Successful Benefit

[sadie65]

http://marinij.com/marin/ci_3194772

Requests exceed funds after benefit
Carla Bova



Organizers of a concert fund-raiser to benefit Novato public schools have received about 250 grant applications totaling more than $650,000 in requests from teachers and staff seeking funds for everything from textbooks to computers to field trips.
Though Rock'n Blues by the Lake at Stafford Lake raised about $125,000 and a related fund-raiser generated about $40,000 in cash and services, fund raising will continue through the end of the year in order to meet as many of the grant requests as possible, said Brenda Rhodes, board member of the Novato Arts Foundation, which sponsored both events.

The foundation is a nonprofit organization formed last year to promote arts in Novato.

"We looked at what teachers said their needs are," Rhodes said. "We will do our best in the next 60 days to show the community those needs and are confident businesses will continue to contribute."

Rock'n Blues on Oct. 1 featured the rock band Journey and drew about 6,000 people. Though Rhodes said final figures are not yet available, estimates indicate the event grossed about $250,000 and, after expenses, raised about $125,000 for the Novato district's 16 schools.

Teachers, staff members or parent/teacher representatives were invited to fill out grant application forms to describe classroom and school needs. The foundation sent out about 500 applications and received about 250 by the Oct. 31 deadline.

Rhodes said about half of the grant applications were for more than $1,000 and requested items that are "harder to come by," such as chairs, desks and copy machines. The other half of requests, she said, could be filled for less than $1,000 each and were for "day-to-day" items such as art supplies, textbooks and software.

Lynwood School teacher Heidi Mortensen requested $275 to buy easels and paintbrushes for her kindergarten class. Hill Middle School teacher Gina Schilling requested $220 for science kits.

Ellie Marcus, a teacher at Loma Verde School, requested $600 for dictionaries and thesauruses for fifth- and sixth-grade classes because her current set is at a college level.

"I need dictionaries for fifth-graders ... where they can find the word and there are not five different definitions but two or three core definitions that students can understand (with) a picture or example," Marcus said.

Sponsors of Rock'n Blues were invited to a cocktail party fund-raiser Nov. 1, where they previewed the grant requests and donated an additional $40,000 in cash or services to meet specific needs. The party was hosted by Rhodes as well as Journey band members Jonathan Cain and Neal Schon and their spouses.

"That is really what the Novato Arts Foundation's goal was - to assess Novato schools needs and reach out to the greater community to fill as many as possible by educating the community as to the exact needs of schools," said district parent Doug Pickford, who also is finance commissioner of the California State PTA.

Parent Susan Mathews said while she is excited about any effort that gets people to donate time, money or services to schools, she is concerned about the Novato Arts Foundation process. Mathews is a board member of School Fuel, a nonprofit education foundation for the Novato public schools.

"I have heard a lot of questions from parents and donors to the event about what is happening to the money raised at Rock'n Blues, what is the purpose of additional fund-raising activities ... and how the money will be distributed," Mathews said. "We do not yet have information on their fund-raising activities that show what percentage of money raised is going to the schools."

Rhodes said the Novato Arts Foundation will appoint a grant committee to give out funds by early December and that accountant Steve Delahunty will release his report at the end of the project.

"The first $70,000 will be supplied to the PTA grant requests according to student enrollment," Rhodes said of total funds raised. "We are using grant committee evaluation of needs to distribute the rest."

[ohsherrie]

Great of them to do that, good job guys.

Sadie, please explain Novato. Is it a school, school system, educational support organization? From the article it sounded like several schools were involved.

[sadie65]

Great of them to do that, good job guys.

Sadie, please explain Novato. Is it a school, school system, educational support organization? From the article it sounded like several schools were involved.

From what I can tell...it appears to be a school system situated in California. Elementary through high school. I don't know if the district is low income, the district where these men may live...honestly have no clue as to how or why they became involved. I just thought it was a nice thing to do.

Here's the link to the school system if you are interested.

http://www.nusd.org/

[ohsherrie]

This is sort of on the same subject, schools, or maybe not. Anyway, at sometime, somewhere over the years I came into possession of a cd of a very early live Journey performance and the name of the cd is just Burrel High. It seems like somewhere in the back of my mind I remember being told that this was some sort of benefit performance.

Monker, Dean, Dave, Froy, anyone know anything about this?

[jrnyman28]

Journey has lent themselves to some wonderful causes this (and most) year (s). When they played in Denver it was for the benefit of Mullins High School. Every year the school has had a benefit concert in an effort to raise funds to replace the roof of their school. # years ago we had a massive blizzard that collapsed their roof (along with many others) and they have been unable to use their 3rd floor since. I never heard the final tally of money raised, but the show was packed and phenominal!

Add to that the bike giveaway to support the TJ Martel Foundation and they began the year with a Law Enforcement Youth Program benefit.

We fans are not the only ones fortunate that Journey has continued...

[Clasicrockldy]

Great of them to do that, good job guys.

Sadie, please explain Novato. Is it a school, school system, educational support organization? From the article it sounded like several schools were involved.

Ohsherrie..

Novato is a city in Marin County, California. Jon Cain and his family live there. I know this will answer your question.

[ohsherrie]

Ohsherrie..

Novato is a city in Marin County, California. Jon Cain and his family live there. I know this will answer your question. [/b][/i][/color]

Thanks Lady. Do you know anything about the Burrel High thing?

[Rockindeano]

From what I can tell...it appears to be a school system situated in California. Elementary through high school. I don't know if the district is low income, the district where these men may live...

That's the funny part. Hardly low income. The Band lives in the Bay Area. Top 3 in propert values in the nation. The school system is public, so living in Harlem or San Francisco is irrelevant.

honestly have no clue as to how or why they became involved. I just thought it was a nice thing to do.

They are always doing this kind of stuff. Classy band, with classy fans.
Here's the link to the school system if you are interested.

[sadie65]

That's the funny part. Hardly low income. The Band lives in the Bay Area. Top 3 in propert values in the nation. The school system is public, so living in Harlem or San Francisco is irrelevant.
[/quote

Hey I said I didn't know. I live in Illinois. All I did was find the article.

They are always doing this kind of stuff. Classy band, with classy fans.

And I think that's totally terrific. I wish more in their industry took on such things. The fans...yes...just as good.

[Rockindeano]

You're lucky Vince Vaughn was in Old School, Sadie. Otherwise,I would get rid of that avatar. And yes, I could too. remember?

[sadie65]

You're lucky Vince Vaughn was in Old School, Sadie. Otherwise,I would get rid of that avatar. And yes, I could too. remember?

LOL...yes yes you could.

Vince was a response to yesterday's fun. Would you like me to change it...since I am of course at your beck and call

[Rockindeano]

You're lucky Vince Vaughn was in Old School, Sadie. Otherwise,I would get rid of that avatar. And yes, I could too. remember?

LOL...yes yes you could.

Vince was a response to yesterday's fun. Would you like me to change it...since I am of course at your beck and call

yes, yes I would. But none of that gay bastard Dennis.

[sadie65]

You're lucky Vince Vaughn was in Old School, Sadie. Otherwise,I would get rid of that avatar. And yes, I could too. remember?

LOL...yes yes you could.

Vince was a response to yesterday's fun. Would you like me to change it...since I am of course at your beck and call

yes, yes I would. But none of that gay bastard Dennis.

Is this better for you?

[Rockindeano]

You're lucky Vince Vaughn was in Old School, Sadie. Otherwise,I would get rid of that avatar. And yes, I could too. remember?

LOL...yes yes you could.

Vince was a response to yesterday's fun. Would you like me to change it...since I am of course at your beck and call

yes, yes I would. But none of that gay bastard Dennis.

Is this better for you?

no. I gave you a link....use it!

[sadie65]

no. I gave you a link....use it!

[/quote]

Pushy pushy pushy!!!!

I would have though the other one would be more in keeping with your taste...but hey

[Clasicrockldy]

Ohsherrie..

Novato is a city in Marin County, California. Jon Cain and his family live there. I know this will answer your question. [/b][/i][/color]

Thanks Lady. Do you know anything about the Burrel High thing?

No Ohsherrie,

I don't know anything about the Burrel High thing. Anyone here know about it?

[Abitaman]

RockD, I have to ask, Where do you get your pictures of President Bush?-ERIC

[Rockindeano]

RockD, I have to ask, Where do you get your pictures of President Bush?-ERIC

I took them all personally by myself.


ERIC, Internet, and the Stern site.