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What's Happening in June!
Ten Farmers Join Improved MARKET on FRIDAYS
Opening Day June 5th at Tower Square Park
The Downtown Farmers' Market this season is going to be just that...a market that focuses on farmers and local products. Ten regional farms will be selling their wares at the market located across the street at Tower Square Park every Friday from 11:30am 3pm from now until the end of September.
This season's market will be a "green" market offering only locally grown produce and products. The four farms that have participated in this market in the past will be returning, and joining them will be six new farmers offering even more of a variety of natural products including beef and pork, pesticide free vegetables and fruit, Artisan cheeses, baked goods and more. (See list of farmers inside.)
The new farm vendors are participating courtesy of the efforts of the market's new manager Belle Rita Novak. Those familiar with Springfield's farmers' markets are familiar with Belle Rita. She has been managing the successful Farmers' Market at the X on Sumner Avenue on Tuesdays for years. She has a great rapport with area farmers, and a knack for operating farmers' markets. So who better to breathe new life into the Downtown Farmers' Market on Fridays, than Belle Rita! (But don't worry, X-fans! She's not leaving the Farmers' Market at the X! She'll continue to manage that market earlier in the week on Tuesdays as well!)
The Downtown Farmers' Market at Tower Square Park on Fridays will also be home to the CityBlock Lunchtime Concerts from Noon 1:30pm. (See concert schedule inside). There will be plenty of seats both in the sunshine and under tents for shade. So feel free to bring lunch, have a seat and enjoy the show on Fridays!
As a fun incentive on opening day, June 5th, FREE Downtown Farmers' Market tote bags will be given out to customers making a purchase of $5 or more (while supplies last).
The Downtown Farmers Market is sponsored by the Springfield Business Improvement District and Tower Square. www.SpringfieldDowntown.com www.VisitTowerSquare.com
Gabriella Steria, owner of Stoney Creek Farm, will be returning to the Downtown Farmers'
Market on Fridays, selling her popular canned jams, pickles, soups, and baked goods.
Tower Square Says Goodbye to Officer Terry
After fifteen years of faithful service as one of Tower Square's top-notch security officers, Theresa "Terry" Catanzarite is retiring from the security team this month.
"Terry is an outstanding employee and has been a wonderful asset to Tower Square's security team. Her experience, dedication and personality will be greatly missed by the management office, the security department and our tenants and patrons alike," commented Michael Sheehan, Tower Square Security Director.
Likewise, Terry commented, "I will miss the people here very much after I retire."
Terry's courage, quick responses and reflexes netted her a special accommodation presented to her and Senior Security Officer Javish Garcia earlier this year. Both officers received the Heroic Act Award from AlliedBarton Security Services for saving a patron in distress in October 2008.
Terry's plans after retirement? She says she intends to spend time enjoying her grandchildren and her family.
Local Women Helping Local Women at Dress for Success
Dress for Success volunteers prepare the racks of ladies business clothes in time for clients
to shop during last month's Inventory Give-Away at their storage location across from the
management office.
Over a hundred ladies from across the Pioneer Valley were seen walking through the halls of Tower Square last month with shopping bags in their hands and smiles on their faces, thanks to the efforts of the local Dress for Success organization.
During an Inventory Give-Away at their storage location near the Tower Square management office on the upper level, Dress for Success volunteers gave away hundreds of donated business suits, shoes and accessories to area women needing a helping hand.
For two days referral agencies sent clients to the Dress for Success storage area to pick out free business clothes to help prepare them for the job market. Dress for Success leadership hopes that the Inventory Give-Away can become an annual event at Tower Square.
"It's not just giving them a suit and letting them walk out the door," explained Joanne Rollins, Dress for Success Executive Director. "We coach these women and help to lift their self esteem, to better prepare them for interviews and the job market."
The mission of Dress for Success is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.
Dress for Success serves clients referred to them from a diverse group of non-profit and government agencies including homeless shelters, immigration services, job training programs, domestic violence shelters, educational institutions among others.
Almost all of the clothing and accessories that Dress for Success gives away is clothing donated by other women and occasionally department stores as well as corporate donations.
If you are interested in making a donation you can contact Dress for Success at their main office at 140 Wilbraham Avenue in Springfield at (413)732-8179. Donations should be new or gently-worn ladies business attire no more than three years old. They are also looking for dress shoes, jewelry, knee highs, purses and accessories.
Look! It's a Bird! It's a Plane!...It's an ACS Unit?
If you happened to be watching the cityscape sunrise one Saturday morning last month you may have noticed something unusual soaring in the sky over Tower Square around 5:30am.
Crews were busy hoisting two five-thousand pound air conditioning units onto the 6th floor plaza roof via the help of a large crane.
After about three-and-a-half hours of careful work, the ACS units were safely in place in the mechanical room next to the Colony Club. The two new units replaced 35-year-old inefficient units, and will be providing clean and cool air to several locations in the retail area. The new units operate with energy efficient motors, provide better insulation and operate much more quietly than the older units.
The Green Experience..A Good Experience
Close to thirty exhibitors filled Center Court and beyond during Tower Square's Green Expo Information Fair last month. The purpose of the event was to bring pertinent environmental information to downtown's office community as well as local residents.
Exhibitors offering everything from home energy audits to organic foods to recycling refuse solutions to cellulose insulation were on hand with a myriad of displays, give-away items, energy tips and information.
The event was produced by the Tower Square management office as a community service. Plans are currently underway to expand the event next year.
WWLP 22 News took time to cover last month's Green Expo, bringing the importance of
carbon footprint reduction home to their viewers.
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