Don't miss First Friday Artwalk!

Enjoy the fine September weather and cruise the Couve this Friday after work. With so many galleries, music venues, great restaurants and bars, it makes a great night out with friends to have some culture, fun and get your swerve on. Don't miss it....we only have so many nice evenings left!!

FOOD IN THE COUVE

The Great Downtown
Mushroom Hunt

September 25, 3-5:30
Turtle Place / 7th and Main

Whether you hunt them (Safeway? In the woods?), grow them yourself, love them or fear them………..mushrooms are a fabulous add to your dining experience.  Come get up close and personal with these exciting fungi and the folks who know all about them.  Sample delicious appetizers prepared onsite by some of downtown’s best chefs……..there’s even something for your “little sprouts” to enjoy while you enjoy live music, mushroom munchies, and a beer garden (By the Bottle will bring their best).

3:00 Come on by for a little mushroom love  We'll have music, fun, and a little something to learn…you CAN be the Fun Guy at the Party!

4:30 Mushroom appetizer “best of ‘sho-MUSHROOM!” contest.  Who will win?  Rosemary’s?  The Grant House? Gray’s at the Park? Tommy O’s? Tiger Garden? Charlie’s Bistro?  Hey……more are joining this competition every day!  We are serious about our mushrooms in the ‘Couve!

By 5:30…….Here comes the HUNT part of the party.  Wander over to the downtown restaurant or lounge that has added YOUR favorite mushroom dish to their menu for the evening. 

 

Vancouver's Annual Festival of the Arts

August 6th and 7th

It was a great evening in the Couve. The perfect weather for an outdoor arts festival.

A BIG thank you to LAZERQUICK!! They came through big time with a generous donation of the Art in the Heart banner across main street!!!

From tiny dancers to hip-hop, folk music to Rock and Roll, the music filled the air and carried folks from gallery to gallery, restaurant to bar...all up and down main street.

So many galleries, volunteers, vendors and restaurants put so much work into making this event great...and it was. We are already looking forward to next year and hope you are too.

We will be studying our feedback and see what you thought about the event and what we can do to make it better next year. If you have any suggestions, please let us know.

 

There’s something for everyone in our busy downtown! 

Specialty retail, great food, wonderful candies and popcorn, furniture, history, 14 art galleries and MORE!  Watch this quick video and see who you recognize.  Our message?  Hey…….we want to Meetcha Downtown!

 

Transforming Downtown

Michele’s Report of Findings

The final meeting with consultant Michele Reeves will be September 9, 2010 , from 3:30-5:00.  More details to come.  What can you expect?  A tour of our downtown’s OWN success stories that have come into focus just since our work with Michele began in March.  We are workin’ the plan and the plan is workin’!  We will get her ideas about what we need to focus on in order to bring real change to our storefronts.  That’s how we attract those entrepreneurs who are looking for just the right spot for start a business. 

 

Hey, Members!   Got Events?

Here’s a great way to promote your events with others!  We’ve added a calendar to our website that is just for our members to let others know the great things they are bringing to our downtown.  Just email the details ( date, time, where it’s all happening, and a description of what the public is invited to enjoy) to our Executive Director, Lee Rafferty, at least one month before your big day.    Mention “event “ in the subject line, please.   Director@vdausa.org    

 

No Ifs Ands or Butts

It’s a promise kept! VDA and the Esther Short Neighborhood Association, along with volunteer help from Clark College, Clark County Juvenile Justice System, and the Clark, Skamania, West Klickitat Central Labor Council have installed 24 cigarette butt receptacles throughout Downtown Vancouver. Learn More>>

 

Whats Happening with VDA

VDA working to recruit businesses to Downtown

VDA has finalized its first Business Recruitment Packet to help interest new business to Downtown Vancouver. It includes a few fast facts about Vancouver as well as the many business opportunities we have to offer. Take a look and tell us what you think.

 

VDA Welcomes our Newest Members!

Venia Development	Little Italy’s Trattoria
Paul Quackenbush Photography	Fraternal Order of Eagles
Vancouver Bible Institute	Wheeler, Montgomery, Sleight & Boyd Law Offices

Tell us your story, we want to hear about your night out on the town or your relaxing day at the park. Downtown is all about the people and the experience. Learn More>>

Get Involved. Do you want to help? There are all kinds of ways to get involved with making Vancouver and make good things happen. Learn More>>