Chartreuse
A WALK IN THE LIGHT DOWNTOWN
by Amy Nordrum · 2 Comments
The coordinators of the Street Outreach and Advocacy Program (S.O.A.P.) on 7th Avenue work quietly, day in and day out, to bring the most basic services and support to at-risk youth and homeless teens.
Now, they’re bringing their efforts to light- literally- and taking the message of need to the streets with an Annual Candlelight Vigil (poster here). Next Wednesday, a band of allies carrying steady flames will line Cushman Street bridge in honor of young Fairbanksans who don’t feel safe with family, but haven’t yet found a refuge of their own.
November is National Youth Homelessness Month, and vigils will be held all over the country in solemn support of children and teens who bed down under a bridge or in an alleyway instead of at home.
To participate in the vigil, gather at one of three starting points (parking available) at 4:30pm on Wednesday, November 9th- choose between Chartreuse, Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center, or Sadler’s. Processions from each location will meet on Cushman Street bridge, standing in solidarity for half an hour before moving on to Immaculate Conception Church for snacks, drinks, and a debrief led by local agencies.
“We estimate around 800 homeless youth in Fairbanks,” Heather Munro, VISTA Volunteer with S.O.A.P. says, citing a 2010 report of 456 cases of homeless youth in Fairbanks school systems.
S.O.A.P. provides basic services and products to teenage clients, averaging 35-50 individuals per month. Clients can eat meals, find warm clothing, pick up free bus tokens, and use the internet to find a job or look into housing options. They can also take the GED at no personal cost. Coordinators are on hand to help, provide an upbeat atmosphere, and build camaraderie with activities and group projects. The center, operated by Fairbanks Counseling and Adoption, is open 2pm-6pm on weekdays.
Unfortunately, there are large blocks of time when S.O.A.P. is closed and clients are left to their own devices to find a place to sleep or a hearty meal.
The vigil comes amidst a new wave of hope on the homeless front of Fairbanks. Local agencies are focused on the immediate opening of a 24-hour emergency shelter for homeless youth. They have purchased a building on 10th Avenue and chosen a name- the Door, inspired by two poems about the opportunity and changes that life can present.
The Door will be the only shelter of its kind in Fairbanks, filling a gap created with the closing of a similar program by the Fairbanks Native Association nearly eight years ago. Currently spearheaded by a nonprofit organization called Fairbanks Youth Advocates (FYA), the shelter is slated to be open in summer/fall 2012, after a frantic period of renovations and fundraising. A donation wish list is posted alongside giving opportunities on the FYA website, and volunteers- particularly those handy with a hammer- are always welcome.
Marylee Bates, Program Director for FYA, says the pace of the project is on par with the desperate demand for a youth shelter in this community.
“It’s been a topic of conversation for years,” Marylee says. “This need kept rising to the surface.”
Modeled off of The Covenant House in Anchorage, the shelter will provide emergency housing (up to 21 days) to teens ages 12-17 as well as healthcare, food, clothing, counseling and help with school or finding work. In 2010, 130 homeless and runaway youth from Fairbanks made it to The Covenant House in Anchorage, where Fairbanksans make up about 10% of the clientele in an average year.
“That’s too far to go in winter,” Marylee points out, though long trips of this sort aren’t safe at any time of year for young runaways.
The candlelight vigil is a show of solidarity with youth who may eventually find their way to the Door, but are left to rely on S.O.A.P., community support, and other agencies in the meantime.
The vigil is supported by Fairbanks North Star Borough School District, Joel’s Place, Fairbanks Counseling & Adoption, Downtown Association of Fairbanks, Fairbanks First, Fairbanks Youth Advocates, AmeriCorps VISTA, United Way, and Safe Place.
When:
Wednesday, November 9th, 4:30pm-6:30pm
Phone:
(907)378-4392
Chartreuse
ALL HALLOWS’ EVE
This Halloween, downtown Fairbanks has seasonal flavors, frights, and festivities to coincide with this most haunting of holidays. From tasty restaurant specials and freak-filled parties to a full costume shop stocked with sheep bodysuits, pirate accessories, and colorful wigs, downtown Fairbanks is your one-stop source for a spooktastic October.
RAD COSTUMES
Chartreuse has pulled out all the stops (again) this year- with owner Sheri transforming vacant space next door into a full-fledged costume shop, complete with a smoke machine, creepy window displays, and cobwebs to get you in the spirit. Hundreds of costumes- every creature or character you can imagine- are available with steep (20%) discounts for military and students (college or high school). A Rotting Pumpkin sale on October 31st will knock prices by half for everyone. Vintage costumes and rentals are also available at Chartreuse, but stop in early for the best selection. Bonus: Check out the cannibalistic pumpkin stationed at the store entrance when you visit.
TASTY TREATS
Treats aren’t just for miniature ninjas and tiny rockstars- pumpkins and apples with a hint of nutmeg and cinnamon turn up the warmth and tone of culinary specials this Halloween. If there’s one thing downtown does right- it’s seasonal flavors.
Stop into Julia’s Solstice Café for vegan pumpkin pie and other seasonal baked goods available through Thanksgiving. If you prefer pumpkin in an even richer form, visit The Fudge Pot for pumpkin pie fudge. McCafferty’s brews up a delicious homemade pumpkin pie steamer, and one barista recommends it as a latte with whipped cream and a sprinkle of white chocolate powder.
The most die-hard pumpkin fans should stop into Gambardella’s Pasta Bella for the Great Pumpkin Special- a scoop of pumpkin cheesecake gelato, served with a slice of pumpkin pie, drizzled with pumpkin sauce and topped with whipped cream.
If you prefer apples as your fall food staple, a cup of spiced cider at McCafferty’s is only $1.50 and the warm apple pie at Gambardella’s Pasta Bella comes adorned in whipped cream.
Gambardella’s Pasta Bella is also serving up seasonal meals, including a Harvest Dinner every Tuesday and Wednesday. Fridays and Saturdays are prime rib night, Sundays and Mondays are all-you-can-eat pasta, and Thursdays feature wine tastings with Bruce Abbott.
FREAKY FESTIVITIES
It’s no fun if all the food and fright doesn’t come with a few chances to show off your witty/classy/outlandish choice in costumes. Luckily, there is plenty of downtown Halloween activity- including theatrical, educational, and dance party opportunities.
The Fairbanks Shakespeare Theatre will feature a special Halloween showing of Macbeth (8:00pm) and Sleepless Night (6:00pm) at the Empress Theatre on Monday, October 31st- with a special half-off discount for Sleepless Night tickets when purchased with one for Macbeth. Sleepless Night features Edgar Allan Poe’s The Tell-Tale Heart along with original work on the theme of “Halloween” by local musicians and spoken word artists.
Ghost stories are a must for Halloween, and spookier when tales center on familiar towns, buildings, and outdoor spaces. A new exhibit debuting at the Fairbanks Community Museum titled “Legends, Oddities, and Strange Wonders of Alaska” details the ghosts and legends of Alaska with emphasis on the Interior. The Museum will be open on Saturday, October 29th from 12:00pm-4:00pm with treats for kids and also on Monday, October 31st from 4:00pm-8:00pm. Admission is always free, and donations are welcome.
Finally, it’s not Halloween without a proper party- and Bobby’s Downtown will host an annual Halloween celebration on Saturday, October 29th with live music and drink specials. The Big I Pub & Lounge Halloween party will kick off that same night, with DJ Benjammin on music and dancing all night long.
Chartreuse
FASHION & FLAVOR AT THE WESTMARK
Events, dances, fundraisers, luncheons, conventions, and corporate meetings are regularly held at Westmark Hotel & Conference Center, one of the best venues in the city for space rental, catering, parking, and proximity to downtown amenities. This weekend, fashion and food will fill the Gold Room during two popular annual events open to all Fairbanksans.
FLAVORS OF FAIRBANKS
The 7th Annual City Sampler hosted by the Fairbanks Resource Agency (FRA) brings the cuisine of fourteen area restaurants to downtown Fairbanks. Participants will receive a wine glass and small plate to sample the desserts and hors d’oeuvres from over a dozen restaurants. Wines from K&L Distributors will be served in complimentary flavors.
“It’s a lot of fun for $40,” says Eva Norwood, Director of Outreach and Development at FRA. Funds raised through ticket sales will benefit the senior programs provided by FRA, including adult day care and an Alzheimer’s unit.
Live music with a “big band jazz sound” by Gentle Storm (a subgroup of the Fairbanks Community Jazz Band) will play throughout the night, and the entire event will wrap up in under two hours with plenty of time for a post-dinner drink at the wine bar of Gambardella’s Pasta Bella.
A new perk for this year’s participants is a complimentary coupon book for 27 local restaurants, including those represented at the City Sampler. A chance to win two round-trip tickets to Germany and other prizes are also part of the mix. Tickets are available by calling 456-8901, visiting HOPS Hallmark, and at other select locations.
Participating restaurants include a few downtown favorites, like l’assiette de Pomegranate, Bobby’s, and the Westmark. Cuisine from area Mexican, Cuban, Cajun, and Mediterranean kitchens will also be available.
The City Sampler takes place on Thursday, October 20th from 6:30-8:00pm in the Westmark Gold Room.
WICKED GOOD FASHION
The Cham Fashional, on Saturday, October 22nd in the Westmark Gold Room, was first hosted by the Fairbanks chapter of Quota International over half a century ago (52 years, to be exact) and it’s still going strong.
You can expect a fashion show with a theatrical twist based on the musical Wicked, with dance performances on the theme throughout the night. “Cham” is short for “champagne,” served to the black-tie attendees of this upscale and trendy fundraiser.
Jessica Woller, chair of the Cham, says a black-tie fashion show is unique in Fairbanks both as a fundraiser and an event.
“There are lots of auctions, lots of dinners but this is the only fashion show in Fairbanks,” Jessica points out.
The two-hour show features dances choreographed by local troupes and clothing, makeup, and styling from some of the top clothing stores in Fairbanks including Chartreuse, Connie’s, S Salon, and Cynde’s Boutique. Volunteer dancers have been rehearsing for weeks to prepare for the show, and shops make careful choices about which clothing they will showcase each year at the Cham. The entire production will be narrated by witches who have stepped straight out of Wicked.
“This year is a little bit different. This year is a lot more of a theatrical production,” Jessica says.
The party doesn’t stop when the show is over, either- a DJ takes the floor and dancing continues until 2 a.m. A silent auction and no-host bar will also be available, as well as great door prizes topping out with a trip on Princess Cruises.
All proceeds will benefit Quota International, which works with individuals who have speech and hearing difficulties and sponsors programs for disadvantaged women and children. The Fairbanks chapter recently started a high school scholarship program.
“We help a lot of individuals and small organizations that would otherwise fall through the cracks,” Jessica describes. “(The money) we raise this night gets us through the year.”
Tickets ($75) to the Cham Fashional are available at Denali State Bank (119 North Cushman) or at the door on the night of the show. Doors open at 7:00pm, the show runs from 8:00-10:00pm, and dancing continues late into the night.
When:
City Sampler- Thursday, October 20th 6:30pm-8:00pm
Cham Fashional- Saturday, October 22nd 7:00pm-2:00am
Where:
Westmark Hotel & Conference Center
813 Noble Street
Call:
City Sampler- (907)456-8901
Chartreuse
AND THE WINNERS ARE…
The Downtown Association of Fairbanks hosted the 2011 Annual Membership Meeting on Wednesday, October 5th, 2011. This meeting and mixer provides an opportunity for members and downtown enthusiasts to convene for a presentation on the state of the organization, the election of new Board Members, and a reception featuring fine food and wine by downtown restaurants (minutes here).
This year’s meeting, held in the former New Horizons Gallery on 1st Avenue, was extremely well attended. Many thanks to all those business representatives and inviduals who turned out.
Each year, the Downtown Association recognizes outstanding businesses and contributors who help further revitalization in the heart of Fairbanks. This year, the following award winners were recognized in a special ceremony at the Annual Membership Meeting:
BEST BLOCK was awarded to BIG DADDY’S, THE BRIDGEWATER HOTEL, CHARTREUSE, and GAMBARDELLA’S PASTA BELLA to recognize a block of neighboring retailers who used an array of capital investment, advertising and new offerings to promote downtown while developing their businesses. Examples include the Bridgewater’s use of radio advertisements that featured downtown in the ad narrative; Chartreuse’s super-charged First Friday events; new investment and new offerings at Gambardella’s wine bar; and the new Summer Weekend parties all summer on Friday and Saturday nights at Big Daddy’s.
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR was awarded to GABRIELLE STEVENS and FRANK DUTTON to recognize their initiative in creating and caring for a lovely perennial and annual garden at Historic City Hall.
PARTNER OF THE YEAR was awarded to CALYPSO FARM & ECOLOGY CENTER to recognize the prime mover in bringing fresh produce to downtown residents and restaurants and to recognize their role in conceptualizing and planning the Downtown Market.
SPONSOR OF THE YEAR was awarded to SANI-CAN to recognize excellence in operational efficiency and generosity in making downtown events happen affordably. SANI-CAN goes and above and beyond the call of duty to bring-off events downtown. They pick up their portable toilets at 4 AM after the Midnight Sun Festival and worked with us every week all summer to bring and retrieve a toilet to and from the Downtown Market.
REVITALIZATION OF THE YEAR was awarded to LADY LEE’S BATHHOUSE EMPORIUM to recognize the one-year anniversary of an active addition to downtown’s retail mix that brings the collections and energies of 18 local antique dealers. Kathy Lee, Owner, participated in member meetings, First Friday shows, kept long summer hours, and decorated her outdoor spaces and surfaces.
As staff at the Downtown Association look forward to the year ahead, we’d love to hear your thoughts on what projects, initiatives, or events you’d most love to see happen downtown in 2012.
Please complete our quick online survey with your comments and feedback (open to all- not just members).
Chartreuse
PAYING IT FORWARD AT CHARTREUSE
Years ago, Katherine Mattingly was sitting in the waiting room of a doctor’s office when she overheard Sheri Olesen talking excitedly about opening up the 1st Avenue boutique known as Chartreuse- a colorful and clever combo of “art” and “reuse.”
Sheri chattered away about the clothes, jewelry, accessories, and artwork she hoped to sell, and her efforts to remodel the space. Katherine sat quietly, taking in the vision and mulling it over in her head.
“I just loved her energy,” Katherine recalls. “I remember thinking- Aww, she can paint! Good for her.”
Months later, Katherine saw a flyer advertising the official opening of Chartreuse. With the image of Sheri still fresh in her mind, she made copies of the flyer and posted it all over town. She and Sheri had not met or spoken, but Katherine wanted to help this bright young entrepreneur succeed.
Katherine soon convinced her coworkers at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game to take a midday field trip to visit Chartreuse and eat lunch downtown. As Halloween approached, Katherine heard about a haunted house at Chartreuse and made sure to copy and hang up posters for that, as well.
Katherine became a familiar face to Sheri, who took notice when months passed without seeing her in the store. On her next visit, Katherine explained that her daughter, Brianna, had life-threatening scoliosis. As her case worsened and her spine bent further, Brianna’s organs were slowly crushed and she had to seek emergency treatment to be able to properly breathe. Both she and her mother had been busy with countless consultations and a major surgery.
After a 10-hour surgery, 23 screws inserted into her spine, and 6 days in intensive care, Brianna is ready for a new and improved life. Though ecstatic at her daughter’s chance to live more easily, Katherine owes $209,000 after insurance and expects more bills from follow-up procedures.
Sheri realized it was her chance to give back to the family, and suggested a fundraiser at Chartreuse for 14-year-old Brianna Mattingly.
“Her mom has been very supportive of my business so I wanted to help her,” Sheri explains.
No stranger to fundraisers, Sheri is constantly working with community organizations and helping put together events with Project Fairbanks, the Breast Cancer Detection Center, the Street Outreach and Advocacy Program (SOAP), and others.
“That’s another thing I love about Sheri- her pull for the community,” Katherine says.
Sheri decided to combine a fundraiser for Brianna with a special debut of all-new items acquired from a major estate sale, including plus-size vintage clothing, scarves, heels, and accessories.
The fundraiser and estate sale will coincide with Chartreuse’s First Friday show featuring Leonard Ward, and live music by Emily Anderson. The joint sale/fundraiser/concert/exhibit will take place on Friday, August 5th from 5:00-9:00pm.
Sheri will donate all profits from the estate sale to the Mattinglys. With any luck, shoppers will walk away with some rare finds in addition to helping relieve the financial burden on this family.
Anyone interested in making a direct donation can contact Katherine by email or meet her and Brianna in person at Chartreuse on Friday. Brianna is helping raise money for her own surgery by distributing handmade books of her photos and writing, which are also available at Chartreuse.
When:
Friday, August 5th from 5:00-9:00pm
11:00am-8:00pm, Monday- Saturday
Where:
Chartreuse
729 1st Avenue
Call:
(907)452-5556
Chartreuse
C. Ballew @ Chartreuse
by Kara Nash · Leave a Comment
When:
First Friday, July 1st, 2011- 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Where:
Chartreuse
729 1st Avenue
Chartreuse
Pin-Ups & Purses @ Chartresue
by Kara Nash · Leave a Comment
When:
First Friday, June 3rd, 2011- 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Where:
Chartreuse
729 1st Avenue
Chartreuse
CHARTREUSE
Chartreuse
729 1st Avenue, 907.452.5556
This place is really fun! Chartreuse vintage clothing and art gallery showcases stylish clothes and accessories from yesteryear as well as contemporary Alaskan art. Carefully chosen recycled handbags, jewelry and clothing make the shop as radiant and colorful as the peacock feathers from which it draws inspiration. Stop in and embrace “A bright way to be green.” Open year-round. Summer Hours 11am- 8pm, Mon-Sat; closed Sun Winter Hours 11am-6pm, Tues-Sat; closed Sun-Mon
Learn more about Chartreuse or visit them on Facebook.
Chartreuse
The Musings of an Untidy Mind @ Chartreuse
by Kara Nash · Leave a Comment
When:
First Friday, April 1st, 2011- 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Where:
Chartreuse
729 1st Avenue
Chartreuse
The Body Beautiful by Davya Flaharty @ Chartreuse
by Kara Nash · Leave a Comment
“The Body Beautiful” by Davya Flaharty
Music by 907 Britt
When:
First Friday, March 4th, 2011- 5:00pm – 9:00pm
Where:
Chartreuse
729 1st Avenue
