Kurt Cobain Memorial http://members.aol.com/WPeter4105/index.html Check out the official website: http://www.kurtcobainmemorial.org/ The residents of Aberdeen, WA where Kurt and Krist both grew up have been working on a way to pay their respects to Kurt and give the fans a way to honor him when they visit their town. They are looking for a way they can give back to the town where many Aberdeen residents have spent their much of their lives. The goal is also to increase tourism dollars for the town and to give the many fans who come to visit the town each year a memorial where they can celebrate the life of Kurt Cobain. Jeff Burlingame, Arts & Entertainment Editor of The Aberdeen Daily World and Paul Fritts are co-chair people behind this. Kurt's grandfather Leland Cobain is also on the committee. The committee consists of 8 people in total and a meeting on May 13th, 2004 was attended by about 25 residents with no one against the idea. (All quotes credit nirvanaclub.com) Jeff Burlingame had this to say: "Things like statues, signs, renaming parks, whatever ideas you have I'll take them back to my committee and we'll consider them. As it is now, there is only the bridge that he didn't really sleep under here in town to remember him by. We want to change that. So please feel free to give me your suggestions. We're moving ahead with our projects. I knew Kurt. Kurt hated Aberdeen when he was a kid because there was nothing to do here. I felt the same way. Kurt's opinion changed. Mine did, too. I talk to Kurt's grandfather everyday. He says that is fact. Believing you can speak about what you think someone thought by basing it on what you read in a slanted magazine article in 1991 or what Kurt said in a smart-ass TV interview is dumb. You didn't know him, we're proud of him, so we're doing something about it. I appreciate all the positive feedback and suggestions I've gotten. It has helped us a lot." Paul Fritts had this to say: "I just want to let you know we have to be somewhat careful as to what we do. Not because of anyone here or in Aberdeen but because of copyright laws, estate laws, etc. For this reason you may not see a music hall or other type of forum with the exception of a youth center. Not because we don't want it but because we do not own the naming rights and/or do not have the approval of the estate. Be mindful of the fact that no matter what we do it will not be something that crassly exploits Kurt or Nirvana. Both Jeff and I are from the same generation and grew up on the same streets as Kurt. Our goal is something that those from out of the area can come to or see and those that live here can use. Our committee has settled on three ideas. We are hoping to use all three and not just one. Please give your opinion or alternative ideas if you have one. Keep in mind these are not set in stone. 1. Re-name Northend Park to Kurt Cobain Memorial Park. This park is about 1 block from "the bridge" and is in the same neighborhood Kurt is from. The park would be redone with new playground equipment, bordering and a grafittee wall so that those that want to could leave messages, etc. The sign for this park would be made out of some type of granite or other rock to discourage theft. 2. A sign at the entrance to Aberdeen: Welcome to Aberdeen - Come As You Are - Birthplace of Nirvana. There are many younger people in Aberdeen who are starting to push to make "Come As You Are" Aberdeen's official phrase/motto. To be honest it does fit. Aberdeen is one of those few places where you can wear your jeans and flannel in the same restaurant as the guy wearing the nice suit. Chances are you even know each other and will stop to talk. 3. The last is some type of "youth center" and I use that term loosely. It would be named after Kurt. Basically it would be a place that teens and younger people could come and hang out in a safe enviroment. We could possibly have some type of counseling available for those that want it or other type of services available. To be truthful anything is possible. Anyway let me know what you think. We are NOT doing a statue. To me a statue is tacky and hardly fits in this particular case. So again do not worry NO STATUE. I should mention Jeff (co-chairperson) knew Kurt and those in The Melvins. I remember him hanging with them in high school so I think he might have a bit more insight than some. I have received a few emails with ideas. Thank you. I responded to all that wrote. If you did not receive a response from me I did not get your email. If you have ideas or questions please write to nw_2@hotmail.com. Again thank you to those that put out positive posts. To those of you that chose to go negative. We read those posts, laughed and moved on. When our projects are complete we welcome any of you to come and visit. When you see what we have in mind I think most of you will like it. We were 23 years old 10 years ago and did not have the resources to put something like this together. Jeff was just starting out in his profession and had just finished college and was not back in this area yet. I was also just starting out in my profession and to be blunt did not have the time or resources to organize this. 10 years later we do have the time, power and resources to put it together. Krist cleared up (the idea that Kurt hated Aberdeen) in a statement carried on television in 1995 at a local meeting he attended. He stated (paraphrased) that neither he nor Kurt hated Aberdeen and used to talk about the good times they had here. The statement was more involved but that was the jist of it. Oh and just so you know the idea for a memorial was actually started about four years ago by Krist but the city screwed that up (actually more than likely one specific employee) so it did not get done. As I said Krist and others had proposed something about four years ago. However, we have no idea what they thought of at that time (there is no record that we can find). Anyway just in case there is any confusion these ideas are from the committee (and from you). While Krist is apparently aware of the project and has an open invitation to comment, criticize, participate etc. He has not endorsed nor condemned this project. From what we have heard through rumor and those that know him he favors the project BUT we have NOT heard that OFFICIALLY from him. Hope this clears up any confusion. BTW if you like our ideas or even just one please go to www.thedailyworld.com (this is the local paper) write a letter to the editor supporting this project. I am anticipating trouble with one council member, though most support it, and seeing a deluge of support will bolster our cause. If you do write please keep it clean and to the point or it won't get printed. In any event thanks. Paul Fritts Aberdeen City Council" My thoughts: I think the youth center would be the most beneficial to the town. And yeah, if you could have sort of music section included in it then that would make it that much better. I also like the idea of all three, but I know that may not be possible due to the amount of money it would take. The park idea is cool also, but the youth center idea stands out most for me. With the youth center kids would have a place to go and possibly a place to play music or do basically whatever they wanted. It would also give them a place to go and hopefully stay away from doing doing other things like drugs. Even Kurt always talked about how boring the town was. Why not make something that not only the Nirvana fans could come and enjoy and the residents could too? That way you get the best of all worlds. Some people are against the memorial idea. But it's not like Kurt's ashes are going to be there or any real Nirvana memorabilia. People will be stupid and reckless no matter where you live. People grafitti everywhere. People litter, vandalize, steal, etc. every single day. The only reason you hear about it in celebrity cases is because of the name attached to it. People caught doing anything as such will be prosecuted. People can vandalize any type of memorial. And what's the big deal if some did? Those type of costs would and will be accounted for and have to be expected to some extent by the committee behind this. Let them worry about that. I don't think many people give Nirvana fans enough credit. Don't they realize that most true fans that visit there would have respect for such a thing? It's not like we have to donate, visit, or do anything to do with the project if we don't want to. To each their own. If they are legally willing to take all the correct steps to make this happen then I say more power to them. Some say these ideas are obsessive. People do all types of "obsessive" things for people they admire. They even make websites such as this one. These people doing this memorial include Kurt's grandfather Leland. They are not asking for your approval. As for Kurt's hometown churches not making reference to his death, maybe a pastor is not going to know enough about Kurt to commemorate someone who committed suicide. At least not the way you'd want him to be talked about. Do you really think that would go over well with the church crowds anyway? Besides Paul and the people behind this idea have went to great lengths to respect Kurt and Nirvana as best they can. This group were not in charge of the churches that didn't commemorate Kurt. But they have the means to do something now. If anyone is planning on going to Seattle then The Space Needle, Experience Music Project, stopping by some of the clubs and venues that Nirvana played at, Sub-Pop records, Kurt's old house and going into Viretta park would be worth visiting. As for Aberdeen visiting where Kurt was born, all of his old schools, maybe the local Aberdeen library, Krist's moms hairdressers, some of Kurt old homes, taking a picture by the Aberdeen signs, and the various bridges and rivers should do it. If you want to go to Raymond to see where Nirvana played that early house show, or Olympia and check out the college, etc. then those are other interesting options. For addresses of places to visit in Aberdeen check: http://www.aberdeen-museum.org/kurt.htm If you would like to donate to the project then donations are being accepted here: http://www.kurtcobainmemorial.org/ Kurt Cobain Memorial Project c/o Bank of the Pacific 300 E. Market St. Aberdeen, WA 98520 Updates: "For those interested we have made a proposal for our top property pick. We are waiting to hear from the owner. We have looked at ideas for a youth center. How much it will all cost is still up in the air. We figure upwards of $125,000.00+ just for the park. Probably around $5,000.00 for the sign. The youth center we have no idea yet. Thank you to all who have shown your support and given your ideas both hear and in emails to Jeff and myself. First, this is not a for profit venture. If it was then we have to be the worst business people that have ever lived. Second, the city IS NOT invovled in this project. Some of you have some trouble getting past this point. I don't know how many more ways to say this. There is no tax money, government labor or other "official" effort being taken. The city supports the project but is not involved. I am a committee member (and founder) of the project who happens to also be a city council member. Third, we are NOT doing this for the city. We are private fans who were actually in our early 20's when Nirvana made it. I personally feel I owe it to the family who had to endure a lot of crap from the powers that be here at that time. As I have said before we traveled the same streets during the same period in Aberdeen he did. We did not have the power to make this memorial happen then. We do now. Fourth, we continuously receive a large amount of people aimlessly roaming Aberdeen trying to find where it is they want to go to see those "sights" that so many talk about. We are trying to provide a place for them to go and at the same time provide the information they want. Fifth, if you actually read the website for the memorial www.kurtcobainmemorial.org you would see that the youth center is one of our goals. It's pretty simple. If you don't like the idea then don't donate or show up. It's a free country and I am not about to force or shame someone into donating. We have a heck of a lot more people for this than against it. It's going to happen. Face that fact. Brood or complain all you want. You won't discourage the project. We have no set time limit. As you know this is not something that will completed overnight. It will take much time and patience. In the unfortunate and most likely improbable event we are unable to reach our goal and the project disbanded all money raised to that point would go to the Kurt Cobain Scholarship fund at Aberdeen High School. Legally we are required to spell out our solution to this scenario in order to have non-profit status. We figured since we were honoring an artist the money if it could not be used as intended should go to other future artists. As feedback please let us know what if anything would also be beneficial for you on the site. Keep in mind we will not have music links, dvd's, etc. There are enough sites doing that and that is not what we are trying to do. I mean in the sense of what would help you better understand what we are trying to do. If you have anything in addition to this let me or Jeff know. For those that want to know: The owner of the proposed property for the park is willing to talk. Jeff and I are going to hopefully be able to negotiate some kind of deal. Once this is done we plan on sponoring some type of "contest" for lack of a better word, for fans to send in their vision and/or design for the park. We plan on incorporating those ideas/designs into the final design of the park. In our view that way the fans will have participated in it's completion and had a say in how it was done. Please do not send or suggest anything now. Wait until we know which land parcel we will have. Photos of the land will be posted once we know which one it is. We have decided that the sign will NOT say "Come As You Are - Birthplace of Nirvana" it will simply say "Welcome to Aberdeen - Come as you are". Once it is done we will posts pics on the website at www.kurtcobainmemorial.org. It may be a bit as signs can take some time as we have to obtain permission from a couple of different sources, etc. The youth center will be the last project started simply because it is the most complex one to do and it is easier to do it when we can focus on just that. Regarding the website itself. We realize it is going stale. Part of the reason was Jeff and I have both been gone and the second is our lack of computer savvy. Probably within the next week or two we will have a page with weekly or bi-weekly updates. We will also be adding a FAQ page which will discuss the project/Kurt/Aberdeen. Finally we will be adding a donors page. For those of you that donate money your name will be added to the page unless you don't want it on there. Just let us know and we won't include it. I have received several emails asking questions about our status. I hope this answers some of those. More Updates: Aberdeen has organized sports including baseball, football, soccer, cross country, track, softball, golf, skate park, swimming, karate and just about everything else except hockey. If you're not into organized sports then there is music, art classes, various other organization and clubs, etc, etc. If you like the outdoors there is hiking, fishing, hunting, biking, motorcycle riding, boating, target practice, going to the beach, etc. As far as education goes Aberdeen High School has turned out TWO Nobel prize winners, countless doctors, lawyers, scientists, teachers, business people and other educated members of society. Matter of fact I bet if a survey was done by ratio Aberdeen High School probably has a high rate of successful folk who graduate from there. School is what you make it. If you are the one who is the outcast, that sucks and is wrong, but it is all the more reason you need to get off your butt and work hard so you can get out of the area you are at. Kurt chose to quit school. The school did not quit him. But when he did apply himself look at the result. "There is nothing to do" is the complaint of every teen in every city and town. Nothing to do equates with "I am to lazy to find something". That statement might piss people off but it is true. If you are a teen and reading this and you're honest you know that I'm right. It was true for me, for Kurt and for any of you that say the same thing. All that being said a youth center will be built at some point as I've already stated to many times to count on this board. It however will be the last, most time consuming, exhaustive, and expensive of the projects. We will be making a presentation to the city council at the next meeting about our sign plans (it is on city property so we need the city's approval which shouldn't be a problem). And if you think we are doing this for our benefit and tourism pull your head out. We've tried to explain our main reason for doing this but you obviously only read into our posts what you want to read. I am donating my own time and some money to work on this project. That is time taken away from my three year old twins and wife. Time that could be directed toward many other projects that need attention. But I do it by choice and without complaint. It's simple really we are trying to recognize someone who achieved something great and happened to be from our town. As far as the committee it meets on an as needed basis. Unfortunately when we have met recently our younger participants have been busy understandably due to other commitments, though they were and will be notified. Kurt was the first to tell people he was from Aberdeen and not Seattle. He had his problems here but he greatly exaggerated what took place. A FAQ section is being added to the memorial web page and should be up shortly. Regarding donors the person in charge of the site has been extremely busy and had a hard time getting a chance to keep that section of the site up to date. Add to that some who don't want there name on there and many who don't leave a name (if you send a check directly to the bank we don't see your name). For those wondering I wanted to let you know what is going on with the Cobain memorial project in Aberdeen. We anticpate the sign will be up in January 2005 unless some unforeseen event occurs (this project was delayed for a variety of reasons but is back on track). The park issue had been put on the back burner while we finished the sign project and Jeff and I finished some projects unrelated to the memorial (we have actual jobs and lives outside of this). Now we will be starting work on the park. The deal for the piece of property we were hoping for fell through. This had nothing to do with anyone being against the project just a business decision on the part of the owner. We have several more pieces of property on the list so it is not that big of a deal. When we finally settle on a piece of property or at least get a verbal commitment from a property owner we are planning on having a design contest. This will be open to anyone in the world. You will be able, based on the land available, to send in your design for the park or at the least your ideas. We want the fans of Kurt and Nirvana to be involved with this project as much as is realistically possible. PLEASE DO NOT SEND ANYTHING NOW!!!!!!!!! We will tell you when. The youth center will be the final, and hardest, project to complete. It will be done after completion of the park. We are trying to update our webpage so check in at www.kurtcobainmemorial.org Paul Fritts Co-Chair Kurt Cobain Memorial Project Committee Aberdeen, WA" Check out the official website: http://www.kurtcobainmemorial.org/