Weekend Plans

Here are a few things to remember as you make your weekend plans:

• The Wish List is closing (bummer!) with a 25% off sale through the end of the month.
• The Creative Corner on Broadway has new spring items in stock.  They are open from 10-5 on Saturdays.
• On Sunday evening the Cafe on Broadway reintroduces their extended hours.  They're open until midnight every night.  Visit them on Facebook for an after 9pm deal.

See you Downtown!

--Karyn

Happy Birthday to Dr. Seuss!

What does Dr. Seuss's birthday have to do with Downtown?

Head to Fratelli's Wood-Fired Pizza any evening this week and find out.

(Photo courtesy of Fratelli's Facebook wall)

They're celebrating Dr. Seuss's special day with a Green Eggs & Ham pizza and a 1 Fish, 2 Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish pizza.  (Friend them on Facebook for all the details!)

--Karyn

Gardening 101

Are you someone who wants to learn more about gardening? Do your flowerbeds look like mine? 

(I'm sort of embarrassed to actually show you this picture!)

Then Gardening 101 is just for you!

I'm especially excited about this event.  We moved into our house this past year, and while we've done a lot to our yard, there is still a tone of work to be done-especially in our flower and garden beds.  Below I've noted the specifics of the event.  I hope you'll join us!

--Karyn

PS: The event ends at noon; just in time for lunch at Emelia's Kitchen!  Have you had the Vegetable Kabob?  It's delish!

Information on BASIC GARDENING 101 WORKSHOP

WHAT:  A workshop for residents of Siloam Springs and the surrounding area on helpful landscape tips for beginner gardeners.

WHEN:  March 19, 2010 from 9:00-12:00

WHERE:  Siloam Springs Community Building

COST:  Free

PRESENTERS:       Nan Mills of Handywoman ~

Spring Landscape 
Maintenance Needs

                                    Dawn Denton of Gardens
                                    by You and Me ~

Anchors in your Design

                        Mark Bray of Benton County
                        Extension Office ~  

Raised bed Vegetable Gardens
and Overview of Extension Office Services

Delia Haak of Illinois River 
Watershed Partnership ~

Rain Gardening and 
Riparian Zone Facts

Other Info:  Refreshments and Door Prizes

Gloria McEnroe Facade Renovation Grant

The Word on the Street

Notes from Main Street Siloam Springs, Inc.

By Meredith Bergstrom, Executive Director

I’d like to dwell on for a moment on a subject I admittedly know little about – architecture.

Upon moving to Siloam Springs, I had no framework for distinguishing the reasons why I loved about our downtown – I just felt the sense of place that various architects and investors had created in the visual aesthetics of the buildings. Now I realize that this visual interest created by our procession of storefronts is not an accident – each building has a unique history of attention to detail during design and construction. Each section of each building tells us an important story.

Wide and tall front windows were designed to invite travelers and residents inside. Regularly spaced and attractively framed windows on the second floors provide a sense of order and presence. Decorative cornices cap the buildings with various period styles of architectural ornamentation. Buildings in a row are defined by different heights and storefronts that both create distinction and flow into an appealing line. These buildings, as one expert has described them, “were designed and built to last for centuries.” They were built with the future of our community in mind.

The value of our historic architecture to our community’s heart and to its economic success not been lost upon our city. Main Street Siloam Springs’ Design committee focuses especially on helping business and property owners maintain the sense of permanence and aesthetic appeal of our downtown structures. These volunteers, many of them experts in the field, are developing an Historic Design Guide that will help guide the renovation of these buildings.

Furthermore, Main Street Siloam Springs is now offering the first annual Gloria McEnroe Façade Renovation Grant. Named after a long-time, dedicated board member and Siloam citizen, this matching grant will allocate up to $1000 on a maximum 50/50 matching basis for façade improvements in the Main Street service area. Applications are due no later than Friday, March 25th for review.

For further information about the Façade Renovation Grant, Main Street’s upcoming events, including Farmers Market dates and times visit our website:  mainstreetsiloam.com

Weekend Plans

I don't know about you, but my weekend plans aren't really set yet.  I do know I'll be spending some time Downtown.  The pastries at the Cafe on Broadway are calling my name!  And there's a book I want to look for at Books on Broadway.  And I need to find a gift for a friend's upcoming birthday...  I guess I do have weekend plans!

Speaking of the Cafe on Broadway, they're hosting live music this Saturday.  Check their website for more information.  Music starts at 8pm, and the money raised seems to be going toward a good cause.  If you're planning on attending, remember to RSVP on Facebook.

And, while you're on Facebook RSVPing for the Cafe on Broadway event, remember to "friend" Fratelli's Wood-Fired Pizza.  They typically host a Game Night on Saturday evenings, and details can be found on their page.

If one of your dreams is moving your business downtown (or starting a new one!), this Sunday could be your lucky day.  On Tuesday I happened across this sign in front of what used to be the United States Post Office:

It seems the building is up for auction, and this Sunday interested people are welcome to inspect the structure.

I haven't been in the building for a few years, but from what I remember, the interior is unique in a good way.  The location is perfect--right in the middle of Broadway Street.  If you dream of being a part of Siloam Springs' Downtown, this could be your chance.

I'm sure there are other things happening this weekend as well.  Make Downtown a part of your weekend.

--Karyn

Farmer's Market Opening Info

I sure have missed fresh produce this winter. I'm especially eager this year for the Farmer's Market to open for spring. Mark your calendars for Thursday, April 14th, and plan to join us at the park to purchase the first harvests of this Farmer's Market season.

Photo courtesy of Siloam Springs Farmer's Market on Facebook

If you are interested in being a vendor at this year's market, Main Street Siloam Springs will be hosting a Siloam Springs Farmer's Market VENDOR Meeting on Thursday, March 3rd in the Community Building at 5:30pm. If you or someone you know is interested in selling at this year's farmer's market, please plan to join us.

--Karyn

Coming Out of Hibernation

I'm afraid winter got the best of me this year.  I gave in to the feelings of hibernation and stuck fairly close to home!  Good thing this past week felt like spring!  The temporary glimpse of what's to come has inspired me to get back into the downtown swing!

Here are a few pictures from our record snowfall:

Downtown residents out and about

Broadway Street

The Gazebo 

On University Street heading toward Broadway Street

The Connelly-Harrington House at the corner of University and Broadway

Photos courtesy of Main Street Siloam Springs on Facebook.

--Karyn

PS: There have been quite a few updates made to the right hand side of the blog.  Please take a minute to mark your calendar regarding a few of the upcoming Downtown events.