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If you're interested in what's happening in Downtown Lethbridge, check out our NEW blog at www.downtownlethbridge.com. We're excited about our new website and invite you to FOLLOW US on Twitter, LIKE US on Facebook and WATCH US on YOUTUBE.

Movie in the Park - Friday & Saturday, Sept. 2-3

The Downtown Business Revitalization Zone (BRZ) is sponsoring another Movie in the Park event this Friday and Saturday, Sept. 2-3 in beautiful Galt Gardens Park. The fun starts at 7:00 p.m. with hula-hoop contests, novelty dances, magician, bounce tent and the BRZ concession (pop 50 cents, popcorn 50 cents - all proceeds to the Soup Kitchen). We're showing the family animated movie 'Kung Fu Panda 2' on Friday and 'Mr. Popper's Penguins' starring Jim Carry on Saturday. Both movies start at 8:45 p.m.. This is a FREE event, so make sure to let all your friends and family know about it.

The weather forecast looks promising and if it gets too hot you can always cool off at the Rotary Centennial Plaza water feature located on the southeast corner of the park. Make sure to bring a lawn chair and a blanket just in case the temperature drops later on in the evening.

Movies in the park are brought to you by downtown businesses as a way of saying 'thank-you' to all of their loyal customers and clients.

For more information on the Movie in the Park event visit www.movieinthepark.ca.

Downtown Lethbridge Farmers' Market returns on July 6 ... expands to 30 vendors!

This year will mark the 5th year that the Downtown Business Revitalization Zone (DBRZ) and Exhibition Park have partnered on the Downtown Farmers' Market. The market has grown in both size and popularity and we're excited to announce that we're expanding to 30 vendors this year.

Fresh fruits, veggies and other locally produced products will be up for grabs starting on Wednesday, July 6 at Festival Square (just off of 3rd Avenue and 6th Street S.). The markets will begin at 10:00 a.m. and run until 3:00 p.m. We've also expanded the downtown market season and will be hosting markets right until September 14th.

The market has been a welcomed addition to the line-up of DBRZ sponsored events, especially since the departure of the downtown IGA store. People that live and work in, or near, the downtown have the opportunity to pick-up a wide array of locally produced products at our convenient, centrally located market.

Back again this year will be live music by a wide range of artists from the Buskers Association of Lethbridge. The Buskers will also be performing at a variety of other downtown locations as part of the DBRZ's 'Sounds of Downtown' initiative. The live music definitely creates a unique festival atmosphere.

Many of the merchants on 6th Street will be putting out tables during the market. This will provide market attendees with the opportunity to leisurely stroll down the beautifully tree-lined street and check out a variety of other items that our downtown merchants have to offer.

The DBRZ and Exhibition Park will also be selling our own Farmers' Market canvas shopping bags (while quantities last) at our booth. The bags will be selling for $2.00 and will include a coupon for a free bag of popcorn. The DBRZ popcorn cart will be selling popcorn at the market for 50 cents per bag.

So, when you're making plans to travel downtown to take in the Wednesday Farmers' Market, make sure to schedule a bit of time to wander around the rest of downtown to experience everything that are businesses have to offer. We have a great selection of boutique retailers, coffee shops and restaurants to choose from. As well, the Rotary Centennial Plaza water feature in Galt Gardens Park is an excellent place to sit, relax and cool off on a hot summer day.

For more information on the Downtown Farmers' Market, contact the DBRZ at (403) 327-9002 or Exhibition Park at (403) 328-4491.

Chinook-A-Tron Sculpture re-installed in Downtown Lethbridge

Chinook-A-Tron artist, Alex Pavlenko (right)

Pre-installation inspection (May 2011)

Wranglin' Willie (310 - 6 Street South)

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The Chinook-A-Tron is once again whirling and spinning at its Downtown Lethbridge location on 7th Street South (east side of Foster and Sons Jewellers - 622 - 3 Avenue S.).

Last spring, the first version of this unique sculpture was at the losing end of a battle with one of the strongest southern Alberta winds in recent memory. The Chinook-A-Tron's creator, Alex Pavlenko, rebuilt and reinforced it with a number of new metal supports. The refurbishment will hopefully provide the Chinook-A-Tron with a fighting chance the next time we encounter a major wind storm. Besides the reinforced elements, a few new kinetic pieces were added to the sculpture.

This art project is a partnership between the Downtown Business Revitalization Zone (DBRZ) and the City of Lethbridge. The Chinook-A-Tron is the second in a series of kinetic sculptures that have been commissioned by the DBRZ. The first sculpture, Wranglin' Willie, sits atop a similar pole in front of the DBRZ office (310 - 6 Street South). The goal is to have a number of these whirly-gig type sculptures installed throughout the downtown core. We want to take full advantage of one of the enduring features of Southern Alberta - the wind.

The DBRZ is also working with another local artist, Jason Trotter, on a historic mural depicting an image of one of the many electric streetcars that graced our downtown streets during the turn of last century. This mural project is a joint partnership between the property owners of the installation site (309 - 6 Street S.), DBRZ and the City of Lethbridge's Heart of Our City Revitalization Committee. The mural is expected to completed and installed sometime during the summer of 2011.

Jason is responsible for five other historic murals that have been installed throughout the downtown. Jason stencils photographic images on perforated metal sheets that can be installed, and potentially relocated, on a variety of building surfaces.

For more information on Alex Pavlenko or Jason Trotter, please contact Ted at the DBRZ office - 403-327-9002.

MYSTIQUE in downtown Lethbridge ... an eclectic mix of home decor, jewellery, baby gifts, fashion and art!

Sharon Nelson

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Sharon Nelson takes us on a tour of her bright, colorful and welcoming boutique retail store on 6th Street S. in Downtown Lethbridge. She recently made the move to the downtown after spending 5 years running her store out of her previous location on 9th Avenue across from St. Michael's Health Centre. Her expanded space has provided her with the opportunity to offer a greater selection of unique items for her many loyal customers.

Mystique Home Decor takes great pride in providing exceptional customer service. Sharon and her staff want to make sure that their customers feel like 'kings and queens' whenever they enter her store.

Mystique's product lines range from home decor to adorable baby clothing to fashionable jewellery to eye-catching art and everything in between. Her passion and eye for design has translated into a store filled with lovely items that appeal to a wide range of tastes and styles.

Sharon recently made an addition to her varied product lines by bringing in a selection of wedding accessories that include beautifully designed jewellery and purses. These unique pieces make the perfect 'thank-you' gifts for mothers of the bride and groom as well as members of the bridal party.

For those looking to spruce up a bedroom or living room wall, Mystique has an excellent selection of art to chose from. Canadian artists such as Angelina Wrona and Camilla d'Errico have been very popular.

Besides her passion for art and design, Sharon has a background in lighting. For those who don't know exactly what they need for that particular space or wall, Sharon offers home consultations to her customers. Sometimes all it takes is the right type of lamp or piece of art to make an impacting, positive change to your home.

So, if you're looking for that special gift or home decor item to make your home pop, make sure to visit Mystique Home Decor at 305 - 6 Street South in downtown Lethbridge. If you can't find the item you're looking for, Sharon will do her best to bring it in for you. For more information on Mystique call Sharon at 403 380-6604.

100 Mile Bike Ride ... a fun event for the whole family!

Last year's 100 Mile Bike Ride was so much fun that Dr. Bryan Murray and the good folks at Able Dental Group in downtown Lethbridge, have decided to do it again this year.

This year's 100 Mile Bike Ride will take place on Saturday, June 18th (11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). The starting point is the Alberta/BC border with the finish line at the back parking lot of Dr. Murray's Dental Office - Able Dental Group - 515 - 5th Street South. Dr. Murray and his team of volunteers are looking for 100+ bike riders for this year's event. The proceeds will go help out a couple of deserving local charities - Lethbridge Food Bank and Lethbridge Association for Community Living.

If the 100 mile ride sounds like a bit a bit of a stretch and you still want to take part, there are a few options available for you. Novice and beginner riders can choose to do 1/3 or 2/3 of the ride.

Participants will be able to take part in a number of fun family activities at the finish line - kids carnival, face-painting, Astro Jump, games, prize table and much, much more! This is definitely an event that you don't want to miss.

If you're interested in taking part in this great community event and would like more information, please contact Connie at (403) 393-7226. www.abledentalgroup.com

Downtown dance company presents 'An Explosion of World Dance & Music'

Ammena Dance Company is excited to present their annual show, 'An Explosion of World Dance and Music', on March 5th (starting at 7:00 p.m.) in the Yates Theatre. Everyone is invited to attend an evening of culture. Desserts and drinks served at intermission.

Located in downtown Lethbridge, the Ammena Dance Company is proud to be Lethbridge’s first adult dance and fitness company. They offer over 20 classes each week with over 200 students. They are grateful for all the opportunities and support they receive and for being able to share their love of dance with the people of our community.

Ammena Dance Company was founded in 2004. Their owner, Lise-Anne Talhami, had a vision of bringing the cultural and fitness aspects of dance together to make a unique, exciting workout experience.

By 2007, the studio had grown and students started to show interest in showcasing their new-found talent. This started an annual production, 'An Explosion of World Dance and Music', that brings together local musicians, dancers, and artists.

The first show was held in the intimate settings of the Sterndale Bennett Theatre. There was such a wonderful response from that show, that in March 2008 they moved the show to a larger venue - Yates Memorial Centre for the Performing Arts.

The Company is excited about another great year of bringing dancers from all over Canada to teach workshops, host evening performances as well as working on their new pieces for their annual show.

For more information about the Ammena Dance Company, call (403) 330-9084. Tickets for 'An Explosion of World Dance and Music' can be purchased at the Lethbridge Box Office or by calling (403) 329-7328. www.ammenadance.com

An Exhibition & Sale of Fine Western Art in Downtown Lethbridge

The public is invited to attend the opening and sale of recent paintings by George Kush at the Mueller Gallery in downtown Lethbridge. The opening will take place on Saturday, January 15th from 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. Mr. Kush will be in attendance for the opening and all paintings on display at the exhibition will be available for purchase. The opening will feature live entertainment and a cash bar.

Kush paints deeply researched views of this areas' not too distant past. Historically accurate and skillfully painted, this is beautiful and important work. www.georgekush.ca.

Please contact Stuart at the Mueller Gallery for more information - (403) 328-8170. www.stuartmueller.com.

The Mueller Gallery is located at 105 - 8th Street South.