Entertainment : Schedule change again! 'Percy Jackson' coming now; 'Wimpy Kid' next week

It’s happening again! There are no available copies of “Diary of a Wimpy Kid.” Instead, we will rearrange our schedule and show “Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief” beginning this Friday, April 23 though Thursday, April 29 at 7 p.m. nightly, and Saturday and Monday, April 24 and 26 at 2 p.m. Have you made your donation to our Digital Campaign? Lack of 35 mm prints (our current cinema system) is one of the top reasons we are so anxious to update and implement a digital cinema system at the Palace Theatre. Your contribution will enable us to make a significant upgrade without raising our admission prices. $2 for 2-D, $3 for 3-D – that’s our goal! At no other first-run theatre in the world will you find such value, quality, service and commitment. Thank you, Staff, Volunteers, Trustees and, of course, Patrons! The list of donors is growing steadily, initiated by staff member Roger Uthoff, who started off the campaign when he handed me the first $100 bill a few weeks ago. “You know, you only need 800 more of these!” Big smile – and we’re on our way. SCHOOLS AND SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS As I mentioned, the Palace Theatre has always been committed to helping local service groups and schools in their own fund raising efforts. Over the years we have given away thousands of dollars in Palace Bucks, as well as posters and t-shirts, and shown movies to clubs, schools and daycares at discounted rates. Those groups are now returning the favor. Special thanks to the Vinton Kiwanis Club for their $1,000 donation and the Mentor Literature Club for their contribution of $50. How can your school, club or organization help? LOCAL BUSINESSES Did you know that more than 50% of our patrons come from outside of Vinton? We have an amazing advertising opportunity for you. All businesses who donate $100 or more will be listed on one of several 2010 Digital Cinema Drive preshow screens that run 8-10 times in the hour before the movie begins, for every movie for an entire year. Those businesses giving $1,000 or more will be highlighted in our digital video Spotlight commercial that will play at the start of the show before every digital 3-D movie, for one year! This is our way of thanking you for your support, and of course, excellent exposure for your business. BACK TO THE LIGHTNING THIEF Last month I had two different emails from young men asking me if we would be showing Percy Jackson. “The book was awesome and I really want to see that movie!” “The Lightning Thief” is rated PG for action violence and peril, scary images and suggestive material, and mild language. It runs 119 minutes. Spend a couple of hours with your kids and Percy Jackson at the Palace Theatre this week. Be sure to bring an extra dollar or five or even twenty-five. Let your kids purchase a digital fund raising card, sign their own name and hang it on the wall. After all, it’s their theatre!