I’m a former Menlo Park resident and small business owner, but I still remain involved in my community and enjoy attending shows at the theater. My experience is vastly different and one that I felt needed to be shared:

“Menlo Park has many excellent options to promote health and well-being.” I agree. In fact, I don’t disagree with you that public art could be improved and that the City should reestablish the Arts Commission. If you follow what the Menlo Mayor has been doing, she has been promoting public art through the city’s electrical boxes. Currently, a sample is on public display at Fremont Park with more on the way and from what I understand, local artist will have the opportunity to apply to provide their artwork on the boxes. Could there be more opportunities for public art? Sure, but don’t discount initiatives that are already being done. Also, don’t say you don’t have a place to voice ideas and support for arts programs. You have public comment at City Council meetings as a means to share your voice. According to the City, based on an article I found in the Merc, “The arts commission disbanded in late 2004 because there wasn’t enough residents interested in filling vacancies”. Whose fault is this?

The thing that does baffle me about your article is your comments on the “….under-utilization of the Menlo-Atherton High School Center for the Performing Arts by community arts organizations?” What City are you living in? (or what year?) I recall under-utilization articles when the theater first opened almost 10-years ago, but it is my understanding that the City uses its full 55-day allotment and the school has a great number of productions and rentals throughout the year. Granted, M-A High School has an outdated website for the center, but if you look on the school calendar the venue has a lot going on. The Chamber, M-A High School and the City regularly send updates through various newsletters and post on their calendars.

I can’t find any information online to support a current 60-day lead time, but I would imagine that most programs would need close to a year to pre-plan for a performing arts production. I would assume that a COI and cancellation terms would be standard for any theater venue. None of these I feel would be a limiting factor.

To sum up, I don’t disagree that an Arts Commission would be good thing to have. I don’t disagree that funding through the community, non-profit foundations or from the City could be improved. I don’t disagree that public art could be more widespread (although that couch thing on Willow is just the worst, let’s be honest). However, I question the level of understanding you have of performing arts in Menlo Park since you are obviously out of touch. Could more resources be given to performing arts in Menlo Park? Yes, but it’s a night and day difference from when the theater first opened.