SEPTEMBER BUZZ ON MAIN
Talk to Me Technologies is located at 323 West 2nd Street
Communication Devices from Talk to Me Technologies
Business of the Month – Talk to Me Technologies
Talk To Me Technologies is an international company headquartered in the heart of downtown Cedar Falls on Overman Park with satellite offices in Des Moines, Madison and Storm Lake. The thriving company assists individuals with significant speech impairments obtain (via Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance) special computers that give them a new ‘voice’ allowing them to communicate again or for the first time.
The staff at Talk To Me Technologies includes Speech-Language Pathologists and Augmentative Communication Consultants, who have dozens of years experience specializing in working with clients who have difficulty speaking/communicating due to autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, developmental disabilities, etc., as well as clients who have lost the ability to speak as a result of stroke, Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS), brain injuries, etc.
Angel Blessings is a new store open on State Street. Located at 602 State Street, Angel Blessings is owned and operated by Trish Johnson. Trish does holistic health care specializing in Reflexology, Reiki, Ear Candling and Spiritual Enlightenment. She also makes custom natural gemstone jewelry and handmade greeting cards with local photography. Hours are by appointment, which can be made by calling 319-429-0763.
Downtown Recycling Successes – Congratulations and thank you to ALL downtown businesses using the recycling bins downtown! The most recent figures available are from the month of July when a total of 4,800 pounds of material were recycled from downtown alone. A listing by category follows:
160 pounds was clear glass,
40 pounds was loose tin,
100 pounds was loose plastic,
400 pounds was loose newspaper and magazines, and
4,100 pounds was loose cardboard
Recycling bins are located in the D parking lot (east side of 100 block) and H parking lot (west side of 400 block).
State Street Reconstruction to Affect D Lot Recycling Bins - As State and 2nd Street reconstruction occurs, D lot the bins will be moved just north of where they currently located and will be accessible along the corridor to the K lot (24 hour lot). A PDF file of the location during construction is available by contacting the CMS office: communitymainst@cfu.net
State Street construction work
State Street Reconstruction Update – Work continues on phase two of the project. All of the utility work for stage two is complete and the contractor is placing the base rock with concrete paving to come next. Weather permitting; stage three may be underway by this time next month.
Work-Life Balance Seminar - Adam Butler, PhD, Professor of Psychology at UNI and Mary McInnis Meyer, owner of Field of Yoga will conduct a Work-Life Balance Seminar on Saturday, September 25 at 8 am at Field of Yoga. The purpose of the event is to help registrants find balance between professional life and personal life, and welcome improved health and overall enjoyment of life. This engaging 1.5-hour workshop - a blending of the latest research and ancient proven methodologies - will provide strategies and techniques to achieve better work-life balance. Contact Mary McInnis Meyer at Field of Yoga for morn information.
Why shop local? In a recent AARP’s The Magazine article, Livin’ La Vida Local, written by Laura Daily, figures for shopping local were reported. According to Stacy Mitchell, senior researcher with the nonprofit Institute for Local Self-Reliance, the latest figures show if you spend $100 at a local business, $45 stays within the community. Spend $100 at a national chain and only about $14 recirculates.
Exterior Building Updates and Repairs Reminder - The property in the downtown area is part of the Central Business Downtown Overlay District. Plans for any exterior improvements require a mandatory review by the Planning and Zoning Commission. The Central Business Downtown Overlay District regulations are intended to ensure that building improvements comply with the general design character of the downtown area, and, thereby, retain and improve the value of the neighborhood. If you anticipate changes or repairs to the exterior of a building, would like information on available façade grants, or have any questions, contact MaraBeth Soneson - msoneson@cfu.net - at the Community Main Street office.
Black Hawk County Free Household Hazardous Materials Drop-off Event – Saturday, September 25th from 9 am – 2 pm at the Cedar Falls Utilities during the Energy & Environmental Fair. The free drop off is for household hazardous materials (cleaning chemicals, pesticides, rechargeable batteries, fluorescent light bulbs, aerosol cans, etc.) The free drop off is open to all Black Hawk County residents for residential hazardous waste only, no business waste of any kind. No pain, used oil or antifreeze.
Ivy Trellis Announcement – The exact dates have yet to be determined but sometime during the last two weeks of September, the card department at Ivy Trellis will be under reconstruction. The section will fully change over to Expressions by Hallmark.
Anniversaries? Accomplishments? Additions? Businesses are welcome to send their news, additions or suggestions for the newsletter to communitymainst@cfu.net Please let us know so we can share the news.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Friday, September 3 there will be live music, food and ice-cold beverages during the final Live to 9 after-work summer concert of the year! Gates open at 5:30 and music by Checker and the Bluetones begins at 6:00 at Sturgis Park downtown Cedar Falls. Originally scheduled for August 13, Bike Night at Live to 9 with Checker and the Bluetones was rescheduled for Sept. 3 due to a rainout. Don’t miss it! Visit http://liveto9.com/ for more information.
The Greater Cedar Valley Chamber of Commerce 12th annual Wing Ding will take place on Thursday, September 9 at Overman Park from 5 – 8 pm. Tickets are available for $5 at both Chamber locations and downtown’s Toad’s Bar and Grill as well as several other area locations. Tickets are limited, so get yours today. For more information contact the Cedar Falls Chamber of Commerce by calling 266-3593.
 ARTapalooza 2009
The 5th annual ARTapalooza on Main fine art show will be held September 11, 2010 on the streets and sidewalks of historic downtown from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Held annually, the juried show brings many talented artists from throughout the region. In addition, there is something for everyone to enjoy as downtown is filled with artist demonstrations, entertainment and children’s activities. New for 2010, an emerging artist section has been established in support of young artists at the beginning of their professional careers.
COMING IN OCTOBER
Pink Ribbon Run – The fourth annual "Pink Ribbon Run" will be downtown Cedar Falls on Saturday, October 2nd beginning at 8 a.m. The event is open to runners and walkers and will start & finish in front of the Cedar Falls Library. All proceeds from the run will benefit the Northeast Iowa Community Foundation's Beyond Pink T.E.A.M. Awards will be presented for various age groups as well as overall male and female winners. Panera will provide pink ribbon bagels after the race and there will be door prizes awarded from area businesses. The cost to participate is $30, which includes an official Pink Ribbon Run t-shirt and a pair of Fox River Run Sox. To guarantee at t-shirt, register before 9/22/10. Visit www.communitymainstreet.org to download a registration form.
Seminar: “Old Windows Aren’t a Pane – They’re Green!”
Saturday, October 2 – 9-3 in Des Moines
Sustainable Alternatives workshop for homeowners, contractors, historic preservation professionals, historic preservation students and historic building owners - COSC is pleased to host expert Bob Yapp in Des Moines for two valuable preservation sessions that illustration sustainable alternatives to installing siding and replacing windows. In the morning, for "Old Windows Aren't a Pane - They're Green!," Yapp demonstrates that it is easy to improve the performance of an existing window. In the afternoon, "Paint It Right!" is an in-depth how-to that addresses durability and costs when choosing between painting a home or installing siding. The cost is FREE! (A COSC Re-Building a Sustainable Iowa program) The workshop will be on Saturday, October 2, from 9 – 3 at the Mickle Neighborhood Resource Center in Des Moines. For more information contact LESLIE BERCKES at Leslie@icosc.com or 515-707-2787
Girl’s Night Out – Thursday, October 7 from 5 – 8 pm downtown retailers will roll out the welcome wagon for the annual Fall Girl’s Night Out. Join the merchants for their open houses with great appetizers, beverages and shopping specials!
2009 Upstairs Downtown Opening Reception
Upstairs Downtown – The Organization and Development Committee invites you to tour behind the scenes of private residential living spaces, upper level office areas, entertainment complexes and a host of creative spaces. The event is Thursday evening, October 14, 2010. Check out the details in the October newsletter!
Mark Your Calendars – Halloween on Main will be FRIDAY, October 29 from 3:30 pm – 5 pm and the Holiday Hoopla Kick-Off will be Thursday, November 26 from 6 pm – 8 pm. Visit www.communitymainstreet.org or www.cedarfallsdowntown.com for a complete list of downtown area events.
CMS DEVELOPMENTS
Upcoming CMS Meeting Dates:
Business Improvement: Wednesday, September 1 @ noon in the CMS office
Promotion: Thursday, September 2 @ 8:30 am in the CMS office
Board: Wednesday, September 8 @ 12:00 in the conference room of US Bank
Organization & Development: Monday, September 13 @ noon in the CMS office
Retail Promotion: Tuesday, September 14 @ 8:45 am in the CMS office
Design: Friday, September 17 @ noon in the CMS office
NEWS FROM BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT
The focus has been:
1) Tour 111 Main Street 2) Parking Recommendations 3) Prioritize program of work for FY 2010-2011 (list developed last meeting) a. Seminar series on e-commerce and web training
b. Continue use of marketing analysis information and work to contact prospective businesses
c. Continue monitoring Challenge Grant project and invite Tony’s to report to BI
d. Coordinate a new Challenge Grant project
e. Expand green business strategies to include energy audit program with CFU, sustainability options, downtown shopping bags, and re-usable container program for food and beverage establishments
f. UNI outreach
g. Vacant storefront plans – positive signage plan for building owners
h. Complete parking project
4) Downtown Recycling update 5) Historic Preservation Commission (CLG) Update 6) Pancake Breakfast August 14 a. CMS fundraiser: Tickets $5 – get your tickets today!
NEWS FROM DESIGN
The focus has been:
1. Façade grant process and eligibility review a. Cindi Hendrickson, City of Cedar Falls
2. Façade/Design Review a. 309 ½ Main – second request
b. 204 Main – Toads
3. Historic Preservation Commission (CLG) update 4. City Staff discussion update a. Building permit/Overlay District relationship
5. Fall garden plans a. Hanging basket and sidewalk pot removal
b. Gator winterization
c. Fall clean up
6. Decking the Falls a. November 17 & 18
NEWS FROM ORGANIZATION & DEVELOPMENT
The focus has been:
1. Pancake Breakfast
2. Committee Development
3. Upstairs Downtown
NEWS FROM PROMOTION COMMITTEE
The focus has been:
1. ARTapalooza
2. Sidewalk Sale
3. Panthers on Main
4. Holiday Hoopla
5. Hops on Main
6. Biathlon
NEWS FROM RETAIL PROMOTION COMMITTEE
The focus has been:
1. Diane Gray, Waverly Newspaper – An advertising proposal
2. WOW Presentation/ Deadline from retail committee members
3. August 14 and 21 and September 11 review of scheduled events
4. Update on Holiday Hoopla
5. Update on UNI advertising package
6. Schedule a calendar date for Winter In-Side Sidewalk Sale Days
If you are interested in serving on a committee or would like to volunteer for a special event or project, email MaraBeth Soneson msoneson@cfu.net or call the CMS office at 277-0213.
SPACE FOR RENT
Visit www.communitymainstreet.org for a listing of available space within the district.
CONTACTS
CMS Board of Directors: Ty Kimble (President), Dave Schachterle (President- Elect), Pam Taylor (Treasurer), Gretchen Behm (Secretary), Stephanie Bardal (Past President), Sheryl McGovern, Julie Brunscheon, Lisa Rivera Skubal, Mare Schmidt, Johna Petersen, Brent Johnson, Jodi Landau, Ann Remmert, Matt Smiley, Gregg Humble, Kim Burger, Jeff Kurtz, Tom Hagarty, John Miller, Bob Justis, Jeff Sitzmann, Adam Haselhuhn, Jane Messingham, Nick Jedlicka
Staff: Executive Director MaraBeth Soneson, Events & Promotions Coordinator Jan Andersen, and Office Manager Carol Lilly
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