Downtown News 3.25.05

DOWNTOWN NEWS !!!!

News from our President, Genny Gordy:
Dear DBC Members,
I am happy to announce that each of our standing committees now have members! (see below) Please let me know right away which committee you'd like to work on. We're really making some progress here! Several of these new members don't work or live downtown, but are so passionate about what's happening that they want to be involved. Exciting stuff!

Gallery Group - representatives from Artworks, The Artist Within, FB Fogg, Gordy Fine Art & Framing, Minnetrista, BSU Museum of Art, BSU Atrium Gallery, Vera Mae's, Blue Bottle, David Dale Designs, Mitchell Place Gallery, the Star Press, & Visitor's Bureau. Next mtg. 3/25/05, 10:30 am, Blue Bottle.

Marketing/Branding - Andrea Allen, chair, Al Simmons

Membership - Tom Steiner, chair,

Entertainment - Jon Barnard, Lori Markum

Fundraising - Bill Smith, Jay Auxier, Brenda West, Andrew Dale, Mayor Canon

Beautification - Lisa Pritchett, chair, Bernita Nixon

Health/Wellness - Martin Fink, Lenette Freeman

Christmas - Dan Allen, Mike Thompson, Mark DiFabio, Penny Prow, Marty Grubbs

Please commit to at least one meeting before our next membership meeting in May. This meeting could possibly take place online, or with phone calls. If you need meeting space, please consider one of the downtown restaurants. First order of business for each committee is to choose a chair & decide on one to three goals for 2005. A member of the executive committee or Downtown Development will be happy to attend your meeting to help. Call Genny Gordy, DBC chair, at 284-8422 or email gengor@aol.com for info or assistance.


Mark May 5th on your calendar as two major events converge there: Our Spring Artwalk with BSU will take place from 5 to 8 pm, and the soon-to-be announced "5 Things by 5/5/05" campaign for clean-up/fix
up/beautification intensive.




Dandelions Flowers and Gift shop is offering floral design classes: four fresh cut flower workshops. The evening will start with chocolate and wine, and followed with a hands on beginning design in fresh flower arranging. Each "new apprentice" will take home two fresh flower bouquets. Classes will be offered on April 12th, 14th, 19th, and 21st,from 6-8p.m. Class size is limited. Call us at dandelions for the details!!! flowers4twigs@yahoo.com

Trunk Show: at the Artist Within: Deborah Gindhart Dragoo will have a trunk show/sale of her hand knit pieces Fri/Sat March 25-26 from 10 am-7 pm...GREAT BARGAINS!

News from our Organic Farmers Market: ECI Natural Heritage Farmer's Market, will return to downtown Muncie; Thursday evenings from 4pm to 7pm in the green space on the corner of Walnut and Charles Streets; Beginning May 5th. The Ring Family Farm (Dave and Sara) expects to expand in many areas; you will see more strawberries, greens, specialty salad mixes, heirloom vegetables including tomatoes, and cut herbs. With Dave's new job as BSU Banquet and Catering Sales and Service Supervisor, they hope to add free range egss and wine cap mushrooms to their list this year. Soon to be released website: www.ringfamilyfarm.com


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 The first 5 weekends in the series are March 25-27, April 8-10, April 15-17, May 13-15 and May 20-22.
Tickets $5 adults and $2 children 12 and under.
For titles, tickets and information call 765-288-PLAY.


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Mitchell Place Gallery is looking for docent volunteers. Training class on Saturday April 2nd, from 9am until 11am. Refreshments will be served. Please call the gallery at 765-289-8575 to register for the class, or email the docent coordinator, Erin Anderson-Decina, at emandersonde@bsu.edu.
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New Businesses:
Datz Unique 123 S. Walnut St. 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. 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 25, Muncie Children's Museum Aladdin Wishing Bottles
We will read a story about Aladdin. Then, each child will make a wishing bottle to take home.

Saturday, March 26, Muncie Children's Museum Rumplestiltskin Name Tags
We will read the story of Rumplestiltskin. Then, we will teach the song the name game and make cool name tags.

Sunday, March 27: Muncie Children's Museum Closed for Easter

Tuesday, March 29: Muncie Children's Museum Peter Pan Grows Up Charts
We will read a Peter Pan story and then make a chart to measure the children's height. The charts for the boys and girls who never grew up will be decorated with characters from the story.

Wednesday, March 30: Muncie Children's Museum Follow Hansel and Gretel's Trail
We will read the story of Hansel and Gretel and play a game where the children must follow a trail of arrows and clues to lead them "home" where they will find a small prize.

Thursday, March 31: Muncie Children's Museum Knights of the Round Table Coat of Arms
We will read a story of King Arthur and his knights. Then, each child will design a coat of arms.
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Art classes will be offered at Gordy Fine Art & Framing beginning the week of April 4, 2005. Ten week sessions of Beginning Watercolor and Intermediate/Advanced Watercolor will be taught by Brian Gordy at the downtown shop. Six week sessions of Mother & Child Art Studio, and Drawing Studio for children ages 7 & up will be taught by Genny Gordy.
The shop is located at 224 E. Main Street, next to Civic Theatre. For more information, or to register, call 284-8422 or visit www.gordyframing.com for a brochure.

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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.

Maidens and Magic all March at the MCM
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

1st - 30th Gordy Fine Art & Framing: Giclee prints exhibit of Jay Zimmerman titled "Acadian Mediations". The public is invited to a reception for the artist on First Thursday: April 7th from 5 to 8 pm.

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

2nd FB Fogg, Salon Day, 14 BSU students from the Advanced Watermedia class will show their paintings. Open from 10am - 4:00pm.

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
9th FB Fogg, Salon Day, Featuring Hand Jive clothing and Muncie's impressionistic painter, Susie Morgan. Open from 10 am - 4:00 pm.

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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Artcamp 2005 will be offered at two locations this summer in downtown Muncie. Gordy Fine Art & Framing, 224 E. Main St., will be the site for Preschool Camp, June 13 - 17, and Cultures Camp, June 20-24. The Artist Within, at 313 S. Walnut, will offer Clay Camp July 27-July 1.
Brochures & registration forms are also available at www.gordyframing.com.
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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.