When I started this job, I used to get this look from people when I explained that I worked for Waukegan's downtown development non-profit.  It was sort of a smile and sort of a sigh, and they'd always wish me luck and tell me how much potential downtown had.  It's been an exhilarating and exhausting two years working with our phenomenal volunteers, committed business owners, and dedicated City staff who are all changing the perception of our neighborhood and showing people that downtown Waukegan is a great place to live, work, shop, dine and spend time with friends.  I'm convinced that Waukegan is already amazing and I don't want us to negate the now by just promoting the future. This year I got a tattoo at Dinosaur Studio, made a stained glass project with my dad at Rainy Day Glass Studio, bought a painting at Dandelion Gallery, played guitar at open mic night at Green Town Tavern, got shirts printed at Lake Surf Designs, ordered flowers at Pierce Florist, bought my mom a present at Little Fort Media, listened to live music at Joplin's Java, Jerry's Tacos, Big Ed's, and Burgundy Room, danced at La Opera, saw some incredible shows at the Genesee Theatre and Clockwise Theatre, and a ton of other crazy awesome things.  Main Street put on some fantastic events and we're hard at work behind the scenes to bring some really cool new projects to downtown. I had a really great year, and I can't even wait for 2012.  We've got some great plans and we need your help!  Whether you can give a gift of your time or your money or just your voice in helping us promote what's happening in downtown Waukegan, we need you.  Thanks for all you've done to support our mission this year, and I'm looking forward to the best year we've ever had in 2012.