From our friend Jeanne Mozier, artistic promoter extraordinaire:

Dear Folks,

It’s that time of year again…an appeal to ONCE AGAIN VOTE FOR BERKELEY SPRINGS as the #1 art destination in America among small cities and towns.  Last year we dropped to #12.  It was embarrassing — or maybe we should feel proud that other towns have seen what Berkeley Springs has done with the PR and decided to shoot for it themselves. 

Whatever — we need to get Berkeley Springs back up in the ratings — and YOU CAN HELP!  Vote and make your friends vote too. 

DEADLINE IS JANUARY 31 so you don’t need to file this.  Just vote NOW!   

Go to www.americanstyle.com and click on the 25 top cities icon that flashes on the right side of the homepage.  Then vote for Berkeley Springs.  You’ll have to scroll down to the third category of small cities to find us, but we’re on the list.  Feel free to vote for large and mid-size cities too — that won’t affect our standing.

We need to mobilize.  Look at those other “small towns” on the list Berkeley Springs is on and they are all WAY bigger than we are so we need to be smarter and more determined.

As for why you voted for Berkeley Springs…..feel free to tell them anything you want.  My reasons are: density of art experience; art everywhere in town; high quality art; the Ice House; the studio tours, galleries, concerts, Artwalks, live music.  Do you know that more than 1% of the population of the county is a working artist.   You can name your favorite artist or favorite gallery.  You can brag about our short story books or community theater or quilt group.  You can mention the Star Theatre or simply say that Jeanne made you do it.  You can speak from the heart or lie.

JUST VOTE by January 31.  PLEASE.

Here’s the link to AmericanStyle’s Official Ballot for Top 25 Arts Destinations for 2008.  Or visit www.AmericanStyle.com and click on the Top 25 Arts Destinations link.

Thanks — and pass it on.