A Key To A Thriving Downtown & Improved City Image: The Arts

For over a year now, I have been telling anyone and everyone that the key to Stockton’s image makeover and a thriving downtown area is the Oakland model. Just last month the New York Times published an article titled “Oakland’s Journey From Seedy to Sizzling”. Before voting on transferring the entire arts endowment into general fund; Mayor Ann Johnston and Stockton’s City Council should consider the following quote from NYT: According to research by the Oakland Cultural Trust, an arts advocacy group, for every dollar that Oakland invests in culture, it gets back four dollars in fees, licenses and taxes. Nonprofit arts in Oakland generate more than $103 million in gross annual economic activity and provide around 5,000 jobs, the trust found.

I applaud the aggressive tone Mayor Johnston took, during her State of the City Address, in defense of our city’s image.  However, I am concerned that the proposed elimination of the city’s arts endowment will kill one of the key and necessary elements to reforming our city’s image and revitalizing our Downtown area. As a past resident of the Jack London Square District (part of Downtown Oakland) during its own transformation, I’ve seen firsthand how vital a role the arts (and arts community) played in transforming a once blighted neighborhood into a thriving cultural hub and helping change people’s perception of Oakland. I hope Mayor Johnston and Stockton’s City Council will consider the lessons our neighboring port city learned and vote in favor of economic prosperity and protect the arts endowment. Our city’s future and a thriving Downtown area demand it.

Nicholas Hatten

Proudly Returned Stocktonian
(Letter to the Editor submitted to The Record) 

Make Your Own House of J T-Shirt

There was a bit of an issue with the t-shirt vendor and we unfortunately are unable to buy shirts with the 2010 logo. Never fear though, House of J is in control. This year we will be providing pretty "House of J" fans for all our walkers. However, if you want to sport your own 2010 House of J t-shirt, feel free to make your own iron-on by using the below link to print a PDF-ready version of our logo. Have fun! 

Upload House of J 2010 Logo Here

My Birthday Wish

I can't believe it's been a year since I moved back to Stockton and a year since I first got involved with AIDSWalk San Joaquin County. My how time flies! In that year a lot has happened. I joined the Board of Directors of AIDSWalk SJ and have learned a lot about the challenges San Joaquin County faces when it comes to the fight against AIDS/HIV. 

When I originally took this journey with AIDSWalk, I did it in honor of the four friends Ive lost to AIDS. I continue my fight in their names but this year, well, this year I am also fighting for someone who is still living. Her name is Esta Lee. 

One of my primary roles with AIDSWalk SJ Board is to earn publicity for the event. I decided to interview our Walk's grand marshal and honorary participants and that is how I met Esta. Esta has been HIV positive for 16 years and has been relatively quiet about her status up until this year. When I asked her what made her decide to speak up; she shared, "I'm tired of seeing my friends die." 

Okay, I'll keep this short. Many of you went above the call of duty last year and helped me raise an insane amount of money for this wonderful cause. (And some of you recently helped me with my Carnival Snuggie Drive too.) Now that I am volunteering on the Board, I have helped the organization improve its outreach and fundraising efforts. So, this year I want to try something different. I want to be able to show how strong and powerful the grassroots can be. How? I am asking to limit all of my contributions to $10 a person. I want to see how many people I can convince to join this very important cause. My goal is 50 people, can you be one of them? 

Can you help me show the power of grassroots support by making a ten dollar contribution today? If so, click here: http://www.active.com/donate/awsj/nhatten

I know these economic times are tough. If you are unable to make a donation, word of mouth about this event is just as important. Can you share this email with five people in San Joaquin County? Many people think that San Francisco's AIDSWalk raises money for the entire state but all of their funds stay local. With State and County budget cuts and an already challenging fundraising disadvantage (SF AIDSWalk raises $100 for every patient in their county vs. $10 per patient in San Joaquin), your help inviting people to attend the walk is just as important. 

The deadline for donations is Friday, April 30th. Like last year, I am asking for this support in lieu of gifts/cards on my birthday (5/23). Also like last year, I would love to have you join me during the walk and for our private barbecue which will be at the home of Mario and Tina Padron in Stockton. This year walk is on May 1st. You can sign up to walk as part of our walk team, House of J, by visiting: http://www.active.com/donate/awsj  

Thank you so much for your friendship and love. I couldn't strive to do the community service that I do without it.

Warmest,

Nicholas Hatten 

p.s. Here's my entire write up for Esla:

A passionate and inspiring voice, Ms. Lee wants more people within San Joaquin County to know they need to get tested. Lee has been HIV positive for 16 years now and spurred by the desire to prevent further friends from dying, she has become an advocate for public awareness and community involvement. Ms. Lee credits the fundraising efforts of AIDSWalk SJ, and its funding of San Joaquin AIDS Foundation programs with leaving a major impact on her life. Lee shares, ‘It’s a positive relationship.  They are helpful, supportive, and encouraging.  In the beginning they helped with everything from furniture, bills, and clothing to helping me become employable. They helped me become a student and just to get back into the mainstream of society. Wayne Mock has been my counselor and helped me get into 14 years of clean sobriety, gotten through Delta College and was even there for me with my marriage.” 

To read other stories from our honorary AIDSWalk participants, click here: http://queerstockton.com/2010/04/22/aidswalk-san-joaquin-set-for-saturday-may-1st/

A Personal Invitation

Usually I send out pleas asking to support a candidate or a Democratic cause. Well, today, it's personal. I am writing today to invite you to an event that has very special meaning for me. On May 9th, 2009 please join me for the 2009 San Joaquin County AIDSWalk in Stockton, CA. This will be my first time participating and I would be honored to have you join me.

While the threat of HIV/AIDS no longer earns front page news coverage, the virus still runs rampant. I have seen this devastation up close; losing five friends within the past decade. This invitation is my alarm call, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!

Can you join me on May 9th? If so, please register by visiting http://tinyurl.com/walk509 today. If you can't attend please consider making a contribution by visiting http://tinyurl.com/walk509 as well. A simple contribution of $15, $10 or $5 would mean the world to me.

The San Joaquin County’s AIDS Foundation, AIDSWalk and public services took care of my friends in their time of need and I hope you can join me and be there for them during these hard economic times. Please join me on May 9th. Register by visiting http://tinyurl.com/walk509.

A collection of friends, family and associates have created a Facebook group for House of J, our walk team. Join us and share your thoughts, stories and encouragement. Check it out by clicking here.

Thank you for your friendship and your support. It means the world to me.

Nicholas Hatten,
House of J Team Member

p.s. We are planning a barbecue for everyone following the walk. Details provided to those who RSVP.