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Rotary Wheel Rotagram - Meeting Notes and Club News
Rotary Wheel
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
Volume 65, Issue 25 Rota-Scribe: Minard Duncan

Joyce Cappelle opened the meeting at Angelo’s and Vinci’s Restaurant.

Flag Salute - Don Ludwig. Songs - Howard Wood, Randy McFarland and Bill Pelliquin.

Thought for the Day - Joyce Cappelle.

Joyce thanked Vern Andrews for his good work in getting the Christmas boxes to the troops in Iraq.

After a nice lunch and Irish coffee, Joyce introduced FOX Theater Director Todd Huffman and Executive Director of two weeks Jon Wagner.
Jon comes to the FOX from the Laguna Play House. Bob Clark Jr then directed us to sign waivers and wear hard hats, just in case we got hit in the head, got bit by a rat or inhaled asbestos as we toured the FOX.
Rotarins queue for the entrance to the Fox

When the theater doors opened, a mad dash was made by all to the entrance where Todd introduced us to Tom Tice, Vice President and Construction Manager. After Tom gave us a talk on safety, the FOX group surprised us with some theatrics as we entered auditorium. They had us walk to the front of the theater in the dark with only a single flashlight for light. In dramatic fashion, the twelve small chandeliers and two large ones were luminated - they were exceptional!

Todd gave us a good rundown on what to expect in the next few years:
-The paintings will be restored and much of the art will be recreated by our country’s formost muralist John Beckman.
-The pipe organ will be replaced and maintained by the Organ Society.
- A modern movie projection system will be installed.
- A new fly system for the stage will be installed.
- The current seating capacity is 908 but because of Compliance with the Disability Act, seating will decrease the new to 750.
These guys are hoping to see something!!!
- The 1925 air conditioning ducts are substantially better than the air conditioning installed in the 1950's - guess which one will be used!!
Todd Huffman shows Rotarians the subtle features of the 80 year old theatre

- There will be several thousand feet of rental space for retail business such as restaurants, etc.
- The plan is to use the theater for live entertainment for 30% of the time, cinema for 30% and facility rental for 30%.
- Todd believes The FOX will open before the deadline of 2010.
- It appears that the theater project will be self sustaining
considering the retail rental space and the theater rental possibilities.
The fabulous chandeliers have been restored to colorful brilliance.

Todd also related a few interesting stories such as finding 600 pounds of bee hives under one part of the roof. And, as many of you know, Charles and Alice Chapman had the theater built.

After Todd’s presentation, those who could stay toured the balcony, projection room, upstairs mezzanine, tea room and rental space.

Much progress has been made and there is much more to do. There has been a great deal of community support for the project as 3000 hours of volunteer time has been logged and several companies have stepped up to help. And, our City has backed the project.

A grant is in the works to match donations. Anyone wishing to donate can have their tax deductable donation doubled if the donation is given before January 31. The total costs are estimated to be approximately $12 million, including all donations of money, material and labor by the time the job is completed.

Happy New Year from the Staff of the Rotagram.

See You Next Year!!!!