Holiday Mariachi Festival: Music lovers celebrate the season, support Storefront

December 31, 2008
Santa Paula News

Music filled the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley, where a Mariachi Holiday Festival on Sunday helped welcome the season and benefited the Las Piedras Park Police Storefront and the Club.

By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesMusic filled the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley, where a Mariachi Holiday Festival on Sunday helped welcome the season and benefited the Las Piedras Park Police Storefront and the Club. Sponsored by the Santa Paula Police Officers Association (SPPOA), the concert featured Trio Guadaljara, Mariachi Aguilas de Mexico and Grupo de Maria Saiz in an afternoon of song and dance enjoyed along with an array of tasty treats from a dessert buffet.“We sold all the tickets,” said Storefront Coordinator Calla Dominguez, who noted she wasn’t sure “they’d all come, but they really supported us.” Supporters included Vice Mayor Jim Tovias and Councilman Dr. Gabino Aguirre, who were among the crowd of music-lovers swaying and tapping their feet to the strong sounds of Mariachi.“I’m excited!” exclaimed SPPD Officer Hector Ramirez, who helped organize the event. “I want to get up there and dance with Calla!” Later he had that chance at the close of the musical program, when dancers were encouraged to take to the floor.“I think so,” said Senior Officer Ken Clark, president of the SPPOA, when asked if he thought the festival could become an annual fundraising event to help support Las Piedras Park Police Storefront services, slashed by the recent expiration of the federal Weed & Seed grant.
“I grew up here,” said SPPD Lieutenant Carlos Juarez of his time spent at the Boys & Girls Club. “This is a wonderful event,” although “I would have liked to have seen more of the youth involved in the club here.”A silent auction featured gift baskets geared to every taste, and an array of luxurious scarves and fine jewelry were popular raffle items. Dominguez said proceeds, including those from the raffle, “will benefit the storefront police overtime” costs that ensure residents a law enforcement presence in an area once known as the most crime-ridden in the city, while also affording the department onsite work space.The Boys & Girls Club Las Piedras Extension program also benefited from ticket sales. Colorful festival T-shirts and tiles designed by Patti Fallini were also available for sale to benefit the program.“It’s been a wonderful Mariachi festival,” said Ramirez, a little out of breath from dancing. “Even better than I thought!”



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