The Run to Copper Country: Copper Country Cruizers' 17th Annual Car Show was held on Saturday at Gough Park. Revenues support a scholarship fund and local charities. They had vendors, refreshments, raffles and oldies music along with a very impressive showing of classic cars.
National EDA Award Ceremony
Wednesday August 13 at The Silco Theater
The United States Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration presented Silver City MainStreet Project its "Excellence in Economic Development Award" for Excellence in Historic Preservation-led Strategies to Enhance Economic Development. MainStreet Project executive director Frank Milan began the award ceremony by welcoming attendees before introducing Susie Cordero, from Senator Pete Dominici's office, who read a letter of congratulations from the Senator. A video from Senator Jeff Bingaman was played where he praised Frank Milan for his work, spoke about how Silver City MainStreet Project had raised 2.3 million dollars from 2003 - 2007 and congratulated Silver City on receiving the Arts & Culture District Designation. Judy Ward, Silver City Town Councilor, read a letter on behalf of Mayor James Marshall, announcing that Mayor Marshall had proclaimed August 13 to be "Silver City MainStreet Day." US Representative Steve Pearce talked about how he believes New Mexico is a step above when it comes to preservation and Patty Sheetz, Director of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs Division of the Economic Development Administration spoke about how over one hundred towns had applied for this award and Silver City came out on top. The other top finalist that Silver City edged out to win where towns out of North Dakota and Virginia. She also spoke about how in the 1980's (when the MainStreet Project started) only 40% of Silver City's downtown businesses where occupied and now the downtown is 98% occupied. Then Sheetz presented the EDA award to Frank Milan (MainStreet Manager), Evangeline Zamora (MainStreet Board President) and US Representative Steve Pearce. After the presentation Evangeline gave at thank you to everyone and Frank Milan closed the ceremony.
Silver City was one of five communities in New Mexico that came together in 1985 to start the MainStreet Project in New Mexico. The first historical preservation site in Silver City was in 1970.
"Illusive Images" by Cass Shaw
Saturday, August 9 at Seedboat Gallery
A farewell exhibition was held for internationally known artist Cass Shaw at Seedboat Gallery on Saturday. The exhibition features gesso, sand and oil on canvas.
Annual Summer Fling
Saturday, August 9 at the Twisted Vine
Desert Exposure, KRWG-FM & KRWG-TV held their annual Summer Fling party at the Twisted Vine on Saturday. Featuring wine tasting courtesy of the Twisted Vine and summer hors d'oeuvres by the Courtyard Café at Gila Regional Medical Center, locals came out in high spirits and ready for a party. People were able to meet and greet Desert Exposure and KRWG personalities and several door prizes where given out.
Carlos Aguilar's Artwork on Display at MRAC Office
Friday, August 8 at MRAC office
The Mimbres Region Art Council held an artist opening for Carlos Aguilar on Friday. Carlos originally from El Paso, moved to Silver City with his wife, Aurora, so that she could pursue a degree in music at Western. Since moving here Carlos has started attending classes as well in fine arts exploring acrylics, linocuts, printmaking, drawing and sculpture. His linograph was chosen this year as the signature logo for the 2008 Blues Festival to which posters, t-shirts and more showcased his artwork.
Carlos Aguilar's will have 12 new pieces on display at the MRAC office, inside Well Fargo Bank, through September 26. Make sure you get over to see the artwork by this new up and coming talented artist.
"Illuminating" One-of-a-kind Lampshades
Friday, August 8 at Common Ground Gallery
The Common Ground Gallery hosted an artist reception on Friday for Keith Walden. Walden creates one-of-a-kind lampshades ranging from antique-looking to modern. Walden was an interior designer and fine artist and wound do decorative painting for clients in Los Angeles before moving to Silver City. One of the reasons that he started painting lampshades is so that he could ship his artwork easily around the world.
Summer Sonidas
Sunday, August 3rd at Seedboat Gallery
Mimbres Region Arts Council and Gila Regional Medical Center held a partners appreciation reception at the Seedboat Gallery on Sunday. The reception was sponsored by Roland Snure, M.D. and Jeffrey Willard. With wonderful hors d'oeuvres being pasted around outside in the courtyard and rhythmic Brazilian music being played inside by Caji & Salome every one had a lovely time meeting and chatting with one another.
The 3rd Annual "Chair"-ity Auction was a Success
Saturday, August 2, at the Silco Theater
The "Chair"-ity Auction held at the Silco Theater last night was a great success raising $3,924.50. The annual auction is held every year to benefit the historical Silco Theater Project. Artists paint director's chairs to be auctioned off, last night 36 chairs where auctioned. The lowest chair went for $50 and the highest bid was over $200 for "Marmalade Trio" by Victoria Chick. The auctioneer was Mr. FM (aka: Frank Milan) and the MC for the night was Tim Evans, they kept things moving along and had people laughing. Along with the chair auctions there was also a silent auction held in the lobby with a variety of goodies.
15TH ANNUAL SAN VINCENTE FIESTA
July 25th & 26th at Gough Park
The San Vicente Catholic Church held it's 15 th Annual Fiesta on Saturday and Sunday at Gough Park. A Fiesta Mass was held in the morning. There were food venders, a bingo tent, several games for the kids, they raffled off prizes, had great live music and even train rides. Every one was in high spirits and grateful that the rain than was predicted for both day held off till Sunday night after the festivities were over.
Senator Bingaman receives a MainStreet award at Gallery 400
Saturday, July 19th at Gallery 400
On Saturday, July 19, 2008 at Gallery 400 U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman received a MainStreet Project Award. He received the award for his nominating Silver City MainStreet Project for the Economic Development Administration's (EDA) 2008 Excellence in Economic Development Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation-led Strategies to Enhance Economic Development.
Silver City MainStreet is affiliated with National Trust for Historic Preservation's MainStreet Program, which seeks to revitalize historic downtown districts in small towns across America, and is run in conjunction with the New Mexico MainStreet Program of the New Mexico Economic Development Department. Silver City MainStreet is the oldest, and among the most successful, MainStreet projects in New Mexico.
