Lets Keep it Sold-Out!

I got a call on Saturday night from a client/friend who was on her way to the Deanza to meet up with some people. Her friend called her to warn her of the traffic jam surrounding the theater. They were sold out in 2 lanes (not sure which ones) and the lines for the other lanes had traffic backed up. She was stuck in the turn lane waiting to get in not sure if she was going to be able to. This is great news!! It looks like all this publicity is helping ticket sales.

I received a call from Greg Alpert of Evergreen over the weekend. He told me he was unable to talk to anybody during the escrow period due to a confidentiality clause. Since the deal was off he wanted to let me know where Evergreen stood on the subject of developing that land and the community support for the drive-in. He told me basically the same things that were in the newspaper article in the Saturday morning AZ Daily Star. He reassured me that Evergreen isn't the 'bad guy' and if they ever become involved in the purchase of this property again that Evergreen would work with the community for a win-win situation. Although I hope that situation never arises, I'm hopeful that we would be able to work together to ensure Tucson will get to keep their drive-in. I questioned that space being a viable retail area, but he insisted it was a perfect spot. I'm still dubious of that. None the less the deal is off, for now anyway.

I went to a Vanishing Tucson meeting on Saturday evening to discuss various topics, one of them being meeting with Teri from Deanza L&L. She will be in town this coming weekend and is scheduled to attend the next meeting. I do want to say that Vanishing Tucson is a great group of people! The community is lucky to have such a group that is so passionate and knowledgeable about their community.

Until next time...............Visit the DeAnza!!

Stacy

Great News!!!

I am thrilled to announce that this afternoon I heard from Teri Oldknow, the Senoir Vice President of De Anza Land and Leisure, and she informed me that the proposed sale to Evergreen development is officially off! This means we all get to keep the De Anza for the forseeable future! Just as exciting, Teri also expressed interest in the ideas we presented to her about expanding and revitalizing the De Anza to make it more attractive and more profitable - a key factor to preventing future buyout offers. So not only do we get to keep the De Anza, but we may now have an opportunity to restore it to the glory of its past. I believe that there is still much more that we can all do to promote and encourage the revitalization of the De Anza. Teri has expressed an interest in meeting with me and the others in the group from our first meeting in a few weeks when she plans to visit Tucson to discuss the ideas that we presented to her. I hope that everybody will make the time to come and meet with her. I am very optimistic - I think that we may now have a rare opportunity to restore an important piece of Tucson's history! I'll post more information as it comes in.

Meeting Postponed

Because I have nothing new to report or discuss I am postponing the meeting scheduled for Saturday.

I have not heard anything back from DeAnza Land & Leisure and Steve Farley has not yet connected with Evergreen. Because we're dealing with large corporations, it will take some time to get any information or answers.

In the meantime, the one thing we can all do is to support the current business. So go to the drive-in! If its been a while since you've been, its a great time to make some new memories. Pack up the kids, dogs, lawn chairs & food and head on out there.

I would love to hear some stories of the drive-in, past or present. Please share your memories!

I'm hoping to have some more bumper stickers printed up in the next couple of weeks, so I'll let you know when and where you can get one. I will keep you updated on any new information.

Thank you for your continued support!
Stacy

Slow Going

I don't have a lot to report, but I wanted to post an update so you all know where we are.

I have been in contact with the VP of DeAnza Land & Leisure in Los Angeles. We first started our communications early last week. She sent me an email stating that the deal with Evergreen was in its preliminary stages and wasn't confident that the sale would go through. After several emails back and forth, I finally contacted her by phone. We had a great conversation that I felt was very productive. According to DeAnza L&L, the drive-in has never listed the land for sale. However over the years, several developers have approached them to purchase. The DeAnza has apparently been in this position numerous times in the past. I asked her how we could prevent them from even considering a sale. She stated that although the drive-in is profitable, its by a very slim margin. So we discussed how the community could help make the profits high enough for the drive-in so that the value of the land would be too high for developers to consider. We tossed around some ideas that I brought to the meeting on Saturday. We then came up with more fabulous ideas for everything from fundraising to improve the current conditions of the facilities to how to make the DeAnza a permanent hub of activity. I then a cliff notes version of our meeting to my contact at DeAnza L&L on Sunday. I have attempted to contact her a couple more times since and haven't yet heard back. I will let you know once I do talk with her.

On another note, there is an article in today's Caliente about DeAnza. Here is the link http://www.aznightbuzz.com/stories/240924.php

I have also had quite a few requests for bumper stickers. I have had a couple of donations totalling $50 that will go towards printing more. However, we do need another $100 in order to be able to place the order. I will keep you all updated on this as well.

Meeting Results

As you may know, yesterday was the first meeting for our efforts to save the DeAnza. First I want to acknowledge and thank those who attended. Drew, Heidi, Erika, Carlos, Aaron and Hilary. This is a great group of people with a lot of fabulous ideas and talents.

I came away from this meeting hopeful that not only may we be able to save the DeAnza but also make it something fabulous.

A lot of you have expressed interest in assisting with our efforts. There will be opportunity for you all to help out. However, at this point I need to do some research and make some phone calls before I can assign tasks. We will be having another meeting in 2 weeks to discuss what we can go forward with and delegate some of the responsibilities.

I will be updating the blog to keep you all informed of the progress and any news I may have to share.

I have been overwhelmed from the amount of community pride Tucson has. I am excited to move forward with the plans to save our DeAnza!

Stacy

Come One Come All

I want to remind everybody of the meeting today at 1:00pm in the conference room at Bookmans at speedway/wilmot. I have some exciting things to discuss. See you all there!

We received another donation of $25 from James. Thank you again James! We're hoping you and your family will be able to enjoy the drive-in for many years to come.

Gaining Support

First I would like to remind all interested about our first meeting to be held this Saturday the 24th at 1:00pm. We will meet in the Bookmans conference room located at speedway/wilmot.

I have been in contact with Arizona State Representative Steve Farley. He has graciously joined our efforts in saving our DeAnza. He has offered to contact the principals at Evergreen and negotiate a win win for everyone involved. Although there is no guarantee that they will respond favorably, there is hope. I am hoping that Evergreen as well as DeAnza Land and Leisure will see the outpour of concern and disapproval of this threat of closure.

For those of you who know of Mr. Farley, you know that he is an accomplished politician and businessman. He is a true advocate of his community. Please log on to http://www.azleg.gov/MembersPage.asp?Member_ID=21&Legislature=48 to learn more about Steve Farley.

Steve, I can't express my gratitude enough. Your concern for our community and the desires of its citizens is a true testament to your strong character. Your efforts, no matter the outcome will not be forgotten.

On another note, we have received our first donation of $25. Ashley from Los Angeles, CA, thank you again! It's amazing that support isn't contained in Tucson. This is obviously a subject that hits close to the hearts of many, no matter where they live.