Elizabeth Blackburn
Nobel Laureate Elizabeth Blackburn pioneered the study of telomeres, the specialized ends of chromosomes that erode with each cell division, and of telomerase,the enzyme that repairs the eroded telomeres.These findings have profound implications for the study of human aging, cancer and disease.In 2009, she received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.She has been President of the American Association for Cancer Research and is the Morris Herzstein Professor of Biology and Physiology, UCSF.
The mission of the not-for-profit Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center is to establish and operate a world-class performing arts center that promotes and encourages the presentation and creation of visual and performing arts; enhances the public's appreciation, enjoyment, and understanding of the arts; and serves as a catalyst for the continued economic enhancement of both the City of Livermore and the surrounding Tri-Valley region. In 1995, the City of Livermore began a downtown redevelopment effort with the goal of bringing enhanced vitality and excitement to the center of the community.
In 1998 three community-minded citizens, Philip Wente, Joan Seppala and Phillip Dean, formed a nonprofit corporation to begin the development of a performing arts center as part of that downtown revitalization. At that time, the name of the corporation was the Livermore Valley Conference and Cultural Center, reflecting the desire to include a hotel and conference center in the project. In 1999, the corporation was recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt organization allowing LVPAC to begin to accept tax-deductible contributions.
Through the donations of generous individuals, the corporation conducted a number of studies to prove the need for the facility and to learn how it might be financed. A needs assessment and market analysis showed that the Tri-Valley had the ideal demographics to support a performing arts center. One year later, based on available land and the desire to create size-appropriate venues, the decision was made to develop two distinctly different performance facilities:
A 500-seat community theater intended primarily for use by local performing arts groups. The theater would also present nationally-recognized artists and support regional events, as well as use by community groups, schools and colleges.
A 2,000-seat regional performing arts theater designed to bring national and international performers, including Broadway touring productions to the region.
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