Sept/Oct Downtown Developments Newsletter 2010

A rich VINTAGE ripens again this year in downtown Canton SOPHISTICATED EVENING WINE FESTIVAL HAPPENING DOWNTOWN ON SEPT. 16

2010 Downtown Event Schedule Downtown Canton’s streetscape comes alive with fun festivals!

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he Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Vintage Canton event on Thursday, Sept. 16, from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m.

along Central Plaza North in downtown Canton. Vintage Canton is a sophisticated downtown gathering, offering distinctive center city charm alongside live music, vibrant art

First Friday of every month

Saturdays, through Oct. 16

exhibits and, of course, quality local wine and wine from around the world!

The event gives guests the chance to relax and unwind while enjoying wine from local wineries, delicacies from downtown and greater Canton eateries and memorable live music. This year Vintage Canton will be expanding its already vast selection of wine and offering 20 quality micro-brews in the KeyBank Beer Garden! (continued on page 7)

Thursday, September 16 Mark your calendar and plan to atte n d !

GUEST COLUMN SPECIAL FEATURES • Vintage Canton • First Friday Tidbits • City Hall’s 50th Anniversary • Buzzbin Art & Music Shop • Canton Farmers’ Market • Downtown Mexican Re sta u ra n t • St rolling Around Town • Vintage Canton Chairmen WHATWHEREWHEN

First Friday ‘Tidbits’ All the world’s a stage at the Sept. 3 Drama-Rama First Friday! The stage is set for another great evening downtown in celebration of arts, entertainment and incredible dining. Actors will amuse you with their antics on and off the stage! Enjoy the sights and sounds and some fantastically funny comedy thrown in for good measure!

On Oct. 1 look abroad and set your sails with the Passport to the World First Friday. Celebrate a sampling of lands afar, dance to the beat of a different drum and see some local culture.

Celebrate diversity – this festival of many nations arrives downtown for one night only. Don’t miss this downtown trip around the (continued on page 2) world!

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

by Michael P. Gill, director, Canton Development Partnership

Partnership Report Mike King, owner of Studio 5 in the heart of the Arts District, continues to put some finishing touches on Fourth Street NW between Dewalt Ave. and Cleveland Ave. He is also working in collabo222 Market Ave. N. Canton, OH 44702 (330) 456-0468 fax (330) 452-7786 cdp@cantonchamber.org

ration with the Downtown Canton Special Improvement District and has purchased 10 concrete tubes that are being repurposed as colorful flower planters. The planters have been painted to

www.DowntownCanton.com

Dennis P. Saunier President & CEO Michael P. Gill Director Kelly Blandford Bah Project Manager Annette Rosenberger Administrative Assistant Denise Burton Membership Director Jessica Bennett Editor David Zingery Marketing Director Sarah Bhatia Graphic Designer

The Canton Development Part n e rship is a coalition of area development organizations and city g ove rn m en t that share an interest in downtown C a n ton’s continual imp rovement, revitalization, image, and quality of life for its citizens.

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

look like our Arts District signs and are filled with flowers. The project was completed just in time for First Friday.

New Mural A new mural will be unveiled on the north side of King’s building at 339 Cleveland Ave. The mural, titled “Street Strollers,” was coordinated by artist Michele Waalkes and funded by ArtsInStark and the Canton Development Partnership. A big thank you goes out to Mike for his ideas on ways to bring art and beauty to our Arts District landscape.

Parade of Homes Comes to Canton Congratulations to the City of Canton for being selected to host the 2010 Parade of Homes by the Building Industry Association of Stark County. This year’s Parade of Homes featured affordable resort-style living in the city at one of Ohio’s top rated golf courses, the Quarry Golf Club.

Downtown Beautification Our downtown continues to look wonderful and inviting to visitors – one element that contributes to this aesthetic is trimmed trees. While I realize that tree trimming may not make the top of your list of ways to improve our center city, it is necessary for the long-term beauty of our urban setting. The City of Canton and the Canton Development Partnership have partnered to fund tree trimming downtown. I believe that this maintenance we perform now will pay big dividends in our future aesthetics.

Finally, furniture artist John Strauss will be utilizing a downtown building for storing and showing some of his creative furniture pieces.

We welcome John to our downtown!

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.

Tidbits ...

First Friday 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 First Friday information, visit www.DowntownCanton.com and click on the First Friday logo.

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2010 marks the 50th anniversary for Canton’s City Hall!

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n First Fr iday in October, the Canton community will cele-

brate a milestone in the downtown skyline.

Canton City Hall will celebrate its 50th birthday, complete with a community birthday party in the courtyard.

Canton City Hall was built in 1960 by architects Kelly and Gruzen from New York City during Mayor Charles Babcock’s term. Today, it houses the Mayor’s office, city services, public safety, development, communications and the compliance departments.

“This building is not only a key part of our skyline, but also a key part of our community,” said Mayor William J. Healy II. This is a time to reflect on our past and look forward to our bright future.”

During the celebration, the capstone time capsule that was encased in the building at its dedication will be excavated and opened for the public to explore.

“The time capsule contains various period artifacts from 1960, including publications from that year.

We’re looking forward to seeing what’s inside!” said Derek Gordon, management assistant for the City of Canton.

The celebration is free and open to the community.

Come by for delicious cake from downtown’s Sheri’s Sweets, live music performed by the McKinley Marching Band and don’t leave before you sign the anniversary card that will be sealed back inside the time capsule! The city has invited friends and family who were involved with the original construction to join them for the occasion.

The celebration begins at 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 1 at Canton City Hall, located at 218 Cleveland Ave. SW.

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Finding th e “ New No rm a l ” in Canto n

By Robert King

During my high school days in the late 70s and early 80s, when the steel industry was in major decline and downtown Canton was at its worst, we certainly had a major job on our hands to revitalize Canton and find a new direction for the city.

Many of my fellow citizens were living in the past and longed for ‘the way it was.’

Few understood the necessity to find a new normal for downtown Canton. Change is hard for people in the Midwest, but change is what came to our hometown. Many good, solid people have invested in Canton. They saw the future in a different light.

Through my company, CPSStatements.com, we purchased our first building downtown 17 years ago. We saw it as a good investment and a good way to actively grow and improve our city. That good investment came with responsibility, and I’m proud to say that we work to invest everyday in Canton’s future.

CPS has grown to service companies in 29 states, and our little hometown organization has grown to employ 21 Canton residents.

We work to support our center city in so many ways because we know that downtown Canton’s success lies in community investment and community involvement.

My partner and I have now purchased and renovated our second downtown property – the Canton Daily News Building. We are investing again in the momentum of downtown Canton. We don’t see Canton’s past; we see its future.

Downtown Canton is a gem, and there are new and exciting things happening for everyone. For those of you that are still holding on to the past, I urge you to come downtown and try the new normal!

Robert King is the vice president of CPSStatements.com.

Art & Music Shop opens in Canton Arts District Funky tees from District Clothing Co., regional art from artists that the magazine has featured, records from the Vinyl Underground and a selection of comics, manga and pop culture books will line the walls at the 339 Cleveland Ave. brick-and-mortar.

“We took everything the mag is about, and put it into a store format,” said Buzzbin editor-in-chief and store founder Mike Nasvadi. The store will also serve as HQ for the magazine’s sales office.

Buzzbin Magazine, Akron-Canton’s alternative press, is bringing a brand new retail concept to downtown Canton. The magazine that was born out of a desire to promote Northeast Ohio music and art will bring Buzzbin Art & Music Shop to the Canton Arts District!

Canton Farmers’ Market

Fall Bounty The Farmers’ Market is spread over three seasons, and fall brings some incredible color to the culinary palette. Each Saturday, there is a cornucopia of produce including pumpkins, gourds, apples and cooler fall crops.

Incredible local selections like artisan breads, organic cheeses, baked goods and much more are available from 8 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday mornings through October 16.

The market is located at Cleveland Ave. NW between Fourth & Fifth Sts. NW. Visit www.CantonFarmersMarket.com for more information and come out before the Market closes for the season!

The Art & Music Shop grand opening is happening First Friday, Sept. 3, with a celebration including acoustic, old school punk rock from Jef Leppard.

The opening event is sponsored by Monster Energy Drink.

The Art & Music Shop will be open weekly Tuesday through Saturday from 12 to 6 p.m. and for special events. Visit www.BuzzbinMagazine.com for more details about the store and the magazine. Be sure to pick up your FREE copy of Buzzbin the first Wednesday of every month for the best in local entertainment and art!

Downtown Canton getting some much-needed spice and sizzle!

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iguel Castro is spicing up the downtown Canton sky-

line with the grand opening of La Parrilla Mexican Restaurante in September!

“La Parrilla” (Spanish for “grilled”) will serve up a wide variety of Mexican dishes. Dine on the sizzling fajitas, chimichangas and burritos while you enjoy a picturesque view of the bustling center city from the grand windows of the downtown restaurant.

Located at 111 Cleveland Ave. SW in the City Center Building, Castro is offering all of your traditional Mexican favorites for lunch and dinner.

“The city is doing a lot of good things to change the atmosphere of ‘old’ downtown. I like how downtown is being transformed. They’re bringing people back downtown and we want to help,” said Castro of why he chose downtown Canton as the place to open his first restaurant.

When he’s not busy greeting his guests, Castro will be busy heating things up in the kitchen as head chef. His wife and his sons are pitching in to help run things, too, so you’re sure to be treated to delightful family hospitality during your visit.

The restaurant is conveniently located in the heart of downtown, within walking distance of the central business district, courthouse and the Canton Arts District. They even offer free parking in the City Center Parking deck above the restaurant.

La Parrilla is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., with special late hours on Fridays, Saturdays and special events.

“Come over and relax with a margarita – they are the best in town! Sit back with friends or family and enjoy the beautiful views of our city from your seat in the dining room,” said Castro.

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Strolling around town!

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here is a new mural in town! The latest mural entitled “Street Strolling� was designed by Rayvin Lindsey and Sharon Dulabaum, both art teachers at the Arts Academy at Summit, to celebrate landmarks in the Downtown Canton Area.

The mural features the perspective of a group of children strolling down Market Avenue exploring the sites. The inclusion of children in the design is particularly appropriate since Lindsey and Dulabaum worked closely with select 7th and 8th grade art students from the Arts Academy at Summit. The students and art teachers worked hard during the summer to create the four-foot by 32-foot mural.

The mural, coordinated by Michele Waalkes, was sponsored by ArtsinStark and Canton Development Partnership. It is located on the southwest corner of Fourth Street and Cleveland Ave. NW on an Arts District building recently renovated by King Properties.

King also provided in-kind support for the project.

The mural will be dedicated during the Sept. 3 First Friday festivities. Arts Academy at Summit band members will be participating in the Street Art Parade, which will begin at Court Ave. and 6th St. NW at 7:30 p.m. and end in front of the new mural at approximately 7:45 p.m. Artists who participated in the mural will be present throughout the evening to discuss the mural and its creation.

Students from the Arts Academy at Summit helped construct the new Street Strolling Mural.

Vintage Canton ...

This year’s Vintage Canton gathering will feature more than 60 of the finest quality wines from area wineries and abroad, including a debut by Gervasi Vineyards, Canton, Ohio, Breitenbach Wine Cellar, Dover Ohio; It’s Your Winery, Fairlawn, Ohio; and Vintagefavorites like Maize Valley Winery, Hartville, Ohio; Mastropietro Winery, Berlin Center, Ohio; Perennial Vineyards, Navarre, Ohio; Myrddin Winery, Berlin Center, Ohio; Troutman Vineyards, Wooster, Ohio; and Winery at Wolf Creek, Norton, Ohio. Distributors include Superior Beverage, Heidelberg Distributing and L.A. Dick Imports. Microbrew beers from Great Lakes Brewery, Thirsty Dog Brewery and select specialty beers from World Market will also be available in lieu of the eight wine samples included with event admission.

Guests will also be able to enjoy small tasting plates for a nominal charge from downtown restaurants and Stark County favorites, including 356 Fighter Group, Almost Heaven Ice Cream, Arcadia Grille, Bender’s Tavern, Brownstone Steakhouse, Iris Restaurant, Napoli’s Italian Eatery, Peter Shear’s Downtown, Samantha's Downtown

Restaurant, Sheri's Sweets & Cafe and Thorpe’s Market Avenue Grille. Attendees will enjoy the fine wines, fine foods and fine friends to the rhythm of live blues. Mostly Blues Band with Mike Lenz will perform from 4:30 to 7 p.m., when Jeff Poulos Blues Revue will take over and finish out the evening at 9:30 p.m.

Tickets for Vintage Canton are $25 if purchased prior to 5 p.m. on Sept. 15, and $35 after that time and at the door. Tickets can be purchased online, or at any of seven Fishers Foods locations. The ticket price includes eight wine tastings or microbrew samples, a variety of breads and cheeses, a collectible souvenir wine glass and a “Younique” Surprise from Gasser Jewelers.

with Fishers Foods, Schauer Group Insurance, Brookside Country Club, Special Improvement District, About Magazine, Mix 94.1 and WHBC 1480 and PPI Graphics..

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For tickets or details about Vintage Canton, visit www.VintageCanton.com, or contact Rosie Kurtz at rosiek@visitcantonstark.com or (330) 458-2085. Remember to purchase advance tickets to save $10 on the admission price!

Looking forward to the event, but not the wine?

Lower-priced, wine-free tickets are available for $10. The event is conveniently located in Central Plaza North, on Market Ave. between Tuscarawas St. and Third Ave. NE. The event will be held rain or shine.

This year’s generous event sponsors include KeyBank and Gasser Fine Jewelers, along

Baloun and Regula to serve as Vintage Canton event co-chairmen Longtime Vintage Canton committee volunteers David Baloun and David Regula will lead the Vintage Canton committee as co-chairmen this year. They succeed Dawn Campanelli, the 2009 chairman of the sophisticated downtown event.

David Baloun

Baloun is a vice president at Leonard Insurance Services and has been a resident of Stark County since 1988, moving to the area from Chicago. He is a 1975 graduate of Miami University and an active member of the community. Baloun is on the board of directors of Trillium Family Solutions and is a committee member for the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Business Excellence Awards. He is also involved in a variety of fundraising activities, including those for Trillium Family Solutions and The Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges Annual Fund Campaign. He has taught wine appreciation classes in the Continuing Education Department at Stark State College for 15 years and is a self-proclaimed “wine geek.”

Regula is the customer service manager at the Akron-Canton Airport. At CAK, he serves as the liaison to terminal employees, including airlines, parking lot attendants, food services and rental car agencies and he facilitates direct resolution and accountability of customer problems. He is a 1976 graduate of Mount Union, and holds a certificate of management from Kent State University. Regula is a graduate of Leadership Stark County and Leadership Government Academy, as well as the FBI Citizen’s Academy. He is serving his second term as an elected trustee for Bethlehem Township, is the current vice chairman of the Ohio Turnpike Commission, serves on the board of directors for the Ohio and Erie Canal Association and is a member and past president of the Navarre Kiwanis.

David Regula

Together with a talented, hardworking committee and Chamber staff, Baloun and Regula will see to the details for this “grape” evening downtown!

Want to advertise here? Contact Denise Burton, 330.458.2067.

Cost is $75 per issue.

Sept 3 - Oct 31 Ohio Watercolor Society Mark Chepp: Post Digital Figuration Fredlee Votaw: Restless Dreams Permanent Collection: Decidedly American Canton Art Museum www.cantonart.org

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SEPTEMBER

Dinner & a Movie The Canton Palace Theatre www.cantonpalacetheatre.org First Friday – Drama-Rama Canton Arts District www.cantonfirstfriday.com First Friday Family Movie The Canton Palace Theatre www.cantonpalacetheatre.org ON THE ROCKS: Re-Imagining the 50s with ASHLEY BARLOW Anderson Creative Studio www.andersoncreativestudio.com The Full Monty Players Guild Theatre www.playersguildtheatre.com Canton Farmers’ Market Cleveland Ave. & 4th St NW www.cantonfarmersmarket.com Open Mic Night Muggswigz Coffee & Tea Co. www.muggswigz.com Fine Wednesday Wine Joseph Saxton Gallery of Photography www.josephsaxton.com VOCI in concert with organist Hector Olivera Westbrook Park Methodist Church www.voicesofcanton.org Canton Farmers’ Market Cleveland Ave. & 4th St NW www.cantonfarmersmarket.com C.A.E.’s Adaptation of ‘THE WIZ’ Timken Sr. High School Auditorium

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Open Mic Night Muggswigz Coffee & Tea Co. www.muggswigz.com Volunteer Enrichment McKinley Presidential Library & Museum www.mckinleymuseum.org Canton Farmers’ Market Cleveland Ave. & 4th St NW www.cantonfarmersmarket.com Akron Big Band Orchestra Dance The Canton Club Event Center www.CantonClubEvents.com Tea with the Curator: “The Victorian Age” McKinley Presidential Library & Museum www.mckinleymuseum.org Open Mic Night Muggswigz Coffee & Tea Co. www.muggswigz.com Treasures of Stark County: A Behind-the-Scenes Adventure!

McKinley Presidential Library & Museum www.mckinleymuseum.org Canton Farmers’ Market Cleveland Ave. & 4th St NW www.cantonfarmersmarket.com Open Mic Night Muggswigz Coffee & Tea Co. www.muggswigz.com Free Documentary Film Joseph Saxton Gallery of Photography www.josephsaxton.com

OCTOBER

First Friday – Passport to the World Canton Arts District www.cantonfirstfriday.com First Friday Family Movie The Canton Palace Theatre www.cantonpalacetheatre.org UNCENSORED: National Juried Show Anderson Creative Studio www.andersoncreativestudio.com Canton Farmers’ Market Cleveland Ave. & 4th St NW www.cantonfarmersmarket.com

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Open Mic Night Muggswigz Coffee & Tea Co. www.muggswigz.com Dinner & a Movie The Canton Palace Theatre www.cantonpalacetheatre.org First Annual International Film Festival The Canton Palace Theatre www.cantonpalacetheatre.org Canton Farmers’ Market Cleveland Ave. & 4th St NW www.cantonfarmersmarket.com Open Mic Night Muggswigz Coffee & Tea Co. www.muggswigz.com Fine Wednesday Wine Joseph Saxton Gallery of Photography www.josephsaxton.com Angela Funovits Illusionist & Mentalist Players Guild Theatre www.playersguildtheatre.com Canton Farmers’ Market Cleveland Ave. & 4th St NW www.cantonfarmersmarket.com Open Mic Night Muggswigz Coffee & Tea Co. www.muggswigz.com Director’s Choice Canton Ballet Canton Palace Theatre www.cantonballet.com Open Mic Night Muggswigz Coffee & Tea Co. www.muggswigz.com Free Documentary Film Joseph Saxton Gallery of Photography www.josephsaxton.com Halloween Party McKinley Presidential Library & Museum www.mckinleymuseum.org Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre The Canton Club Event Center www.CantonClubEvents.com Rocky Horror Picture Show The Canton Palace Theatre www.cantonpalacetheatre.org

For more downtown event information log on to www.DowntownCanton.com