| March 20, 2008 from Christina Barr Carson City, NV Commission for Cultural Affairs |  |
Meg Glaser and I have come west to Carson City to present the Western Folklife Center’s funding proposal for Pioneer Hotel headquarters repairs and maintenance to Nevada’s Commission for Cultural Affairs. The Commission for Cultural Affairs administers a granting program to help maintain and restore historic structures being preserved as cultural centers around the state. It has been enlightening listening to staff from other cultural organizations tell their stories as they struggle to maintain their own historic buildings. The Pioneer Hotel was built in 1912/1913 and is constantly in need of some professional TLC. This year we are requesting funding for much needed roof and decorative cornice repair.
Before arriving in Carson City we met up with Darcy Minter in Reno and had a series of meetings associated with planning the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering’s 25th anniversary celebration, which will take place in Elko from January 24 - 31, 2009.
We also had a couple of lovely dinners with Western Folklife Center board member Sandy Rafaelli and then with friends Griff and Kathleen Durham - all long-time Gathering fans and supporters. In the photograph above Meg and I are unwinding with the Nevada Arts Council’s Folklife Program Coordinator Pat Wells after seven hours of meeting presentations.
We've just found out that our funding request was successful, so Western Folklife Center resident pigeons, look out! You're being evicted from the cornice and will need to find a new home.
Let the construction begin! Er, continue...
Christina Barr
