SEASON'S FAIRE HELPS ENSURE ACCESS TO ARTS

Another Seasons Faire is in the books, and from all appearances the fund-raiser for the annual Arts for All festival was a huge success. The organizers of the event, the artists who donated works and the people who attended Saturdays reception and purchased items deserve a hand for helping contribute to making the world of art accessible to children in our region.

Seasons Faire, sponsored by the La Grande Arts Commission, features a variety of works by 40 artists. The juried show includes cash awards in four categories.

Each artist enters up to three pieces, as well as one that is donated to the auction. The works will be on display at Nightingale Gallery in Loso Hall through November.

Children are the beneficiary of the artists and donors generosity. Arts for All, started in 1985, provides a way for children, including those with special needs, to experience the world of art.

The festival, which takes place the third weekend of April at the Union County Fairgrounds, features hands-on demonstrations in the visual and performing arts. More than 1,000 children attend the event each year. Arts for All also provides artists representing a variety of ages and mediums a chance to share their knowledge and passion for their craft.

The arts are vital to a well-rounded education. But sadly, as budget cuts have taken their toll on public education, art and music programs have been reduced or have fallen by the wayside in some districts. Children need the chance to experience the arts. Arts for All helps ensure, at the very least, some exposure.

Seasons Faire and the people who make it happen guarantee that exposure. The community thanks you.

CHECK OUT COVE AVE.

The Cove Avenue and Albany Street reconstruction projects this summer and fall were a nightmare for residents and businesses in the area. But the end result is a huge improvement over what once existed the kind of streets that drove motorists away instead of drawing them to the area.

The businesses in the area lost a lot of customers over the months that the streets were closed, even though alternate routes were available. Most people probably avoided the area during the projects. Thus, the businesses lost some of their customer base.

Now that the roads are fixed, consider heading out that way to see what a difference good streets can make. And consider doing business with some of the businesses that were impacted by the closure. They probably have a lot of catching up to do.