My thoughts turn to Thanksgiving when leaves begin to fall, pumpkin patches start the turnover to Christmas tree lots and we get the first "rain storm" of the season.
There are so many wonderful people in our community who contribute to the richness of our lives, people who give and serve everyday as a way of life. As Thanksgiving approaches, I thought I would check in with a few of my good friends around the area and ask, "What are you grateful for?"
Although these have been particularly challenging times for most of us, I am happy to share a few of the bright spots in our community.
• Patrick Farley is the innovative owner of the four Flippin' Pizza restaurants in the area (Knockout Pizza in Carlsbad Village) and a food truck available for special events, all serving up award-winning authentic New York-style pizza. They are generous members of the community, continually giving through their creative programs to help organizations raise money. Patrick also serves on the board of directors for New Village Arts in Carlsbad.
When asked what he is grateful for, Patrick responded "I am grateful I have the opportunity to operate a business in our local community. Carlsbad has always maintained its community focus, regardless of the economic climate, and this is very refreshing. I have especially enjoyed working with and giving back to our local schools and organizations. Carlsbad is a community committed to helping others and being a local restaurant owner in our great community allows me to give back and exercise my social responsibility."
• Chris Ross and husband Bob are longtime owners of the award-winning Sylvan Learning Center in Encinitas and steady supporters of the community. Chris's dedication to detail and excellence in education is ever present. As the Carlsbad Chamber's Vice-Chair for Business and Community Development, she oversees the Education Committee.
Chris says, "I am grateful for our fine teaching staff and management team. We have been recognized by Sylvan Learning for improving our students' academic skills in our Sylvan Learning Center in Encinitas. We are now one of the top ten academic performers in North America out of 880 Sylvan Learning Centers! It is nice to know that our hard work is having an impact on so many students' lives."
• Jeff Guzzardo has been the popular "can-do" executive director of the Joe and Mary Mottino Family YMCA in Oceanside since 1999. The "Y" provides extensive, wholesome programming for kids, families, seniors and the community and is dedicated to providing the "Y" experience to everyone regardless of ability to pay. One of the official charities of the Carlsbad Marathon/Half Marathon in January, the Mottino Y has training programs and teams to help runners and walkers of all ages prepare for the big day!
Jeff says, "I'm grateful for the commitment and passion of the business community to continue its support to local YMCA's, enhancing partnerships and collaborations that enable us to reach out and meet the needs of our communities during these difficult and challenging times. Our working together is impacting lives each and every day through volunteerism, fundraising and service learning."
• Malinda Engerer is a passionate founder of the Cardiovascular Disease Foundation with a mission to improve the quality of life by promoting cardiovascular health through prevention, wellness and education. They have extensive free educational information and resources at their location on Pio Pico near the village, where they also host meetings and lectures given by doctors and other professionals. They are presenting their 9th Annual Run/Walk for Life on April 15, 2012 at the Embarcadero Marina Park North & South.
Malinda says, "We are grateful for our incredible and generous donors and volunteers. Their commitment to our lifesaving mission is invaluable. With their support, the Cardiovascular Disease Foundation? of San Diego County is able to provide free cardiovascular health services for over 18,000 of our neighbors of all ages annually and make a heart healthy difference."
• Irma Cota, an impressive community leader, has been with North County Health Services for 22 years and President and CEO since 1997. NCHS is celebrating 40 years of service, dedicated to providing medical services to those with limited incomes. They now have eleven medical and dental locations and eight WIC locations (Women, Infants and Children Nutrition Programs) throughout North County.
Irma, citing their management of the economic challenges, says, "At NCHS, we have been seeing the economic recession first hand. Those who depended on agriculture or construction have been leaving the area due to lower production. In their place new patients are coming to NCHS who have lost employment and their insurance coverage. We are thankful that there are social support services for unemployed individuals and families and urge you to please give to local charities so they are able to do more with the growing demand."
• Carolyn Grant, talented Executive Director of the unique Museum of Making Music, has been with the museum since its opening in March of 2000. The museum closed this summer for extensive renovation thanks to a $500,000 grant. In August, the museum re-opened with state-of-the-art, innovative displays and custom-designed interactive stations. Music lovers can play instruments solo or "jam" with others, either for patrons to enjoy or only heard through headphones. Amazing and fun!
Carolyn, thrilled with the success of the museum says, "I am thankful for the generosity of the supporters of the Museum of Making Music whose donations of time, services and funds make the museum a welcoming and meaningful place for residents as well as visitors to our area. These giving gestures translate into smiles, laughter and learning, and ultimately to the understanding of our diverse world through music."
I, personally, am grateful for these community-spirited professionals and all of you who contribute immeasurably to the quality of our lives here in the area. We are fortunate to live where people volunteer, share and give to help others, creating a rich environment where we serve, grow and thrive.
Happy Thanksgiving!
There are so many wonderful people in our community who contribute to the richness of our lives, people who give and serve everyday as a way of life. As Thanksgiving approaches, I thought I would check in with a few of my good friends around the area and ask, "What are you grateful for?"
Although these have been particularly challenging times for most of us, I am happy to share a few of the bright spots in our community.
• Patrick Farley is the innovative owner of the four Flippin' Pizza restaurants in the area (Knockout Pizza in Carlsbad Village) and a food truck available for special events, all serving up award-winning authentic New York-style pizza. They are generous members of the community, continually giving through their creative programs to help organizations raise money. Patrick also serves on the board of directors for New Village Arts in Carlsbad.
When asked what he is grateful for, Patrick responded "I am grateful I have the opportunity to operate a business in our local community. Carlsbad has always maintained its community focus, regardless of the economic climate, and this is very refreshing. I have especially enjoyed working with and giving back to our local schools and organizations. Carlsbad is a community committed to helping others and being a local restaurant owner in our great community allows me to give back and exercise my social responsibility."
• Chris Ross and husband Bob are longtime owners of the award-winning Sylvan Learning Center in Encinitas and steady supporters of the community. Chris's dedication to detail and excellence in education is ever present. As the Carlsbad Chamber's Vice-Chair for Business and Community Development, she oversees the Education Committee.
Chris says, "I am grateful for our fine teaching staff and management team. We have been recognized by Sylvan Learning for improving our students' academic skills in our Sylvan Learning Center in Encinitas. We are now one of the top ten academic performers in North America out of 880 Sylvan Learning Centers! It is nice to know that our hard work is having an impact on so many students' lives."
• Jeff Guzzardo has been the popular "can-do" executive director of the Joe and Mary Mottino Family YMCA in Oceanside since 1999. The "Y" provides extensive, wholesome programming for kids, families, seniors and the community and is dedicated to providing the "Y" experience to everyone regardless of ability to pay. One of the official charities of the Carlsbad Marathon/Half Marathon in January, the Mottino Y has training programs and teams to help runners and walkers of all ages prepare for the big day!
Jeff says, "I'm grateful for the commitment and passion of the business community to continue its support to local YMCA's, enhancing partnerships and collaborations that enable us to reach out and meet the needs of our communities during these difficult and challenging times. Our working together is impacting lives each and every day through volunteerism, fundraising and service learning."
• Malinda Engerer is a passionate founder of the Cardiovascular Disease Foundation with a mission to improve the quality of life by promoting cardiovascular health through prevention, wellness and education. They have extensive free educational information and resources at their location on Pio Pico near the village, where they also host meetings and lectures given by doctors and other professionals. They are presenting their 9th Annual Run/Walk for Life on April 15, 2012 at the Embarcadero Marina Park North & South.
Malinda says, "We are grateful for our incredible and generous donors and volunteers. Their commitment to our lifesaving mission is invaluable. With their support, the Cardiovascular Disease Foundation? of San Diego County is able to provide free cardiovascular health services for over 18,000 of our neighbors of all ages annually and make a heart healthy difference."
• Irma Cota, an impressive community leader, has been with North County Health Services for 22 years and President and CEO since 1997. NCHS is celebrating 40 years of service, dedicated to providing medical services to those with limited incomes. They now have eleven medical and dental locations and eight WIC locations (Women, Infants and Children Nutrition Programs) throughout North County.
Irma, citing their management of the economic challenges, says, "At NCHS, we have been seeing the economic recession first hand. Those who depended on agriculture or construction have been leaving the area due to lower production. In their place new patients are coming to NCHS who have lost employment and their insurance coverage. We are thankful that there are social support services for unemployed individuals and families and urge you to please give to local charities so they are able to do more with the growing demand."
• Carolyn Grant, talented Executive Director of the unique Museum of Making Music, has been with the museum since its opening in March of 2000. The museum closed this summer for extensive renovation thanks to a $500,000 grant. In August, the museum re-opened with state-of-the-art, innovative displays and custom-designed interactive stations. Music lovers can play instruments solo or "jam" with others, either for patrons to enjoy or only heard through headphones. Amazing and fun!
Carolyn, thrilled with the success of the museum says, "I am thankful for the generosity of the supporters of the Museum of Making Music whose donations of time, services and funds make the museum a welcoming and meaningful place for residents as well as visitors to our area. These giving gestures translate into smiles, laughter and learning, and ultimately to the understanding of our diverse world through music."
I, personally, am grateful for these community-spirited professionals and all of you who contribute immeasurably to the quality of our lives here in the area. We are fortunate to live where people volunteer, share and give to help others, creating a rich environment where we serve, grow and thrive.
Happy Thanksgiving!