Friday, December 20, 2013

Weather Advisory & Holiday Cheer


Dear Elyrians,

Please see the below National Weather Service Warning Advisory for Elyria and the region. If you experience flooding problems over the holidays and need assistance, The City of Elyria is ready to help.  For information and/or assistance, please call the Elyria Waste Water Treatment Plant 24 hours per day seven days per week at 366-2211.  You will receive a recording.  Please dial 0 and leave a message.  Your call will be responded to within 20-30 minutes.  In an emergency a Police Department Dispatcher can also take your call at 323-3302, but they will refer the call back to the Waste Water Treatment Plant.  
In the meantime, please enjoy the holiday week.  Click play below to hear few choruses performed by the Elyria High School Madrigals for your listening pleasure.  Happy Holidays!

Part I:


Part II:

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Spotlight Elyria - Holiday Edition

 
The Holiday Edition of Spotlight Elyria is now airing on Cable Channel 12, and is being streamed on the City of Elyria’s website at www.cityofelyria.org. The program is updated bi-monthly and features special guests including the Mayor’s senior staff, department heads, police and fire chiefs, leaders from partnering organizations and community volunteers and activists.  This special Holiday Edition of Spotlight Elyria video will help you and your loved ones embrace the holiday spirit and will help remind you of all the wonderful things the Elyria community has to offer.  Please join Mayor Brinda to celebrate the season and learn more about how you can join in moving the City of Elyria forward.
Spotlight Elyria
With Mayor Holly C. Brinda & Guests
(Viewing Time 110 Minutes)
Holiday Edition of Spotlight Elyria Topics:

An Elyria Holiday Tour: New Lorain Arts Council Elyria Art Depot & Festival of Lights
Mayor Holly Brinda & Guests
 
Home & Personal Safety over the Holidays & All Year
Fire Chief Benton & Police Chief Whitely

A Home for the Holidays: Community Housing Improvement Program & Available Homes to Purchase
Community Development Director Angela Byington

Over the River & Through the Woods: New Ford Road Bridge Open
City Engineer Tim Ujvari

Holiday Neighborhood Safety & Elyria’s Block WatchesBlock Watch Coordinator Jen Schibley & Asst. Safety Service Director Bruce Shade

Sights & Sounds of the Holidays
A Special Elyria Holiday Tribute for Your Viewing Pleasure

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

In Elyria, It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year…


The City of Elyria, our partners and families kicked off the holiday season this past weekend with a host of activities that warmed the hearts of hundreds even in these frigid temperatures.  Please enjoy the following photo gallery of highlights of the City of Elyria’s Festival of Lights.  Featured are: the new Elyria Art Depot, all of the activities last weekend on Ely Square and in City Hall, and the glowing Finwood Estate - which is open now through December 23 for indoor activities and through January 5 for drive-through viewing.   To see live video of all of these events tune into Cable Channel 12 beginning Monday, December 16th!


This year’s celebration was even bigger and better than ever.  We added more lights to Finwood Estate and our downtown events started earlier in the day with a children’s petting zoo, ice carver, crafts, movies, gift bags, a free storybook giveaway – complete with storybook characters, a coat and accessory giveaway, caricatures, storytime, Santa’s workshop, caroling, hot chocolate, and of course – Santa himself!  If you didn’t join us this year, we hope you’ll join us in 2014 for this growing celebration of fellowship and families.  In the meantime, HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

As always, if the slideshow isn't working for you, click on the link below to view the album.

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Festival of Lights Kick-Off - Saturday, December 7!

It’s Time to Celebrate the Season!


2013 Elyria Festival of Lights Holiday Kick-Off
 
Saturday, December 7 – FREE Events, Activities and Gifts
Throughout the City All Day!
Bring the entire family and join the City of Elyria and our partners for a fun-filled day of holiday events and activities designed to bring a smile to every age.  All events and activities in Ely Square, Elyria City Hall and Finwood Estate are FREE and open to the public and are being made possible through the generous donations of individuals and organizations throughout our community. 
This year’s celebration is bigger and better than ever.  We’ve added even more lights to Finwood Estate and our downtown events will start earlier in the day  with a children’s petting zoo, ice carver, crafts, movies, gift bags, a free storybook giveaway – complete with storybook characters, a coat and accessory giveaway, caricatures, storytime, Santa’s workshop, caroling, hot chocolate, and of course – Santa himself! 

And, if you’re an art lover, visit the new Lorain Arts Council Elyria Art Depot at 336 Broad Street to admire local art and shop for that unique gift!  Look for discounts and extended hours throughout downtown for your shopping and dining pleasure.    
 

Downtown Elyria Events

10:00am – 6:00pm
ART DISTRICT OPENING: Shop or Browse at the grand opening of the new Lorain Arts Council - ELYRIA ART DEPOT at 336 Broad Street (former Brandau Jewelers) – a new arts partnership between the Lorain Arts Council, the City of Elyria, the Haywood family, and local artists

Noon – 3:00pm
ICE SCULPTOR: Watch a professional ice sculptor carve an 8’ snowman in the Ely Square Gazebo

1:00 – 3:00pm
KIDS HOLIDAY CRAFTS & HOLIDAY MOVIES:  Come make a free holiday craft and watch a holiday movie classic in Elyria City Hall. 

1:00 – 4:00pm
CHILDRENS’ PETTING ZOO:  Ely Square will come alive with real animals for your child’s petting pleasure!

1:00 – 6:00pm
MAYOR’S STORYBOOK GIVE AWAY: the first 500 children will receive their choice of a FREE book
 
2:00 – 6:00pm
COAT, SCARF, HAT, GLOVE GIVE-AWAY:  Grace Community Church will be providing free outerwear for children, youth and adults in Elyria City Hall 
 
3:00 – 6:00PM
CARICATURE ART: Ad some cheer to your holiday with a free caricature portrait           

4:00 – 6:00pm
CAROLING: Local scout troops and schools
KIDS CRAFTS:  Make a holiday craft in City Hall
LUMINARY DECORATING: Make a luminary in City Hall
MEET AND GREET MOTHER GOOSE: in the square and City Hall
STORY TIME: The Elyria Public Library shares some holiday classics
GRINCH APPEARANCE:  In and outside of City Hall
SANTA’S WORKSHOP:  Lorain National Bank grand window display and activities
HOT CHOCOLATE:  Warm up in City Hall with the American Red Cross
FREE GIFT BAGS: to the first 500 children

5:00 – 5:30pm
SANTA’S ARRIVAL: Santa will make his grand arrival and help Mayor Brinda flip the switch to turn on the lights on Ely Square

5:30 – 6:00pm: 
MEET SANTA:  Visit with the jolly old elf in the Elyria Sunrise Rotary Santa House
 



Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Elyria Art Depot - Opening Saturday, December 7th


NEW PARTNERSHIP CREATES Lorain Arts Council’s:

 ELYRIA ART DEPOT 

A new partnership between the City of Elyria & the Lorain Arts Council has created the Lorain Arts Council’s Elyria Art Depot – the first arts initiative of several that the City hopes will help breathe new life into its downtown and set the stage for revitalization and growth.   
Just in time for the City’s Holiday Festival of Lights, the former Brandau Jewelers Building at 336 Broad Street will have its grand opening Saturday December 7 from 10am to 6pm both as an art gallery and a working space for artists. Visitors can browse through the gallery and admire local art and jewelry, shop for the holidays, and eventually take classes out of the facility.  Initial days and hours of operation are Thursdays from 11am to 2pm, Fridays from 4pm to 7pm, and Saturdays from 4pm to 7pm.  The schedule may be expanded based on demand. 

So far, ten artists have committed to participate.  Among the art disciplines to be represented include painting, drawing, print making, photography, digital art and 3-dimensional modeling, wearable fabric art, beading, metal sculpting, pottery, weaving, metal jewelry making, guitar, and street performances.