March 11, 2002
Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
After a couple months of obsessively scoping-out this building and dreaming, today, I spoke on the phone with Dean, one of the owners. He allowed me to tour around inside while his custodians made repairs caused by a break-in a few days ago. Dean was welcome to my ideas, but said I'd need to present a proposal to Paul, the other half of the partnership. Our exchange occurred as copied below:
Paul... Dean... I really appreciate your willness to work something out with me on such short notice. If you could read this and get back to me by the end of the day... that will be a great... as I need to have a clear plan for the grant I am seeking on paper and in the mail on friday.
So... here is a very short history... and the need... and what I plan to do:
May 18, 2000, flat on my back, dying of dehydration, alone in the middle of a hellish mess of barb-wire thorn bushes on the Mountain of Death, The FAR OUT School was born. Conception began a half dozen years before that, back in high school, and it developed as I explored the west coast of the United States and Baja Peninsula by sea kayak, but it was there on the Mountain of Death that I fully-realized the precarious nature of my mortality and reached the apex of my vision quest. I was ready to do something beyond acquiring personal satisfaction from solo exploration, and wanted to share what I had learned. Besides that, I was broke, so I had to go home.
Before leaving for Canada, plans were made with those I lived with in the villages at the base of the mountain, to return the following winter and direct a cultural exchange—the first FAR OUT project. That fall, back in Saint John, I hosted a FAR OUT School benefit concert at the Gothic Arches, and five bands put on a great show for me, but I ended up losing money. I soon began to see that Saint John is not a FAR OUT city. Most folks don’t travel, and if they do, they don't go far or for long, or they don’t come back. Many youth in Saint John feel stuck, they see few opportunities and say "this place sucks", so they go west to find work. With our aging population, and the drain of youthful energy, now more than ever we are in need of new ideas and fresh perspectives.
I didn't really appreciated our city for all that it is… until I lived other places and experienced something else to compare it with. After living in Mexico with folks in mud huts, when I heard people here say how "poor" we are and how "the Maritimes are have-not," I’d just shake my head thinking "you have no idea…!" Of course you’ll get bored if you stay here all your life, but it’s a great place to return home.
The FAR OUT School is a non-profit organization focused on promoting personal goal setting and environmental awareness by encouraging art and adventure. We help people find their path, and create opportunities to share what they learned when they return. FAR OUT student-staff will have the benefit of low-cost dorm-style living and group meals, and will work together to raise funds by leading art and adventure activities for children and adults from the community at large. Example activities include after school/work programs such as rock climbing lessons, kayaking tours or instruction with musical instruments. Travelers passing through are welcome to room, board and participation in programs for a fee. Talented transients who share their skills may be allowed stay for free.
In addition to funds generated by programs and hostel services, the main meeting hall could regularly host concerts, multi-media presentations and dinner parties. An art gallery in the bottom floor is also possible. Anything is possible. We could have chess tables on the second floor balcony, and serve coffee and cookies. The main idea is to make school cool…. and create excellent educational opportunities. It will take a lot of work, but I can’t think of anything better to do. I am focused on this vision and I have the connections to make it happen.
Order of events
March 15th, I intend to submit a proposal to New Brunswick Arts Board for a grant to fund the following project:
April, May, to mid June: clean, paint, fix water pipes and find used furniture.
July: we won’t be in the building hardly at all while filming The FAR OUT Preview Motion Pictures: "Spelunkers" and "Action Hero Training Camp."( The Preview Motion Picture details are on this page: http://www.solomax.com/faroutmp.html )
August: move into building, continue renovations(fix kitchen), and start hosting shows in main meeting hall. Edit Preview Motion Pictures.
September: continue to host shows and prepare for big-deal fund raising dinner… the Preview Motion Picture premiere.
Late-October: Go to Mexico on FAR OUT trip and make motion picture.
April: return from Mexico to semi-ready building, and prepare to operate full FAR OUT program.
I request that you to allow The FAR OUT School staff to clean and repair the building for use August to the end of October, rent-free. By the summer of 2003, with The Preview Motion Pictures under our belt… generating funding through sponsorship and grants… and used to find students for summer the programs… we’d be in better shape to talk about buying the property.
Let me know what you think ASAP. My # is 506-635-4122 or email. Hope we can meet on the weekend.
Thank you for the opportunity!
Hello Cory,
First, let me apologize for not replying to your letter which I received late in Jan. Dean and I have had a very hectic schedule in 2002! Your concept sounds interesting and far-sighted. Unfortunately, as I am sure you are well aware, it can be very difficult to obtain adequate financial backing for proposals like yours. Dean and I can not participate when the prospects of reasonable financial compensation to us for the use of our property are so uncertain. The costs of carrying the property are significant and allowing it be used for your purposes could increase our costs considerably, for example higher insurance premiums, repairs/maintenance year round and looking after the property in the winter months. We just aren't in a position to "donate" the use of the property or to accept painting and other fix ups by you and your associates as paying the rent.
The property seems to suit your purposes well. If your financial circumstances improve, you know how to reach us. Meanwhile, good luck!
Paul
Paul... I was afraid you were going to say that...! I didn't think you'd do the deal exactly as I suggested, but I thought it was worth a try. This grant I am writing does allow money for renting space... and the shows we do this summer could provide income, but I figured that this summer we'd spend more time fixing up the place then we'd have time to enjoy it. And it would take an entire season of work to get it ready for the following season. I thought that you'd rather the building get a face lift, than let it sit for another year useless. As for insurance and whatever else may come, I am sure I can get support to look after it. I do know people and companies with money... and they believe in me... I just need something solid for them to see potential in... and that building has huge potential. It truly is perfect for what I have in mind, and I will be sad to see it sit there unused until I have the money to buy it in full. To get investors to see my vision clearly, I do believe it will be best to run a pilot project there this summer... just to get things rollin'. What do you suggest is fair for a couple months rent?
As for the grant I am writing, I think I will be much more likely to get the grant if I'm not asking for a bunch of rent money. They want to see me make a movie; they want something to show for the money. If the jury sees the potential in the building, and sees that it will create opportunities for local artists that didn't exist before... I believe they will support my request for funding... the movies will get made... then I'll really have the opportunity to acquire serious funds to buy the building. Watching the building be transformed, and seeing how the community comes together to make this dream a reality ... that in itself could be a major part of the movie that tells the story of The FAR OUT School
Please keep in mind that I am not trying to buy this building for myself. This is a community project that I am directing. It is my job to inspire others to see the vision and make it their own. There is lots of money out there; we just need to be cleaver enough to get it. I am not asking you to donate the building. I want you to get a happy return on your investment. You were wise to buy it. My priority is to make you believe my dream will be the best use for that building, and by helping me you are going to get rid of a huge headache and make some money.
I can't do it without your help. I hesitate to tell people about my plans, writing about it in the paper and such... if after all my hard work promoting the building's potential you sell it to someone else who thinks I'm right and wants it for themselves. As of yet... I've never heard anyone say they want it. My plan is want this city needs, especially the west side. There is nothing exciting going on over here. I'm also keen on making the land at the bend in the river below the falls into a camping area with easy access to launch kayaks. I see the whole area as completely underdeveloped, and it could be so beautiful and beneficial for everyone.
I'll take you and Dean on a trip to Mexico sometime, and we'll be on the beach, smiling, sippin' margaritas, and you'll see then it was all worth while. We all just do some stuff... then die. Helping others is the most rewarding.
Sincerely,
~Cory
Cory............there's no doubting your ability to inspire and motivate.
It's tough when you're young and trying to do something new and exciting. The issue isn't just a few months rent. It's more a worry that this isn't a flash in- the- pan type thing. As you get older, it's more dangerous to take calculated gambles because there is less time to recover if this particular project doesn't work out the way you hope. It's too much for Dean and I to risk. Something solidly financed and sure to be around for several years is what we would be looking for.
Paul... What is the next step? What would you be willing to sell the building for?
I will start looking for investors. I'd like to write an article for the paper; so how do you feel about that?
Thanks for your quick responce!
