Quiche – Spinach Florentine, Ham & Cheese and The Works

Soup – Curried Butternut Squash and Vegetable Beef

October 28, 2009

Attending: Ellen Simms, Jim Doig, Jim Nixon, Anne Furr, Tim Calhoon, Margaret Stephens, Julie Townsend, Jeff? Lori Powell, Eric Belvin, Kay Morgan

Ellen Sims called the meeting to order at 7:30.

We currently have 142 DLP members.

Treasurer’s Report: Ellen went over the report; we took in about $9,093 from the DLP Auction.

LEDC wants to barrow the Lakeland film that was put together by Michael Maguire that was show at the DDLP luncheon.

Julie Townsend: Passed out member contacts. Are we meeting member needs? Each board member needs to help with First Fridays.

Newsletter is being printed and will be passed out next week.

Goodie Bags: left over bags have been given to: Sara McKay, Betty Raymond of H.S. reunion and Jackie Johnson –Chamber Tourism for Travel Writers.

Ellen introduced our guests:

Guests: Rick Lilyquist, Gordon Harper and Jeff Wood. City of Lakeland. Explained up-coming plan for commercial recycling. Requests are growing for #1 commercial fiber, ie: office paper and magazines, and #’s 1 and 2 glass, cans and plastic. The city would provide 2 90gal locked bins with pick up once a week. Pilot program will start in January 2010. No cost to businesses to start, looking to rolling into commercial garbage fee. There will be educational meetings. This will not replace the cardboard bins. Communication will be very important.

Motion to accept made by Tim Calhoon, 2nd by Jim Nixon

Questions? Eric Belvin, will there be enough bin space? Who benefits from sales of commodities? The city gets $35 a ton – small pay back. Recycling not a money maker.

Vote, 1 opposed, motion to support pilot program accepted

Minutes for Sept Jim Nixon made motion, Eric Belvin seconded minutes approved.

Julie Townsend Board Orientation, bring binders to all meetings. Committee assignments

Luncheons – Lori Powell, Downtown at Dusk – Randy Anderson, Bruz Cruz – Eric Belvin, Programs – Frank McCaulley, Membership – Tim Calhoon, Walk-About, Holiday Fest – Jim Nixon, Volunteers and Interns- Sandy Serletic , First Friday – Jim Doig, Sponsorship – open

Dan Stetson, VP – will nudge chairs to do jobs

Auction 2010, depends on the success of the Bruz Cruz

Walk-About, we will need more trash cans.

Develop Block Captains; start a phone tree to relay urgent/important messages quickly, can membership help with this?

Feb 1, 2010 Dance event?

Oct 2010 Wine fest?

LDDA – Anne Furr Update on eminent domain litigation, they have fired their attorney again causing a 30 day delay

Thanks for the support of the poinsettia sales. They may be picked up in the BB&T parking lot Nov30, 2009. They are also being sold at the Farmers Market. Sales of the poinsettias will go to pay for the live music.

Dr.Sissiorhands in Oct 31st at 9:30 in Munn Park, pumpkins will be auctioned off with the proceeds going to VISTE.

Next LDDA meeting is Nov 5th 8am City Comm. conference room, 3rd wing #1. Branding will be discussed with Karen Kovak of Lakeland

Ex Director new items are needed for the “Goodie Bags” we try to stuff 1,000 at a time

New Business Abby Starky – Am Red Cross 5th annual ride for the Red. 900 Bikers – ride all day- looking for food and drink about 5:30. Not enough time – sponsorships hard to get. Will investigate and consider for next year.

Meeting adjourned at 9:30

Respectfully Submitted,

Kay Morgan, Secretary

November 4, 2009

Ellen Simms called the meeting to order at 8:03am

Introduction of Board members : Frank McCaulley-  Programs, Tim Calhoun- Membership, Jim Doig-1^st Friday, Sandy Serletic- Volunteers, Randy Anderson- Downtown at  Dusk, Lori Powell- Luncheons, Eric Belvin- Brewz Crewz, Jim Nixon- Holiday Walk About and Holiday Fest

We had and exciting past year, support has continued even in a tough economy, (new newsletter format, and e-blast)

Treasurers Report: we have $28,438.06

Membership:  143 members, membership is not limited to downtown merchants

LDDA:  Anne Furr –   board meetings 8am 1^st and 3^rd Thursdays

Grand Strategy – 3^rd Wing ranked #1 will be presenting plan to promote the new Brand to board

Dr. Scissorhands:  7 Dr’s – 13 pumpkins – Steve DeBats auctioneer- fun for all

Farmers Market open Wed 11am – 4pm and Sat 8am – 2pm

Way Finding, fabricate and installing parking, welcome, and directory signs

Deb Henson, Asst Chief of Police:  staff changes are coming, many officers retiring, she has been on force 34 years. Lock your doors, can no longer follow up on vehicle burglaries, not enough staff

Executive Director’s Report – Julie Townsend:

DLP Web Site is user friendly, call if you have any comments or suggestions.

Parking: we have had some customer complaints, know what to tell them. Free parking 2hr time limit, meters, .50 per hour, free after 5pm and on weekends. There are 22 free spaces in the Bay St Lot. Go to lakelandgov.net for parking information.

Check the DLP web site for up-coming events

First Friday in the Park – DLP members who do not have a storefront

Operation Drop Zone – General Store and Fast Frame are drop- off stations for items for our service personnel

Food Drive – Nov. 6^th drop off at Traders Alley; Dec 1^st -4^th drops off in “Mitchells “lot

Brewz Crewz – Feb 20, 2010 we are hoping this will replace our auction, we will be needing volunteers, more info to come

Store Hours after Thanksgiving? Open Sunday’s? Discussion at Nov 18^th marketing meeting

Polk Theater: Dale (?) Nov 8^th – kid’s art for education program, Junie B Jones, live performance

Nov 19^th – Bacon Brothers in concert, Dec 2^nd – American Idol past performers

Establishing relationship with college students, underground Polk, thru nights, movies, battle of the bands

Historic Lakeland:  Jean Bunch, 30^th anniversary Nov 12^th at FSC, Melvin Gallery opens at 5pm, refreshments at 5:30, meeting at 6:00, and architect of renovations at 7:00. Admission is free – learn about Frank Lloyd Wright Architecture

Tri-County:  Belk having a fundraiser

Meeting Adjourned at 9:12am

Respectfully Submitted,

Kay Morgan

Gems & Jewels is an opportunity to buy jewelry, scarves, bags, and fashion accessories. This year’s artists are Mary Bassham, Leslie Belcher, Autumn Defrank, Zenia Lis, Vicky Luffman, Punam Saxena, and Anisa Stewart.

Mary Bassham uses freshwater pearls and gemstones to create handmade silver and gold necklaces, bracelets, rings, and earrings. She uses lost wax casting to create wearable art.

Leslie Belcher uses glass to make contemporary jewelry designs. She draws inspiration from nature and uses gemstones, pearls, copper, sterling silver, and other fine material to enhance the jewelry.

Autumn DeFrank is a custom jeweler from Bradenton, Florida, who gets her inspiration from the sea. The pieces are unique in their designs, and often depict fish, mermaids, alligators, cranes, and other Florida creatures.

Zenia Lis has been making jewelry for nearly ten years and creates unique silver pieces accented with handpicked gemstones. She has showcased her artwork throughout Ohio and Michigan.

Vicky Luffman is a silk painter who creates beautiful handpainted silk scarves and wall hangings.

Anisa Stewart jewelry is crafted from hand carved wax and cast into 14K gold and tarnish free silver. Each piece is set with precious and semi-precious stones.

Punam Saxena specializes in hand-made jewelry, handbags, and fashion accessories.

Gems & Jewels Artist Market will be held on November 19, 10am – 4pm, and admission is free. Polk Museum of Art’s annual Holiday Luncheon is also held on that day, but visitors do not have to purchase a ticket for the luncheon in order to shop at Gems & Jewels. Reservations are required for the Holiday Luncheon and may be acquired by calling 863-688-7743 x240.

Quiche – Spinach Florentine and Ham & Cheese

Soup – Vegetable Beef

Quiche – Spinach Florentine and Ham & Cheese

Soup – Minestrone

Quiche – Spinach Florentine and Ham & Cheese

Soup – Chicken Vegetable

Dear Music/Chorus/Band/Theatre Types:

Some of you may already be familiar with the holiday events taking place each year in Downtown Lakeland.  There are 3 events in December that are sponsored by the Downtown Lakeland Partnership:  First Friday, Holiday Walkabout and HolidayFest.  For all of these events, we are hoping to showcase some of our finest musical talent in the county. 

We would like to invite your school/church/organization to participate with a musical group, singing, or both. If you have interest in having your group perform at any or all of these events, please contact me via email at your earliest convenience.

HERE ARE THE DETAILS: 

Holiday Walkabout – TUESDAY, December 1, 2009 6pm – 9pm

Streets in Downtown Lakeland are closed.  Entertainment is located in the streets and on the sidewalks throughout Downtown. Carriage rides, Pictures with Santa, Stores & Restaurants open late. CHANGE: LRMC’s Lights for Life program is no longer a part of Holiday Walkabout. 

First Friday – December 4, 2009 6pm -9pm

Streets are not closed and entertainment is sprinkled up and down the sidewalks of Downtown Lakeland to provide entertainment and atmosphere for holiday shoppers. Kiddie Train Rides, Pictures with Santa, Stores & Restaurants open late.

Holiday Fest – FRIDAY, December 11, 2009 6pm – 9pm

Streets are closed and entertainment is sprinkled up and down the sidewalks of  Downtown Lakeland to provided entertainment and atmosphere for holiday shoppers. Kiddie Train Rides, Pictures with Santa, Stores & Restaurants open late. Local Artists display their work.

Groups are not expected to play for 3 hours and musical pieces can be repeated.

WHAT I NEED FROM YOU:

1. Date you’d like to participate

2. Lengths of performance. (20 minutes, 30 minutes, etc)

3. Do you want to repeat the performance after a break?

4. How many in your group.

5. Time you’d like to perform – 1st choice and second choice.

6. Do you need electricity?

7. If you participated in the past, let me know.

8. Name and contact onfo for your group.

As always we can not provide chairs, stands, lighting, etc. The only thing we have to offer is electricity and an audience. 

Thanks,

Julie Townsend

Executive Director, Downtown Lakeland Partnership

863-513-3669 • info@downtownlakelandfl.com