The Sounding of Two Canons

We don’t know much about this, but it sure sounds fun!  Great for the City of Midland to put this on, and in our brand new refurbished Centennial Plaza.  And who says there’s nothing to do in Midland, Texas?  Happy Halloween everyone!  C&C

Movies in the Park - Friday October 30th at 8:00 P.M. at Centennial Plaza

Looking for a fun family activity to get your Halloween weekend brewing???  It’s Movies in the Park on Friday, October 30th at Centennial Plaza in Downtown Midland.  Monsters vs. Aliens begins around 8:00 p.m.  Bring your picnic, blankets, or lawn chairs and join in on the party!  The event is FREE for everyone.  For more information, contact the City of Midland Recreation Division at 685-7381. 

This Saturday marks the two-year anniversary of the Midland Downtown Farmers’ Market.  What a special addition this has been to our community!  Big thanks to Farmer Matt & Co. for beginning this wonderful tradition in Midland.  Check it out this Saturday, Halloween morning, from 9 AM to 1 PM.  There will be costumes, cakes, and giveaways from each vendor!

Plus, we love the LIVE MUSIC!  Musicians from Midland, Odessa and the surrounding area are encouraged to attend. All styles of music are welcome, such as singer/songwriters, guitar pickers, axe grinders, vocalists, harmonica players, etc., as well as all ages of performers.  MDFM had author day last Saturday, and now this, we love it!

As we previously mentioned, photographer Briley Mitchell will be there.  Also, the Junior League of Midland will be presenting their award-winning program Kids in the Kitchen, which teaches children about nutrition, portion control, and healthy cooking and snacking.  They will have an obstacle course, arts and crafts, and snacks for the kids.

Also, we heard something about a MFD fire truck?    HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you Farmer’s Market!!!  Keep up the great work.

C&C

Midland Downtown Farmer’s Market Birthday Bash (MDFM is turning 2!) Under The Green

This Saturday, Halloween, October 31st, 2009 from 9 AM to 1 PM

MDFM is located in downtown Midland on Texas in between Marienfeld and Pecos underneath the green awnings.  Festivities include children’s artwork and cooking classes, obstacle courses, pumpkin painting, fire truck, raffles, giveaway, FREE homemade bday cake (until it’s gone) and a live music showcase featuring a variety of music.

Have you heard of Briley Mitchell, and Dust Devil Diver Photography?  We have seen his work showcased at various events, most recently at the Docent fundraiser, and we are big fans.  We knew we wanted to include his work on the blog, and when we asked him he was very supportive!  His work really captures the West Texas skyline and spirit.  Briley will have a booth at the Farmers’ Market this Saturday, the 31st, so please stop by!  You can sample his photography here: http://www.dustdevildiverphotography.com/    A few of our favorites are below.  Thanks for sharing your pictures with us Briley!    

C&C

Not to mention 421 Facebook members.  Incredible!  Thanks to all who have signed the online petition!  We knew there was a lot of support out there for this, but even we are surprised by the overwhelming response!  As always, please sign the petition! If you have not signed it yet, please do so at:

“Campaign to Bring Alamo Drafthouse to Downtown Midland”

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/Midland_Needs_Alamo_Drafthouse/

Let’s keep it going!  Please keep sending the link to your families, friends, co-workers, etc.! 

BIG THANKS to Mayor Perry for signing our petition!  We also have the signatures of a City Council member and other Midland leaders as well.  Thanks also to Newsroom Stew at the MRT for spreading the word on his blog, thank you!  We are in the process of letting the company know about the campaign, the petition and the Facebook page. Wish us luck!

Thanks again,

Chris & Cory

Two great videos in the MRT today set in Downtown Midland.  If you work Downtown, you have definitely seen the Dancing Man.  His real name is Larry Daly, and his dancing has made us smile on more than one occasion.

A stroll through Centennial Plaza, by Jimmy Patterson

http://www.mywesttexas.com/articles/2009/10/27/news/top_stories/doc4ae72e79a84c9658260586.txt

Life in Focus: The Dancing Man, interview and photos by Gary Rhodes

http://mywesttexas.com/shared-content/story_tools/slideshow/?id=15

This month marks the one year anniversary for the two of us as Live Midland bloggers.  Chris was more enthusiastic about it from the start….  I (Cory) was more skeptical.  We were approached to blog about our lives Downtown, activities Downtown, and our thoughts on Downtown, both the good (Yucca Theatre) and the bad (lack of parking).  The challenging part was the majority of the posts had to be about Downtown Midland only, as opposed to the entire town of Midland, which would have made our task a lot easier.  We are as surprised as anyone that a year later we have posted 53 times in the category of “Things to Do” in Downtown Midland, Texas (an average of just over one event per week).

When we read on Newsroom Stew’s blog (and in the paper) that a company was actually planning on bringing a franchise of Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas to the Midland/Odessa area, this seemed to us to be a “no-brainer.”  This is a company that is currently planning on expanding to our area!  We believe that those serious about bringing new businesses to Downtown Midland should be actively recruiting these people!  We both feel that Midland needs some new entertainment offerings, especially Downtown, and that the Alamo brand could bring something new and different to local citizens of all ages. 

We launched an official campaign just yesterday in an attempt to show not only the franchise company, but also Midland leaders, how much interest there is for something like this in Midland.  This Campaign is strictly word-of-mouth and over e-mail via a free online petition (we also made a Facebook page).  If you agree with this effort, please sign our online petition below, and please pass the link on to anyone you know is interested, i.e. your friends, spouse, and/or family!  More details can be found on the petition. 

And to our readers: We have no idea how many people have read our blog for the past year, but to those out there who actually do – Thanks for reading!

Chris & Cory

“Campaign to Bring Alamo Drafthouse to Downtown Midland”
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/Midland_Needs_Alamo_Drafthouse/

We recently attended the grand reopening of the Blakemore Planetarium.  We have been looking forward to seeing what this revamped jewel in our town has to offer.  And let me tell you, it is out of this world! (pun intended)  There were over 400 people who made it to the event.  Jumburrito had free burritos and nachos, and children were treated to all you can eat Moon Pies. As for inside the new area, they have updated several of the exhibits and offer a great mini walking tour of space around the perimeter outside of the actual planetarium room. The new planetarium room itself was outstanding, reminding us more of an immersive Imax experience than your old “look up at a bunch of lights on a dome” planetarium.  The movie played made you feel like you were riding through space, exploring the worlds of our solar system.  Truly fantastic!

If you are interested in seeing what the new planetarium has to offer, shows are scheduled every Tuesday - Friday @ 4:15, Friday evenings @ 7:15 pm and 8:30pm, and Saturday @ 1:15 and 3:45.  Check it out! — Chris

http://www.museumsw.org/planetarium.php

We loved this article by Jimmy Patterson on the rumors and stories surrounding this Midland landmark…..  Located on the corner of Louisiana Avenue and A Street, near Downtown, the house has often been referred to as the “Pepto Bismol” house. Great story. 

About that pink house …

http://www.mywesttexas.com/articles/2009/10/08/news/top_stories/doc4ace50e12691a256010617.txt

Mayor expects more downtown progress

http://www.mywesttexas.com/articles/2009/10/07/news/top_stories/doc4acbf729e58d1520373364.txt

Buildings’ occupancy remains encouraging

Oilman Clayton Williams said Tuesday at the opening of the Fasken Center’s refurbished Williams Plaza in honor of his wife Modesta and him that the local real estate market has continued to do well during the year-long national economic meltdown.  “We’re proud to be downtown.”
http://www.mywesttexas.com/articles/2009/10/07/news/top_stories/doc4acbf6c02f788846238330.txt#ixzz0TGFQlUcz

If an Alamo Drafthouse was located in Downtown Midland, words cannot express how excited we would be.  The two of us often make a point to see movies at the Austin locations when we are in town, and it is always so much fun.  Let’s hope that Midland does all it can to make this a reality!

Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas plans expansion into Midland-Odessa market
http://www.mywesttexas.com/articles/2009/10/05/news/top_stories/doc4aca6cf6928c7507640686.txt#ixzz0T7iOcMgZ