Bill’s Word – Thanksgivings
Dear Friends,
As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, we at the Alameda Education Foundation have much to be thankful for!
All Together Now 2011!
Our second annual fundraiser for music, art and drama on November 10th – All Together Now – really WAS the best party in town! A packed audience danced the night away to awesome music, enjoyed fabulous hors d’oeuvres and wine, and bid on some amazing auction items.
This year was the debut of including student musicians in the event and it was amazing. Hearing those student perform up there on stage gives one chills – it’s what it is all about. Next year we hope to include even more students.
All Together Now 2011 was truly a community event. Thank you to the entire ATN 2011 committee ; The Sun Kings and all the musical and dance performers; the middle and high school musicians and their directors; our sponsors; and the dozens of donors who made it all possible, including the Alameda Theatre, the Alameda Association of Realtors, our wonderful restaurants, vintners and breweries; and the many individuals who contributed auction items, time and elbow grease to make it all possible. Check back later on our website for pictures and more details. Together we really did make a difference! Mark your calendars – All Together Now coming again at the Alameda Theatre in November 2012!
Holiday Events
Our community keeps stepping up and there are more events coming our way, whether you want to learn more about helping the environment or get a jump start on shopping.
Recycle Woman is a documentary bringing awareness to environmental issues while empowering the youth and community with the tools to become the solution to the problem. It premiers November 26th at Alameda Theatre and December 3rd at Auctions by the Bay. VIP packages may be purchased through November 20th that include admission to the film, a movie pass for Alameda Theatre, and more. A portion of the proceeds benefit AEF. Details may be found on our website. Thank you to Miss Alameda, Jessica Robinson, a.k.a. Recycle Woman, for putting together this important film and supporting AEF!
Alameda Holiday Fair 2011. On Saturday, December 3rd, start your holiday shopping early at the Alameda Elks Lodge, 2255 Santa Clara Avenue, 10 AM – 5 PM. Some of the east bay’s finest crafters and vendors will be offering unique and wonderful gifts, and I even hear there will be a chair massage and holiday treats for weary shoppers!
Then, head over to City Hall right next door to see for the presentation of America’s Promise 100 Best Communities for Young People. Alameda has been named one of the best communities for youth a second year in a row! The presentation will be at approximately 5:00 PM immediately preceding the annual lighting of the Holiday Tree. That afternoon, there will be numerous holiday festivities and activities in the City Hall parking lot, a.k.a. Winter Wonderland, including ice skating. Check the City website for details.
Sports Time
Congratulations to the Wood Middle School Beavers! They clinched the volleyball championships in both the A and B divisions on Tuesday, November 15th. Full coverage is here. Next up is basketball. Teams will be based at the Academy, Lincoln, Nea/ACLC and Wood and games begin in January. Middle school students should check with their site for try-out information.
We are on our way to achieving our goal of 100 Adopt A Classrooms this year. Currently, we’re over half way there with 55 adoptions. Teachers use these donations to purchase critical materials or supplies or fund special learning opportunities for their students. Think what a wonderful gift an Adopt A Classroom donation would make for a needy classroom! More information may be found here. Unspecified donations, which go to teachers based on need, are strongly encouraged!
On behalf of all of us at AEF, we wish you all a very restful and pleasant Thanksgiving holiday!
President