The Eldridge Performing Arts Company to Appear at 'Heroes with Heart 2010'

Entertainment at tonight's gala fundraiser includes a special performance by the Sonoma Developmental Center's own 'Eldridge Performing Arts Company.' The group has appeared at previous PHA events, always with a lively and crowd-pleasing performance. The Eldridge Performing Arts Company is also one of the honorees at this year's event.

The Eldridge Performing Arts Company (EPAC) was established in 2005, the idea of former music therapist Melodie Mitchell. It brings together the performing talents of both clients and staff who reside and work at Sonoma Developmental Center. EPAC has produced musicals including Grease, Music Man and Wizard of OZ, and two musical reviews, the Best of Broadway and Musical Time Travel.

The client actors participate as leading characters, extras on stage, dancers, and band members, or they can also assist behind the scenes. All actors are assigned a staff stage coach to assist them when needed, and if called upon, to fill in if the client actor is unavailable to participate in the performance.

The theme for each performance is chosen by a vote of the previous year's cast. Ideas are solicited at the cast party after the last performance, and then all of the cast votes on what they would like to do.

According to Becky Zyskowski, SDC staff member and one of the group's coordinators, "Every year we hold auditions, and whoever auditions is guaranteed to be in the show. Rehearsals are two days a week for three and a half months, and then we have two dress rehearsals and four live performances. Every year the show is a sell out.

"The performances allow the clients to see what it's like to be involved in a community theater setting and a live stage production from beginning to end. At the end of each production the clients are awarded a bouquet of flowers and souvenir apparel. Each performance is a new and exciting experience for the actors involved, and it always shows on their face!"

Wiggins Introduces Bill Relating to Developmental Disabilities

On February 18, 2010, California State Senator Patricia Wiggins introduced SB 1129, an act that would add Section 4510.5, relating to developmental disabilities, to the Welfare and Institutions Code. The bill was re-referred to the Committee on Human Services on March 17, with a hearing and vote scheduled for today, March 24.

Below are notes on the legislation from the website www.aroundthecapitol.com:

Existing law vests in the State Department of Developmental Services jurisdiction over various state hospitals referred to as developmental centers, including the Sonoma Developmental Center, for the medical and nursing care of patients with developmental disabilities.

[SB 1129] would require the Director of Developmental Services to provide medical, dental, wheelchair repair and modification, orthopedic shoe, and other health-related services at the Sonoma Developmental Center, through the center's operation of an outpatient clinic, to persons with developmental disabilities who reside at the center, and also to individuals who reside in the surrounding community.

This bill would authorize the department to obtain status as a Medi-Cal provider in order to receive reimbursement for services provided to non-developmental center patients and would require the department to pursue other funding sources. The bill would make the provision of services to non-developmental patients contingent upon obtaining appropriate status as a Medi-Cal provider or otherwise obtaining sufficient funds through other funding sources.

This bill would require the costs of administering the program to be funded through existing resources of the department.

This bill would make legislative findings and declarations as to the necessity of a special statute for the County of Sonoma.

You can find more details and updates, including a copy of the legislation, by visiting www.aroundthecapitol.com. More information may also be available by contacting PHA's legislative consultant Mike Smith at irishmike (at) vom (dot) com.

Heroes With Heart 'Evening in the Emerald Isle' Just a Week Away

The Parent Hospital Association's big event of the year - our Heroes With Heart 'Evening in the Emerald Isle' gala fundraiser - is just a week away.

On Saturday, March 27, at Cline Cellars in Sonoma Valley, hundreds of supporters and members of the PHA community will get together for dinner, entertainment and a live and silent auction in support of the Sonoma Developmental Center and people with developmental disabilities.

If you don't already have your ticket, there is still time to join us. Tickets may be purchased as a block or individually. Catering this year is being provided by Rocket Catering in Sonoma. The preview tasting of the night's menu was wonderful - you certainly wouldn't want to miss the meal.

Donors have been generous this year, and the live and silent auctions will be exciting. Following are just a few of the items that came in early on:

• Gift Certificate to Raindance Spa at the Lodge in Sonoma
• Oil and Vinegar Sampler from The Olive Press
• Lunch at Flavor Bistro
• Overnight stay at the Lodge at Sonoma
• Tour and Tasting at Cline Cellars
• SF 49ers Football signed by Frank Gore
• Catered Firefighters' Dinner for 8 (This item was very popular last year!)
• Passes to the Sonoma Valley Film Festival
• trips to Lake Tahoe and Arizona

We also have a truly stunning collection of wine that has been donated for auction this year. The wines are too numerous to list here but include bottles from Arietta, Monte Bello Vineyard, St. Francis, Eisele Vineyards, Duckhorn Vineyards, Mazis-Chambertin, Chateau Potelle, as well as a Chateau Giscours Grand Cru Classé 1967 Margaux.

If you have any questions about this year's event, you can visit the event's page on our website or email info@parenthospitalassociation.org. If you would like to attend but have not yet reserved a ticket, email us soon so that we can have a place set for you. We hope to see you Saturday!

Sonoma Valley Footrace and Festival Coming to Sonoma Developmental Center

The Sonoma Valley Footrace & Festival returns to the Sonoma Developmental Center on May 22, 2010. The event includes both a challenging 10K on- and off-road run through the stunning landscape surrounding SDC and a 5K run that takes a mostly level course through the SDC grounds.

Enter the race of your choice. Awards will be presented to the top runners in various categories, and all runners receive a T-shirt. Adult participants will also receive a commemorative glass and tickets for beer and wine tasting at the Festival.

Both races start at 8:00 a.m. Advance registration fees are $25 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under. You can register online at www.active.com or by mail. See the event brochure for details. On race day, registration is $30 for adults and $20 for children and begins at 7:00 a.m. (Don't be late, or you'll be running to catch up!)

For those not running - and for runners after the race - a number of other activities and entertainments are planned. The Festival part of the day's events runs from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and includes:

• Live music from Harvey and the Wallbangers
• Children’s carnival attractions - including a bounce house, velcro wall and games
• Free fun run for kids at 10:30 a.m.
• Car show
• Beer and wine tasting starting at 9:00 a.m. (adults only, ID required)
• Food available for purchase
• Raffle
  

The Festival entry is free. There will be ticket sales for the beer and wine tasting, raffle, and the children’s carnival attractions and games.

For more information and to register for the race, visit the Sonoma Valley Footrace & Festival website (www.dds.ca.gov/SVFF).

You Are Cordially Invited - Heroes with Heart 2010

Final details are in place for 'Heroes with Heart 2010', the Parent Hospital Association's annual fundraiser. This year's event - just like last year's - takes place at Cline Cellars in Sonoma Valley. The date is set for Saturday, March 27th, and we would love to have you join us for the evening's festivities.

“An evening in the Emerald Isle”
5.30 pm Guest Reception & Silent Auction
7.00 pm Dinner & Live Auction

Visit our website for more details including the names of this year's honorees and the night's dinner menu.

The Master of Ceremonies this year will be Rich Walcoff, Sports Director of KGO Newstalk Radio. Rich Walcoff, who manages to blend a measure of entertainment and intrigue with the usual scores and sports highlights, has been adding his special brand of high energy sportscasting to KGO NEWSTALK AM 810 since July 1984, and we expect a lively evening.

For more information, and to attend this year's event, visit the Parent Hospital Association website or email us at info@parenthospitalassociation.org.