Wednesday, July 21, 2010

“Games for the kids! Norfolk Southern campaigns for Five Points hearts & minds” plus 3 more

“Games for the kids! Norfolk Southern campaigns for Five Points hearts & minds” plus 3 more

Games for the kids! Norfolk Southern campaigns for Five Points hearts & minds

Posted: 20 Jul 2010 12:30 PM PDT

Lu-Ann C. Perryman, a Cary lobbyist, delivered invitations to Five Points homes this weekend for the Saturday event. The cards say that residents attending the gathering will hear from "informed speakers and concerned neighbors about a better route for Five Points." Five Points residents are asked to lobby officials and sign a petition.

Norfolk Southern is identified on the invitations. But the railroad's name does not appear on a trio of "Better Route for Five Points" websites, including Facebook and Twitter pages, that began promoting a similar message last week.

The other route under review by DOT would take passenger trains along the opposite side of Capital Boulevard, through a CSX rail yard that borders the Mordecai neighborhood.

As Norfolk Southern spreads its message on the rail proposal, some Mordecai residents want to hear from CSX. Reid Serozi, co-chairman of the Mordecai Citizens Advisory Council, drafted an e-mail today to John W. Dillard, a CSX spokesman.

"We're just asking him: What things should we know as a community that you might want to share with us?" Serozi said. "We just want to get a take on where they are."

CSX and Norfolk Southern officials did not respond today to requests for comment, and Perryman declined comment.

Norfolk Southern makes its presence known in Five Points every day with the rumbling and bumping of freight trains that pass through its yard, and the whistles sounded by engineers as they approach the Fairview Road crossing.

But the railroad does not normally invite residents to community gatherings.

"I've never heard of any event like this, hosted by NorfolkSouthern," said Phil W. Poe, co-chairman of the Five Points Citizens Advisory Council. "This is really unusual."

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Dedham kids have fun for a cause

Posted: 20 Jul 2010 09:28 AM PDT

What do you get when you combine carnival games, face painting, raffles and a Dedham resident with a big heart? Fun for Kids Day.

 "I spend six months preparing for this day," said Mark Consentino, father of twin 4-year-old girls, Cassidy and Christianna. Last year Consentino held the first kids day at his home, but said he decided to open it up to the community this summer.

So on Saturday local families came to the Dedham Community House on High Street for the fundraiser for Children's Hospital Boston.

Consentino said he organized the event as a way to "give back."

"I have two healthy kids and I hear all these stories on the radio (about sick kids) and I have friends whose kids are in and out of the hospital," Consentino said.

Attendees purchased tickets for $1 each to participate in the various activities. When children won a game, they earned tickets. After accumulating a certain number of tickets, they were able to pick out a prize.

Angelina Ruggiero, 4, said her favorite game was the football toss.

Six-year-old Caitlin Trainer chimed in that her favorite part of the day was "winning tickets," as she happily held onto her prize - a Bling Card Design Set.

For the adults, Consentino had gift bags, available in exchange for a $10, $25, or $50 donation. Each gift bag, having a higher value than the donation, included items such as a T-shirt and gift cards to local restaurants.

BJ's Wholesale Club was Consentino's main donor, contributing all the prizes, which included games, arts and crafts and other toys. Panera Bread donated all the food—bagels, drinks and cookies, available for a small donation.

Mini Athletes, in Norwood, were in charge of all the games at Fun Day, which included a football toss and a game similar to darts, instead using a Velcro tennis ball. The company specializes in kids' sports classes and birthday parties.

Mini Athletes' coach Barbara Fine was enthusiastic about helping Consentino's cause.

"I think it's great. Anything for children is great," she said.

Although Consentino planned the day by himself, he had plenty of support. His sister-in-law, Susan Consentino, who was in charge of face painting, came all the way from South Carolina to help out.

"He did an unbelievable job - he is great," she said.

Family friend and Dedham resident Stacey Hernon was especially proud of Mark Consentino, whom she's known since grade school.

"This is a true testament to his character," she said.

Heather Keaney agrees. "It's wonderful. It's great for us to contribute," she said. "And it's great to bring the kids," Hernon added.

Consentino said he looks forward to November, when he will start the planning process for next summer's Fun for Kids Day. He was not sure how much money was raised.

 "I hope it (Fun For Kids Day) grows more and more each year," he said.

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Games to leave legacy

Posted: 21 Jul 2010 01:42 AM PDT

The price tag for hosting the BC Summer Games in Langley Township this year?

Roughly $695,000.

"There's not a lot of people to pay," said BC Games president Kelly Mann. "The joy of the BC Games is that it's 98 per cent volunteer driven."

Much of the money comes from the provincial government, and major sponsorships from private companies and donations of goods and services help keep costs down.

This year, Overwaitea and Envision Financial, both based in Langley, have increased their sponsorship levels. A wide array of smaller firms is providing help elsewhere.

One of the biggest single cost for the Games is administration costs, but that is still just $158,000, including salaries for a handful of paid staff, insurance, and space rentals.

Food costs almost as much. The Games are spending about $130,000 to feed more than 3,100 hungry athletes over four days.

Considering how many calories the kids will burn, it seems like a bargain.

Sports equipment is also a key cost, including everything from fuel for boats in the towed water sports category, to new balls - volleyballs, baseballs, softballs and more.

Between the provincial funding, the volunteers, and the donations in kind, the Games often have a surplus left at the end of the day, noted Gordon Zacher, the director of administration for this year's events.

"Hopefully, we'll have a profit," he said.

That "profit" becomes a legacy fund. Half goes back to the province, but the other half will stay in Langley.

An independent legacy committee, with local representation from the Township council, will oversee the money's distribution. Most of it - 70 per cent - will go towards sports in the Township, the remaining 30 per cent to cultural events.

Zacher couldn't say exactly how much money will be left over at the end of the Games, by Sunday.

However, a rough estimate would be in the range of $75,000 to $100,000, he said.

mclaxton@langleyadvance.com

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MaliVai Washington Kids Foundation students visit Florida Tennis Center in Daytona Beach

Posted: 21 Jul 2010 03:43 AM PDT

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