March 24, 1971 (8 pages)

PERIODICALS SECTION 5/16/71 CAL. ST. LIBRARY : 'gaecTO. CAL. 95824 ‘ Servingsthe communities of Nevada City, Grass Valley, Red Dog, You Bet, Town Talk, Glenbrook, Little York, Cherokee, Mooney Flat, Sweetland, Alpha, Omega, French’ Corral, Rough and Ready, Graniteville, North San Juan, North Bloomfield, Humbug, Relief. Hill, Washington, Blue Tent, La Batr Meadows, Cedar Ridge, Union Hill, Peardale, Summit City, Walloupa, Gouge Eye, Lime Kiln, Chicago Park, Wolf, Christmas Hill, Liberty Hill, Sailor Flat, Lake City, Selby Flat, Grizzly Hill, Gold Flat, Soggsville, Gold Bar, Lowell Hill, Bqurbon Hill, Scotch Hill, North Columbia, Columbia Hill, Brandy Flat, Sebastopol, Quaker Hill, Willow Valley, Newtown, Indian Flat, Bridgeport, Birchville, Moore's Flat, Orleans Flat, Remington Hill, Anthony House, Delirium Tremens, NUMBER 10 VOLUME 49 (10 Cents ACopy Published Wednesdays, Nevada City ~ The 105year-old Nevada Theater was closed indefinitely early last night because of suspected structural defects which directors believed could endanger the public, Directors meeting in emergency session announced the closure and moved a performance scheduled for 8:30 to theOdd Fellows Hall. The action was taken two hours before the Evergreen jazz quartet was to appear in the landmark purchased by LAC in 1968, People who came to the theater were directed to the new location at the IOOF Hall, "As of now and until we find out more the theater shall be closed to all operations until it is in satisfactory condition," was the unanimous: decision of directors to suspend activities, Roy Geist, president said he called the special meeting after the full impact of a report made by an architect during the Uniseminar held here several weeks to the emergency meeting Geist said he ago. “hit me," Prior had made -tentative arrangements to transfer last night's entertainment to the IOOF hall, The UCD architect reported on the west wall of the theater, Directors at a meeting last week voted $500 to $700 for a full structural inspection of the “ie theater’s insurance car rier also has expressed dissatisfaction with some conditions of the building and mandated correction or a 100 per cent increase in the premium. These deficiencies were said to concern lighting, unanchored seats, maintenance, and some others, possible and structural defects which could make the building unsafe, He indicated the theater could be operating illegally. A crack was found in the bricks Directors also studied a report made by Hirsch and Gray, structural engineers, on March 26, 1969, The report discussed potential and existing structural deficiencies, However, directors claimed they were not aware of the 1969 ‘Teport until last week. Geist said he believed it may have been among the documents channeled to the local office of Economic Development Administration when LAC began preliminary negotiations for a federal grant to restore the theater building. all which later was des¢by the UCD architect, said that although the report could appear to be pessimistic that any building of "this age is likely to be in no better shape." The building according to the report, fails to meet building codes for safety against earthquakes, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 1971 Nevada Theater closed indefinitely versity of California at Davis "We feel thatdespitethestruca public gathering place. tural deficencies it should be possible. to rehabilitate the building for safe and adequate Structural performance," was the conclusion, However, the engineers did not estimate the possible "high cost" required to accomplish the rehabilitation, "We have been publicly warned of a dangerous situation," said George Ellsworth, "The highest priority of this board is the safety and welfare of the public," was Geist's belief, Contracts for performances for the coming season will be voided until further notice, was the unanimous decision. The indictment is against the theater but basically it is an indictment against every old building in Nevada City and Grass Valley, Geist said, However, the president. said LAC has a great responsibility because of the theater being * committee. Anne . director whose term is not ex"This is a great blow to us who have not been aware of the serious structural defects and to the people who have invested in it. Let us as a board keep faith with these people and do all we can to remedy the situation. Let us not be too fearful until we find out how serious it is," contributed Isabel Hefelfinger, charter LAC president. Directors voted to give the executive committee authorityto establish priorities to solvethe problem. The 1965 production of Golden Days sparked enthusiasm to buy the landmark and «soon afterwards a fund raising committeé was organized. By 1968 LAC had raised the $40,000 purchase price. Local and out of town groups have performed in the theater and last summer it was occupied most of the time. In recent months dissension has developed concerning purposes and uses of the theater. It appears there are several ' LAC factions with differing ideas, Several weeks ago directors by a narrow margin called for Geist's resignation. The general membership later gave Geist an overwhelming vote of confidence at a meeting when a nominating committee was selected to suggest directors to be seated in July. Geist last night said he would not seek reelection because of other commitments and that ho has so informed the nominating Merrit, a piring, also said she had submitted a written resignation to the nominating committee. Nevada{ County Rainfall Gauge NEVADA CITY High low R “March 17. 56 30 = .06 March 18 61 28 00 March 19 63 30 -00 March 20 65 30 00 March 21 65 33.00 aw March 22 65 35 00 March 23 62 39 66 _ Rainfall to date ‘ ‘Last* year {Sa ek” haa 4 ; 30C 3 7 ies ; < 3 . t Wednesday afternoon and A’ GOOD DOCUMENTARY, particularly of animal life, can Standing-room-only crowds last and still draw a large crowd ‘of men, women and children. ‘The night, proving it isn't necessary for a film to have an x well-publicized ‘movie "Cougar Country" was viewed ‘by three ~ << rating. <<. ~: as a ae See re aoe. Rae Be AN

PERIODICALS SECTION 5/16/71 CAL. ST. LIBRARY : 'gaecTO. CAL. 95824 ‘ Servingsthe communities of Nevada City, Grass Valley, Red Dog, You Bet, Town Talk, Glenbrook, Little York, Cherokee, Mooney Flat, Sweetland, Alpha, Omega, French’ Corral, Rough and Ready, Graniteville, North San Juan, North Bloomfield, Humbug, Relief. Hill, Washington, Blue Tent, La Batr Meadows, Cedar Ridge, Union Hill, Peardale, Summit City, Walloupa, Gouge Eye, Lime Kiln, Chicago Park, Wolf, Christmas Hill, Liberty Hill, Sailor Flat, Lake City, Selby Flat, Grizzly Hill, Gold Flat, Soggsville, Gold Bar, Lowell Hill, Bqurbon Hill, Scotch Hill, North Columbia, Columbia Hill, Brandy Flat, Sebastopol, Quaker Hill, Willow Valley, Newtown, Indian Flat, Bridgeport, Birchville, Moore's Flat, Orleans Flat, Remington Hill, Anthony House, Delirium Tremens, NUMBER 10 VOLUME 49 (10 Cents ACopy Published Wednesdays, Nevada City ~ The 105year-old Nevada Theater was closed indefinitely early last night because of suspected structural defects which directors believed could endanger the public, Directors meeting in emergency session announced the closure and moved a performance scheduled for 8:30 to theOdd Fellows Hall. The action was taken two hours before the Evergreen jazz quartet was to appear in the landmark purchased by LAC in 1968, People who came to the theater were directed to the new location at the IOOF Hall, "As of now and until we find out more the theater shall be closed to all operations until it is in satisfactory condition," was the unanimous: decision of directors to suspend activities, Roy Geist, president said he called the special meeting after the full impact of a report made by an architect during the Uniseminar held here several weeks to the emergency meeting Geist said he ago. “hit me," Prior had made -tentative arrangements to transfer last night's entertainment to the IOOF hall, The UCD architect reported on the west wall of the theater, Directors at a meeting last week voted $500 to $700 for a full structural inspection of the “ie theater’s insurance car rier also has expressed dissatisfaction with some conditions of the building and mandated correction or a 100 per cent increase in the premium. These deficiencies were said to concern lighting, unanchored seats, maintenance, and some others, possible and structural defects which could make the building unsafe, He indicated the theater could be operating illegally. A crack was found in the bricks Directors also studied a report made by Hirsch and Gray, structural engineers, on March 26, 1969, The report discussed potential and existing structural deficiencies, However, directors claimed they were not aware of the 1969 ‘Teport until last week. Geist said he believed it may have been among the documents channeled to the local office of Economic Development Administration when LAC began preliminary negotiations for a federal grant to restore the theater building. all which later was des¢by the UCD architect, said that although the report could appear to be pessimistic that any building of "this age is likely to be in no better shape." The building according to the report, fails to meet building codes for safety against earthquakes, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 1971 Nevada Theater closed indefinitely versity of California at Davis "We feel thatdespitethestruca public gathering place. tural deficencies it should be possible. to rehabilitate the building for safe and adequate Structural performance," was

the conclusion, However, the engineers did not estimate the possible "high cost" required to accomplish the rehabilitation, "We have been publicly warned of a dangerous situation," said George Ellsworth, "The highest priority of this board is the safety and welfare of the public," was Geist's belief, Contracts for performances for the coming season will be voided until further notice, was the unanimous decision. The indictment is against the theater but basically it is an indictment against every old building in Nevada City and Grass Valley, Geist said, However, the president. said LAC has a great responsibility because of the theater being * committee. Anne . director whose term is not ex"This is a great blow to us who have not been aware of the serious structural defects and to the people who have invested in it. Let us as a board keep faith with these people and do all we can to remedy the situation. Let us not be too fearful until we find out how serious it is," contributed Isabel Hefelfinger, charter LAC president. Directors voted to give the executive committee authorityto establish priorities to solvethe problem. The 1965 production of Golden Days sparked enthusiasm to buy the landmark and «soon afterwards a fund raising committeé was organized. By 1968 LAC had raised the $40,000 purchase price. Local and out of town groups have performed in the theater and last summer it was occupied most of the time. In recent months dissension has developed concerning purposes and uses of the theater. It appears there are several ' LAC factions with differing ideas, Several weeks ago directors by a narrow margin called for Geist's resignation. The general membership later gave Geist an overwhelming vote of confidence at a meeting when a nominating committee was selected to suggest directors to be seated in July. Geist last night said he would not seek reelection because of other commitments and that ho has so informed the nominating Merrit, a piring, also said she had submitted a written resignation to the nominating committee. Nevada{ County Rainfall Gauge NEVADA CITY High low R “March 17. 56 30 = .06 March 18 61 28 00 March 19 63 30 -00 March 20 65 30 00 March 21 65 33.00 aw March 22 65 35 00 March 23 62 39 66 _ Rainfall to date ‘ ‘Last* year {Sa ek” haa 4 ; 30C 3 7 ies ; < 3 . t Wednesday afternoon and A’ GOOD DOCUMENTARY, particularly of animal life, can Standing-room-only crowds last and still draw a large crowd ‘of men, women and children. ‘The night, proving it isn't necessary for a film to have an x well-publicized ‘movie "Cougar Country" was viewed ‘by three ~ << rating. <<. ~: as a ae See re aoe. Rae Be AN