THE CITY THIS WEEK October 21-28, 2001

["Linda Pall" <lpall@moscow.com>]

THE CITY THIS WEEK: AN OCCASIONAL VIEW FROM A COUNCIL MEMBER

October 21-28, 2001

from Linda Pall, Moscow City Council

Dear Visionaries:

Wasn’t the UI Homecoming Parade just the best!?! I had a fabulous time. How many times does an extrovert get PERMISSION (!) to wear sequins before noon on Saturday… and carry her silver star wand and grant wishes besides? Not enough times, that’s how many! Thanks to Chris Dixon, Janice Smith Hill, and John and Janesta Sullivan for making it all possible but the most thanks go to the UI Homecoming Committee that put so much work into this so that we could have so much fun! This really makes Moscow Moscow!

Money, Money, Money… or could we have a miracle of loaves and fishes, please???

The City Council, on Monday afternoon at 4 PM in the Council Chambers of City Hall, will have the unenviable task of determining which of the $58,000+ grant requests get funded with the skinny $15,000 we have budgeted. All of the grants look worthy and sorting through these will be extremely difficult.

The Council’s philosophy might be to give lots of organizations a little bit… or it might be to fund several requests almost fully. Either way, I forecast difficulty.

In either case, you’re invited to watch as the Council tries to sort this out. We could really use a miracle of the loaves and fishes or some luck lottery winner who would like to fund worthy community projects.

The League of Women Voters City Election Dialogue

Come and get a good look at the first phase of the 1912 Center Thursday, October 25 at 7 PM and check out the mayoral and city council candidates. You’ll also have an opportunity to hear more about the proposed fire station no.3 bond. The League always does a credible, fair job of allowing citizens and candidates to engage in a dialogue about what’s important for the City of Moscow.

Moscow’s Biggest Party of the Year: The 1912 Center Opening!

This Saturday, the official ribbon cutting gets done during the day at the 1912 Center and the day culminates with a dance party in the evening with the University of Idaho Jazz Lab 4 Band (the really cool swing era dance band) and a special presentation of swing dance that will take people who remember the 1940s right back there! You don’t have to wear 40s gear but if you’d like to, you’re welcome to do just that. I think I’ll recycle the sequins one more time… Dozens of 1912 Center supporters have worked hard to put this party together. It is sure to be immense fun! It’s all funded by private donations and you will have a grand time, whether you put on the ritz or not!

Be there or be square!

Farmers’ Market Swan Song October 27…

The last Saturday in October spells the end of Moscow’s weekly Saturday party for another year. Stop by before coming up to the 1912 Center and buy some peppers or some of those outstanding apples or a craft that you just can’t do without. As usual, the Arts Commission has slated a superior musical offering for the last bash (but I can’t remember which…).

As I look back, this year’s market started slowly because the spring and summer just wouldn’t cooperate. When the weather turned around, it was gorgeous and the produce began rolling in. We had great music (don’t you just love the Snake River Six?) and a new collection of potters and crafts people (my special favorite is Sherry from Ghana via Pullman whose offerings of mbiras and cowrie shell covered gourds take me right back to the central market of Accra!) and the phenomenal barbecued tri-tips (I am a meatatarian and these offerings send me and the dogs into low earth orbit).

The regulars were just superb as always: Linda Christian and her lime marmalade, Tonnamaker Farms’ dragon chilis, the aesthetically arranged and superior tasting produce from Santa, Idaho, the photos of Alison Meyer that inspire and touch the heart at the same time… I can’t mention everyone but this last Saturday, I urge you to go around the market and thank each vendor and tell them how very much they are appreciated. The Market really makes Saturday in Moscow’s downtown an event!

All the best to you Visionaries and don’t forget to vote November 6!

Linda

THE CITY THIS WEEK October 21-28, 2001.doc