2016 - Year in Review

As 2016 winds down, I wanted to share some of what made this year special in Downtown Wilmington:

2016 by the numbers:

16 - venues where live music, comedy, and improv are performed regularly

44,000 - Visitor Guides requested for Wilmington (since September!)

120 - concerts in Wilmington featuring local musicians

50+ - people who performed all of the works of Shakespeare on Market Street in one hour

93 - TEDx Wilmington Talks

1,412 - people who walked into the Greater Wilmington Convention and Visitors Bureau

20,184 – people who attended a performance by OperaDelaware

366 - days in which the men and women who live, work, and play in Wilmington make the city a better place

Now, let's go make 2017 even better!

Marty

Street Farm Book Signing

Our friends at the Ninth Street Book Shop on Market Street are hosting a book signing this Thursday with nationally acclaimed author-photographer-farmer Michael Ableman.

Michael will speak about his newest book, Street Farm, an inspirational account of residents in Low Track in Vancouver, British Columbia who joined together to create an urban farm as a means of addressing the chronic problems in their neighborhood.

Here's the details:

WHAT: Book Signing by Michael Ableman

WHERE: Ninth Street Book Store (730 N. Market Street)

WHEN: Thursday, December 8, 12 - 2 PM

I hope you can come out for this great event!

Marty

Holiday Party at The Mill

We have a truly great community in Downtown Wilmington!

Our friends at The Mill and the IN Campaign are putting together a great Holiday Party on December 14 - Click Here to RSVP for this party.

Here's the details from the organizers:

The Mill Space and In Wilmington - Arts & Entertainment are teaming up to celebrate the holidays IN true Wilmington spirit! Join us for hors d’oeuvres, drinks, music by Skinny White, pong (table tennis!), The Mill Market - featuring local artists with perfect holiday gifts - and more, as we come together to help the Parker Family of Tilton Park in their time of need. 

The Mill Market:
Delaware Fun A Day
Julia Jay Hardman
Kristin Grant Jewelry
Levitea
Nicole Kristiana Studio
Objective Photography
Rocker Soaps + Herbals
Terranceism : Art by Terrance Vann
& more TBA!

PARKER FAMILY DONATION DRIVE
This holiday season we’re going to honor the spirit and generosity of the Parker family, who, despite losing so much of their own in a tragic house fire last week in Wilmington, are still fighting to continue their support of the community through 23 year-old Quira’s nonprofit The Fairy God Sisters Of Delaware. You can read more about this INspiring family on their Go Fund Me page or the recent Delaware Online article (linked in the comments below). 

We ask all attendees to bring an item to help support the needs of the family. Clothing and everyday staples would be very helpful (known sizes below). The children lost the majority of their belongings in the fire - both necessities and passions - clothes, shoes, bedroom furniture, linens, a computer, sports equipment, musical instruments, camera equipment and other electronics. Obviously, we won't be able to replace all of these things, but with so much to rebuild, even providing common items - clothes, towels, sheets, blankets, pots & pans, grocery gift cards, etc. - we’re sure to help the Parker Family ease INto a brighter new year!

THE FAMILY
Anthony & Co-Kema Parker

Children:
KeKe Parker-Bracken (25)
Quira Parker (23)
Shemar (17) 30/32 Young Men / Adult MD shoe: 10 1/2
Destiny (15) Size 0/2 Juniors shoe: 9
Jazmine (13) Size 7 Juniors shoe: 10
Dallas (11) Size 10/12 Boys shoe: 6

I hope to see you there.

Marty

December at the Inspiration Space!

The resources we have in Downtown Wilmington are really impressive.

In December, the Inspiration Space at the Wilmington Library has a wide variety of offerings for business leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in exploring a world of possibilities. Here's information from my friends Carl and Janet:

Inspiration Space at Wilmington Library December Events

Free workshops and assistance for career, business & personal goals!

Sign Up and More Information @ www.DelawareLibraries.org/workshops

December’s Featured Workshops & Events:

Marketing Plan: Your Business’s Most Important Strategy

Thursday, December 8th at 10:30am

How to Be an Effective Collections Representative

(Certificate Training- Must attend both days, lunch provided)

Monday & Tuesday, December 12th & 13th at 11:00am

Operation Veteran Entrepreneurship: Financing Your Business

Thursday, December 15th at 10:30am

Professionalism, Ethics & Etiquette in the Workplace

Friday, December 16th at 10:00am

Join Us and Be INSPIRED!!

Like Carl says, Come out and Be Inspired!

Marty

Downtown Meet & Greet with the Mayor Elect

Great things happen when we all get together - and that's what we want to see on Tuesday, December 6.

Downtown Visions and the City of Wilmington are holding a public event at the Delaware Historical Society (504 N. Market Street) with Mayor Elect Mike Purzycki and Delaware History Museum President Scott Loehr.

Here's the details:

I hope you will join us!

Marty