June 1, 2008

Celebrate Cambrian attracts crowds, despite the heat

By Carol Rosen
Editor

District 9 Councilmember Judy Chirco, above left, picks a winner from the schools whose students produced art for Celebrate Cambrian. Kirk Community Center Senior Program director, Melissa Monsees, holds the fish bowl. The two are laughing, reflecting the moods of the more than 800 people attending the event.

Enthused attendees, undaunted by the extra hot temperatures, showed up at the Camden Community Center on Saturday, May 17, to Celebrate Cambrian.

The third annual daylong celebration offered a number of activities, games, crafts and information about city services. There was an art show with works from young people and from seniors. There was a raffle for District 9 elementary schools to win an art course; as well as music and dancing a plenty – including a dance contest for mascots from local schools, stores and teams.

Needless to say, the dance contest was one of the major highlights of the day. The winner was Tiger from Union Middle School (pictured). Red Robin from Red Robin Restaurants, San Jose Library’s Conroy the Cougar, and Critter from Barnes and Noble joined in the fun. Danny the Dragon from Happy Hollow Zoo and Park also donned his dancing shoes, along with 02 from Our City Forest, the San Jose Giants Gigante, and Critters from Bay Mascots.

Several musical groups entertained the crowds, including the Top of the Hill Jazz Band and the Grove Kings, along with Roland’s Ensemble of fiddlers, San Jose MetroEd String Ensemble, and Gibson’s Quartet of guitars and mandolin.

An old fashioned sack race found tall adults at a loss compared with kids—the little ones had a distinct advantage.

Councilmember Judy Chirco welcomed attendees and announced the art show winners joined by Kirk Senior Center’s Melissa Monsees (pictured). Hacienda Science Magnet Elementary School won the art course from Tapestry Arts, valued at $1,500 and donated by CM Chirco. Lietz Elementary School won a $250 art grant for their art program from all of the schools that participated. These included Sartorette, Oster, Guadalupe, St. Lucy’s Dartmouth Middle and Leigh High School.

Art awards for the kindergarten through second grade category went to Sartorette first grader Jack Gribbin for his first place “Stormy Night”, followed by Oster first grader Shanya Ahmadi’s “The Cat,” which captured second place; and third place winner Griffon Schou for “The Wave.” Honorable mentions went to Robyn Guiterrez, Alexandra Blue and Paul Suh.

Awards for grades three through five went to fourth grader Ashley Chrisman for “Two Cute Puppies,” first place; fourth grader Tommy Gribbon from Sartorette for “Double Sided” taking second place; and Oster third grader Emile Jenkins for “Madeleine Happiness” in third place. Jamie Englehardt took honorable mention.

A number of children played tug of war, dragging one kid before it even finished.

Middle school winners were St. Lucy eighth grader Samantha Douglas with “Di Vinci’s Horse” in first place; Dartmouth eighth grader Danielle Guittierez for “Mystical Goddess” in second place; and Douglas again for “Dog Dreams” in third place.

Leigh High School’s Brianna Chrisman took first place in the high school division with her Poetry Collections.

Six senior artists won prizes for their artwork. In the photography contest Bob Lee placed first with “Moods”; Jerry Caldwell placed second with “Tulips”; and K. Kaiser placed third with “Grand Canyon”. In the painting category Rose Franciotti took first place with “Mountain Side”; Bob Olsen took second with “Come to Papa”; and Hebe Aver took third with “Tulips”.