TUSTIN...It’s one thing to have compassion for young people with life-threatening illnesses; it’s quite another when you have lived your entire life with such an illness. When Cameron Siemers was 2 years old he received a blood transfusion. Five years later he was diagnosed with HIV, and doctors said he wouldn’t live to age 10. He turned 28 this year. But what do you do with a future you weren’t supposed to have?
In 2007, with the help of family and friends, Cameron founded the Cameron Siemers Foundation For Hope, a non-profit organization that awards Life Grants of up to $5,000 to young adults with life threatening illnesses. Winners use these grants to create a project that will inspire hope and possibility in themselves and their communities. Life Grants have financed a wide range of projects, from traveling to Africa to provide medical assistance to remote, impoverished villages to pursuing a degree in art therapy to work with children with cancer.
Each year since its creation, the Foundation holds a fundraiser to celebrate life grant winners and to raise money for future life grants. This year’s celebration is titled “Bowling for Hope” and is set for Thursday, Sept. 16, 2010, at Strike Bowling Alley at The District in Tustin, Calif. “We are so proud of our Life Grant winners,” says founder Cameron Siemers. “Their enthusiasm and determination is an inspiration to us all.”
The fundraiser will run from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m and includes hors d'oeuvres, music, and a silent auction. Tickets are $50 each and include free bowling. Discounted group rates are available for those who wish to gather a team, and child tickets are half-off. “The Foundation is run by an all-volunteer staff, and we are completely dependent on private donations,” explains Cameron. “Please join us on Sept.16 to help us continue an extraordinary program that is spreading hope around the world. We need your support.”
To learn more about the organization or purchase tickets for the event, visit the Foundation’s website at http://www.cameronsiemers.org.
CYPRESS...The first annual Army Family Programs Charity Golf Tournament, sponsored by the Greater Los Angeles Chapter, Association of the United States Army (AUSA). AUSA is a private, non-profit educational organization that supports America's Army - Active, National Guard, Reserve, Civilians, Retirees and family members. AUSA is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization with 125 chapters and over 100,000 individual members worldwide.
Our Army has been engaged in the Global War on Terror since 2001.
Our Soldiers and Families experience hardships with transitions from assignments and extreme stresses on the Families. The vast majority of Soldiers in the Greater Los Angeles Area are members of the Army National Guard and Army Reserve. Transition from civilian careers to one year of active duty creates financial hardships for many. Many of our Soldiers have deployed multiple times and some have returned with injuries, both physically and psychologically. The proceeds from the golf tournament will allow AUSA to provide assistance to local Army Units, Soldiers and families in the Greater Los Angeles Area.
The Charity Golf Tournament will be held on Monday, September 27, 2010, at the Navy Golf Course, 5660 Orangewood Ave. in Cypress. Time schedule: 6:00 Registration and pre-tournament fund raising activities. 7:30AM. Tee Time. Shotgun start. 1:00PM. Awards recognition luncheon.
The activities will include a morning continental breakfast, pre-tournament raising activities, golf tournament, an awards and recognition luncheon.
The Greater Los Angeles Chapter welcomes all to participate in the tournament and/or become a sponsor. For your donation, you will receive sponsor recognition, tickets for the tournament and tickets to the luncheon awards and recognition. You may also donate tickets so that a Soldier can play in the tournament and/or attend the luncheon.
The motto for this event is: Partnering for the Welfare of Those Who Serve -Building Support for America’s Soldiers and Families.
Visit our website at www.ausa.org/glac.
SEAL BEACH...Seal Beach sculptor Rodney Johnson has expressed interest in having the sculpture “Califia” placed, on a permanent loan basis, at the entrance to the Seal Beach pier. “Califia”, the mythological namesake of California, was the inspiration for his six foot, 200 pound, hollow cast bronze sculpture.
Rodney Johnson with his sculpture "Califia"
The figure was cast at the Long Beach State Investment Foundry using the ancient “lost wax” technique. According to Mr. Johnson, Califia became the necessary mythological element and swimming became the necessary kinesthetic physical presence required for this expression of the Socratic notion of “Motion in Place.”
ORANGE...AMC ENTERTAINMENT®, IMAX, Power 106 FM and SpeedZone will join together to give back to the community by celebrating the grand opening of the new IMAX® theatre at AMC 30 At The Block in Orange with a radio event and DVD drive!
The general public is encouraged to come see Power 106 at the AMC 30 At The Block in Orange on Friday, September 10, from 6 - 8 p.m. for a chance to win fabulous AMC, IMAX and RESIDENT EVIL: AFTERLIFE AN IMAX 3D EXPERIENCE prizes (while supplies last).
All are welcome to contribute to the “DVD collection drive” by bringing a new or slightly used DVD for charity, which will benefit “Operation: A Bit Of Home”, for a chance to win more prizes. All are also welcome to come in zombie gear and join the "Zombie Walk To The Block" from 6 - 7 p.m. and see Mayor Cavecche cut the Grand Opening ribbon at 7 pm. Power 106 will be on site with live giveaways.
The DVD collection drive and zombie walk is part of the grand opening of the new IMAX theatre, featuring The IMAX Experience® at AMC 30 At The Block (20 Blvd. West, Orange CA 92868), which debuts with “RESIDENT EVIL: AFTERLIFE AN IMAX 3D EXPERIENCE” on September 10.
The IMAX Experience combines crystal-clear images, powerful digital sound and customized theatre geometry to create a uniquely immersive movie experience. The IMAX theatre at this location has been custom-designed for a multiplex. To maximize the field of view in the modified auditorium, the screen was replaced with a larger, slightly curved and specially treated IMAX screen positioned closer to the audience.
IMAX’s digital projection system combines two digital projectors with IMAX’s proprietary image enhancer and custom lenses to create an image with greater clarity, brightness and contrast. The images on screen are complemented with IMAX’s latest sound system, which features its proprietary loudspeaker technology and uncompressed digital sound. This system has ten times more dynamic range, cuts down on distortion and provides a sound quality that feels more immersive, especially with the added acoustic paneling that absorbs sound and removes echo.
The addition of IMAX at AMC 30 At The Block builds upon decades of AMC offering the best and broadest menu of entertainment choices for guests seeking an unparalleled experience. Guests at AMC 30 At The Block will take in the world’s most immersive cinematic experience when “Resident Evil: Afterlife: The IMAX Experience” opens on Sept. 10. The movie has been digitally re-mastered into IMAX’s format exclusively for presentation in the IMAX auditorium. In addition to IMAX-formatted movies, AMC delivers other types of entertainment to guests, including live and pre-recorded alternative content events.
The IMAX theatre at AMC 30 At The Block will feature Hollywood’s biggest movies that have been digitally re-mastered into IMAX’s format.
Upcoming Hollywood movies to be released in IMAX’s format include: “Legends of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole” (Sept. 24), “MegaMind (Nov. 5) “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1” (Nov. 19); and “Tron: Legacy” (Dec. 17).
IRVINE...The OC Children’s Bureau has asked HB Mazda to host Adopt-A-Duck Day on Sunday, Sept. 19, from noon-4:00!
Rubber Ducks will be here, looking for good homes to prepare them for the 17th Annual Derby at Wild Rivers Waterpark in Irvine, held on October 3.
The Children’s Bureau is an amazing organization, supporting OC kids at risk. This is a huge fundraiser for them, and we are honored to assist.
They’ve also challenged Norm Reeves Honda in Huntington Beach to join in the cause and they’ve taken the bait! It’s a “smack down on the blvd”.
They’re always hoping HB Mazda outsells Norm Reeves Honda, but on Sept., 19 we’re hoping it’s cars and DUCKS!
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO...Native American traditions are alive and well at Mission San Juan Capistrano thanks to a small group of Native Americans who have maintained — and some might say “perfected” — the art of basket weaving.
Teeter Marie Olivares Romero, Ellen Sue Olivares and Kim Olivares Leone lead the teaching of the art of basket weaving every first and third Wednesday at the Mission. It has become an integral part of the Mission’s efforts to preserve the history and traditions of the area.
Teeter has been basket weaving for 35 years, an idea she came up with during San Juan’s celebration of the Mission’s 200-year anniversary in 1976.
“When we reached out in the 70’s, I was a docent,” Teeter said. “I come from five generations of docents. We started looking for something to recognize the history. The 200-year anniversary triggered it in us. The whole city, we celebrated for one whole year. I started basket weaving and I liked it, I kept it up because I got so interested in the culture.”
Teeter soon learned that basket weaving involved an intricate process. She learned about the materials that were needed, and it took more than a trip to the store to gather them.
“You have to find a place to gather, so we’d go to the river for materials but it was all concrete in the 70’s,” Teeter said. “We have to go into the wild for materials, like juncus and yucca. Once you have the materials you have to dry ’em, then size ’em, then cut ’em. It takes a long time from beginning to end.”
Teeter said she donates some of the baskets she makes, and saves many to give to a museum someday.
Ellen Sue says her intent when making the baskets “is to capture the culture of our elders and teach other generations.” Kim says her 7-year-old granddaughter “is learning all of our traditions and it is rewarding to know I’m showing two generations.”
It is indeed a family tradition that Teeter says was meant to be.
“I’ve lived all my life two blocks away from the Mission,” she said. “Sometimes you’re meant to be in one spot. I knew if I married someone from here, I’d never leave.”
Teeter met and married the late Bill Romero, whose father worked at the Mission and knew how to make adobe.
SEAL BEACH...Why not do something good for the ocean by participating in the "Walk For The Beach"? On September 18th walk from jetty to jetty (approx 2.25 miles) while your kids are having a blast at the "Kids Fun Zone" - temporary tattoos - face painting - dig for buried treasures game - coloring contest - bounce house with slide.
From 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. is free yoga for both kids and adults From 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.is the walk. From 10 a.m.to 11 a.m. is free boot camp. Each participant will receive a Keep It Clean t-shirt, parking pass and a starfish medal for participating all for a $25 donation to help continue to keep our beaches clean! It's going to be a BLAST! And celebrate California Coastal Cleanup that same day, so the diehards can pick up trash along the way! (If you're not registered by 9/4, cost is $20, but will not include t-shirt and kids 12 & under are only $15). www.saveourbeach.org to register.
IRVINE...The Irvine Classical Players Chamber Orchestra is looking for young musicians 13 to 17 years old for the 2010-2011 SEASON. Auditions are being held on: Friday, September 10 and Saturday, September 11, 2010 and on Friday, September 17 and Saturday, September 18, 2010. Requirements: 3 octave scale and a solo piece.
Rehearsals: Fridays 5:30pm-7:30pm September 17, 2010 – June 10, 2011 Season Finale: Orchestra has been invited to play at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, in June 2011 Location of Auditions and Rehearsals: Concordia University 1530 Concordia West, PAX Building, Irvine, California 92612 To schedule an audition date and time, please e-mail Irvineclassicalplayers@gmail.com. For additional information, and to download the audition application, please go to www.Irvineclassicalplayers.org.
PASADENA...Pacific Asia Museum presents Raga Unveiled: India’s Voice on Thursday, September 9, 2010 from 6pm – 10pm. This film event reception will feature some of the region’s best Indian food courtesy of Tanzore Restaurant, and a live musical performance by Dr. Seema Hanamsagar, Hemant Ekbote and Gopal Marathe. At 8pm Raga Unveiled will be screened under the stars in the Pacific Asia Museum courtyard. Following the screening, director Gita Desai will discuss the film and answer questions.
The legendary musicians, Vedic scholars, musicologists, spectacular cinematography and rare archival footage of Raga Unveiled beautifully describe the philosophy and structure of the ancient Vedic tradition that is the basis not only of Raga but of life. Director Gita Desai has always viewed traditional Indian culture and art in all its manifestations with the utmost reverence. From India’s philosophical ideas to its food, music and dance, Gita sets out to make films that would capture the richness and sophistication of ancient Indian culture.
Tickets are $50, and reservations required. RSVP 626.449.2742, ext. 28 or email j.lin@pacificasiamuseum.org. Raga Unveiled is part of the 2010 Festival of the Autumn Moon celebration of A Night at the Taj. Proceeds from Raga Unveiled benefit the museum’s many educational programs and innovative exhibitions.
AVALON...Once the biggest motorcycle race on the West Coast, the legendary Catalina Grand Prix is set to make history, again. California motorcycle enthusiast Vinnie Mandzak is totally committed to promoting the 2010 Catalina Island GP, as he has been since receiving authorization to produce "the most unique motorcycle race in 50 years."
"Despite what a few naysayers may have said, there is no question in my mind that this race is happening this December," insists Mandzak. "Our plans are moving forward and I can't wait to watch the first wave of racers roll off the starting line on December 4th!"
By all indications, Mandzak has the cooperation from state and local government agencies, no small feat in itself. He also has the full support of the Catalina Island business community who recognize the event as a prime opportunity to share their little slice of heaven to a global audience of racers and fans. A total of 800 racers are expected to participate over two days of racing.
"We've done our homework and we are managing our event the correct way," says Mandzak. "I am 100% totally committed to 2010 Catalina Island Grand Prix." Race classifications and registration will be made available by mid-September at http://www.thecatalinagrandprix.com/.
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