Well, I guess it's time for a reality check about reopening. I know you want the Clinton Street Theater back up and fully operational. I want that, too. But as Joe Friday might have said (but didn't--read all about it on Snopes), "just the facts, ma'am." 

So these are the facts as best I know them.

Oregon is reopening in three phases. There's a great website provided by our state with a  plethora of up-to-date information about the reopening process. I recommend checking it out if you haven't done so. There's also a helpful PowerPoint presentation that can walk you through the reopening process step-by-step.

In order to begin Phase One, a county must first apply to reopen, and in its application demonstrate that it has met the necessary public health and safety requirements. The three biggest requirement are:

• a 14-day decline in the number of Covid cases; 
• able to test 30 people for every 10,000 each week; and 
• have 15 contact tracers per 100,000 population who are able to trace 95% of contacts in 24 hours (with the cultural and linguistic competence needed for each county--those most vulnerable to the virus are in these underserved communities).

Multnomah County, where the Clinton is located, is the only county in the state of Oregon that has not yet met these requirements or even applied for the Phase One opening. So, first we need for that to happen. 

Once our county is in Phase One, some good stuff will happen, as long as customers continue to maintain the 6 ft. social distancing guidelines and wear masks, and the employees of a business have the protective equipment required for the job. Restaurants will be able to open for sit-down service, you can get haircut or a massage--you can even go to the gym. One thing you will not be able to do in Phase One is go to any sort of theater or performance venue.

While in Phase One, if any of the Covid-19 trends start moving up instead of down, then the county is back to where square one, with the original shelter at home restrictions in place.

When a county has successfully made it through 21 days in Phase One, then they can go on to Phase Two, which will loosen the restrictions even further. But even in Phase Two, opening up a theater like ours, especially since we are also a venue for live events, will not be easy. Capacity will be limited and the 6 ft. socially distancing rule will remain in force. 

Think about our sweet, little space for a moment. Part of what makes the Clinton so endearing is its intimacy. A queue for walk-up tickets is impossible, because having only one person for every six feet would line the queue up across the intersection, or it would wind around on either the Clinton Pub side or the Lucky Horseshoe side and be too close to the folks enjoying the weather and a cold one at the outdoor tables. Having only prepaid tickets? That might be one solution, but even then, there could be a line. How would I ensure 6 ft. distancing in a lobby that has less than 4 ft. of space from the concession counter to the wall? The two aisles in the auditorium are probably less than three feet, so would I need to eliminate all aisles seats? How would I sell concessions in our tiny lobby? Once again, there's not enough room for 6 ft. of social distancing--not even for my staff behind the counter. A socially distanced line for the bathroom? Can't be done. I have to face the fact that the Clinton Street Theater will not be able to open until Phase Three. 

When can Phase Three happen? Only when a reliable treatment or prevention is available. Otherwise, it's going to be the wild, Wild, West (also know as a sh*t show). Roger, in his own pessimistic and morbid fashion, says it could also happen if we're all okay with the number of folks who are dying each day. A lot of other states seem to be okay with that level now. But I'm not okay with it, and I give thanks to the powers-that-be that Governor Brown and the Oregon Health Authority aren't okay with it, either.

So, when can we open? Not this summer and probably not this fall. And the sad fact is that I simply don't have the financial or emotional wherewithal to weather this storm. I know many of you have suggested I crowdfund, but I don't know how much I need. Our basic operating costs--rent, loan payments, insurance and utilities--run to almost $4,000 a month. If I stay closed for the rest of the summer, then it's $12,000. If I can't startup again until January, it's $28,000. That's a lot of money to raise, and I'm not at all sure I want to ask this of our community.

(painting by Chris Josie, former CSC cast member)

Don't get me wrong. I know deep in the heart of me that the Clinton Street Theater is a magical place. I hear from so many of you all the time about what the Clinton means to you now and what it has meant to you in years past--even before I became its steward. Some of you had your first date with your lifelong partner at the Clinton. Some of you met that special someone at the Clinton. A few of you have been married here.

We've celebrated the lives of loved ones who passed. Some of you discovered new artistic passions. We've danced both on the stage and off. Flamenco, tap dance, two-step, swing, head banging in a mosh pit--we've done it all. One night we even danced naked (in a non-sexual 21+ sort of way)! Comedy nights, storytelling, burlesque, drag shows, musicals, drama, not to mention all of the great films and Q&As with cast and crew. We even Skyped with a composer in Germany, who got up at goodness knows too f*cking early, to spend time with us. 

I can go on and on, and while I am still here, I will share these wonderful memories with you. You can share yours with me, too. Hey, maybe we can write a book! 

Oregon has tons of private venues, some nonprofit and some for profit, and we are all on life support. I am trying to hang on, looking for all kinds of ways to bring in some income. But I am not ready to take funds from you when I don't know if I can use them. 

City Commissioner Joann Hardesty says the focus should be on people and not buildings. I don't own the building that houses the Clinton Street Theater. I pay rent like so many of you. That's why I know the Clinton is not simply a building comprised of an ancient popcorn machine, two non-ADA compliant bathrooms, or an auditorium with seats, a screen and a stage. The theater--comprised of film-lovers, filmmakers, performers, activists, and artists--is the beating heart of Clinton Corner. It's what we feel inside ourselves when we come together. This can and will remain our reality whether or not the Clinton as a physical place continues to exist. 

We know that money is going to come into the states and local municipalities. Would it be great if venues received some of it? Sure. Venues like the Clinton bring life to a neighborhood, and we've been an anchor on our corner that has increased the economic fortunes of my neighboring businesses. But lots of folks need this money. And I don't want to take money that really should go to those without any type of assistance and support. Listen to what one of the Clinton patrons, K, wrote to me this week, "I don't have access to help that people who are capable of working and will likely return to work can access. As an analogy, somebody who can right their ship after the storm is getting help to keep it afloat, but somebody who can't right their ship without assistance is being left to sink. It kind of blows my mind how willing our society is to help people who I guess are "deserving" in some way, but for those of us who are disabled and unsupported by family, whether or not we survive at all seems unimportant."

As my Memaw would have said, we're leaving a whole lot of folks without a pot to piss in. And these are the folks who should be helped first, otherwise, as my mother used to say, we're in for a world of hurt.

So, what am I doing now to stay afloat? We still have Virtual Cinema, and purchasing your "ticket" through a designated URL will provide some funds to the theater. We still have our Square Gift Cards. 

Pretty soon, the PDX Creative Support Club will have a Clinton Street Theater t-shirt for sale. I've order masks with our CST Rocky lips logo and we'll make them available at our weekend pop-up. I will go back to the landlord to ask about rent forgiveness, and not just rent postponement. 

And guess what? I applied for and received a temporary "off-premises" liquor license, so, beginning next weekend (first weekend of June) we're going to have a POPCORN POP-UP. Large popcorn, beer, & candy for $5-to whatever you want to pay (we'll be responsible with masks, gloves, and no cash). This gives us a chance to recover some costs and reduce inventory, AND it means we can see YOU. 

Finally, if I've ever done you or your organization a good turn, and you want to help bring down my debt, I'll post a donation link on our website. 

Maybe there is a Clinton Theater angel somewhere. Maybe there is a group of you who, as stakeholders in the Clinton, feel like you want to take over the reins. I'm open to discussing any and all possibilities. I will work hard to make passing the torch possible, but like Moses and the Promised Land, I may not be the one to carry us over into a new beginning. 

Just one more thing--over the last eight years, you've know me to rant on about many things that upset me and that I care about deeply--reproductive justice, prison reform, gun control, racism--the list is longer than my sleeve. This past week, I've lost words for all the anger and heartbreak that hit me on a number of fronts--most of all by the horrific death of George Floyd, and to a lesser extent, a police call made because a peaceful birder-watcher wanted a dog to be leashed. So before you call the cops, watch this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKeITMzMn7w

Big with Dawn

VIRTUAL SCREENINGS THAT BENEFIT CST

Instead of going into great detail on our virtual screenings in this newsletter, especially since films will come and go in terms of availability, I'll keep the homepage of the Clinton Street Theater website up-to-date, so it's one stop shopping for all the film screenings that benefit us with a portion of the proceeds from your ticket. Look at that page for a quick description of each film and the links to rent/purchase. If you click on any one of the film titles, you will go to a page with a more in-depth description and a link to the trailer.

New and Available NOW!!! 

LUCKY GRANDMA

"With her slouched posture and cigarette always about to leap to its death from the corner of her mouth, Grandma is a curmudgeonly force of nature. In a better world, this film would launch a franchise, starting with Lucky Grandma 2: Go Luck Yourself."

Ryan Syrek, The Reader (Omaha, NE)

LUCKY GRANDMA is a hit! Lots of great reviews. Last night there was a cast & crew conversation and you can watch it on YouTube.

THE GREY FOX

"Richard Farnsworth gives us one of the most lovable outlaws in Western film history. Each frame of British Columbia's natural beauty is more painterly than the last. The stunning imagery was courtesy of cinematographer Frank Tidy, coming off of shooting Ridley Scott's The Duellists, and Irish supergroup The Chieftains contributed to the soundtrack, resulting in an audiovisual mood that has aged remarkably well."

- Mark Hanson, In the Seats

FOURTEEN

“The work of New York’s Dan Sallitt reaches screens so infrequently (his previous film, The Unspeakable Act, premiered in 2012) that, when it does, it only accentuates what so much American cinema lacks. His latest, Fourteen, a beautifully understated portrait of two lifelong friends (played by Tallie Medel and Norma Kuhling) who slowly grow up and apart from one another, approaches female friendship and young adulthood with tenderness and a nuanced understanding of time and its passing. Again looking to the less fashionable ends of French cinema for inspiration (Maurice Pialat, mid-period Éric Rohmer), Sallitt paints an clear-eyed portrait of flawed, recognizable people, devoid of untoward drama but pitched at a level of such honesty as to unsettle with its emotional acuity.”

– Jordan Cronk, Film Comment

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OTHER MOVIE-VIEWING RESOURCES 

We Are One Festival Starts TODAY!!!

Here is the line up of movies with descriptions for this collaborative virtual film festival that  will encompass programming from 21 festivals, including Berlin, Cannes, Venice, Sundance, Toronto, New York, BFI London, Karlovy Vary, Locarno, and more. The list is long--use the filter to narrow your choices. Each film or program will have a first screening at a scheduled time but don’t worry if you miss it! Many of the films will be available on VOD to watch at your leisure through the course of the festival.

All viewings are free, and any donation you would like to make will benefit WHO and other relief organizations. Lots of great shorts suitable for children!

Not sure what to watch? This Indiewire writer makes his recommendations: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.indiewire.com/2020/05/we-are-one-films-events-to-watch-youtube-1202233805/amp/

And the YouTube link where it will all happen: 
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChMc3c7Xvv6ol1Zv47Ja39A
 

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IN OTHER NEWS

Have you heard about PBOT's initiative to "give people more space to walk, bike, roll, do business, and get around in their neighborhood?" The initial roll-out of Safe Streets first opened up some neighborhood greenways for more pedestrian and bike use by restricting automobile use to 'local access only.' THIS INCLUDES CLINTON STREET!! The goal was to limit the amount of cars on certain streets, so as to make walking and biking safer and more accessible for area residents while practicing social distancing.

This concept is now being rolled out into commercial zones! At a time when businesses are being tasked with providing safe space and social distancing options for their customers, having the ability to expand operations outside could potentially be a lifeline. Last week, plans were announced to let businesses apply for temporary pickup/drop-off parking spaces in front of their storefronts.

Now there's speculation PBOT will take another step toward allowing businesses to operate in public spaces. Parking spots could soon make way for outdoor dining areas, or perhaps other gathering or commercial space. With social distancing guidelines set to be part of our lives for a while, providing options for businesses to space out their operations may be a big boost.

THE BUSINESSES ON CLINTON BETWEEN 26TH AND 25TH HAVE APPLIED TO HAVE THIS BLOCK OPENED UP FOR MORE OUTDOOR DINING. 

Stay tuned. Expanded dining al fresco may be coming to us from Dots Cafe, LaMoule, Magna Kusina, Lucky Horseshoe Pub, Clinton St. Pub, and Broder's. Retail businesses like Clinton St. Records, Annie Meyer Studios, and Xtabay Vintage will have room for outdoor sales. An who knows--maybe we can have a weird kind of bring your own socially distanced chairs walk-up outdoor, late night movie theater.

The Portland Storytellers Guild is cataloguing a library of videos from the last half dozen years of performances.  Here are five you can watch and listen to from the comfort of your home.  They will be posted for about 7-10 days and then will be replaced by others from that collection.  So don’t hesitate to watch them soon.
 
My First Fish, told by Anne Rutherford: A Grandma takes her grand-daughter fishing, with spectacular results. This original tall-tale by Anne Rutherford won her first place at the 2015 NW Folklife Liar’s Contest, and the 2015 Northwest Tall Tale Challenge.
 
Marilyn, told by Edward Hershey: A late-night call leads to a remarkable reunion 40 years in the making.
 
Your Blood Sucking Heart, performed by Anne Rutherford and Norm Brecke: An original song by Anne Rutherford, in the “country-western/vampire’ genre, in which a plucky gal takes matters of the heart into her own capable hands.
 
A Yenta's Tale, Told by Edward Hershey: A snowy night, a bowl of soup and a coincidence transform a failed fix-up into love and marriage.
 
When Anna Met Rufus, told by Anne Rutherford: Rufus flies in from Mexico and once she hears his song, Anna’s world is never the same again. This love story between two hummingbirds was created by Anne Rutherford for the Portland Migratory Bird Consortium.
 
As with all PSG Performances, we recommend these stories for ages 12 and up.  Not because any contain ‘adult’ content, but rather they are unlikely to be appreciated/ understood by younger children.

Thanks to Steve Roberts for his volunteer videography work.

Need a mask? (Please wear a mask when you are interacting with others!) Long-time friend of the Clinton, Rev Phil is back in Portland and now part of a worker owned small business, Faith Masks, using quality donations collected locally to sew masks for delivery far and wide. Keep yourself and those around you safer with tailored masks handmade from recycled 100% cotton t-shirts, recycled jersey sport mesh, or fashion lace. Did I already mention that YOU NEED TO WEAR A MASK?!!!

An Unwavering Horizon by Gina Williams is now available online through Powell's and various other outlets. Georges M. writes, "Gina Williams is a fantastic poet with a heck of a strong voice. An Unwavering Horizon is full of gorgeous lines, irony, tragedy, self- and outer-world reflection, and the illumination of wilderness along with the shifting impact of familial love, distance, and misunderstanding. The most wonderful thing about this collection is how each poem tells a compact (and valuable) story, the details and mood making you feel like you're wholly there, sharing each intense moment, whether beautiful, heartbreaking, or as pleasant as picking berries."

Judith writes, "If you’ve already gotten it, I hope you’re enjoying the book, telling people about it, telling bookstores to stock it, reviewing it, talking about it in your book groups and writing groups (online, of course).  Let’s all ask our libraries to order it, so it’ll be there when they re-open!  And please include it – with those pictures you’re taking – on social media: I’ve been advised that #hellothisisjane and #juditharcana would be useful, as would #reproductivejustice and #reproductivehealth, as well as #abortionfiction and #abortionstories."
 Download a free preview or purchase a copy NOW.


Do you like to garden? Virtual Gardening Classes with The Gardening Goddess are available Saturdays at 10am via Zoom! All classes are $20. To register please email: jolieann.donohue@gmail.com

• May 30th Troubleshooting the Organic Vegetable Garden

Jolie Donohue, The Gardening Goddess, shares her 25 years of gardening experience. She has taught gardening for over 10 years at Portland Nursery, Portland Community College and Mt Hood Community College. www.jolieanndonohue.com

Yes, I am still plugging my book. A few folks have told me that they are taking some time to read it while they are self-isolating. If you want to join them, you can order a copy from Powell's Online Book Store, Amazon or Barnes & Noble. 
 

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“CLEMENTINE: This is it, Joel. It's going to be gone soon.
JOEL: I know.
CLEMENTINE: What do we do?
JOEL: Enjoy it.”

― Charlie Kaufman,
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind:
The Shooting Script

Don't be a stranger. Write until we can meet again.

Kind regards,



Lani Jo