Is it possible that downtown Evansville has been created without the consent of those that matters, the residents of Evansville?  Consider that some projects downtown have faced tough opposition, no matter the out come for as long as I can remember.  Casino Aztar was the first big change that happened downtown in my life time, at least that had any significance.  In 1995 it was met with lots of promises, a fixed budget, and controversy through it's first year.  Most notably it failed to hire the promised 90% of employees from Vanderburgh County.

Events have become a topic amongst those arguing over downtown as well, specifically over pricing.  Thunder On The Ohio is an annual even that continues to plummet in popularity and face scrutiny by residents.  The 2009 Freedom Festival was no exception and faced opposition from loyal visitors every year, claiming the event was turning into a money grab.  At $20 per person to get in it's easy to see why.

Compare the Evansville Freedom Festival to similar events in our Tri-State area like the Owensboro BBQ Fest, Blue Grass in The Park in Henderson, it just doesn't add up...at least for paying residents.  Why can't we make our events work for the community, instead of be a money making endeavor?  If we're going to run it as a cash cow why not just privatize the entire area, much like Louisville has with Fourth Street Live?

Personally I'm sick and tired of watching all the tax payer dollars to go research firms that yield no results.  How about we stop starting projects where we aren't able to financially support them to completion.  Lastly, can we just slow down and not rush through agendas before the end of our term, I'm looking at you Mayor.  I'm fed up with a very select few not listening to their constituents and making sweeping changes that will force tax payer money to another failing downtown change.

Instead, lets start listening to other cities that have had wild success with creating a downtown where people want to go.  That is unless revitalizing doesn't mean what I think it does and instead our city leaders are more focused on putting money in their own pockets and padding those of their friends.

The 76th annual Hadi Shrine Circus is coming to Evansville once again from Thanksgiving Day through Sunday. There are two shows on Thursday, three on Friday and Saturday and an afternoon show on Sunday. We have always attended the evening show until we had a daughter. Now we try to make it to the afternoon show on Thanksgiving Day because it is less crowded and easier for her to stay awake for the three hour show. Ticket prices range from $17-$22 for reserved seats and $12 for general admission. We usually get general admission which seems like a pretty good value considering you would pay almost as much for a ticket to the movies these days!

The acts are usually similar from year to year with trapeze artists, performing animals and of course the clowns! I have been every year of my life and even though not much is new each year to the show, I can remember being a little girl anticipating my favorite parts. In this way, I am grateful the circus is similar each year. I know what to expect and I know its going to be fun! The elephants and tigers have a similar act each year but the kids love it when they come out! The Kenya Wizards are a newer act that is always a crowd favorite. They dance to African music and tumble all over the place. Even though they are grown men, they seem to have so much energy and are able to stack themselves on top of one another like incredibly complex cheerleaders! There are also jugglers, tight rope walkers, motorcycle tricks and all types of animals from dogs to bears to monkeys performing in each of the three rings. The circus always begins with a parade and ends with a "bang" with typical circus music performed by a live band from beginning to end.

Last year our daughter really loved all of the music, lights and of course the animals. Experiencing traditions through the eyes of my daughter is what makes my holidays so magical and I know taking a two year old to the circus will be very exciting!

Each year the zoo hosts this very fun trick-or-treating event after normal operating hours. Admission was $6 a person or $5 for zoo members. There are stops along a marked route for kids to trick-or-treat at booths representing businesses and organizations from the community. We followed the main zoo route and were led through a couple of the animal buildings including the Amazonia exhibit. The entire zoo was decorated with pumpkins, Halloween yard blow ups and decorations. Every employee and volunteer was also in costume. One of the many highlights of the evening were the zoo keepers who held creepy animals for visitors to pet. My 2 year old daughter pet large snakes, rats, scorpions and even an alligator! We used lots of hand sanitizer!

The zoo was so beautiful at night. We were there for a little over 2 hours and the lines were even longer as we left. My only complaint is the lack of traffic guards. We had to park pretty far away, like everyone else because of the large crowds and it was very hard to cross the busy street safely. We had such a fun family night that I know we will make attending Boo at the Zoo part of our Halloween traditions.

Written By: Lynn Davidson

As I've written before, there is just something about enjoying the rides and attractions during the colder months that makes visiting the park different and fun! This year was no exception. The lines for the rides were short, the food was good and the weather was just cold enough to need a hoodie. We posed for countless pictures and made several laps around the park riding our favorite rides. One of my favorite aspects of Holiday World is how many rides we can enjoy as a group.

We took our daughter along this year and she was very excited to wear her favorite Holiday World hoodie which she proudly showed to each of the Holidazzles. She asks to go to "HaWoo" (as she calls it) everyday! I can't wait until next summer when she is a bit older and able to enjoy even more of great rides for kids. We will anxiously await the 2010 season and the new addition to the water park.

-Introduction of the USI Men's and Women's Basketball Teams for 09-10 @ 5:30 PM

-Parade at 6:00 PM

-First round of the Amateur Talent Contest.

I plan on attending a few times throughout the week at lunch time, mainly for the pork chop sandwiches.  Brain Sandwiches and other exotic foods don't really appeal to me, but the atmosphere, good food, and cool weather will bring me out.

For official news and information visit the official website at Evansville West Side Nut Club Fall Festival.  See you there!

This year they are hoping to find new sponsors for their huge light show.  I hope they receive all the help they need to maintain their 16th year.  The admission has always been reasonable and the proceeds benefit the Easter Seals organization.

We will be fitting the Fantasy of Lights into our family's busy holiday schedule in a few months.  I can not wait to see the reaction from my 2 year old daughter's face!  One day I will tell her all about mommy and daddy's first visit.  Until then I'll make new family memories by keeping up with our annual visit to Ritzy's Fantasy of Lights, because traditions are what holidays are made of.

Visions of blood, gore, and regret is all I can imagine when thinking about the 1954 Novel.  However, it's not the book I envision, but the ultimately disturbing movie from 1990.  Keep in mind I was at a very impressionable age when the movie first came out and honestly it left a lasting impression on me.

The new production will be put on in Mesker Park over areas of the Disc Golf course.  I am truly anxious to see how it plays out, no pun intended.  Also, I shall come in costume, complete with war paint and spear.

Links:

Evansville Civic Theater Website

Mention In The Chicago Tribune

I showed up to the Frog Follies, which is located every year out at the Evansville 4H Grounds, around 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon.  At this time there were still hundreds of people filing in, 2 by 2 in some places, a sight in itself to behold.  And once on the grounds excitement was in the air, mixed with testosterone, and lots of grease.  Basically all the best smells mixed into one, which would make one heck of a dangling air freshner.

Another reason why I love attending the Frog Follies every year is because of how affordable it is.  Unlike the Evansville downtown festivals, all the drinks and food you could possibly want are priced just right.  Furthermore, just to get through the door you aren't charged an arm and a leg, $5 per person will do.  Hiking around the 4,000-5,000 cars on display will create quite a thirst, thankfully RC is on tap around every corner.  For $1.25 you'll get a humongous drink and another $1 will buy you a hotdog.  Recession budgets rejoice!

Originally I had intended to bring my HD camcorder to take snap shots and conduct some interviews.  Unfortunately I was plagued with electronic gremlins that prohibited me from taking any of my own pictures or video.  Oh well, there is always Frog Follies 2010!  Below are a few photos I culled from Flickr and the official Frog Follies website will eventually update to include a gallery of the 09 Frog Follies.

by abracapocus_pocuscadabr a

by Adam Kirk Photography

by decard

Taking her to "library school", as we call it, was one of the activities that I was looking forward to the most when I became a stay at home mommy. I was amazed and in awe that my one year old knew so many classic nursery rhymes, not to mention her way around the library from this weekly class!

Despite its name, there is more music and motion than reading. Each class is pretty much the same which follows the philosophy that babies learn from repetition. We start with a hello song to each child, sing several classic songs with hand movements or bouncing, read one book chosen by our child and end the class with a good-bye song. The class usually has about 20-30 kids in attendance and I watched my daughter become more outgoing as she saw the same kids each week.

The classes are on a month long break to end the summer reading programs and to get ready for the school year. We miss going so much! I have taken her there to check out books and play in the children's section but she always runs to her classroom. Very soon she will be 2 years old and will be able to attend up to 4 classes that range from story-time to music to crafts. I know social interaction is important to her development and I am planning on taking her to these classes to help her meet new friends, have fun and of course, continue to support her love of reading. I thank the local public libraries for providing a wonderful, safe program for children to enhance their learning process.

Also going on this Saturday at the 4H grounds will be the demolition derby, which is a personal favorite of mine.  As far as fair events go it's a staple and if anyone has the opportunity to compete or work the pits, do it.  It's addictive and every race provides it's own new challenges and countless memories.

Check out the official Vanderburgh Co Fair website here and click here for a complete schedule of events from now until Saturday evening.  Weather, daughter, and wife permitting I plan on attending Friday and Saturday night, so see you there.