Recently in Perris Category

Army Pvt. Monique Delgado recently graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson in Columbia, S.C. Delgado studied the Army tradition, core values, physical fitness, military weapons, chemical warfare, marching, rifle marksmanship, map reading first aid and field training exercises. Delgado is the daughter of Valerie Delgado of Perris and is a 1998 graduate of Moreno Valley High School.

A Claremont-based adult community concert band is accepting applications from young wind and percussion musicians ages 14 to 20 for their scholarship program.

The Claremont Winds is allowing contestants to audition by submitting a compact disc (CD) or a digital music file (mp3). Finalists will be invited to live auditions. First place winner will receive $800, second place gets $200 and third place $100. The first place winner will also play a solo with the band at their spring concert in May.

To be eligible, contestants must be in high school or in their first year of college. They also need to be a member of the band or orchestra in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino or Riverside counties. Applications with audition recordings must be postmarked or e-mailed by December 1, 2008. Auditions will be held January 10-11, 2009. Winners will be announced in early February.

For more information, go to www.claremontwinds.org.

The Music Center of Los Angeles County is seeking Southern California high school performers, artists and photographers to apply for the annual Music Center Spotlight awards. It is a performing and visual arts education program offering training in the arts and awards of over $100,000 in scholarships. The program is for high school students in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. Applications and information are available at 213-972-3300 or at www.musiccenter.org.

Perris resident Dana Cole, 14, recently competed in the California State Dreamin' karate tournament held at the Riverside Convention Center. Cole won first in katas (forms), second in kumite (sparring) and fourth in weapons. He also was named the grand champion of the State of California winning him the prestigious Gold Hand award.

Applications for the 21st Annual Music Center Spotlight Awards by the Music Center of Los Angeles County are available to Southern California high school student performers, artists and photographers.

The awards program, which offers training in the arts and scholarships to finalists, is free and open to students who attend high school in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties.

Students audition before judges in categories including ballet, non-classical dance, classical voice, non-classical voice, classical instrumental, and jazz instrumental.
Twelve performance finalists will compete at the 21st Annual Music Center Spotlight Awards set for May 2, 2009 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Downtown Los Angeles.
Grand prize finalists will receive $5,000 and $4,000, honorable mentions will receive $250 and semi-finalists receive $100.

The Performing Arts application deadline is Oct. 1 and the Visual Arts applications are due by Dec. 1.

Applications and information are available at musiccenter.org or by calling 213-972-3300.

PROJECT K.I.N.D., IN RECOGNITION OF NATIONAL CHILDRENS EYE AND HEALTH SAFETY MONTH, IS RAISING FUNDS TO PROVIDE FREE EYE EXAM AND GLASSES TO CHILDREN AGES 5-17 WHO DO NOT HAVE MEDI-CAL OR PRIVATE INSURANCE. OUR GOAL IS TO RAISE $7500 TO PAY FOR 250 PAIRS OF GLASSES.

OPTOMETRISTS ARE GENEROUSLY DONATING THE EXAM. JUST $30 PAYS FOR ONE PAIR OF GLASSES. DONATIONS MAY BE SENT TO PROJECT K.I.N.D. 3993 JURUPA AVENUE, RIVERSIDE, and CA 92506. PLEASE CALL 951-686-3342, EXT 314 AND ASK FOR DEBRA WITH ANY QUESTIONS.

PROJECT K.I.N.D. (KIDS IN NEED OF DOCTORS) IS A LOCAL NON PROFIT DEDICATED TO PROVIDING FREE MEDICAL, DENTAL, OPTICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES TO CHILDREN AGES 5-17 WHO DO NOT HAVE MEDI-CAL OR PRIVATE INSURANCE.

We will be hosting another dental clinic on September 30th and still have 20 openings. The treatment will include free xrays, exam, sealants, fillings and extractions as time permits. They could go to their school health office for the referral form or contact us at 951-686-3342

We also have about 100 openings for free eye exam and glasses for the months of September and October. The families would also contact their school health office or myself with any questions.

We are raising funds to cover the glasses for uninsured children of Riverside County and are still in need of donors. For every $30 donated one child will receive a free eye exam and glasses.

We partner with Riverside, Alvord, Corona-Norco, Beaumont, Romoland, Perris Elementary and Jurupa school districts.

-- Debra Wood, M.S.

Program Director

Project K.I.N.D.