Downtown Staunton plans special Fridays nights
Heading to Downtown Staunton after 5 on Friday evenings this summer and fall has its rewards, as 33 stores, salons, theaters and restaurants are keeping their doors open until 9 p.m. and offering special bonuses for their customers.
Shoppers who spend $25 Fridays after 5 p.m. at participating stores will receive a $5 bonus. The $5 certificate can be redeemed at any downtown retailer through Oct. 1. Certificates are not valid at restaurants, and some restrictions apply. More information about “Spend $25 · Fridays after 5 · Get $5″ is available at participating stores and at www.stauntondowntown.org.
Friday evening shoppers and diners will also find live music, art, theater, dance, and interactive demonstrations of skill scattered throughout the downtown district each week until October. The free entertainment program is part of Staunton Downtown Development Association’s 2010 Extended Hours Program, a promotion that encourages later evening shopping and dining through incentives.
“Friday Nights Downtown” will run from 6-9 p.m. each Friday through Oct. 1 and feature a wide variety of acoustic musicians, casts of musicals and plays, artists, living chess matches for charity, improvisational and dance troupes and jugglers. Entertainment is free and family-friendly.
Interested performers should contact sdda_assistant@ci.staunton.va.us or call 540.332.3867.
Edited by Chris Graham. Chris can be reached at freepress2@ntelos.net.
Kids’ Night Out in Staunton
Edited by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net
The Staunton Downtown Development Association, in conjunction with local merchants, will celebrate the kickoff of the SDDA’s popular Street Entertainment Program with Kid’s Night Out on Friday, July 9 from 6-9 p.m.
Staunton residents and visitors are invited to participate in an evening of free magic, juggling, face painting, crafts, store specials and more while they shop and dine in Downtown Staunton.
Stop by Mugshots Coffeehouse and Café to decorate your own cupcake. Stroll the streets and enjoy juggling, unicycling, and magic tricks and don’t forget to stop by Arthur’s for Popcorn and Cowboy Music. Meet Famous People from Augusta County and enjoy juice and snacks at The Smith Center Museum Store. Explore a Staunton Fire Department Fire Truck in the Wharf. Read more
Happy Birthday, Earth Day!
Story by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net
Earth Day hits the big four-oh this year, and like a person turning 40, it’s going through a sort of midlife crisis.
“I see a growing awareness to how our own consumption has completely hurt and damaged the earth. What I don’t see happening is the desire for wholesale change,” said Steve Grande, a Mary Baldwin College professor and one of the founders of Staunton Green 2020, a local group dedicated toward building a sustainable green economy in Staunton and Augusta County. Read more
Sink-hole repairs to close a block of New Street
Edited by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net
The Staunton Department of Public Works will have New Street closed from Beverley Street to Frederick Street on Thursday, April 1, for repair to a sink hole.
The closure is expected to last most of the day. Emergency vehicles will not be able to get through.
Central Ave. project to get going next week
Construction biggest in Downtown Staunton since the Big Dig
Staff Report
News Tips: freepress2@ntelos.net
The City of Staunton announces the launch of a major downtown construction project, the largest such undertaking since the Big Dig 10 years ago. The ten-month project will install a new sewer line along Central Avenue from the Wharf Parking Lot to Pump Street. DLB Inc. from Hillsville is the contractor that has been selected for the project.
The project is expected to begin the week of Jan. 18, and DLB will begin staging equipment on the East side of the Wharf Lot the week of Jan. 11. The East side of the lot will remain partially open for customer parking through Jan. 17, after which it will be closed through phase two of the project. The West side of the lot will not close.
The $1.5 million project will involve burying an 18-inch sanitary sewer line some 15 feet below the street. This deep excavation requires the streets to be closed to through traffic to allow room for work and equipment. The new line is expected to pass under existing utilities and no power, phone, water or other interruptions are expected. Read more
Acoustic with a mission
Music Guild Night set for Saturday night
Staff Report
News Tips: freepress2@ntelos.net
The Staunton Music Guild has recently partnered with several local businesses and organizations to benefit community and cultural causes, and on Saturday, Dec. 26, from 7-10 p.m., will join with Mockingbird Roots Music Hall, 123 W. Beverley St., to hold “Staunton Music Guild Night.” Read more
Guild raises startup funds
Staff Report
News Tips: freepress2@ntelos.net
A wide range of music was served up with the pizza at Shenandoah Pizza on Tuesday night as musicians and music lovers of all types gathered to support the startup of a new music organization in Staunton.
Professional and amateur musicians, business owners and fans mingled and networked as the Staunton Music Guild and Shenandoah Pizza owners John and Cheryl Huggins hosted the Guild’s first membership event. Attendees had the chance to sign up as a founding member of the Guild for $10 and catch a myriad of talented local musicians. Read more
