SNOW DAY!!!

For the second year in a row, Mattel brought their wonderful staff, products, and snow in order to give our students an outstanding Day of Play. Held at Palms Elementary School, there were Hot Wheels tracks, picture booths, a DJ, a cupcake-decorating station, Santa Claus, and a huge hill of snow for people to sled down. The music kept the party going, scoring various dance events including hula hoop contests, limbo contests, chicken dances, the Electric Slide, and the list goes on. And at the end of it all, Mattel provided gifts for all the students who had the privilege to take part on this remarkable day. We, at LA Scores, would like to thank Mattel once again for all their hard work and support.

And So It Goes...

Here we are, wind-tossed in the maelstrom that comprises the great skies of the non-profit. But in the immortal words of The Beatles: we get by with a little help from our friends. Coming up during this busy month of December: Mattel Day of Play, Poetry Slam!, and ASCAP. And all in the next two weeks. But prevail, we shall. Prevail...we...shall. Peace out, baby.

Thanksgiving Haiku!!!!

Turkey and stuffing,
Food to gobble and get stuffed.
All hail Thanksgiving.

There is no excuse for negligence

To my loyal follower: it seems there is one person in this great wide expanse of humanity who finds my diatribes upon the merits of America Scores LA poignant and/or compelling enough to earn some small degree of loyalty. And how have I repaid such affections? By neglecting my duties as the chronicler of all things LA Scores. I am ashamed. Surely this apology shall suffice, but if it does not, I also offer this promise to you, dear follower: I shall, henceforth, be a vigilant scribe for the majesty that is America Scores LA.

Happy Halloween...from America Scores LA

A witch came into my room this morning
shouting and sounding a fool.
She yelled out her curses and bellowed her warning:
YOU'RE GOING TO BE LATE FOR SCHOOL!!!

I ran to the kitchen to flee this old nightmare
in search of a being more stable,
but reading a newspaper and sitting right there
was Dracula, calm, at the table.

This day, I must say, is the absolute worst.
My life couldnt be more messed up.
But wait, this must October 31st
and these ghouls are my parents dressed up.

In Limerick Appreciation of Coach Samantha

There once was a student in Scores
who saw doing poems as chores.
She met a new coach
who took a new approach.
Now, she likes writing much more.

In need of referees...as a haiku

We need referees
to be guides and champions
for soccer children

Booyah!!!

That's right! Booyah!!! We have officially started programming at all the elementary schools with Palms Middle School waiting in the wings. The Braddock Elementary coaches are all returning veterans and leave little to no worries for the office. Palms Elementary has a new model to go by. We have hired four more alumni coaches to oversee the boys soccer teams: Rodrigo Luis, Cristian Lazaro, Cristian Lopez, and Luis Sanchez. Each boys team will feature two of these coaches who have all been members of the LA Scores Alumni Coaching Team for a few years now. We are thrilled at the potential that these new coaches bring with them and look forward to seeing their teams on the upcoming game days (10/21). We, here at America Scores LA, hope everyone is having a great school year so far and we are on pins and needles as we await the beautiful future.

The Seasons Are Upon Us...

Nothing like a rainy day to flood we toiling souls at LA Scores with vast waves of optimism as the soccer season looms a mere seven days away. If it seems like I'm laying it on thick, it's only because I am excited. EXCITED!!! Last night, we held our Fall Coach Training at the Boys and Girls Club of Venice (the very same place we hold our weekly alumni indoor games) and the coaches were able to meet one another and schmooze and have pizza. Cant ask for more than that. Our Training attendees held many veterans with the exception of Shannon Huang, the Americorps Vista I mentioned in the previous entry; Nahoul Gonzalez, who is the new girls coach at Charnock Elementary and the first LA Scores alumni hired to be a coach; and Samantha Kowalski, who is joining the company as a new poetry coach at Palms Elementary. The coaches seem to be happy with the organization, but the organization is certainly happy with the team of coaches who will help lead America Scores LA to the next evolutionary stage.

So It Starts...

America Scores LA has the honor and privilege of starting its tenth year of programming in the Palms community. Yesterday morning, LA Scores staff members were up bright and early to be at Charnock Elementary in order to register students in the program. Unbeknownst to us, the word has gotten out about the program because we ran out of the 200 applications we printed for the morning. With such a high demand for our service, we are happy to welcome our new Americorps Vista, Shannon Huang, who has quickly rendered herself invaluable in the machine that propels this program. When you see Shannon in the office, at the schools, at the upcoming game days, give her a big hug and thank her for her help thus far. We are extremely excited to continue working with Shannon as she brings new ideas to make this program better for all the students. I would like to take this time to give Shannon a digital hug. And squeeeeeeeeeeeze...feel the love...feel the appreciation. Stay tuned, Scores fans. This school year is just beginning.

Inaugural Inspired Art Event was a Success!

A few months ago, America SCORES LA hosted its first ever Inspired Art Event. The Project offered a unique way to bring to life the words of ASLA poet-athletes. Local artists signed up to create and donate original pieces inspired by the poetry of the America SCORES LA poet-athletes. Through this cycle of inspiration and influence, our students were able to witness their creativity brought to life, artists were able to build connections with diverse communities around the city, and SCORES' supporters were able to see the profound impact our youths' words can have on others.

On a Thursday evening in April, SCORES supporters gathered at the Bank of America Plaza in downtown Los Angeles. By reading the poems, by seeing the art, by sharing in this experience, and by giving a child the chance to be heard and recognized, our guests joined us in the interplay between voice and vision. All of the 27 art pieces, which ranged in media from acrylic to a sculpture to a pillow, were featured in a silent auction alongside the poems that inspired them. The evening also featured an open bar of beer and wine and appetizers. All of the proceeds from the event will directly support America SCORES LA programming.

A special Thanks goes out to the SCORES Development Board who took on majority of the planning for this inaugural event and all of the Starbucks event volunteers. Also, a big shout-out goes to the incredible group of talented, passionate and generous artists who made this event possible--and the youth that inspired them!

Thank you to Thad Somoza, Kevin Zhang, and Geoff Nangle for making a video of the event. CLICK HERE to view the video on YouTube

Helping Japan

On March 29^th 2011, LA Scores students from Charnock Elementary School did their part to help the children in Japan affected by the recent earthquake and tsunami. After learning about the current situation in Japan, they drew pictures and wrote messages to the children there, who as a result of this tragedy became displaced from their homes and are now living in orphanages and evacuation shelters. They even practiced writing the word “smile” in Japanese in the hopes that it would make them do just that. Their beautiful cards and pieces of art were given to an organization called Artwork for Heartwork, a group that aims empower children around the world to help their peers in need. Their artwork has already been sent to Japan and hopefully our efforts help lift their spirits and encourage them to stay strong during such a difficult time.

Good Luck Japan!!!

Fundraiser at Souplantation

America SCORES is hosting a fundraiser this month at Souplantation in Marina del Rey. Come with your friends on February 22nd between 5pm and 8pm and present this flier when you pay. Souplantation will donate 15% of your purchase back to America SCORES LA! What a delicious way to help out America SCORES LA!

PPL Championship!

Palms Premier League's championship game was held Tuesday at Palms Middle School. Germany, the first place team, took on Roma, a team comprised solely of sixth graders, to see which team's name would be the first engraved into the PPL trophy. It was a hard-fought game on both sides. Germany took an early 3-0 lead. Roma fought back, and in the last ten minutes of the game were able to score the tying goal, sending the teams to the goal for penalty kicks. Both teams had some great shots and saves, but in the end Germany triumphed with three goals over Roma's one.


Earlier that day, Mexico played Stuttgart for third place while Chelsea played Arsenal for fifth place. Both games went to penalty kicks as well, with Mexico taking third and Arsenal fifth.


We were impressed with everyone's dedication and enthusiasm in the tournament, and cannot wait to start it up again!

Germany - First Place

Roma - Second Place

Mexico - Third Place

Buy Groceries and Help America SCORES LA

Have you ever thought to yourself, "Man, I wish I could help America SCORES LA earn some money, while simultaneously saving money myself, simply by remembering a small plastic card or a phone number when I buy groceries"? If so, you're in luck!

If you shop at Ralphs, you can register your rewards card online and choose America SCORES LA as your community partner. Then every time you use your Ralphs Rewards Card, Ralphs will donate a percentage of what you spend back to us! It's a win-win! Follow these steps to sign up:

1. Register your card (you need your card number for this)
2. Check your email and confirm
3. Sign in
4. Click "Community Rewards"
5. Click "Edit Community Contribution Program Information"
6. Fill in the information it asks for
7. Search for "LA SCORES"
8. Save the information
9. Use your Rewards Card next time you go shop, and Ralphs will donate money to America SCORES LA!

Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids

Last month, in order to address the growing problems of childhood obesity and malnutrition in the US, Congress passed the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act. This legislation aims to improve the nutritional value of food served in schools and provide more free meals to low-income students. Over the next few years, the government will allocate an extra six cents per meal served at school, and the USDA will be given authority to introduce new nutritional standards concerning what schools will be allowed to serve in lunches, a la carte lines, and vending machines.

The USDA has proposed a plan to get the ball rolling. Under this proposal, the following changes would be made:

• Minimum and maximum calories for meals
• More servings of fresh fruits and vegetables
  
• Reduced sodium levels
• At least 50% of grains are whole grain
• Less servings of starchy vegetables (potatoes, corn, etc.)
• No more food with trans fat

According to the CDC, 17% of children in the US are obese, a number that has tripled in the past 30 years. According to one study, 80% of obese children will be obese as adults. The rise in childhood obesity has seen with it an increase in health problems for these children such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes. Also, for the first time in history, scientists say, due to the high incidence of obesity, that parents may out-live their children.

While this bill will not instantly cure childhood obesity, it is a good first step. Many kids consume over half of their daily calories at school. This new bill is the first legislation passed in a long time to regulate the food schools serve to them.

Palms Premier League Begins for Middle School

This week marks the first day of the Palms Premier League at Palms Middle School. America SCORES LA and Team Prime Time, an after school program that brings sports, arts, and homework help to Title 1 middle schools in Los Angeles, teamed up to create this six-team, month-long tournament. Every Tuesday and Thursday for the next four weeks, each team gets to play two games. Refs from ASLA and TPT keep track of the score and player stats so that the teams will know the standings before every game. Teams are a mixture of boys and girls 6-8th grade.

The players were excited to take what they've learned in practice and put it to the test in a competitive league. Scroll down to see pictures of them in action!

Braddock's ASCAP Video

Kids at Braddock worked with song-writing duo Da Internz through our partnership with ASCAP to write and record an original song. Watch a video of their experience at the recording studio and listen to their song here.