I had no idea who put it on the bulletin board.

It was the announcement of a job opening for executive director at the Tower Theatre Foundation. The bulletin board was at the Western Arts Alliance convention last fall in Seattle.

Long story short, I fell in love with Bend before I ever moved here. Once I saw a community willing — even eager — to be symbolized by a refurbished 1940s theater and its iconic marquee, I was hooked. Few cities anywhere in America so proudly and publicly portray themselves as committed to the arts and theater.

That pride Central Oregonians have — particularly those in Bend, Sisters, Redmond and Sunriver — in the reborn Tower is palpable. In 2004, hundreds of citizens transformed the “new” Tower into a destination for some of the best performing artists across the country and around the globe, from Bruce Hornsby to the Peking Acrobats.

The real proof is in the numbers: During the upcoming 2009-10 season, the Tower will present its 1,000th performance and welcome its 250,000th theatergoer.

This quick success is accompanied by two consequences:

1)The Tower has become so ingrained into the fabric of Bend that its shows and community outreach projects are often taken for granted — by the very people who benefit from them the most.

2)More shows and more patrons mean more repairs and maintenance to keep the theater in top working condition. Even a 5-year-old facility needs continuous replacements and upgrades to stay on the leading edge. (Who among you is using the same cell phone you bought in 2004?)

Like every nonprofit (and for-profit, for that matter), the Tower is not immune to current economic downturns. As we approach the end of our fiscal year June 30, and as you review who and what deserves your charity dollars, take a minute to think about:

Why support the Tower?

Because we are THE local habit.

The Tower has always been the center of Bend social life, making entertainment memories since 1940. Last year, 50,000 patrons came to the Tower; 60,000 people visited TowerTheatre .org; 400 members and 100 volunteers supported the facility; and 45 local nonprofits used the Tower to showcase their programs and missions.

Because now is the time to ensure the arts do not falter.

The 30-plus events presented each year by the Tower Theatre Foundation engage children and adults alike, promote tourism and stimulate pride in the community. We provide the diverse, professional programming that inspires and motivates … especially in hard times.

Because keeping the Tower vital is the right thing to do.

Can you imagine Bend without the Tower? It’s become the symbol of a community committed to enhanced quality of life, anchored by a vibrant downtown. All businesses in Bend benefit when the Tower is a bright and successful beacon for Central Oregon.

So, you ask: “If you need money, why not just raise ticket prices to cover the costs?” Because, with 465 seats, the average ticket price for a Foundation-sponsored show would be about $110. And when ticket prices prohibit broad-based attendance, we fail in our mission to be accessible to all members of the community.

Nearly 20 percent of the Tower’s operating budget comes from individual, personal memberships. A little more than 20 percent of our revenue is from corporate sponsorships and in-kind business contributions. Almost 60 percent comes from ticket sales, rental fees and grants. It’s only when all three sources come together that we bridge the financial gap and build ongoing sustainability.

Please keep the Tower on your list of cultural institutions worth supporting. Say “yes” to a dynamic downtown with a pledge, check or online contribution at TowerTheatre.org.

When you see the neon marquee on Wall Street, be reminded how the arts improve our quality of life. How the historic venue is an irreplaceable part of Bend living — past, present and future. How the shows presented by our Foundation and by local nonprofits shape generations of souls and minds. All in an intimate setting at prices affordable for local citizens of every age.

No wonder my life changed when I stopped at that bulletin board in Seattle.