MUSEUM: Funding sought
cern, as the metal shelving used to store boxed artifacts is near capacity.
Hougen, who started two years ago, said years of understaffing led to a backlog of work, especially for cataloguing artifacts.
Hougen quickly identified the need for updated storage. From past experience, she knew high-density mobile shelving units would remedy the issue.
Used by medical and law offices, the mobile units maximize available space by eliminating aisles when not in use.
The units are a more cost-effective solution than building an entirely new structure, she said.
Last summer, Hougen sought an estimate from a company that specializes in archiving of museums.
“I had no idea at the time where the money would come from, but I wanted to get a ballpark idea of the cost,” she said. “If an opportunity presented itself in the future, we could be ready to take advantage of it.”
Spacesaver Corporation gave an estimate of $182,000 for units totaling 1,783 linear feet.
In June, Hougen found a potential funding source through the California Cultural and Historical Endowment’s Museum Grant Program.
Hougen received approval from the Community Memorial Trust Fund Trustees on Tuesday, agreeing to utilize up to $70,000 as matching funds if the grant is awarded.
So as to not deplete a significant portion of the trust fund, additional funding is being sought.
Hougen expects to ask the Board of Supervisors permission to apply for the grant during its next scheduled meeting.
Application deadline for the grant is Aug. 15. Hougen said selection of awardees will take a year. If awarded, construction will begin in late 2018 or early 2019.
DEAR ABBY: I am concerned about my niece. She’s 18 and a senior in high school. Her father – my younger brother – is incarcerated and has been for 13 years.
Our families have been alienated, but I’m trying to reach out to my niece. Although she has been hesitant to get close, we’ve had a couple of face-to-face visits during the past year. She is needy for family, and I know her mother has been overwhelmed having had to raise her on her own.
Long story short, my niece has been dating – for the second time – a man her father’s age. She lives a few hours away, so most of what I see is on social media. I don’t understand how this man thinks it’s OK. My niece looks like she’s only 13. It makes me cringe, yet I feel this isn’t my business or within my power to change. You can tell me this is none of my business and I should just walk away, but my niece is vulnerable and I’m worried about her. – WORRIED AUNT IN TEXAS
DEAR WORRIED AUNT: Your niece may be vulnerable in your opinion, but she is also 18. She may have father issues that need to be ironed out, but considering the man has been absent since she was 5, that’s not surprising.
I agree that this isn’t within your power to change. My advice is to be there for her when she will allow it, be as supportive as you can, resist the urge to try to fill a parental role and do a lot of listening. DearAbby iswrittenby AbigailVan Buren,also knownas Jeanne Phillips.