Mon April 20, 2009
BATAVIA MAINSTREET NEWS RELEASE
4 ½ W Wilson St.
Batavia, IL 60510
(630) 761-3528
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact: Britta McKenna
April 17, 2009 britta@downtownbatavia.com
or
Betsy Zinser (BEC)
BATAVIA ARTS WALK INVITES “GREEN” EXHIBITORS TO APRIL 24TH GREEN WALK
Batavia, IL: Downtown Batavia turns green for Arbor Day this Friday April 24th. The Batavia Environmental Commission, Batavians for Clean Energy and Conservation and Water Street Studios have teamed up with Batavia MainStreet’s first quarterly arts walk of 2009 to create a themed event called the “Green Walk.” Highlights of the evening include at 7:00 p.m. sculpture dedication and a Plastic Bag Prom Dress Design Competition at 7:30 p.m. The sculpture, the first in a series of four on Donovan Bridge in downtown Batavia, is by artist Kai Schulte and depicts the first theme of “Nature.” The plastic bag prom dress competition is an event created by the Green Walk committee to bring awareness to the increasing amount of trash generated by plastic bags. Patrons are encouraged to trade in 10 plastic bags for a free reuseable downtown Batavia tote bag. The plastic bags in turn will be used as “fabric” for teams to design and create a unique prom dress from 7:30 – 8:30 pm at 4 E Wilson Street. Mary Marconi-Popiel of Special Occasions on the Avenue will judge the event and award a special award to the winning team. Teams are still needed to participate in the competition. They can either pre-register via MainStreet by phoning 630-761-3528, emailing britta@downtownbatavia.com or by showing up at the event.
Eleven downtown Batavia businesses are hosting artists, green groups and businesses and are all in a contained, walkable area around the bridge. A map of the event is available online at www.downtownbatavia.com or at the event at any of the participating locations. The event will be held rain or shine. The following locations and who they are hosting include:
1 – Berkanaway, 34 N Island Ave, STE F, Local foods and Geneva Green Market plus 15% off sale;
2- Shelter Insurance, 14 N Island Ave, Solar powered attic fan and air leaks demonstration by Confident Aire;
3- Batavia Creamery, 4 N Island Ave, Proposed Clean Car Act (Spiritual Green Connection and Environmental Law and Policy Center) and Keep Your Car Running Clean (Alan Wolff, Citgo Batavia) plus $1.25 scoop special;
4- Water Street Studios, 160 W Wilson St, “Recyclers” project and Kids’ Green Crafts;
5- The Gallery at Allen+Pepa Architects, 8 W Wilson St., “Embracing Nature” by Yellow House Artists and Art in Your Eye Miniatures Silent Auction;
6- 4 W Wilson Street, Photography by Sandy Rosencrans, Wine bottle art by Shelly Pepper and Collapsible wooden castle art by T.J. Hicks;
7- 2 E Wilson Street, Water Taste Test, recycle game and car wash information by Batavia Environmental Commission plus Clay water filter demonstration by Manny Hernandez, NIU and Rain Barrels by BCEC/Women’s Club;
8- 4 E Wilson Street, 7:30 p.m. Plastic Prom Dress Design Competition; Bag Exchange (Swap 10 plastic bags for a FREE tote bag), Upgrading attic insulation & Peak Energy Reduction Program by Batavia Citizens for Clean Energy and Conservation, Klean Kanteen by Dianne Peterson and Recycled Art by Joe Gagnepain;
9- Batavia Academy of Dance, 8 ½ E Wilson St., Robotics demonstration by Batavia Robotics;
10- Limestone Coffee & Tea, 15 E Wilson St., Local artwork and FREE CFL bulbs and information by Batavia Congregational Church and Batavia Environmental Commission;
11- Congressman Bill Foster’s Office, 27 N River St, Victory Garden revival and sprout cup activity plus “Portraits” by Jane Gravelle.
The new bridge area hosts the following four activities:
A – Blacksmith art by Jeremy Seymour;
B- Batavia Farmers’ Market by Batavia MainStreet;
C- Fermilab Natural Areas;
D- 7:00 p.m. Kai Schulte Bridge Sculpture dedication.
For more information about the Green Walk or Batavia MainStreet, please phone the office at 630-761-3528, visit www.downtownbatavia.com or join the Downtown Batavia Facebook page.
The Batavia MainStreet program is one of 68 non-profit, community based Main Street organizations in the state of Illinois. The mission of Batavia MainStreet is to enhance the identity of Batavia’s downtown area as the heart of our community. MainStreet members work through the four points: Design, Economic Restructuring, Organization and Promotion to improve the downtown district. MainStreet volunteers believe the revitalization of Downtown Batavia is essential to our community’s sense of pride, place, and heritage for this and future generations. For more information Batavia MainStreet or to volunteer, please contact the office at (630) 761-3528, email britta@downtownbatavia.com or check online at www.downtownbatavia.com.
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