Congratulations to all of the communities for their beautiful art entries at the Community Cup in September. Special congratulations to The Artists’ Round Table at Magnolia@Highland in San Bernardino, CA, for bringing home the Gold Medal for their lovely work, “Magnolia Centerpieces” (polymer clay flowers, fabric vases)!
~ Alma Wright, Regional Program Director
The residents of Cotton’s Point Senior Apartments in San Clemente, CA, prepped for their annual bingo party with San Clemente High School Visits of Love Club by decorating masks for everyone. Students and residents dressed up, played bingo, and enjoyed each other’s company. The San Clemente Rocks event is an ongoing activity in which the residents paint rocks, then hide them for others to discover. Cottons are very pleased by the community involvement and shared the fun with their guests.
San Clemente rocks — literally!
~ Jennifer Fallon, Program Director and Tracy Freeburg, Program Assistant
Residents at the Metro at Chinatown Senior Lofts in Los Angeles, CA, are so grateful for the Food Forward Program. They look forward to deliveries of fresh, healthy produce on a monthly basis.
At the monthly birthday celebration, residents got together to enjoy a day full of ice cream fun. They decorated their ice cream with different toppings and enjoyed it with a piece of cake, compliments of EngAGE and WSH Management.
~ Sandra Vargas, Regional Program Director
From Andalucia Senior Apartments in Van Nuys, CA: The Bakers, Jarome and his wife Carole, write a song and sing at the Community Cup event in September every year. They look forward to this day all year long and are so excited to show everyone the lyrics they’ve come up with, starting as early as Christmas! They sing a capella with a lot of heart. They earnestly want to share their love and their feelings about love and kindness with the world, and everyone in the audience appreciated that.
From Cantabria/Asturias Senior Apartments in Panorama City, CA: Corinta (Cory) and Raphael Izquierdo are from Mexico and go back there often to visit family. Raphael plays the piano and Cory sings. For their performance at the Community Cup event, Cory sang a beautiful Mexican love song.
While waiting to go on, you can see his calm support of her, and you can see her nerves. Then the performance begins.
And here she is singing – so lovely.
~ Elizabeth Sampson, Regional Program Director
We’re on hiatus for one more week for the extended KPFK Fund Drive. Remember: KPFK is the only radio station powered by the people, and that means you! If you enjoy listening to the eclectic programs offered on this public radio station, please show your support by making a pledge. Click here to see the great premiums being offered — The Vanishing Middle Class by Peter Termin, a Sheila E. 2-CD pack, a KPFK logo mug, and much more. Donate securely through PayPal and you can use your credit card. Thank you!
Join us for the closing reception for “COLOR UP!”
Friday, October 27, 2017
6 – 9 pm
ACE/121 Gallery
121 N. Kenwood Street, Glendale, CA 91206
Gallery Entrance on Louise between Broadway and Wilson
Exhibit presented in partnership with Ave 50 Studio
For more information email mayers.engage@gmail.com
Susanna Urquiza, “Bridge to Hahamonga Park”
Every few months, Programs Assistant Tanya will book Vrezh to come and play at Park Plaza Senior Apartments in North Hollywood, CA.
He is absolutely delightful and JUST what the residents at Park Plaza respond to. He speaks their language, he knows their songs and he is able to – unlike anyone else – whip them into a frenzy of singing and dancing.
The residents at Park Plaza are NEVER as alive and festive as when Vrezh is there.
Focus on Resident “Ovsanna”
~ From Tanya Kutukdjian, Programs Assistant at Park Plaza
This month’s spotlight is on Ovsanna. She is a regular bingo group member, and up until last week, that’s all she participated in. She would sit in the lobby during our performances and not want to join the crowd and engage in any dancing or socializing. On Monday, during Vrezh’s music and dance night, she not only came and sat with a group of residents, she danced the night away. It was such a pleasant surprise, even the other residents loudly and joyfully cheered her on as she hit the dance floor with Vrezh.
She participated in several dances with him as well as other residents and I don’t think I’ve ever seen her so happy and proud of herself. I know this was a huge step for her and she felt accomplished. I’m sure she will look forward even more to our events now as an active participant rather than an observer.
It was also very nice to see the residents support and encourage her with such genuine kindness and compassion. (Ovsanna is on the left).
~Elizabeth Sampson, Regional Program Director
