Cinema La Placita Donations

Okay, I just have to tell you I'm embarrassed. Not by something I did, however. Instead, I'm embarrassed by some of _you_ people out there.

This past Thursday, we attended Cinema La Placita, and prior to the movie, we were informed that of the 400 people that attend, they raised a total of about $370 for the movies. That's less than $1 a person. For a movie and free popcorn. Those people that don't offer up a donation for a night's entertainment aught to be ashamed.

Cinema La Placita is a great opportunity to show that it is possible for people to just get together, have fun, and not have to resort to either defined admission fees or tax dollars.

Now some of you might think that since it only costs a couple of bucks for you to go rent a movie at the non-local video chain, that it can't cost much to put on movies downtown. That's where you are wrong. The downtown showing is a public venue, and if you've ever read the warning at the beginning of the movies, you can't show video rentals in a public venue. At least not without paying royalties. So, showing movies downtown cost a lot more than just a $3 video rental fee. Instead, the rental fee for a public showing is on the order of $500. Now add in security. And popcorn. And the need to periodically purchase chairs. All of the sudden the cost is approaching $650 for the night.

So next time you show up for the movie on Thursday night, think how much it really costs to keep the movies going and offer up $5. That's far less than you pay at a indoor cinema, and you wouldn't get free popcorn there, either. Besides, your donation goes strictly to keep the series going, and if you don't help, who will?

Finally, if you *really* can't afford $5, let me know, and I'll pay the $5 for you. Just realize that before I'll pay for you, I'll ask if you have a cell phone, cable or satellite TV, an iPod, ate out anywhere in the previous week, have internet access, and possibly a few other questions. If you answer any with a yes, you can afford the $5.

This months Read

I just put a new Read All About it Up on the Local Couple's Site. This month it is a review of Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver, et al. And, I'll be the first to admit, that this is the first book of hers that I read. Mostly because it deals with the incredibly important topic of eating local.

Now you may ask why? Why is it so important to eat local? Well, it's hard to single out just one reason, so I have to list a few. 1) the average distance food travels before you eat it is 1500 miles. That's a lot of oil/gas being burned to get you something that probably grows right near you. 2) Local food is fresher, hence better tasting. 3) It supports your local community.

Now, in the book you'll find a lot more reasons, so you might want to pick up a copy. It's a good read, and you, too, might jump on the Local Express.

June Cinema La Placita Schedule

Ok, I know a few people have been waiting for it so here's the schedule (remember the Local Couple' Guide to Tucson will have it earlier than this):
7 June Three Days of the Condor
14 June Sabrina
21 June Key Largo
28 June Boys on the Side

The last was filmed in Tucson. See you there!