Can you put it all together?

Click the link below to put together a puzzle of a mystery LA SCORES photo! Test your wits and see if you can complete the picture!

Puzzle Time!

--click the link and scroll down on the page it re-directs you to. The puzzle will show up on the bottom half of the page. You can also use the website to create your puzzle of a picture you have.--

Summer in the City

Now that schools have officially closed their doors until September we at LA SCORES thought it would be a good idea to create a list of free or cheap things to do this summer. Here is how to enjoy LA in the next few months while on a budget.

1. LA SCORES SUMMER CAMPS!- Its free, its fun, its friends...what more could you possibly ask for.

2. Green in the City- Los Angeles Parks are a beautiful way to enjoy the summer. At Echo Park you can rent paddle boats for $10.00 for 1 hour or $7.00 for 1/2 an hour. MacArthur Park (shown in the picture above) has a small amphitheater that is home to some summer concerts and shows, while you can also relax by the lake or play soccer. (MacArthur Park is also easily accessed via the Metro Red Line). Griffith Park is the country's largest city park with a sprawling 4,107 acres (Central Park in New York by comparison is 843 acres) and offers many free activities while also providing great hiking and picnic areas.

3. The Pyramid of Books- LA Central Library is a monument in itself. A beautiful architectural feet designed in the theme of ancient Egypt during the 1920's. Its collection of books will have you busy, simply browsing, for hours and its summer programs for kids will help narrow down your selection. Having a library card is a great thing and this would be a great place to either get one or use one.

4. Where it all began- Olvera Street is located in the heart of downtown right next to Union Station. As the puebla that birthed a city, Olvera Street is a cultural and historical center. Along the alley, you will find great food and fun shopping. Olvera St. is easily accessible using any Metro line that stops at Union Station.

5. Downtown Concerts- The California Plaza is an area in downtown LA that holds free concerts throughout the summer months. The artists who come through are just as diverse as the people who inhabit the city. Its a fun event that the whole family can attend and is in a beautiful part of downtown, close to the Disney Concert Hall and Museum of Contemporary Art.

The battle for bragging rights

It was the match up every NBA fan across the country was looking forward to...Los Angeles vs Cleveland. And while the rosters didn't include either Kobe or Lebron, the pick-up game played between LA SCORES Executive Director, and Cleveland native, David Joseph and AmeriCorps VISTA, and LA groomed, Dre De La Peza was just as captivating.

There had a been a buzz around the LA SCORES office for the past few months; David Joseph, an undefeated 1-0 against SCORES staff in previous meetings, had challenged the newcomer VISTA to a game of basketball. As time passed, the anticipation grew. Backed with a seemingly endless supply of linguistic quips and verbal artillery, David's trash talk would've sent Floyd Mayweather himself, back to his corner, head hanging in despair. But Dre absorbed every word, hoping that with each blow the the mighty would only have farther to fall.

Fast forward to lunch hour on Monday. The two competitors find themselves at Palms Rancho Park taking some shots to ease the tension the last week of school has brought. After warming up David casually states "For fitness sake, wanna run one?" and with those few simple words the battle had begun. Cleveland vs. LA: Games 1-7 all at once. First to 11 and to the winner go the spoils.

The game begins and David wastes no time. A stong drive to the hole for an easy lay-up. 1-0, winner's outs. Then the Ohio version of Rex Chapman steps back and nails a shot from distance. 3-0 Cleveland. (Dre's thoughts:"Uh oh") On the ensuing play, Dre grabs a rebound of a missed lay-up. Needing to get on the board, he drives to basket to score on a reverse. 3-1. Next play, another lay-up followed by a long range shot of his own. 4-3, advantage LA. The two trade baskets leaving LA up 5-4.

Now I wish I could say what ensued was an epic battle, one of those straight to ESPN Classic games that people use to define their childhood. But it wasn't. LA would not score another bucket. Cleveland would tally 7 straight points ending on a long range 2 pointer to seal it. David's range and length allowed him to block multiple shots while converting from all over. He moves to 2-0 against SCORES staff and was able to back up his pre-game poetics. Dre had an extra long drive home that day, as he stands 0-1 and impatiently awaits the re-match.

So Congratulations Cleveland, you might not be able to win in the Majors but you're undefeated in 501 (c)(3).

SUMMER IS HERE!

The June gloom has been overcome by the summer-time sun! With that also comes the LA SCORES Summer Camps! Here are our dates and we hope you can join us!

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SUMMER CAMP

Dates: Monday July 6 through Friday July 31. Five days a week
Times: 1:00pm-4:00pm
Location: Palms Elementary

MIDDLE SCHOOL SUMMER CAMP

Dates:Tuesday July 7 through Thursday July 30. Tuesdays and Thursdays
Times:1:00pm-3:00pm
Location: Palms Middle School

JAM ON IT!

Last Tuesday the students, family and staff all enjoyed an afternoon at Mar Vista Park for our end of year JAMBOREE! The event celebrated the hard work of our poet-athletes, the dedication of our staff, the passion of our volunteers and the enthusiasm of our parents and supporters.

Campos Original Tacos catered for the afternoon and a team of amazing Starbucks volunteers helped make sure everyone had a delicious plate of tacos, rice and beans. Lots of parents also contributed to the buffet line of food with homemade salads. It was a delicious way to start the event and an area I made sure to revisit a few times.

All our SCORES team also had a chance to play soccer games where we combined the boys and girls teams from each school, based on jersey color, for some great co-ed matches. The kids were excited to play with each other on a larger field and as unified school teams. We also had a great game with our alumni and middle schoolers; even some coaches and volunteers jumped in to what was probably the most intense game of the afternoon.

This year, our JAMBOREE also featured two inflatable bounce houses , an airbrush tattoo artist, a water balloon dunk tank and an inflatable obstacle course that showed no pity. With dragons and flaming soccer balls colored on our kids, they participated in drenching coaches with water balloons and racing friends through the obstacle course.

With additional visits from the LA SOL and Chivas USA everyone left the event not only with a gift bag but great memories. We want to thank everyone in the LA SCORES family for making this such a great year and this JAMBOREE such a memorable event. We also want to thank everyone who made the event possible, including all our volunteers, families, coaches, referees, alumni, Palms Neighborhood Council, Starbucks, the LA SOL, Chivas USA, LA Galaxy, Magic Jump, Campos Tacos, Aaramark and Arrowhead.

The water that feeds the trees

The Palms Neighborhood Council is the governing body in charge of maintaining and evolving the community of Palms. Ties between the Neighborhood Council and LA SCORES go all the way back when LA SCORES founding Executive Director, Alejandro Soschin, was a member of the founding board that helped certify the council. Ever since, the Palms Neighborhood Council has been a stalwart supporter of our program and most recently generously pledged a grant to support the ‘Hire LA’s Youth’ initiative for LA SCORES. ‘Hire LA’s Youth’ is an initiative from Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, meant to give LA’s youth more opportunities to work while also gaining valuable training and experience in a variety of different fields. With the Neighborhood Council's support of this initiative we will be able to hire 3 youth to work for LA SCORES in an internship position lasting a few months. We are very excited for this opportunity, as it gives community youth who participated in LA SCORES a chance to learn more about the how the program works and a have a chance to give back.

In addition to this, the Neighborhood Council is helping put a computer lab in Palms Elementary school and also sponsors an annual bike rodeo. The bike rodeo is a carnival like event that in the past has included magicians, a bike obstacle course and visits from the local Police Department, but centers around a bike raffle for neighborhood youth. These are just a few of the visible ways the Neighborhood Council has impacted Palms, to go along with all the intangibles they have provided us with.

The Palms Neighborhood Council continues to make the community stronger and more beautiful. LA SCORES is very gracious of their continuous support of our program and the children and families we serve.

JAMBOREE IS HERE!

Join us tomorrow, June 2nd, at Mar Vista Park from 2:30-5:30 for our year end JAMBOREE!

Be with the entire LA SCORES family as we enjoy food, soccer, inflatable bounce houses, face painting and much more as we celebrate the culmination of our 7th year here in Palms!

It has been another great year at all our schools and before we look forward to the summer, we want to thank everyone who helped make it such a success. Our students, coaches, families, volunteers, referees, alumni and supporters.

Click the map to get directions to the park.