[Hidden-tech] a plan to save Pleasant Street Theater

[fdamattb at aol.com]

I would like to chime in with my own two cents about saving the Pleasant Street Theater. We were privileged to provide capital campaign planning consulting services for the Amherst Center for Screen and Stage (Amherst Cinema) when things looked bleakest for them a couple of years ago. The positive impact on Amherst - from the cultural, intellectual, social and economic perspectives -- cannot be overstated. Now many folks who were skeptical of the Cinema's plans have become believers. Why? Because the Cinema has delivered and is managed incredibly well. They have become a true anchor to downtown Amherst in the most positive sense of the term. In my opinion, the economy of scale provided by the Pleasant Street opportunity should prove beneficial both to the community as a whole and the Cinema. I urge everyone to support this worthy effort. 



Full disclosure: we have been financial supporters of ACSS and are in the midst of paying off our pledge for their current capital campaign.


Matthew A. Blumenfeld
Financial Development Agency
49 South Pleasant Street, 2nd Floor
Amherst, MA 01002

Office Phone (413) 253-0239
Matt B Cell (212) 727-1404 


-----Original Message-----
From: cborowiec at bankofny.com
To: Jon Reed <jonreed at earthlink.net>; hidden-discuss <hidden-discuss at lists.hidden-tech.net>
Sent: Wed, 19 Dec 2007 5:21 pm
Subject: Re: [Hidden-tech] a plan to save Pleasant Street Theater



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Great idea! As a new member this year, it would seem a "match" program or 
ppropriate grant would be in order. I am happy to do a bit of research if 
thers agree this might be part of an evolving overall business/marketing plan. 
Chris  

hristopher T. Borowiec
NY Mellon Wealth Management 
03-226-2938
03-803-0856 (c)
CONFIDENTIAL

---- Original Message -----
rom: Jon Reed [jonreed at earthlink.net]
ent: 12/19/2007 04:54 PM EST
o: hidden-discuss at lists.hidden-tech.net
ubject: [Hidden-tech] a plan to save Pleasant Street Theater

   ** The author of this post was a Good Dobee.
  ** You too can help the group
  ** Fill out the survey/skills inventory in the member's area.
  ** If you did, we all thank you.

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Hey folks...

I have been a member of the Hidden Tech board since 2002, and have seen this list grow to more than 1,500 people. 

Now, I'd like to see if the power of this list can have a major impact on the local community. 

As many of you know, Northampton's Pleasant Street Theater is scheduled to close at the end of December. For some reason, this feels especially tragic given the other arts and movies venues that have closed in Northampton in the past couple of years.   

Like a lot of folks, I was feeling pretty fatalistic about seeing any change in the fate of Pleasant Street Theater. But a very enterprising group of folks has come up with what seems to be a very viable plan - having the Amherst Cinema folks run the Pleasant Street Theater also. They need to raise $100,000 in short order to make this happen. The good news is that the outpouring of support has been excellent, and $45,000 has been raised already! So, we're almost halfway to the goal. 

I will paste in the details below for anyone who wants to donate. But more important than even a donation is to see if the viral power of this email list will allow us to reach donors out across the country. For example, as a Hampshire alumn, I am trying to connect to some alumns in the film industry. The mission to support independent theaters is obviously one that goes well beyond a stake in the quality of life in Northampton. I don't have many film industry contacts, so I'm hoping those on this list that do, and there are a number of you that work in film, can forward this email along. 

It's rare that we can see a triumph over these kinds of trends, such as the vanishing independent theater. It would be a sweet experience, especially during this holiday season, to make this happen. Thanks in advance for any help you are willing to provide. 

Happy Holidays to all. 

Jon Reed
Hidden Tech Board Member


-------Original Message-------
From: Silas Kopf 
Date: 12/18/07 07:30:36 
Subject: FW: Pleasant st.

Friends,

We have been astounded by the response we've had to our earlier email 
about the Pleasant Street Theater. In less than a week, we have 
received pledges ranging from $10 to $10,000 totaling over $45,000. 
Responses have come from as far away as Maine, London, Puerto Rico, 
and California (we even had an e-mail from Tasmania). The theater 
clearly occupies a special place in the minds of many people.
We have asked the Amherst Cinema to undertake operation of the 
theater and they are willing – provided the financial support is 
there. With their tax-exempt status already in place, they will be 
able to step in and run the movie house almost seamlessly. Our two 
screens will increase their influence with distributors and their 
operating expertise will help provide a secure future for the theater 
in our community. 

Amherst Cinema wants to be able to provide the same experience as 
patrons have in Amherst. To accomplish this would mean new seats, 
online ticketing, and other amenities, while preserving the character 
of the original theater. They have assured us that Pleasant Street 
would be treated as an equal partner, and they would need people from 
our side of the river on the organization's board of directors. Much 
to our surprise, this alliance would require a commitment now of only 
$100,000 from Northampton supporters, to secure a lease and reopen 
the theater. The amount needed to reopen our beloved landmark is a 
fraction of the cost of building and equipping another theater!
We need the remaining $55,000 as soon as possible. We ask that those 
of you who have already pledged to send your check, made out to 
Amherst Cinema Arts Center, Inc. with a note in the memo 
line "Pleasant Street Reopening." All contributions are tax 
deductible and will be held in reserve until there are enough funds 
raised for the reopening to go forward. If, for any reason Amherst 
Cinema does not reopen the theater, your money will be returned. 
Those who are interested but have not yet pledged should do the same, 
but also send an email to silas at silaskopf.com noting the amount so we 
can keep a tally. The address is: Amherst Cinema Arts Center, 28 
Amity St., Amherst, MA 01002.

We are almost half way to the goal and we hope you will forward this 
letter and reach out to your friends who might be sympathetic to this 
effort.

Many thanks for your support.

Bruce and Rita Bleiman Silas and Linda Kopf




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