Dear Friends,
I SURVIVED Coloma!
I tend to run cold and therefore, I have a fear of underdressing. Last Wednesday, I showed up to school dressed in my snowboarding clothes (and thermals underneath) ready to chaperone my 4th grade daughter's outdoor education trip to Coloma.
Yes, it felt a bit ridiculous as everyone in the other grades were arriving to school dressed for a normal day on campus...
Well, let me tell you... when we arrived in Coloma about 2 hours away, it was not only raining during the 3 days, it was raining HARD, there was thunder and HAIL multiple times, and the temperature was COLD! I was grateful I also brought a poncho that I ended up wearing over my snowboarding clothes and backpack to help stay dry-er!
Despite the unfortunate weather, the kids learned to mine for Gold, hiked around Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, built shelter, made cornbread, tried different ways to make a fire, went to the river, met a Miwok Native American, sang songs, did skits, and definitely had an unforgettable time with their friends.
And most importantly, I got to spend once-in-a-lifetime quality time with my daughter.
"Sometimes life just throws you challenges.
But if you know your "WHY,"
then nothing is worth complaining about.
Everything you encounter,
even the obstacles,
are worth it."
- Eureka Shakin
(HA!!!)
Karaoke Night WEDNESDAY!
This week's schedule of events is PACKED with special events, birthdays and fundraisers, starting with our 2nd Annual Karaoke Night at Ranch Water on Wednesday, March 19th from 8-10pm, located at 711 4th Street in San Rafael.
It's super casual, free to show up (with a full bar and snack menu if you are interested) and even if you don't plan to sing, there is a small dance floor which is of course taken up by all of us!
What's YOUR go-to karaoke song???
Sunny's Pink Pony Club THURSDAY!
Please join us this Thursday, March 20th at our regular 9:30am Stop Drop and Dance class at UUMarin (240 Channing Way in San Rafael) as we celebrate Sunny St. Germain's actual birth day!
She has chosen the super fun theme, "Pink Pony Club," so it's a mix of PINK and COUNTRY workout clothing, and of course we are going to be learning a new dance (or two) to Chappell Roan!
"I'm gonna keep on dancing..."
Jessica's POP UP Fundraiser:
World Down Syndrome Day FRIDAY!
March 21st (3/21) is the actual World Down Syndrome Day and we are taking the 3/21 Pledge for the 6th year in a row for Ruby's Rainbow with hosts, Jessica and Cassidy Kissane!
Please join us for a POP-UP Stop Drop and Dance class:
FRIDAY, March 21st from 6-7pm with pizza and drinks afterwards
St. Johns Parish Hall, 14 Lagunitas Road, Ross
Wear RAINBOW clothing!
Ruby's Rainbow's mission is to provide scholarships to students with Down Syndrome who wish to pursue post-secondary education. We have faith in their dreams, independence, and incredible potential - everything we hope for Cassidy Kissane in the near future!
Last year, we raised over $3000 and had the honor of giving a scholarship to a student on behalf of Stop Drop and Dance and Cassidy Kissane. We hope to do it again with your help!
Let's make a difference - one dance step at a time!
Even if you can't make the dance party on Friday, please consider taking the 3/21 pledge and donate $21 or whatever you can to help us achieve our goal!
Take the 3/21 Pledge on Jessica Kissane's personal page here!
Marianne's Jed Fundraiser SATURDAY!
A note from our birthday host, Marianne Jacobson:
Unfortunately, many of us have lost friends or loved ones to suicide. It is a tragic epidemic.
It is especially heart-breaking when it happens to young people. In the last 10 years suicide among 10–24 year-olds has increased 57%. And, over 40,000 people die from suicide in the US annually.
Over the last few years we have personally lost several neighbors and dear young friends who took their own lives. I felt so overwhelmed and devastated that I was compelled to do something. We raised over $7000 the last 2 years and my goal is to raise $5000 this year.
Dance brings me so much joy, and I want to be hopeful and help improve this terrible situation in some way. So, this year we will dance again to raise funds for the Jed Foundation which offers education and prevention services to HS and college students at 9000 schools across America.
Thanks for supporting this very serious cause with me.
Please wear RED or our new LOVE shirts for Marianne's birthday fundraiser this Saturday at UUMarin!
Donate here to Marianne's Jed Fundraiser
Marin Catholic POP UP Fundraiser:
"Let's Boogie" Dance Class SUNDAY!
Wear your brightest neon clothing for a dance fundraiser for Marin Catholic this Sunday, March 23rd at 12:30pm, followed by refreshments after! This will be our 2nd year throwing this event at Club MC (aka The Gym), and we'd love for you to join us, especially if you are a current Marin Catholic parent or an alumni parent!
Thank you to all our dance parent hosts for organizing this event: Lisa Butcher, Meghan Dasher, Keala Landry, Erin Meyers, Jennifer Moore, Barb Untermann, Orna Weisberg and Alison Williams!
Congratulations to the MC Varsity Girls Basketball team for winning STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS this past weekend, led by Coach Kayden Korst!
Buy your ticket here for the Marin Catholic Dance Party!
Pisces Mermaids Celebration!
I am still on a high from last Tuesday's mermaid themed birthday class and cherishing the love from everyone who came and couldn’t come (but was there in spirit)!
We danced for one hour and finished with my birthday wish of doing the soul train - video below!). Then I was in shock as I was given a group gift of 3 cans of beans (no joke)... followed by the real gift of $6650 collected from all of YOU!!!
Whaaaat???
And as if that wasn't enough, afterwards there was a planned circle time sharing from each person, which, as a former Kindergarten teacher, is the most special gift of all... to see and to hear each person's heart. Thank you.
And finally, we concluded with a community potluck outdoors with snacks from everyone plus double cakes baked by Leslie Dinham of course!!!
Thank you to Lisa Butcher, Erin Meyers and Sara Rainbolt for secretly planning everything from the beans to the circle time to the group gift, and thank you to all of you who were a part of this birthday surprise in some way.
I am overwhelmed with love from this community made up of the kindest, most authentic, no-drama, appreciative, humble, joyful, supportive, generous, loving and FUN women, who know that life is indeed better when we’re dancing together through all the highs and lows! I am so, so grateful.
Happiest birthday to my twin, Karen Shelton, who proves that dancing indeed keeps us YOUNG, as she turned 74 years, and also a very Happy Birthday to Orna Weisberg, who came to class despite breaking her leg recently!!! Nothing stops us from dancing (even if it’s from a chair!).
Love you all!!!
Grace
