DOWNTOWN NEWS 3-11-05

DOWNTOWN NEWS !!!!

Reminder: Please complete the downtown survey and get them to Genny Gordy, Acting President--also please sign up for a committee. Gengor@aol.com

Get out your GREEN and come join the fun downtown this Saturday for the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade!! There is still time to enter the parade...call 282-7897 for more details. Merchants, please put green in your windows.

Flower Power: One of our goals for downtown this season is that no one can walk anywhere without seeing flowers somewhere! If you have a green thumb, you can plant your own. If you are gardening-challenged, or have time issues, we have a deal for you: Community Enhancement has a limited number of flower planters that they will plant, water weekly, maintain, and then collect back at the end of the season. Contact Brian Lough at Downtown Development to get your name on the list. The price is very reasonable, and once you sign on, you can just ignore them - but your customers won't! Call 282-7897. If you want to plant your own, may we suggest you include daisies, our city flower? Let's make downtown a garden of color this year! Need help? Contact Beautification Chair, Lisa Pritchett at Dandelion's, 289-6363.

5 Things by 5/05 : If you missed our Downtown Business Council meeting last Friday, look for info about this fun and productive challenge to improve the downtown image in an intensive (and slightly competitive!) challenge. Prizes will be given, as well as extreme sense of pride. Your business looks good, we all look good. Thank you in advance for your efforts! Contact Downtown Development for more info, 282-7897.

Remember the good ole days when we had movies downtown....they are back!!
Muncie Civic Theatre announces
CINEMA CLASSICS at CIVIC:
When Movies Were Movies
MUNCIE CIVIC THEATRE, Delaware County's historic 74-year old arts leader, is announcing CINEMA CLASSICS AT CIVIC: "When Movies Were Movies", a new series of film presentations. Through a partnership with Downtown Development and Muncie Public Library, Muncie Civic will be presenting classic movies from the 1930's, 40's, 50's and 60's during weekends when there are no theatrical events on the stage. The first 5 weekends in the series are March 25-27, April 8-10, April 15-17, May 13-15 and May 20-22. Movies will be shown at 7:00 and 10:00 on Friday, 1:00, 7:00 & 10:00 on Saturday and 5:00 on Sunday. Tickets are $5 for adults and $2 for children 12 and under. At the Saturday 1:00 matinee, children 12 and under are admitted for the price of a ticket the year the movie was originally released. Popcorn, soda and candy will be available for purchase in the lobby. All seating will be general admission, tickets may be purchased at the door or in advance by calling 765-288-PLAY. Titles of movies appearing in the series are available by calling 288-PLAY and on fliers available at the theatre.
The Cinema Classics series offers a traditional movie-going experience in an historical setting. From 1933 until 1953, Muncie Civic Theatre was the Hoosier Movie Theatre and is the last of more than two dozen architecturally historical movie palaces still standing in Downtown Muncie. With assistance from Jack's Camera Shop, Muncie Civic has obtained a brand new fifteen-by-twenty-foot movie screen and through a partnership with Downtown Development is utilizing a state-of-the-art digital projector used in the summer to show outdoor movies on Walnut Street. Combined with the professional sound system already in place for plays and musicals and the historic setting of the auditorium, Muncie Civic hopes to provide a nostalgic experience coupled with technical cinematic excellence.
For titles, tickets and information call 765-288-PLAY.


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Muncie Civic Theatre to host
INDIANA COMMUNITY THEATRE LEAGUE
STATE FESTIVAL
MUNCIE CIVIC THEATRE, will host the Indiana Community Theatre League's State Festival on Friday, March 18, Saturday, March 19 and Sunday, March 20. The festival will feature performances by Community Theatre organizations from across the country, adjudication of those performances by a professional panel, an open-mic cabaret and an awards banquet for winning performances which will be selected to advance to the Regional Festival in April. All performances and adjudication will be on the Mainstage of Muncie Civic Theatre, 216 East Main Street, Muncie, Indiana. The cabaret will be in the Studio Theatre following all performances on Saturday, March 19. The awards Banquet will be at the Cornerstone Center for the Arts at 11:00am, Sunday, March 20. Registration for the Festival, which includes tickets to all 10 performances and entrance to the cabaret and a Friday night mixer is $25 and is available to the general public. Brunch tickets are sold separately. The official hotel of the Festival is The Hotel Roberts. Registration and information is available at www.ictl.net
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New Businesses (more information to come):
Datz Unique 123 S. Walnut St. 284-1568 owner: Chris Starr datzunique@gmail.com
Walnut Crossing owner Brenda West 288-0756 bkwest@ameritech.net

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the Artist Within will feature a shared two-artist show during March, "Nude in Print". The featured artists are both graduate students in the Ball State University printmaking department; Hannah Birch and Randy Salway.

"More than Hats, a tribute to Dorothy N. Hartley, remains on exhibit through March. Local artist Heidi Hale offers two beading workshops, March 3rd and 17th and potter, Toren Scott is scheduling throwing lessons. It's not too early to think Summer...as in Summer Art Camp. The Artist Within joins forces with Gordy's Framing and the ArtMart to offer Summer Art Camp '05 for children ages 6-14.
Call Bob or Vicki Hartley at the Artist Within, 289-7895 for information or scheduling.

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Mitchell Place Gallery from March 1-31 Nina B. Marshall and Scott Anderson, Professors of Art at Ball State University, will exhibit their paintings and Kimberly C. Anderson will exhibit her sculpture In a show entitled Something Seen, Something Touched, Something Felt, 2005. The Opening Reception is on Thursday, March 3, 2005, from 5-8pm. It is free and open to the public.

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Friday, March 11: Muncie Children's Museum Goldilocks Breakfast Bars
We will read the story Goldilocks Returns by Lisa Campbell Ernst. Then, like Goldilocks, we will try some breakfast bars - a much better choice than porridge
Horizon Convention Center - Home, Garden, Patio and Remodeling Show--Hours: Friday - 4-9pm cost: $5 at the door
Horizon Convention Center (last day) Indiana Municipal Clerks Annual Conference - 100 Delegates


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Saturday, March 12: Muncie Children's Museum Name the Seven Chihuahuas
We will read the story "Snow White and the Seven Chihuahuas" from the book Bedtime Stories for Dogs by Leigh Anne Jasheway. Then, each child will color and name a picture of a Chihuahua. We will also have a special guest Chihuahua.
AND
The Bunny Brunch, an annual Easter celebration. Two hour and a half sessions will be offered at 9:00 am and 11:00 am. Children will participate in activities, make crafts, meet and have their picture taken with the Easter Bunny and enjoy an egg hunt around the Museum. Perfect for children ages 2-8, registration is required and seating is limited so reserve your child's seat today. The cost for one session is $15.00 per child for Museum members and $25.00 per child for non-Museum members. Two adults are admitted free per child. For more information, contact the Museum at (765) 286-1660 or visit the Museum website at www.munciechildrensmuseum.com.


Horizon Convention Center - Home, Garden, Patio and Remodeling Show--Hours: Sat. 10am - 9pm--cost: $5 at the door

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Sunday, March 13:
Muncie Children's Museum: Help the MCM celebrate St. Patrick's Day on Sunday, March 13, 2005 by making Shamrock Shakes at 2:00 pm. Then participate in the daily activity, Talking Irish Bulls, at 3:00 pm. Read the story The Irish Cinderlad by Shirley Climo and talk about the differences from the traditional Cinderella story. Then, make talking bull puppets. Don't forget your green!!
Horizon Convention Center Home, Garden, Patio and Remodeling Show--Hours: Sun. Noon - 5pm--cost: $5 at the door

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Tuesday, March 15: Muncie Children's Museum German Cookies with Character
We will read the book Princess Furball by Charlotte Huck and find some of the differences between this story and the traditional Cinderella. Then, we will decorate gingerbread man shaped cookies to look like characters from the book.

Mitchell Place Gallery 301 S. Walnut, Suite 102, Bookmaking Workshop-- 7 PM-- Taught by Sarojini Johnson
Admission is free, but registration required via web site www.mitchellplacegallery.com or by calling gallery, 289-8575 (leave your name, address and phone)
Registration deadline: March 15
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Wednesday, March 16 : Muncie Children's Museum Chinese Tangrams
We will read the book Yeh-Shen by Al-ling Louis and discuss how this book is different from the traditional Cinderella. Then, we will use Tangrams, an ancient Chinese game of shapes, to make fish like the ones from the story and other designs.


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Thursday, March 17 Muncie Children's Museum Korean Paper Lanterns
We will read the book Kongi and Potgi by Oki S. Han and discuss how this story differs from the traditional Cinderella. Then, we will make paper lanterns in honor of the celebration that Kongi hoped to attend in the book.
Horizon Convention Center Indiana Student Council Assn. (1,300 students - just for the day - most takes place inside convention center - however about 40-50 arrive the night before to execute the event)

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Friday, March 18 : Muncie Children's Museum. Caribbean Maracas
We will read the book Cenderillon by Robert D. Shan Souci and discuss the differences between this story and the traditional Cinderella. Then, we will make maracas to take home.

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Saturday, March 19 : Muncie Children's Museum: Colorful South African Banners
We will read the book Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters by John Steptoe and discuss how it differs from the traditional Cinderella story. Then, we will make colorful banners similar to clothing worn by the characters in the story.

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March Conventions held at Horizon Convention Center Retailers: think of ways to welcome and promote your business to these groups!
3/17 -- 3/29-3/31 - Indiana Weights and Measures - 100 Delegates (Tues - Thurs.)

MITCHELL PLACE GALLERY Linda Arndt for Thursday, March 31 at 7pm The Visual File Concept and Creative Expression
What is the "visual file concept?" Every sighted individual has a visual file, yet most people are unaware of this personal resource. This visual file is one's own series of preferential images, which are reflected in every aspect of one's daily life and in the things one makes. Learning to recognize one's own group of preferential images brings clarity and a sense of purpose to one's life and to one's art/music. Understanding the visual file concept helps to bridge the gap between the actual making of the art and the understanding of the artist's intent. Becoming conscious of one's visual file is a fascinating journey into the depths of one's life, one's creativity, and how the visual file is expressed in one's work.

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Hop to the Museum for the Bunny Brunch
Have a Ball during Spring Break
The Muncie Children's Museum is Having a Ball all spring break week: March 20 - 26, 2005. Full of fairy tale fun, visitors can participate in all day activities such as making Robin Hood Hats or playing the fairy tale match game. Daily programs feature a different fairy tale character Monday-Saturday 11:00 am and 3:30 pm and Sunday at 3:00 pm. Characters include some of our favorite princesses: the Princess and the Pea, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and Rapunzel. Be sure not to miss Fairy Tale Friday. Dress up as your favorite fairy tale character and receive a free sand art from the Muncie Children's Museum Store.

Muncie Ballet Studio Visits the Muncie Children's Museum
Lisa Love, director of the Muncie Ballet Studio, will be visiting the Muncie Children's Museum on Wednesday, March 23, 2005 at 2:30 pm. Love will read the story "Angelina Ballerina" by Helen Craig and Katherine Holabird. Angelina Ballerina tells the tale of a little mouse who dreams of being a prima ballerina. After the story, Love will lead crafts and movement activities along with dancers who will be in classical and character costumes. The dancers will perform short excerpts, including the children in their dances.

Maidens and Magic all March at the MCM
During the week of March 13, learn all about the fair maiden Cinderella and hear the Cinderella stories of different cultures during Cinderella Around the World week.
Finally, the fairy tales must end with Heroes and Heroines week, March 27-31, 2005, with activities including tales about Peter Pan and Hansel and Gretel.

April

2nd MUNCIE CIVIC THEATRE, is presenting MARIO MANZINI'S TRIBUTE TO HOUDINI on Saturday, April 2 at 7:00pm. Tickets for the One-Night-Only show are $20 for regular seating and $25 for premium seating in either the first 7 rows of the main section, or the Balcony 21-Club featuring a cash bar. Children 12 and under are 12 price. The performance will be on the main stage at Muncie Civic Theatre, 216 East Main Street, Muncie, Indiana. Tickets are available by calling 765-288-PLAY or at the Box Office. Box Office hours are Tuesday through Friday from 4:00pm to 6:00pm

4th the Artist Within: two Ball State University Art/Photography majors, Carly Niermeier and Nathan Brown, will have their "Senior Show" at the Artist Within in April. Carly will open her show April 4th and have an artist reception Thursday, April 7th from 5-8 pm. Her fascination with video transitions and how they blur as one frame replaces another is reflected in her still photography. Mixing colors and ambiguous shapes invite the viewer to feel the emotion of the moment and plug in their own details-remembered or imagined. The exhibit runs through April 16th.
Nathan Brown will have his opening reception Thursday, April 21st from 5-8 pm and his photographs will be on exhibit from April 18-30. "Fleeting Midwest" reflects the background and interests of this East Central Indiana artist. Nathan feels that the once open cornfields that surrounded his childhood are slowly closing in on him and are losing out to urban sprawl. His exhibit is an attempt to show his frustration and feeling of loss while conveying a compassion for the farmers who have had little choice but to sell their land to "mega farmers" or developers. His work is an attempt to give the little guy a voice...to raise awareness.

6TH-29TH Mitchell Place Gallery's 2nd Annual Juried Print Exhibition See the works of 33 selected artists from a 5 state area
Opening Reception: Thursday April 7, 5-8pm Awards at 6pm

1-23 MUNCIE CIVIC THEATRE, will present a return engagement of Richard O'Brien's THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW on Fridays and Saturdays April 1-23 at 11:00pm. The performance will be at The Muncie Civic Studio Theatre, 222 East Main Street, Muncie, Indiana. Tickets are $10. Reservations and ticket sales are available by calling 765-288-PLAY or at the Box Office. THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW is intended for mature audiences and contains strong adult language, partial nudity, sexual situations, projectile simulated bodily fluids and very loud Rock & Roll music.
16th There will be a walk on Cardinal Greenway Saturday April 16 for Child Abuse Prevention Awareness. Details will follow.

23RD MUNCIE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM Under the Big Top at the Children's Health Fair
Enjoy an under the big top experience at the sixth annual Children's Health Fair on Saturday, April 23, 2005 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Muncie Children's Museum. The Museum will be open for free during this day where parents and children can come and learn about health and safety in a fun and exciting way.

The mission of the Children's Health Fair is to promote free health and safety-focused education for children through a fun and interactive environment. "When children see health professionals in a way that is fun and inviting, it makes seeing the doctor less frightening," said Dianne Phillipsen, Children's Health Fair coordinator. "It is also a great environment for health care professionals to give back to the community.

With representatives from over 40 health-related organizations, activities covered at the Children's Health Fair will include immunizations, middle ear screenings, good nutrition, summer safety, playground fun and dental care. As another way to promote healthy activities and lifestyles, children will have the opportunity to put their name in a raffle for a new bicycle donated by Associates in Women's Health.

Unlike the many other health fairs held around East Central Indiana, the Children's Health Fair is the only one focusing on children. Phillipsen believes the Children's Health Fair is "the best hope for improved health in our community for future generations."

A major sponsor of this event is the Delaware-Blackford County Medical Society. The Delaware-Blackford County Medical Society has been involved with the Children's Health Fair since its creation in 2000. Sponsors also include Cardinal Health Systems, KidStart...a Hillcroft Service and the Muncie Children's Museum.

For more information about the Children's Health Fair, please contact the Muncie Children's Museum at (765) 286-1660 or visit the Children's Health Fair website at www.childrenshealthfair.org.



29th MUNCIE CIVIC THEATRE, will present HONK! by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe beginning Friday, April 29 at 8:00pm and continuing Saturday, April 30 at 8:00pm, Sunday, May 1 at 2:00pm, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, May 5, 6 & 7 at 8:00pm. The performances will be on the main stage at Muncie Civic Theatre, 216 East Main Street, Muncie, Indiana. Tickets are $18 for Adults and $12 for college students (Ball State University Students receive a Special 2-for-1 Discount) and $5 for High School aged and younger. This production is rated G and is appropriate for all ages. Reservations and ticket sales are available by calling 765-288-PLAY or at the Box Office. Box Office hours are Tuesday & Thursday from 1:00pm to 6:00pm, Wednesday & Friday from 4:0pm to 6:00pm and one hour prior to each performance.


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Sign Up Early for Summer Camps and SAVE!
Attention parents! Sign up your kids before March 31 for summer camps at the Muncie Children's Museum and save $20.00 off registration per child, per camp! Great for kids entering second through sixth grade, the Muncie Children's Museum's summer camps will be full of activities, crafts, special guests and field trips. Camps will be held Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm with free time in the Museum from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

The following are the camps being offered this summer:
Wacky Art Camp - July 11-15, 2005
Experiment with several mediums of art, make wacky projects and prepare an art show.
Building Fun & Games Camp - July 18-22, 2005
Use craft and building materials to create fun games and projects to plan and/or destroy.
Around the World Camp - July 25-29, 2005
Experience different food, games, clothing, art, music and other costumes from all over the world - in just five days!
Acting Up Camp - August 1-5, 2005
Perform every day, learn through improvisation, Karaoke, fundamental games and put on a final performance.

Each camp is $100.00 per week for Museum members and $125.00 per week for non-Museum members. For multiple children, a $10.00 discount is given for each additional child. Again, register before March 31, 2005 and save $20.00 off each camper registration.

For more information or to register, contact the Muncie Children's Museum at (765) 286-1660 or visit us online at www.munciechildrensmuseum.com.