OCCTAC NEWS

Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas and a Very Happy New Year! Peace!

THIS COMING FRIDAY GO SHOP FOR GIFTS AT BARNES AND NOBLE IN ORANGE AND HELP OCCTAC! FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5TH: BARNES AND NOBLE BOOK FAIR. SUPPORTING OCCTAC 791 S. MAIN STREET, ORANGE MAIN STREET/ TOWN AND COUNTRY A PERCENTAGE OF YOUR PURCHASE WILL BE DONATED TO OCCTAC THE FLYER FOR DOWNLOAD IS HERE! IF YOU CANNOT MAKE IT TO THE STORE IN PERSON, YOU CAN PARTICIPATE BY CALLING AND ORDERING OVER THE PHONE: (714) 558-0028 THANK YOU FOR HELPING US!

We are proud of our Santa Ana Suzuki String students! Under the guidance of instructor Cynthia Faisst our OCCTAC students have advanced so well that six of them got to participate in this year's Orange County Suzuki Festival on November 15th, held at the Calvary Church of Santa Ana. Held annually each November the event is put on by the Suzuki Music Association of California/LA-OC. Michelle and Dominique Juarez on stage Both SASS and about 20 TEC (Talent Education Center) students participated in this event. OCCTAC SASS Students Michelle, Dominique, Adrian, Clemente, Nathalie, Jacqueline, ages 4-14 The children in the festival played a sample of pieces from the Suzuki Repertory. The concert started with advanced students playing Concertos such as the first movement from the Bach Violin Concerto for two violins. The Grand Finale featured Twinkle Variations played by nearly 300 students from as young as age 3 and up. This year SASS students will get to play Allegretto, May Song

Preschool group photographed by Jessica. Dear Friends! It is the time of year when we think about all the wonderful things that have happened for us this year and we want to take the time to say "THANK YOU! GRACIAS!" Our center would not be possible without all the hard work and dedication of all our staff and faculty, the assistance from our helpful volunteers, the generosity of our donors and the support of our community friends. Most of all we thank our students and their families for their unwavering support, enthusiasm and friendship. It means so much to us to see the children thrive! We wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving! Ana

Dear Friends! This coming Thursday you can have a delicious Baja style dinner and help OCCTAC at the same time! Rubio's at Main and Town & Country in Orange, right off the 5 freeway, will donate part of your dinner bill to our center. Just click the flyer above, print it out and bring it into Rubio's, anytime between 3PM and 9PM. We wish you a happy Baja style meal and Thank You for helping us!

Dear OCCTAC Friends! I am so happy to share with all of you that OCCTAC was selected for a donation from United Way! We are getting new computers from United Way and IBM thanks to Dr. Juan Carlos Araque! This is such a wonderful donation for OCCTAC and our families. Our students will have better computers for their high tech classes (graphic arts) and the parents will have access for the computer/technology classes that are made available through the Santa Ana College. Thank you Dr. Juan Carlos Araque and United Way for choosing our agency for this wonderful gift!!!! With sincere appreciation and respect, Ana Check out United Way at www.unitedwayoc.org

Dear Friends! We are thrilled to share this article from Yasmin Rincon on Yahoo Noticias. Gracias a Yasmin Rincon! Una puertorriqueña ofrece soluciones a familias con problemas a través del arte 10 de noviembre de 2008, 01:15 PM Autor: Yasmin Rincon Santa Ana (California), 10 nov (EFE).- El Centro Terapéutico de las Artes para Niños (OCCTAC) ha cambiado la vida de miles en el condado de Orange gracias a la iniciativa de Ana Jiménez-Hami, una puertorriqueña graduada en psicología y musicoterapia. Esta organización, sin fines de lucro, fue fundada hace 8 años por Jiménez-Hami, quien decidió dejar su trabajo como profesora universitaria para dedicarse a atender a niños y jóvenes con necesidades especiales. "Cuando hablamos de necesidades especiales es todo, pueden ser niños con autismo, o un niño que ha sido abusado, que tenga algún tipo de problema emocional o algún problema severo de conducta", dijo en entrevista con Efe

Dear Staff, Interns, Volunteers and Friends of OCCTAC, I want to thank you with all my heart. Everyone's effort and participation in creating our community altar was a tremendous success. It really looked beautiful and many folks stopped to look and photograph our amazing and large altar at Noche de Altares on Saturday Nov 1st. One woman told me that our altar was her favorite one, even Jackie from Calacas said that our altar was the most unique. Yeah!!! Many hours of creative work and your dedication made for a very special night. Hat's off to all who were able to help. Hope you all enjoyed it as much as I. Love, Kathryn Forrest OCCTAC Visual Arts Director

Come and join us this Sunday! Kathryn Forrest will conduct the OCCTAC Patchwork Art Workshop of the Patchwork Holiday Show. We will only use recycled materials to create art. For more information, call (714) 547 5468 or The Road Less Travelled at (714) 836-8727. Patchwork Holiday Show this Sunday! Join us this Sunday for the 3rd installment of Patchwork-Orange County's premier indie arts & crafts fair. Over 75 local artists will be selling handmade goods including house wares, clothing, art, letterpress stationary, toys, jewelry and more. In addition, Patchwork will also have: * Food booths from Memphis Cafe, The Gypsy Den and The Crosby * kids crafting section by Orange County Children's Therapeutic Arts Center * Music sponsored by Evocal & KUCI * button & bag-making from Harveys Original Seatbelt Bags * crafts from American Apparel A wonderful way to support your local economy while preserving the handmade tradition and having a great time! Sunday, November 9th f

Come and join the fun! Special Community Art Workshops for Dia de los Muertos Today, Friday Oct.24th and next Friday Oct. 31st from 1-3pm at OCCTAC, 2215 N. Broadway, Santa Ana. We'll be making sugar skulls and decorations for our Dia de Los Muertos display. Visit OCCTAC's altar at The Fiesta Market Place on Bush St. and Third St. At the Santa Ana Community Celebration On Saturday, Nov. 1st from 2PM -10PM.

You Are Cordially Invited! Join us for our Halloween Fundraiser Party for OCCTAC Children and Families and Friends organized by our OCCTAC Padres en Accion Committee Date: Friday, October 31st Time: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM at OCCTAC 2215 N. Broadway, Santa Ana, CA 92706 DJ music! Halloween Parade contest at 6:00 PM in six different categories with PRIZES A Jumper for the kids Pizza, Sodas, Water, Cookies, Nachos and lots of FUN! We will also have a table selling Neon necklaces, bracelets and more. For more information, please call the Padres en Accion at (714) 547 5468 extension 304. or Email: padresenaccion@occtac.org

Dear Friends! Your blogger was out of town and almost missed this one: Another article on the Orange County Register, dated September 21st, 2008. Our thanks go to the Register for their coverage and support!

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/instruments-center-children-2190540-arts-guitars# Thursday, October 9, 2008 Strum, drum, dream: Donation means kids can play Exhibitor sends drums, horns, guitars to Santa Ana center. By ERIC CARPENTER The Orange County Register Comments 1 | Recommend 3 SANTA ANA – In the eight years since the Orange County Children's Therapeutic Arts Center opened, plenty of music teachers have been willing to teach children how to play drums, guitar and saxophone. The problem: a severe shortage of instruments. That all changed this afternoon when a semi-tractor trailer arrived carrying 45 new instruments, including two drum sets, acoustic guitars, and brass and woodwind instruments. All for free. "Wow," said Daniella Cervantes, 11, as she got her first look at the shiny instruments lined up on tables. "It's very nice and it looks artistic. Now we'll all get a chance to play." The donation came from a San Francisco Bay-area convention

Dear Friends! Estimados Amigos! You are cordially invited! Date/Fecha: June 14, 2008, el 14 de junio 2008. 12 Noon to 5PM at OCCTAC, 2215 N. Broadway, Santa Ana, CA The Family Fun Day is a special Summer Fund Raising Event organized by OCCTAC Parents in Action Committee. On June 14, 2008 come and enjoy OCCTAC students' performances, music, food, raffles, artistic face painting, jumper and more fun activities for our active children and a lot more surprises for the whole family. And the most important thing is that it will be a great community gathering. For more information please contact Parents in Action (Padres en Accion Committee) email: padresenaccion@occtac.org or call or mail directly to: Veronica Dionne‏ ocrmike@aol.com (714) 328-5647 Maggie Trigueros: tukaza@roadrunner.com, (714)851-8388 El Día de la Diversión Familiar es un evento especial de recaudación de fondos de verano para el Centro Terapéutico de las Artes del Condado de Orange organizad

Dear Friends! Great news! Lisa Cohen will again direct and teach her fun and educational Art Summer Camps at OCCTAC! Again, our students get to create and perform a play or musical. The weeklong camps result in a show time for family and friends on the last day of the camp. Here are the themes and dates: June 16-20 Peter Pan & Pirates 3-7 years June 16-20 Chocolate Factory 8-13 years June 23-27 Toy Stories 3-7 years June 23-27 ANNIE 8-13 years July 14-18 MERMAID 3-7 years July 14-18 Hi-SchoolMUSICAL 6-13years extended age range July 21-25 Cinderella 3-7 years July 21-25 GREASE 8-13 years CAMP TIME 9-12pm $175/week LUNCH EXTENSION 12-1 $60/week Bring Lunch AFTERNOON EXTENSION 1- 3:30 +snack $75/week EXTRA OCCTAC ARTS CLASSES 3:30-4:30 pm $30/week Please call 714 547 5468 for more information or come to the reception to sign up. Addre

Great news from Cynthia Faisst, our violin teacher. A group of her violin students recently attended a concert at the Pacific Symphony by invitation of the Heartstring Program. Chaperon Erin reported that our students and their parents had a wonderful time and many parents realized at the event how enriching the experience was to their families. There are more concert dates coming up! March 15, 2008: Stone Soup In this symphonic adaptation of the favorite children’s story “Stone Soup,” you will learn about the many instruments of the orchestra. April 19, 2008: Peter Pan Our own retelling of the beloved story of the boy who wouldn't grow up and his adventures with Captain Hook, all set to beautiful classical music. Please see our reception front desk for more information and Cynthia's sign-up sheet. Parents, aunties, uncles, grannies, older siblings: since many of our students are young, we are looking for volunteer chaperons to accompany the children to the events. For more inf

Congratulations to our art teacher and visual arts coordinator Kathryn Forrest! Kathryn was selected as one of only three winners out of hundreds of applications as a 2008 HONDA HELPFUL AWARD winner. Southern California Honda dealers honor three citizens who make a big difference with their helpful work in their community. Kathryn was honored for all her work with our students and our center. Few knew that Kathryn had to take the bus for 8 long months to get from her home in Seal Beach to the center, a 2-hour ride each way, often with a lot of art supplies as luggage. Thanks to her award, she will receive a brand new Honda Civic Hybrid in her favorite color. SoCal Honda also gifted Kathryn with a generous check to cover all ancillary cost. The new car will make her life a lot easier and we are really happy for her! Kathryn was honored at the Award Ceremony at the Santa Monica Pier on January 22nd. Many family members and friends attended the event. And the sun kept shining despite the