Downtown South Bend News

DOWNTOWN THIS SPRING

STARTING: Friday, May 2
DREAM COACH CARRIAGES
Friday Night Professional Carriage Rides near the Morris Theater Performing Arts Center will run from 7pm –10pm. Rides start at $20 for up to four passenger. Reservations are recommended. Call 574-654-3616 or visit: www.DreamCoachCarriages.com

Saturday, May 3
SPRING ART WALK
Downtown is the place to be this Saturday from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. for the Spring Art Walk. Walk or ride the Trolley to nine favorite downtown art galleries. See one-of-a-kind artwork by local artists past & present. Visit www.circaartsgallery.com for more details or call Kathy Reddy White at 574.233.8400.

Saturday, May 10
CINCO de MAYO
Festival 2008's theme is "Unity". Held in Howard Park, events will include a Mother's Day Breakfast, Cinco de Mayo Parade, and Fiesta. For more information contact: Jesusa 574-310-6959 or Cainclia 574-292-0597

June 2-6
BIKE TO WORK WEEK
South Bend and the Michiana Bicycle Coalition, pronounce June as Michiana Bike Month. Monday, June 2 is Bike-to-Work Day. Everyone is encouraged to Bike-to-Work or try cycling for fun, fitness or transportation. Cyclists will gather at the Jon R. Hunt Plaza in front of the Morris Performing Arts Center. The all day event will feature a fun-ride, free drinks, snacks, and live entertainment. For further details visit: www.michianabiketowork.org

Saturday, June 7
MOVIE ON THE GRIDIRON
Have dinner downtown, bring a lawn chair and head to the College Football Hall of Fame's Gridiron for this free, outdoor event featuring Alfred Hitchcock's thriller, Rear Window. It all takes place at dusk, under the stars and is brought to you by the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center and DTSB. For more information visit: www.downtownsouthbend.com

STARTING: Monday, June, 16
RED TABLE PLAZA LUNCHTIME CONCERT SERIES
The series is free and runs Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Enjoy live music on the Wells Fargo Plaza (southwest corner of Jefferson Blvd. and Michigan St.) Bring a lunch, relax on the Plaza and let the sound carry you away. Free Wi-Fi available. For a complete listing of musicians and performance dates visit: www.downtownsouthbend.com

ECO FEST- SATURDAY, JUNE 21, 10:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M.
IT'S COMING… "GO GREEN. BE ACTIVE."
CALL 282-1110 FOR DETAILS ABOUT ATTENDING, EXHIBITING, AND CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES.

DOWNTOWN AMBASSADORS PROVIDE CLEANING, SAFETY AND HOSPITALITY SERVICES

A key strategic goal for Downtown South Bend, Inc (DTSB) is to provide hospitality and assistance to merchants, residents and visitors in the downtown Central Business District and East Bank Village area. To accomplish this goal, DTSB established the Downtown Ambassador Pilot Program in 2004. In 2006, DTSB contracted with Block-by-Block, a nationally recognized company that creates custom hospitality and safety programs for cities across the United States.

The Downtown Ambassadors are hired locally and trained to assist merchants, residents and visitors in the downtown. Ambassadors are supplied with materials such as maps and brochures which they offer to visitors in order to enhance their downtown experience. Ambassadors also take time to speak with business owners and managers to learn their issues and concerns, as well as provide information and opportunities available through DTSB. In addition to hospitality, Ambassadors discourage panhandling and promote safety. They also report code violations, damage and/or hazards to the appropriate city departments.

Currently, there is a staff of 5 full-time ambassadors and an operations manager, John Tarwacki, to provide hospitality and safety functions throughout the downtown district. On an yearly basis, it is estimated that Ambassadors: address 270 incidents of panhandling; assist 3,225 pedestrians; assist 1,500 motorists; assist with 60 calls to emergency services; remove 20,000 pounds of debris and power wash 60 block faces per year. In addition, on a yearly basis Ambassadors are responsible for beautification initiatives that include: planting and maintaining over 270 hanging flower baskets; 3,225 flowers in 173 beds, pots and tree rings; and installing hundreds of flags and banners as well as seasonal decorations for holiday promotions.

Monday-Wednesday: 7 AM to 8 PM
Thursday-Friday: 7 AM to 11 PM
Saturday: 3 PM to 11 PM

For safety and cleaning assistance, please contact the Ambassadors at 574.217.6296 during the above days/times. For emergency assistance, please call the South Bend Police Department at 574.235.9201