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THE states first selective performing arts school, Newtown High School of the Performing Arts, will exclude nearly half of all local year 7 students next year as it redraws its catchment boundaries.

It will redirect local children from Newtown, the ninth best public comprehensive school in NSW according to the NAPLAN testing system, to the less successful Marrickville High School and the Sydney Secondary Colleges Leichhardt campus.

Of Newtowns 1000 students, 60 per cent have won places at auditions and come from across Sydney. The remaining pupils have received places as they live in the schools catchment area.

The halving of the catchment – removing parts of Stanmore, Enmore and Marrickville – is opposed by most local parents but supported by the Newtown High School of the Performing Arts PC, which is dominated by the parents of audition students.

The PC vice-president, Donna Huggart, said: The huge growth in the schools reputation is due to its performing arts specialty. Thats why its continued success depends on maintaining an appropriate critical mass of audition students. Ms Huggart, whose two children commute to Newtown from Castlecrag, said the goal was to maintain the balance that creates the unique culture of the school.

Ken Read, who moved to Petersham so his daughters could attend the school, believes local parents should have a greater say.

Local parents should make the decision about children attending local schools, he said. We believe that the decision to support the changes was made by parents whose children attend the schools selective stream and live outside the local area.

The Enmore resident Barbara Cohen said her son was expected to attend Newtown next year. We could have moved, but we stayed because how could we ever beat this high school?

A spokeswoman for the NSW Department of Education said the school was operating above its capacity and did not have the teaching space for the predicted enrolment demand to 2016.

Some families have accused the government of trying to make the school 100 per cent selective. But the spokeswoman said the 60/40 student ratio would remain. The department has also agreed to review the decision to change the boundaries, the spokeswoman said.

Two wheels, bright green jackets and seven miles is all it takes for Lisa and Matt Mead to get to work.

It gets me exercise, said Lisa. Its a relaxing way to end my day. An energizing way to start my day.

The Meads dont typically bike to work every day — but they will this week.

They are only a few who participate in what Grand Rapids organizers call active commuting.

Active commuting is getting to work by alternative transportation, explained Tom Tilma of the Greater Grand Rapids Bicycle Coalition. So its walking to work, riding your bike or taking the bus to work.

It can also include skateboarding, skating, or taking a wheelchair to work.

It may sound a little intimidating to avoid taking your car to work, but Grand Valley Health Coordinator Lindsey DesArmo said the key to living a healthier life is to start small. A few little activities a few times a week can add up.

If you walk to the bus to get on and ride to work, and then walk to your office; that 10 minutes, there you go. Then coming home — another 10 minutes. Or if youre riding, your commute in the mornings 20 minutes. Those all add up and can really benefit ones overall health, DesArmo said.

Active commute week is about more than just health: Its about bicyclists and drivers learning to share the road.

People in Grand Rapids are getting more and more use to cyclists, said Matt Mead. They kind of have to be because of the uptick and the number of people that are out there riding.

Thats because of more bike lanes around town, Tilma said.

So many efforts have been made by the City of Grand Rapids and all the different organizations in town, Tilma said. Everybodys working very hard to make our city much more bicycle-friendly.

For example, the city plans to reduce the number of driving lanes on Burton Street from four to three and add bike lanes on the outside. Similar projects on three other major roads around town have already been completed.

The bike lanes are a huge improvement for Grand Rapids, said Lisa Mead.

Bicyclists hope those improvements will encourage others to saddle up, hop on the bus or take to the sidewalks — at least for a week.

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Online:

Active Commute Week

Active Commute Week Challenge

Bike to Work Day Rally Stops

Active Commute Today LIVE!

Wine Country: From the Missions to Modern Day —- The Temecula Valley Museums latest exhibit will be on display through June 17. Growing grapes for winemaking has been a part of the Temecula Valleys history since the days of the early Spanish missions. Missionaries brought vine cuttings from Spain to use for the production of wine for sacramental and table use. The climate along the coast near Mission San Luis Rey proved too cool and foggy to allow the grapes to mature enough for winemaking. The Temecula Valley had the ideal climate and soil conditions, and so the history of winemaking in the valley began. Today, Temeculas Wine Country is a multimillion-dollar industry, producing award-winning wines and bringing tourists to the valley. Take a look at the development of this local industry from the missions to modern day and discover how it has turned Temecula into a charming destination; museum hours are 10 am to 4 pm Tuesdays through Saturdays and from 1 to 4 pm Sundays; Temecula Valley Museum, 28314 Mercedes St., Temecula; 951-694-6450.

Gator by the Bay Zydeco, Blues and Crawfish Festival —- More than 85 performances on six stages, along with free dance lessons and 8,000 pounds of crawfish; 10:30 am to 7 pm; Spanish Landing Park, North Harbor Drive, San Diego; $75, three-day pass; $25, May 11; $30, May 12; $30, May 13; free, children 17 and under with paid adult; gatorbythebay.com or 619-234-8612.

Menifee Dance Company, in Concert —- Presented by Mt. San Jacinto College. This eclectic dance concert features original faculty and student work in the intimate setting of the Menifee Lab Theatre. Dance styles range from hip-hop to jazz to contemporary, with a few surprises along the way. This concert is a dynamic favorite; 2 pm; Mt. San Jacinto College —- Menifee Valley Campus, 28237 La Piedra Road, Menifee; $10; 951-672-6752, msjc.edu.

Happy Mothers Day —- Program honors Mothers and Motherhood on this special day. Choreographed and staged by the members of Fine Arts Ballet Theater and incorporating guest artists, families and friends, the production captures Motherhood in all its forms and all its ages. The show is designed perfectly to be that special treat for the moms in your life either after brunch or lunch or before dinner; 1 and 3 pm; Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St., Temecula; $21-$27; 866-653-8696, temeculatheater.org.

Cruisin Califas: The Art of Lowriding —- Read story about new exhibition in May 10 Preview; 1 to 4 pm Sundays; 10 am to 4 pm Tuesdays-Saturdays; runs thought Sept. 30; 704 Pier View Way, Oceanside; $8, general; $5, seniors; free, students and military (and dependents) with ID; museum is free to all on Tuesdays; 760-435-3720 or oma-online.org.

A Piece of My Heart —- Presented by Inland Stage Company. I was very intrigued by a play that was directly based on women and war. Its a rare thing to find anything that is based specifically on womens contributions in a war, especially during that time in our history, said director Alisa Lovas in a press release. I am an actor, but after reading the play, I felt that I wanted to have more of a ‘voice in the overall production, so I chose to direct the play. I felt such a connection to the play and really wanted to honor the women who gave so much during their time in Vietnam; 2 pm (also Saturday and 7 pm Thursday through Saturday); Esplanade Art Center, 2181 W. Esplanade Ave., San Jacinto; $15 general admission; $12 students, seniors and military; Thursday performances are Pay What You Can, with a $5 suggested donation; $7 Saturdays Rush Tickets (also group rates and season tickets); inlandstage.org.

Dance Concert —- This eclectic dance concert features original faculty and student work in the intimate setting of the Menifee Lab Theatre. Dance styles range from hip-hop to jazz to contemporary, with a few surprises along the way. This concert is a dynamic favorite; 2:30 pm; Mt. San Jacinto College —- Menifee Valley Campus Lab Theater, 28237 La Piedra Road, Menifee; $10; 951-639-5630, msjc.edu.

Nanas Naughty Knickers —- Presented by the Ramona Hillside Players; 2:30 pm (also May 20 and 27 and 7:30 pm Friday and Saturday May 25-26); Ramona Hillside Playhouse, 27402 Ramona Bowl Road, Hemet; $5-$12; 951-658-5300, ramonahillsideplayers.org.

Classics at the Merc —– Featuring Erin McAdams, Siobahn Sung and Hyueeun Ham; 3 pm; Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St., Temecula; $11 adults, $5 students; 866-653-8696, temeculatheater.org.

Guitar Ensemble Concert —- Following a successful debut last season, the Guitar Ensemble will perform its own unique brand of intimate chamber music. The groups repertoire includes musical styles from European classical music to Brazilian bossa nova to American rock; 6:30 pm; Mt. San Jacinto College —- Menifee Valley Campus Lab Theater, 28237 La Piedra Road, Menifee; $8; 951-318-7019, msjc.edu.

MONDAY, May 14

Art and Earth: My Art, My World —- A visual representation of an intuitive cathartic process steeped in pure and brilliant SoCal color by Kathryn Crabbe. Her works are featured in numerous private and public collections, including the Baltimore Museum of Art Archives, Pacific Northwest College of Art Library, San Diego Public Library Special Collections and the UCLA Arts Library; through June 30, 12 to 8 pm Mondays-Tuesdays, 10 am to 6 pm Wednesdays-Thursdays and 10 am to 5 pm Fridays-Saturdays; Murrieta Public Library, 8 Town Square, Murrieta; free; 951-304-2665, kathrynvcrabbe.com/2012/art-and-earth-my-art-my-world/.

Youth Symphony amp; Wind Symphony Spring Concert —- 7 pm; Murrieta Mesa High School, 24801 Monroe Ave., Murrieta; $10 for adults, $ 5 for students.

TUESDAY, May 15

Dance Moves —- Peter G. Kalivas, from The PGK Project, in association with Temecula Presents creates a new way for audiences to experience dance. In this intimate series, the audience mingles with the art of dance, thus creating a conversation between artist and viewer; 7 pm (every third Tuesday); The Merc, Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St., Temecula; $5 donation suggested; 866-653-8696, temeculatheater.org.

You Light Up the Stage —- Miss Jenis Dance Studio presents their annual spring recital, an evening of tap and jazz pieces; 7 pm; Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St., Temecula; $6; 866-653-8696, temeculatheater.org.

New York Philharmonic —- Program features Dvoraks Carnival Overture, Debussys La Mer and Tchaikovskys Symphony No. 4 in F minor; 8 pm; Copley Symphony Hall, 750 B St., San Diego; $27-$97; ljms.org or 858-459-3728.

THURSDAY, May 17

Open Mic Night —- Open Mic Night is open to comics and guests. Do you think youre funny? Join in for Open Mic Night and find out; 7 pm; Aces Comedy Club, 39745 Avenida Acacias, Ste. B, Murrieta; free; laughyouraceoff.com.

Jazz at the Merc —- Featuring the Doug MacDonald Organ Quartet featuring Doug MacDonald on guitar, Clarence Webb on tenor sax, Bobby Pierce on organ and vocals, and Harold Acey on drums and vocals; 7:30 pm; The Merc, Old Town Temecula Community Theatre, 42051 Main St., Temecula; $15; 866-653-8696, temeculatheater.com .

Nobody Loves You —- The Old Globe presents the world premiere of Gaby Alter and Itamar Moses musical comedy about a young grad student who joins the cast of a reality television dating show to win back his ex-girlfriend, but is instead seduced by fame; opens today and runs through June 17; showtimes, 8 pm Thursdays-Saturdays; 2 pm Saturdays and Sundays; 7 pm Sundays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays; Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, The Old Globe, Balboa Park, San Diego; tickets start at $39; theoldglobe.org or 619-234-5623. 

FRIDAY, May 18

High Hopes annual Dance and Music Showcase —- The city of Temecula Community Services Department presents this show, which includes a special tribute to rock n roll as well as performances by the High Hopes Chimes and Dance groups with a finale by the Temecula Valley High Hopes performers. Opportunity door prizes also will be awarded. High Hopes is a social recreation and performing arts program for people with developmental disabilities. The program enables participants to socialize and interact with peers; 6 pm; Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St., Temecula; free; 951-694-6464, 951-677-1958.

The Motels featuring Martha Davis —- 1980s New Wave music band from the Los Angeles area, best known for Only the Lonely and Suddenly Last Summer; 6 pm; Marquee 15, 9022 Pulsar Ct., Suite H, Corona; $18-$22; 951-200-4465, marquee15.com.

Dead Mans Party: A Tribute to Oingo Boingo —– The concert will benefit Wishes for Children; 6 pm; Wilson Creek Winery, 35960 Rancho California Road, Temecula; $20 and up; wilsoncreekwinery.com.

Music Student Showcase —- This event brings talented students from the piano, guitar and voice classes together in a concert before a live audience. Includes the premier performance by our new Instrumental Chamber Ensemble; 7:30 pm; Mt. San Jacinto College —- Menifee Valley Campus Lab Theater, 28237 La Piedra Road, Menifee; $5; 951-318-7019, msjc.edu.

Eric Schwartz —- Schwartz, aka Smooth-E, electrifies audiences with his blend of stand-up, music and video. Behind this geeky facade lies a multi-dimensional showman whose creations have been seen on The Tonight Show, Showtime, E!, BET, The CW, TMZ, G4 and more; 7:30 and 9:30 pm (also Saturday); Comedy Club at Pechanga, Pechanga Resort amp; Casino, 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula; $22; 877-711-2046, pechanga.com .

Taylor Williamson —- Williams has performed at the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival and is the youngest person to perform on the Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson. He has also appeared on MTVs TRL (it was canceled two weeks later), Comedy Centrals Live at Gotham (also canceled) and was a semi-finalist on NBCs Last Comic Standing (canceled twice so far); 7 pm (also 7 and 9 pm Fridays and Saturdays and 7 pm Sundays); Aces Comedy Club, 39745 Avenida Acacias, Ste. B, Murrieta; $15-$20; laughyouraceoff.com.

UCR Chamber Music Ensembles —- Music from around the world and down the street, including Japan, Java, India, Malaysia, the Philippines, Mexico, the Andes, and the United States. Rene Lysloff, coordinator; 8 pm; Performance Lab, ARTS 166, UC Riverside, 900 University Ave., Riverside; $6-$10; 951-827-4331, 213-480-3232, 714-740-2000, ticketmaster.com.

Wanda Sykes —- Sykes was previously seen on her own late night talk show on FOX, The Wanda Sykes Show, and on her second HBO stand up special Ima Be Me. Previously she starred as Barb in the CBS comedy The New Adventures of Old Christine. She has also been featured in the films Evan Almighty, Monster-In-Law, the animated feature Over The Hedge and The Barnyard and My Super Ex-Girlfriend; 8 pm; Pechanga Theater, Pechanga Resort amp; Casino, 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula; $45-$70; pechanga.com/entertaiment or 877-711-2946.

SATURDAY, May 19

Menifee Arts Showcase —- Hosted by the Arts Council Menifee, the event will feature displays of two- and three-dimensional art as well as dance, vocal and instrumental music and dramatic performances by residents; 11 am to 4 pm; Countryside Marketplace, which is at the corner of Newport and Haun roads, Menifee; 951-672-1731.

Youth Art Showcase —- The city of Murrieta is hosting the inaugural art showcase, a chance for any and all youth ages 12-18 to display their art for friends, family and local art fans. The showcase will be divided into fine art, photography, digital art and other art mediums. Participants can show a maximum of two pieces. In some cases, room sponsors will give awards ranging from ribbons to product prizes for classification winners. Deadline to register is Tuesday; Murrieta Senior Center, Murrieta; murrieta.org.

One-Act Plays —- To celebrate its second successful year, JDS Actors Studio is presenting three one-act mystery-based plays. This is the fourth set of plays offered by the Studio during the past two years; 7 pm (also 2:30 pm May 20); JDS Actors Studio, 40935 County Center Drive, Suite G, Temecula; 951-296-6715, jdsactorsstudio.com.

Inland Chorale —- Music from the Movies, Part 2; 3 pm (also 3 pm May 20); First Southern Baptist Church, 433 S. San Jacinto St., Hemet; $8; msjc.edu.

Country at the Merc —– Local country music artists perform two shows on Saturdays; 7 and 9 pm; Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St., Temecula; $15; 866-653-8696, temeculatheater.org.

Menifee Campus Singers —- This dynamic performance group performs both standard choral music and choral arrangements of seasonal and popular songs in a variety of venues. This concert features music by American composers; 7:30 pm; Mt. San Jacinto College —- Menifee Valley Campus Lab Theater, 28237 La Piedra Road, Menifee; $8; msjc.edu.

Southwest Womens Chorus annual Spring Concert —- There will be songs about innocent and naive women; songs about mildly and excessively naughty women. Think West Side Story (I Feel Pretty) and Gilbert amp; Sullivan (The Sun Whose Rays) for sweet and innocent. Think Whatever Lola Wants and All That Jazz for the naughty side. And these are just the solos and ensemble songs; 7:30 pm (also 2 pm May 20); Old Town Temecula Community Theater; $9-$16; 951-308-6377, temeculatheater.org.

The co-creator of The Amazing Spider-Man, The X-Men, Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, The Avengers and a huge portion of the vast Marvel Comics universe (he has more than 500 characters to his name) will turn 90 in December, but if hes slowed down at all, its hard to tell.

The writer, editor and media personality is still Marvel Entertainments greatest spokesman, promoting the company and making cameos in the many blockbuster films based on his characters (well have to see if he shows up in The Avengers, set for release this coming Friday).

Meanwhile, as the chairman of his own POW! Entertainment venture, Lees got his hands on a striking number of projects, including an NHL-themed superhero team, an action-musical and a multimedia comics imprint for children, Stan Lees Kids Universe.

For the energetic Lee, retirement is simply not in the cards.

I think if you enjoy what you do its like playing and you cant stop, says Lee. Most men want to retire at a certain age. I cant wait to retire so I can golf or travel, or whatever it is. But Im already doing what I want to do. Its so much fun.

Born Stanley Lieber in New York City, Lee, whose family barely scraped by during the Great Depression, was always ambitious.

He dreamt of becoming a famous actor and when he got his first job in comics in 1939, working as an office assistant at Timely Comics (the earliest incarnation of Marvel), he saw it as a mere stepping stone, certain that he was destined to write The Great American Novel.

But by 1941 Lee was editor-in chief and head writer at Timely and, with a family to support, he was still holding those positions 20 years later.

By then he was frustrated by the limitations of comic books and determined to leave the industry.

Convinced he was on his way out, Lee began writing comics as he wanted to read them. Along with his collaborators, most notably artists Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, he brought a new sophistication to his stories, imbuing such creations as Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four with a humanity not previously seen in the genre.

Despite their superhuman powers, these new Marvel age heroes were flawed and emotional and they faced real-world dilemmas that made them relatable to a more mature audience. Suddenly, Marvel Comics were being read not only by the usual prepubescent crowd, but also by the residents of college dorms.

I didnt target them, but one conscious effort I made was to use college-level vocabulary, Lee says. He theorized that by not talking down to his readers, he might appeal to a larger base, and, if younger readers had to look up a word or two in the dictionary thats not the worst thing that could happen.

Slowly, comics began to be taken seriously, a step into the modern era of the graphic novel where the genre is more often acknowledged as valid literature rather than disposable trash.

Lee and his collaborators had revolutionized the mainstream comic book business. But the politics of that move were complicated.

Highlights of dozens of music, theater and dance performances in Hampton Roads through June 6. www.vafest.org, (757) 282-2822. Today: Violinist Itzhak Perlman, 3 pm at Sandler Center, Virginia Beach, $37-$77. Wednesday: Daedalus Quartet, 7:30 pm at Trinity Episcopal Church, Portsmouth, $30.

ART OPENINGS

U.Va.s Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection, 400 Worrell Drive, Charlottesville, (434) 244-0234. Reception 5:30-7:30 pm Friday for People of Substance by Jason Wing. Through Aug. 26.

CONCERTS

Busch Gardens Live: Cobra Starship in synthpop, 7 pm today at Busch Gardens, James City County. Included in park admission of $56.99-$66.99. www.buschgardens.com or (800) 343-7946.

Jefferson Theater, 110 E. Main St., Charlottesville, (800) 594-8499. Today: Dar Williams, 8 pm, $25. Saturday: Donna the Buffalo in roots music, 8 pm, $15-$17.

Kennedy Center (Concert Hall unless noted), 2700 F St. NW, Washington, (800) 444-1324. Monday: Violinist Itzhak Perlman and pianist Rohan de Silva, 8 pm, $45-$115. Thursday to Saturday: National Symphony Orchestra with pianist Nelson Freire,7 pm Thursday, 8 pm Friday and Saturday, $20-$85.

Warner Theatre, 513 13th St. NW, Washington. (202) 783-4000. Monday: Eagles frontman Glenn Frey, 8 pm, $55-$125. Tuesday: Under the Streetlamp in Motown hits, 8 pm, $39.50. Friday and Saturday: Comic Brian Regan, 8 pm Friday, 7 and 9 pm Saturday, $39.50-$49.50.

New Edition in 30 years of Ramp;B hits, 8 pm Thursday at Hampton Coliseum, 1000 Coliseum Drive, Hampton. $36.25-$66.25. (757) 838-4203.

Fridays After Five: Honey Island Swamp Band, 5:30 pm at nTelos Wireless Pavilion, Downtown Mall, Main Street, Charlottesville. Free. www.thenteloswirelesspavilion.com or (877) 272-8849.

Styx, REO Speedwagon and Ted Nugent in prog-rock hits, 7 pm Friday at Jiffy Lube Live, 7800 Cellar Door Drive, Bristow. $20-$71. (703) 754-6400.

Beach Music Weekend: On the beach at 30th Street, Virginia Beach, free, www.BeachStreetUSA.com. Friday: Craig Woolard Band, 7:30-10:30 pm Saturday: Coolin Out, noon-2 pm; Bill Deals Rhondels, 2:30-4:30 pm; The Mystic Soul Bubbas, 5-7 pm; The Embers, 7:45-10:30 pm May 20: Main Event, noon-3 pm; Band of Oz, 3:30-6 pm

Willie Nelson amp; Family in concert at 8 pm Friday at Ferguson Center, Christopher Newport University, Newport News. $57-$97. (757) 594-7448.

Celebrate Virginia Live: Willie Nelson, 6 pm Saturday (gates) at Job.com Pavilion, Fredericksburg. $18.50-$100. www.celebratevirginialive.com.

Saturday Summer Street Fest: Flashback, 6-11 pm on Queensway in downtown Hampton. Free. www.vasc.org or (757) 727-0900.

REO Speedwagon, Styx and Ted Nugent in decades of arena-rock hits, 6:40 pm Saturday at Farm Bureau Live at Virginia Beach, 3550 Cellar Door Way, Virginia Beach. $15-$125. (757) 368-3000.

Dierks Bentley in bluegrass and roots music with Eli Young Band and The Cadillac Black, 7:30 pm Saturday at nTelos Wireless Pavilion, 16 Crawford Circle, Portsmouth. $20-$45. (757) 393-8181.

OPERA

Carmen, Lyric Opera Virginias jewel box production of Bizets tragedy about a soldiers ill-fated obsession with the ultimate femme fatale that leads to murder, 2:30 pm today at Paramount Theater, Charlottesville. $20-$85. (757) 446-6666.

DIVERSIONS

Virginia Renaissance Faire: Period fun with re-enactors, marketplace, music, activities and more, 10 am-5 pm today and Saturday at Lake Anna Winery, Spotsylvania. $9; free for ages 5 and younger. (703) 508-5036. Continues Saturdays and Sundays through June 10.

Pirate Party on the Beach: Family-friendly fun packed with pirate re-enactors, costume contests, games, treasure hunts and more, 6-10 pm Friday and 10 am-10 pm Saturday at 17th Street Park and on the beach at 17th Street, Virginia Beach. Free. www.BeachStreetUSA.com.

Warbirds Over the Beach: World War II living history, with re-enactors in demonstrations, air show, music from the era and more, 9 am Saturday and May 20 at Military Aviation Museum, Virginia Beach Airport. $10-$22 per day; $18-$40 two-day pass. www.militaryaviationmuseum.org or (757) 721-7767.

Corks amp; Blues Festival: Samples from six Virginia vineyards and music by blues diva DieDra, Marla Palma amp; Pure Blind Luck and the Juke Joint Junkies, 1-8 pm Saturday at Glen Maury Park, 101 Maury Drive, Buena Vista. $20; 12 and younger free. (540) 460-1576.

Pat Row

Several homes have been broken into since the early part of the year. Among the items stolen have ranged from flat-screen televisions, computers and other electonics, to cash, credit cards, jewelry and watches. Most of these break-ins have occured between noon and 3pm and have been a complete surprise to the homeowners upon their return home. The most common entry has been through side/back windows or back doors, and the loot seems to be disappearing over the fences in the back yards, all apparently without witnesses! So far, none of this reporters friends and neighbors have had a single item recovered yet.

This week, Wednesday May 9th, a home on Bernadino Drive here in Ocoee, was invaded by two men. They were armed with guns and were wearing facemasks. The home was occupied at the time and each person was tied up and held at gunpoint while valuables, including items such as credit cards, and an X-Box, were stolen. Later that day, two men were arrested in connection to this invasion.

AMC Entertainment, the nations second-largest exhibitor, has once again scrapped plans fora stock offering, two people familiar with the matter said.

The Kansas City, Mo.-based theater chain had said in a regulatory filing last springthatitplannedto raise up to $450 millioninan initialpublic offering of stock, using the proceeds to pay down debt. Topshareholders in AMC include JPMorgan, Apollo Investment Fund and Bain Capital Investors.

But at the prompting of AMCs owners, the circuit has opted toshelve the IPO, out of concern that market conditions arentripe for a stock offering, said two sourcesfamiliar with the plans who asked not to be identified because they were not authorized to discuss the matter.

Its a tough business, said one of the sources, citing the long-term challenges faced by the exhibition industry, especially fromthe threat posed by shrinking theatrical windows — the period between when a movie is released in theaters and when itcan be viewed in the home. The biggest issue they are facing is how to navigate the collapsing of theatrical windows.

Industry-wide, the number of tickets soldin the US and Canada fell 4% last year to 1.28 billion, the lowest level since the mid-1990s. But revenue hasrebounded this year,jumping 23% in the first quarter.

This marks the thirdtime in five years that AMC has pulled back from going public.The company originally filedfor a $750-million IPO in December 2006 as private equity firms looked to recoup some of their heavy investments in the theater operator. But AMCwithdrew that offering in May 2007 after investors balked at the $17-a-share asking price. AMC then unveiled plans for a scaled-back stock offering in September 2007 but withdrew that plan a year lateramid market volatility.

Along with rival Regal Entertainment,AMC last year launcheda joint venture called Open Road Filmsthat willacquire and releaseindependentmovies.

AMC has been bulking up on the number of cinemas it controls. In May 2011,AMC acquired 92 theaters and 928 screens from Chicago-based Kerasotes Showplace Theatres, the nations sixth-largestmovie chain. AMC operates 347 theaters and 5,048 screens in the US and Canada.

Ryan Noonan, a spokesman for AMC,declined to confirm or deny whether the circuit had officially abandoned its IPO plans but said: The IPO process is ongoing and I do not have a time line to share.

AMC posted a loss of $82.7 million on revenue of $1.93 billion in the 39 weeks ended Dec. 29, 2011, compared to profit of $36.88 million on revenues of $1.9 billion during the same period in 2010, according a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The company cited higher interest expenses, investment losses in Beverly Hills-based 3-D technology company RealD and costs related to its acquisition of Kerasotes.

RELATED:

AMC unveils IPO plans

Regal and AMC unveil new distribution firm

AMC buys Kerasotes Showplace Theatres

– Richard Verrier

Photo: Moviegoers gather at an AMC theater in Burbank on a Friday night.Photo credit: Ringo HW Chiu / For the Los Angeles Times.