They may keep a low profile, but always stay busy doing good things. Who? The Culver City Kiwanis Club! Currently they’re sponsoring a Toy Drive benefitting the Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services organization, with a goal to see that all of the DHMH clients’ children receive a toy for Christmas. There are three locations where people can drop off new, unwrapped toys from now until December 13th: Raintree Cleaners (10774 Jefferson Blvd); One West Bank (10784 Jefferson Blvd.); and Culver-Palms United Methodist Church (4464 Sepulveda Blvd.). You can help brighten a youngster’s day by dropping of just one or two toys at the above sites.
Congratulations to the Culver City Senior Center’s November 2016 Senior of the Month Nicole Coquette. Since 2010 Nicole has been a greeter at the Center’s lunch program every day. After retirement (she worked with the federal government then Hughes Aircraft (Raytheon) Nicole knew that she wanted to “give back” and volunteer. Her first position was at St. Augustine’s S.A.V.E.S. program in 2006, and she’s still there picking up, delivering, sorting and distributing food to clients. She also worked with the Culver-Palms Meals on Wheels program for over eight years. Then she discovered the Culver City Senior Center’s Saturday dances in 2010 with her best friend Joy Michaels, and from that point on there was no stopping her. She signed up as Nutrition Program Volunteer and remains excited about working with folks and signing up even more volunteers to share in the fun. Just a note: Nicole may not be what you picture as your “average senior,” what with her passion for dancing, and outdoor adventures that have ranged from climbing Mt. Whitney, to scuba diving and sky diving!
Unity Church of the Westside (formerly known as Westside Unity Church) is creating a master list of Sacred Service volunteers with their ministries and contact information. (Sacred Service is at the heart of Unity of the Westside, designed to keep the Church inviting, vital, uplifting and beautiful.) Volunteers are needed in a number of areas, including Sunday Service Assistant, Scripture Reader, Ushers, Sound Room and Video, Bookstore, Prayer Chaplain and Candles, Sunday School Coordinator, Fellowship Refreshments Coordinator, Sunday Service Amenities (flowers and refreshments) Support, Sunday Service Special Music, Kitchen Patrol, Gardening, Facilities, Marketing, and Special Events. As you can see, there are lots of opportunities for parishioners to get more active! If you have questions, please email [email protected]. Unity Church of the Westside is located at 10725 Barman Avenue, telephone (310) 838-5063.
If you and your family really want to do more than just stroll, gawk and laugh your way around the Culver City Centennial Screenland 5K next February 26, an opportunity has come up to actually train for it! Starting this Sunday, November 27 at 4:00 p.m. championship triathlete Kirstin Bell will alternate with Olympic medalist Rod Dixon in free weekly Sunday training sessions open to all ages leading up to the event, sure to be a one-of-a-kind 5K. At the February event runners (and walkers) are invited to dress as their favorite actor as they follow Dorothy, Toto and the Munchkins as they’re chased by the Wicked Witch of the West on the yellow brick road through sound stages at Culver Studios and under the rainbow at Sony Pictures Entertainment. A red carpet leads up to the finish line where participants will be greeted by Scarlett O’Hara, Rhett Butler and of course, paparazzi!
Not to put a damper (pun intended) on your Thanksgiving fun, the Culver City Fire Department is reminding us that the number of home fires double on Thanksgiving! They’ve provided several tips that can’t hurt to review, since a leading cause of fire in the kitchen is unattended cooking, so: Stand by your pan when you are cooking on the stove top. If you leave the kitchen for even a short time, turn off the stove. Stay in your house when cooking your turkey and check on it frequently (Set a timer so you will not forget about the bird as you watch the parade or football.); If you’re frying your turkey, use a fryer with thermostat controls to ensure the oil does not become over heated. Thaw your turkey completely; ice on the bird will cause oil to splatter. Don’t overfill the pot with oil. Always use the fryer outdoors; Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns. Have a “kid-free zone” of at least three feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried; Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip over anything while carrying hot food items; Be sure electric cords from appliances do not dangle off the counter within easy reach of a child; Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children — preferably, up high in a locked cabinet, and: Make sure your smoke alarms are working (Test them by pushing the test button). Let’s all make sure our Culver City firefighters have a downright boring Thanksgiving Day just sitting around the station all day!!
Before and After Thanksgiving birthday celebrants this week include Cathy Bratton, Linda Wehbi, Jana Koppula, Krystyna Riban, Ruth Shapiro, Hellena Jones Elbling, and Charlene Aspray. If you’d like your (or a friend or family member’s) birthday mentioned here, just send the information to [email protected] and we’ll be happy.
Editor’s Note – We are very thankful to have Jozelle Smith covering our service clubs, social scene and local birthdays, and hope that her readers might take a moment to comment & share a little thanks. Happy Thanksgiving!
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