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Now Open: My Little Peanut

08 Apr 2008
A new children's consignment clothing store, My Little Peanut, is now open for business in downtown Howell. Kari Willis, Owner, recently moved to downtown Howell from the Grand River Annex in Brighton. My Little Peanut is located at 109 W. Grand River Ave. Store hours are Tuesday-Friday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m, and Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Classic Films Coming to the ‘Big Screen’ in Howell

07 Mar 2008

Gone with the Wind, The Great Gatsby , and Casablanca are just a few of the classic films scheduled to be shown this spring and summer at the Howell Theater in Downtown Howell. A new classic film and lunch series starts March 25, and continues through August on the 4th Tuesday of each month. The film and lunch series is being coordinated by the Howell Area Parks and Recreation Authority, the Howell Carnegie District Library and the Howell Theater. Films are sponsored by the Howell Downtown Development Authority, First National Bank of Howell, Summerville at Brighton, and Independence Village.

March 25 – Gone with the Wind

April 22 – Casablanca

May 27 – The Great Escape

June 24 – Yankee Doodle Dandy

July 22 – Ben Hur

August 26 – The Great Gatsby

Tickets are $5.00 and include admission to the film, and a $2.00 coupon toward lunch at a featured local restaurant. Tickets may be purchased in advance at the Howell Area Parks and Recreation Authority at the Bennett Recreation Center, 925 W. Grand River, Howell; or at the Howell Carnegie District Library, 314 West Grand River in Howell. They may also be purchased ½ hour prior to the start of the movie at the Howell Theater.

For more information, call Howell Area Parks and Recreation at 517-546-0693.

Monthly Wine-Gallery at Howell's Main Street Winery

06 Mar 2008

Howell's Main Street Winery, 201 W. Grand River Ave., hosts a monthly Wine-Gallery on the 2nd Friday of the month from 6:00-9:00 p.m. The Wine-Gallery features the work of different local artists for purchase. Visit the winery on Friday, May 9th for local art, wine tasting and appetizers. Click Here for a Wine Gallery flyer to view or print.

6th Annual Howell History Days

22 Apr 2008

Saturday and Sunday May 17-18th, 2008

Sponsored in part by the following:

Gold Sponsors

Bronze Sponsors:

All Saints Florist & Boutique, Cleary's Pub, Dr. DiStefano D.D.S. and Dr. Nguyen D.D.S., Howell Carnegie District Library, Mr. B's Rustic Tavern, Push Play Productions, and Schafer's House of Music

Saturday, May 17th

HOWELL DEPOT MUSEUM OPEN HOUSE (9:00 – 5:00 p.m.) See model trains, vintage clothing and local artifacts. The Howell Depot is located at 128 Wetmore Street in Downtown Howell and there is no admission fee.

WALLY TRAIN RIDES from the Howell Depot to Zukey Lake and return (Sat. 10, 11:30, 1, & 2:30 departures) Tickets are $10 per person and are available the day of the train rides. For more information call 517-548-6876.

COLLECTIBLE/ANTIQUE APPRAISAL FAIR (9:00-2:30 p.m.) Four appraisers will be at the Mason Temple, 401 W. Grand River Ave., to appraise antiques, sports memorabilia, coins and military items. Single items, hand carried only. $15 for 2 items or $20 for 3 items. To set up an appointment, please call Kris at 517-552-9092 for antiques and sports memorabilia, and Dale at 517-548-4326 for coins and military items.

CLASSIC CAR SHOW (10:00-3:00 p.m.) Sponsored by the Howell Area Historical Society. Come enjoy 50 classic and restored cars prior to 1976 at the Depot Museum, 128 Wetmore Street. Lamplighters Barber Shop Quartet will be performing from 12:30-1:30 p.m.

ARTISAN DEMOS & SPECIAL DISPLAYS (1:00-4:00 p.m.) Artist-Blacksmith Douglas Thayer of Webberville will demonstrate traditional blacksmithing using a coal forge and a variety of tools and equipment on the library lawn. Douglas Thayer will also have finished pieces on display. To see his work visit www.thayerhouse.com. Antique farm equipment and tractors will be displayed on the lawn. The Spinning Loft will be demonstrating the craft of spinning wool.

COMMUNITY CRAFTING & CONVERSATION (1:00-4:00 p.m.) Calling all hand crafters- bring your knitting, crocheting, hand quilting or any other portable craft project for Community Crafting and Conversation on the Library lawn. Bring a lawn chair. If it rains, we'll move into the Library. A hands-on craft will also be available provided by Wendy’s Simple Stitches.

3^rd ANNUAL MONSON/YACK MEMORIAL SKATE COMPETITION (Begins at 11:00 a.m.) Enter the skateboard competition at Parkers Skate Park and put your skills to the test. Competition includes three categories, Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. Awards will be presented to 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place in each category. Entry fee is $20 per category if registered by May 16^th. Must be at least 8 yrs. old to enter and all participants must wear a helmet. Music featuring DJ Joe Piesz. Admission $5 and includes product toss. Further details contact Beth Schrader at the Howell Area Parks and Recreation Department at 517-546-0693 ext. 0. Click Here to download an entry form.

HISTORIC HOME TOUR (11:00-5:00 p.m.) sponsored by the Howell Area Historical Society. Five homes will be featured on the tour. Tickets are $15 per person and will be available at Lady Rebecca’s Choice, 120 W. Grand River Ave. after May 1. For more information call 517-548-6876.

FLEMING SCHOOL HOUSE TOUR (12:00-5:00 p.m.) Ever wonder what is was like to go to school a hundred years ago? If this is the case be sure to visit the one room Fleming School House located at 4970 Grand River Ave. in Howell (corner of Grand River Ave. and Fleming Rd.) and take a step back in time.

DOWNTOWN HISTORIC DISTRICT WALKING TOURS (1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.) Take a stroll through historic Downtown Howell and let the members of the Howell Main Street program and DDA’s Design Committee be your tour guide to historic commercial buildings, distinct architecture, and local history. Tours start promptly at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. and begin at the Cobb-Hall Courtyard, 223 W. Grand River Ave.

VICTORIAN CARRIAGE RIDES (1:00 – 4:00 p.m.) Enjoy downtown Howell in a beautiful horse drawn carriage. Rides begin in the parking lot behind 1^st National Bank, 101 E. Grand River Ave. Carriage Rides are compliments of First National Bank.

Sunday, May 18, 2008

SUNDAY FARMERS’ MARKET with special entertainment (9:00 – 2:00 p.m.) Select fresh flowers, produce and handmade goodies from 70 vendors. The Farmer’s Market is hosted by the Howell Area Chamber of Commerce and is located on State and Clinton Streets.

HOWELL DEPOT MUSEUM OPEN HOUSE (10:00 – 4:00 p.m.) See model trains, vintage clothing and local artifacts. The Howell Depot is located at 128 Wetmore Street in Downtown Howell and there is no admission fee.

HOWELL CITYSCAPE COLORING CONTEST (12:00 – 4:00 p.m.) Using any medium you choose, color a Howell Cityscape Print. Prizes will be awarded in six age groups, which includes a family category. Cityscape Prints are $5 and available at the Howell Library and Opera House. Completed prints are due by May 18^th and can be dropped off at the Opera House between 12:00-4:00 p.m. Visit www.howelllibrary.org for complete Contest Rules. Popcorn and penny candy will be available.

OLD-FASHIONED ICE CREAM SOCIAL sponsored by Citizens Insurance (1:00 – 4:00 p.m.) Enjoy a free Hershey’s Ice Cream sundae! The social also features Joel Tracy, of Tip Top Entertainment juggling and balloon twisting on the Howell Carnegie District Library lawn. Classic children’s games will also be provided as well as a petting zoo.

MAGIC SHOW (1:30 -2:15 p.m.) Come enjoy a family-friendly magic show loaded with fun at The Opera House, 123 W. Grand River Ave. Jeff Wawrzaszek, from A2 Magic, is one of Michigan's most popular and experienced magicians. Jeff has been entertaining audiences for over 40 years. That doesn't mean he's really old...it just means he found his passion and niche in life at a very early age.

DOWNTOWN HISTORIC DISTRICT WALKING TOURS (1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.) Take a stroll through historic Downtown Howell and let the members of the Howell Main Street program and DDA’s Design Committee be your tour guide to historic commercial buildings, distinct architecture, and local history. Tours start promptly at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. and begin at the Cobb-Hall Courtyard, 223 W. Grand River Ave.

VICTORIAN CARRIAGE RIDES (1:00 – 4:00 p.m.) Enjoy downtown Howell in a beautiful horse drawn carriage. Rides begin in the parking lot behind 1^st National Bank, 101 E. Grand River Ave. Carriage Rides are compliments of First National Bank.

HISTORIC BUILDING TOURS: Guided tours of the Livingston County Courthouse, 200 E. Grand River Ave., from 10:00-2:00 p.m.(enter the courthouse from Clinton Street) and the Howell Opera House, 123 W. Grand River Ave., from 12:00-4:00 p.m.

EVENT DETAILS: Howell trivia, merchant game-Tool Time, and photographs will be published in a special section of the Press and Argus on MAY 8. The Press and Argus is the official media sponsor for Howell History Days.

To view or print an event map, please click here.

Special thanks to the following merchant supporters: Aria Booksellers, Cottage Kids Resale, Crandall Realty Inc., Dennis Perkins, P.C., Howell Area Chamber of Commerce, Howell's Main Street Winery, Law Offices of Don Lewis, Law Offices of Sue Hamilton, Livingston Business Forms, Mama Gaia's, National City, Pur-se, RE/MAX Platinum, Sufficient Grounds, and Uptown Coffeehouse.

Howell Opera House Video

25 Mar 2008

The curtain came down on the stage of the historic Howell Opera House Theater in 1924, bringing to an end nearly 45 years of entertainment. From opening day on December 30th, 1881 until 1924, people would come from miles around to sit in the theater (above what was Gill-Roy's Hardware) to see jugglers and acrobats, hear speeches from the likes of presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan and industrialist Henry Ford, and see productions of Gilbert and Sullivan's "Mikado" and Shakespeare's "Hamlet".

The 1,000 seat theater, which cost $11,000 in 1880 to build, was a central part of Livingston County's life and did double duty as a civic auditorium for events like high school graduations. Justice was also administered when in 1889 the Opera House served as a temporary home for the Livingston County Circuit Court.

In 1991, historic theater expert Edward Francis said that the Opera House should be placed on an "endangered species" list because most other theaters of its era have burned down.

CLICK HERE to watch a short video about the Howell Opera House from the Michigan Humanities Council to learn more!

Facade Incentive Grant Program

07 Jan 2008

Bringing Back History to Downtown Storefronts

The Design Committee of the Howell Main Street program and Downtown Development Authority annouces a new Facade Incentive Grant Program for property owners and/or business owners in the Main Street Area. The program's purpose is to encourage private investment through the historically sensitive rehabilitation and dramatic improvement of facades in downtown Howell; to encourage good design that will serve as quality examples; and to preserve the architectural character that is distinctive to downtown Howell. By improving the appearance of the building facades, the program serves to improve the economic viability of the downtown.

Eligible Improvement Projects:

Exterior facade treatments involving redesign and construction
Exterior brick or wall surface cleaning
Pointing of brick
Mortar joint repair
Patching or painting of facade walls
Window or door repair and/or replacement
Cornice repair and/or replacement

The Facade Incentive Grant Program Guidelines will provide you with more detailed information regarding the program. To determine if a property is eligible for the program please view the Target Program Area Map.

The Facade Incentive Grant Program application is available online, at the Howell Main Street Office located at 207 N. Michigan Ave. and at the Community Development Department at City Hall located at 611 E. Grand River Ave.

For questions regarding how to apply for the Facade Incentive Grant Program and application process, please contact the Howell Main Street Office at (517) 545-4240 or marnold@downtownhowell.org.

*The second round of Facade Incentive Grant Program applications are due no later than June 1, 2008* Thank you for your interest in the program and we look forward to working with you on your future project.

Fall/Winter 2007 Newsletter

06 Dec 2007

The Organization Committee of the Howell Main Street program and DDA has published our fall-winter edition of our "Howell Happenings," newsletter. Click here to view the newsletter or print a copy.

Downtown Development Authority - Howell, Michigan

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