Below is a press release I received today from several sources:
November 13, 2008
WHAT: Emergency Campaign to generate funds to save The Bob Baker
Marionette Theater from Foreclosure
DEADLINE: $29,000 needed by December 3 or Bob Baker's theater and home
will be sold
LOS ANGELES- For more that sixty years, puppeteer Bob Baker has brought
delight and amazement to children of all ages with his innovative
marionette performances. Through shows at his Bob Baker Marionette
Theater, located just west of downtown LA and his huge list of film and
TV credits, he has entertained millions of people. Today Bob Baker's
puppet theater continues to operate on a daily basis with a crew of
young puppeteers trained by the master.
But unless you help, this magical theater will disappear in a matter of
weeks. Bob Baker, a proud man and a humble artisan, has no choice but to
reach out to his public for a lifeline.
Two years ago, Bob Baker was the victim in an elaborate mortgage fraud
operation bent on stealing his theater and home. This outrageous
mortgage, written under threatening and deliberately misleading
conditions, has left him owing ever increasing payments that are beyond
his ability to pay.
This week the situation has reached crisis point, and Bob quietly
reached out for help. Many talented people have responded to his call. A
plan for improving the theater's financial prospects is being formulated
by the Valley Economic Development Center and many of Bob's friends and
fans are working behind the scenes to protect Bob and his theater and
home from the sharks. The theater has enormous potential, Bob wants
everyone to know that he is not going out of business.
But time is of the essence, and right now, Bob Baker needs your
donations if he is going to be able to keep up with his mortgage
payments long enough to get the loans modified. As of today, Bob needs
$23,000 for past due mortgage payments on the theater, and $6,000 for
past due mortgage payments on his home. The deadline for payment in
December 3, or the buildings will be sold and Bob and his thousands of
puppets will be homeless.
If you have been entertained by Bob Baker's Marionettes, if you love the
spirit of old Hollywood creativity that he embodies, if you want to
reach out and help someone wonderful who has been terribly wounded by
the mortgage crisis and outright fraud, please open your heart and give
to Bob Baker at this difficult time. The children of Los Angeles are not
ready to be without this great entertainer, who has many more years of
magic before him.
Tax deductible donations can be made to "The Academy of Puppetry and
Allied Arts." Send your check to 1345 West First Street, Los Angeles, CA
90026 or call 213-250-9995 to make a donation by credit card.
Puppeteer Bob Baker is available for interviews. Contact Richard at
bobbakerpuppetmaker@yahoo.com, or call 213-250-9995. Legendary Puppeteer
Bob Baker Seeks Donations To Save Theater From Foreclosureback
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1 comment:
I saw a little bit of the show there as part of "Downtown as Disneyland" tour some months ago. While I'm not a big Marrionette fan, I do see the benefit to the community that Bob Baker and his program does not just for the thousands of children that come through, but also the growth and experience his employees get by being the instruments of his outreach.
When I was there the puppeteers were saying such great things about the experience they were getting from working there.
Keeping the Academy of Puppetry going is a win-win for Downtown.
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