Culver City Great Parks Assn's Posts - Culver City Times2024-03-28T14:52:24ZCulver City Great Parks Assnhttp://culvercitytimes.com/profile/CulverCityGreatParksAssnhttp://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/372692073?profile=RESIZE_48X48&width=48&height=48&crop=1%3A1http://culvercitytimes.com/profiles/blog/feed?user=0pi5lrk16pc6d&xn_auth=noCULVER CITY GREAT PARKS & RALPHS COMMUNITY FUND ALLOWS SHOPPERS TO HELP PARKStag:culvercitytimes.com,2012-08-23:6303163:BlogPost:271372012-08-23T00:30:00.000ZCulver City Great Parks Assnhttp://culvercitytimes.com/profile/CulverCityGreatParksAssn
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/407766204?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/407766204?profile=original" width="600"></a></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/407766204?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/407766204?profile=original" width="600"></a></p>CULVER CITY GREAT PARKS ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES ITS CULVER HIGH PARKS FAN CLUBtag:culvercitytimes.com,2012-08-19:6303163:BlogPost:269502012-08-19T20:00:00.000ZCulver City Great Parks Assnhttp://culvercitytimes.com/profile/CulverCityGreatParksAssn
<p>CCGP is pleased to announce that the Culver City Parks FAN Club under its work/reward program will be volunteering at the 2012 Fiesta La Ballona. Culver High teacher Dan Phillips is currently working with the Culver City Parks Maintenance Department for his students to help improve our parks.<br></br></p>
<p>The Culver City Great Parks Association is actively seeking new CCGP Board members as well as residents from Culver City Park and Playground neighborhoods who want to be engaged in the best…</p>
<p>CCGP is pleased to announce that the Culver City Parks FAN Club under its work/reward program will be volunteering at the 2012 Fiesta La Ballona. Culver High teacher Dan Phillips is currently working with the Culver City Parks Maintenance Department for his students to help improve our parks.<br/></p>
<p>The Culver City Great Parks Association is actively seeking new CCGP Board members as well as residents from Culver City Park and Playground neighborhoods who want to be engaged in the best interests of their neighborhood park by joining a FAN Club. Details below in Park Neighborhoods.<br/>Please email your good words, support, questions and comments to ccgreatparks@att.net and please visit <a href="http://www.culvercitygreatparks.org">www.culvercitygreatparks.org</a> for more information.<br/>Best regards,<br/>Charles Deen, President (310) 559-1875 email: ccgreatparks@att.net<br/>MAKING A DIFFERENCE AT VETERANS PARK<br/>Friday, 4 December 2009 by Dan O'Brien, Founding President (serving from 2006 thru 2011)<br/>KaBOOM! "It starts with a playground" Organization partners with Culver City Great Parks<br/>Only adults could participate in build day (because of City liability issues), but much of our efforts in the Veterans Memorial Park playground were for kids... and moms... and dads... and, well, everyone. Around 200 community members, city staff & employees of the Wasserman Media Group pitched in and got dirty. During an amazing day, a playground was built, hundreds of square feet of garden was planted, picnic tables were refurbished and repainted, cubby holes were built for the teen center, a permanent bicycle rack was installed, the softball backstops were painted, and a mural was painted! Wow, did I say it was a busy day?<br/>Thanks to the folks at KaBOOM! and the Wasserman Foundation, Culver City was given a grant to do a lot of much needed work to its busiest park. What a perfect example of the private sector, a city, and its residents collaborating to fulfill a dream. Culver City Great Parks Association played a vital role in participating in the grant request process, recruiting community members to participate, and ultimately getting our hands dirty - AND REVELING IN IT! ... and did our kids really, really want to be there and get dirty too ... you bet!</p>
<p>The playground was open for jumping, climbing, sliding, dangling and just plain having fun by Monday, December 7, 2009. Thanks to Culver City Great Parks board member, Holly Port, for the amazing pictures. Play! and Enjoy!</p>
<p>Parks Community and Mission Statements<br/>Who We Are<br/>The Culver City Great Parks Association (CCGP) is a community based fund-raising organization whose mission is to improve the physical appearance and functionality of our parks and playgrounds.<br/>Here is a summary of Culver City Great Parks Association plans and programs for 2012 and beyond:<br/>* FORMING FAN CLUBS FOR EACH OF OUR PARKS & PLAYGROUNDS *<br/>FAN = Friends And Neighbors working together for providing representation<br/>and direct neighborhood park and playground involvement<br/>* "PUT CCGP ON THE MAP" WITH AD SPONSOR PROGRAM *<br/>* WORKING WITH THE CULVER CITY PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION<br/>AND THE DIRECTOR OF PARKS, RECREATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICE *<br/>* WORKING TO GROW OUR "RALPH'S COMMUNITY FUND" PROGRAM *<br/>* BE INCLUSIVE WITH INVOLVING NEW CCGP BOARD MEMBERS *<br/>Tax Status<br/>The Culver City Great Parks Association (CCGP) is an IRS-qualified section 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization and a California public benefit corporation formed on March 29, 2001. CCGP is an FTB-qualified exempt organization under section 23701d of the California Revenue & Taxation Code. CCGP is duly registered and renewed with the California Attorney General's Registry of Charitable Trusts. CCGP files annual nonprofit business license renewals with the City of Culver City. Nonprofit organization EIN 95-4858767.</p>
<p>Contact<br/>Charles Deen - President 310.559-1875 Fax.559-5992<br/>ccgp information email ccgreatparks@att.net<br/>Dan O'Brien - Founding President & Programs Advisor</p>
<p>donation mailing address - donations will be acknowledged for the purposes of qualifying your charitable tax deduction.<br/>Culver City Great Parks Association<br/>P.O. Box 1456, Culver City, CA 90232-1456</p>
<p>Mission<br/>It is our intention to better the environment of the parks and playgrounds beginning with public interest and input, without straining the city budget. While we will not refuse financial assistance from the city, it is our goal to fund each project through federal and state grants, public and private donations, and organized fundraisers.<br/>Community<br/>With community involvement, from design, to budget, to completion, it is our belief that we will enhance our parks and playgrounds in a way that the residents of Culver City expect: in harmony with the neighborhoods, families and kids that Culver City parks and playgrounds serve.<br/>Park Neighborhoods<br/>CCGP is encouraging your active participation in helping to create Friends And Neighbors FAN Clubs and becoming directly involved with each of Culver City’s parks and playgrounds.<br/>Parks/Neighborhoods: Blair Hills Park, Blanco Park, Carlson Park, Coombs Park, Culver City Park, Culver West Richard Alexander Park, El Marino/Sunkist Park, Fox Hills Park, Heritage Park, Laurel and Hardy Park, Lindberg Park, Media Park, Syd Kronethal/McManus Park, Tellefson Park and Veterans Memorial Park. Playgrounds: El Marino, El Rincon, Farragut, La Ballona, and Lin Howe Elementary Schools.<br/>In an effort to energize community members to make their neighborhood park as great as you want it to be, Culver City Great Parks Association is asking you to become a part of your own FAN Club. Your Friends And Neighbors FAN Club will be a gateway for you to organize your friends and neighbors to meet and form a consensus on what you want to improve in your favorite park or playground. Then, you can use the CCGP IRS-approved, 501(c)(3) non-profit status to fundraise; as well as our relationship with the City of Culver City to implement the improvements you desire.<br/>Organizational Achievements<br/>December 2006 - CCGP Founding President Dan O'Brien makes a presentation to the Culver City Parks & Recreation Commission to publicly announce the formation of the Culver City Great Parks Association. The CCGP formation was greatly facilitated by the kind donations of an existing 501(c)(3) California public benefit corporation and over $1,000 in seed money. Nonprofit EIN 95-4858767.<br/>August 2007 - CCGP holds its 1st fundraising effort from a Fiesta La Ballona booth which produced over $850 from T-shirt sales. Our website culvercitygreatparks.org was established.<br/>September 2007 - The Culver City Observer provides a full-page advertisement in its 90th Culver City Anniversary Edition to display the Culver City Great Parks Mission Statement and to celebrate the youngest nonprofit organization in Culver City.<br/>2007-2008 - CCGP leadership actively participates in the Culver City Parks & Recreation Master Plan public sessions and planning process.<br/>June 2008 - Culver City Great Parks partners with Shane's Inspiritation in planning for an All Access Playground. Shane's requests that CCGP obtain an MOU agreement with the City of Culver City to proceed with fundraising and grant applications.<br/>August 2008 - CCGP holds another fundraising effort from a booth at Fiesta La Ballona.<br/>2009 - For Vets Park playground improvements, CCGP facilitiates charitable grant funding efforts and acts as fiscal sponsor for the Culver City Parks, Recreation and Community Service Department.<br/>August 2009 - CCGP holds another fundraising effort from a booth at Fiesta La Ballona featuring Culver City Parks Map placemats.<br/>December 2009 - CCGP partners with the KaBoom! "It starts with a Playgound" organization, the Wasserman Foundation and the City of Culver City to help create the new playground at Veterans Memorial Park. CCGP leadership actively participates in playground planning and the selection of equipment. CCGP worked with donor community to enhance the playground dedication celebration.<br/>May 2010 - CCGP becomes accepted member #92257 in the Ralph's Community Fund whereby grocery shoppers may enroll to support CCGP park improvement efforts with a small percentage of their purchases by using their Ralph's Rewards Card and doing the sign-in at <a href="http://www.ralphs.com">www.ralphs.com</a> and enrolling to support Culver City Great Parks.<br/>June 2010 - Culver City Great Parks holds fun jazz 'n dinner event at Kay 'N Dave's Cantina.<br/>August 2010 - CCGP proudly displays its Culver City Parks Map banner at Fiesta La Ballona and introduces new programs with the FAN Club and Ralph's Community Fund participation.<br/>November 2010 - Culver City Great Parks holds fun 'n dine week at Kay 'N Dave's Cantina.<br/>July 2011 - Founding President Dan O'Brien is appointed the Executive Vice President of the Culver City Education Foundation. Dan, thanks for your five years of service to the Culver City parks community! Your legacy is the "what a difference!" Vets Park Playground as a such great example of what can be accomplished at Culver City playgrounds. From all the kids, moms and dads, a great big THANK YOU for making the Vets Park Playground GREAT !<br/>January 2012 - The Culver City Times features Culver City Great Parks Association accomplishments in a great community news article and adds CCGP as a member !!</p>
<p>Design by Dan O'Brien<br/>We are the Voice for ...<br/>... all the kids, moms and dads who enjoy their family time at Culver City Parks in a clean, safe and fun environment ...</p>The GARY EDMUND CARTER COLLECTION - first stop on Culver City commuity Tourtag:culvercitytimes.com,2012-06-04:6303163:BlogPost:254762012-06-04T21:00:00.000ZCulver City Great Parks Assnhttp://culvercitytimes.com/profile/CulverCityGreatParksAssn
<p>Presentation to the Culver City Council<br></br>Monday – May 7, 2012</p>
<p>Mr. Mayor and members of the City Council, I am Charles Deen, president of Culver City Great Parks Association (CCGP). Welcome to the first stop on the community tour of the<br></br>Gary Edmund Carter Collection.</p>
<p>National Baseball Hall of Fame member Gary Edmund Carter was born in Culver City, California on April 8, 1954.</p>
<p>Mr. Mayor, tonight I am wearing a uniform representative of Gary Carter as a member of the…</p>
<p>Presentation to the Culver City Council<br/>Monday – May 7, 2012</p>
<p>Mr. Mayor and members of the City Council, I am Charles Deen, president of Culver City Great Parks Association (CCGP). Welcome to the first stop on the community tour of the<br/>Gary Edmund Carter Collection.</p>
<p>National Baseball Hall of Fame member Gary Edmund Carter was born in Culver City, California on April 8, 1954.</p>
<p>Mr. Mayor, tonight I am wearing a uniform representative of Gary Carter as a member of the San Francisco Giants (1990) before he played for the Los Angeles Dodgers (1991).</p>
<p>Presented tonight are following authentic items that reflect Gary Carter’s baseball playing career (1974-1992) with the Montreal Expos, New York Mets, San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers –</p>
<p>New York Mets 1986-model home jersey<br/>(autographed)</p>
<p>Gary Carter pro-model Louisville Slugger bat<br/>(autographed)</p>
<p>Gary Edmund Carter National Baseball Hall of Fame plaque</p>
<p>Hall of Fame Induction Program July 27, 2003<br/>(autographed)</p>
<p>Gary Carter HOF 2003 induction day plaque photo<br/>(autographed)</p>
<p>Gary Carter HOF induction baseball career photo<br/>(autographed)</p>
<p>This collection is being assembled for future permanent public display as an inspiration to Culver City youth. Other authentic, quality Gary Carter autographed items will be acquired.</p>CULVER CITY COUNCIL ADJOURNS IN MEMORY OF GARY EDMUND CARTERtag:culvercitytimes.com,2012-02-28:6303163:BlogPost:233212012-02-28T16:30:00.000ZCulver City Great Parks Assnhttp://culvercitytimes.com/profile/CulverCityGreatParksAssn
<h3 align="center" style="text-align: left;"><span class="font-size-1" style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Presentation to Culver City Council</span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="text-align: left;"><span class="font-size-1" style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Monday, February 27, 2012</span></h3>
<h3 align="center" style="text-align: left;"><span class="font-size-1" style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">by Charles and Susan Deen…</span></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;" align="center"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="font-size-1">Presentation to Culver City Council</span></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;" align="center"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="font-size-1">Monday, February 27, 2012</span></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;" align="center"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;" class="font-size-1">by Charles and Susan Deen</span></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;" align="center"> </h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;" align="center">In remembrance of Baseball Hall of Famer</h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="color: #008000;">GARY EDMUND CARTER</span></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;" align="center">#8 </h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;" align="center"> <strong>"KID"</strong></h3>
<h3 align="center">Born April 8, 1954 – Culver City, California</h3>
<h3 align="center">Died February 16, 2012 – Palm Beach, Florida</h3>
<h3 align="center">__________</h3>
<h3 align="center"><span class="font-size-2">These few words penned by Bart Giamatti*</span> <span class="font-size-2">in 1977 seem most appropriate.</span></h3>
<h3 align="center">We quote from …<strong><span style="color: #008000;"><i>The Green Fields of the Mind</i></span></strong></h3>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font-size-5"><em><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif;">It breaks your heart. </span></em></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font-size-5"><em><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif;">It is designed to break your heart.</span></em></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font-size-5"><em><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif;">The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again,</span></em></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-5"><em><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif;">and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings,</span></em></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font-size-5"><em><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif;">and then as soon as the chill rains come,</span></em></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-5"><em><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif;">it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone.</span></em></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font-size-5"><em><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif;">You count on it, rely on it to buffer the passage of time,</span></em></span></p>
<p><span class="font-size-5"><em><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif;">to keep the memory of sunshine and high skies alive,</span></em></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif;" class="font-size-4"><span class="font-size-5">and then just when the days are all twilight,</span></span></em></p>
<p><em><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif;" class="font-size-4"><span class="font-size-5">when you need it most</span>,</span></em> <em><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif;" class="font-size-4">it stops.</span></em></p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: right;"><span class="font-size-2"><strong><span style="color: #008000;" class="font-size-3">The Culver City Council adjourned in memory</span></strong>.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p align="center"><span class="font-size-1">*Angelo Bartlett Giamatti (1938–1989)</span></p>
<p align="center"><span class="font-size-1">Yale University President (1978–1986) - </span><span class="font-size-1">National League President (1986–1989)</span></p>
<p align="center"><span class="font-size-1">Commissioner of Baseball April 1, 1989 to September 1, 1989</span></p>GARY EDMUND CARTER - BORN IN CULVER CITY, CA - APRIL 8, 1954 - INDUCTED INTO NATIONAL BASEBALL HALL OF FAME AT COOPERSTOWN, NY - JULY 27, 2003tag:culvercitytimes.com,2012-02-23:6303163:BlogPost:229812012-02-23T00:00:00.000ZCulver City Great Parks Assnhttp://culvercitytimes.com/profile/CulverCityGreatParksAssn
<p style="text-align: left;"><span class="font-size-1">Information provided from reliable sources and is the copyright of</span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span class="font-size-1"><strong><span style="color: #008000;">Major League Baseball</span></strong> and/or</span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span class="font-size-1"><strong><span style="color: #008000;">National Baseball Hall of Fame …</span></strong></span></p>
<div class="content"></div>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span class="font-size-1">Information provided from reliable sources and is the copyright of</span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span class="font-size-1"><strong><span style="color: #008000;">Major League Baseball</span></strong> and/or</span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span class="font-size-1"><strong><span style="color: #008000;">National Baseball Hall of Fame </span></strong></span></p>
<div class="content"><div class="field field-type-filefield field-field-news-photo"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item odd"><div style="width: 307px;" class="caption none"><img class="imagecache imagecache-content_image" title="A smile always on his face, one of Gary Carter's last trips to Cooperstown was for the 2010 Hall of Fame Classic. (National Baseball Hall of Fame Library)" alt="A smile always on his face, one of Gary Carter's last trips to Cooperstown was for the 2010 Hall of Fame Classic. (National Baseball Hall of Fame Library)" src="http://baseballhall.org/sites/default/files/imagecache/content_image/2-16-12_carterobit.jpg" width="275" height="235"/></div>
</div>
<div class="field-item odd"> </div>
<div class="field-item odd">A smile always on his face, one of Gary Carter's</div>
<div class="field-item odd">last trips to Cooperstown was for the</div>
<div class="field-item odd">2010 Hall of Fame Classic at Doubleday Field.</div>
<div class="field-item odd"><span class="font-size-1">(National Baseball Hall of Fame Library)</span></div>
<div class="field-item odd"> </div>
<div class="field-item odd"> <span class="field-content"><span class="field-content"><a href="http://baseballhall.org/node/1120"><img class="imagecache imagecache-hof_plaque imagecache-default imagecache-hof_plaque_default" title="" alt="" src="http://baseballhall.org/sites/default/files/imagecache/hof_plaque/hof/plaques/Carter%20Gary%20Plaque_NBL_0.png" width="279" height="391"/></a></span></span></div>
<div class="field-item odd"><span class="field-content"><span class="field-content"><strong> National</strong></span></span> <b>Baseball</b> <strong>Hall of Fame </strong></div>
<div class="field-item odd"><strong> </strong> Inducted July 27, 2003</div>
<p class="field-item odd"><b> </b>First Montreal Expo</p>
<div class="field-item odd"><div><p> <span class="font-size-3"> <b>Gary</b> <b>Edmund</b> <b>Carter</b> "Kid”</span></p>
<p><b>Career </b> </p>
<p>Catcher 1974-1992 - 19 seasons - wore uniform <span class="font-size-4"><b>#8</b></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Teams </b></p>
<p>Montreal Expos 1974-1984,1992</p>
<p>New York Mets 1985-1989 (1986 World Series Champions)</p>
<p>San Francisco Giants 1990 (5 hits in 5 at-bats - July 7, 1990 vs. Chicago Cubs)</p>
<p>Los Angeles Dodgers 1991</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Born</b> April 8, 1954 in <b><i>Culver City</i></b>, CA </p>
<p><b>Died </b>February 16, 2012 - age 57</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Family</b> </p>
<p>Sandra K. Carter – wife <b> </b> </p>
<p>Christina A. Kearce – daughter</p>
<p>Kimberly N. Bloemer – daughter </p>
<p>Douglas J. Carter – son</p>
<p> c/o The Gary Carter Foundation</p>
<p> 580 Village Blvd #315</p>
<p> Palm Beach, Florida 33409</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Parents</b> </p>
<p>Jim and Inge Carter - Mr. Carter, age 84,</p>
<p>died only 17 days after his son tells him of the HOF election</p>
<p>Jim, an aircraft worker, moved his family </p>
<p>to Fullerton when Gary was young child</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Schools </b> Fullerton, CA</p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b>MLB Record </b></p>
<p>Average .262 (.280 post-season)<b> </b></p>
<p>Homers 324 (4 post-season)</p>
<p>Hits 2092</p>
<p>RBI 1225</p>
<p>Runs 1025</p>
<p>Games 2296</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>All-Star</b> </p>
<p>11 Years, MVP (1981, 1984)</p>
<p>.300 (6 for 20), 3 homers, 5 RBI</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Honors</b> </p>
<p>Golden Glove (1980, 1981, 1982) </p>
<p>Silver Slugger (1981, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1986)</p>
<p>Second in voting for 1975 National League Rookie of the Year</p>
<p>Second in voting for 1980 National League MVP</p>
<p> </p>
<p>1961 (age 7) very 1<sup>st</sup> <strong>NFL Punt-Pass-Kick Contest</strong></p>
<p><strong>National 7-year old Champion</strong> (from Fullerton CA)</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>CULVER CITY GREAT PARKS ASSOCIATION offers PARK and PLAYGROUND FAN CLUBStag:culvercitytimes.com,2012-01-24:6303163:BlogPost:225182012-01-24T20:30:00.000ZCulver City Great Parks Assnhttp://culvercitytimes.com/profile/CulverCityGreatParksAssn
<div id="ctl00_cphBody_divText"><h2><em><font face="verdana,geneva" size="2"><strong>The</strong> <strong>Culver City Great Parks Association is actively seeking new CCGP Board members as well as residents from Culver City Park and Playground neighborhoods who want to be engaged in the best interests of their neighborhood park by joining a FAN Club. </strong> Details below in <span style="COLOR: #008000">Park Neighborhoods</span>.…</font></em></h2>
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<h2><em><font size="2" face="verdana,geneva"><strong>The</strong> <strong>Culver City Great Parks Association is actively seeking new CCGP Board members as well as residents from Culver City Park and Playground neighborhoods who want to be engaged in the best interests of their neighborhood park by joining a FAN Club. </strong> Details below in <span style="COLOR: #008000">Park Neighborhoods</span>.</font></em></h2>
<h2><em><font size="2" face="verdana,geneva">Please email your good words, support, questions and comments to <span style="COLOR: #008000"><strong><a href="mailto:ccgreatparks@att.net"><span style="COLOR: #008000">ccgreatparks@att.net</span></a></strong></span> and please visit <span style="COLOR: #008000"><strong><a href="http://www.culvercitygreatparks.org/"><span style="COLOR: #008000">www.culvercitygreatparks.org</span></a></strong></span> for more information.</font></em></h2>
<p><em><font size="2" face="verdana,geneva"><strong>Best regards,</strong></font></em></p>
<p><em><font size="2" face="verdana,geneva"><strong>Charles Deen, President (310) 559-1875 email: <span style="COLOR: #008000"><a href="mailto:ccgreatparks@att.net"><span style="COLOR: #008000">ccgreatparks@att.net</span></a></span></strong></font></em></p>
<div class="post xfolkentry">
<h2 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" class="title"><span style="COLOR: #008000"><strong><a class="postheader taggedlink" href="http://culvercitygreatparks.org/blog/post/2009/12/04/MAKING-A-DIFFERENCE-AT-VETERANS-PARK.aspx"><span style="COLOR: #008000">MAKING A DIFFERENCE AT VETERANS PARK</span></a></strong></span></h2>
<div class="descr">
Friday, 4 December 2009 by Dan O'Brien, Founding President (serving from 2006 thru 2011)<br />
</div>
<div class="descr">
<span style="COLOR: #008000" class="font-size-3"><font size="6"><strong>KaBOOM! "It starts with a playground" Organization partners with Culver City Great Parks</strong></font></span><br />
</div>
<div class="entry">
<div align="justify">
<img alt="" align="left" src="http://culvercitygreatparks.org/blog/image.axd?picture=2009%2f12%2fKIDS_RULE.jpg">Only adults could participate in build day (because of City liability issues), but much of our efforts in the <br />
<strong>Veterans Memorial Park</strong> playground were for kids... and moms... and dads... and, well, everyone. Around 200 community members, city staff & employees of the Wasserman Media Group pitched in and got dirty. During an amazing day, a playground was built, hundreds of square feet of garden was planted, picnic tables were refurbished and repainted, cubby holes were built for the teen center, a permanent bicycle rack was installed, the softball backstops were painted, and a mural was painted! <br />
<em>Wow, did I say it was a busy day? </em><br />
</div>
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Thanks to the folks at KaBOOM! and the Wasserman Foundation, Culver City was given a grant to do a lot of much needed work to its busiest park. What a perfect example of the private sector, a city, and its residents collaborating to fulfill a dream. <br />
<strong>Culver City Great Parks Association</strong> played a vital role in participating in the grant request process, recruiting community members to participate, and ultimately getting our hands dirty - AND REVELING IN IT! <br />
<em>... and did our kids really, really want to be there and get dirty too ... you</em> <br />
<em>bet!</em><br />
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The playground was open for jumping, climbing, sliding, dangling and just plain having fun by Monday, December 7, 2009. Thanks to <br />
<strong>Culver City Great Parks</strong> board member, Holly Port, for the amazing pictures. <br />
<em>Play! and Enjoy!</em><br />
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<p><img alt="" src="http://culvercitygreatparks.org/blog/image.axd?picture=2009%2f12%2fkaboom_build.jpg"></p>
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<h2 style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="COLOR: #008000; TEXT-DECORATION: underline">Parks Community and Mission Statements</span></h2>
<h2><span style="COLOR: #008000">Who We Are</span></h2>
<p><font size="2" face="verdana,geneva">The <strong>Culver City Great Parks Association</strong> (CCGP) is a community based fund-raising organization whose mission is to improve the physical appearance and functionality of our parks and playgrounds. </font></p>
<p><font size="2">Here is a summary of <strong>Culver City Great Parks Association</strong> plans and programs for 2012 and beyond:</font></p>
<p><font size="2"><strong><font size="5">*</font> FORMING FAN CLUBS FOR EACH OF OUR PARKS & PLAYGROUNDS <font size="5">*</font></strong></font></p>
<p><strong> <span style="COLOR: #008000"><font size="4">FAN</font></span></strong> = <strong>Friends And Neighbors</strong> working together for providing representation</p>
<p> and direct neighborhood park and playground involvement</p>
<p><strong><font size="2"><font size="5">*</font></font></strong><font size="2"> "</font><strong><font size="2"><span style="COLOR: #008000">PUT CCGP ON THE MAP</span></font><font size="2">" WITH AD SPONSOR PROGRAM </font> <font size="5">*</font></strong></p>
<p><font size="2"><strong><font size="5">* </font> WORKING WITH THE CULVER CITY PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION</strong></font></p>
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<font size="2"><strong> AND THE DIRECTOR OF PARKS, RECREATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICE <font size="5">*</font></strong></font><br />
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<p><font size="2"><strong><font size="5">*</font> WORKING TO GROW OUR "RALPH'S COMMUNITY FUND" PROGRAM <font size="5">*</font></strong></font></p>
<p><font size="2"><strong><font size="5">*</font> BE INCLUSIVE WITH INVOLVING NEW CCGP BOARD MEMBERS <font size="5">*</font></strong></font></p>
<h2><span style="COLOR: #008000">Tax Status</span></h2>
<p><font size="2" face="verdana,geneva"><font size="2" face="verdana,geneva">The <span style="COLOR: #008000"><strong>Culver City Great Parks Association</strong></span> (CCGP)</font> is an IRS-qualified section <span style="COLOR: #008000"><strong>501(c)(3)</strong></span> charitable nonprofit organization and a California public benefit corporation formed on March 29, 2001. CCGP is an FTB-qualified exempt organization under section 23701d of the California Revenue & Taxation Code. CCGP is duly registered and renewed with the California Attorney General's Registry of Charitable Trusts. CCGP files annual nonprofit business license renewals with the <span style="COLOR: #008000"><strong>City of Culver City</strong></span>. </font><font size="2" face="verdana,geneva">Nonprofit organization EIN <strong>95-4858767</strong>.<br></font></p>
<h2><span style="COLOR: #008000">Contact</span></h2>
<p><font size="2" face="verdana,geneva">Charles Deen - President 310.559-1875 Fax.559-5992</font></p>
<p> <strong><font size="3">ccgp</font></strong> information email <a href="mailto:ccgreatparks@att.net"><font color="#113311" size="3"><strong>ccgreatparks@att.net</strong></font></a></p>
<p><font size="2" face="verdana,geneva">Dan O'Brien - Founding President & Programs Advisor<br><br><em>donation mailing address - donations will be acknowledged for the purposes of qualifying your charitable tax deduction.</em><br></font><font size="2" face="verdana,geneva"><strong>Culver City Great Parks Association<br>P.O. Box 1456, Culver City, CA 90232-1456 </strong><strong><br></strong></font></p>
<h2><span style="COLOR: #008000">Mission</span> </h2>
<p><font size="2" face="verdana,geneva">It is our intention to better the environment of the parks and playgrounds beginning with public interest and input, without straining the city budget. While we will not refuse financial assistance from the city, it is our goal to fund each project through federal and state grants, public and</font> <font size="2" face="verdana,geneva">private donations, and organized fundraisers.</font></p>
<h2><span style="COLOR: #008000">Community</span></h2>
<p><font face="tahoma,arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><font size="2"><font face="verdana,geneva">With community involvement, from design, to budget, to completion, it is our belief that we will enhance our parks and playgrounds in a way that the residents of Culver City expect: in har<span class="style16">mony with the neighborhoods, families and kids that Culver City parks and playgrounds serve.</span></font> </font></font></p>
<h2 align="left"><span style="COLOR: #008000">Park Neighborhoods</span></h2>
<p align="left"><font face="verdana,geneva"><font size="2">CCGP is encouraging your active participation in helping to create <strong><span style="COLOR: #008000"><em>Friends And Neighbors</em> FAN</span> <span style="COLOR: #008000">Clubs</span></strong> and becoming directly involved with <span style="COLOR: #008000">each</span> of Culver City’s parks and playgrounds. </font></font></p>
<p align="left"><font face="verdana,geneva"><font size="2"><em><strong><span style="COLOR: #008000">Parks/Neighborhoods:</span></strong> <span style="COLOR: #008000"><span style="COLOR: #000000">Blair Hi</span></span>lls Park,</em> <em>Blanco Park, Carlson Park, Coombs Park, Culver City Park, Culver West Richard Alexander Park, El Marino/Sunkist Park, Fox Hills Park, Heritage Park, Laurel and Hardy Park, Lindberg Park, Media Park, Syd Kronethal/McManus Park, Tellefson Park and Veterans Memorial Park. <font size="2"><span style="COLOR: #008000"><strong>Playgrounds:</strong></span> <em>El Marino, El Rincon, Farragut, La Ballona, and Lin Howe Elementary Schools</em>.</font></em></font></font></p>
<p align="justify"><font face="verdana,geneva"><font size="2">In an effort to energize community members to make their neighborhood park as great as you want it to be, <span style="COLOR: #008000"><strong>Culver City Great Parks Association</strong></span> is asking you to become a part of your own <strong><span style="COLOR: #008000">FAN</span></strong> <strong><span style="COLOR: #008000">Club</span></strong>. </font> Yo<font size="2">ur <span style="COLOR: #008000"><strong>Friends And Neighbors FAN Club</strong></span> will be a gateway for you to organize your friends and neighbors to meet and form a consensus on what you want to improve in your favorite park or playground. Then, you can use the CCGP IRS-approved, 501(c)(3) non-profit status to fundraise; as well as our relationship with the <span style="COLOR: #008000"><strong>City of Culver City</strong></span> to implement the improvements you desire.</font></font></p>
<h2><span style="COLOR: #008000">Organizational Achievements</span></h2>
<p><font size="2" face="verdana,geneva">December 2006 - CCGP Founding President Dan O'Brien makes a presentation to the <strong>Culver City Parks & Recreation Commission</strong> to publicly announce the formation of the <strong><span style="COLOR: #008000">Culver City Great Parks</span> <span style="COLOR: #008000">Association</span></strong>. The CCGP formation was greatly facilitated by the kind donations of an existing 501(c)(3) California public benefit corporation and over $1,000 in seed money. Nonprofit EIN 95-4858767. </font></p>
<p><font size="2" face="verdana,geneva">August 2007 - CCGP holds its 1st fundraising effort from a <strong>Fiesta La Ballona</strong> booth which produced over $850 from T-shirt sales. Our website <span style="COLOR: #008000"><strong>culvercitygreatparks.org</strong></span> was established.<img class="align-right" src="http://culvercitygreatparks.org/images/kidstees_400.jpg" width="200"></font></p>
<p><font size="2" face="verdana,geneva">September 2007 - The <em><strong>Culver City Observer</strong></em> provides a full-page advertisement in its <strong><em>90th Culver City Anniversary Edition</em></strong> to display the <strong><span style="COLOR: #008000">Culver City Great Parks</span></strong> Mission Statement and to celebrate the youngest nonprofit organization in Culver City.</font></p>
<p><font size="2" face="verdana,geneva">2007-2008 - CCGP leadership actively participates in the <strong>Culver City Parks & Recreation Master Plan</strong> public sessions and planning process.</font></p>
<p><font size="2" face="verdana,geneva">June 2008 - <strong><span style="COLOR: #008000">Culver City Great Parks</span></strong> partners with <strong><span style="COLOR: #000000">Shane's Inspiritation</span></strong> in planning for an <strong><span style="COLOR: #008000">All Access Playground</span></strong>. Shane's requests that CCGP obtain an MOU agreement with the City of Culver City to proceed with fundraising and grant applications.</font></p>
<p><font size="2" face="verdana,geneva">August 2008 - CCGP holds another fundraising effort from a booth at <strong>Fiesta La Ba</strong><strong>llona</strong>.</font></p>
<p><font size="2" face="verdana,geneva">2009 - For Vets Park playground improvements, CCGP facilitiates charitable grant funding efforts and acts as fiscal sponsor for the <strong>Culver City Parks, Recreation and Community Service Department</strong>. </font></p>
<p><font size="2" face="verdana,geneva">August 2009 - CCGP holds another fundraising effort from a booth at <strong>Fiesta La Ballona</strong> featuring <strong><span style="COLOR: #008000">Culver City Parks Map</span></strong> placemats.</font></p>
<p><font size="2" face="verdana,geneva">D</font><font size="2" face="verdana,geneva">ecember 2009 - CCGP partners with the KaBoom! "It starts with a Playgound" organization, the Wasserman Foundation and the <strong>City of Culver City</strong> to help create the new playground at <strong>Veterans Memorial Park</strong>. CCGP leadership actively participates in playground planning and the selection of equipment. CCGP worked with donor community to enhance the playground dedication celebration.</font></p>
<p><font size="2" face="verdana,geneva">May 2010 - CCGP becomes accepted member <span style="COLOR: #008000"><strong>#92257</strong></span> in the <span style="COLOR: #008000"><strong>Ralph's Community Fund</strong></span> whereby grocery shoppers may enroll to support CCGP park improvement efforts with a small percentage of their purchases by using their <strong>Ralph's Rewards Card</strong> and doing the sign-in at</font> <a href="http://www.ralphs.com/"><strong><font color="#113311" size="2" face="verdana,geneva">www.ralphs.com</font></strong></a><font size="2" face="verdana,geneva"> and enrolling to support <strong>Culver City Great Parks</strong>.</font></p>
<p><font size="2" face="verdana,geneva">June 2010 - <strong><span style="COLOR: #008000">Culver City Great Parks</span></strong> holds fun jazz 'n dinner event at <strong>Kay 'N Dave's Cantina</strong>.</font></p>
<p><font size="2" face="verdana,geneva">August 2010 - CCGP proudly displays its <span style="COLOR: #008000"><em><strong>Culver City Parks Map</strong></em></span> banner at <strong>Fiesta La Ballona</strong> and introduces new programs with the <span style="COLOR: #008000"><strong>FAN Club</strong></span> and <span style="COLOR: #008000"><strong>Ralph's Community Fund</strong></span> participation.</font></p>
<p><font size="2" face="verdana,geneva"><font size="2" face="verdana,geneva">November</font> 2010 - <strong><span style="COLOR: #008000">Culver City Great Parks</span></strong> holds fun 'n dine week at <strong>Kay 'N Dave's Cantina</strong>.</font></p>
<p><span style="FONT-FAMILY: verdana, geneva" class="font-size-2"><font size="2">July 2011 - <strong><span style="COLOR: #008000">Founding President Dan O'Brien</span></strong> is appointed the Executive Vice President of the <span style="COLOR: #008000"><strong>Culver City Education Foundation</strong></span>. <em>Dan, thanks for your five years of service to the Culver City parks community! Your legacy is the "</em><em>what a difference!" <span style="FONT-FAMILY: verdana, geneva" class="font-size-2"><font size="2"><em><span style="COLOR: #008000"><span style="COLOR: #000000"><span style="COLOR: #008000"><strong>Vets Park Playground</strong> </span>as a such great example of what can be accomplished at Culver City playgrounds.</span></span></em></font></span> <strong><span style="COLOR: #008000">From all the ki</span><span style="COLOR: #008000"><strong>ds</strong>, moms and dads, a great big THANK YOU for making the <strong>Vets Park Playground GREAT </strong>! </span></strong></em></font></span></p>
<p><span style="FONT-FAMILY: verdana, geneva" class="font-size-2"><font size="2">January 2012 - The <strong><span style="COLOR: #008000"><em>Culver City Times</em></span></strong> features <strong><span style="COLOR: #008000">Culver City Great Parks Association</span></strong> accomplishments in a great community news article and adds CCGP as a <strong><span style="COLOR: #008000">member</span></strong> !!</font></span></p>
<p><a href="http://culvercitytimes.com/photo/2007ccgreatparkswebsitedesign"><img class="align-center" alt="Thumbnail" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/164678367?profile=RESIZE_180x180" width="128"></a></p>
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="COLOR: #008000" class="font-size-1">Design by Dan O'Brien</span></p>
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span class="font-size-4"><strong>We are the Voice for ...</strong></span></p>
<p><strong><span style="COLOR: #008000"><font size="4"><em>... all the kids, moms and dads who enjoy their family time at Culver City Parks in a clean, safe and fun environment ...</em></font></span></strong></p>
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