my rink...your rink. OUR rink.
I've been approached by many, many people about the apparent fate of Berkeley Iceland. Just last Sunday, 1/28/07 a parent innocently asked, "whose going to save the rink?" Great question. The answer is...YOU!
Actually, you and I are going to save it together. This significant yet worthwhile undertaking is community-driven and we all have to accept that reality. The several dozen people who have attended each of the early Save Berkeley Iceland meetings are the early catalysts in this process. The is and must continue to be a viral effort as well; spreading and growing with each conversation, email, phone call and petition.
My responsibility, to this point is to participate as you do. I'm getting the word out and telling people that they have a role to play. I am also a liason to the various agencies and individuals in local government. I am also one of those seeking the funds to purchase and renovate facility. If you have any great or not-so-great suggestions, please provide them in the comments below. Thank you and I'll see you at the our rink.
Comments
What everyone can do
Until and unless Berkeley Iceland is open again, there is this emptiness that won't quite go away....right now I believe we have two huge priorities--one is showing preparedness and political strength through numbers at the Landmark Commission hearing.--the other is getting dollars in quickly. I did have an interesting idea---if people want to help they can organize their own personal Berkeley Iceland fundraisers. If they play music, dedicate a concert to Berkeley Iceland, An artist could promise a percentage of profits from a given show to Berkeley Iceland. Bake sales, talent shows, lemonade stands--whatever. I can imagine "babysitters for Berkeley Iceland". If we put up a page listing community-based "micro-fundraisers" or even send a monthly notice of them to our mailing list, the fundraisers will get some publicity for their talent, and we will all get a feeling of continued community in what will hopefully be a long term project. Not to pretend we can do this without getting the big corporate donors and foundations, but broad-based public donor participation will actually attract the big money. Jane Woodside
OUR rink, OUR Bulldog teams
Thanks for all you do, have done and will do in the future for the kids, Cyril. You can't be thanked enough for your dedication and selflessness. Our son's worship you for the skills, humor, ethics and drive to succeed you've passed on to them over the years.
I don't have any immediate suggestions other than getting the word spread amongst those in the nouveau rich dot-com industry that I run into in my life outside of Iceland. We'll be attending the city council meeting with boys in their Bulldogs finest. Iceland has been a home away from home for my boy for 6 years now and I can't imagine having to play hockey for another org (he's a phenomenally loyal guy). Not to mention we just love the new Bulldog away jersies we just got this season.
Question, has any thought been given to continuing the proud Bulldog tradition at another rink? I know ice time is probably tight everywhere, but has this option been looke into at this juncture? One of the great benefits my boy has gotten out of 6 years of skating are strong friendships with his team mates, some of whom have been on the same squad since mite/house team days. It would be a shame to give that up.
Good luck to all of us.
Our Rink
The rink is a place I go to when I want to see happiness and joy.  When I worry about my daughter's well-being I have only to sit there, somewhat cold and complaining, paying bills or hunched over my laptop, while she skates...and when I look up and see her smiling with her friends...spinning and holding their hands, I know she is safe...and I have that wonderful belief that all of the things I do for her, for us, all of those adult responsibilites are so very very worth it...and I feel transported in time...to those days of my youth...when I could simply fly...and I know I am fighing for that space for her and yes, for me.