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Health & Fitness

Alameda Education Foundation Blog: Pirates, Books and Rock & Roll!

AEF President Bill Sonneman talks about pirates, literature and rock & roll.

From the estuary to the dance floor, supporting students has never been so fun.  

On Sunday, Oct. 16, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Bridgeside Shopping Center I will be emceeing Pirates in Paradise. This event, sponsored by Farmer’s Insurance agent Deborah Wright and the Alameda-Oakland boating community, features a day-long boating regatta with everything from kayaks to dragon boats to whale boats on display.  Boat rides, which are open to the public for only $1 a ride, are in the morning. The afternoon features boat races, which may be entered for $10/adult, $5 child. There will be the second annual “Battle of the Paddle” between Alameda’s own Police and Fire Departments. Booths, info about America’s Cup, and water safety demonstrations are on deck, too. Proceeds from the event benefit AEF.

You may have read right here on about the wonderful writing and drawing project third graders at Henry Haight Elementary school did based on Brian Selznick's Book, The Invention of Hugu Cabret.  In fact, this work is now on display at and it is truly inspiring. Many thanks to AEF board member and art docent, Pam Chang, for leading students in this project.

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You can be further inspired on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 6 p.m. when presents Caldecott award-winning author Selznick introducing his new book, WonderStruck, at Alameda Theatre.  Simply purchase WonderStruck or The Invention of Hugo Cabret at Books Inc. and receive a ticket to the event (with up to two more available for $10 each).  A portion of every book sale will be donated to AEF.  More information is here.

Nurturing budding artists, as with the Selznick project, is a core value of the AEF. In fact, it is the whole reason behind our major fundraiser, All Together Now, a benefit supporting visual and performing arts education.  All Together Now 2011 will be on Thursday, Nov. 10, 6:30 p.m. at the Historic Alameda Theatre. Funds raised from this event go directly to art, drama and music programs in Alameda public schools. Last year, funds from All Together Now purchased art supplies for elementary schools, helped with high school drama production costs, and repaired and replaced musical instruments at all grade levels, just to name a few examples.  

The best news is that supporting these vital programs has never been so fun!  This year’s event features amazing Beatles tribute band, The Sun Kings, including a special performance of “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band “ with Alameda student musicians.  You’ll be treated to gourmet food and wine.  And we have some amazing auction items, including a trip to Maui, a Tahoe cabin vacation, a week’s stay in a San Diego cabin during the America’s Cup and more!  Advance tickets are available now online at alamedaeducation.org or at these retail outlets: , , , , , , .  

I hope you’ll join us for the most FABulous party of the year!

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