Go Local: Give Jingle Bucks

Having a hard time finding the perfect Christmas gift for that person who has everything? The Downtown Development Association of Lincolnton (DDA) may have the answer.

The DDA is offering Jingle Bucks for sale from now through Christmas. Jingle Bucks are gift certificates that can be spent with any participating business in downtown Lincolnton. The certificates are available in $5, $10, and $20 denominations.

The Jingle Bucks further promote the “Go Local Lincolnton” campaign that the DDA initiated this year.

“When you shop at locally owned businesses, you are ensuring that more of your money stays right here in Lincolnton and Lincoln County,” said Stephen Starnes, DDA Chair. “And by giving Jingle Bucks, you are opening the doors to downtown Lincolnton’s unique independent and locally owned businesses for your recipient.”

Jingle Bucks are available for purchase from the Business & Community Development office, 114 East Main Street, downtown Lincolnton. For more information, call (704) 736-8915.

2009 Lincolnton Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting a Huge Success

The streets of downtown Lincolnton were lined with kids young and old this Sunday - all anxious for the 2009 Lincolnton Christmas Parade. This year's parade featured entries from scout troupes, local businesses, dance teams, churches, pageant queens and more - each sporting its own creative flair.

Some of the highlights of the parade included Parade Grand Marshals (and Man and Woman of the Year) Jim and Teresa Watson, Lincolnton Mayor and City Council, the bands of North Lincoln, East Lincoln, and Lincolnton High Schools, and everyone's favorite jolly ol elf - Santa Claus.

The Arts Council of Lincoln County judged parade entries and awarded the following entries with honors:

Best of Show: Boger City United Methodist Church - "Whoville"
1st Place: St. Dorothy's Catholic Church Youth Group - "The Nativity"
2nd Place: Glamorous Productions - "Glamorous Christmas"
3rd Place: Habitat for Humanity of Lincoln County - "Building Homes for Our Community"

Hundreds stuck around after the parade for the 51st Annual Lincolnton Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. After a brief welcome by Mayor Pro Tem, Dr. Les Cloninger, Eric Reel, Pastor of Freedom Church, gave an invocation. Teresa Watson led the crowd in singing a couple of Christmas carols, which was followed by the lighting of the community Christmas Tree by Barbara Dudley, President of the Pilot Club. Musical performances by the Kiser Intermediate School Chorus and St. Dorothy's Catholic Church Spanish Youth Choir rounded out the evening.

Be sure to check out the photos of the event from The Carolina Scoop and the Lincoln Tribune.

Spend With Those You Know

This holiday season, please spread your cheer where it counts, at home. Convenience may dictate online shopping or the mall, but think about making the holidays brighter for your friends and neighbors. Money spent on Main Street stays within the community and sustains those who need it most. When you shop with local business owners, the money you spend re-circulates in your community. Local business owners employ local workers, pay local taxes, give to local charities, and buy goods and services from other local businesses. Money spent with out of town business owners leaves Lincolnton and has relatively little impact in our town.

Times are tight and not everyone has money to give this season, but we can all choose where to do our holiday shopping. The dollars you spend have a real impact on the health of your city and by spending on Main Street you create jobs on Main Street. Local business owners have supported our hometown by choosing to operate in Lincolnton; please support them this year when you do your holiday shopping and spend with those you know.

Main Streets aren't magical places just during the holidays; they are centers for community gathering and unique shopping and dining experiences throughout the year. Nothing sends this message better than this video. It celebrates all the aspects that make Lincolnton a great place to live, work, and play.

Holiday Events in Downtown Announced

The 2009 Holiday Season is upon us and downtown Lincolnton is gearing up for a calendar full of Holiday events sure to get everyone in the spirit.

Lincolnton Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting Ceremony

Sunday, November 29th
4:00 p.m.
Downtown Lincolnton
Call 704-736-8915 for more information

Court Street Grille Downtown Carriage Rides
Every Friday & Saturday in December, including December 25th & 26th
6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Court Street Grille
Call 704-736-8915 for more information

The Nutcracker
Friday, December 11th - Sunday, December 13th
7:00 p.m.
James W. Warren Citizens Center
Call 704-732-9055 for more information

3rd Annual Jingle Bell 5K Run
Saturday, December 19th
9:00 a.m.
Gaston College - Lincoln Campus
Call 704-716-4595 for more information

Visit with Santa Downtown
Friday, November 27th 5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 28th 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. & 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Thursday, December 3rd 5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Friday, December 4th 5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 5th 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. & 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Thursday, December 10th 5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Friday, December 11th 5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 12th 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. & 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Thursday, December 17th 5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Friday, December 18th 5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 19th 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. & 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Ghouls and Goblins Spotted on Main Street

Downtown businesses welcomed children and parents from A Place To Grow as they trick-or-treated along Main Street this morning. This year, we saw everything from a giant banana to Frankenstein -- not to mention a few Jack-O-Lanterns and princesses too.

GOOD NEWS from Treasures on Main:

We have been open since March 2009 and having a great time with the shop. We would like announce our Holiday Open House on December 4 & 5 from 10 AM - 9 PM. Treasures on Main is a 'charming destination' that has something for everyone. Please stop by during our Holiday Open House for some holiday fun, a chance to win a free gift and a unique shopping experience. Treasures on Main has lots of local talent....art by Kae Wright and Gail Little, wood bowls by Sam Ledbetter, and local made pottery, jewelry, purses and bags....just to name a few!

Regular Shop Hours: Thursday, Friday, Saturday 10AM - 6 PM

If you have any GOOD NEWS that you would like to share with the downtown community, just email it to downtown@ci.lincolnton.nc.us.

DDA Board of Directors Call for Nominations

The Downtown Development Association is a volunteer driven organization that relies on the wealth, wisdom and work of volunteers to ensure that its mission is accomplished.

If you would like to volunteer, DDA has a wide range of volunteer jobs available to suit your interest from festival & event planning to business recruitment and retention to beautification and streetscape & storefront design.

No matter what your interest-throwing parties, design or crunching numbers DDA has a volunteer job for you.

Volunteer opportunites can be for a limited one time occurance or an ongoing engagement

We are accepting nominations to serve on the Board of Directors. If you would like to nominate someone to serve please complete the nomination form at return it to us by Wednesday, November 11th

Downtown Development Assocaition of Lincolnton, Inc.
Board of Directors

Call for Nominations

Veterans Appreciation Cruise-In November 8th

If you're a fan of classic cars - or if you own a classic car - whether it be American muscle, hot-rods, or classic cruisers - downtown Lincolnton is the place to be on Sunday, November 8, 2009 for the semi-annual Downtown Lincolnton Veterans Appreciation Cruise-In. The event, hosted by the Downtown Development Association of Lincolnton and Holy Cross Lutheran Church is open to all cars and trucks manufactured in or before 1974.

Special guests Hillbilly Hot-Rodders will make an appearance with their Radical Rat Rods.

The event will be held from 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. on East Main Street in downtown Lincolnton. Organizers request a $2 flag donation, and that no cars arrive before 12:30 p.m.

Downtown Business Owners Featured in Lincoln Times-News "Women in Business" Section

Amy Brown, owner of Merle Norman Cosmetic Studio and Studio 220 Salon & Spa, and Kim Noles and Erin Lockman, owners of The Dancer's Edge Dance Studio were featured in the special "Women in Business" section of October 19, 2009 edition of the Lincoln Times-News.

For the full articles, visit www.lincolntimesnews.com, or click here for the feature on Amy Brown, or here for the feature on Kim Noles and Erin Lockman.

Congratulations to these women for their accomplishments as business owners in downtown Lincolnton!

36th Street Bakery Cafe, Inc. Receives 2009 Best of Lincolnton Award

WASHINGTON D.C. -- 36th Street Bakery Cafe, Inc. has been selected for the 2009 Best of Lincolnton Award in the Cafe category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).

The USCA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2009 USCA Award Program focused on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.

U.S. Commerce Association (USCA) is a Washington D.C. based organization funded by local businesses operating in towns, large and small, across America. The purpose of USCA is to promote local business through public relations, marketing and advertising.

The USCA was established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, chambers of commerce and other business advertising and marketing groups. The USCA's mission is to be an advocate for small and medium size businesses and business entrepreneurs across America.

36th Street Bakery, Cafe & Catering operates a bakery on Westview Drive, and a cafe at 101 North Court Square. The cafe offers a full menu of soups, salads, sandwiches and sides, along with an espresso bar, popular items from the bakery, wine, and beer. Visit www.36thstreetbakery.com to stay up-to-date on the cafe's latest offerings and events.

Congratulations to Rick and all of the staff at 36th Street Bakery, Cafe & Catering!!

Return to the period of 1841-1886 at St. Luke's Episcopal Church

ST. LUKE’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH: THE EARLY YEARS 1841-1886 OCTOBER 25 5:00 -7:00 PM

For One Magical Evening……
Return to the period of 1841-1886 and join St. Luke's Episcopal Church in celebrating its historic past with:

• Plans for St. Luke’s historic preservation

• Tours of the church and graveyard with Linda Hoyle, Jason Harpe and others
  

• Re-enactors in period dress

• Dan Barefoot as Maj. General Stephen Dodson Ramseur

• Rick Owens, preservation consultant

• Reception based on the crops of the period

• Archives and historic photos of St. Luke’s

• Live music with Rick and Myra Ramseur

Free event. Reserve your space for the tour time at either 5:00, 5:30, 6:00, 6:30. Please call to reserve a space at 704-732-9179 or email your requested time and number of guests to lukeepiscopalnc@bellsouth.net.

Arts on the Run Postponed

The Arts Council of Lincoln County's Arts on the Run 5K has been postponed. Stay tuned to www.artslincolnnc.org for the reschedule date.

Two Downtown Businesses Partner to Offer a Special Treat for Your Furry Friend

Heavenly Paws Grooming and Tindall's Professional Photography are partnering to offer a special day of photography for pets. On November 7, 2009, you can take your furry friend to Heavenly Paws for portraits by J.J. Tindall of Tindall's Professional Photography. This will mark the third time the two businesses have paired for this special promotion.

Photos will be taken using a generic background; however, Christmas cards featuring the photos will be available to order. For more information or to make an appointment, call Heavenly Paws at (704) 732-8000.

Heavenly Paws is also accepting donations of food, supplies, toys, and even money to benefit needy animals. If you would like to make a donation, supplies can be dropped off at the shop, located at 213 North Aspen Street in downtown Lincolnton, from now through the Holidays.

Strange Change Featured on WLON's Friday Profile

If you missed Events & Marketing Specialist Julie Sipe talking about the Strange Change promotion on WLON's Friday Profile this morning, don't worry, you can hear it here.

"Strange Change" Initiative to be Featured on WLON

So by now you've probably heard the term "Strange Change" used a few times, and you know it involves using $2 bills and $1 coins when shopping at local businesses as a way of showing your support for those businesses, but you're still asking "why?"

Tune in to WLON 1050-AM at 10:00 a.m. Friday, October 2, 2009 to find out. DDA Events & Marketing Specialist Julie Sipe will be on-air to explain the project and what we hope to accomplish through it. In the meantime, if you haven't already, read up on the "Strange Change" initiative so that you will have an even better understanding of the project and the impact that it can make.

Arts on the Run Slated for October 10

The Arts Council of Lincoln County presents Arts on the Run, the organization's first annual 5K run/walk for the arts. The event is scheduled for Saturday, October 10, 2009 at the Lincoln Cultural Center, 403 East Main Street, Downtown Lincolnton. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. and the race will start at 9:00 a.m.

"Early bird" registration (for those who register before October 6) is $20; those who register after October 6 or at the event will pay a $25 registration fee. The first 25 runners who register will receive a free T-shirt and race medallion. For more information, visit www.artslincolnnc.org or call (704) 732-9044.

21st Century Farmers Market Brings Electronic Payment Options for Consumers

The Lincoln County Farmers Market in Downtown Lincolnton is moving into the 21st Century - the 21st Century Farmers Market Program that is. Beginning Saturday, October 3, 2009, the downtown market will accept EBT, debit and credit cards to purchase local farm products.

A partnership between NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services and Leaflight Inc., a Chapel Hill non-profit agency promoting community development, is making this possible. NC Cooperative Extension is the local partner that submitted the successful application on behalf of the Lincolnton market location. The Lincoln County Farmers Market - Downtown Lincolnton location was among twelve markets chosen across the state to implement this new program.

"Because of this partnership, it will be easy and convenient for customers and farmers to use electronic payments," said Extension agent Leigh Guth. "So many people don't carry cash - electronic payment should be a win-win for customers and farmers."

To use electronic payment, customers will swipe their cards at a central terminal operated by the market manager and purchase market tokens worth $5.00. The $5 tokens will work like cash with any vendor accepting tokens. Customers can purchase vegetables, plants, art, meat or bakery goods and will receive change from purchases. Customers using EBT cards (which replaced food stamps in 2002) will receive tokens worth $1.00 each and can use their tokens to purchase food and plants that produce food. Customers cannot receive change from EBT tokens. Participating farmers include Wanda Avery, Loyd Lewis, Mary Deal and Art Duckworth.

The statewide goal is to make fresh local produce at farmers markets accessible to customers using EBT cards. Leaflight provides the market with a wireless card processing terminal, bookkeeping and accounting services for the electronic purchases. By using one processing terminal and tokens, fees are kept at a minimum for farmers and new customers are able to shop at the farmers market.

For more information, contact Leigh Guth, North Carolina Cooperative Extension family and consumer sciences agent, at (704) 736-8462.

Travis Powell to Headline Last Concert of 2009 GoLocalLincolnton.org Alive After Five Season

The GoLocalLincolnton.org Alive After Five Summer Concert Series is slated to conclude its 2009 season Thursday, September 24 with the music of Travis Powell, presented by Tindall's Professional Photography.

Powell has spent the last six years playing music and entertaining crowds all over the Southeast, including shows at Nashville's own Cadillac Ranch. Covering music from a variety of artists, Powell says those attending will hear country songs from popular artists such as Keith Urban and Jason Aldean, southern rock by Bob Seger and the Marshall Tucker Band, and pop-rock hits from bands like Nickelback. Powell has also written many original songs, some of which will debut on his self-titled CD to be released in late October. His single, One Step Ahead of a Heartache, has aired on country radio station WSOC 103.7 FM.

Powell's band members include three of the most talented musicians in the region who have played in the area's hottest nightclubs and shared the stage with such artists as Brooks N Dunn. Jim Lincomfelt plays lead guitar with Rick Tackett on bass guitar; rounding out the band is Tracy Scism on drums.

"Expect a high energy show for crowds of all ages that will bring you to your feet and keep you dancing all night long," said Powell.

The show, which is free and open to the public, begins at 6:00 p.m. and will be held at East Main Street and Court Square in downtown Lincolnton. Lawn chairs are encouraged, but no coolers will be allowed. For more information about the show, call the Downtown Development Association of Lincolnton at (704) 736-8915. For more information about Travis Powell, visit www.myspace.com/travispowellmusic.

Apple Festival This Saturday

It is time once again for the largest annual gathering of people in downtown Lincolnton - the Lincoln County Apple Festival. This year's festival will be held Saturday, September 19 from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. As always, the Apple Festival promises an abundance of crafts, food, fun....and of course....apples.

While making your way through the event, be sure to stop by the Downtown Development Association of Lincolnton's stage, located at East Main and South Academy Streets. There, DDA volunteers will be handing out free balloons and holding limbo and hula-hoop contests for the little ones. In addition, the organization will be conducting a "Strange Change Exchange" in coordination with its "Strange Change" initiative which encourages everyone to make purchases from local businesses with $2 bills as a way of showing their support for local businesses. Bring your ones, fives, tens, and twenties by the DDA stage to exchange them for crisp, new $2 bills; then make your statement by spending those $2 bills with locally owned businesses in Lincolnton.

Whether you are a seasoned Apple Festival veteran, or this is your first time attending the event, the Apple Festival Committee has a few tidbits of advice: wear comfortable shoes, drink plenty of water, do not bring your furry friend as law enforcement will be on hand to enforce the "no pets" policy, and do not park in areas where parking is not allowed (ample parking will be available around the perimeter of the event, and at the Lincolnton High School where the Kiwanis Club of Lincolnton will be offering round-trip shuttle service for $2 per person).

For more information on the Lincoln County Apple Festival, visit http://lincoln.ces.ncsu.edu/content/lincolncountyapplefestival.