Hi,

Did you think we forgot about you? No way, Jose!

We've just been uber busy: getting incorporated, pursuing non-profit status, opening to the public, stocking up on furniture & supplies, and hosting super fun events. All thanks to you!

Now it's time for us to organize your rewards. We'll be requesting your info via Kickstarter soon, then we'll start dropping fun treats in the mail :)

Thanks again for making LaunchPad a reality.

Mike & Teresa & David

LaunchPad
721 Franklin Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11238
718.928.7112
http://BrooklynLaunchPad.org

Earlier today we picked the raffle winner from the $80 reward pledgers. Watch the video to see it happen.

Ellen LaVeyra you're on a roll!! (Ellen's name was also drawn a few weeks ago as a raffle winner from our Pencil Party - she won 2 slices of pizza from Brooklyn Pizza Factory).

Congrats Ellen! This time you've won 3 hours use of LaunchPad to do as you please. We'll be in touch to schedule with you.

Hello,

As you may know, LaunchPad recently had an open call for art donations. The response was amazing and more than 30 artists donated their work to help support LaunchPad. The auction opened at the LaunchPad party this past Saturday, and we received a lot of bids that evening. We are now opening the auction online for greater exposure.

http://auction.brooklynlaunchpad.org

We encourage you to review all items included in the auction, and to please pass this message along to anyone who might be interested.

To place a bid on any item, please send an e-mail to 'auction@BrooklynLaunchPad.org' including:

- your name
- your telephone number
- auction item #
- bid amount

The auction is a silent, blind auction. The auction will close at noon EST on March 22, and the highest bid for each item will be selected at that time. Winning bidders will be notified shortly after.

Please remember that all bids will help support LaunchPad, a non-profit organization.

Many thanks,
LaunchPad

--
LaunchPad is a creative gathering place in Brooklyn focusing on community programs, the arts, technology, and anything else that captures the imagination. http://BrooklynLaunchPad.org

we are PSYCHED! and we couldn't have done this without all of you.
thank you :)

Many thanks to everyone who has supported the LaunchPad project so far. We have less than $200 more to raise, and 7 hours left to do it. We know we can! Please help us keep spreading the word in these final hours before our project deadline.

The LaunchPad party on Saturday was a blast! Many people attended and everyone had a great time. There was a variety of art, live jazz, colorful wall drawings, delicious food, hearty laughter, fun dancing, drinks, and a lot of positive energy. Check out some pictures on our Facebook page: http://facebook.brooklynlaunchpad.org

A special thanks to all the artists, businesses, and individuals who helped make the party a success. 29 artists, 14 local establishments, 1 culinary queen, and over 100 guests came together to help support LaunchPad. We are touched and grateful beyond words. Thank you, thank you, thank you...

Please see the list below for all the artists and businesses who donated their work and offerings to LaunchPad - they surely deserve some attention. And a high five.

The auction consisting of all the donated work and offerings will be brought online this week to help raise additional support for LaunchPad and much deserved recognition for the donors. We'll keep everyone updated when it goes live.

The raffle winners will be announced shortly, and they can begin choosing their prizes.

Looking forward to the future of LaunchPad! And the next LaunchPad party!!! :-)

ARTISTS WHO DONATED THEIR WORK:
Destroy & Rebuild NYC (http://www.destroyandrebuildnyc.com)
Tiffany England (http://www.tiffanyengland.com)
Julia Forrest (http://www.juliaforrest.com)
Nina Meledandri (http://www.meledandri.com)
Pesipop (http://www.pesipop.com & http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/pesi/1024-bits-of-you-and-me)
Julia Samuels (http://www.crayolajunkie.com & http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/crayolajunkie/a-map-to-change-investigating-infrastructure-enfo)
Gina Cacioppo (http://www.art-worksmedia.com)
Sarah Anne Ward (http://www.sarahanneward.com)
Corey Lugg (http://www.coreyluggphotography.com)
Masha Hamilton (http://www.mashahamilton.com)
Leon Kalas (http://www.leonkalas.com)
Paul-Henri Gallasch (http://www.flickr.com/photos/paauhenri)
Anna Niedermeyer (website in development)
Ellen LaVeyra (http://twitter.com/elaveyra)
Dennis Trainor, AKA Davis Fleetwood (http://nocureforthat.wordpress.com & http://www.youtube.com/user/davisfleetwood)
Hallie Overman (http://overprintinc.com & http://www.thatspartofitscharm.etsy.com)
Rogelio Ronco (http://www.myspace.com/rogelioronco)
Krystallynne Gonzalez (http://www.krystallynne.com)
Raul Barquet (http://www.raulbarquet.com)
Robert Heller (website in development)
Katie L. Cole (website in development)
Matt Kish (http://www.spudd64.com)
Kira Appelhans (http://www.working-earth.com)
Jesi Bender (http://www.jesibender.com)
Mary Logan (website in development)
Collin Pisarra (website in development)
Drew Droege (http://website in development)
Frank Esquilin (website in development)
Linda Williams (http://www.lindabutterfly.etsy.com)

CULINARY QUEEN WHO DONATED HER SKILLS & SERVICES:
Emma Federico (http://www.facebook.com/emmabina)

LOCAL ESTABLISHMENTS THAT DONATED THEIR OFFERINGS:
Brooklyn Guitar School (http://www.brooklynguitarschool.com)
Sterling Bed & Breakfast (http://www.sterlingbedandbreakfast.com)
NYC Social Sports Club (http://www.nycsocialsportsclub.com)
Lily & Fig (http://www.lilyandfig.com)
Nairobi's Knapsack (http://www.nairobisknapsack.com)
The Vanderbilt (http://www.thevanderbiltnyc.com)
Chavella's Cafe Mexicano (http://www.chavellas.com)
Glass Shop (http://www.glassshoplocal.com)
Milk Bar (http://www.milkbarbrooklyn.com)
Bristens Eatery (http://www.facebook.com/bristens.brooklyn & http://twitter.com/bristenseatery)
The Brooklyn Pizza Factory (http://www.brooklynpizzafactory.com)
Park Delicatessen Skate/Flower Shop (http://www.parkdelibk.com)
Poetry to Music (http://www.poetrytomusic.com)
BK Farmyards (http://www.bkfarmyards.com)

50 colors. 5 packs. 250 markers. We can't wait to see the walls after the party!

Yeah, we know we said 'pencils', but where's the fun in that?!

Hello Everyone,

We're approaching the last 2 weeks of our Kickstarter project, so we've been brainstorming new ways to spread the word about LaunchPad. Best idea so far: party. But not just any party. The pencil party.

"What's the pencil party?", you ask. Well it goes a little like this - you show up and get a pencil. Then you step into the future home of LaunchPad, where all the walls are white. After that it's just some simple math... Your creativity + pencils + white walls * (music + drinks) = pencil party. Fun, right?

The night will also include a silent auction with amazing items donated by various artists and crafters. All winning bids go directly toward the LaunchPad project. And there's a fun twist: the artists/crafters who attract the 3 highest bids in the auction will receive their own LaunchPad exhibit in the near future. The exhibit will include an opening party and a one month display of work.

So come join us! And please spread the word.

Saturday, March 6 at 7pm
721 Franklin Avenue, Brooklyn, NY

Pencil it in. ;-) The party won't stop until the last person walks out the door.

We can't wait to see you there!

P.S. We're currently accepting submissions for the auction. Anyone who is interested in donating a piece of work should please contact us quickly: art@BrooklynLaunchPad.org

More info here: http://party.brooklynlaunchpad.org

(Here's the Facebook Event page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php...)

LaunchPad is 'Project Of The Day' on Kickstarter today. Woooo-hoooo! Thanks, Kickstarter. And thanks to all LaunchPad supporters and backers, you're helping make it a reality.

We're at 1/2 our goal. With about 1/3 time left. Please keep spreading the word to your friends and neighbors. And tell them we say Hello.

Kickstarter asked us some questions. We gave some answers. See it all here on the Kickstarter blog: http://blog.kickstarter.com/post/380383241/creator-q-a-launchpad

Hi Everyone,

The LaunchPad excitement continues to build! We've been contacted by a bunch of amazing people - some expressing support, some expressing interest in using LaunchPad for various projects and activities. We like all the ideas we've heard so far, and we're looking forward to seeing what else crops up.

We've been receiving a lot of questions too, which we love. Some questions keep coming up regularly, so we're posting them here in case others are wondering the same things...read on!

***

"Will groups/organizations/individuals have to pay to host meetings and activities at LaunchPad?"

The short answer - No.
The long answer - There will be no required fee for any events hosted at LaunchPad, as long as they are open to the public. However, voluntary donations will be accepted. Voluntary means voluntary, with a strong emphasis on voluntary. Contribute however much/little/none you want, and there will never be any awkward pressure for donations. That's a promise.

"What if nobody makes any donations? Will LaunchPad close in a month or two?!"

LaunchPad will stay open for at least 6 months - and that's worst case scenario with absolutely no money coming in. But really, we don't expect a total lack of income. We know LaunchPad will be great, and we're confident that people love to support great things. Especially when they're inspired by that greatness. Plus, we've got some good ideas and business smarts, we're pretty sure we can make LaunchPad hum.

"How is all that possible for $6,000?!?! Are you delusional? Or is LaunchPad going to be sparse, uncomfortable, and riddled with desperation?"

Whoa. In order - it's not, we're not, certainly not. Not at all. We believe in doing things right, half-assed efforts just aren't our style. The $6,000 we're raising via Kickstarter is just to, well, literally kick start the opening of LaunchPad. It's only a portion of the total cost required to make LaunchPad happen. The total cost is much higher.

"Oh great, so LaunchPad will happen no matter what!"

Ummmm....nope. We wish so, but not the case. If our Kickstarter project isn't successful, LaunchPad can't happen right now. It's sad, but true.

"I absolutely love the idea, but I'm sort of embarrassed to donate only $1. Especially because we're friends in real life too."

Was that a question? No worries, we have an answer anyway. We don't think any donation can ever be associated with embarrassment. $1 donations will be GREATLY appreciated - by us, and by everyone who will enjoy LaunchPad. (Hey Kickstarter Team, if you're listening - we'd love to see an option for anonymous donations. :-)

"Brownies or ice cream?"

Both!

***

Okay, that's all we have for now. Anything else you'd like to talk about? If so, please feel free to send us your comments/questions/concerns. Or just post them in the 'comments' section here on Kickstarter and we'll post our replies.

Please continue to help by spreading the word. Facebook, Twitter, e-mail, carrier pigeon, smoke signals, message in a bottle, tapping morse code onto an old rusty pipe, etc. You know what to do.

4 more weeks!!!

With fingers crossed,
M & T

ideas@BrooklynLaunchPad.org

Hey Friends, we're at 30%! Woo-hoo!!

Thank you for your support, every pledge is really appreciated. We're thrilled about the feedback we've received. It's encouraging to hear from so many people who are excited and eager to be involved with LaunchPad. We're onto something good here.

Check out a little local response:

http://ilovefranklinave.blogspot.com/2010/01/launchpad-new-arts-space-for-franklin.html

http://nostrandpark.com/2010/01/13/a-new-art-space-for-franklin-ave/

http://www.brooklynian.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=55328

We've also been in contact with some other newly sprouting community/art groups in our area and we're excited about the potential to collaborate with them. It's further motivation for us to reach our goal and make LaunchPad a reality.

Only 70% to go! Please keep spreading the word, every little bit helps.

-Mike & Teresa

(Questions and comments are always welcome: ideas@BrooklynLaunchPad.org)