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Why We’re Gathering — For the Kids This year, every dollar raised through ticket sales, sponsorships, the auction, and our fund-a-need will support Community Center Youth Programs, the heartbeat of our mission. From our licensed childcare to the LOFT Teen Center, from tutor- ing programs to the Community Gym, we’re committed to giving kids of all ages a place to grow, thrive, and belong.
• Our school readiness programs for incoming TK/K and middle schoolers ease big transitions that can otherwise feel overwhelming. With academic sup- port, social skill-building, and a sense of belonging from day one, kids step into new classrooms ready to learn, lead, and thrive. • Teens gain skills, purpose, and connection through our Middle School Empowerment Group, Youth Job Training Program, Climate Action Internships, and Marin It Together initiative. These opportunities help young people discover their voice, contribute to their community, and envision a future where they know they belong and can make a difference. • Youth sports programs connect kids to positive mentors while strengthening both physical and mental health. On the court or the field, they learn team- work, discipline, and perseverance, all while engaging in fun, healthy activities right here in their own community—building habits and relationships that last far beyond the season. Your participation at Big Easy Beats, Bets & Bites means more scholarships, more opportunities, and more reasons for Valley kids to believe in their future. Be Part of the Celebration
Early Bird Tickets are available now for $150 through September 15 ($175 after). Reserved tables for 10 are $2,000. Want to sponsor a volunteer, staff member, or Lagunitas School teacher? You can do that too for $150 per ticket.
Sponsorship opportunities are also available, offer- ing tickets, donor benefits, and the satisfaction of knowing you’re investing in the future of our community’s children. Contact Albert DeSilver, Development Coordinator, at adesilver@sgvcc.org for details. Get tickets today and join us for a night of music, magic, and making a differ- ence. Let’s do it for the kids — and let’s celebrate in style.
Charlie Hickox and the Glen David Andrews Band will be performing
Did you know? • More than 30% of our childcare participants receive scholarships so that every family—regardless of income—can access quality care. When children can participate alongside peers without financial barriers, they build confi- dence, form friendships, and experience the same enriching opportunities that set the stage for lifelong success. • Over 60 children under age 5 attend our bilingual playgroups , where play is just the beginning. Parents connect to a supportive network, share resources, and gain skills through workshops—strengthening not only their own family, but the fabric of our entire community.
Tonight’s Sky by Rich Lohman
brightest star in Cygnus is Deneb, not labelled at the top of the diagram. Deneb is the tail of the swan flying downward. Cygnus is also called the Northern Cross. The long neck of the swan represents the vertical member. The Swan’s short wings form the crosspiece. Just to the right of Cygnus is the constellation Lyra, the lyre or harp. It is identified by a small parallelogram of stars. The parallelogram is adjacent to Lyra’s brightest star, Vega, which is easily found high overhead. Vega, along with Deneb and Altair form what is known as the “summer triangle”. Look for Altair a bit lower and towards the south. Finally, mark your calendars for the night and early morning of November 17-18. The Leonid Meteors should give us a decent show this year!
September - November 2025
Each Fall, as I make plans for my Astronomy 101 class at SGVCC, I always check to see where the major and brightest planets will be in the sky. Will they be easily visible during the evening hours of my class? Here’s what I found for this year. Saturn will make its appearance between 9 and 10 PM in early September. You’ll need to look low in the east. But starting in early October you’ll find her higher in the southeastern sky after 8 PM. I’ll be watching the eastern horizon in late August for my first glimpse of the beautiful ringed planet! I love seeing an “old friend” after many months. It reinforces the notion that I can always count on the motions of the heavens! For those of you who normally rise in the early morning (or can push yourself to get up early) there’s a special alignment awaiting you. My Sky and Telescope magazine for September 2025 has an article entitled, “Venus Dazzles at Dawn”. It refers to the pre-dawn time of about 5:30-6 AM on the morning of September 19th. Looking low in the east, weather and clouds permitting, you’ll be treated to a lovely conjunction of 3 objects: the planet Venus, a very thin crescent moon and the star, Regulus. Regulus represents the front foot of the constellation Leo. Venus will be, by far, the brightest object. And while you’re in the vicinity, move your gaze upward and very slightly to the west to view Jupiter, near the Gemini twin stars of Pollux and Castor. This time of the year gives us the continued opportunity to appreciate the white swath of the Milky Way as it arches upward and slightly easterly from our southern horizon. As you move upward towards the top of the sky (called the zenith), about halfway up, you’ll pass through the constella- tion of Aquila, the eagle, highlighted by the bright star Altair. For me the constellation looks more like a jet plane flying upward. Toward the zenith you’ll pass through the constellation of Cygnus, the long-necked swan. The
Any questions, email me at richneal@pacbell.net or phone, 415-488-1938.
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