Thank you for taking time out of your busy lives to come here and celebrate Micro Museum's success in bringing over 250 artists, 100's of students and dozens of community groups to this location every year. We hope this occasion gave everyone a chance to meet new people and learn more about Micro Museum. Briefly, I want to tell about Micro Museum. After 17 years on the second floor we recently expanded our operation to include this storefront space. We doubled our capacity in every way. But most notably we are open to the public every Saturday from 12 - 6 PM for visual exhibits as well as for Micro Museum's signature interactive kinetic sculptures. And at least once a month for an art opening or presentations.

We continue to service a diverse client base like a parents collective called the Brooklyn Learning Cooperative. Where I saw one 3 year old cutie saying to another "What? you've never been to Micro Museum before? Or the Big Apple Circus Clown Care Unit’s spring training for performers working in hospitals. Or the International Not Still Art Festival, which morphed into the Boston Cyberart Fest. Or a recent artful wedding ceremony. Or the astonishing array of talented artists and teachers who grace these floors every day.

With funding from NYC Dept. Of Cultural Affairs Micro Museum videotapes and archives emerging NYC artists for broadcast TV while training students in video technology. Spontaneous Combustion is our longest running community program. It began in 1984. You can see the programs on BCAT every third Saturday at 2:30 PM. We thank Marty Markowitz ,the Brooklyn Boro President's office and the Brooklyn delegation to the NYC Council for their support.

Since we are here today to move Micro Museum onto another funding level. We especially want to thank HEALTH PLUS for making this event extraordinary. We have all enjoyed the food, drinks, entertainment and art. Thanks especially to Yvonne Riley-Tepie for her vote of confidence. We also want to acknowledge ZIPCAR for their ongoing support and generosity with Micro Museum.

We have always believed that Artists are natural entrepreneurs and intrinsic economic developers. My work, the work of William Laziza and the other 250 professional artists who work here build a greater sense of purpose and imagination in Brooklyn’s young people, we stimulates NYC’s growing commerce and just look around Micro Museum promotes our neighborhood's well being. One of person in this area who has best understood all of the above is Betty Stoltz and that is why we are honoring her tonight. She was an early supporter of Micro Museum and has always made us part of her vision of improving the lives of community residents.

On behalf of so many in this community, we want to thank you, Bette, for your years of dedicated community service and spirit in South Brooklyn. You have made a huge difference in the lives of people here and your efforts have helped to physically transform the neighborhood.

Darryl Hollon, from Con Edison will be our MC tonight. We are so pleased that he is an active member of our advisory board and that Con Edison supports and participates in our activities.

As you know, Micro Museum is lucky enough to be located in the heart BOCOCA. That is Boreum Hill, Cobble Hill and Carroll Gardens. An area known for it excellent restaurants and bars. We are so happy and pleased to have several restaurants represented for our event tonight. We see ourselves as a magnet for their growing customer base, and we look forward to many years of collaborative marketing with them.

A big round of applause to: Upraising Bread Bakery, Zaytoons, Three Bow Thai, Halycon, Cafe Kai, Thrifty's American Beverage, Monteleoni Gourmet Bakery, Vintage Cellars, Bar Tabec, Robin des Bois, Winn’s Discount, Peaches Market

My very best thanks to Micro Museum's loyal staff, performers and volunteers who work hard year round and who worked extra hard to make tonight a success. Applause please! And at this time we are getting ready to announce the auction winners so please welcome Micro Museum’s benefit committee Karen Auster, Mary van de Wiel, Darryl Hollon and, Megan Caponetto. William Laziza will announces the winners to our auction. Good Luck everyone.