FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Genesee Theatre’s Marc Scherer Is Featured Speaker at Waukegan Main Street’s Annual Meeting

WAUKEGAN, ILL., Sept. 27, 2013— Marc Scherer, marketing manager for the Genesee Theatre, was  the featured guest speaker at Waukegan Main Street’s annual meeting and luncheon, Sept. 25 at the Waukegan Yacht Club,199 N. Harbor Place, Waukegan, Ill.

“The Genesee and Waukegan Main Street have common goals in attracting more people to Waukegan’s downtown. It’s an exciting time now that the theater is under new management. I’m eager to share future events and plans with the community,” Scherer said.  Scherer went out to tell the nearly 60 participants about acts that have either been booked or are in the works and that the Theatre hopes to book 150 shows per year.   

Scherer is part of the new management team, Northbrook-based Churchill Productions, selected in July to manage operations at the historic Genesee Theatre in downtown Waukegan.

Jamie O’Meara, Waukegan Main Street Board President, opened the meeting with an introduction of Main Street.  O’Meara said, “The Main Street program is a national program of proven economic revitalization/development through historic preservation. In Illinois the program is administered through the Dept of Economic Opportunity. Why am I telling you this? Because we feel it’s important for everyone to understand that although small, we are mighty…with local, State and national expertise and support. This gives us a big toolbox. And when we add the amazing support of our partners and the multitude of skills our volunteers bring to the organization, how can we not succeed?”

Also featured on the agenda was Jane Ferry, who was named executive director of Waukegan Main Street in August.  Ferry gave her background, covered the new businesses in Main Street District that have opened in the last year and quoted one of the recent Japanese Sister City visitors who said that she remembered visiting Waukegan years ago and how beautifully the city has changed.  Ferry added, “Each one of us who has worked in big or small part toward the revitalization of the City of Waukegan should take her comment as a compliment … and a reminder that hard work pays off.”

About Waukegan Main Street

Waukegan Main Street is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to rebuilding and reinventing Waukegan’s historic downtown business district by partnering with residents, small-business owners, property owners, developers, the City of Waukegan and entities such as the Waukegan Park District, the Waukegan Port District and the Waukegan Public Library. With programs that help small businesses thrive and events that bring people of all ages downtown, Waukegan Main Street is a driving force in creating a more vibrant downtown.

Media Contact: Jane Ferry, 847-623-6650, jane@waukeganmainstreet.org.

RELATED LINKS

www.WaukeganMainStreet.org

Photo Credit: Ali Albakri

A great time was had by over 1300 people who attended the Waukegan Public Library’s Monarch Festival this past Sunday.  Irene Edgar and I had a good time talking to all the people who came by our table, giving away WMS stickers and challenging people with Irene’s awesome Architectural Scavenger Hunt!

As promised, here are the answers to the Scavenger Hunt with some interesting architectural notes:

1. Parking garage at First Midwest Bank on County – folded plate roof
2. Carnegie Library at 1 N. Sheridan – Doric column
3. Le Chateau at 10 N. Sheridan
4. Karcher Artspace Lofts – anchor for cast iron tie rod
5. 120 Washington Street – anchor for cast iron tie rod or ornamental rosette
6. Jerry’s Tacos at 120 N. Genesee – gooseneck lamp
7. 118 Washington Street – Richardsonian Romanesque
8. Waukegan Building at 4 S. Genesee
9. YMCA Building at 204 County – Different colors of brick laid in a Flemish Diagonal Bond to create diagonal pattern
10. Genesee Theatre at 203 N. Genesee = variation on Corinthian pilaster
11. Sauter Building/Sterns – copper ornamental banding on oriel window
12. Blumberg Building on South Genesee
13. Merchants’ Block at Water and Genesee
14. 209 Madison
15. 122 Madison

Thanks again to Irene Edgar for her hard work and to everyone who swung by our Monarch Festival table!

~Jane Ferry
WMS Executive Director

The Cleveland Clinic’s Wellness Tip for today hit home:

To foster a sense of belonging, create meaningful rituals with your family or community, such as volunteering together once a month.

We say it regularly:  Volunteers are the heart of Waukegan Main Street!  Whether we are tending to the planters on Genesee Street or working a table at Monarch Festival, volunteering exposes us to a diverse group of people and has a positive  impact on our community.  Other benefits of volunteering include:

Learning or developing a new skill

Volunteering is the chance  to discover something one is good at and hone a new skill. Mahatma Gandhi said, “Live as if you were to die tomorrow.  Learn as if you were to live forever.” It is never too late to learn no matter what age, employment or background.

Motivation and sense of achievement

Volunteering is about giving one’s time, energy and skills freely.  Unlike many things in life there is choice involved. Volunteers often feel a sense of achievement and motivation, a sense of accomplishment, a sense of wellness – and a sense of enthusiasm that can be contagious.

Boost career options

A survey carried out by TimeBank showed

• 73% of employers would recruit a candidate with volunteering experience over one without
• 94% of employers believe volunteering can add to skills
• 94% of employees who volunteered to learn new skills benefited by getting their first job, improving their salary, or being promoted

Also, when one is thinking of a career change volunteering is a perfect way to explore new fields.

New interests and hobbies

Volunteering is an escape from everyday routines, helping create a balance in our lives. The energy and sense of fulfillment can carry over to a work situation and often relieves tensions, fostering new perspectives for old situations.

New experiences and skills

Volunteering is a way to get life experience. Whether building a library or coordinating a fundraiser, the experience is real, hands-on work.  Volunteering also brings together people from all backgrounds and walks of life. Interacting with new people may help one develop interpersonal skills and offers the opportunity to network outside of one’s own circle

Make new friends

Not only does volunteering lead to lasting professional relationships but oftentimes is the basis for friendship.  If one is new to an area or has changed living situations, volunteering offers introductions to new people with common interests.

Show people what you are passionate about and maybe you will inspire them too!

~Jane Ferry
WMS Executive Director

(Credit:  http://www.worldvolunteerweb.org)

Have you volunteered for Waukegan Main Street?  Tonight we are celebrating you and all the wonderful work you’ve done for Waukegan.  You’ve worked events, stuffed envelopes, handed out flyers, and served on our Committees and Board.  Now it’s time to relax and enjoy an evening of appetizers and camaraderie!

Haven’t volunteered yet, but are interested in seeing what opportunities are available?  Here’s your chance to get to know us and join the fun! Looking forward to seeing you there!

 

Even though the Waukegan Schools are already back in session, Labor Day weekend signals the end of Summer for so many of us.  This weekend’s weather, however, may seem more like mid-July so find time to enjoy our beautiful Waukegan Beach.  Remember, it’s cooler near the lake.

Need some ideas for your weekend?  How about …

• Live blues and jazz every Friday at Jerry’s Tacos from 6- 8pm
• Karaoke every Friday at 17 North starting at 9pm
• The Archie Parks Project every Friday at Big Ed’s starting at 7:30pm

 

• Green Town Yoga at Stiner Pavilion, Waukegan Beach starting at 9am
• Happy Time Breakfast every Saturday at Green Town Tavern
• The Neil Rose Band this Saturday at Big Ed’s starting at 7:30pm
• Fowl Mouth, Street Fist and The Forty Whacks this Saturday at the Burgundy Room at 10pm

 

• Sunrise Breakfast every Saturday and Sunday at 17 North at 9am

 

And, if you haven’t seen our weekly calendar and highlights, check it out by clicking here.  You can even sign up to get the calendar emailed directly to you by clicking here.

 

Have a safe and happy Labor Day weekend!
~Jane Ferry, Executive Director

17 North is giving Waukegan Main Street members a great VIP perk and they want to tell you all about it tonight!

Starlight Room at 17 North

TONIGHT from 5 – 7pm

Join us for an open house with free appetizers and get your 17 North VIP Card.  Using the VIP Card will take 10% off your bill every time you go to 17 North.   In addition, you will be registered in their Rewards Program, giving you points for enjoying good food and spirits.  When you reach 300 points, you’ll receive a $25 gift card.

Not a member of Waukegan Main Street?  You can sign up tonight!