On Saturday May 21 Thurston businesses presented their first annual “Ease on Down” street promotion. 

Neighbors danced to the SWAN Community Band and DJ tunes as they visited 26 participating businesses.  Kids played 3-on-3 at the YMCA, and had their faces painted at Sensuous Satiables.  Holley’s offered sidewalk dining.  The Treasure Hunt game had hourly prize drawings for guests visiting 10 or more of the 26 locations.  Check the photos below.

TBMA leaders met to critique this year's event & plan for the 2nd annual Ease on Down on May 19, 2012.  Reaching the community is the biggest challenge.  In addition to repeating this year's Location 19 announcement and 3 weeks of full-page color adds in a local newspaper, the team will resolve any snags with the US Post Office to get postcards to all 14619 mailboxes well before the event! 

THANK YOU to the businesses that contributed for advertizing, Sector 4 CDC for technical help, and to David Hawkes and RPD Lt. Ray Dearcop for City support.

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Check out he 2011 Ease on Down poster.  It is sure to be a collector's item. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Download the PDF at Ease on Down Thurston Rd. 2011 Poster
The unique poster was designed by 19th Ward graphic artist Shabaka Collier.    

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Below are some photos from this year's event.

This group of line dancers couldn't resist the DJ's tunes played by Herb Starkes outside his Crosskey's Restaurant.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The SWAN Community Band entertained on the former Coronet Theater lot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YMCA manager Ken Lee hosted a 3-on-3 basketball game for the youngsters.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At Maureen's Magic Touch family members worked the sidewalk sale table.
Maureen's shop is sporting a great new storefront, thanks to the City's grant program.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sensuous Satiables' owner Charlotte Burch painted kids' faces in front of her store.

The Urban League staffed an information table in front of their office.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Neighborhood Service Center adminstrator David Hawkes inspected the event disguised as a bicyclist.  David was a great help with the City event permit and bandstand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

19th Ward Community Association president DeWain Feller & daughter began their tour at the association office, then stopped to visit Martine & Cynthia at Hot Tips Salon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pausing to refresh at Crosskeys are celebrities Jake Waters of Senator Robach's office, Crosskeys owner Herb Starkes and Thurston St. Manager Don Hanks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RPD Crime Prevention Officers and 19th Ward PACTAC did their best to recruit new members.   From the left: CPO Joe , JoAnn, Chris, Kathy and CPO Vinnie.  (Yes, men are welcome in PACTAC too.)  Call 428-7630 for PACTAC info.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sector 4 Community Development Corp. staffed an info table at 555 Thurston.  From the left are Kelvin, Joan, Dana, Colleen and Josanne.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At Fashion Flair dress shop and Order My Steps shoe store owner Ruby Martinez (right) entertained friends at her sidewalk sale tables.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More refreshements for St. Manager Don Hanks, this time at The Thurston Bar & Grill, with co-owner Patty Nelson.   TTB&G also has a great new storefront, thanks to the City's grant.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DeWain Feller & daughter stopped to chat with Amanda, who just opened "So Ambitious Boutique" at 669 Thurston.

Holley's Cafe & Catering introduced their sidewalk cafe tables at Brooks & Thurston. 

One of the two giant planters that welcome visitors at Brooks & Thurston

As the afternoon wore on, the crowd gravitated to the music in the 500 block.

Most-frequently-heard question among visitors:  "When can we do this again?"

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