http://www.riversideinfo.org/forum/ Discussion Forum for Riverside Illinois en Fri, 10 Feb 2012 06:13:19 +0000 http://www.riversideinfo.org/forum/topic/cbd-what-businesses-do-we-needwant/page/7#post-12464 Thu, 25 Mar 2010 16:04:03 +0000 rwhite 12464@http://www.riversideinfo.org/forum/ <p>I know that this is an older thread, but I have a dream that keeps popping into my head that seemed to fit with this thread best. I think that Riverside would be an *amazing* location for a little independent art-house theatre (2-3 screens).</p> <p>I've personally always thought that the LaGrange theatre is totally missing out by not becoming an art-house theatre rather than the second-run theatre they are, as they are the perfect size and location for such a venue. In two other places I've lived, I was in a smaller neighborhood near a larger metropolitan city, and both locations were famous for having art-house cinemas, which were big draws from the surrounding areas as well as the from the city. These cinemas were the anchor for the many other businesses (restaurants, galleries, cafes, etc.) that flourished in these small(ish), quaint business districts.</p> <p>These art house cinemas, of course, screened indie and art house films that were often difficult to find anywhere else (though not totally obscure films -- I saw Juno, Little Miss Sunshine, and many other very famous indie "crossover" films at one of these cinemas, for example). One of these theatres used to screen classic films a couple of weekends a month as well, films that many people otherwise wouldn't ever get to see on the big screen. One of these theatres often had programming for kids/families during the day, sometimes screening old (and new!) animated classics that would bring adults out too (I went to see a screening of Bambi with friends once, as well as seeing a few of the Miyazaki animated films, for example.). </p> <p>Here are links to the cinemas I used to frequent in my old 'hoods... gosh, do I miss these theatres...</p> <p><a href="http://www.drexel.net/" rel="nofollow">http://www.drexel.net/</a><br /> <a href="http://www.princesscinemas.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.princesscinemas.com/</a></p> <p>Of course, I have no idea *where* something like this would fit in the CBD, but from my experience, I think it would be a huge draw. Currently, people generally have to go into the city to the Music Box, Facets, the Siskel film center, etc., to see anything but the big blockbusters. </p> http://www.riversideinfo.org/forum/topic/olmsted-for-olmstedians#post-11718 Tue, 22 Dec 2009 18:45:57 +0000 chrisrobling 11718@http://www.riversideinfo.org/forum/ <p><strong>URGENT -- Please Notify Your New York State Friends</strong></p> <p>The Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, which does a spectacular job providing hands-on management of FLO's stellar Buffalo legacy, is in some sort of crazy Buffalonian political spat that threatens its very existence. </p> <p>Please take a look at this YouTube piece:</p> <p><a href="http://mlist.orchidsuites.net/lists/lt.php?id=NkoGBgVXVgZSAR4ADlxWSgcFA19bCg%3D%3D" rel="nofollow">http://mlist.orchidsuites.net/lists/lt.php?id=NkoGBgVXVgZSAR4ADlxWSgcFA19bCg%3D%3D</a></p> <p>Next, if you have any friends in New York State who think as we do, please ask them to sign the petition linked below and send it along to their friends as well: </p> <p><a href="http://mlist.orchidsuites.net/lists/lt.php?id=NkoGBgVXVgZSAx4ADlxWSgcFA19bCg%3D%3D" rel="nofollow">http://mlist.orchidsuites.net/lists/lt.php?id=NkoGBgVXVgZSAx4ADlxWSgcFA19bCg%3D%3D</a></p> <p>With a threat like this, we have to go viral. </p> <p>Thanks, best, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. </p> http://www.riversideinfo.org/forum/topic/olmsted-for-olmstedians#post-11670 Mon, 07 Dec 2009 17:19:30 +0000 chrisrobling 11670@http://www.riversideinfo.org/forum/ <p><strong>Monday, 7 December news from NAOP:</strong></p> <p>Dear Friends of Olmsted Parks,</p> <p>My name is Rebecca Messner. I am currently producing a documentary on the life of Frederick Law Olmsted and the influence he had on shaping this nation---a story I'm sure you're all familiar with. </p> <p>The film is still in its infancy, but I encourage you to read about its progress on our website, <a href="http://www.theolmstedlegacy.com." rel="nofollow">www.theolmstedlegacy.com.</a> We are currently putting the finishing touches on a trailer that I am hoping to post to this website soon. We have been fortunate enough to have interviewed the country's premiere experts on Olmsted and his parks, including Charles Beveridge, Arleyn Levee, Betsy Shure-Gross and others.</p> <p>In the film, we would like to include a montage of current day images of Olmsted parks throughout the country, to share the idea that Olmsted's influence is still relevant today, and can be felt in all corners of our country. Does your organization have any high resolution images of your parks that you'd be willing to donate for this purpose? We of course would provide credit for any images we end up using in the film, and will adhere to any photo distribution processes you may have.</p> <p>Also, if your organization has any access to contemporary, HD-quality film footage of your parks, we may be interested in this as well.</p> <p>Please don't hesitate to contact me (rebecca@theolmstedlegacy.com) should you have any questions about the project or how your organization can be involved. I can be reached by calling 212 838 6055 ext. 222, or on my cell phone, 917 885 2131.</p> <p>Thank you very much for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you.</p> <p>Rebecca</p> <p>--<br /> Rebecca Messner<br /> The Olmsted Legacy<br /> <a href="mailto:rebecca@theolmstedlegacy.com">rebecca@theolmstedlegacy.com</a><br /> 212 838 6055 x 222<br /> c. 917 885 2131 </p> http://www.riversideinfo.org/forum/topic/olmsted-for-olmstedians#post-11422 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:36:18 +0000 PAR4 11422@http://www.riversideinfo.org/forum/ <p>I believe they said a 'Little Leaf Linden'. </p> <p>Unfortunately, Lindens are a delicacy in the gypsy moth world. </p> http://www.riversideinfo.org/forum/topic/olmsted-for-olmstedians#post-11421 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:43:39 +0000 ChrisHajer 11421@http://www.riversideinfo.org/forum/ <p>What type of tree is that? </p> http://www.riversideinfo.org/forum/topic/olmsted-for-olmstedians#post-11411 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:35:45 +0000 hgallagher 11411@http://www.riversideinfo.org/forum/ <p>Olmsted, Obama, and trees at the White House<br /> <a href="http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2009/11/obama_plants_tree_at_white_hou.html" rel="nofollow">http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2009/11/obama_plants_tree_at_white_hou.html</a> </p> http://www.riversideinfo.org/forum/topic/olmsted-for-olmstedians#post-11314 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:59:25 +0000 chrisrobling 11314@http://www.riversideinfo.org/forum/ <p>Hey everyone -- Cultural Landscape Foundation presents...</p> <p>November 13, 2009 Symposium<br /> Chicago Architecture Foundation<br /> Chicago, IL<br /> Chicago will host the final 2009 installment in a series of national symposia placing a critical spotlight on landscape architects of the 20th century and their vast range of works. The Chicago symposium will broaden the focus to incorporate much of the mid-western United States. Speakers will explore the lives and built legacies of the designers such as Dan Kiley, Alfred L. Boerner &#38; Marshall Johnson.<br /> Speakers from landscape practice and academia will provide insight for designed landscapes within the context of remarkable urban growth during the 20th C, and how that growth was reflected through residential and civic landscape design in mid-western cities and suburbs alike.<br /> <strong>Go here for more:</strong></p> <p><a href="http://72.27.230.88/sites/default/files/microsites/pioneers/chicago/index.html" rel="nofollow">http://72.27.230.88/sites/default/files/microsites/pioneers/chicago/index.html</a> </p> http://www.riversideinfo.org/forum/topic/cbd-what-businesses-do-we-needwant/page/7#post-10888 Tue, 29 Sep 2009 08:29:53 +0000 Kelly 10888@http://www.riversideinfo.org/forum/ <p>Chris,</p> <p>I agree with your analysis of the problem to a point and I agree that creating a comprehensive plan is paramount. Prior board members as well as our more senior members of the current board have tried to focus on planning to no avail. Creating a comprehensive plan requires a group of seasoned consensus builders and in that regard, the RCA board holds little hope.</p> <p>I know you don't want to weigh in the parking lot issue. I submit that we need to preserve the space to integrate it into a comprehensive plan for downtown. The best way to do that, at least for the short term, is to use the space for parking until that plan can be made. </p> <p>Rwhite,</p> <p>Welcome! We moved here for many of the same reasons. We have so many talented artisans in town who run businesses out of their homes. There is a group of women with a knitting club, we have potters, gardeners, chefs, bakers, furniture painters, chocolateers, purse designers... the list go on and on. I have always wanted to create a co-op space for them, and to incorporate a cooking school, a restaurant or coffee shop. The Art Center tried an artists co-op but it didn't take, possibly because of their location or the fact they didn't offer food or a place to hang out. If you have kids, the Art Center's classes are AWESOME. I've never tried the adult classes, but I hear they are good too. </p> http://www.riversideinfo.org/forum/topic/cbd-what-businesses-do-we-needwant/page/7#post-10887 Tue, 29 Sep 2009 07:40:30 +0000 ChrisHajer 10887@http://www.riversideinfo.org/forum/ <p>rwhite, you will find those same sort of pottery classes at our Riverside Arts Center. Here's the adult schedule. </p> <p><a href="http://www.riversideartscenter.com/images/pdf/adult.pdf" rel="nofollow">http://www.riversideartscenter.com/images/pdf/adult.pdf</a> </p> http://www.riversideinfo.org/forum/topic/cbd-what-businesses-do-we-needwant/page/7#post-10886 Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:26:20 +0000 rwhite 10886@http://www.riversideinfo.org/forum/ <p>Thanks for the kind welcome! With regards to how arts-related businesses can afford to pay the rent, in my old neighborhood on which I am drawing for inspiration, while there were many proper galleries that eventually moved in, many of the original businesses were those that combined gallery space with other products/services. Examples include, 1) a world art / beading store that offered classes in beadwork and jewelry-making for all ages, while also having a really cool gallery space, 2) a coffee shop that had gallery space in which art by local artists for sale was rotated on a monthly basis, 3) a nice pottery gallery that also offered specialized paint-your-own pottery events and classes (including ones designed for nights out with girlfriends, which I loved attending!)... I'd say that at least 80% of the businesses in my neighborhood incorporated some sort of art gallery space, which helped to encourage a cohesive "arts district" identity for the neighborhood and attract other businesses. As others have said, there is certainly a great framework for building such an identity with the Freeark, Riverside Arts, and Higgins on Quincy.</p> <p>How cool would a "lamplighter Larry" pub be? If only I had some cash to back such an idea!</p> <p>I'm thrilled to hear that the Arcade Building may have some murals soon! </p>