March April 2012 Downtown Developments Newsletter

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n Wednesdays now through March 28, the Downtown Special Improvement District will once again be hosting the “Downtown Deals Wednesday” promotion.

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First Friday of every month

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Downtown Canton’s streetscape comes alive with fun festivals!

Dine downtown on Wednesdays in March for deals at your favorite restaurants!

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2012 Downtown Event Schedule

Diners to the participating downtown Canton restaurants will receive one half-priced entrée for each entrée they purchase at regular price. Select downtown restaurants will offer this special discount to diners every Wednesday in March. The discount is valid after 5 p.m. only.

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Arcadia Grille Bender’s Tavern Desert Inn Napoli’s Italian Eatery Pete’s Grill & Pizza Peter Shears Downtown Picciano’s Martini Bar (appetizers only available) Primo’s Sports Therapy Bar and Grill Thatsa Wrapp Thorpe’s Grill at the McKinley Grand

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June 8 & 9

Downtown Deals will feature 11 downtown Canton restaurants, including:

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May 24

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Wednesdays in March

In order to receive the discount, a coupon must be presented at time of purchase. Coupons can be downloaded from www.DowntownCanton.com, clipped from this article or from an upcoming issue of The Repository on Wednesdays.

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Saturdays, June 23 - Oct. 20

“The Downtown Deals Wednesday promotion is an excellent opportunity to experience some of the incredible local restaurants in downtown Canton,” said Mike Gill, director of the Downtown Special Improvement District. “Diners can experience all types of cuisines and enjoy both casual and fine dining with this exciting promotion.”

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For details about Downtown Deals Wednesday, visit www.DowntownCanton.com, or contact Annette Rosenberger at annette@cantonchamber.org or (330) 458-2092.

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PARTNERSHIP REPORT

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SPECIAL FEATURES

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WHATWHEREWHEN

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SPACE AVAILABLE

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• Downtown Deals • Art is Alive! and Canton National Art Show • First Friday Tidbits • City Hall Renovation • Marketing Tips • Color Downtown • Canton Farmers’ Market

Downtown Developments is published bi-monthly by Canton Development Partnership, a department of Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with Downtown Canton Special Improvement District

Krista Shuff Schumacher - Events Manager

Spring is nature’s way of saying “Let’s Party!” - Robin Williams

222 Market Ave. N. Canton, OH 44702 (330) 456-0468 fax (330) 452-7786 cdp@cantonchamber.org www.DowntownCanton.com

Michael P. Gill Director Krista Shuff Schumacher Events Manager Annette Rosenberger Office Manager Denise Burton Membership Director Jessica Bennett Marketing Director & Editor Sarah Lutz Bhatia Graphics Manager The Canton Development Partnership is a coalition of area development organizations and city government that share an interest in downtown Canton’s continual improvement, revitalization, image, and quality of life for its citizens.

Its mission is to support and coordinate the activities an programs of its partner organizations in order to encourage and sustain community and economic development in downtown Canton.

The partnering organizations include: Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Canton Special Improvement District, Downtown Canton Land Bank, Canton Tomorrow, Inc., and City of Canton.

Information regarding downtown events and news can be submitted for reprint at the discretion of the Partnership director and publication editor.

The Canton Development Partnership reserves the right to edit all copy. Deadlines are the 15th of the month, two months prior to publication (i.e., May 15 for the July/August issue).

Statements of fact and opinion within Downtown Developments are the responsibility of the authors alone and do not imply the opinion of the members of Canton Development Partnership or its partnering organizations.

Advertising rates and specifications are available by contacting the Chamber sales department at (330) 458-2067.

I am excited to introduce myself to you. My name is Krista Shuff Schumacher, and I am the events manager responsible for producing the major downtown events presented by the Canton Development Partnership (a department of the Canton Regional Chamber).

We will kick off the season by tickling your taste buds at Taste of Canton (May 24) with tastings of local flavor, followed closely by the energizing and powerful rhythms of the Canton Blues Fest (Jun. 8 and 9). Next, we will bring you a new and exciting Zing in the City (in July). Vintage Canton (Sept. 20) will have local vintners with luxury labels to suit every palate, and finally we will end the year with the festive celebration Light Up Downtown (Dec. 6). You can look forward to some new programming sprinkled in throughout the year, too!

R e p o r t

Dennis P. Saunier President & CEO

April is one month we do pleasure, and spend the cold, dark months anticipating. Spring brings a buzzing of excitement and rebirth… and downtown shows the signs everywhere. During these colder months, the Canton Development Partnership has not been hibernating. We’ve been busy planning a full schedule of events that will finally spring to life this spring and summer.

P a r t n e r s h i p

April brings hope that we are close to trading in morning sheets of ice for the refreshing sights, smells and sounds of spring. Trading frigid temperatures and bone chilling winds for long, warm evenings and light breezes.

First Friday, while it happens year round, will surely fill the streets, venues and art galleries with those that are stretching their legs from a long winter’s nap. The monthly arts festival on the first Friday of each month always packs a punch, but springtime is the perfect opportunity to come back and experience what downtown has to offer each and every day of the month.

The Canton Farmers’ Market vendors have also been busy planning and preparing to offer you locally grown or made products. Marking its ninth year, the Market is an absolute must to get you on track with that New Year’s resolution of healthier living.

While you are at it, dig in this year at the Downtown Canton Summit Neighborhood Community Garden, where we are sprouting with excitement for the planting of spring vegetables.

Commit to strengthening your support of all things local. Downtown Canton, like a garden, has room for growth and needs to be nurtured. It’s a work in progress, one that bears delicious fruit. All year long, there are many opportunities for you incredible sources of entertainment and fun – but to me, the summer brings the bounty.

This year we are gearing up for a grand time, come out and see what everyone is talking about!

The arts are blooming in Canton this spring! ArtisAlive ... Not for the faint of heart! in more than a dozen categories, including painting, sculpture, glass, mixed media and jewelry. The show is unique for its national exhibitors, high level of quality and indoor location in the Cultural Center for the Arts (which houses the Museum).

Admission to the show is $8 ($6 for Canton Museum of Art and ArtsinStark Pegasus members). Admission proceeds benefit the Canton Museum of Art. If “take two aspirins and call me in the morning,” isn’t your idea of good advice, then pack your body bag and head down to ArtisAlive!

ArtisAlive is a two-day arts extravaganza, happening Friday, Apr. 13, from 6 to 11 p.m. and Saturday, Apr. 14, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Cultural Center for the Arts (1001 Market Ave. N, Canton).

This annual show is your ticket to fun art, fine art, jewelry, superb ceramics, cool clothes, fantastic photography, and some things we can’t begin to describe.

Tickets are just $2, and include parking and admission to enjoy 40 vendor booths, live music, artists’ demonstrations and a selection a food that’s just a tad more tantalizing than your typical hospital fare.

So don your psychotic scrubs and your naughty nurse costume (if you dare) and bring along your oxygen for a Friday evening of fun and a Saturday of intensive retail therapy.

ArtisAlive is hosted by ArtsinStark. Visit ArtisAlive. com for more details and information.

If you’d like to volunteer to help on either day with concessions, ticket sales, vendor assistance, entertainer assistance (attention groupies!) please go to: www.artsinstark.com/Volunteer.html

3rd Annual Canton National Art Show

The third annual Canton National Art Show is scheduled for Friday, April 27 through Sunday, April 29.

The Canton Museum of Art will present the third annual Canton National Art Show from Apr. 27 through 29. Working with show director, Ron Beahn, director of the Boston Mills and Ann Arbor National Art shows, the Museum is currently reviewing artist applications and will announce the results of the jury process soon.

Among the premier fine art events in Ohio, the Canton National is a broadly promoted art show and sale, which attracts art lovers from throughout Ohio and surrounding states. It will showcase a balanced mix of 75 professional artists, exhibiting original works

Canton National Art Show dates/times: Saturday, Apr. 28: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sunday, Apr. 29: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A Preview Party event will be held on the evening of Apr. 27, providing a special opportunity to see the show before it opens, meet the artists and enjoy fine cuisine by Chef Nathan Mushrush of The New Peter Shears Downtown.

More details can be found at www.CantonNational.com.

The Canton National Art Show is supported by ArtsinStark, Western Reserve PBS, The Repository, In the Round Design Group, and Aultman Hospital.

Others interested in sponsorship opportunities should contact Christine Shearer at (330) 453-7666.

“Horse and Diver” bronze by Virgil Villers and painting is “Whispering Wind” by Beth Nash.

First Friday Tidbits

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Basketball fans aren’t the only ones to get a little crazy in March! At the MUSIC MADNESS themed First Friday on Mar. 2, expect a full court press of MVPs like Rylie Jobe, Peter Vanhorn, Jeff Poulos, Scott Paris, Door-3-Twenty, the Misery Jackals, Thom Ebersole and Akillis Green.

Plus, there’s fresh, new art hanging at Translations Gallery, the Joseph Saxton Gallery of Photography, Elemental Arts, Anderson Creative and 2nd April – where the work of Mac Worthington will be featured at Journey Studios and new art will be making a slam dunk at The Dreg Spot.

On Apr. 6, visitors to the SEW ARTISTIC First Friday will be in stitches over fabulous fiber art. We’re bringing out weavers, knitters, crocheters and the full spectrum of seamstresses to show fiber is artistic, wearable, hang-able and fun.

Of course, music will be back-dropped into all galleries, restaurants and street corner nooks, adding to the fashionable flair of the evening.

First Friday, is sponsored by the Stark Community Foundation and is celebrated every first Friday of the month from 6 to 10 p.m. in downtown Canton. First Friday is presented by ArtsinStark, The County Arts Council, and the Downtown Canton Special Improvement District.

For the most up-to-date information, visit www.CantonFirstFriday.com.

Canton City Hall gets a face lift!

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anton City Hall, located at 218 Cleveland

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underwent substantial renovations

and improvements to the former courtyard

The space and interior design was completed by Laura Cowles of John Picard’s offices in Canton.

The general construction contract was awarded to Hein Construction of Canton. Electrical work for the project construction was completed by HilscherClarke Electric.

The nearly yearlong, $2.3 million project resulted in the enclosure of the entire openair courtyard, which added over ten thousand square feet of additional, useable space for the Canton Municipal Court and Canton City Council.

Standard Plumbing and Heating completed the heating and ventilation work for the addition, and incidentally, they were also the firm that completed the original plumbing and heating contract for the original construction of the building 50 years ago.

Plumbing and fire protection was completed by Kauffman Plumbing and Heating of Canton.

“The project resulted in greatly improved security, additional seating, upgraded handicapped accessible restrooms, and the correction of more than 50 years of continuous water leaks through the courtyard deck into the police department,” said Warren Price, director of public service for the City of Canton.

Canton City Hall was originally designed by the New York City architectural firm of Kelly & Gruzen (now Gruzen Sampton), with assistance from the former Canton architectural firm Cox & Forsythe, which was located on North Market Ave. The building was constructed over an almost three-year period between 1959 and 1961.

“The newly renovated space and new construction is something that the community can be truly proud of,” continued Price. “The architect had the difficult job of transforming an open courtyard into useable space, while still maintaining the open air feel of the original design. Personally, I think the result is a spectacular success.”

The building was considered a marvel at the time of its construction, indicated Price, based on research conducted by Michael Hudak, an intern in the Mayor’s office.

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“Canton City Hall was a bold design, using the latest construction techniques of the time. The

building actually sits on the site of the original Canton City Hall, which was an ornate Victorian structure constructed in 1883,” said Price.

The City Hall rededication event was held at 6 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 3, with a memorial dedication for Delbert Sullivan, who died during the construction of City Hall on May 3, 1961.

Officials were on hand to re-seal the original time capsule placed within City Hall’s cornerstone in 1960. The 1960 capsule contents, paired with new contents, will be reinterred until they are opened in 2060, when City Hall turns 100 years old.

Silver Bullets are Better than Buckshot

Tips for Marketing Your Downtown Canton Business from In the Round Design Group When clients ask In The Round to assist with a piece of their marketing and communication strategies, they’re generally after one of two things.

Most often, they want a captivating visual design: a billboard that pops, a print piece that begs to be taken off the rack, a website that’s “edgy” or “dynamic.”

Sometimes, they’re more concerned about robust functionality; they have some very specific ideas about what their site or mobile app needs to do, and they want us to write code to get it accomplished.

In the quest for more sparkle, bells and whistles, what’s often missed is – arguably – the most important component in a communication triad: engaging content. Nine times out of ten, our projects must commence, not with talk of colors and images, not with questions about PHP or Javascript, but with dialogue about messaging: “What’s the narrative that you’re trying to tell through this print piece, this video, this website?”

Even in our image-saturated and technological age, stories still sell. And, if your company, business, organization or institution hasn’t figured out how to convey your particular tale and identity to the outside world, you’ve missed a critical opportunity to capture your audience.

Lots of communication tools look great and work well, but no one else possesses your unique story. So start asking: WHO ARE WE? Internally, what’s the ethos of your organization? Do you operate as a family, a team, a bunch of independent, but wildly talented consultants? And how does that affect the way you interact with your clients, congregation, guests or donors? How the organization “feels” will have a definitive impact on how its public-facing content reads, looks and functions.

Also, what are you uniquely wired and better equipped to accomplish than any other group in town? Silver bullets are more effective than buckshot, so take time to define “THE thing” that’s distinctive about who you are and what you do. Tell one story well instead of trying to become all things to all people.

WHO DO OTHERS THINK YOU ARE? Are there parts of your story (correctly or incorrectly perceived) that need to be re-written? A PR debacle from the past? Some instances of bad customer service that have been portrayed as the rule, rather then the exception?

Take some time to honestly solicit feedback from your staff, your clients, the community and the person on the street. A posture of humility will help discern internal weaknesses that good content can address. Moreover, voracious curiosity may unearth some great perceptions in the community that provide a new angle on how to market yourself. Leverage these “outside eyes” to help you see your story in an attractive new light.

WHO ARE YOU BECOMING? Everyone loves a good cliffhanger, so your story should give a teaser of where your organization is going: goals, new projects, desired results, a compelling vision. It’s often easy to get bogged down in the present without an eye toward who you want to be a few months or years out. Content that addresses these questions indicates to your audience that you’re an institution that adapts and responds to their needs and expectations. And, quite practically, achieved goals yield new goals, which means dynamic and changing content in print and on the web.

WHO WILL YOU NEVER BE? A good chunk of conveying your identity is knowing who you are not. Develop a story that right-sizes expectations from the get-go. Craft content that unapologetically positions you smack dab in the middle of the services, goals, products and missions that you do well.

And let the other guy worry about tending to the rest.

This special guest column was written by Craig Joseph, creative director for In the Round Design Group. In the Round is a strategic communications firm, who will be joining the downtown Canton business landscape from their new offices on Market Ave. later this year. For more information, visit IntheRound.com.

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COLOR DOWNTOWN seeks volunteers: help beautify downtown Canton!

On Saturday, June 2, the ninth annual COLOR DOWNTOWN project will take place in downtown Canton. This annual planting of colorful flowers in the downtown flowerbeds continues to be an important beautification element in the downtown area. Once again, volunteers from church groups, area businesses, youth groups and downtown property owners are needed to help with the planting.

All volunteers should meet at 8 a.m. at the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, located at 222 Market Ave. N in downtown Canton. The Downtown Canton Special Improvement District will provide the funds to buy the flowers and other planting materials for this year’s project.

To volunteer for this project, or for more information, please contact Annette Rosenberger at Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce at (330) 456-0468, or email annette@cantonchamber.org.

Showcase your products at the 2012 Canton Farmers’ Market

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he 2012 Canton Farmers’ Market is looking for new vendors! Locally grown and produced items are needed to fill out the offerings of the market. Favorite vendors will return and help create an incredible assortment of foods, fresh-cut flowers, baked goods and plants. This year’s market will be hosted every Saturday morning, from Jun. 23 through Oct. 20, in downtown Canton.

Vendor applications are available now! Please visit www.CantonFarmersMarket.com to download yours.

Vendor spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and a fee discount is available to early applicants who apply by Apr. 1.

Volunteers needed!

The market is also seeking volunteers to help with a variety of activities. Please contact market manager Krista Shuff Schumacher at kristas@cantonchamber.org or (330) 458-2091 with vendor or volunteer inquiries.

Ready, Set, Grow!

It’s time to get those seeds planted! The Downtown Canton Summit Neighborhood Community Garden is ready to roll with more spaces available than ever before.

For a fee of just $10, gardeners will have access to an 8’x 9’ garden plot, tools, water and assistance in getting started.

Contact Krista Shuff Schumacher at kristas@cantonchamber.org to begin your very own downtown Canton garden!

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Want to advertise here?

Contact Denise Burton at (330) 458-2067.

Cost is $75 per issue.

March

1 First Friday Family Movie Canton Palace Theatre www. cantonpalace.org

1 through 31 Thrift Shop Masterpieces: A Unique Collaboration Between Artists – Living and Dead Anderson Creative www.andersoncreativestudio.com

1 through May 21 Exhibit: Gary Harwood: Life Behind the Lens Joseph Saxton Gallery of Photography www.josephsaxton.com

1 through May 4 Exhibit: Rising to the Occasion National First Ladies’ Library www.firstladies.org

2 First Friday – Music Madness Downtown Canton www.cantonfirstfriday.com

2 First Friday Family Movie Canton Palace Theatre www.cantonpalacetheatre.org

3 Scared Scriptless Improv Comedy 2nd April Galerie & Studios www.secondapril.org

9 Open House 2nd April Galerie & Studios www.secondapril.org 10 Girl Scout Birthday Celebration/ Book Signing National First Ladies’ Library www.firstladies.org 14 SymphonyLand Brass Trio Canton Symphony www.cantonsymphony.org 22 Aultman Primetime Series Canton Symphony www.cantonsymphony.org 23 Casual Friday Concert Canton Symphony www.cantonsymphony.org

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Ludwig & Wolfgang Kathleen Howland Theatre www.secondapril.org April 15 Stark County High School Art Exhibition Canton Museum of Art www.cantonart.org Museum Auxiliary Luncheon & Program-The Murder of George Saxton McKinley Presidential Library & Museum www.mckinleymuseum.org Ludwig & Wolfgang Kathleen Howland Theatre www.secondapril.org Masterworks Concert: A Romantic’s Dream Canton Symphony www.cantonsymphony.org The Near East Players Guild Theatre www.playersguildtheatre.com

April 1 through May 21

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Exhibit: Gary Harwood: Life Behind the Lens Joseph Saxton Gallery of Photography www.josephsaxton.com The Near East Players Guild Theatre www.playersguildtheatre.com

Stirring the Fire – A Photographic Exhibit for Global Gender Equality Anderson Creative www.andersoncreativestudio.com Exhibit : Stark County High School Art Exhibition Canton Museum of Art www.cantonart.org through May 4 Exhibit: Rising to the Occasion National First Ladies’ Library www.firstladies.org

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First Friday – Sew Artistic Downtown Canton www.cantonfirstfriday.com First Friday Family Movie Canton Palace Theatre www.cantonpalacetheatre.org Scared Scriptless Improv Comedy 2nd April Galerie & Studios www.secondapril.org Aultman Primetime Series Canton Symphony www.cantonsymphony.org I Thee Wed–100 Years of Bridal Fashion McKinley Museum www.mckinleymuseum.org Kinder Concert Canton Symphony www.cantonsymphony.org Event Affair: Dolley Madison National First Ladies’ Library www.firstladies.org Boing Kathleen Howland Theatre www.secondapril.org through May 6 - Driving Miss Daisy Players Guild Theatre www.playersguildtheatre.com About Showcase Concert Canton Symphony www.cantonsymphony.org The Canton National Art Show Canton Museum of Art www.cantonart.org Boing Kathleen Howland Theatre www.secondapril.org Masterworks Concert: Sound the Trumpets Canton Symphony www.cantonsymphony.org Canton Youth Symphony Concert Canton Symphony www.cantonsymphony.org

More event information at www.DowntownCanton.com