Candidate Rubin Announces New Website
Jerry Rubin, currently running for a seat on the Santa Monica City Council, announced his new website:
jerrypeaceactivistrubin.com
Mr. Rubin encourages community members to visit the site to learn about his view and plans to improve the quality of life in the City.
SM RED CROSS ANNUAL GOLF BALL DROP
The American Red Cross of Santa Monica will hold their 2nd Annual Golf Ball Drop on Monday, July 28 at 8 a.m. at the MountainGate Country Club, 12445 MountainGate Drive, Los Angeles.
The Santa Monica Red Cross will host a continental breakfast for donors, friends, and members of the press during the event. Everyone can witness the momentous moment when the dimpled, white orbs with the big red numbers drop gently to the ground and make some generous donor the happy owner of a flat screen TV. Guests attending the complimentary breakfast are asked to wear an item of red to show their support for the American Red Cross. The chapter’s 2008 Annual Meeting will follow the “drop” at 9:15 a.m. Please RSVP “Golf Ball Drop” to the Santa Monica Red Cross at 310.394.3773 or email jeff@redcrossofsantamonica.org
VIRGINIA AVENUE PROJECT ANNOUNCES SHELLY WOOD AS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The Virginia Avenue Project, a 16-year-old arts education nonprofit group, recently welcomed new Executive Director, Shelly Wood, to the Santa Monica-based organization.
With an extensive background in education and the arts, Wood created and facilitated the Arts and Culture Programs for California Youth Authority, and grew the program over 15 years, which also received national recognition for being one of three “Best Practices” in the nation by the NEA and U.S. Dept. of Justice. She invited professional artists to work with youth both inside the prisons and in the community, as she believes that the arts have a magical way of changing lives by helping people discover their best potential. Wood states, “When you directly affect a life, you indirectly affect everyone else. Artists in our programs truly change lives through their passion and their ability to show what is possible. It truly makes a difference.”
The Virginia Avenue Project is a free, after-school program that uses the performing arts in conjunction with long-term, one-on-one mentoring to help kids discover their full potential. Through a sequence of writing and performing programs, Project kids develop life skills and give voice to their creativity. www.virginiaavenueproject.org
Big Blue Bus Receives Homeland Security Funds
The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security gave $467,000 in funding to Santa Monica’s Big Blue Bus in order to improve the safety and security of its fleet of buses, both on the streets and on the lot.
The money was part of a total of $17.4 million funding package distributed to various transit operators throughout Los Angeles County. The largest recipient was the L.A. County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, who received a whopping, $16.1 million. Mayor Villaraigosa believes that the funding will “be a key component in ensuring safe commutes for local residents.”
