Looks like the amount needed to install a desk and statue memorial to Harvey Pekar at the Cleveland Height-University Heights Public Library will be well funded. It proves that projects with large amounts of latent support and good will can raise fairly large amounts of money on Kickstarter.
"Joyce Brabner, Pekar's widow, said in early November that $30,000 had to be raised by Dec. 5, for his tribute.
The campaign, started online at Kickstarter, had already raised $30,787 through Monday with 669 backers, according to Carole Wallencheck, a reference associate with the library.
With 13 days to go before the deadline, Wallencheck said any surplus donations will be given to the library to buy graphic novels."
Harvey spent a lot of time at that library.
"The desk and statue will be mounted next to the library's Harvey & Friends Used Bookstore and face the library's ever-growing comic shelves."
"Ghost Bikes are small and somber memorials for bicyclists who are killed or hit on the street. A bicycle is painted all white and locked to a street sign near the crash site, accompanied by a small plaque. They serve as reminders of the tragedy that took place on an otherwise anonymous street corner, and as quiet statements in support of cyclists' right to safe travel.
The first ghost bikes were created in St. Louis, Missouri in 2003, and they have since appeared in over 80 cities throughout the world. For those who create and install the memorials, the death of a fellow bicyclist hits home. We all travel the same unsafe streets and face the same risks; it could just as easily be any one of us. Each time we say we hope to never have to do it again -- but we remain committed to making these memorials as long as they are needed."
Pittsburgh was the second city in which Ghost Bikes began to appear.
not sure if people w/out facebook can see the info:
Date: Wednesday, August 5, 2009 Time: 8:30pm - 9:30pm Location: Intersection of Meyran Ave. and Louisa St. In Central Oakland Street: Meyran Ave. and Louisa St. City/Town: Pittsburgh, PA
and the info: At dusk, Wednesday, August 5, 2009 , we will be locking up a "ghost bike" to memorialize Ruihui Gin who was killed earlier this week by a currently unknown driver who fled the scene.
We will meet at the intersection where the accident happened, and lock up the ghost bike, light candles and lay flowers for our fellow cyclist and Pittsburgh.
Come to memorialize Ruihui Gin, and show your support for safer roads for ALL users in Pittsburgh.
"The victim, Rui Hui Lin had became a U.S. citizen in a ceremony a year ago on the South Side.
He died Monday night after he was struck by a pickup truck struck while riding his bicycle to deliver food for a Chinese restaurant. Mr. Lin, 38, was pronounced dead at 8:40 p.m. at UPMC Presbyterian."