The Albuquerque Journal - March 14, 2008

On a Clean Note

Volunteers began cleaning up El Rey Theater on Thursday, with hopes that the historic venue can reopen soon. The theater was shuttered last month after a fire devastated its neighbor, Puccini's Golden West Saloon.

Rockefeller's Cleaning Co. volunteered to help direct the cleanup effort, which will continue today and Saturday. Volunteers can show up between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. today or between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday.

Paul Herzog, pastor at Counterculture Church, said there has been an "outpouring of community support" and volunteers have been scrubbing the walls and floors, vacuuming soot and mopping.

Caption: Employees of Rockefeller's Cleaning Co. wash down the lobby of the El Rey Theatre on Thursday. The company is volunteering its services.