October 9, 2007:
The Ferndale Double Dome group has been nominated to enter the Buckminister Fuller Challenge. The contest has a 100,000 dollar prize and has a entry deadline of Oct. 30th 2007. We will also be getting our proposal into the Governors hands by presenting it to her at the October 8th Town Hall Meeting held at the David Syre Center at Whatcom Community College. Rick Lafave has also been nominated to join the Ferndale Double Dome Board of Directors.
October 4, 2007:
The Oktoberfest community fundraiser for the swimming pool and community center sponsored by the Ferndale Double Dome has changed locations. Due to the potentialy nasty weather this weekend and short notice of publicity on my part, the scaled down version will be held at the Frank-n-Stein. What could be the "Smallest Oktoberfest in America" will be held at the Smallest Brewery in America" at 2030 Main street Ferndale. Local Polish Imigrant Artur Rojcza, has laid down a 500 dollar fund raising challenge. I accept that challenge by pledging 100% of net profits from Saturday October 6th including the tip jar. Big Plans are being made for next year with a much bigger citywide Oktoberfest celebration and fundraiser at Pioneer park. Saturday's Festivities will start at 3pm at the "Stein" Following the Ferndale VolksMarch... Cheers and Geshundheit, Herr Zimmerman
April 30, 2007:
Thursday night May 10th at 7 pm is the annual Community meeting at Eagleridge Elementary and all of the citizen initiated projects will be presented and reviewed. We will have 4-5 minutes to give a status report. That represents about a million dollars a minute for our project. We will also have a display set up to help educate, recruit, and answer questions. We are also thinking about gathering signatures to get it on the ballot due to the political impasse with current city leadership. That would be a good night to start and we would probably get half of the signatures we need. Please plan on attending this very important gathering we need your support.
Jan 8, 2007:
New options for the New Year.
The terrible fire at the Ferndale Boys and Girls club left hundreds of local families with very few options for child care. Before and after school programs are essential to our social network in preventing crime and building strong citizens for the future. The need for a consistent cash flow places working mothers and two income families with the problem of what to do with the children and that gap in time.
For too long ,we have put off preparing for this day. We ask a lot and get a lot from our public school system. Now we may need to ask more from our school facilities while we rebuild and recover from this unfortunate event of fire.
A new local non-profit group called Ferndale Double Dome has been formed in the past year. The group is made up of local parents and professionals and their mission is to help solve the long range problems of Money, location, affordable design, sustainable energy costs for new Community facilities. Coordinating resources, public and private, is a big challenge , bringing together parties with limited budgets, different philosophies, conflicting egos is hard. Educating the public with new ways of solving problems is hard. New ideas are hard to accept , like new shoes that need to be broken in. Nothing ventured nothing gained, but the kids need new shoes.
The door is open with James Willson, the new owner of the 11 acres formerly called the JR Simplot Cannery. In our opinion it is a Golden Opportunity to put into the right place much needed civic facilities at the right price. We need some Gold for this Golden opportunity. Our community library was recently blessed with an anonymous million dollar donation. The Ferndale Double Dome 501-C3 ,non profit group has reached the 1.5 million dollar goal in pledges for labor, materials and sweat equity. If there is or are a person or persons, capable financially matching our efforts, now is the time to maximize your impact of doing great things for thousands of present and future children.
July 7th 2006:
Non-Profit Status
The State of Washington, Secretary of State, Sam Reed Issued a certificate of incorporation as a non-profit 501-C3 to Ferndale Double Dome. With a duration of 50 years
Our purpose is to help the People and City government of Ferndale raise funds, design build and maintain a community center and aquatics center any compatible facility that will support (A) public health and safety. (B) reduce juvenile delinquency and promote education (C) promote local sustainable agriculture (D) promote health and physical fitness through physical fitness and nutrition. (E) promote racial and social harmony through cultural programs. (F) Create jobs for youth. (G) Provide a certified Federal Emergency Facility. H Promote International sports relationships.
Founding Board of Directors
Lloyd Zimmerman - Designer Artist
Dr. Terry Rouse - Chiropractor
Eric Weden - Civil Engineer
Michael Naylor - Professor of Mathamatics
Carl Hanson - Retired Boeing Engineer
Dan Coward - Mechanical Engineer
Scott Wenger - Civil Engineer
Kathy Heiser - Banker-Treasuer
Ken Smith - Retired Minister