Monday, June 22, 2009

Community Responds to Urgent Needs of Shepherd’s Gate

Generous group gives a $50,000 matching challenge to the community--

We will match every donation given, dollar for dollar up to $50,000!

Shepherd’s Gate released information about the urgent need to raise $150,000 by the end of its fiscal year on June 30, 2009 to meet all of the program, ministry, and operational needs of the organization, to prevent cutting back on services to battered and homeless women and children.

A generous group of friends have responded by collecting a $50,000 matching challenge, meaning that every donation given by the community will be matched dollar for dollar up to $50,000!!!

Recently, Shepherd’s Gate has drastically cut expenses, including cutbacks in staff salaries and has had to lay off some long-time staff members, in an effort to avoid cutting back program services.

“We are so very grateful for this generous opportunity. Meeting this matching challenge is crucial in helping us continue our mission to care for women and children in crisis,” said Steve McRee, executive director of Shepherd’s Gate.
To help Shepherd’s Gate meet this matching challenge, please make a donation online at www.shepherdsgate.org, or mail to 1660 Portola Ave. Livermore, CA 94551 Attn: Accounting. If you have any questions please call Jennifer at (925)443-4283 ext. 204.

Shepherd’s Gate, with campuses in Livermore and Brentwood, serves more than 650 battered and homeless women and children each year. Some arrive with just the clothes on their backs, seeking a fresh start. For more than 25 years, Shepherd’s Gate has served over 9,000 women and children, providing Christ-centered housing and services such as professional counseling, drug and alcohol recovery, and job skills training to help women and children break cycles of abuse, addiction and homelessness. Shepherd’s Gate is a non-profit organization that receives no government funding, and relies on community donations and support.

Danville Farmers’ Market Open Friday, July 3rd

Danville Farmers’ Market Open Friday, July 3rd, Closed Saturday, July 4th

Danville, CA (July, 2009) - Due to the Annual 4th of July Parade and other local activities, the very popular Saturday Danville Farmers’ Market will be closed for the 4th of July. But don’t panic! There will be a special farmers’ market on Friday, July 3rd, 9am to 1pm, in the same parking lot as the Saturday market at Railroad and Prospect. All your favorite producers will be there on the 3rd so you won’t miss a thing. There will be great live music, tasty hot foods, and a special patriotic flag give-away.

The entire Danville community is invited to join us for this patriotic celebration of your local farmers and their fresh and local foods. Market manager, Max Timms, says “There will be great fun, live music and the best produce available. It’s going to be a lot of fun for everyone. Come celebrate the holiday with us.”

Whether you’re looking for juicy peaches, flowering orchids, flavorful onions and zucchini, sweet strawberries, Asian greens, fresh seafood, crisp green beans, vitamin-packed tomatoes or any other summer produce items, you’ll find them at the Danville Farmers’ Market. More than two dozen California farmers and other food producers are expected to be selling their goods in the market on July 3rd.

The Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association is the state’s largest operator of Certified Farmers’ Markets, with over 60 Certified Farmers’ Markets weekly in the Bay Area during the peak summer months. Certified Farmers’ Markets are locations that offer only California-grown products sold directly to consumers by the farmers that grew, nurtured and harvested the crops. All PCFMA markets accept WIC FMNP (Woman Infant and Children Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program coupons) and EBT (the Golden State advantage food stamp cards).

For more information on the Danville Farmers’ Market, or to find another farmers’ market in your area, please contact the Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association at (800) 949-FARM or go to www.pcfma.com.

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Onboard the Aircraft Carrier USS Hornet in Alameda

Father's Day onboard the Aircraft Carrier USS Hornet in Alameda

Sunday, June 21


Bring Dad aboard the historic USS Hornet Museum in Alameda on Father's Day, Sunday, June 21, to experience "Living Ship Day." Visitors will have the opportunity to participate in mission briefings, see airplanes lifted to the flight deck, and sit in a fighter jet cockpit. Family activities and ship tours will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is ample free parking and a food concession. Admission is adults $14, seniors (65 and older) $12, Military ID and students $12, youth 5-17 $6, under 5 years free with paying adult.

The USS Hornet is a world-class sea, air and space museum with an emphasis on the legacy of naval aviation and the Apollo 11 mission recovery. Open for public tour are the restored flight deck, hangar bays, engine room, flight control, captain's bridge, sick bay, pilot ready rooms and combat information center. Included among the numerous exhibits are the "Apollo Splashdown" display and 15 aircraft ranging from WWII vintage to modern era. Dads can get a close-up look at a TBM Avenger, an F-14 Tomcat, an S-3 Viking, and an authentic Apollo space capsule.

The day before Father's Day, treat Dad to a special Flashlight Tour beginning at 8:30 a.m. and explore the lower decks of the USS Hornet that have not been opened to the public. The tour is $35 per person and includes museum admission for the entire day. Reservations are required.

For Flashlight Tour reservations or information about Living Ship Day call (510) 521-8448, x 282.

The Aircraft Carrier USS Hornet Museum is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to inspiring people of all ages to experience naval history, science, and space technology first-hand. A registered State and National Historic Landmark, the ship is permanently berthed at 707 W. Hornet Avenue, Pier 3 in Alameda, CA. The ship is open to the public daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Regular admission is $6-$14 and there is ample free parking across from the pier. For more information, visit www.uss-hornet.org or call (510) 521-8448.