the wizard of oz grease · 3/18/2019  · in 2005, the inaugural production was grease; in 2006 it...

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Eldridge Press August/September 2008 Page 1 he Performing Arts Company at Sonoma Developmental Center is pleased to announce this year’s performance of The Wizard of Oz. The Performing Arts Company, a committee made up of Sonoma Developmental Center (Sonoma) employees and cast members who live at Sonoma, was founded in 2005. In 2005, the inaugural production was Grease; in 2006 it was Best Of Broadway, which featured a variety of Broadway hits; and in 2007 it was The Music Man. Jim Tallent, who took over as chairper- son of the committee and director of the play says, “The play seems to be coming together. All the cast and support team members are working hard to learn lines and responsibilities. Taking on this position at this late date is stressful, as you’re not sure what has and hasn’t been done ahead of you.” Open auditions for this year’s play began in early spring, with re- hearsals occurring throughout the summer months, and live performances scheduled on September 24 th and 25 th and October 1 st and 2 nd at 7:00 PM at the gymnasium. The cast is comprised of approximately 40 singers, dancers, actors, and musicians. Tallent goes on to say, “I feel we have a very good core of staff who have worked on these projects in the past, and hopefully I can call on them to again come to assist us so we can put on a performance that not only offers our population an entertaining evening, but lets the families and the community watch how great it is to work with these talented individuals.” Tickets for this year’s performances of The Wizard of Oz are already sold out, but volunteers are still needed to assist backstage, with rehearsals, props, costumes, and more. Anyone interested in helping out should contact Becky Zyskowski at (707) 938-6713. want to thank the planning committee, numerous volunteers, non-profit organizations, busi- nesses, and participants that supported the Second Annual Sonoma Valley Footrace and Festival on June 21, 2008. The Parent Hospital Association and the Sonoma Develop- mental Center Women’s Auxiliary provided financial support. Over 150 runners braved the sweltering heat, then were able to relax and enjoy the refreshments and entertainment during this very successful annual benefit. There are articles about this and other summer events/activities in this issue. The self-advocacy program is picking up momentum. Joe Meadours and Robin Rhoades of People First were here in May to help start two self-advocacy groups. The two groups are using the ARO building for their weekly meetings, and are beginning to plan social events. I am looking forward to seeing where these groups take themselves! Deborah Meeker, Deputy Director of the Department of Developmental Services announced the appointment of Bill Wilson as the new Executive Director of Fairview Developmental Center in Costa Mesa, California. Bill is returning to work for the Depart- ment of Developmental Services from his most recent leadership position with the California Depart- ment of Corrections and Rehabilitation. He started work in early August. There will be more about Bill in the next issue of the Eldridge Press.

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Page 1: The Wizard of Oz Grease · 3/18/2019  · In 2005, the inaugural production was Grease; in 2006 it was Best Of Broadway, which featured a variety of Broadway hits; and in 2007 it

Eldridge Press August/September 2008Page 1

he Performing Arts Company at Sonoma Developmental Center is pleased to announce thisyear’s performance of The Wizard of Oz. The Performing Arts Company, a committee madeup of Sonoma Developmental Center (Sonoma) employees and cast members who live at

Sonoma, was founded in 2005.In 2005, the inaugural production was Grease; in 2006 it was Best Of Broadway, which featured a

variety of Broadway hits; and in 2007 it was The Music Man. Jim Tallent, who took over as chairper-son of the committee and director of the play says, “The play seems to be coming together. All thecast and support team members are working hard to learn lines and responsibilities. Taking on this

position at this late date is stressful, as you’re not sure what has andhasn’t been done ahead of you.”

Open auditions for this year’s play began in early spring, with re-hearsals occurring throughout the summer months, and live performancesscheduled on September 24th and 25th and October 1st and 2nd at 7:00 PM atthe gymnasium. The cast is comprised of approximately 40 singers,dancers, actors, and musicians.

Tallent goes on to say, “I feel we have a very good core of staff whohave worked on these projects in the past, and hopefully I can call onthem to again come to assist us so we can put on a performance that notonly offers our population an entertaining evening, but lets the families

and the community watch how great it is to work with these talented individuals.”Tickets for this year’s performances of The Wizard of Oz are already sold out, but volunteers are

still needed to assist backstage, with rehearsals, props, costumes, and more. Anyone interested inhelping out should contact Becky Zyskowski at (707) 938-6713.

want to thank the planning committee, numerous volunteers, non-profit organizations, busi-nesses, and participants that supported the Second Annual Sonoma Valley Footrace and Festivalon June 21, 2008. The Parent Hospital Association and the Sonoma Develop-

mental Center Women’s Auxiliary provided financial support. Over 150 runnersbraved the sweltering heat, then were able to relax and enjoy the refreshments andentertainment during this very successful annual benefit. There are articles about thisand other summer events/activities in this issue.

The self-advocacy program is picking up momentum. Joe Meadours and RobinRhoades of People First were here in May to help start two self-advocacy groups.The two groups are using the ARO building for their weekly meetings, and arebeginning to plan social events. I am looking forward to seeing where these groupstake themselves!

Deborah Meeker, Deputy Director of the Department of Developmental Servicesannounced the appointment of Bill Wilson as the new Executive Director ofFairview Developmental Center in Costa Mesa, California. Bill is returning to work for the Depart-ment of Developmental Services from his most recent leadership position with the California Depart-ment of Corrections and Rehabilitation. He started work in early August. There will be more aboutBill in the next issue of the Eldridge Press.

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Eldridge PressAugust/September 2008 Page 2

ach fiscal year the Department of DevelopmentalServices allots funds to each regional center for thedevelopment of new resources (i.e. behavioral day

programs, specialized homes for clients with behavioral ornursing needs, etc.) to support individuals who move fromdevelopmental centers or who are at risk of entering adevelopmental center, but do not wish to live there. This iscalled the Community Placement Plan (CPP). Eachregional center, based on theneeds of the individuals intheir catchment area, deter-mines what specific resourcesare to be developed in theupcoming year. The philoso-phy of the CPP is consistentwith the 1999 Olmsteaddecision which determinedthat the state shall providesupport and integration ofpersons with disabilities in community settings.

At the Golden Gate Regional Center (GGRC) thisprocess begins with our Request for Proposal (RFP),which is sent out to current and prospective providers whomay be interested in developing a new resource. Providerswho are interested in submitting a proposal follow therequired guidelines for submission. Often GGRC receivesover 50 proposals from interested providers. Upon receiptof all proposals, GGRC creates a RFP committee whosepurpose is to select the most qualified (based primarily onexperience and organizational stability) individuals foreach project. The RFP committee consists of GGRCemployees and stakeholders, Area Board IV, consumersand families, Clients Rights Advocate, Sonoma RegionalProject, and Sonoma Developmental Center administra-tion. After all members of the committee review eachproposal individually, the committee meets to select theproviders that will be asked back for the interview process.In the interview, each provider is asked a series of ques-tions developed by the committee. After hearing from allthe providers, the committee reconvenes to select theproviders who will be awarded the projects and theaccompanying start-up grants. Each provider who isoffered a project then signs a contract committing to thedevelopment of that resource within an agreed upon timeframe. The end results of the RFP process are the excitingnew living opportunities available for individuals.

As GGRC is continuously developing new resources

by Lori Pretes, Social Worker, Golden Gate Regional Center

in the community, it offers the chance for individuals whohave specialized needs the opportunity to live outside of adevelopmental center setting and be fully supported in ahome in the community environment. GGRC is pleased tohave a strong base of excellent service providers whobring tremendous experience and dedication to supportingthe lives of individuals with developmental disabilities.

continued next page

an Buscovich, Coordinator of Education Services,is retiring from Sonoma Developmental Center(Sonoma) after 33 years of state service.

Buscovich started his career at Sonoma as a GraduateStudent Assistant, and then for the next 15 years heworked as a Recreational Therapist. He also held otherpositions at the facility including Area Coordinator,Teacher, Program Assistant, and eventually became theCoordinator of Education Services.

As the Coordinator of Education Services, Buscovichcoordinated the services for the under-age-22 students,managed Recreational Therapists and REACH (thefacility’s community center). He was a member of variouscommittees throughout his career and most recently wasthe chairperson of his program’s safety committee. He alsoled various trainings and broadcasted a morning informa-tional report via the telephone, keeping all areas in hisprogram updated with the currenthappenings at Sonoma.

When asked what he loved mostabout his job, Buscovich said, “I hadmany fantastic groups of clients throughthe years that I have had the pleasure ofworking with. They made me laugh,made me cry, and made me proud to betheir advocate. I loved the people Iworked with. Through the years I havehad the opportunity to get to know manycoworkers who now are my friends and will be my friendsfor a lifetime.” What he will miss most about his job is themorning chaos and how each day falls together. “We arechallenged and then we go to work with what we have. Itis a wonderful thing when it all comes together, peoplemoving from ‘I’ to ‘we.’”

When asked what some of his most memorablemoments were, Buscovich says, “Far too many to mention.I can take a look at you and I could tell you a millionmoments I have shared with you. That is incrediblebecause I forget everything, but I don’t forget the peoplewho have touched me. What ultimately makes or breaksyou are the people that you work with.”

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Eldridge Press August/September 2008Page 3

esidence Manager Pat St Clair has retired after47½ years of state service. She started her careerat Pacific State Hospital, now known as

Lanterman Developmental Center, and for 45 years sheworked at Sonoma Developmental Center. For the first 15years, St Clair worked as a psychiatric technician. Thenshe decided to go to nursing school andbecame a registered nurse. She eventu-ally became a supervising registerednurse, worked as a health servicespecialist for three years, and for the last29 years was a residence manager.

St Clair talks about seeing manythings reinvented over time in theDepartment of Developmental Servicessystem. She talks about loving every-thing about her job, “It was new everyday because people always brought newproblems to be solved.” She talks about one of her men-tors, Pat Amman, who “helped the people who worked forher learn to give their best for the clients.” St Clair goes onto say, “What I liked most about my job was that I neverknew what would be waiting behind the office door when Iopened it up in the mornings.”

When asked about her retirement plans, St Clair saidshe intends to spend more time with her seven-year-oldtwin grandchildren and travel. “I will be taking a four-month-long nap. I will be redoing my house and my yardnow that I will be home to enjoy them. I am still active inGirl Scouts and keep very busy with that, but I don’t thinkI will be selling Girl Scout cookies!”

What she will miss most is, “Not the job, but the greatpeople who taught me so much and those who allowed meto teach them. I wish I could stay and see how the storyturns out, but when it’s time to go, it’s time to go!”

Now that he is retiring he plans on working, “on mybride’s honey-to-do list, to be better at golf, take moretrips, and volunteer more for various community groups. Iwould like to write a book about my bright moments atSonoma. I have been lucky enough to be surrounded withincredible and talented individuals. I thank those peoplebecause they have helped shape me into the person I amtoday.”

Recently a dinner roast was held in his honor withover 150 family members, friends, as well as former andcurrent co-workers and administrators attending from asfar away as Texas.

continued from previous page

ecreation Therapist Sondra Scofield is retiringfrom Sonoma Developmental (Sonoma) after 33years of state service. Scofield started her career

at Porterville Developmental Center. Some of her pastassignments there included a training and developmentassignment in the Senior Companion and Foster Grandpar-ent Program; she was in charge of the client cheerleaders(the Heronettes) for the client baseballteam (the Blue Herons); she worked inthe Behavior Adjustment Program andthe Acute Hospital area and had sevenunits to “challenge my skills”; andworked part-time in Central ProgramServices, where she was in charge of theGirl Scout Troop for Porterville.

Sondra came to Sonoma 24 yearsago and worked as a Recreation Thera-pist at the Emparan A and B residencesand eventually was assigned to justEmparan A. Her next assignment was to start theRichardson recreation program. She organized the buildingto include the following areas: arts and crafts, cooking andbaking, a sensory area, bowling, music, video and DVDviewing, bird watching, and outside plant growing andwatering. Sondra said, “I am very proud of the programthat I have helped Program 2 to achieve and my hope isthat it will continue! The quarterly attendance for April,May and June 2008 was 1751 clients.” (Meaning severalclients attend regularly, for a total of 1751 appearances.)

When asked what she loved most about her job,Scofield said, “The individual clients and the wonderfulstaff that I have worked with over the years. It has trulybeen a pleasure to work with our clients and try to solveleisure problems. I have always liked the challenge oftrying to help them with their special needs.” What shewill miss the most are “the clients and staff.”

Scofield plans to move to Southern California andspend some quality time with her mother who will turn 92in September. “She has good health and I hope to take herlots of places and do lots of things with her!” She hopes tospend more time studying genealogy, scrapbooking,reading, gardening, and walking by the beach. She con-cludes by saying, “I had the very best retirement partyanyone could ever ask for! It was wonderful to see every-one! I will miss all of you dearly! I am so glad that I hadthe opportunity to work at Sonoma and enjoy thesebeautiful grounds and all the seasons.”

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Eldridge PressAugust/September 2008 Page 4

ickie Smith, Recreation Therapist, retired fromSonoma Developmental Center (Sonoma) in July2008 after almost 29 years of state service. Smith

began working for the Department of DevelopmentalServices at Porterville State Hospital in 1979, nowPorterville Developmental Center. Eventually she movedto Sonoma and says, “It has been a wonderful and fulfill-ing experience.”

During her 23 years at Sonoma, Smith provided leisureactivities and experiences to many of the residents wholive at the facility. Smith spent 15 yearsworking in one residence serving peoplewith visual impairments, and spent therest of her time at skilled nursing resi-dences.

About her job she said, “I loved theclients and the freedom of taking them toalternate activity areas.” She will miss allthe clients she got to know over the years,as well as her coworkers. Some of hermost memorable moments include,“Taking clients to the Sonoma County Fair, Marine World,camping at Enchanted Hills, the ocean, and Camp Via, thefacility’s campsite which is adjacent to Jack London StatePark.”

Smith has moved to Oregon with her family. She planson traveling, visiting with friends and family, and takingclasses at the local junior college. She hopes to spendmore time kayaking, hiking, painting and “having fun withmy eight grandchildren.”

In closing, Smith said, “I enjoyed working with all theclients and staff at Sonoma. What a variety of wonderfulpeople to work with! Thank you all for the years ofsupport and friendship. I couldn’t ask for a better group ofpeople or experiences for my work life. My memories arefond and long lasting, God bless you all, and I’ll missyou!”

he annual Sonoma Developmental Center (Sonoma)Golf Tournament took place on Friday, July 18,2008, at the Oakmont Golf Course. The tournament

is a fundraiser for the Employee Recognition Committee,which sponsors a variety of recognition programs such asEmployee of the Month, Supervisor of Excellence, ServiceGroup of Excellence, and the Sustained Achievement/Superior Accomplishment Awards.

This year 17 teams, a total of 66 golfers, participatedin the tournament wherein approximately $6200 wasraised. These golfers (and supporters) included DeborahMeeker, Deputy Director of the Department of Develop-

mental Services (DDS), Norman Kramer, former DeputyDirector of DDS and former Executive Director ofSonoma, and Timothy Meeker, former Executive Directorof Sonoma.

Each year the tournament begins as a shotgun start,meaning that each teamstarts at a different holeso that everyonecompletes the 18 holesat about the same time.The score is keptaccording to team, sothat each team membertees off, then theydecide who had the bestshot and they all hit their next ball from that location. Theentire team shares one score.

During a dinner after the tournament, awards weregiven for the best men’s team, women’s team, and co-edteam. In addition to the team awards, there are a number ofsmaller contests that golfers pay to participate in, hopingto win a prize. These contests include a putting contest, adrive accuracy contest, a long drive contest, and the pot ofgold. (On one of the holes, everyone whose drive lands onthe green has their name put in a pot; during the awardsdinner a name is drawn from the pot and s/he wins half themoney paid to participate in the pot of gold.)

The Employee Recognition Committee wishes tothank all the volunteers and golfers that made thisfundraiser such a fun and rewarding day!

fter a very successful showing at Sonoma Develop-mental Center’s annual Art Show in April, Elainefrom the Nelson B residence decided to have her

own one-woman art show in the lobby of the NelsonTreatment Center. The show was held on June 4–6, 2008.Each of the three days, Elaine set up her worktable andvisited with her guests as she continued to work on her

latest pieces. During the show shecompleted a large drawing of awoodland fairy and began a newpiece. With a postcard of Yosemite’sHalf-Dome to use as reference, shemeticulously began working on aposter size recreation of the photo.Elaine’s preferred tools are coloredmarkers and paper, but she has alsodone pieces on canvas and evensmall drums. Her collection is made

continued next page

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Eldridge Press August/September 2008Page 5

up of a variety of subjects and includes still lifes, animals,people, and intricate patterns of color. Elaine says, “I likeusing colors and I like to do it all the time.” She uses freshand dry markers to accomplish unique shading in many ofher pieces.

Elaine’s One-Woman Art Show was attended by manyclients and staff at the center who love to admire her work.Elaine, congratulations on a terrific show!

he Employee of the Month for June is JessaminePelos, Accountant I from the Fiscal Department. Shecame to the Department as an

Office Technician and quickly learnedthe duties for which she was hired. Hernominator states, “Due to her excep-tional work ethic, she received a promo-tion to Accountant I. She has on morethan one occasion been the only oneworking in the Accounting Office andhas not only completed her assignmentson time, but also has completed the tasksof her co-workers in their absence.”Jessamine is “a true professional with apositive attitude and is always taking on what is put beforeher, whether it’s her own assignments or helping one of hercoworkers.” Her nominator cannot think of anyone who ismore deserving of this award. Congratulations on youraward, Jessamine!

Continued from previous page

lta Quackenbush, Psychiatric Technician Instructorfrom McDougall, has been selected as the Em-ployee of the Month for July.

Her nominator says, “Alta has a chal-lenging job as a liaison between thecolleges, the students, and SonomaDevelopmental Center. She manages toconstantly bring a positive attitude thatmaintains and encourages cooperativeand collaborative relationships witheveryone she works with.” She is alsosomeone who demonstrates leadership.“Alta is an active participant in recruit-ment efforts, leads the sponsorshipcommittee, and counsels and mentors students. She hasheaded and managed the relocations of the Santa RosaJunior College skills lab, classroom, and instructor offices.She has done so while maintaining respectful relation-ships, optimizing available resources, and demonstratingleadership.” Way to go, Alta!

June HiresDaniel Becker, FirefighterMay Docena, Food Service Technician IMallory Lee, Stationary EngineerMichael Loken, Radiology TechnologistNormita Prestosa, Assistant Coordinator of Nursing Svcs.Sharon Williams, Office Technician

July HiresThomas Deely, FirefighterFaith Gaoiran, Psychiatric TechnicianGarrett Ripel, Office TechnicianGwen Williams-Stanton, Individual Program Coordinator

Kudos to Patti Nett, Executive Secretary from theExecutive Office, who volunteered her time to createthe Sonoma Valley Footrace volunteer buttons for allvolunteers to wear at the event. Her selfless actiondemonstrated two of Sonoma Developmenal Center’s(Sonoma) values: service to others and effectiveleadership.

Kudos to Anya P. from Malone who assisted in con-ducting a tour of her residence so staff could continuetheir change of shift activities. Her hospitality demon-strated three of Sonoma’s values: service to others,respectful communications and effective leadership.

Kudos to Sunrise Industries for expanding the recy-cling program to include CRV plastic and aluminumbeverage containers. Their efforts to increase recyclingon campus demonstrated two of Sonoma’s values:service to others and responsible resource manage-ment.

Kudos to Jim Tallent, Recreation Therapist fromCentral Program Services, who took over as Directorfor the Performing Arts Company production of TheWizard of Oz when the original director’s familyrelocated. His willingness to take on this task demon-strated two of Sonoma’s values: service to others andeffective leadership.

Kudos to Kris Culp who took time from her busyschedule managing Fundamentals (our activity supplycenter) to assist a client during his search for anapartment in Solano County. By helping her friend inthis way, Kris demonstrated three of Sonoma’s values:respectful relationships, service to others, and effectiveleadership.

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Eldridge PressAugust/September 2008 Page 6

he Annual Horse Show for the people who reside atSonoma Developmental Center (Sonoma) tookplace on Tuesday June 3, 2008 from 2:00 PM to 5:00

PM and on Saturday June 7, 2008 from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PMat the Center’s outdoor equestrianarena. There were approximately80 participants, and all the riderswon ribbons while their familiesand friends cheered. The individu-als were judged on how well theymount the horse, as well as theirequitation (the practice of riding ahorse). However, the judge doestake into consideration thedevelopmental limitations of eachrider.

Sonoma’s Equestrian Programhas existed since the early 1980s. The Equestrian Programcoordinator, Nancy Sessi-Tallent, is also the coordinator ofthe Annual Horse Show. She teaches riders the skills thatincrease the student’s confidence and pride, as well asinstilling a sense ofaccomplishment. Theprogram teaches disci-pline, respect for oneself,kindness towards ani-mals, and considerationfor others. Students alsolearn horse care skills,such as grooming andfeeding. Horsemanshipfrees the student to feelindependent and providesa common ground for interpersonal relationships.

The program offers riding on Tuesday afternoons,Friday mornings, and Saturday mornings year round.Sonoma employees, referred to as riding instructors along

with volunteers, support theprogram. The riding instructorsprovide assistance with mount-ing, riding, exercising, anddismounting. All horses havebeen specially trained to befamiliar with physical or emo-tional limitations, wheelchairs,special mounting ramps, and theability to be mounted fromeither side. Only horses thor-oughly tested for reliability areused for recreational riding.

he annual Beach Party took place at the REACHcourtyard on the hot summer day of Friday, June13, 2008. Many

residents of Sonoma Devel-opmental Center made theirway to the water mistersscattered throughout thecourtyard. There was aphoto booth set up withpalm trees and Hawaiianleis, ready to capture thatperfect shot.Many residentschose to hit thedance floor androck to the beatsof the livemusic. Therewas a tattoobooth and abowling ballsquirt game withprizes. Therewere also colddrinks, shaved ice treats, and snacks to add to the festiveevent. It was obvious a lot of hard work had gone intomaking the event a success, and from the looks oneveryone’s faces, the Beach Party was the place to be!

e all scream for ice cream. On Tuesday June 17,2008 the Central Program Services (CPS) IceCream Truck made its way through the grounds

of the Center. Clients were treated to ice cream with all thefixings. The CPS recreational team took turns driving the

colorfully decoratedvehicle to variousworksite locations andresidential units. At eachlocation, clients enjoyedice cream on cones, or inbowls with a choice ofstrawberry or chocolatesyrup. It was the perfectsnack on a warm sum-mer day.

For more information about the Equestrian Program,contact Nancy Sessi-Tallent at (707) 938-6806.

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Eldridge Press August/September 2008Page 7

he clients were treatedto a mid-morningsummer dance on June

19, 2008 at the NelsonTreatment Center (NTC)parking lot, during theSonoma County Office ofEducation school break. Theband Soul Survivor per-formed before a jam-packedaudience. Many people whoreside near the NTC were dancingabout in their wheelchairs and RiftonWalkers, swaying to the music. Otherindividuals made their way over tothe bubble station where they enjoyedwatching the bubbles floating aboutin the air. There were water andshaved ice treats with a variety offlavors to keep everyone cool.Everyone had a great time.

he Second Annual Sonoma Valley Footrace andFestival, held on the grounds of facility, was a hugesuccess. The event included a footrace, game

booths and carnival attractions, a classic car show, livemusic by Harvey and the Wallbangers, food vendors, andbeer and wine tasting for those over 21. A souvenir eventglass came with the purchase of beer/wine tasting tickets.

The vendors for thebeer and wine tastingevent included SierraNevada, Lagunitas,Third Street Ale Works,Bear Republic, BoninoEstate Vineyards, EricRoss Winery, GloriaFerrer Winery,Blackstone Winery,Enkidu Winery, andother independent

winemakers. Food vendors included hot dogs from Roy’sChicago Hot Dogs, BBQ lunches by Blazing Saddles,tacos from the Eldridge Taqueria, and sweet treats fromPinky’s Old Fashioned Cotton Candy.

There were also opportunities to purchase raffle ticketsfor hotel packages, restaurant packages, gift baskets, andmore. Residents from the facility, as well as many visitors

from the community, attended the event.The day started at 9 AM with a 5k run/walk and an

advanced 10k runthrough the streets ofSonoma DevelopmentalCenter (Sonoma). Therewere over 150 runnersand walkers participatingin the footrace, whichoffered a scenic view ofthe Center’s beautifulcampus. Awards for thetop three male andfemale finishers for both 5k and 10k races includedmedals, running gear from Heart & Sole Sports, and forthe adults, Racchus Chardonnay donated by Ty CatonWinery or Cabernet Sauvignon from Bonnino Estates.Race results are posted online at www.dds.ca.gov/svff.There was also a free kids’ fun run at 11 AM with ribbonsand goody bags given to all those who participated.

The event, a fundraiser for the Performing ArtsCompany, wassponsored by theParent HospitalAssociation and ourWomen’s Auxiliary,with contributionsfrom the SonomaValley Sun; radiostation KSVY;North Bay Paper &Packaging; Mary’s

Pizza Shack; Corrie C. Leisen, DDS; and Snickers Mara-thon Energy Bars. The money raised this year will helpapproximately 50 residents of the Center to enjoy a livetheater experience as cast and crew of the Performing ArtsCompany’s production of The Wizard of Oz, which theywill perform in September and October, 2008.

Committee members of the Footrace and Festival,made up of Centeremployees, are alreadyplanning the ThirdAnnual Sonoma ValleyFootrace and Festivalfor next year on June 20,2009. Mark yourcalendars!

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Eldridge PressAugust/September 2008 Page 8

The Eldridge Press gladly accepts submissions of articles about events at SDC, news about SDC’s departments andprograms, employee recognition, and other information of interest to SDC’s employees, consumers and other stake-holders. Articles may be edited for grammar, punctuation, and clarity. To submit your article, send it to the Office ofPlanning and Communications, Room 102, Sonoma Developmental Center, P.O. Box 1493, Eldridge, CA 95431.Deadlines are the 15th of the month prior to the publication date (for instance, September 15 is the deadline for theOctober/November issue).

Eldridge PressVolume 3, Number 4, © August 2008

Published by:Sonoma Developmental CenterP.O. Box 1493Eldridge, CA 95431

Edited by: Office of Planning & Communications:Jorge (JJ) FernandezKaren Litzenberg

Photography & layout: Nancy Flack, Central Program Services

onoma Developmental Center celebrated its annualFourth of July festivities on Thursday, July 3, 2008.Like most com-

munities, the Center hasbeen observing theFourth of July for manyyears and it is one of themajor events celebratedat the facility during theyear.

The IndependenceDay festivities began inthe morning at twocampus locations. TheOrdahl residence court-yard and Richardsonlawn were decorated withcolorful American flags with lots of red, white, and blueballoons. This location primarily served the more medi-

cally fragile individuals.The Sonoma Houselawn was also decoratedwith red, white, andblue décor. Both sitesoffered crafts, games,temporary tattoo booths,a photo booth, andrefreshments.

Music byL’Attitude, a femalebarbershop quartet,could be heard makingits way throughout the

Ordahl/Richardson site and American Solid Air was heardplaying over at the Sonoma House lawn.

The fun continued in the afternoon at the SonomaHouse lawn whereresidents came togetherto continue the celebra-tion. Fresh fruit,flavorful shaved icetreats, and cold drinkswere offered during thefestivities. There were avariety of games tochoose from includingclown squirt, fire-cracker bowling, targettennis, and beach ballsquirt; and everyone who played won a prize.

The afternoon and evening featured music by SoulSurvivor and the Rocketeers. Many of the residents andstaff were observed dancing and grooving to the music.Later that evening some of the residents attended a spec-tacular fireworks show in the town of Sonoma.

Help us conserve paper!If you would like to receive the Eldridge Press

electronically, please e-mail your request [email protected].