We present a melodrama of the "Gold Discovery" events and people in California's history. This production is put on for grade schools learning about the California Gold Discovery of 1849. Come learn in a fun way about John Sutter, James Marshall, and Sam Brannon.
To make reservations for your school, or for prices email schoolplays@oldecolomatheatre.com.
The following is a copy of a letter sent to the Schools and Tour companies that have enjoyed the "Gold Discovery" Historic Melodrama.
From: Olde Coloma Theatre
P.O. Box 472
Coloma, CA 95613
530-626-5282
www.oldecolomatheatre.com
To: All Schools & Tour Companies
Re: Parking at the Olde Coloma Theatre
On behalf of the Olde Coloma Theatre, I would like to thank you for another successful season of our Gold Discovery History Program. This play educates ten to fifteen thousand school children every year in an unforgettable way. Children and adults have the opportunity to go onstage and interact with the actors in our old-fashioned melodrama format. Besides learning Gold Rush history, themes of self-respect and tolerance are interwoven in the script. Years later children remember being part of the action and, of course, booing the villain! With your continued support, we look forward to another enjoyable year.
Last year the Olde Coloma Theatre lost its parking privileges with the Historic Vineyard House. This has made parking difficult for tour buses. While we are seeking a permanent solution, we need to cooperate with the Parks Department and follow their guidelines.
Superintendent Gibson, the official in charge of the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, has made these recommendations concerning parking or stopping on Monument Road, the access road for the Olde Coloma Theatre.
- The best place to park one or two buses or to drop passengers off is in our own parking lot. It is narrow and has a single access, so backing and turning in a restricted amount of space is necessary.
- Personal vehicles can park at the theatre. We request parking as far back on the theatre property as possible to accommodate all vehicles and buses. Carpooling can help the parking situation also.
- School buses equipped with flashing signals and stop signs, which can be extended, are the only buses that can legally stop on the road and allow students to disembark. The Superintendent's preference is for school buses not to stop in front of the theatre because this can cause a traffic jam. Instead, school buses should continue on to the Marshall Monument and let the students out there. The students can then walk from the monument to the theatre.
- Tour buses, and any buses not equipped with signals and stop signs, are not allowed to stop and let passengers out in front of the theatre (with the exception of those who are disabled/handicapped). Buses should proceed to the monument to disembark passengers. Passengers would then walk from the monument to the theatre. Please note that ONLY the disabled/handicapped are allowed to disembark and/or re-embark the buses, any others caught doing so and the bus driver could be issued a citation.
- Any bus driver who allows passengers who are not disabled/handicapped to disembark on Monument Road could be issued a traffic ticket by either State Parks or CHP for violating CA vehicle code (CVC) 22400(a) blocking or impeding traffic.
- All buses over 35 feet travelling on Monument Road may be ticketed due to the length restrictions of buses.
- No "one on one" buses on Monument Road - buses are not allowed to pass by each other on this narrow road because it could endanger the pedestrians walking to the theatre.
- No parking whatsoever on Monument Road (Highway 153).
- All pedestrian traffic should be on the right side of Highway 153.
- Superintendent Gibson would like to have all buses stage at North Beach parking lot in the park and travel to the theatre on Monument Drive one at a time. This can best be accomplished by using walkie-talkies and coordinating between drivers if multiple buses are involved. A map of the park and parking lots can be seen at www.parks.ca.gov choose Find a Park; select Marshall Gold Discovery SHP.
We are committed to finding a solution to our parking situation. Safety is our primary concern. We are working with the State to obtain the use of a small piece of property across the road from the Theatre to use as a bus turnout.
Support the Olde Coloma Theatre (a non-profit organization) and help us resolve the parking problem. We are asking each student, teacher, and tour company to write letters to each of the influential leaders mentioned at the end of this letter. Express your opinion of our theatre and ask for help with the parking situation. You can mail the letters individually, or send them as a group to the Olde Coloma Theatre and we can mail them for you. Our advisors have suggested that sending letters as a group is more effective when soliciting State aid.
Should you have any further questions contact either Sherry Barker at 530-676-1051 or Dustin Weiland at 530-626-6701. Check out our new website at www.oldecolomatheatre.com.
Sincerely,
Dustin A. Weiland / President CCP
Addresses to contact regarding the parking situation:
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger First Lady Maria Schriver
Office of the Governor Office of the Governor
State Capitol Building State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814 Sacramento, CA 95814
Ruth Coleman, Director Senator Dave Cox
Department of Parks and Recreation 2140 Professional Drive Suite 140
P.O. Box 942896 Roseville, CA 95661
Sacramento, CA 94296-0001
Assemblyman Tim Leslie News 10 Education Reporter Karen Massie
3300 Douglas Blvd. P.O. Box 10
Roseville, CA 95661 Sacramento, CA 95812-0010
Cc: Danny Moreno VP / Treasurer CCP
Kathleen Weiland / Secretary CCP
Mary McGee / Board Member
Rita Archie / Advertising
Bruce Bondurant / IT Administrator
William Hodel / Board Member
Governor Arnold Schwartzenegger
First Lady Maria Schriver
Director Ruth Gibson
Senator Dave Cox
Assemblyman Tim Leslie
Education Reporter News 10 Karen Massie
