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Real Name: Miles Johnson Member Since: April 23, 2008 Last Signed In: August 28, 2008 Profile Views: 303 Blog Views: 835 I Think I've Had Enough....... For Now. Leave In Love What If......... Remember This Face! *SIGH* So Much To Do... This Ship On a Scale of 1 to 10..... It's All About the Numbers Downtown Business Association Bordering on Thugs April 08 May 08 June 08 July 08 August 08 September 08 
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Downtown Business Association Bordering on Thugs
I have stopped going to First Fridays (previously First Thursdays) because of the Downtown Business Association. My understanding was that First Friday was developed to promote the downtown business and cultural scenes. Instead, IMHO it has become a money-generating opportunity for the BDBA. Collecting $10 per person (non-DBA members) is insane when you are trying to promote an area of town already struggling with an identity. I avoid any business opening in which the BDBA is involved. I went to a branch opening for Kern Schools Fed. Credit Union as an invited member of the CU. When we walked into the new branch we were asked to pay $10 each. Are you kidding me?! WTF is up with that?! I told the lady that we were Credit Union members invited by the Compliance Officer. She wouldn't budge. I paid the $20 and then heartily complained to the CU. They told me they had no idea people were being charged to get into a Grand Opening- the BDBA didn't tell anyone at the CU about what they were doing- and they refunded our $20. IMHO the BDBA is turning into a clique-ish band of thugs that seem to take advantage of every opportunity to drain the pockets of it's community members while lining their own. If I were a member of the BDBA and had dues to pay or something, that would be one thing. But as a general public consumer, I don't think I should have to support the DBA with added door fees. Isn't supporting the business enough? Anyone have another enlightened perspective I'm not seeing? Thanks for reading. 10 comments from 5 users
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posted by
Chase
on May 12, 2008 at 10:21 AM
You should do some investigative work on this. posted by
twinkie
on May 12, 2008 at 12:27 PM
Wow! Being from Porterville and having gone to a few Chamber of Commerce events and never being charged that just seems odd to me. (I'm assuming this is similar to your organization) My place of employment pays to be part of the chamber, therefore when there are events held they technically have already been paid for us to attend and network. posted by
theundergroundgalleryandstudio
on May 12, 2008 at 02:21 PM
I haven't heard anything about that. We are a downtown business. We haven't joined the DBA yet, but have met Kathy Butler, and she seems very excited about the re-development of the area. We participated in First Friday this month, and didn't collect $10 from anyone, and wasn't aware that anyone was doing such a thing. For us, it is to promote the downtown area, and more specifically the arts that are there. We'll be doing First Friday again in June, and having our Grand Opening the next night. I hope that you will give it a second chance, and come check us out!! posted by
metrogalleries
on May 12, 2008 at 03:31 PM
This has nothing to do with First Friday... I organize and promote it... if any business is charging they are doing it on their own. First Friday was created to promote and market the boutiques, shops and galleries of Downtown... FREE. I urge all who participate to offer complimentary food an dbevearges plus sales and oither promotions to make folks aware of all the great things downtown ha sto offer. Please join us again in June and see that the core group (along 19th and 20th and H streets) do not charge an entry fee. I will make Cathy Butler aware of this as well. Please contact me if you have any other issues. metrogalleries@yahoo.com posted by
GayinOh8
on May 12, 2008 at 03:40 PM
Thank you, Don, for the information, But Cathy is one of the people who was collecting money when FF was held in conjunction with the DBA at now-defunkt restaurant on the corner (can't remember the name right off hand) Across from the Hay bldg. It was very clear, banner and all, that it was the DBA collecting the money. And as I mentioned, they do the same thing at other events as well- like the bank opening I attended. posted by
metrogalleries
on May 12, 2008 at 10:39 PM
I beiieve that may have been a DBA mixer which they do charge for.. which has nothing to do with First Friday. I called and mentioned this post to her earlier.. she claims to know nothing of it.. but in regards to First Friday I can guarantee you will find none of us charging.. if so I would quit the association as that's not what we're about. First Friday is a self guided tour.. I believe the bank event u attended may have been related to an opening with the arts council of kern.. they do charge for their art openings as does the bakersfield museum of art... contact jeanette richardson on that issue.. it is not related to FF.. metro galleries nor any other gallery.. jill thayer or underground charge for openings.. tho we all spend a great deal on marketing, food, entertainment and wine . I hope you will give our core group another chance on FF June 6. I hope to se u there. posted by
GayinOh8
on May 13, 2008 at 08:38 AM
First, I wasn't bangin' on FF or the business participants. At all. But now that you mention it, you're right- it was a "mixer". I'd completely forgotten that detail and I apologize for that. Gee, now I feel about *this* big. Was it not also held on a FF though? Or am I blurring them all together? The bank opening was just that, a grand branch opening. I didn't see anything about the arts council. As for other gallery or show openings, I completely understand paying a door fee and for drinks. I may be poor but sheesh! <wink>. Having been in a few local shows (your old gallery and the BMoA) I am more than just a little aware of what the costs can be for those events. I drove right by the last FF because I honestly didn't have the $10 to spare at that time. Now I'm thinking I might have been a bit hasty... Oh, the bitter taste of humble pie..... posted by
Chase
on May 13, 2008 at 10:48 AM
Marie Callender's is offering Humble Pie in late October. It takes like shame.... which I believe is sweat, tears, and a hint of almond. I'm kidding! Good to see this got cleared up. I was curious too because I was at First Friday and there was no charging going on so I had just wondered if I didn't engage in it enough to have to be charged (I mosied down the street for a few minutes). posted by
GayinOh8
on May 13, 2008 at 11:47 AM
Yeah- can't be said that I won't admit bein' stoopid once in a (great) while. Don is right, it was a mixer (or two) that I had gone to and I may be confusing them with the FF events. I'm gonna give Mr. Burton a call a little later on and pick his brain a bit. Still, there is the issue with the Bank opening that I'm more than likely gonna let go. I got my $ back and I know at least to be more aware and question it if it should happen again. Sorry to all I might've alarmed. Late October, eh? Maybe I should check the frozen foods section... posted by
theundergroundgalleryandstudio
on May 13, 2008 at 07:50 PM
Gallery shows do cost a bit to put on. But, it's so worth it, and we are happy to do it, to bring everyone to our gallery. We just want to showcase all the great art we have on display there, and also want everyone to have a great time. We will never charge for a First Friday event, or our artist receptions. I hope we'll be seeing you at our gallery soon. : )
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