Pleasanton students Max Loh and Jenna Crawford were honored by the California State PTA for their entries in the PTA Reflections contest. Loh, an 11th grade student at Amador Valley High School, received an Award of Merit for his original musical composition titled “No Exit.” A total of 46 Awards of Merit were given out this year as it is the second level of recognition by the State PTA. The highest award is the Award of Excellence, which is given to 16 students who then move on to the National PTA competition.
Although Crawford, a second grade student at Vintage Hills Elementary School, did not win an award, she was one of 34 students chosen to have their entry on display at the California State PTA Convention in Anaheim, Calif. Her literature entry was a poem titled, “I Wonder Why?”
Childcare volunteers needed
Tri-Valley Haven, a local non-profit that provides counseling and a 24-hour crisis response to survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence, as well as shelter for battered women and their children, reports an extreme shortage of childcare volunteers. Anyone interested must be 21 or older, agree to be fingerprinted and attend a two-hour training session. The organization also offers services to homeless families and community classes for violence prevention. For more information, e-mail jenny@trivalleyhaven.org or call 449-5845 ext. 111.
Free Taiko Drum Performance
A free Taiko drum performance is coming to town at 7 p.m. March 23. Heidi Varian, who produced the famous Taiko scene in the film “Rising Sun,” will be setting up her performers at Bay Books, 5698 Stoneridge Drive at Gibraltar in Pleasanton, and across the way at P3 Party Place. Taiko drumming is an ancient sacred practice in Japan that has evolved into a form of martial arts training combining rhythm, harmony, and movement.
Varian will be on hand to sign copies of her book “The Way of Taiko.” To make a reservation for the free performance, call Bay Books at 460-3213, or P3 Party Place at 463-7300.
