what to look forward to in 2011 ...

Mark your Calendars and watch for details for upcoming 2011 Downtown Events, including:

• Downtown Yard & Sidewalk Sale ... Saturday, May 28
• Market Square open Saturdays & Sundays ... until the end of October ... featuring local products and produce ...
• Downtown Information Centre ... now closed for the Season
• Downtown Rotary Blues For Food ... 21st Annual ... Sat., June 18th
• Blueberry Festival ... July
• 4th Annual Downtown Ribfest ... Labour Day Weekend!
• Parade Day ... Sat., Nov. 19th ... beginning with the Santa Watch Party (2pm-5:30pm) at Market Square Courtyard ... Santa Claus Parade @ 5:30 pm ... followed by a spectacular Fireworks Display ... visit www.sudburysantaclausparade.com

Santa parade set for Nov. 19

There won't be many differences at this year's Santa Claus Parade. And Maureen Luoma is OK with that.

"It's one of those if it ain't broken, don't fix it (moments). It's the Santa Claus Parade. It's going to have floats, music, marching bands. We've made it such a full day now that if we made it anything more, it would be too much," said Luoma, a parade organizer.

This year's parade will be held Nov. 19 and will start with a Santa Watch Party running from 2 to 5:30 p.m.

Laurentian ups ante in buying Market Square

Laurentian University has offered the city up to $3 million for Market Square, its preferred home for the school of architecture it hopes to open in 2013.

That offer represents the university's assessed value for the property of just under $1 million, plus up to $2 million as a contribution toward designing and building a new location for the market. That offer depends on the approval Laurentian's board of governors Oct. 13, president Dominic Giroux told councillors last night.

Read the full Sudbury Start article >

Downtown BIA calls for nominations for board directors

The Downtown Sudbury Business Improvement Area Association (BIA) is calling for nominations as it prepares to elect nine directors to the board of directors. Nomination forms must be submitted to the city clerk by 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 30, with voting on Feb. 3 and Feb. 8 at the downtown BIA office, located at 7 Cedar St., unit 102. ...
Read the full Sudbury Star article >

Master plan for downtown

...Ferrigan discussed the down-town master plan, which is cur-rently in the first of four phases.In this phase, Ferrigan and the city are gathering information and opinions about how to improve downtown Sudbury...
Read the full Sudbury Star article >

Blues for food

If you love attending the annual Downtown Rotary Blues for Food event in mid- June, you are in for a special treat with this year's 21st edition.

"We haven't had an out-of-town special guest for some time," said Maureen Luoma, Downtown Sudbury's executive director, at a press conference Monday.

Read the full Sudbury Star article and watch the video here

New school a reality

Matthew Dipsell wants to be an architect.

Thanks to an announcement Tuesday, Dipsell, a Grade 11 student at Lockerby Composite School, won't have to leave Northern Ontario to become one.

"Today's announcement makes me feel like my decision is closer," he said. "I'm looking forward to studying at a new school with a different style of architecture."

Read the full Sudbury Star article here

Laurentian Confident architecture school will be ok'd

Laurentian University president Dominic Giroux has gone from being cautiously optimistic to confident a school of architecture will be approved at his university soon.

Read the full Sudbury Star article here

Bell business excellence awards

Congratulations to Rob and Mini Gregorini from Respect is Burning Supperclub who won Entrepreneur of the Year!

Grand opening of new downtown business- born to shop boutique

Left to Right: Mayor Marianne Matichuk, Jeff MacIntyre (Chair of Downtown Sudbury BIA), Jason Sanders (Owner's Father), Natasha Sanders (Owner of Born to Shop), Lori Khoury (Owner's Mother), Sheila Bracken (Business Mentor & Owner of Fashion Fair )

Laugh out loud sudbury comedy festival to take place downtown

There will be no wandering back and forth across Greater Sudbury to take in this spring's Laugh Out Loud Sudbury Comedy Festival.

"We found a bit of a home," Tammy Frick, executive director of Cinefest, Laugh Out Loud Sudbury Comedy festival's parent body, said Monday, following a press conference.

Read the full Sudbury Star article here

Downtown Towers get the OK

Greater Sudbury's planning committee approved potentially the most important and certainly most prominent housing project in the city's history Tuesday night.

Read the full Sudbury Star article here

Downtown sudbury marketing partnerships

SUDBURY - The Downtown Partnership, consisting of the Downtown Village Development Corporation (DVDC) and Downtown Sudbury, would like to congratulate the Laurentian University School of Commerce and Administration students who participated in the 2nd Annual Greater Downtown Marketing Strategy.

Read the full story in Sudbury Life article here

Wacky Wings is coming to downtown sudbury

It's ironic that brothers Craig and Damon Burgess's entrepreneurial dreams hope to take flight on the wings of chickens.

The siblings have been in business together for 16 years, the past three years as co-owners of Wacky Wings Eatery, Beverage & Sports Co., two popular Sault Ste. Marie eateries specializing in chicken wings.

Now that their two hometown locations have established themselves, each selling about 1.2 million wings annually, at eight to 10 wings per pound, according to Damon, they are taking their brand and vision beyond the city limits.

Read the full Sault Star article here

5th annual picture our lakes photography contest

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Elm street could get parkingspots

The city's traffic committee came within inches of approving a plan that would inevitably and dramatically have changed downtown Sudbury.

The plan -- to immediately allow on-street parking on Elm Street from Lorne to Paris streets -- was clearly supported by the majority of the committee, but was ultimately deferred until early June.

The aggressive plan was introduced by the Downtown Sudbury and the Downtown Village Development Corp. The long-term plan is to return Elm Street to what it once was: a major pedestrian thoroughfare lined with restored heritage buildings and key retailers and restaurants, DVDC managing director Susan Thompson said.

Read the full Sudbury Star article >

SUITES A NICE ALTERNATIVE IN THE HEART OF THE CITY

They're just two suites, squeezed in between Frank's Deli and Men's Fashion Society in downtown Sudbury. But to Maureen Luoma, Executive Suites on Durham is a glimpse into a different downtown.

"I think it's just another indication that downtown Sudbury is continuing to evolve and strengthen," said Luoma, the executive director of Downtown Sudbury. "We don't have a lot of this type of facility. This is going to ... provide a different experience. What we're trying to do as a downtown is to exude a lifestyle."

This, in part, is what the suites are for.

The executive suites on Durham Street were originally apartments, but were transformed into fully furnished alternatives to hotels. Equipped with a kitchen, couch and carefully selected colour scheme, the suites will be christened on Monday, when their first customer will arrive.

Read the full Sudbury Star article >

Speak up sudbury! downtown master plan meeting

New Shoppers Drug Mart opens in downtown

Those who shop in downtown Sudbury now have another pharmacy to choose from.

Mayor Marianne Matichuk and Ward 12 Coun. Joscelyne Landry-Altmann helped associate owner Matthew King cut the ribbon on the new Shoppers Drug Mart store, located at 80 Elm St., early in the morning on Jan. 8.

“We are very excited to bring the Sudbury community this new Shoppers Drug Mart,” King said, in a press release.

“In addition to increasing our service and product offering, this new location will allow our team of pharmacy professionals, beauty experts and front store staff to better accommodate the needs of our patients and customers.

“We are confident that with this new store, we’ll be an even greater trusted resource in fulfilling the everyday health, beauty, and convenience needs of our community.”

The 14,000 square foot store, which is open from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m., seven days a week, employs more than 40 people, King said.

Downtown mailbox collects letters to Santa

Letters addressed to Santa can be dropped off in a mailbox located at the corner of Elm and Durham Streets until Dec. 20.
Read the Full Northern Life Article >

Santa in November

Anthony Ciccone got to see something Saturday he had never seen before in November -- a Santa Claus parade.

"We have maybe 20-25 floats," said the transplanted Timmins resident who has lived in the Nickel Capital for four years but did not take in the local parade his first three years here. "And it's always held in October because it snows so much in November."
Watch the Video and Read the Full Sudbury Star Article >

Downtown Sudbury's future is nightlife, arts and culture

Imagine downtown Sudbury as a chessboard, with pieces big and small that can be strategically moved around, a consultant told an eager crowd Tuesday. Joe Berridge, a partner at Toronto-based Urban Strategies, presented the first stage of a long-term visioning process for downtown last night to an overflow crowd of about 200 at Speak Up, Sudbury!
Read the full Sudbury Star Story >

Parade bigger, better

The more than 30,000-plus people who will show up for Saturday's Santa Claus Parade in the downtown core are in for a real bonus this year -- a record number of entries and a slightly longer than usual parade.

"We are, as of this morning, at 85 entries," said Maureen Luoma, executive director of Downtown Sudbury, which co-ordinates the annual parade. "That is the highest ever. The highest prior was the one three (or) four years ago, when it was about 73. We have never reached 85."...
Read the full Sudbury Star Article >

NEW PARKING PROGRAM ANNOUNCED AT RAINBOW CENTRE

• $25+ purchase ... 2 hours free
• $50+ purchase... 3 hours free
• Movies ... 3 hours free (under special conditions)
• Services & Offices ... 3 hours free with stamp from location utilized
• please keep receipts for proof of purchase or service
• for further information ... call 675.2288

Parking spaces transformed

Laurentian University student Harneet Gill sat on a bright blanket spread out over a parking space on Elgin Street Friday afternoon enjoying a lunch of sustainable foods with her friends. The parking-space picnic was one of several displays and activities set up on the side of the street for PARK(ing) Day.

The annual event encourages citizens, artists and activists to temporarily transform metered parking spaces into "PARK(ing)" spaces -- temporary public places. "I think it's a really good thing because it shows what we can do with public spaces besides just park in them," said Gill, the president of Laurentian's Sustainable Earth Club.

Read the full Sudbury Star article >

Ribbers love coming north

Cooler temperatures may have kept the crowd sizes down at this year's Downtown Sudbury Ribfest, but the enthusiasm of the ribbers remained.

"Yeah, the crowd is slower, there is less people, but it's still not bad. It's still good. Sudbury is awesome," said Jack the Ribber's grill master, Randy Austin.

Sudburians really appreciate the work that goes into Ribfest by the ribbers, he said.
He and his crew travelled through the night Wednesday from London to begin setting up shop in time for Friday's opening of the weekend event.

Once on site, it takes another 12 hours to prepare the meat for the full menu, he said. Not only are ribs served, but there is pulled pork and chicken. Before the meat even hits the grill, it is smoked for hours.

Read the Full Sudbury Star News Article >

Ribfest a tasty reason to go downtown

Live music, a children's play area, and of course, ribs galore are on this year's Ribfest menu.

The third annual festival is set to take place on Labour Day weekend, from Sept. 3 to 5, in the heart of the city.

Maureen Luoma, executive director of Downtown Sudbury, said she hopes “more of the same” good things will happen at this year's festival.

Last year, 12,400 pounds of ribs were served, along with 1,320 chickens and 730 pounds of coleslaw.

Luoma said Ribfest is a popular event for families.

“One of the things we've liked with this event is all ages come out,” she said. “It's a family event — a community event. That's why we strengthened some of the family components as well, and that's why there's no admission.”
Read The Full Northern Life Story Here ...

Downtown popular choice for dining, entertainment

The results of a downtown survey has both good and bad news for businesses in the city's core.

The survey, undertaken by the Downtown Village Development Corporation (DVDC), asked about the perceptions, attitudes, opinions and concerns felt by city residents, Susan Thompson, managing DVDC director, said in a press release.

The downtown area is still a popular destination for people who want to dine out, see a show or band, or who need professional services, according to the results of the survey. It could also be a popular place to live.

More than half of the survey respondents said they would like to live downtown if adequate housing options were available, especially two-bedroom apartments.
Read Full Northern Life Story Here...

Celebrities get blue in the face

By: Sudbury Northern Life Staff

Nine celebrities from Greater Sudbury's media outlets competed in the Downtown Sudbury Celebrity Blueberry Pie Eating Contest on July 22...
Read the full Northern Life story and Watch the video here.

DOWNTOWNER RECEIVES JACKIE WASHINGTON AWARD

TONY ANSELMO was awarded the Jackie Washington Award at this year's Northern Lights Festival Boreal.  The award is  given to an individual who makes an outstanding contribution and who embodies the spirit of the festival in artistic and other endeavours.

Tony is owner of Records On Wheels in downtown Sudbury and is Past-Chair of 'Downtown Sudbury', the BIA representing over 400 Businesses and Services and over 90 Property Owners in downtown.  Tony is well known for his work with the 'Blues Appreciation Society' and was instrumental in the start-up and development of the annual 'Downtown Rotary Blues For Food' event.

Friday, July 9, 2010 ... Sudbury MPP Rick Bartolucci announced today an investment of $50,000 from the Government of Ontario to assist the City of Greater Sudbury in the development of a plan and action strategy aimed at improving life and business in the downtown core.  The plan will serve as a blueprint to guide public and private sector investment decisions such as streetscape updgrades and housing developments.

CAMPAIGN A SUCCESS

Thursday, July 8, 2010 ... Sudbury Food Bank Week was highly successful this year, raising more than $71,000.  Events took place during the week of June 13-19 to raise money.  They were organized by several organizations that presented cheques Wednesday.

A downtown blues festival for the hungry raised $46,024, said Maureen Luoma, Executive Director of Downtown Sudbury.  The Rotary Club of Sudbury and Downtown Sudbury organized the event - Downtown Rotary Blues for Food Festival.

CITY TO FIX UP DOWNTOWN BUS TERMINAL

Thursday, July 8, 2010 ... Downtown Sudbury's transit centre will get a much-needed facelift this summer.  Sometime in the next couple of weeks, work will begin on interior renovations designed to modernize the building and make it easier for customers to navigate, says Roger Sauve, director of Greater Sudbury Transit.

The main purpose of the work will be to open up the facility so people can flow through it better and improve access to the transit kiosk.  "We want to clean it up a bit, make it a bit more user-fiendly," he said.  "We'll probably have a couple of work stations in there for people who are waiting for the bus a little bit longer."

Work is expected to begin by the end of July and wrap up in September, in time for the school rush.  The terminal will continue to function normally while the work is going on, Sauve said.

Blues for Food

Blues for Food celebrates 20th anniversary...Watch Video

fednor investments to strengthen greater sudbury region

May 31, 2010 ... The City of Greater Sudbury will receive a FedNor investment of $122,500 to develop a new vision, plan, and action strategy to help revitalize the community's downtown district.  Once complete, the Plan will act as a blueprint to help guide decisions and changes in the downtown area for a 10 year period.

'Downtown Sudbury' (the BIA representing over 400 Downtown Businesses & Services) will be an active partner and participant in the Downtown Master Plan process.