Blue Star Moms

The Vintage Valley Blue Star Moms, Solano Chapter (which includes Yolo County), has changed its monthly meeting day to the first Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the Vacaville Veterans Memorial Building, 549 Merchant Street.  The Blue Star Moms is a service and support group for all moms, family and friends of active duty or honorably discharged military personnel.  For more information, call 707-452-0172.

Become A Member of Winters High School Sports Booster Club

The WHS All Sports Booster Club is a non-profit (recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) organization -- an all-volunteer fundraising organization, originally established to provide monetary and moral support to Winters High School athletes through organized fundraising activities. The club has prospered and grown through the support of the community, and in turn, truly benefited the student athletes of Winters High School. Membership dues and donations to the club are fully tax deductible. The WHS All Sports Booster Club is dedicated to promoting and assisting our athletic programs. We accomplish these goals through membership dues and fundraising efforts throughout the year. We need memberships to help support our program. We have several different membership opportunities available. Our membership dues will be applied toward our athletic department budget and to provide two deserving senior athlete scholarships this year. Membership is open to any person or business interested in supporting the WHS athletic program. For more information about membership, contact Traci Calvert at 530-795-9044 or email dntcalvert@yahoo.com or Karryn Doyle at 530-795-0971 or email rkvndoyle@sbcglobal.net.

Hume Grove Volunteers Needed

The City of Vacaville is offering residents a chance to get involved with their community by helping maintain a Vacaville landmark.  At 7 p.m. on Monday, April 20th the City of Vacaville Park Maintenance Section will host a meeting to talk about volunteer opportunities at the Hume Grove.  The meeting will be held in the Arts & Crafts Room at the Three Oaks Community Center, 1100 Alamo Drive.  Hume Grove is a stand of redwood trees located on the Butcher Bike Trail between the end of Butcher Road and Lagoon Valley Park.  It is also the site of a native plant garden.  The grove was first planted in September 1982 in honor of Basic Vegetables Company’s 50th anniversary.  From small five-gallon trees, the redwoods grew well but little was done to the grove over the next eight years.  During the early years the grove was minimally maintained by the City's Park Maintenance Department.  In October of 1990, Jack Hume gave his first donation to help enhance and maintain the grove at a higher level of service.  Jack passed away shortly after that in 1991.  His passing lead to further discussions by the Hume family with City Landscape Architect Bob Farrington and additional work was planned and a new design took shape for the grove.  In the summer of 1992 the construction was completed and the size of the grove was doubled.  Additional native plants and trees, an irrigation system, paths, and other park amenities were constructed by City crews through a substantial gift from the Hume family through the Jaquelin (cq) Hume Foundation.  On October 12, 1992 the newly remodeled grove was dedicated honoring the life and accomplishments of Jack Hume.  During the summer of 2007 the Hume family spent additional money upgrading the old irrigation system and adding some additional native plants.  The City is hoping to interest volunteers to help with the maintenance and continuation of this beautiful redwood grove.  Those interested in the gardening aspect of grounds maintenance would be ideal, but all skills are needed and encouraged to attend.  As this effort grows and others step up, jobs like docents to lead educational and informational tours could be put to work.  Exhibit and curatorial-type volunteers, who could label native plants, educate the public about the collection of plants, local ecology, and low water use plants will also be needed.  Those who are good with event planning might consider volunteering to assist with the planning and facilitation of related social, educational, and fund raising type events for the grove.  City of Vacaville Park Manager Rollie Simons will be there to answer your questions and share the vision of the Hume Grove volunteers.  For more information, call 469-6510. 

MDA Holds VIP Day for Jerry's Kids

WHAT: The Muscular Dystrophy Association invites you to join Jerry’s Kids in the Sacramento area for a special summer camp VIP day.  Some 100 counselors and kids with muscle-wasting diseases from all over northern California will get acquainted before
spending one week together at MDA summer camp on July 11 - 17.  Counselors, campers and their families will enjoy a day of food, fun and activities and will get to mingle with other volunteers and sponsors from Subway and Lowe’s, as well as local fire fighters.

WHERE: Ranchotel Horse Center, 5790 Rivera Road, Vacaville, CA 95688
        
WHEN: Saturday, June 20, 10 a.m.

WHY: VIP Day recognizes volunteers and sponsors who make the week-long session of camp possible.  MDA summer camp for children in the Sacramento area is on July 11 - 17 at Camp Ronald McDonald at Eagle Lake in Susanville, Calif.

At no cost to families, MDA summer camp provides kids with muscle-wasting diseases the chance to experience typical camp activities designed to build self-confidence, foster friendships and recognize abilities.  The $800 per camper fee is funded almost entirely by individual private contributors.

Boys & Girls Club Car Wash

The Vacaville Neighborhood Boys & Girls Club will be hosting a "FREE" (donations accepted) car wash on Saturday, June 20th beginning at 10:00am.  This car wash is being hosted by both the Mariposa & Trower Center Torch Clubs at the Mariposa site located at 1625 Alamo Drive in Vacaville.  Torch Clubs are chartered small-group leadership and service clubs.  Through this powerful vehicle, club members learn to work together to plan and implement activities in areas such as community, education, and service to club.  Through previous fundraisers, Vacaville Torch Club members have had the privilege of donating to the following causes:
*The Animal Place Sanctuary
*Christmas Wish 2008
*Trower Center SMART KIDS Buddy Day
*Mariposa Center SMART KIDS Buddy Day
*Socks for Seniors 
*The Herrera Family (fire fund)
*End of Summer BBQ & Water slide 2008
*Halloween/Harvest Party 2008

Applications Open For Arts Advisory Committee

The City of Vacaville’s Community Services Department has changed the deadline to apply for membership on the City’s Arts Advisory Committee to June 22, 2010.  The Arts Advisory Committee meets at 6 p.m. on the second Wednesday in January, April, July and October at City Council Chambers, 650 Merchant St. The purpose of the Arts Advisory Committee is to provide advice and expertise on arts-related matters as requested by City staff and/or the Community Services Commission, including making arts policy recommendations to the Community Services Commission and advising on larger arts issues such as long-term goals and objectives.  Open to Vacaville residents, applications are available at the Administration Office of the Community Services Department, 40 Eldridge Ave., Suite 11 or on the City’s website, www.cityofvacaville.com.  If you have questions, please call 469-6670. Deadline for submittal of applications to the Administration Office is 5 p.m. Thursday, June 22, 2010.

Summer Pre-Shool Classes Offered

The City of Vacaville’s Community Services Department is offering several new enrichment classes for preschoolers 4- and 5-years-old this summer.  Back by popular demand is "Ooey Gooey Science."  The class will introduce kids to the wonder of science through observation and hands-on exploration, and is offered from 10-11:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 26 and Monday, July 12. Each class is $20.

"Bob and Betty Builder" is a new class for the child that loves to play with blocks and Legos. This class is offered from 10-11:30 a.m. on Monday, July 26.

Also new this summer is "Early Artists" and "Top Chefettes." In Early Artists, children will explore various art media, creating both open-ended and more structured projects. This class is on Mondays and Wednesdays, June 14-23.  Top Chefettes is for the budding chef in your house.  Children will explore their senses and expand their knowledge of healthy foods and kitchen safety. This class is from 10-11:30a a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, June 15-24 and cost $45.  The class locations vary, so check your Summer Events Guide or call 469-4000 for more info.

Spaces are filling up quickly, so register on-line at cityofvacaville.com or stop by any City community center to register. For more information, contact the Preschool Office at 449-5654.