[OMS_MANAGERS] Cool ideas

[STUART Sheri * OPRD]

1.      Power of Ten: The Astoria Downtown Historic District Association used the Power of 10 activity from the "Cultivating Place on Main Street" training as the focus of their NEDTalk last week. Their NEDTalks (Novel Efforts Downtown) are their unique spin on TEDTalks. They had 42 people attend w/a great group discussion using the Power of 10 as a tool to kick off the Cluster Analysis conversation with business owners, property owners, public officials, and consumers of downtown.



2.      Capitalizing on Festivals. As we come upon event season in many of your towns, you might be looking for ways to draw participants into downtown businesses. Here's a great idea from the Port Townsend Main Street Program (my old alma mater). At their next merchant's breakfast, they are featuring representatives from seven local nonprofit organizations which host large festivals and events. The topic, "Capitalizing on Festivals," will focus on ways for businesses to connect with the many festivals in town. The participating nonprofits offer tips and ideas to increase foot traffic and reach out to their different audience segments.



3.      Farm to Table Block Party: The Hillsboro Downtown Partnership is adding a Downtown Farm to Table Dinner at their Block Party this year. Each participating restaurant will be paired with a farm to create a family style course. The purpose is to highlight the rich agriculture of the region in conjunction with  Downtown restaurants. This is a perfect tie in to highlight the "agriculture meets business" theme that is consistent in Hillsboro.  "Bringing together agriculture, downtown businesses and the local community builds a strong relationship where we can support each other to make our community better as a whole," says Kathy Unger, owner of Unger Farms and participant in the Farm to Table planning committee. The dinner is a fundraiser to support the newly formed 501c3 organization, Hillsboro Downtown Partnership, whose mission is to cultivate and promote a vibrant, historic Downtown. Merchants are organizing the Second Annual Downtown Block Party in conjunction with the dinner. There will be outdoor beer gardens, late night shopping, and live music in the streets until 10:00 pm.



4.      Rain Art: The City of Hillsboro's new art gives you a reason to smile when it rains. It is a "rain art" project using a paint product that only shows the sidewalk art when it is wet. Here's a link to info about this type of project: http://rain.works/faqs/




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