Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Christmas Notes ...

It may not feel like the holidays today, but Downtown Dixon is already
ringing in the holiday cheer. The many stores have their holiday
decorations starting to go up, the riverfront put up some lights and
Hennepin Ave. got the star treatment thanks to several volunteers last
Friday and some generous businesses. Big thanks to Wendler Engineering,
Audio Video Connection, Wedding Whims and Bill and Dicks. And thanks to
Scott Brown, Dennis Turner, Nicole Bollman, and Mitch Tucker for helping
to put up the decorations.

And just one big note this week ...
The annual Christmas Walk presented by Dixon Main Street and the Dixon
Chamber of Commerce is Friday, Dec. 3 from 6-9 p.m. The Great Snowball
Drop will be held at 7 p.m. and all the classic events will be taking
place: Horse and Wagon Rides, business give-aways, and much more. On
Saturday, come back downtown for the Breakfast with Santa event at the
Post House Ballroom and LCCOA from 8-11 a.m. And the Municipal Band
concert that evening at the Historic Dixon Theatre at 7 p.m. Get more
details and a map at www.dixonil.com/mainstreet.

That night, DMS will be drawing our raffle winner. Check out our raffle
board at Snyder's to see how high the pot is growing! And speaking of
Snyder's, they are helping us with our Orange Fundraiser. If you haven't
ordered your oranges yet, email me today!

Finally, don't forget to shop local this holiday season. And this
Saturday is being promoted as Small Business Saturday across the
country. Take part and shop local!

Monday, November 8, 2010

Monday Moment -- Nov. 8

If you attended the Second City this past Saturday night, I would bet that you are still laughing about some of the skits. For the second year in a row, the Second City comedy group did a fantastic job of turning the Historic Dixon Theatre into a laugh riot! Thanks to the theatre, especially Tom Elmendorf, for a great collaboration with Dixon Main Street to bring this show to Dixon. And thanks to Trein's Jewelry, Venier's Jewelry and Crystal Cork for helping to sell pre-show tickets and to WIXN, WSDR and The Telegraph for all their advertising help!

1) Dixon Main Street's Lunch and Learn program for November will be a preview of the Regan Centennial Celebrations by Ann Lewis. The program is at the Post House Ballroom on Wednesday, Nov. 17 at Noon. Caterer will be Snow White Bakery and the Sponsor is Community State Bank. Admission is $3 and includes lunch.

2) The annual Christmas Walk sponsored by Dixon Main Street and the Dixon Chamber of Commerce is coming up on Friday, Dec. 3 from 6-9 p.m. The evening will feature the Great Snowball Drop at 7 p.m. with a chance to win cash and prizes! There will also be horse and wagon rides, Kitzman's Warming Center, plenty of hot chocolate and cookies and much much more!

Important Message Alert! Don't you love oranges? Well, have I got news for you. Dixon Main Street is once again holding our ORANGE-raiser fundraiser. We are partnering with Snyder's and Blue Freedom to provide the community with fresh, delicious oranges and grapefruits for the holiday season. Check out the attached order form for all the details.

3) The People's Economic Development Project will have it's first informational meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 17 at 5:30 p.m. at the Public Safety Building. The public is invited to come and learn about the project, including details on getting the downtown on the National Register of Historic Places.

And a few more quick notes ...
- Alzheimer's Association Candlelight Ceremony will on Tuesday, Nov. 16 at 6 p.m. at the Alzheimer's Association office, 93 S. Hennepin Ave. Call 285-1100 for details.
- It's official, Mama Cimino's will be showcasing their new banquet room on Tuesday, Nov. 9 from 4-7 p.m. Come enjoy free hors d'oeuvres and get a sneak preview of this new facility in the downtown.
- I got my Dixon Chamber of Commerce newletter in the mail today and they have started taking nominees for their annual Citizen of the Year banquet. If you have someone that you would like to nominate, contact the Chamber office at 284-3361.
- Speaking of the Historic Dixon Theatre, don't forget about the Geneva Red and the Roadsters blues show on Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $7 and it is a fundraiser for the Honor Flight Veterans.
- The Next Picture Show will feature a holiday performance by the Rock River Valley Barbershop Chorus on Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. Admission is $5. The chorus has been singing locally for 57 years!
- Second Saturdays is coming up on Nov. 13! Check the website www.second-saturdays.com to see everything that is scheduled.
- Support local restaurants and bars while helping the United Way of Lee County reach this year's campaign goal! Participating restaurants have each selected a day and will donate a percentage of that day's sales to the United Way of Lee County! See the schedule below ...
The One and Only Nikos': November 8th (TODAY)
Salamandra's: November 9th
Bogey's Bar: November 10th
Mama Cimino's: November 11th
The Stables: November 12th (7-10pm)

Monday, November 1, 2010

Monday Moment

Happy November to everyone!
We had a great Halloween weekend in downtown Dixon with the first-ever Monster Pancake Breakfast at the Post House Ballroom serving 225 people. Thanks to Lee County Council on Aging for co-hosting the event with DMS and to our sponsors Mama Cimino's, Fifth Third Bank, McDonald's and Astro-Ven. And thanks to all the volunteers that made it happen. After the breakfast, the Lions Club held their annual parade through the downtown streets. Later that night, I saw plenty of great costumes while I was downtown.

1) We are just a few short days away from the funniest night of the year when Second City comes to town for a the Dysfunctional Holiday Review. If you love Saturday Night Live, you won't want to miss the Second City at the Historic Dixon Theatre on Saturday, Nov. 6 at 7:30 p.m. Get your tickets now at Trein's, Venier's or Crysal Cork, or call the DMS office at 288-2308. Tickets are $20 in advance or $15 if you have a group of 5 or more. Tickets are $25 at the door. Wear your best holiday sweater for a chance to win a prize!

2) Second Saturdays is coming up on Nov. 13! Check the website www.second-saturdays.com to see everything that is scheduled.

3) The fundraising reception for the John Dixon statue was a big success at the Crystal Cork last Thursday night. A nice crowd came out to see the unveiling of the table-top bronze sculpture.Thanks to Crystal Cork and to Basil Tree for their help that evening. Three of the table-top bronze statues are now accounted for and only 7 remain. Please consider a donation to this great public arts project!

And a few quick notes ...
- Mama Cimino's is gearing up for a big announcement and a party next week. Stay tuned for details!
- We are making progress on our People's Economic Development Project for the downtown. An information meeting on the possible downtown historic district designation, as well as, information on the project will be given at an informational meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 17 at 5:30 p.m. at the Public Safety Building.
- John DeLong, owner of JSalon, had quite possibly the best decorated house for Halloween I have ever seen!
- The next Lunch and Learn program is Nov. 17 at noon at the Post House Ballroom at Noon. Guest speaker is Ann Lewis to discuss the Reagan Centennial plans for 2011.
- Support local restaurants and bars while helping the United Way of Lee County reach this year's campaign goal! Participating restaurants have each selected a day and will donate a percentage of that day's sales to the United Way of Lee County! See the schedule below ...
McDonald's in Dixon: November 1st
Culver's in Dixon: November 2nd (5pm-8pm)
The One and Only Nikos': November 8th
Salamandra's: November 9th
Bogey's Bar: November 10th
Mama Cimino's: November 11th
The Stables: November 12th (7-10pm)
Dairy Queen: November 13th
The Brandywine: November 14th (Brunch)
Tipsy's: November 15th (Starting at 6pm)
Touch of Thai: November 17th
Arthur's Garden Deli in Dixon: November 19th