August COW Minutes
While these are not the official minutes of the August COW meeting, Kirby Lindsay did a great job of reporting the major discussions of the evening in the publication she writes for, The Fremocentrist here:
http://fremocentrist.com/archives/149_08-18-10.html
The Fremocentrist via Kirby also wrote articles pertaining to the June and July meeting too… Thanks Kirby!!!!
~ Thank you! 2010 Solstice Parade Participants & Volunteers ~
Words can only express a smidgen of the gratitude we have for our volunteers and participants of the Fremont Solstice Parade.
Each and every one of you, in whatever way you participated, helped us make this beautiful episode in street theater come to life.
THANK YOU ALL!
Here is a short list of some special people we want to recognize for their stellar involvement during the 2010 Fremont Solstice Parade: (this is in no way a complete list, there are far to many contributors to list everyone!)
Big Thanks to our volunteers who made everything happen so seemlessly, there is NO way we could have accomplished this without you. THANK YOU! THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!!!
Staff:
Leslie Zenz, Solstice Director
Mylinda Sneed, Parade Coordinator
David Marine, Workshop Coordinator
Gyan Davies, Gas Works Coordinator
Laura Baumwell, Fundraising Coordinator
Shawn Murphy, Security Director
Sonia Telesco, SOL & Publications Coordinator
Maque Da Vis, Solstice Float Technician
VOLUNTEERS:
Susan Harper, Gas Works Stage Coordinator
Dan Boyd, Green Hat & Plumbing Repair-person Extrodinairre
Sky, Drop in Angel (swooped in at the last minute to help accomplish all the tasks!)
Mike Cozad, Monitor Extrodinairre & Tent Maverick
Brenda Wiest & Teamsters 117, Chalk Fairies (teamsters in fairy wings ~ what could be better?)
Jennifer Mahern, Registration Diva Extraordinairre
Shelly Lyons, Fantastic Pit-Go Organizer
Jon Hegeman, So we didn’t have to go in a pit (when our plumbing broke!)
Hank Graham, Photographer Wrangler
Bill Fahey, Workshop Pop
Linda Phelps, Workshop Mom
Simon Neale, Power House Sign Hanger
Ensembles
Thank you to all of our ensembles, you awed, enthralled, & inspired!
There are so many great artists & participants here are just a few who stood out in 2010:
Green Hat Ensemble, Disco for Dollars: Barbara Luecke & Jerry Smith, a record breaking year! They really shook their money makers!
Volcano!: Brian Kooser, Artist in Residence / Welcoming Presence in the Workshop
Yellow Submarine: Norma / Peter / Denise / Lars & all, Best on the Street
Edderkop: Jessica Randall, Best Float Made from Natural & Recycled Materials
Blank Canvas: Most Adversity on Parade Day (& they still finished! You guys ROCK!)
Michael Cepress and his FLOCK OF BIRDS!: Most Interesting & Fun Way to fix a Costume Malfunction on the Parade Route
Having a Ball: Salmon Bay, Best Crowd Interaction (2nd Year in a row!)
Community Partners:
Phil Meaganhart & Philly Hosko, Bold Hat Productions for a smooth Fremont Fair transition & collaboration
Rich Piecora, Piecora’s for a fantastic beer garden
Charles Wright, Wright Brothers Cycle Works for giving our VIP Donors a place to sit, hosting our stage & keeping them all dry (you are awesome!)
Matt Lincecum, Fremont Brewing Company for his generous donation for our participants & volunteer party (Solstice Pale Ale ~ how appropriate! & Yummy!)
THANK YOU ALL!
Solstice Appreciation Party
Fremont Solstice Parade Participants & Volunteers
Let’s get together & celebrate our accomplishments!
You are all amazing and we’d like to get together, have a little nosh & celebrate each other.
Meet us at the Fremont Abbey http://www.fremontabbey.org/
Friday June 25th
6:30pm
Bring: food to share
your festive self
utensils/plates/glasses & any eating accoutrements (its pack it in/out!)
We’ll watch some parade footage, have some prizes, & talk about fun parade moments.
See you there!
This party is sponsored in part by Fremont Abbey Arts Center.
Nice Things Folks Are Saying
A love letter (WOW!): http://dreambirddesigns.blogspot.com/2010/06/love-letter-to-fremont-number-thirty.html
A photoshop tutorial: http://elldubphotography.blogspot.com/2010/06/2010-fremont-solstice-parade-seattle-wa.html (photo at left – double WOW!)
Some photos of us hard at work: http://www.fremontuniverse.com/2010/06/18/last-minute-preps-for-the-solstice-parade/
A slideshow in the Ballard News Tribune: http://www.ballardnewstribune.com/2010/06/20/features/slideshow-seattle-struts-its-stuff-solstice-p
If you know of more good links to share please make a comment on this post. Thanks so much!!!
Solstice Painted Cyclists
If your interested in learning more about the
Solstice Painted Cyclists,
they have just updated their page:
Ice Queens at Gallery 110
Not only will you see the Ice Queens in their new incarnation at this years 22nd Annual Fremont Solstice Parade on June 19th, but you can catch them again at PULP at Gallery 110 at the end of the month.
http://culturemob.com/blog/gallery-110s-pulp-preview-art-party-fundraiser
Proposed Bylaw Change
At the last FAC Board meeting, a proposal was made to make one change out of many proposed changes to the FAc bylaws. A FAC Board subcommittee was form to look at the FAC Bylaws and see if any of any changes are needed or wanted. The committee offered that the FAC bylaws need to be updated and made more clearer as to how the FAC is actually run. Some proposed changes are for IRS needs, some proposed changes are for clearing up how we run, for the Board elections, for the COW (Committee of the Whole) process, and for functioning of the committees. Before possible enactment, the many bylaw change proposals will be discussed over the next months, by the members, the COW, and the FAC Board.
First although what is needed is a change that allows for the FAC Board, by a consensus process, to update the bylaws. Currently the only way to update the FAC bylaws is by a majority vote of the all the paying members. We have not been able to get a majority of members to vote on any proposal yet. Partly due to the tiems the FAc has had over 300 members. Currently we have about 67 members. A window of opportunity has occurred that to pass a bylaw change we would need about 34 members supporting the proposal.
The proposal, to be discussed at the next COW (this coming Tuesday, June 8 at 7pm), is to hold a bylaws election to add to the bylaw amendment process in the FAC Bylaws currently, that besides a simple majority of the voting members being only way to change a bylaw, that we add that a whole consensus of the FAC Board could enact bylaw changes too.
The discussion on the Board proposal will occur near the start of the Tuesday 7:15 PM COW meeting at the Powerhouse in the middle of the parade creation, some fun!. Please come if you are interested.
Maque daVis
FAC board member
Member of FAC Board subcommittee on bylaw changes

Come to the COW!
BBQ @ the Power House Thu June 3rd, 5:30-7pm
Join us at the Power House, 3940 Fremont Ave N (where all those floats are parked!)
Thursday June 3rd for a BBQ / Potluck
just prior to our Parade Planning Meeting at 7pm
We are in Solstice Parade Countdown! & this is a great way to have some social time with all these creative folks before things get a little overley busy ’round these parts.
After we eat & socialize for a bit, join us for the Parade Planning meeting & learn about the fantastic creations that are coming together. (7pm)
Bring yummy food to share, something for the grill if you like, & your own dining accoutrements (ie, plates, bowls, cups, utensils: we have a few, but its better to bring what you’ll need.)
Sorry ~ NO alcohol on school grounds (& that’s where the Power House resides) but after the parade meeting, let’s go have a beer!
All are welcome to both the BBQ & the meeting, no previous parade participation needed!
Yummmm!!!!! See you there …
Blue Meanies Have Their Own URL!
If you want to join up with the Yellow Submarine Ensemble, please check out their website at http://blumeanies.wordpress.com/

Solstice Workshop Open DAILY & Parade Classes SCHEDULED
WHAT WILL YOU MAKE?
The Solstice Workshop is open DAILY: weekdays 6-10pm, weekends 12-6pm.
Until parade day ~ June 19th.
Come to the Power House, meet some neighbors, learn about the fun & fantastical creations that are taking shape, make a mask, or learn a new parade technique.
We have a list of classes & one is sure to tweak your fancy!
Plastic upcycled “dresses”, stilt walking, mask making, giant puppet heads, fairy/pixie wings, giant flowers, Ensemble 101 ….
For a full list: SOLSTICE WORKSHOP & CLASSES
Don’t see a class listed but interested in learning a specific parade technique? Maybe we know someone who can share their skills, just let us know what you’d like to learn!










