a monthly e-newsletter of the Young Professionals Network   |   November 2011

Holiday Pop-Up shops open in downtown south bend    The Holiday Pop-Up Shop program returns to downtown South Bend for a second year. The goal of this program is to enhance the festive holiday atmosphere for downtown’s many holiday visitors, and to further develop downtown as a holiday-gift buying destination by playing off the synergies offered from downtown holiday activities such as the tree lighting, Santa's House & Workshop and the Nutcracker. This program also provides a visible downtown presence and a sales outlet for quality local retailers and highlights the available spaces downtown to promote the potential within the 100 block of Michigan Street to long-term leases prospects. The four Pop-Up Shops located along South Michigan Street will offer unique shopping and gift-giving opportunities through January 8, 2012. The stores include the following: • Made in Michiana, 123 S. Michigan Street • Mistletoe Market, 122 S. Michigan Street, Suite #110, behind the South Bend   Chocolate Cafe • Relics Antiques Shop, 140 S. Michigan Street • Sorella Boutique, 132 S. Michigan Street   Read more MAIN ATTRACTION     Compton Family Ice Arena, University of Notre Dame   Due to the generous lead gift from Kevin and Gayla Compton, who also own the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League, this arena was built to support the Notre Dame hockey programs and also to help with local community needs to include Irish Youth Hockey League IYHL, USA Hockey Athlete Development Model ADM, figure skating, public skating and broomball. The Olympic-style ice rink can be divided into smaller rinks, and the Charles W. “Lefty” Smith Jr. Rink (named in honor of the first coach in the Notre Dame hockey program) offer space to support both university and community events. The weight room within the building will be available for use by all Notre Dame varsity athletes. Eight auxiliary locker rooms will be available for campus and community use. An exclusive club for Fighting Irish hockey games, called O’Brien’s, is located on the upper level, as well as mezzanine level seating and the media center. Open concourses on both levels provide ample standing room. With its beautiful barrel-vaulted roof and bow trusses, chair-back style seats and unique design, the arena promises to be an immense draw for athletic ice events, entertainment and community activity. For more information on the Compton Family Ice Arena, including public skating information, please visit their website. Read more   COMMUNITY CENTER     Downtown South Bend Tree Lighting December 2 | 5:30 - 6:45 p.m. College Football Hall of Fame Gather around the College Football Hall of Fame Gridiron for Santa's arrival and the lighting of the giant Christmas Tree! Enjoy free hot chocolate and cookies (Santa’s favorite snack!). Children have the chance to meet Santa afterward while parents can peruse and enjoy the open houses at many of the downtown shops.     Downtown South Bend First Fridays - Downtown for the Holidays December 2 | 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Lots of fun kid-friendly activities planned throughout the evening, most of which are free! For more info, visit dtsbfirstfridays.com.     Southold Dance Theater: The Nutcracker December 10 | 2:00 & 7:00 p.m. December 11 | 2:00 p.m. Morris Performing Arts Center Experience the classic story of Clara in her Christmas journey. Full of thrill and enchantment, it is the largest and the only full, unabridged Nutcracker production in the Michiana area. To learn more, please visit morriscenter.org.   Home for the Holidays December 17 | 8:00 p.m. December 18 | 3:00 p.m. The South Bend Symphony presents a symphony holiday tradition. Enjoy the sounds of the season as Leon Williams, baritone and Elkhart Memorial High School Choir perform. To purchase tickets, visits southbendsymphony.com.

Young Professionals Network
The Chamber of Commerce of St. Joseph County
401 E. Colfax Ave., Suite 310, South Bend, IN 46617