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.