tree Planting Dedication Ceremony
April 23: Art Uncorked "Funky Flowers"
April 25: Art Uncorked "Happy Tree"

Special "Mother Earth" Downtown Sebring Merchant Offers

Archer's Art - 104 N. Ridgewood Drive

Offer: 15% off all artwork in studio (not applicable to orders)

Hobby Hill Florist - 541 N. Ridgewood Drive

Offer: Any child under 10 (with adult) gets a Peace Lily Plant and their own "Save the Earth" flower pot to color. While supplies last. One per family.

Linda's Books - 203 N. Ridgewood Drive

Offer: Extra $0.50 off each garden book purchased of $5+.

Molly's Treats - 110 N. Ridgewood Drive

Offer: Free pack of seeds with every cupcake. Quantities limited.

Scosta Supply & Interiors - 510 Maple Avenue

Offer: Recycle & Reuse....10% off any previously owned furniture.

Still Chic Boutique - 301 Circle Park Drive

Offer: Earn $1 off for every 12 oz of unused hair, face or body care products brought in for donation to Grace Place House.

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For more information about events, happenings and news in Downtown Sebring, visit www.DowntownSebring.org.