August 26 2009

 Stand Down 2009

Stand Down Sacramento is a part of nationwide organized group of “Stand Downs” promoted by the Department of Veterans Affairs.  Stand Downs are two or three day events held around the country which provides services to homeless Veterans.  These services include: food, shelter, clothing, health screening, VA and Social Security Benefits, legal services, (including on site judges to mediate barriers to employment), and referrals to a variety of other necessary services.  Stand Downs are a collaborative effort of VA’s, other governmental agencies and community groups and individuals.     The original Stand Down was held in San Diego in 1988.  In the years since it has grown to over 30 communities helping well over 300,000 Veterans and their families.     Sacramento’s Stand Down will be held on September 18^th & 19^th at Camp Pollock.  The local coordinator is TRACY GROSS and you can reach her at 209-941-4563.  This past week, in cooperation with the Cosumnes Services District Fire Department, Tracy has placed three barrels around Elk Grove to accept your donations.  What is really needed are jeans of all sizes, and they do accept used mens clothing in useable condition. The CSD fire houses are the main station 71 on Elk Grove Blvd, Fire Station 73 (East Elk Grove) 9607 Bond Road and Fire Station 74 (Laguna Creek) 6501 Laguna Park Drive. Stand Down is for all homeless veterans in Sacramento County.  Let me know what else you need. Check out their Web Site: http://www.cdva.ca.gov/Resources/StandDown.aspx.

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BEST OF ELK GROVE . . . The Elk Grove Online (EGO) Business Networking Group is hosting a phenomenal party tomorrow night, Thursday, the 27^th, at Strikes Family Entertainment Center, 3443 Laguna Blvd.  The party is a public invited celebration which will be held from 5-8pm!  Included in the low ticket price are: Food, Bowling (includes shoe rental!), Entertainment (music & magic), a silent auction featuring: 1 Pair of Tickets to see Def Leppard & Poison, 1 Pair of Tickets to see Brad Paisley, 1 Pair of Tickets to see Mitchel Musso (of Hannah Montana), 4 Field Level Seats & Autographed Ball - Oakland A's, A Weekend Getaway at the Mosser Hotel in SF, $500 Gift Card for a Website and much more!     A Custom 'Best of Elk Grove' Cake from River City Cakes (it will be awesome...they always are!).  It will also be a great opportunity to meet local business owners and many EGO'ers (always fun to put faces to names!)  Individual tickets are just $10 and a Family Pack* is only $25! Family Ticket =  2 Adults + 2 Kids (ages 5-12). Kids Under 5 are Free.  Additional Kid Tickets are $5.  This event is a fundraiser for the Elk Grove Food Bank.  You are asked to bring a can of food for the Food Bank.  Let's help those that help others!  Alternatively, you can drop off cans ahead of time at either Grocery Outlet (8517 Bond Rd) or Cornerstone Printing (3132 Dwight Rd # 700).     For those that wish to bowl, bowling with shoe rental normally costs $8.00 for one game on a Thursday night...and that is INCLUDED in the ticket price!!!  Add in food and entertainment and you would be hard pressed to find a better 'night out' value anywhere!  It's going to be a great time!!!  You can purchase tickets at: http://bestofelkgrove.eventbrite.com/ or by contacting KRISTA GUERRERO, 684-3296 or Krista@kreativedm.com Should be a really fun event!

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HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIRE . . . You’re invited to the first of many holiday craft shows in the coming months.  The Elks Lodge at 9240 Survey Rd will be presenting their annual Candy Cane Lane Craft Show on Thursday thru Saturday, Sept 24^th, 25^th & 26^th. There will be a ton of beautiful hand made holiday items.  For more information on what will be available please call Lori 916 682 2372.

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Quote:   “As you walk down the fairway of life you must smell the roses, for you only get to play one round.”  [Ben Hogan]

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God Bless our service personnel!  Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to read my column. If you have a comment or would like to see something that your group is doing in this column, you can call me at 686-5261 or send me an e-mail at davidsimpson@citlink.net.