Dear Icicle Fund Committee

5/3/2015

Dear Icicle Fund Committee,

It is my pleasure to recommend Dirk Horton for a grant from the Icicle Fund. I have known Mr.

Horton in several capacities since his arrival in the Wenatchee Valley: as a mountain host at Mission

Ridge Ski and Board Resort, as an active member of the Chelan Douglas Land Trust, as a gifted math teacher and tutor, and as the only ‘street mathematician’ I have ever seen in action. Whatever Mr.

Horton does, he is passionate and engaging in doing it.

Since he is an eclectic man with a broad range of interests in the arts and sciences, it came as no surprise to learn of Mr. Horton’s Planetarium Project. This is an amazing resource to bring into our community. It has the potential to unlock the mystery of the night skies for thousands of children. We are blessed with many natural resources in the Wenatchee Valley, one of which is the clear view of the cosmos. Without a guide, it is just a bunch of pretty dots, but with a guide, it is a map to myriad amazing stories—stories Mr. Horton can bring to life in young minds.

Please join me in my support of Mr. Horton’s unique and enriching vision for astronomical access for all children. This experience has the potential to provide answers to the mysteries of our firmament, but, more importantly, to get kids to start asking bigger questions.

Sincerely,

Mark Wavra

Art, English and Drama Teacher Eastmont High School, 1994-present Board members Icicle Fund P.O. Box 2025 7375 Icicle Road Leavenworth, WA 98826

2009 Skyline Drive Wenatchee, WA 98801 April 29, 2015 Dear member of the Icicle Fund Board, This is a letter of support for the grant application by Dirk Horton for the Planetarium Project with the Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center as the fiscal affiliate. Earlier this week on the 4/29/15 broadcast of All Things Considered, I heard a story that presented the reasons why is such an important project. Dr. Sandra Faber, a UCSD Professor of Astronomy and Director of the LICK observatory, explained why the study of astronomy is critical. She said, “Astronomy is like music; it doesn’t feed you, but it stokes the imagination and feeds your soul.” Most school-aged children in the Wenatchee Valley have never had a chance to visit a planetarium and experience that “Wow” of looking, wondering, and learning about the night sky. Most are urban dwellers, so the night sky is often obscured by light and haze. What better way to ignite a new understanding of the wonder of our world than to have a portable planetarium housed in our valley. This is a project that first came to my attention during my work at the Wenatchee School District science resource center. My colleague, Karen Rutherford, unsuccessfully attempted to secure funding from a local Rotary Club to purchase this same unit, as a needed support for the 3rd grade “Earth, Moon, and Stars” year- long science curriculum and for the 6th grade Earth Science year-long curriculum. The need is long- standing. Having it housed at the museum ensures that a wide audience will be served and that the equipment will be well stewarded. My husband is an employee of Confluence Health, and we were pleased to learn of their financial support which triggered us to make an additional personal contribution. I urge your support of this application to bring the study of astronomy to the next generation of students.

Thank you for your consideration of my letter.

Sincerely,

Susan Ballinger, M.A. Biology M.S. Education

May 3, 2015

To the Board of the Icicle Arts Fund,

What could you do 60,881.5 square inches of concave silver screen and a computer driven 180 degree projector? That’s basically the question Dirk Horton asked me a couple of months ago.

While the scientist’s and the artist’s use of this equipment might, on first glance, appear different; they’re both about offering up a portal to viewing the world differently.

Who could experience a digital 180 degree look at the stars and not look up into the night sky. What might a performance or video artist do with a surround sound, surround vision moment; and how might the viewer’s perceptions about art be influenced by such an experience?

This has possibilities.

Sincerely, karen dawn dean artist community arts advocate Wenatchee First Fridays arts walk and Wenatchee Arts coordinator

Martha Flores ,MA. 620 Ski View Dr. E. Wenatchee, WA 98802

Dear Sir:

I believe that The Planetarium Project will benefit the museum in many ways.

It will increase the children's attendance to the museum, schools will bring them and they will wan to come with their parents.

A planetarium will stimulate the children fascination with science and astronomy.

A Planetarium will increase the children's natural inquisitiveness with the universe.

A planetarium is a great teaching tool.

Not only children are fascinated with looking into space , we adults are also enthralled with the stars and planets , I have visited two incredible planetariums in Texas and Los Angeles more than once. It was a fascinating experience that one never gets tired or bored to see these marvelous sites.

It will be beneficial and a great addition to our Museum in Wenatchee to have our own portable planetarium.

Sincerely . Martha Flores

I endorse the Planetarium Project to acquire a portable planetarium and digital projector. Our community is lucky to have a museum that encourages and supports both adult's and children’s engagement in science. We are also lucky to have Dirk Horton, who is dedicated to making science fun, interesting and comprehensible to children and adults.. The planetarium will be a wonderful and significant addition.

Diane McKenzie 9 Glendale East Wenatchee WA 98802

Diane McKenzie