April 21 – Tuesday–
–Packed most items for my trip tomorrow in the morning and will go finish up after posting this.
–Lunch on my sunny porch to get revitalized.
–Drove to PO, Bank and and the Chamber Task Force meeting. Didn’t have time to walk. đ
–At end of regular agenda Shared the PARAB drama with the 2 members who didn’t know about it. Quickly read my letter. Totally supportive of Commonwheel & me. Chamber person asked I leave off the last paragraph and let her ask at Council for a Work Session on this subject.
–Another friend had called and asked to have me practice reading the letter to her after that meeting. She suggested I take out one sentence. It sounded personal and was afraid it would distract from the message of this Awesome letter I had written. So I removed it, and have to admit she was very right about that.
–Multi-tasked a bit listening to Tony’s webinar. Glad it was one that I didn’t have to take lots of notes as it was more philosophical than detailed training.
–City Council and I was a bit nervous, but read the letter and when Chamber asked for the meeting, they gave us a date sooner than we expected. Really good as it will be before her WineFest and may be able to get some things agreed upon to make setting that up easier for her. And most Council members expressed shock and surprise of what PARAB was saying and doing. “They are just an advisory board, they shouldn’t be making policy or deciding what is to be done in our parks without Council’s approval.” was the best comment we heard all night. Glad I stood in my truth and presented it in a way that was heard by all parties at the meeting. Will do an interview with the newspaper next week upon request from the reporter there.
–I knew I wouldn’t get anything done on my Squirrel book today, so didn’t waste time or energy trying or worrying about that. Did get lots accomplished and feel so much lighter after the Council meeting. Really looking forward to spending 3 days with Creative District folks learning and networking with positive art oriented people. The awesome Julia is taking my “How To Plan A Sustainable Event” book to share and promote.
April 22 – Wednesday–Earth Day
Left Manitou Springs with 5 friends crowded into one car to drive for 3.5 hours to Ft. Collins to attend the Creative District Convene. Manitou is a candidate in its first year of a 2 year process. I have attended all but the first one of these conferences, this made #3 for me to attend. Always exciting to learn new things and share what we have been doing as a Creative District. I always try to sit at tables and in groups of people from other towns to learn what they have to share and plans for their Creative Districts.
–The event was held in an old Carnegie Library that had been transformed into an event space centered around the arts.
–Keynote speaker was interesting and has a book we should all read.
–Had us do a couple of exercises mixing with other reps.
–Another set of speakers talked about how they funded large projects relating to affordable housing and work spaces for artists. Very exciting. Our Creative District manager will be talking more with them and invite them for an evaluation of Manitou Springs.
–Dinner was at various restaurants that we were to chose from and mix with other reps from Creative Districts around the state. I went to one with a fish based menu. Interesting people.
–A visit to the art center and back to the hotel for a good night sleep.
April 23 – Thursday–
Awesome inspirational ideas.
–Did a walking tour of the Creative District in Ft. Collins. A solution they came up with how to stop âtaggingâ of Municipal Utility Boxes was ingenious. They found a renewing grant to use to pay artists to paint the boxes. Each year more are painted.
–Then there were the pianos that were painted, placed around town where people would play them. Artists are paid to paint them, pianists play them. And as we walked around saw a little girl playing one and having a great time. Brought a smile to all of our faces. The pianos last about a year or two being outside and get moved to different locations.
Many types of murals were painted in various areas all around the Creative District.
–Gala food and drinks on the rooftop at the end of the day. Lovely locally distilled whiskeys.
–Dinner where I had just desert and a drink as had eaten plenty at the reception. The desert was huge. Shared it. Had a glass of wine which was also larger than expected.
–Another rooftop bar and performance by musician that had been at last yearâs conference. Unusual style. Has a new book about dinosaurs out and looking to do a concert at the Woodland Park dinosaur attraction.
April 24 – Friday–
–Marketing sessions. One was not very interesting, the other had some great suggestions of how to get noticed by art editors in newspapers.
–Awesome Poetry Slam high school student and older poet were the keynotes at lunch.
–Came home from the Creative District Conference in a less crowded car.
–Full of ideas and conversations to be had with each other and the rest of the team that is working on the Creative District application and formation. The poets that performed at the Governors Award Luncheon were awesome. So glad I traded rides home with someone who absolutely needed to get back by a specific time.
–Our group of 4 survived a long rush-hour traffic ride and stopped at an Outlet Mall where the driver needed to purchase a specific type of squishy down coat at a bargain price for her trip to Brazil later this year.
–And I gave myself an early birthday gift of a new fleece coat for under $30. My favorite one has become a bit rag-tagged, good for hiking, but not so much for every day wearing.
-Inspired by seeing so many Creatives working together and sharing these last 3 days.
April 25 – Saturday–
–Woke to a horoscope that echoed the feeling of exhaustion I was having.
–Praying for an incredible artist (potter) friend in Nepal. Just now read a post that he was a distance from Katmandu and safe, so that is good news. Not sure what that means for the trek he had planned for many years.
–Met with my upstairs tenants to discuss gardening plans. Will create some raised beds, use an old log for a herb bed, and two old wheel barrows to plant Kale.
–Gave them some YL Thieves and Eucalyptus Oils to help her and her visiting parents battle a cold they are sharing. No hugs though.
–Gathered some items out of the basement that can be parts of raised beds.
–Had the wrong time for the Trust Funnel webinar. So catching up with Awesome posts
and other things.
–Feeling a bit better after a short nap.
April 26 – Sunday–
–So many posts from friends on Facebook celebrating my birthday today! Feeling Awesome and very much loved!
–Sweet voice on the phone singing a birthday song. Instead of going out today, will plan a sunny day hike and lunch together. I have never been date sensitive for celebrations.
–My friend who rents a room from me took me to breakfast within walking distance using umbrellas. She ended the meal with gluten-free chocolate âbirthdayâ cake. And a gift of sipping Tequila.
–Best FB wishes came from my cousin who included Tim Hawkins Musical Old Rock Star Songs that made me laugh and smile with thoughts of our Awesome family connections.
–Still praying to hear some good news from Nepal about the potter friend who was near base camp when the earthquake happened yesterday. Sending Light and Love to all in Nepal.
–Rainy day start to my birthday. Holding the belief that the flood mitigation will do all it was planned to do, even in its unfinished stage . . . and protect Manitou Springs from flooding again.
–Tried to figure out where the water in the basement could be coming from by looking outside. No clue! And it is predicted to rain for days. Need to keep the smaller container bailed into the one with the sump pump. Good stair exercise is the only benefit from this challenge.
–Sent out in emails my notes from the conference to different groups. Sent some images out also. Posted some of my favorites on Facebook. Did this so I can start my week without these tasks hanging over me to get done.
–Took a nap to recharge a bit. Got unpacked from my trip and did laundry. Had to battle the visiting kitty to let me remake the bed-Hissss! Had an easy dinner, watched a TV show and finishing up on the computer to get to bed early tonight.
April 27 – Monday–
–Health appointment and errands in the morning. I donât enjoy shopping, so do as many errands in one trip as possible.
–Met with the sponsors of the Beer Garden at the Commonwheel Art Festival. They came up with an Awesome suggestion of how to rearrange the stage & garden layout. I can see it working so very well and something I would never have thought of-collaboration is so Awesome.
–Received an unexpected check in the mail. Plus I am having a really good month of sales at Commonwheel of my Fantafaces feathery masks and jewelry. Will allow me to be a bit more relaxed financially for the next few months.
–At the CMWL Board meeting I contributed to an idea of how rearrange an area that became the solution for creating an âofficeâ space for our new Marketing person and at the same time would resolve another challenge we were having regarding artist spaces.