Important winter dates

We are winding down here at AIA for our winter vacation but first...

Some important dates:

Today, Wednesday December 17th, we are having our annual campus wide holiday party from 2:20 pm until 4:00 pm. All are welcome to join us celebrate the 2008 holiday season. Light refreshments will be served.

Thursday, December 18th is our first semester close out day for BASE. From 9-10 AM we will be having a close out ceremony with our BASE students. There are no classes from December 19, 2008 until January 4, 2009.

Home Sweet Home preschool will be open until 6 pm on Tuesday December 23, 2008.

Both BASE and HsH will re-open on Monday January 5, 2009.

Happy Holidays from everyone at Alternatives in Action. See you in the new year!

Mid-year Recruitment

New recruitment incentive launched today:
For each BASE parent that brings in a youth that enrolls in BASE, we will give that parent a $25 Lucky gift card.

A Revolution has begun

It's all very early but my sources tell me that hot healthy school lunches are a real possibility here at AIA for students and staff. More later...

An Afternoon with Nina Storey

Contemporary Soul Singer Nina Storey spent the afternoon with students from SRS and B.A.S.E. Her generosity and caring for music technology education led to a wonderful afternoon of “Q&A” session with students about her life as a musician as well as an amazing showcase of her live talent and ending with Nina recording along with our SRS students on a work track. Thank you Nina!

More pix here.

photo by Rusty

Nina Storey LIVE at AIA

Nina Storey will be recording a single with our Sound Recording Studio students on December 4, 2008.

Coined half Janis and half Alanis... this modern contemporary soul singer is destined for great things to come. Nina Storey from Boulder, Colorado, blends an eclectic sound of blues, rock, funk and pop with powerful lyrics, and a raw,soulful, yet intimate voice. Nina's amazing live performance and her ability to craft great songs, whether with her band or singing alone at the piano, her soulful style is one that identifies her as a genuine talent like no other.

Help us help

You can help children and youth across the Bay Area each year by making a financial gift to Alternatives in Action. Your donation enables Alternatives in Action to provide educational services, the expansion of our programs and it will help defray capital renovation expenses. If you wish to donate, please go to our website and donate via our secure donation page: http://www.alternativesinaction.org/donations.html. You can also mail your donation to Alternatives in Action, attn. Julie, 1900 Third Street, Alameda, CA 94501.

Contributions to Alternatives in Action, a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, are deductible for computing income and estate taxes.

Apples for the Students

We need computers!

Lucky Supermarket has a program called Apples For the Students and we get points for all receipts collected during each time period. Points can then be turned in for computer equipment and other great educational items.

From December 13th, 2008 - January 24th, 2009, save and turn in your Lucky Supermarket receipts to Lucy at our front desk here at BASE (or mail them to: AIA, attn. Lucy, 1900 Third Street, Alameda, CA 94501).

If you have any receipts from October 31st, 2008 - December 12th, 2008, please turn those by December 16, 2008, so we get credited points.

Tell your friends and family!

Wish List

We are in need of about 50-100 stackable chairs for our big Multipurpose room. If anyone has a line on how we can find used chairs in bulk for cheap (or even better donated: we are a 501 (c)(3) organization), please contact Rusty at rusty @ alternativesinaction.org.

Home Sweet Home Parent Conferences

Parent/Teacher conferences will take place on December 10th, 2008. Sign up sheets and more information is available in the preschool classroom. Each conference will take 50 minutes.

BASE Parent Meeting

A BASE parent meeting is scheduled for Wednesday December 10, 2008 from 7 PM - 8:30 PM. Meeting starts promptly at 7 PM in the Big Room.