“Be Downtown Bloomington” Campaign Begins with Downtown Cleanup

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 31, 2008

For additional information, contact:
Maria K. Heslin, Deputy Mayor, City of Bloomington, 812-349-3569

Bloomington, IN - Mayor Mark Kruzan invites everybody to help celebrate the start of the Be Downtown Bloomington campaign by joining the City and local businesses in participating in the third annual Downtown Cleanup. The event will take place on Tuesday morning, April 29 (with April 30 as the rain date).

"Bloomington is a beautiful place to live, work and study," Kruzan said. "When residents, businesses and students come together, it just takes a little bit of community elbow grease to clean and beautify our downtown area."

Thanks to growing community support, the number of volunteers and the amount of trash collected doubled last year, resulting in more than 100 volunteers collecting and disposing of 2,000 pounds of trash. This year participants will help with the cleaning along the B-Line Trail and downtown from 3rd to 12th Streets between Indiana Avenue and Morton Street.

Cleanup volunteers will gather litter, remove graffiti, paint buildings, plant flowers and add mulch to planters throughout downtown. City staff will lead the cleanup teams and provide the necessary tools and equipment.

Volunteer registration begins at 8:30 a.m. in the City Hall Atrium, 401 N. Morton St., and the cleanup will take place from 9 to 11:30 a.m. A light breakfast will be served courtesy of Tutto Bene, water will be provided by Crystal Pure, and lunch will be provided to volunteers, compliments of Noodles & Company. Participants also will receive an event T-shirt courtesy of CFC, Inc. and Campustown.

Businesses and individuals can get involved by calling Sue Owens at 349-3468 or e-mailing her at owenss@bloomington.in.gov.

For more information, please visit www.bloomington.in.gov/bbbb or call the Be Bloomington hotline at 349-BBBB.

The Be Downtown Bloomington theme extends from April 1 through June. Additional Be Downtown events include:

• April 4, 8 p.m. - The Indiana University African American Arts Institute's (AAAI) Dance Company holds its spring concert at the Buskirk-Chumley Theatre. The Company captures and delivers the spirit of dance styles of the African Diaspora. Visit buskirkchumley.org for ticket information.
• April 5, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Don't miss the opportunity to purchase fresh-from-the-farm, locally grown products, prepared food and baked goods at the Farmers' Market each Saturday, April through November. For more information contact Marcia Veldman, Market Coordinator, at (812) 349-3738 or e-mail veldmanm@bloomington.in.gov.
• April 6, registration begins at noon; event begins at 2 p.m. - Homeward Bound at Third Street Park. Walk, donate or volunteer to raise awareness and funds to fight homelessness in Bloomington. For more information visit homewardboundindiana.org/
• April 12, 8 p.m. - The IU Soul Revue, also a performing ensemble of the AAAI, presents its annual spring concert at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. Visit buskirkchumley.org for ticket information.
• April 26, 8 a.m. to 11:55 p.m. - Hoosier Hustle at Third Street Park. The City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department presents its own version of Survivor, The Amazing Race and EcoChallenge in the form of the second annual Hoosier Hustle! For more information, contact Sarah Nix, Program Specialist, at (812) 349-3748 or via e-mail at nixs@bloomington.in.gov.
• May 16-26 - Bloomington Early Music Festival. Now in its 15th year, this unique Midwest festival brings together soloists and ensembles for a series of diverse concerts, operas, workshops and talks. For more information, visit blemf.org.
• May 17, registration begins at 8 a.m.; event begins at 9 a.m. - Active Living Community Walk. Join the Active Living Coalition to promote increasing activity and making healthy lifestyle changes. Take a one- or two-mile walk downtown, shop at the Farmers' Market, and check out information at many health fair and screening booths. The first 100 people at the walk will receive a free walk T-shirt and pedometer.
• Ongoing, ends May 18 - Nature's Numbers exhibit at WonderLab. This exhibit, which consists of 20 interactive stations, was designed by The Franklin Institute Science Museum. It explores the shapes, structures and patterns found in living things and natural objects. Call 337-1337 or visit wonderlab.org for more information.

Community groups and organizations are encouraged to submit their theme-oriented events each month to bbbb@bloomington.in.gov.

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