http://astrogirl.gather.com Recent Articles on Gather by Laura Serena aka AstroGirl en-us Copyright Gather Inc 2009 Thu, 07 Jan 2010 16:01:11 GMT 2010-01-07T16:01:11Z en-us Copyright Gather Inc 2009 http://www.gather.com/images/header/logo_gather.gif http://www.gather.com/ http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977747999 From two reports I posted yesterday and late last night on my blog : Baltimore City's auction of The Senator Theatre is over, and the way I see it, they cut themselves an unauthorized deal . . . Thu, 23 Jul 2009 18:38:31 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977747999 Laura Serena aka AstroGirl 2009-07-23T18:38:31Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977733281 PART 1 Since January, I've been reporting on the saga of Baltimore's iconic Senator Theatre during the most uncertain time in the theatre's 70 year history. I moved to Baltimore from the west coast . . . Thu, 09 Jul 2009 21:09:30 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977733281 Laura Serena aka AstroGirl 2009-07-09T21:09:30Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977705988 Well, now that it seems Baltimore City officials have placed The Senator firmly on the track toward becoming an evangelical mega-church, how are they trying to undo the damage? By promising retribution . . . Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:43:08 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977705988 Laura Serena aka AstroGirl 2009-06-09T14:43:08Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977694703 It will take about $1 million to buy this wonderful, unique historic theatre with a national and international reputation at the city's foreclosure auction on July 21, 2009 , as reported in the Baltimore . . . Thu, 28 May 2009 23:24:38 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977694703 Laura Serena aka AstroGirl 2009-05-28T23:24:38Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977643797 The Senator Theatre is BACK IN ACTION! Woohooo! I'm thrilled to report that the beautiful art deco theatre with the kick a** technical presentation and ground-shaking sound system is going to be opening . . . Wed, 01 Apr 2009 18:47:05 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977643797 Laura Serena aka AstroGirl 2009-04-01T18:47:05Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977639280 If you've been following the actions of Baltimore City's Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation (CHAP) "Special List" machination the city is using to slap unprecedented, . . . Fri, 27 Mar 2009 21:57:56 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977639280 Laura Serena aka AstroGirl 2009-03-27T21:57:56Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977637100 Muvico has sold its Egyptian 24 multiplex cinema in Arundel Mills to Cinemark , along with 3 other theatres in its upscale, modern movie palace chain. The Arundel Mills theatre is one of the top-grossing . . . Wed, 25 Mar 2009 19:40:03 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977637100 Laura Serena aka AstroGirl 2009-03-25T19:40:03Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977634354 A few days ago, I asked Senator owner Tom Kiefaber if he would provide a copy of the "offer" letter (PDF) sent to him on January 26th by Andrew Frank, which our Deputy Mayor also simultaneously . . . Mon, 23 Mar 2009 13:08:34 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977634354 Laura Serena aka AstroGirl 2009-03-23T13:08:34Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977632294 This latest development in the Senator saga really CHAPs my hide. What's up with the CHAP notices that have recently been posted on the front of The Senator Theatre? For those who . . . Fri, 20 Mar 2009 19:19:00 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977632294 Laura Serena aka AstroGirl 2009-03-20T19:19:00Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977631196 ABC News reports on Baltimore Budget Woes : City councilman Bill Henry told a meeting of community residents the deficit could be as high as $66 million dollars. Henry didn't say when or where . . . Thu, 19 Mar 2009 23:07:20 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977631196 Laura Serena aka AstroGirl 2009-03-19T23:07:20Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977626697 Unfortunately, this is not Photoshop, folks. This is the marquee of The Senator Theatre as it was being changed last night. Now, as discouraging as this is, it's not the end. We can demand . . . Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:32:00 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977626697 Laura Serena aka AstroGirl 2009-03-16T14:32:00Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977623489 While it seems that half of Baltimore is busy kicking Tom Kiefaber while he's down, perhaps we should really be thanking him for the fact that The Senator Theatre is still here, ready to have the . . . Fri, 13 Mar 2009 19:58:03 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977623489 Laura Serena aka AstroGirl 2009-03-13T19:58:03Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977621025 Sad day. Here's a press release that came over the wires today. Baltimore residents, please note date and time change for the public town hall: Monday, March 16th, 7:00 PM at The Senator. HISTORIC . . . Wed, 11 Mar 2009 21:30:26 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977621025 Laura Serena aka AstroGirl 2009-03-11T21:30:26Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977615165 What follows is an email message and press release I just received from Laura Thul Penza, on the Board of the Senator Community Trust and President of the Govanstowne Business Association: Dear Neighbors, . . . Thu, 05 Mar 2009 16:46:36 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977615165 Laura Serena aka AstroGirl 2009-03-05T16:46:36Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977614499 I know some of you who have been watching this closely are probably aware that there was some doubt as to whether The Senator would run Watchmen . From what I'm hearing, it seems that there was . . . Wed, 04 Mar 2009 22:59:33 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977614499 Laura Serena aka AstroGirl 2009-03-04T22:59:33Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977614492 Calling all fanboys and fangirls! The new Zack Snyder film WATCHMEN starts at The Senator this Thursday, March 5th at Midnight. Based on the graphic novel by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, WATCHMEN concerns . . . Wed, 04 Mar 2009 22:48:13 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977614492 Laura Serena aka AstroGirl 2009-03-04T22:48:13Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977609048 There's a feature today in the Maryland Daily Record, which outlines the parallel but differing efforts being taken by Baltimore City and the local community as represented by The Senator Community . . . Fri, 27 Feb 2009 20:46:53 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977609048 Laura Serena aka AstroGirl 2009-02-27T20:46:53Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977609040 Sean Brescia of Clearpath Management, who is assisting in The Senator's transition to community-based non-profit, recently taped an interview with WBAL Radio when they called him in response to their . . . Fri, 27 Feb 2009 20:36:34 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977609040 Laura Serena aka AstroGirl 2009-02-27T20:36:34Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977607860 The Senator Community Trust LLC is a new community-based organization with a mission to preserve and protect the historic Senator Theatre. The group put out two press releases in the past 24 hours. I'm . . . Thu, 26 Feb 2009 19:33:08 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977607860 Laura Serena aka AstroGirl 2009-02-26T19:33:08Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977605640 Recently, I had an opportunity for a phone interview with Karen Colizzi Noonan, President of the Theatre Historical Society of America , based in Elmhurst, Illinois. In an article titled "Independent . . . Tue, 24 Feb 2009 21:06:33 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977605640 Laura Serena aka AstroGirl 2009-02-24T21:06:33Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977597701 Wow. I had a little too much fun at the Senator this weekend, which is maybe why I couldn't get a blog post together yesterday. I want to thank Tom Kiefaber, Sean Brescia of Clearpath Management, . . . Tue, 17 Feb 2009 18:16:02 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977597701 Laura Serena aka AstroGirl 2009-02-17T18:16:02Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977593900 David Arquette just posted an awesome blog post on saving the Senator Theatre! Thanks, David! Partial quote: ...The Senator Theater in Baltimore Maryland. This historic single-screen Art Deco . . . Fri, 13 Feb 2009 22:42:25 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977593900 Laura Serena aka AstroGirl 2009-02-13T22:42:25Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977593666 In preparation for the upcoming Senator Sessions this weekend to benefit the historic theatre, owner Tom Kiefaber released statements which I quote from below: "It's exciting to see . . . Fri, 13 Feb 2009 18:47:25 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977593666 Laura Serena aka AstroGirl 2009-02-13T18:47:25Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977496590 We have wandered in darkness too long, Following idolators of the Golden Calf, Rushing headlong into the chasm, Washing our hearts away in the forgetful waters of Styx, Seeking to possess the . . . Mon, 03 Nov 2008 18:45:59 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977496590 Laura Serena aka AstroGirl 2008-11-03T18:45:59Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977487776   John Cusack's War, Inc. is a must-see movie. Let's make sure people see it. Many of us who have been lucky enough to see this film already know that it's funny, topical, and offers . . . Fri, 24 Oct 2008 20:03:21 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977487776 Laura Serena aka AstroGirl 2008-10-24T20:03:21Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977486416   WARNING! Might contain spoilers, if you could even find them through the snark. In John Cusack's brilliantly deranged War, Inc. , Hilary Duff sticks a live scorpion down her pants, . . . Thu, 23 Oct 2008 14:53:19 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977486416 Laura Serena aka AstroGirl 2008-10-23T14:53:19Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977482708   WARNING! Contains spoilers! The following is an in-depth examination of some specific scenes in the movie War, Inc. If you have not seen the movie, read no further. I previously wrote . . . Sun, 19 Oct 2008 22:07:47 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977482708 Laura Serena aka AstroGirl 2008-10-19T22:07:47Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977479302 I'm so stoked. John Cusack cross-posted my review of his movie War, Inc. from Progressive Blue to his MySpace blog after I sent him the link in a comment. Thanks, John. Just for that, I'm . . . Thu, 16 Oct 2008 13:00:40 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977479302 Laura Serena aka AstroGirl 2008-10-16T13:00:40Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977477600 I apologize for the click-through, but this was published exclusively on Associated Content. With McCain/Palin, "change" means More of the Same. Tue, 14 Oct 2008 20:03:13 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977477600 Laura Serena aka AstroGirl 2008-10-14T20:03:13Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977476212   Brisingr (Knopf, September 2008) is the just-released third book in the Inheritance cycle by Christopher Paolini. Readers should be forewarned that Inheritance , previously billed as . . . Mon, 13 Oct 2008 15:30:44 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977476212 Laura Serena aka AstroGirl 2008-10-13T15:30:44Z