Mark your calendars! February 7, 2012 OTCA will be hosting a Winter Mixer and Annual Meeting from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. This will be an opportunity to celebrate a year of successes in Old Town and the very talented and dedicated volunteers and partners that allowed that to happen.
The meeting will be held at Perspective2, 319 E Grand River Ave, Lansing, MI 48906. For more information on this location, visit Perspective2
Here is a look back at a year filled with successes for the neighborhood and Lansing, and the fearless and generous volunteers that got us here. Not only did our hard work in 2011 lead us to win the Great American Main Street Award this past spring – it sprung us into a monumental year for Old Town Lansing. Below is a list of some of this past year accomplishments!
Community Clean Up and Spring Planting
Updated holiday decorations
Pickin’ Up Old Town Campaign
Insulation of recycling receptacles
Maintained banner and basket program
Art Spot – Mural Program
Festival of the Sun & expanded Festival of the Moon
Old Town Oktoberfest – record high attendance
Old Town Dickens Village
Chalk of the Town
Old Town Scrapfest
Turner Street Outdoor Theater
Taste & Tour of Old Town
Pickin in the Park
2012 Visitors Guide Ad
First Sunday Gallery Walk
Ghost Tours
Hosted Wake Up Old Town monthly networking event
Host progressive Ribbon Cutting with Mayor and media, welcoming new businesses
Business Assistance Team
2011 Annual Meeting and Volunteer Recognition held at Perpective2
Monthly Old Town News and quarterly Business Beat
Maintaining iloveoldtown.org
Compassionate Feast
Old Town Popcorn Tins
Robert P. Busby Fundraiser
Grand River Expedition 2011
Old Town Farmers’ Market
Expanded the Community Garden and helped Lowe's install a shed and received tools from Lowe's
Lauren Root is a senior at Michigan State University studying Communication. Originally from Kalamazoo, Lauren joins the OTCA team as a Communications Intern. After graduation, Lauren aspires to be an event planner and hopes to gain lots of experience while helping plan the many upcoming events and festivals for Old Town. In her spare time, Lauren enjoys volunteering, art, music and thrift-ing.
Melissa Warren joins the OTCA team as a Design Intern. She is a recent graduate of Michigan State University where she graduated with a BA in Advertising and a BFA in Graphic Design, with a sub-concentration in Photography. When she has free time she occupies herself the best she can with her many interests, but especially by cooking, hanging out with friends, discovering new music, wasting away on couch with Netflix and traveling, although Lonely Planet’s website is the farthest she’s gotten lately.
The Old Town Commercial Association is pleased to announce the recent appointment of Louise Gradwohl to the position of Executive Director.
Louise, previously the Communications Coordinator with the OTCA, accepted the position as the new Executive Director on Monday, December 12, 2011. As director, Gradwohl will be in charge of continuing implementation of Michigan Main Street Program, while fulfilling the mission and vision of the OTCA through her efforts in community development and revitalization.
Before joining the OTCA, Louise worked as an Assistant to the Public Relations Manager at Wharton Center for the Performing Arts. In addition, she was an Assistant Producer on Michigan's Morning Show with Michael Patrick Shiels. While in college, Louise dedicated her time as a student and performer with the MSU Dance Department, as the Vice President of Alpha Omicron Pi, and involvement with Alternative Spring Break programs. This past May, after graduating from Michigan State University in Advertising, she joined the OTCA staff as a Communications Intern and successfully managed operations of the 2011 Old Town Oktoberfest. Through her leadership, passion, and dedication to the OTCA program Louise has found a true desire for the Main Street Program and for the Old Town community.
"Louise exhibited a great desire to further promote and implement the Michigan Main Street Program as well as a passion for community revitalization and development in Old Town Lansing. We are excited to have Louise join our team as the Executive Director and the Board of Directors look forward to working with her on future projects, " said Don McNabb, President, Board of Directors.
In observance of the holidays, the OTCA office will be closed from December 24 through December 31. If there is anything that any of us can help with, please feel free to email oldtown@oldtownmainstreet.org
OTCA is currently seeking interested candidates for the OTCA Board of Directors 2012. A minimum of 3 positions will be available.
For additional information on Board Member responsibilities and requirements please contact current Board President Don McNabb at don.mcnabb@triterra.us or by phone at 517.853.2150
Each year dedicated Old Town volunteers and board members strive to create the most vibrant community for businesses and residents alike. Though many of the services that our organization provides is geared toward the betterment of the community as a whole, a handful of the most visible services is set aside for members of the organization.
Though the OTCA has several funding streams, none are more important than the membership dues that are collected each year, growing grassroots support, identifying stakeholders, and ensuring the sustainability of the organization.
As we come upon another year of volunteer driven success stories for our neighborhood, we'd like to highlight some of the more recent member benefits available through the OTCA.
Free membership to the Small Business Association of Michigan including;
Group health insurance benefits through Blue Cross Blue Shield and COBRA Administration. 401k Retirement Planning through Nationwide Financial Services and 25% off packages delivered across the state, country or world with special volume rates.
Opportunity to receive support through Old Town Business Assistance Team
A variety of business professionals available at your fingertips for one on one peer to peer counseling, providing you with the knowledge and community support to succeed as a small business.
Old Town discount cards for you and your staff
Opportunity to promote your business to the over 300 OTCA members through the Old Town discount cards and hundreds of dollars more in savings for you and your staff.
Eligibility for Main Street Design Services
Free Design Services from a State Historic Preservation Office Architect which includes one on one consultation, schematic drawings, budget information, product information, timelines and color samples.
Inclusion in maps, directories, website
Business listing in thousands of maps, directories as well as detailed business information on www.iloveoldtown.org, Old Town's premiere resource for business and event information.
Join today or renew your membership for 2011 by filling out the below information and membership dues based on the number of employees and drop it off or mail it to 1232 Turner St. For more information about how to come a member of the Old Town Commercial Association, or if you are already a member and looking to capitalize on the services listed feel free to visit the website at www.iloveoldtown.org or contact Brittney at 517.485.4283.
Member levels
The OTCA has a wide range of membership levels to fit the needs of individuals and businesses. Membership are for the calendar year, (January 1 through December 31).
Business
Start up business (less than one year in business in Old Town) $50
Co-op/Non-profit $100
1-3 Employees $150
4-10 Employees $250
11-20 Employees $500
21-30 Employees $750
31 or more Employees $1,000
(Two part time employees equal one full time employee
Friends
$45 Individual membership
$10 Student Membership (with valid student ID)
The OTCA is a 501<c)3 nonprofit organization
Your contribution may be tax deductible according to IRS regulations. Please send the completed membership application along with a check made out to OTCA to;
Old Town Commercial Association
1232 Turner St.
Lansing, MI 48906
517.485.4283
Are you stumped on what to get the last person on your holiday gift list? Old Town houses a wide variety of stores that offer perfect gifts for all interests. Check out a few of the many different shops and boutiques just waiting to round out your holiday shopping list:
Cravings Popcorn and Soda Shop is offering holiday gift tins for $36. With endless combinations you are bound to create the perfect popcorn mix for anyone on your gift list. Cravings is featuring three specialty tins: Bacon Lovers, Pickle Lovers and Sweet & Fizzy. Each is filled with unique popcorn flavors, sodas, and candies. If those don't suite you, fill your own tin with three of your favorite flavors. Have a 'hard to please' relative? Cravings has the answer with a 9 flavor sampler to fit any popcorn desire.
October Moon: As you walk in you are welcomed by endless gift ideas. Need something for the cook or baker in the family? Grab a beautiful one-of-a-kind apron and pair it with a Barefoot Contessa baking mix and spatula. October Moon supplies numerous specialty candles and on the higher price range, they carry Italian dishware that will add perfectly to anyone's kitchen. But don't miss the perfect finish to any gift, a delicious chocolate bar.
Grace Boutique provides any lady on your list the perfect gift. From a miniature emergency kit consisting of 16 key essentials to their Italian leather Signature Bags, Grace Boutique has it. Some of the top sellers this holiday season include: Dogeared necklaces, crystal earrings and Amber scent gift sets in numerous combinations.
By the Riverside Gallery is featuring this month artist, Duane Feldpausch. In addition to the gorgeous artwork, the gallery offers unique Christmas ornaments, jewelry, handmade soaps and much more!
Lambs Gate Antiques: Stop in and be welcomed by a whirl-wind of vintage jewelry, purses, and one-of-a-kind records. As winter sets in, Lambs Gate has men's and women's coats available to keep you warm this holiday. Tired of the typical holiday ornaments and want something special, check out their supply of vintage Christmas decorations and ornaments. Lambs Gate will also be extending their holiday hours to be open every Sunday in December.
Love, Betti Antiques is one of the newer shops in Old Town and they are celebrating their First Christmas here in the neighborhood. While carrying endless vintage options you are bound to find a gift you might never have considered until you step foot into Love, Betti. The shop offers vintage gifts for both men and women including jewelry to dress up any holiday party, hats and scarfs, and coats from Ann Taylor to ones crafted of deer skin. For the men she carries vintage poker chips and men's old shaving brushes and razors. For the ladies Love, Betti offers beautiful furs and pottery pieces.
Tallulah's Folly welcomes holiday shoppers with fresh brewed coffee and seasonal music that warms up your day. Some popular holiday favorites include their jewelry, holiday pins and ornaments, vintage Santa's and Bloody Mary mixes. Stay extra warm this season with a pair of handmade "smittens", mittens made from sweaters.
Katalyst Gallery is your one stop shop for stocking stuffers this holiday season. Perfect sized gifts at a perfect price Katalyst a number of items that would make anyone smile from the handy credit card cases to beautiful ring holders as well as bracelets, all for under $10. You can also find gifts to please the senses with candles and soaps for $8.
This year for the first time Cravings Popcorn and Soda Shop will be offering an Old Town Holiday Tin. This tin is a fundraiser for the Old Town Commercial Association. Owner, Chad Jordan developed the idea to share his love of popcorn with his love of Old Town to create a truly unique gift for any Lansing local. Each tin will consists of Cravings Dark Chocolate Drizzle, Original Caramel and Butterrum. In addition each tin will include two VIP passes to an OTCA festival of choice (Festival of the Moon, Festival of the Sun or Old Town Oktoberfest).
The tins will are available only by pre-order. To place an order today visit cravingspopcorn.com, call 517-252-4782 or visit their store located at 1220 Turner Street in Old Town Lansing.
The Arts Council of Greater Lansing created the SmArts workshops in response to member needs and as part of the strategy for the Cultural Economic Development Plan for Greater Lansing's Urban Center. Providing educational and networking opportunities for the creative workforce in Greater Lansing are an important part of the Arts Council's mission to "lead, advocate for, and advance arts and culture in the capital region."
The Arts Council is partnering with local business professionals to provide workshops on topics that help the creative workforce to build businesses, careers or skills in the arts. This is the second year of the workshop series and Michigan State University Federal Credit Union is the new Title Sponsor, which allows some of the workshops to take place at their new Downtown Lansing Branch in the beautiful second floor Community Room. The workshops are part of the Arts Council's new SmArts Program: A Professional Development Program for Creatives that provides educational opportunities, networking, funding and promotion.
Workshops are open to the public for a small fee and registration is online. December 8th from 10am-12pm attorneys fromLansing law firm, Kordenbrock & Associates, P.C., will present about basic issues in intellectual property including copyright, trademark and fair use. Please join us and bring your
questions: http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=wymsovcab&oeidk=a07e4ovsz4607c1c08d.
