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HomeMy WebLinkAbout8.1 Poet Laureate/City Historian Update G`~~ OF Dp~~ 82 AGENDA STATEMENT HERITAGE AND CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION MEETING DATE: December 11, 2008 SUBJECT: Poet Laureate/City Historian Update Prepared by John Hartnett, Heritage & Cultural Arts Manager ATTACHMENTS: None RECOMMENDATION: Receive Presentation FINANCIAL STATEMENT: None DESCRIPTION: Two of the 2007-2008 high priority objectives adopted by the City Council for the Heritage & Cultural Arts Division were to: Explore the opportuniry to develop a Poet Laureate for the City; and explore the opportunity to develop an Historian for the Ciry. The Poet Laureate serves as a public advocate for the appreciation and advancement of the literary arts for the City and will be a resource to Staff, the Commission and the City Council. The City Historian assists researchers, students, librarians, members of the public, the press and directs them to resources for historical information and is a resource to Staff, the Commission and the City Council. At the May 20, 2008 City Council meeting, Mayor Janet Lockhart appointed Ronnie Holland as Dublin's first Poet Laureate and Georgean Vonheeder-Leopold as Dublin's first City Historian. Both representatives have been in their positions for six months now and have accomplished a number of activities as foliows: Poet Laureate • Assisted with establishing a Poet Laureate web page on the City's Website with ongoing information added each month • Created and presented a poem for the Park Dedications of Piazza Sorrento and Devany Square • Created and presented a poem for the Hope Hospice "Lights of the Valley" event • Attended and presented at three Poetry Readings in Livermore and Pleasanton • Joined a literary agency - Tri-Valley Writers COPIES T0: Ronnie Holland ITEM NO: 8.1 GAHERITAGE COMMISSIONWGENDA STMTS\2008\12-ll Poet Laureate-His[orian presen[ation.doc • Has submitted poems for six publications or through contests • Has attended luncheons and conducted media interviews to promote the literary arts and the City's Poet Laureate program City Historian • Presented a historical perspective on the Devany family for the Park Dedication of Devany Square • Assisted with the Launch Party for the Local History Digitalization project • Assisted with establishing an "Interactive Historian" page on the new website for the Dublin Heritage Center • Has conducted media interviews to promote heritage activities and the City Historian program • Has created a log book of events in Dublin that have historical significance Both the Poet Laureate and City Historian have a long list of planned activities for 2009, and will present their future goals to the Commission. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission receive the presentation. 2 of 2