The Allegan Area Arts Council agrees with the American Film Institute.  The movie Some Like It Hot! starring Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon, and Tony Curtis is the best comedy of the last century.  Just in time to ward off those midwinter doldrums the Arts Council is offering this special movie at a Flicks & Fun Fundraiser on Saturday, January 31, 2009, at the Griswold Auditorium, 401 Hubbard Street, Allegan.  Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. for ticket sales.

 

The film will be shown on the auditorium's big screen at 7:00 p.m. following an introduction by event Co-Chair and retired Allegan High School Drama teacher and director, Sue Buese.  Ms. Buese and Co-Chair Martha Hesse, a pianist and musical director in Chicago area theatre for many years, have organized a sizzling event to heat up the last evening in January.
 
Movie tickets are $7 each at the door, but the entertainment does not end with the movie.  For $3 more - a total of just $10 -  at the film's conclusion you can join the fun on the lower level of the Griswold where the Speakeasy Party will begin.  Music, light snacks, and a cash bar offering beer and wine will be available. 
 
Since this is an evening guaranteed to banish the blues, the Arts Council  suggests you dress in costume - ladies as roaring '20's flappers and gentlemen in drag `a la Jack Lemmon in the movie.  Those who choose to participate in the costume contest receive a number they will be asked to wear.  Votes for $1 each benefiting the Arts Council will be cast by the Prohibition-era big spenders in the Speakeasy.  A first-prize will be awarded for the lady and the gentleman contestant with the most votes. 
     
For details regarding the Allegan Area Arts Council, art-related activities we promote and membership information, please visit our newly launched website:  www.alleganarts.com 

 

Anishnabe, PLLC and the Allegan District Library will host a spectacular exhibit of African American Cowboy memorabilia, owned by historian and collector Murphy Darden.

 

This memorabilia will be on display at the library through January 27, 2009.

 

If you love cowboys, horses, art, history, and the Old West, then this exhibit is for you!

 

Simplywell is a collective of individual businesses in the Allegan area that promote wellness for the body, mind, and spirit.

As most of us are aware, small businesses can have a difficult time getting the word out to the right people about what it is they do and what they offer, due to marketing budget and time constraints small businesses experience when they try to "do it all themselves."

Therefore, a group of local businesses decided to form a small advertising collective. The intention of this collective is to combine each business's financial resources to promote our individual businesses with greater opportunity.

The goal and ideas behind the simplywell collective include the following:

• Cross promotion of businesses will expand each member's business.
• Markets can be specifically targeted through our shared networks and resources.
• There is a great need in Allegan for small businesses of like mind to present as a unified collective.

Although the idea of an advertising collective is nothing new, simplywell is new to Allegan.  It follows in the age old tradition of "many hands makes work light."  Pam Martin and Martha Meek are the originators and Co-Administrators of simplywell.  Their combined talent, experience, and vision bring many contributions to the community of healers and wellness providers.
 

The simplywell collective is made up of a yoga instructor, a massage therapist, a guitar teacher, and a dance studio instructor, to name just a few.

 

*This segment taken from the Simply E-Newsletter. Contact gerah@richmondcreative.com to be added to their monthly newsletter distribution.

 

 

 John Pahl Highlights Allegan Buildings: Gone But Not Forgotten
 
On January 25, 2009, at 2:00 p.m., in the Allegan District Library meeting room, when the winter may have us in its grip, you can find out!  This year, Pahl will discuss Buildings in Allegan: Gone but Not Forgotten.  Of course the Old County Courthouse will be mentioned, but there are others, too, that played an important role in the development of our community, but are no longer with us.
 
The Library Friends Committee is happy to sponsor the annual John Pahl history series that acquaints us with our town's past.   His oral history talks at the Library have been captured on video tape, so if you have missed any of them or just want to hear them again, they can be taken home to watch and listen to.   They include Ghost Towns of Allegan County, Allegan Houses and Their Stories, Underground Allegan, Michigan's Early Peoples, and It Doesn't Take a Pro: The Building of the Trowbridge Dam.  The Library's collection also contains books that Pahl has written and a video from an Q&A session held at the Community Center a few years back.  If you want to know about Allegan's past, these resources are available for your education and enjoyment. 
 
As has been the custom, the Friends will offer refreshments following the January talk.  For information, call the library at 673-4625.

 Each month during 2009, one downtown store front will be selected as "Storefront of the Month."  We are looking for creativity, attention to detail, and overall effect.  The winning store will receive one month free advertising on the Regent screen and a mention in the Connector.

 

This month, one store is looking toward the future...and warmer days.  Woodland Trading Company, located at 204 Trowbridge Street, has set the scene for summer; complete with Adirondack chair, beach towel, and ice cold Coke!  Woodland Trading Company offers solid oak and rustic wood furniture as well as antiques and architectural hardware.

 

Connect to Woodland Trading Company: Click Here

Allegan District Library

Through January 27th

 

Flicks & Fun

Featuring Film: "Some Like it Hot"

January 31st

7:00 p.m. :: Griswold Auditorium

 

February 2nd

6:00 p.m. :: Griswold Auditorium

(Show Dates - March 13, 14, 20, 21)

 

February 14th

Old Jail Museum & Griswold Auditorium