Chili's is proud to support the lifesaving work of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital® — finding cures and saving children with pediatric cancer and other deadly diseases. Their annual Create-A-Pepper campaign invites guests to design a custom pepper logo and make an individual donation to our friends at St. Jude. All they asked is that families came in today and made sure to eat lots of yummy food! 100% of their profits went directly to St. Jude's. Also, guest had the chance to color a pepper and make an additional donation. I am proud to say that I was able to attend again this year, enjoy delicious food, create-a-pepper, and donate to a great cause. I also want to extend a Thank You to CSUN Fraternity and Sororities for making an effort to come out and support a great cause. It's warming to see college students taking time from their schedule to come out and show support!

Picture collage generated with Smilebox

Rain Gutter Regatta-YMCA Indian Guides 2011-2012

Create a digital collage

The Y Indian Guide program held their Annual Rain Gutter Regatta at the Miller Family YMCA. The children and their Dads spent time together building their boats. This was a fun arts and crafts project, but required assistance from Dad to help construct a sturdy boat. Then it was off to place their boats in the rain gutter, and the races began! Dads cheered on the kids, as the kids tried to quickly blow creating a wind current to race their boat. It was such a fun afternoon followed by a lunch picnic.

In today’s world, a child and a father rarely have time together – to talk, to laugh, to really get to know each other and become friends. A sage Ojibway Indian once said that ”the white man spends time building cities, but the Indian spends time building men.” That sparked the idea for the formation of a parent-child organization centered around American Indian values - Dignity, Patience, Endurance, Spirituality, Feeling for the earth, concern for the family – the model for the Y-Indian programs. This program is designed to foster a strong relationship between a parent and their children, as well as develop friendships with others through monthly activities that use a Native American theme. Enjoy fun, snacks, stories, games, arts and crafts, and more during monthly meetings.

Check Out our Indian Guides in the Ventura County Star: http://www.vcstar.com/news/201​1/sep/25/rain-gutter-regatta-k​icks-of-ymca-programs/

If your family may be interested in participating in the program, please contact Jennifer Silveria @ 805-523-7613

Epic Salon Grand Re-Opening

Free photo collage personalized with Smilebox

Epic Salon, located in Encino, celebrated their Grand Re-Opening event this evening. They have moved locations and are now a Paul Mitchell Focus Salon. The evening included an Open House of the Salon with delicious drinks and appetizers. They had a DJ and a live band, which one of the members was their very own stylists, how neat! I cant begin to tell you how beautiful their new place is, and not to mention how talented and kind their stylists are. I attended to not only support their event, but to give thanks for all they have done in helping with my YMCA fundraising events. Just this year, they have donated over $2,000 in services. I am forever appreciative and thankful for them believing in YMCA programs.
 It was a really great evening and I wish them the best of luck and lots of success with their business.
Thank you to Epic Salon owners Jeff and Jamie for hosting a fabulous event. You are two of the kindest people I know, constantly supporting community programs.

Conejo Valley YMCA Appreciation Day

It was a bright and early morning as staff and volunteers started to set up for the Appreciation Day BBQ. Today was a day where we were able to show appreciation for everyone who participates in YMCA programs; staff, volunteers, members, and families. It takes all of these individuals to make YMCA programs successful and we are very proud that the Conejo Valley Y is moving in the right direction.

We had over 200 Y members join us for a delicious BBQ lunch, facility tours, and bounce house. We are fortunate that Matt Lalo, was so generous in building our beautiful new outdoor patio. Many enjoyed their lunch up there and were really impressed with his hard work.Thank you to our Y's men for donating their time and funds to serve some of the best hamburgers, hot dogs and tri tip. They sure were tasty! Thanks to our staff and volunteers who helped set up, decorate, and tear down the tables and chairs. You were all a huge help!

Free digital scrapbook customized with Smilebox

If you are not a member of the YMCA, you should schedule a time to visit. There are a variety of programs for everyone. We are currently offering a week guest pass for any interested members to try out our facility amenities. Please contact Zak Howell for more information @ 805-523-7613.

Meeting for Annual Conejoy Valley YMCA Turkey Dash

This afternoon I met with Conejo Valley Executive Director, Erin Pierik. Erin is no stranger to the association, but she is recently become the Exec. Director. She is the breath of fresh air that the Conejo Valley YMCA was i need of.
During lunch with Erin, Zak Howell (Membership Director), and Jennifer Silveria (Program Director), Erin honored me by asking me to be the Lead Volunteer for out turkey Day Dash event. I will be heading up a group of event volunteers and working to get sponsors. Shortly after, Erin and I were off to a meeting at the Thousand Oaks Mall. Erin and I met Glen Slensker, YMCA Board Chair. We were also able to meet with Tish Cabezas, The Oaks Senior Marketing Manager. Tish is working closely with Jennifer Ciccone, who is the Senior Property Manager, to help us with another successful annual event. We greatly appreciate their time and efforts!

This 5K and 1K fun run/walk event is a great way to get the whole family active and burn extra calories on Thanksgiving morning while supporting your local YMCA. 5K begins at 8:00 A.M. and 1K begins at 9:15A.M. Bring the whole family out for this fun event! For more information about sponsorship, racing or volunteering contact myself @ missmeghanlopez@gmail.com or Erin at the YMCA, 805-523-7613.

27th Coastal Cleanup Day

Today, thousand of people bombarded beaches along the coast to help in Coastal Cleanup Day. YMCA members and their families gathered at Leo Carrillo State Beach to help participate in this wonderful event. Between Indian Guide families and child care site participants, the YMCA had over 200 volunteers help beautify our coast by picking up any unwanted items and trash that do no belong there. A huge THANK YOU to Jennifer Silveria, who made this all possible for the Conejo Valley YMCA.

Photo collage customized with Smilebox

Miss California International 2012

What a unique pageant year! Peterson Productions announced that this would be their final year directing and producing the California State Pageant. Although, as a participant for the last 4 years, I found this news extremely sad, I was very anxious to hear that both Dennis Cooke and Eddie Peterson had great things ahead for them. Four years ago when I joined the International system, community service was not anything new for me. I have been involved in YMCA programs as a volunteer for 8 years. I was skeptical of why I would ever need a crown to do volunteer work. I was fortunate to experience as Miss Ventura County Int'l 2009, the great amount of exposure I was able to gain for YMCA programs and fundraising while being involved with the International Pageant.
This year, I did not plan to compete in the pageant, and at the last minute jumped in to be apart of the finale. Now that the pageant weekend has come to a close, I am so glad that I did.
I was very proud of my accomplishments during the weekend; Top 5 (4th runner up), Miss Congeniality, and  Josephine G Cook Miss California Int'l Community Service Award. Most importantly, I was more proud of what I put into the experience and honored what I gained from it. I met some incredible women this year and made sure to stay true to who I was. I was also flattered by the flooding of messages, phone calls, and emails I received from fellow contestant, staff, pageant judges, pageant directors, family, friends, and even complete strangers that included some of the kindest and reassuring words.
 Alycia Darby and Brooke Conlin were two of the most supportive and honest people I was able to create new freindships with over the weekend. They both joined me in making Top 5 and we all agreed that it was most honoring to be in Top 5 among women like eachother who were so honest in what they did. Among the other contestants, I had a great opportunity to meet and get to know Jr. Miss, Teen, fellow Miss, and Mrs. Contestants. I can't begin to tell you between all 62 contestant how much talents, passion, and beauty was in one room. Congratulations to the 2012 California International Queens.
Mrs. Melissa Dacy Lockerman, is one women who made me extremely proud. Never having done pageant before, she let me talk her into competing. She not only was recognized for her community service efforts, but was 1st runner up. What a huge accomplishment, I am so very proud!
I may of not walked away with a title and a crown, but that's not what's most important to me. I was able to walk away with much more; new friendships, a new outlook, a monetary award to be donated back to YMCA programs, and most importantly so many new life lessons.
 I want to thank the International Pageant System and especially Peterson Productions for their fantastic support and positive encouragement over the years. Also, I want to thank Gini Watterson for everything she has done to help make this pageant another wonderful experience!
This is not the last you have seen of me. I will continue with my passion and my efforts with the YMCA and community. They are only bound to continue to grow =]

This free digital slideshow generated with Smilebox