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HomeMy WebLinkAbout8.1 Poet Laureate/City Historian UpdateAGENDA STATEMENT HERITAGE AND CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION MEETING DATE: November 10, 2011 SUBJECT: Poet Laureate/City Historian Update Prepared by John Hartnett, Heritage & Cultural Arts Manager ATTACHMENTS: None RECOMMENDATION: Receive Presentation FINANCIAL STATEMENT: None DESCRIPTION: In May of 2010, the City Council confirmed the Mayor's appointment of Jonnie McCoy-Howell as the new Poet Laureate, and re-appointed Georgean Vonheeder-Leopold as City Historian to a second two-year term. The Poet Laureate serves as a public advocate for the appreciation and advancement of the literary arts for the City and is 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. Jonnie McCoy-Howell has been in her position for one and one-half years now and Georgean Vonheeder- Leopold has served in her volunteer position for three and one-half years. In 2011, both City volunteers accomplished a number of activities on behalf of the City. A few of their many accomplishments are as follows: Poet Laureate (December 2010 -November 2011) Guest poet at the "Black History Month Celebration" at the Dublin Senior Center in February 2011 Wrote and presented an original poem at the Heritage Park & Museums Dedication Event in July 2011 Presented at "Peace to our City Event"- Hosted by: Paten University. Oakland, CA in August 2011 Presented at the "Youth in Motion Event"- Hosted by: Missionary Baptist Church, Berkeley, CA in August 2011 Hosted the "Dublin Poetry Slam" as the first Saturday Event in the new Kolb Barn in September 2011 COPIES TO: ITEM NO: 8.1 G:\HERITAGE COMMISSION\AGENDA_STMTS\2011\l ]-10 Poet Laureate-Historian presentation.doc • Presented at "Me and My Friends Cafe" in Pleasanton every month (last Monday of the month) from September 2010 to March 2011 • Presented at the "Imagine Me Cancer Fundraiser"- Hosted by Imagine Me Foundation in Fairfield, CA in October 2011 Goals for 2012: • Guest poet at the Hope Hospice Presents: "Lights of the Valley Celebration" in December 2011 • Host of the ``Celebrating African American Poetry" event in the Kolb Barn in January 2012 • Host of the ``Prose & Poetry Workshop" in the Kolb Barn in April 2012 City Historian (December 2010 -November 2011) • Participated in the initial planning of the "Heritage Happening" • Gave a history talk at the "Black Heritage Celebration" • Helped to plan and coordinate -the "Preview Party" for the Kolb House Opening • Helped facilitate the printing o:f the DHPA Coloring Book • Helped facilitate the placing of'the Lincoln Highway Signs • Gave a presentation at the Kolb House Grand Opening • Edited the Kolb Family Book • Answered several questions from the City Historian Website • Collecting historical information fo:r inclusion in the DHPA Website • Culmination of advocacy for City to own Camp Parks History Center Collections Goals for 2012 • Prepare a display for the Civic; Cerrter foyer that includes 30 years of Dublin artifacts and aerial photos of Dublin, through the years • Help facilitate the printing of an "Arcadia" book about Camp Parks RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission receive the presentation. 2 of 2