As you know from our upates, the new non-profit Peninsula Arts Guild (PAG), headed by Drew Dunlevie (a live entertainment supporter AND indie movie buff) is going through Menlo Park's permitting process so that they can purchase the theater property in June or July of this year. We have been unable to save our old theater, which is not protected by historic landmark status, and is in need of repair. We could not interest an "angel investor" or investors to keep the full-schedule movie theater open, and renovate the current building. But the new non-profit has stepped forward with an ambitious proposal, which will include film and other arts programming at the venue, and is seeking community input. The primary purpose of the new facility they plan to build on the site of the Guild will be as a venue for weekend live entertainment. But they do have a priority for film, just not a full schedule, and probably not on weekend evenings. At Mr. Dunlevie's invitation, however, we have a group of local volunteers who signed our petition at the theater who will help feed ideas to the non-profit about the kind of films and film festivals they'd like to see scheuled on weekdays and weekday evenings, and possibly on weekends when a musical or comedy group is not scheduled to perform. We are also looking into options to show films and have film festivals in Menlo Park in the interim while the "new Guild" is under construction, which could take 2 1/2 to 3 years, by Drew's cautious estimate. You can look at the plans for the venue, which is described by the PAG as having approx. 120 moveable "theater" type seating (padded seats) that will be stored and brought up from the basement level (where there will be "green room" facilities for the entertainers) along with graduated "platforms," to create a theater slope on the ground floor, with additional mezzanine seating. The performance stage area will be where the screen is located, and they promise state-of-the art sound and projection equipment. Because of the estimated 2 hour reconfiguration of the "default" open area of the ground floor (with bar), to theater seating, it is unlikely that we can have a movie set up prior to the weekend's evening live entertainment. In terms of the "new Guild's" exterior, they hope to be able to use the current 1940s movie marquee (not the original 1926 marquee, as the building was cut in half in the 40's to accommodate widening of El Camino Real, where the theater is situated), or a replica marquee to keep that element of the current facade, and perhaps some of the art-deco interior lights. We hope also that some old movie posters might be hung in the lobby area, and a plaque with information about more than 90 year history of the Guild theater. The PAG, as "community benefit," plans to offer much-needed space for other community arts programming at the new Guild, for example, space to expand a local bookstore's (Kepler's) literary lecture series. and other related educational/arts meetings. Here's what we're asking of our supporters on change.org. We would especially like former residents and current residents of our south bay, peninsula cities (Menlo Park, Palo Alto, Mountain View, Redwood City, San Carlos, Los Altos, etc.) to weigh in on the movies they would like the new Guild to schedule and promote. We welcome ideas on what kind of film club could be formed, to give members discounted admission to films and selected live entertainment venues, possibily. What ideas have worked at other theaters you support? First, to see the plans for the layout of the site, please go to the following link, and select the agenda of the Feb. 13, 2018 meeting: https://www.menlopark.org/AgendaCenter/City-Council-14, and then go down the Guild item and click on Staff Report #18-038-CC for the floor plan of the new Guild and other details. Next, go to the Google Form designed by Drew and give the Peninsula Arts Guild your contact info. for other "polls," and answer the questions about your favorite indie/foreign/arts films and directors: https://goo.gl/forms/nUwNmIL3K7zde4q12. If you would, please email US at saveguildtheater@yahoo.com to let us know that you've filled in the form, so we have your contact information. Of course you can always leave new comments here on change.org, but the PAG would like to be able to independently contact you about your film interests. We'd also like to hear from those of you who are not (or were not) local residents from cities here on the peninsula about YOUR favorite movies, directors, etc. for indie/foreign and arts films, so we have a broader sample. You can enter your comments either here on change.org or write to us directly at saveguildtheater@yahoo.com. We also have a Facebook page (search for Save the Guild Theater) to continue the discussion (https://www.facebook.com/Save-the-Guild-Theater-1243513795723147/). Our page has a night-time photo of theater and marquee. To read a Feb. 14 article in our local paper, the Menlo Park Almanac about the architecural drawings and general information about plans for the new Guild, go to: https://www.almanacnews.com/news/2018/02/14/guild-venue-proposal-moves-forward Thanks for your continued support! You are part of a community of supporters for small, independent theaters, with a combined total of over 4000 signers online and signers at the theater. Your voice will be heard. Judy Adams