Well?

It was nice, a bit too cold for our taste, so we departed soon after the tree was lit. Tree looked nice, I think they did a good job this year.

Met the ownwer of the new snack shop that's going to open where the corner pharmacy was. I give her a lot of credit for being out there tonight talking up the place. Sounds like it will be nice, I'm looking forward to the Spring opening. I suggested she get in touch with Diane to help get the word out.

A couple of thoughts....

1. The tree, unlit, looks great.
2. The tree, lit, well....doesn't. What's with the color?
3. The Civic Center, unlit, looks great.
4. The Civic Center, lit, well....doesn't. What's with the color?

Overall, very nice evening though. The Village looks great....sans the comments above.

Whatever happened to plain white lights? Not blue lights....not some greenish color lights....white lights!

The robins weren't all that were frozen.
Looked like a nice turnout in any event.

We missed the lighting, rolled into downtown around 6:15. The cold must have kept a lot of people away...it was packed last year. Had the awesome chili at Grace Lutheran, then went back to the downtown at 8:15...was pretty empty, a lot of booths were packed up...thanks for sticking around for the 8:30 shutdown time...Saw the empty stage at the north end of main street...was a music act a no-show??

DTM

quote:

Originally posted by JRPotts:
A couple of thoughts....

1. The tree, unlit, looks great.
2. The tree, lit, well....doesn't. What's with the color?
3. The Civic Center, unlit, looks great.
4. The Civic Center, lit, well....doesn't. What's with the color?

Overall, very nice evening though. The Village looks great....sans the comments above.

Whatever happened to plain white lights? Not blue lights....not some greenish color lights....white lights!

I think they are led lights, they give off that white-blueish light.

Got there late, not my fault. First things first, saw Clam cruzn' the strip in the Mini, and was able to give a shout out to my homey. Because my guests arrived late, we missed the tree lighting and the Frozen Robins. However, we did get to see Santa and the Christmas Carolers. Santa was inside the Fire Dept and the line was very long. For whatever reason, our Fire Dept. chose to leave an ambulance running right next to where the line formed to enter and visit Santa. Anyone in line received a nice, consistent dose of carbon monoxide. I don't get this and is quite ironic??? But nonetheless, it was worth it just to see Santa. The kids loved it and out Fire Dept. put on a nice spread. Thumbs up!

What was with the movie showing? Little too cold to be outside watching a movie.

I was very glad to see Honey was packed as many stores appeared to be.

The ad in the Herald touted carriage rides and performers. Didn't see any. Maybe we missed these things because we were late.

Here is an interesting observation. My brother and his wife came with us. They live Downtown Chicago and have not really been to our downtown before. They absolutely loved it all. Kept commenting on how nice and quaint everything is.

The Mrs. Happened to go into Paul’s Shoes and said that was the place to be. She reported a few gents playing guitars, singing Christmas tunes and having a lot of good old fun. Kids got ballons too.

I’m with Potts, what the heck is up with the cold blue lights on our Civic Center and tree? The tree itself looks awesome, but the lights don’t match the warm amber glow of those strung on the trees. Looks tacky, to say the least.

Overall, thumbs up! Thought it was very nice. Next year, I’d suggest hiring an actual walnut roaster. Nothing like having warm nuts on a cold day.

We saw the lights on the Civic Center the other night and had the same mildly negative reaction. Maybe this is a green initiative as the LEDs last longer and use less power.

quote:

Originally posted by GEmom2:
Maybe this is a green initiative as the LEDs last longer and use less power.

That sound you hear is everyone's eyes rolling as their heads shake.

I thought the civic center lights looked good. Nice clean lines. Very corporate and smart looking.

I think the LEDs just take some getting used to. Last year the Morton Arboretum used this type of lights on trees at the entrance and it looked very cool - kind of Nightmare Before Christmas-y.

Got there the same time as Bitter B. Around 6:15 or so. Missed the lighting. By the time we got downtown after visiting a couple of retailer friends, it was 6:30. Now I thought this gig ran from 5:30-8:00. When we arrived in front of the stage at 6:30, the non-union roadies were packing up...at 6:30. This is like going to Fish's house for a two and a half hour party only to have him sneak up to bed an hour into it. Do we really not have the resources to provide live entertainment for more than 45 minutes? Crikies...we have TWO bloody high schools with choruses, orchestras and bands that probably would have loved to perform for FREE. I know there was a string quartet that begged to perform in one store...from Glenbard East.

The stores were inviting, hearty people were out, Suzanne was smiling and cheery...but something was definitely missing. Namely any entertainment after 6:15.

All in all...it wasn't anywhere near as schwingin' as Michael's affair last year (then again...he threw $5,000 of his own money into that), but the cops stayed away from their selective ticketing of beer/punch/wine serving retailers and everyone seemed to have a good time. Kudos to Rich D, at the Bike Shop with his face painters and Triumph the Comic Insult Balloon Twister.

We arrived in plenty of time to see Santa sprinkle his magic dust on the tree to light it up.
The crowd was light, which is nice for those that do not like crowds.
I like the lights on the Civic Center. I like nice, crisp clean lines.
The carriage ride through GE is always nice and this year we did not have to wait in line.
We opted not to stand in line at the Fire Station and breathe in diesel fumes to see Santa so instead we walked down to Baird & Warner and the boys were able to sit on Santa's lap.

All in all a nice family outing that we cut short due to the cold temps. as we were home by 7:30.

quote:

Originally posted by bitterboy:
Overall, thumbs up! Thought it was very nice. Next year, I’d suggest hiring an actual walnut roaster. Nothing like having warm nuts on a cold day.

I thought the added touch last year of the Marie Antoinette ladies with mobile table of food was good. Also, the coffee man on the bicycle powered espresso machine was a big hit. Why the village didn't have them come again this year is beyond me...

too late last night to post, but everyone in my party gave the new tree a huge thumbs up! Perfect for a focal point in town. Last years tree was actually boo'ed by the kids.

looked less crowded because everyone was in the Bookstore!!! Stuck in a traffic jam and finally exited 15 minutes later!

Agree no music dampened the wandering.

Blue lights, yup noticed the Civic Center the night they were lit...will take some getting used too. If it is an environmental decision, well then thumbs up to that!

Xmas gift tip: book store across from the train staion has the nicest woman working. Stop in for the used books but check out the beautiful ceramic tiles done by a local artist. They can be personalized and there is one of downtown Glen Ellyn showing the tree in town!! Order now for xmas delivery!

I agree with Buggy about the bookstore across from the train station. You just want want to buy something because she is so very nice.

Georgia Rae's has a lot of terrific and unique jewelry choices for gifts - and the prices will fit any budget.

quote:

Originally posted by Fish:
I thought the civic center lights looked good. Nice clean lines. Very corporate and smart looking.

I bet you like the corporate and smart look of Soldier Field too.

quote:

Originally posted by ronkas:

quote:

Originally posted by Fish:
I thought the civic center lights looked good. Nice clean lines. Very corporate and smart looking.

I bet you like the corporate and smart look of Soldier Field too.

I think...or hope...that he is kidding. But maybe not. The lines ARE clean...but they are BLUE! BLUE!

I can commend the Village for the use of LED's (assuming they are LEDs) to save on lighting costs (assuming that's what they are doing). However, that position doesn't quite jive with the 50 other trees in the Village lit by white lights.

Like I told Yossarian, this is Glen Ellyn. Only white lights are permitted...not Blue...not light green...and certainly Peanut displays are not permitted.

I am the one guy in the Chicagoland area that actually likes Soldier Field. I know this for a fact. I am a fan of modern architecture...Frank Gehry being one of my favorites...and I truly believe that I am alone in these feelings.

Blue is a Channukah...Hannukah...Hah-noo-kaa....whatever....color. I can't figure the blue out, either.

I'm blue, da ba de da ba die.(x7)(x2)