Heart of Biddeford’s DonutClub meets the first Tuesday morning of the month at Reilly’s Bakery at 232 Main Street. The DonutClub is a group of interested business community members that discuss potential events and concerns in our downtown.

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Donut Club Minutes – 1/11/11

Great turnout for January’s meeting!  Welcome to Accountant Jake Mulligan and Cabinetmaker Jim Conwell.

Maine Bike Rally – Andy Greif – At this juncture, the Donut Club will support the rally which would be held in summers of 2012 and 2013.  Need volunteers including chairs for six committees (marketing, sponsorship, programming/activities, food and camping).  More than likely, Biddeford’s Middle School would be the home base for the rally.  Some of the activities that would be held downtown would be a ride to local restaurants and a movie night at Mechanics Park or City Theater.  Downeaster is the major sponsor for this event.  Maine Bike Rally Board will have templates for the rally.   To proceed, we will need the support of the City and City Council as well as the support of Heart of Biddeford via its Promotions Committee.

Orton Foundation Master Plan update – Tammy Ackerman – Over the next few weeks, there will be several more advisory council meetings and workshops as we near the completion of the Master Plan – expected sometime in spring.  On Monday 1/24, 4:30-6:00 at the HOB office, there will be a workshop concerning infrastructure and natural resources, including parks, parking, recreation.  Anyone who wishes to attend, please bring with you ideas and input.   Once the Master Plan is completed, it is a goal to have it integrated with the City’s Comprehensive Plan, scheduled for completion in 2012.

Indoor Sidewalk Sale – Holly Culloton – So far we have La Corsetrie, Lacava, Dad’s Smoke Shop, Art Mart, Music Plus, Twin City Gold, and Youlands on board for the Indoor Sidewalk Sale.  Tentative dates are:  2/17, 18, and 19.  Holly contacted Nadeen with Saco Spirit to see if there would be any interest from Saco retailers to make it a joint effort.  Marketing would include a full page ad in the Courier, calendaring on HOB/Saco Spirit Website, and independent advertising from each retailer depending upon what they want to do.  John Bubier will speak with the Buy Local group at their meeting this Friday morning to see if any interest.

Biddeford Cares Downtown Non-profit Lighting Project – Holly Culloton – Eileen Foley did a fantastic job of coordinating this event.  Consensus was that it was a success in that it lit up Main Street and brought awareness to non-profits.  (Note:  In talking with Eileen Foley today, 1/12, she confirms that Bon Appetite, Seeds of Hope, Crossroads for Women, and Caring Unlimited all received donations as a result of Bidd/Cares.  In the next couple of weeks she will be sending out a survey to all participating non-profits.)  Some suggestions for 2011 Biddeford Cares are a scavenger hunt, an ArtWalk – walk to look at windows and Eileen’s earlier thought of a holiday music theme.

ArtWalk – Tammy Ackerman – At their last meeting, the ArtWalk committee voted to hold bi-monthly ArtWalks beginning in February, with most artists showing in the North Dam Mill.  Lacava will also be open.  Plans are also underway for a furniture show – the work of local craftsman will be on display in empty storefronts.  Another exciting project which will fill the empty storefronts will be a collaboration between Engine and the Architectural Institute of America called “Canstruction” — Sculptures created from canned food.  The food will be donated to local food pantries.  The winner of the show will go on to an international competition.

McArthur Library – Sally Leahey – There will be an important lecture on January 18 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. – “Photography at a Crossroads: Charles Moody and Early Art Photography in Maine,”  by Susan Danly, Curator of Graphics, Photographs, and Contemporary Art at the Portland Museum of Art.  The Saco Museum will be hosting the photographic works of Charles Moody.  On January 25, author Susan Dudley Gold and activist Kathy McInnis–Misenor will present a workshop on the Americans with Disabilities Act.  And coming up, Mac McHale and the Radio Gang will be performing at the library on Sunday, February 6, at 3:00 p.m.

Community updates -

• David Flood and his business partner, Caleb Johnson, are nearing the date for a closing on their construction loan for 265 Main Street, possibly by mid-February.
• Also, with the help of Tom and Mike Ventura, the DDC will be working on restoration of the cannon monument at the park.
• Interest continues to develop for a mill museum.  More to follow.
• John Bubier announced that Emery School has been approved for 24 senior housing units – construction to begin this spring.
• City Theater has had great success with its last two performances and has a full schedule planned for 2011.  Note that the theater has a new 24′X38′ movie screen with up-to-date projection equipment.
• On Sunday, January 30 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. there will be a “Poetry Out Loud Open Mike” event for 18 and under – possibly at the Oak & the Ax next to Bebe’s on Main Street.  More to come.
• Farmers Market – Deanna Weaver of the Sweet Specialist is working on bringing a Farmer’s Market to the mill district.  First date to be February 9.
• David Flood spoke on a potential collaboration between the Biddeford Free Clinic and Spurwink Agency – for the purpose of offering mental health services in the clinic.
• Recent city council action included the acquisition of additional open space for Clifford Park.
• DDC – There has been interest in creating additional parking spaces specifically for motorcycles and this has been put on the agenda for the next capital improvements workshop, Thursday, January 13 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at City Hall.

Lots of information here, but if I’ve missed anything, please let me know.  Thanks!  See you at our next meeting – Feb. 1, 2011 – 8:00 a.m. at Reilly’s Bakery.