THE COMMUNITY NEEDS OUR HELP!
In cooperation with Devonshire Mall and Real Canadian Wholesale Club, the Muslim Community of Windsor is hosting a Food Drive at Devonshire Mall on Saturday, September 4th from 12pm to 5pm.
The Muslim Community of Windsor is offering to purchase the items for people in need for $20 in order to donate (reusable) bags full of food and toiletries, or people can bring in the 12 items themselves to be packaged by volunteers at the mall that day.
For those who would like to donate physical items, the following 12 items are recommended: Pasta, Pasta Sauce, Flour, Sugar, Salt, Cooking Oil, One Can of Fruit, One Can of Vegetables, One Can of Soup, One Box of Rice, One Tube of Toothpaste, One bar of Soap
This year, the food bank recipients include Downtown Mission, Windsor Homes Coalition, Unemployed Help Centre, Drouillard Place, Well-Come Centre, and others of the like.
Muslim children will be sharing their happiness of the upcoming Eid ul-Fitr holiday, that commemorates the end of another successful month of fasting Ramadan. There will be treats, balloons, popcorn, clowns, face painting and flowers all in celebration of Eid. The weekend will be a busy shopping weekend for Muslims, preparing themselves for Eid by purchasing new clothes and gifts for loved ones.
by Deborah Jones Publisher Biz X Magazine
Monday, August 30, 2010
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
SHOULD THE WINDSOR MARKET STAY OR MOVE?
CITY ASKS MARKET TO MOVE, MARKET DECLINES
City of Windsor Wants to Sell Old Bus Station and Relocate Farmers’ Market
I recently received this from the market promoters in an attempt to let everyone know their side of the story-what's the city's? CAN A COUNCILLOR PLEASE RESPOND...
Here's what the market reps have to say...
In late April of 2010 the Downtown Windsor Farmers’ Market requested a 5-year lease from the City of Windsor for the use of the former bus depot site at 44 University Avenue East. A longer term lease would have qualified the market to apply for numerous grants and would have signaled to vendors that the City is firmly behind the project. Unfortunately, Windsor's City Council rejected that request, but agreed to lease the former bus depot site until the end of October 2010.
The market is now almost halfway through a very successful second season, but its future is uncertain. The market's volunteer committee has been asked to consider several other potential sites for 2011, but none of them offer as many benefits as the former bus depot site. The current location is accessible, inclusive, provides covered areas for vendors, has parking, is historically significant and offers room to expand.
In addition:
“One of the important factors for a market’s success is maintaining the same location for at least five years after start-up,” states Tristan Fehrenbach, vendor coordinator for the market. “If we move the market to a new location or if we take the market indoors, that could be our downfall.”
The former Greyhound bus station at 44 University Avenue East sat vacant for several years until the Downtown Residents Association (DRA) decided that it was time to bring a market back to the downtown core. A sub-committee of volunteers formed in the Spring of 2009 and the outdoor Downtown Windsor Farmers’ Market was born on July 4, 2009. Now in its second year, the volunteer-run market is blossoming: vendors and visitor attendance has doubled and the feedback from the customers is amazing.
“We see families, tourists and downtown residents all enjoying the market. It is inclusive and accessible and vibrant,” says JoAnn Sabourin, the entertainment coordinator. “We’d love to work with the city to make this a permanent fixture in the downtown core. The location we have now is perfect and we feel that we have a plan to make this successful for everyone.”
The market is now seeking feedback on a business case for a long-term lease on the bus depot site that would allow it to pursue funding to restore the bus station to its former glory.
“We need to build up support and show the City that this is an important part of the core that should be addressed promptly. We need time to plan for the future or there might not be a market next year,” says Natalie Bownes, market co-chair.
The volunteers and vendors have worked very hard to make the market succeed and add value to the downtown core. Along with spin off dollars that area businesses are receiving, the market currently contributes in a number of other ways. The market hires a site manager, pays workers to clean the site on a regular basis, and pays for their own park amenities like picnic tables, umbrellas, and garbage bags. With a long-term lease the market committee could also apply for funding to help improve the building and make the interior accessible for washrooms.
About the Issue
In April 2010, the Downtown Windsor Farmers’ Market was denied a 5-year lease for its current location at 44 University Avenue East by the City of Windsor. The market has since been asked to consider alternate sites that do not meet its requirements and could affect the market’s existence in the future. The market is seeking community support to convince the city that a cooperative plan should be implemented to make the former bus station a multi-use space with parking during the week and the market on Saturdays.
About the Market
The Downtown Windsor Farmers’ Market is a non-profit organization that operates through an 8 member Board of Directors consisting of one farmer vendor, two DRA members and 5 community representatives. The market celebrates the best of Windsor and Essex County with fresh, local produce, area artisans and entrepreneurs, baked goods and prepared foods, and live entertainment. The market runs from 8am to 1pm every Saturday until October 30 and is located at 44 University Avenue East.
If you'd like more information about the market please contact:
Tristan Fehrenbach (tristan@downtownfarmersmarket.ca)
Natalie Bownes (natalie@downtownfarmersmarket.ca)
Phone: (519) 915-9498
http://www.downtownfarmersmarket.ca/
by Deborah Jones Publisher Biz X Magazine
City of Windsor Wants to Sell Old Bus Station and Relocate Farmers’ Market
I recently received this from the market promoters in an attempt to let everyone know their side of the story-what's the city's? CAN A COUNCILLOR PLEASE RESPOND...
Here's what the market reps have to say...
In late April of 2010 the Downtown Windsor Farmers’ Market requested a 5-year lease from the City of Windsor for the use of the former bus depot site at 44 University Avenue East. A longer term lease would have qualified the market to apply for numerous grants and would have signaled to vendors that the City is firmly behind the project. Unfortunately, Windsor's City Council rejected that request, but agreed to lease the former bus depot site until the end of October 2010.
The market is now almost halfway through a very successful second season, but its future is uncertain. The market's volunteer committee has been asked to consider several other potential sites for 2011, but none of them offer as many benefits as the former bus depot site. The current location is accessible, inclusive, provides covered areas for vendors, has parking, is historically significant and offers room to expand.
In addition:
“One of the important factors for a market’s success is maintaining the same location for at least five years after start-up,” states Tristan Fehrenbach, vendor coordinator for the market. “If we move the market to a new location or if we take the market indoors, that could be our downfall.”
The former Greyhound bus station at 44 University Avenue East sat vacant for several years until the Downtown Residents Association (DRA) decided that it was time to bring a market back to the downtown core. A sub-committee of volunteers formed in the Spring of 2009 and the outdoor Downtown Windsor Farmers’ Market was born on July 4, 2009. Now in its second year, the volunteer-run market is blossoming: vendors and visitor attendance has doubled and the feedback from the customers is amazing.
“We see families, tourists and downtown residents all enjoying the market. It is inclusive and accessible and vibrant,” says JoAnn Sabourin, the entertainment coordinator. “We’d love to work with the city to make this a permanent fixture in the downtown core. The location we have now is perfect and we feel that we have a plan to make this successful for everyone.”
The market is now seeking feedback on a business case for a long-term lease on the bus depot site that would allow it to pursue funding to restore the bus station to its former glory.
“We need to build up support and show the City that this is an important part of the core that should be addressed promptly. We need time to plan for the future or there might not be a market next year,” says Natalie Bownes, market co-chair.
The volunteers and vendors have worked very hard to make the market succeed and add value to the downtown core. Along with spin off dollars that area businesses are receiving, the market currently contributes in a number of other ways. The market hires a site manager, pays workers to clean the site on a regular basis, and pays for their own park amenities like picnic tables, umbrellas, and garbage bags. With a long-term lease the market committee could also apply for funding to help improve the building and make the interior accessible for washrooms.
About the Issue
In April 2010, the Downtown Windsor Farmers’ Market was denied a 5-year lease for its current location at 44 University Avenue East by the City of Windsor. The market has since been asked to consider alternate sites that do not meet its requirements and could affect the market’s existence in the future. The market is seeking community support to convince the city that a cooperative plan should be implemented to make the former bus station a multi-use space with parking during the week and the market on Saturdays.
About the Market
The Downtown Windsor Farmers’ Market is a non-profit organization that operates through an 8 member Board of Directors consisting of one farmer vendor, two DRA members and 5 community representatives. The market celebrates the best of Windsor and Essex County with fresh, local produce, area artisans and entrepreneurs, baked goods and prepared foods, and live entertainment. The market runs from 8am to 1pm every Saturday until October 30 and is located at 44 University Avenue East.
If you'd like more information about the market please contact:
Tristan Fehrenbach (tristan@downtownfarmersmarket.ca)
Natalie Bownes (natalie@downtownfarmersmarket.ca)
Phone: (519) 915-9498
http://www.downtownfarmersmarket.ca/
by Deborah Jones Publisher Biz X Magazine
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