Saturday, April 19, 2008


TIDBITS OF IMPORTANCE: FUNDRAISERS, SPONSORSHIPS , DRAGON BOATS AND PEACE VIGILS – AND SOMETHING FUN – COPS WAITING ON YOU!

COASTAL NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL SUPPORTS DANA MIDDLE SCHOOL:

To keep Dana Middle School’s after school clubs flourishing, the Coastal Neighborhood Council sponsored the programs with a $5,000 check, upping it from its original $2,500.

The council agreed that if any other group matched its $2,500 sponsorship, it would offer Dana that same amount to help keep the clubs thriving and flourishing. The Central Neighborhood Council has agreed to provide $3,500 – primary for a soccer club to begin at the school.

An avid supporter, Coastal’s Treasurer John Stinson said the community can no longer afford to not provide for programs like this which keeps students off the street, in a safe haven and helps them explore their interests.

“The Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council has had the opportunity to sponsor a number of youth programs and activities over the years and the Dana Middle School After School Clubs are a fine example of providing creative and healthy alternatives to gang involvement, drugs and the like,” he explained.
“Our children are our future and sending them down the right path by providing constructive activities like these will help them enjoy a brighter and safer tomorrow. It is an investment we can not afford not to make.”

The clubs, which started three years ago with an art and Spanish Club, grew dramatically to about eight clubs, with new additions coming in constantly. So far, Dana has Spanish, Croatian, art, basketball, cooking, swimming and junior police explorers. Some of the clubs are run by parent volunteers. Calling it LA Network for Kids, the Dana Parent Teacher Organization has done fundraisers and sought sponsors to keep the programs alive.

So far, Coastal Neighborhood Council has provided the largest donation, but other neighborhood councils are stepping up.

More programs are expected to be launched shortly – including sailing and musical theater.
***

TIP A COP ---WON’T YOU PLEASE

In what might prove to be a most interesting night, Los Angeles officers will be waiting hand and foot on patrons at the Copper Room Restaurant Tuesday night (April 22) and will accept tips for a fundraiser.
Officers are donating their tips to the Relay for Life, a benefit for the American Cancer Society. The fundraiser begins Tuesday at 5 p.m. and ends at 10 p.m. The Copper Room is located at 589 West 9th Street.
Senior Lead Police Officer Joe Buscaino said he will be serving in honor of an aunt he lost to cancer.
For more information contact Sheri Hadjis at (310)-704-1299 or Debbie Heath, (310)-614-4201.

DON’T FORGET THIS IMPORTANT COMMUNITY EFFORT AGAINST VIOLENCE

A Peace and Unity Rally will be held May 15 to honor the 189 homicide victims killed in San Pedro and to unite the entire community against violent crime.
Put together by the San Pedro Safety School Collaborative, residents are asked to show their support by showing up from 6 to 8 p.m. at the San Pedro High School Pirate Stadium. The event is one of the first efforts the collaborative has done to combat gang violence – and any other violent crime.
Over the past two decades, 189 residents have been killed; 24 of them have been children under the age of 18. Many of the murders remain unsolved.
Los Angeles Police have agreed to patrol the event – and toward the end of the event, those attending will be asked to hold their lighted cell phones up in the darkness as a symbol of unity.
The rally is the first large event the collaborative is planning to combat violence.
To volunteer or for more information, call the YWCA at (310) 547-0831 and ask for Gabriela Medina or Alice Castellanos.


TRY ROWING CHINESE DRAGON BOATS AT AN UPCOMING OPEN HOUSE AT CABRILLO BEACH – COME SEE THESE BEAUTIES AT SEA AND PERHAPS DECIDE THAT YOU WANT TO BE ON A TEAM


Never seen a Chinese Dragon boat? Here’s your chance.
The newly formed LA Harbor Dragon Boat Club will hold an open house so residents can not only see, but even try their paddling hand, on these boats that are rowed by teams of paddlers.
On May 10, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., residents are asked to drop by and consider putting on a life jacket and rowing out on one of the boats.
The group wants to form both youth and adult teams. The event will be held at the Cabrillo Beach Youth Waterfront Sports Center, 3000 Shoshonean Road.
For further information, contact Marie at coachmchacon@yahoo.com or at (310)-324-5929 for the youth team. For adults, contact Bruce at Blheath@mindspring.com or (425)-503-3988.

2 comments:

vallie said...

This is a great source of local information - thanks so much for providing it! My husband and I rowed in the dragon boat races in the past and I'm excited to see local teams forming.

Annie told me about your blog - you can check out mine and get my personal perspective on life in San Pedro.

http://playwithmum.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

The Tip A Cop event was a great idea for a great cause, and such fun! Thank you, thank you, thank you to LAPD, Tom owner of the Copper Room and, most importantly, Sheri Hadjis for organizing this event! In just 5 hours over $2,200 was raised! WOW!! This is San Pedro's 8th year holding the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. This event is not only a fundraiser, but a way to celebrate life, honor our cancer survivors and remember those we have lost. This year's event will be Saturday, May 17 at SPHS,
beginning at 9 a.m. You can help by forming a team (its not too late!) or donating to a team member. Check out the website www.event.cancer.org/rflsanpedroca
Thanks, Kim Blanks
Luminaria Chairperson