a 501c3 non-profit with a mission centered around economic and cultural vibrancy in Downtown Nashua, NH
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The Downtowner
Your Source For All Things Local!
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Dear –FNAME–,
With Thanksgiving just a day a way, we wanted to take a moment and thank each and every one of you for your support of a vibrant Downtown Nashua. Wether it is in supporting our small business community when choosing how to spend that hard earned pay, supporting our organization, joining in celebrations, making art and music to share, or working, planning, serving your neighbors, and doing the things that advance quality of life here in our City – we appreciate you.
Great American Downtown is best known for our large community events, especially Nashua’s Winter Holiday Stroll. With the stroll and other great events and programs set aside or changed in big ways during the year, it’s easy to feel – especially this coming weekend – like there is a hole in our hearts where people would once come together. We spent some time this week reflecting on where 2020 has taken us, and we realized that though we may be apart, we’ve managed to stick together as a community and continued to support one another – just in new and different ways than we are used to. For that, we are thankful.
All things considered, we’re very fortunate here in Nashua. We’ve also been very fortunate here at Great American Downtown, to have such great community partners, supportive friends and neighbors, and to have been able to continue to serve our mission and do the work that is needed to sustain our vibrant Downtown in this challenging moment. To learn more about what we’ve been up to, and see our appeal for the upcoming #GivingTuesday visit our website here.
Wishing You a Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving!
Sincerely, Paul
Paul Shea
Executive Director
Great American Downtown
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For more Downtown information, visit DowntownNashua.org
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Our photo of the week shows some of our wonderful plaid masks, made up fresh just for us to give out in our swag bags on Plaid Friday. Our sincerest thanks to organizer Val Verge, and her team of Susan Cassidy, Lorraine Louie and Allison Szklarz.
These are four terrific costume designers from our local theatre community, who were kind enough to spend their “down” time crafting these masks. Please remember to support our struggling theatre community in any way you can; many companies are offering Zoom/virtual performances, gift certificates, or consider just a good ol’ donation.
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Do you have some great pictures of our vibrant Downtown you’d like to show off? Post them to our Facebook page, or send them to us by email! We love to share images that capture the beauty and excitement of Downtown Nashua.
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THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
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WE’RE JUST MAD ABOUT PLAID! JOIN US FOR PLAID FRIDAY
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Shop local in Downtown Nashua
on Plaid Friday!
Friday, Nov. 27
More than ever, every dollar spent at a small business is crucial. That’s why this is absolutely the year to join us for Plaid Friday â our answer to mega-conglomerate feeding Black Friday â in Downtown Nashua!
Come see Downtown Nashua’s beautiful holiday decor and brilliant lighting, while shopping safely in a relaxing environment. You’ll be right near our fine restaurants and bars as well, when you want to take a break from your holiday shopping, or to buy a gift certificate for someone special. See the list of participating local businesses HERE.
There’s still time to pre-register for your swag bag of bargains, offered by our locally owned businesses in Downtown Nashua. Very limited quantities will be handed out in front of 229 Main Street â the former Alec’s Shoes building, and future site of the Performing Arts Center. Our friendly staff will be there from 10 am â 5 pm, so make it your first stop!
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HAVE YOU SHARED YOUR HOLIDAY LIGHTS YET?
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Dazzling December Holiday Lighting Contest!
Submissions accepted: Nov. 17âDec. 3
Voting period: Dec. 5âJan. 3
Great American Downtown wants you to help us light up the holidays
How to Enter:
- a .jpg photo of your home or business holiday lights
- the address of the home or business
- confirm desired category: Residential or Business
Weâll upload your entry onto our official online gallery for voting! Weâll also create a printable online map, so voters can see your amazing decorating work in person as well!
Trophies will be awarded to the top three vote-getters in each of the two categories. Read more HERE about this contest, and our other holiday activities!
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THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
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Tangled Roots offering free gift
to Plaid Friday shoppers
Stop by the Tangled Roots Herbal shop at 95 W. Pearl Street on Friday, and every person wearing plaid will be gifted an unakite stone (while supplies last).
Owner Karen writes: “Unakite is a funky little form of granite (itâs actually a blend of epidote, feldspar and Clear Quartz, named for the Unaka Mountains in NC and TN). What makes this stone so interesting is itâs all about balance. This combination of minerals really epitomizes the idea of ‘what comes together, belongs together’.”
“Itâs my small way of saying thank you, but also to spread my intention of healing.”
Be sure to check out the fun and diverse offerings at Tangled Roots, and tell Karen we sent you!
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Main Street United Methodist seeks donations of
socks and coats
On Plaid Friday, consider bringing a pair of new men’s tube socks or gently used winter coats for donation collection at Main Street United Methodist, at 154 Main Street.
The church will have a plaid box outside for safe drop-off. Donations will go to those experiencing homelessness. as well as in-need youth and immigrants.
Included in your Plaid Friday swag bag will be plaid tags that you can write a ‘hope’ on for the new year; the church will put it on their “trees of hope” by the front door.
Several local shelters will benefit from your donations. Rev. Kelly tells us “there’s a new youth shelter that can use men and women’s socks. And the Soup Kitchen and Shelter prefers warm wool socks for those experiencing homelessness. All donations will be distributed to those in need.”
Thank you for taking the time to do this additional activity during your shopping excursion downtown. The at-need community will be thankful to receive your generous donations!
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DON’T MISS THIS WONDERFUL HOLIDAY EVENT!
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Fortin Gage presents Gerald Charles Dickens
exciting virtual event!
Since 2009, during the holiday season, Fortin Gage Flowers and Gifts has partnered with Byers’ Choice LTD to bring Gerald Dickens â great-great grandson to the renowned author â to Nashua to perform A Christmas Carol, along with other classic works by Charles Dickens. It’s become a tradition so many of you look forward to, as do we!
Unfortunately, Gerald’s US tour will not take place in 2020, but we do have great news for you today! Gerald recently filmed his one-man adaptation of his great-great grandfather’s beloved A Christmas Carol, and Fortin Gage is a 2020 local sponsor for the film scheduled for release on Thanksgiving Day.
Fortin Gage continues its 12-year annual commitment to return a portion of the proceeds from A Christmas Carol right back into our community. In 2020,
All tickets will be available via a special link from Fortin Gage. Using that link will ensure their ability to share proceeds from this streaming event with GAD and Nashua PAL. That information will be shared on Thursday!
Rental of the film for 7 days will be offered for $20 for your whole family to enjoy. We’ll share links and more information in the coming days on the Great American Downtown page.
Gerald is an absolute delight and consummate performer. Stay in the loop with us and Fortin Gage, and be sure to tune in!
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THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
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ATTN: WOMEN AND MINORITY OWNED BUSINESSES
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Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program
Every year, Nashua Transit promotes the state DBE program â a certification for small businesses owned by women or minorities, giving them an equal opportunity to compete for state and local contracts.
Are you a female or minority small business owner? You may be eligible for DBE certification! The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program is a federally funded program administered by the Federal Transit Administration and is intended to provide contracting opportunities to small businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged groups and individuals. There are many benefits to becoming a certified DBE, including:
- Free business development services.
- Access to training & networking opportunities.
- Compete for federal contracts on a level playing field.
- Receive bidding information for upcoming projects.
- A business listing in the stateâs DBE directory to help your company gain access to even more contract opportunities.
For more information or to find out if youâre eligible for DBE, please contact:
Larisa Djuvelek-Ruggiero
NH DOT DBE COORDINATOR
7 Hazen Drive
Concord, NH 03302-0483
Phone: 603-271-6612
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HOLIDAY GIFT CERTIFICATES FOR MUSIC LESSONS
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Nashua Community Music School:
My First Music Lesson
Nashua Community Music School has the perfect holiday gift for the young people in your life. My First Music Lesson is the perfect musical gift for the littlest musician in your family. Experience your child or grandchild’s first musical moments with this exciting, interactive gift pack.
This gift includes:
- two 30-minute music sessions (live or remote)
- two wooden mini maracas
- one frog guiro
- NCMS Tote Bag
$60 (+optional local shipping). More information by clicking below, or contact the school at [email protected] or 603-881-7030.
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THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
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Above: Matt the Sax
(photo credit: Tara Halvonik Photography)
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Saturday â Matt the Sax
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ARE YOU A DOWNTOWN VENUE PRESENTING LIVE MUSIC?
LET US KNOW!
Please email us at [email protected] with your upcoming musicians, so we can share the info with our readers!
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THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
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Thank you for being a subscriber to The Downtowner!
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Great American Downtown is a Nashua based 501c3 Nonprofit Corporation that provides coordination, collaboration and partnerships that unify the entire Nashua community around a common vision for an attractive downtown that is vibrant, viable and truly reflects the character of our city. Learn all about our wide variety of programs here.
We’re happy to share information about your upcoming event in and around Downtown Nashua! If you would like to submit an event to be featured in The Downtowner, or are interested in any other sponsorship and marketing opportunities through Great American Downtown, contact our Downtown Marketing Coordinator at [email protected].
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