The Olympics are starting this week and you may recall the recent news stories about how many were upset because the outfits chosen for our athletes to wear in opening ceremonies were not made in the U.S. However, so many of us are guilty of jumping in the car and heading to a "foreign" city to do our shopping or eat out without even considering what we have here in Marion. Attached is information on two ways we can begin to change those habits.

First, we have a Cash Mob Thursday evening (July 26). Simply meet here in the Chamber parking lot between 5:15 & 5:30 and we'll proceed to our mob location! The After Party will be at Circa anytime after 5:30. You can join us for one or both parts of the event! I've attached a poster covering the next few weeks! Hope you will join us in a fun way to support local business.

Second, many of our local efforts are supported by locally-owned businesses. Here is another case in point. TWIG II from Marion General Hospital is having fundraiser with Scioto Shoe Mart this Friday & Saturday. If anyone brings in the attached paper or says they are a friend of TWIG, a donation is made to Twig II from all sales. Donations will go toward purchasing items needed at the hospital. TWIG II's focus is on children -- toys for all kids coming into the ER, X-ray, Surgery, etc. as well as other donations. So ... here is your perfect opportunity to shop local while helping a local non-profit help local children. Now ... is there any better excuse to buy shoes?

Don't forget that the War of 1812 continues to be the exhibit at the Marion County Historical Society. Open Wednesday - Sunday from 1 - 4 p.m., I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at how interesting this exhibit truly is. Plus, you get the Popcorn Museum, as well!

The movie at the Palace this weekend is: The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. A small group of British retirees learn that the life they want to live might not be the life they need to live after pooling their resources to spend their twilight years in a unique setting located in India. Upon arriving at the once-opulent Marigold Hotel, however, the eager pensioners come to realize that rumors of the building's restoration have been greatly exaggerated. But just when it starts to seem that the privileged seniors have been swindled out of their life savings, they summon the courage to sever their ties to the past, and embrace their new life with a sense of wonder and adventure. Tom Wilkinson, Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, and Dev Patel star in this uplifting comedy-drama from director John Madden (The Debt, Shakespeare in Love). ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi Rated PG-13 for Sexual Content and Language Run time 124 minutes Show times are Friday, Saturday & Sunday at 7:30 and Saturday & Sunday @ 2:00. Cost is $4 for adults, $3 for seniors, and $2 for children.

There are lots of things happening this weekend around Marion, including a Concert in the Park at McKinley Park and an AKC Dog Show at the Marion County Fairgrounds. Just go to www.visitmarionohio.com and click on "Calendar" for a complete list.

Remember, where you eat, shop and play truly matters ... do it locally!

Karen

Karen Herr

Manager, Downtown Marion, Inc.

205 West Center Street, Suite 130

Marion, OH 43302

740.382.2181

As most of you know, Celebrate Summer will be taking place tomorrow, Saturday, June 23. The event itself will be from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. and will be located on West Center Street between Prospect and Orchard Streets (Campbell Street will be open ... streets will begin shutting down between 7 and 8 a.m. beginning with Oak Street).

Celebrate Summer has something that will interest everyone in the family ... including art, music, antique cars, a large children's area and food! On Oak Street will be vendors with everything from paintings & such to recycled furniture (it's really cool and the epitome of being eco-friendly in your home) to beaded and polished rock jewelry, fiber art, garden flags, and more! There will also be a student and emerging artist area for those who would like to display but feel they are too young or do not have enough art for a booth.

There will also be a Featured Artist Exhibit that will showcase the works of four accomplished Marion artists: Art Beery, Jay Johnston, Leah Lawrence and Alan Reeve. All are nationally and internationally known with works that hang in museums and prestigious private collections across the globe. This will be located in the APEX Church's Activities Center, known for years as the Uhler Building.

The street will be filled with really cool pre-1950 cars and trucks. These vintage vehicles are restored to their original specs and are a true piece of art for the antique car aficionado.

The Paul Lyons Band will play from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. in the parking area of APEX Church. The Children's area has been expanded and is being handled by Family Life Church ... the group that does the awesome Fall Blast every fall, so that will be a lot of fun. The Monkey Organ Grinders will be roaming the streets playing for attendees. ... and the Marion Hobby Club will be displaying in the Chamber/CANDO building.

Saturday night at the historic Palace Theatre, Dave Calendine will be playing the mighty Wurlitzer organ and providing enthralling musical accompaniment to two classic Laurel & Hardy silent movie films. That begins at 7:00 p.m. and tickets are only $5.

Food-wise ... there will be Stix & Stones Wood Fried Pizza on the grounds; Baires on South Main Street will be open 11 - 2; The Candy Shack & Cafe' in Charleston Place will be serving from 10 - 4; Infinity and the Warehouse will be opening for dinner at 4.

So again ... lots to do with a little something for everyone!!! 

Our thanks to Primrose Retirement Community for sponsoring the events at the Palace Theatre, as well, as to all of our other sponsors. Unfortunately, I can't name them all here, but our larger ones included Wyandot, Carrolls Jewelers, Peltier Chiropractic Wellness Center, Marion General Hospital, Sims Brothers, Health & HomeCare Concepts, Kingston Residence of Marion, Promo Costumes, Streetwise Motors, Candy Shack & Cafe', Goldrush Jewelers of Marion, Ohio Sate Bank, Palace Theatre, and Walston Motors. All can be found in our program, as well as on our website: www.CelebrateSummer.org. Many thanks to each and everyone one of you! Without you this event would not be possible.

And here, I guess, is where I remind everyone to say "Thank you" and to patronize our local businesses who invest in their community by sponsoring events, ball teams, school productions and more.  As an example, why go to Columbus to buy your jewelery when Carrolls is sponsoring your child's little league team and Goldrush is supporting your daughter's pageant? Why drive all the way to Reichart to buy a car without at least checking out what Streetwise, Walston, or one of the other local dealerships has to offer ... or can get for you through their internet connections? You get the picture. Shop locally and the entire community benefits ... including your own family. (I'll get off my soapbox, now! : )

Elsewhere in the downtown area:

We had a new business open up this week on South Main Street ... it's a furniture store and is located right next to Baires at 129 South Main Street. I'll have more information soon, but if you get a chance, stop in and check them out! They are open Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday from 10 - 5; Friday 10 - 6; and Saturday, 11 - 4.

The Palace Theatre will be showing Snow White and the Huntsman this weekend. The enchanting Snow White (Kristen Stewart) joins forces with the fierce Huntsman (Chris Hemsworth), who was recruited by the diabolical Queen (Charlize Theron) to kill the fair beauty, and together they fight to rid their kingdom of evil in this bold new take on the fairy-tale classic from commercial director Rupert Sanders.

Obsessed with being the fairest woman in the land, the Queen learns that Snow White will soon surpass her in beauty, and seeks to achieve immortality by consuming the young girl's heart. But the Huntsman is the only one capable of braving the dark forest to seek out Snow White.

Threatened with death should he refuse to follow his order, the Huntsman finds Snow White, and begins training her for the arduous battle ahead. Meanwhile, a handsome prince (Sam Claflin) falls hopelessly under Snow White's spell. Rated PG-13 for Intense Sequences of Action, Brief Sensuality and Intense Sequences of Violence.Information for parents: Common Sense Media says OK for kids 14+.

Show Times: Friday, June 22 at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, June 24 at 2pm & 7:30 p.m. (no showings on Saturday)

Remember ... where you eat, shop and play matters ... please do it in Marion County!

Karen

--

Karen Herr

Manager, Downtown Marion, Inc.

205 West Center Street, Suite 130

Marion, OH 43302

740.382.2181