Dixon Family Services

Letter to the Community May 1, 2013

Once again, the Dixon Community Block Party was a success and very enjoyable. Saturday was a beautiful day for a community event in downtown Dixon and Dixon Family Services thanks all who helped make the fun, free and meaningful event possible for children and families in the Women’s Improvement Club (WIC) Park.

The 18^th Annual Dixon Community Block Party provided live entertainment, free games and crafts, free jump house, and various delicious concessions for approximately 300 people. Parents learned about healthy activities for their children including karate, singing, soccer, exercise, scouts, 4-H and more.  Agencies that provide child care, afterschool programs and kids’ health insurance were also on hand with information, brochures, games and freebies for all.

As in every Block Party the Dixon Police and Fire Departments and the Solano County Sheriff’s Departments were there to greet the public, gave out safety information, jelly bellies and stickers and they allowed the children to get in their vehicles, providing an opportunity for kids to interact with law enforcement in a positive way.  We appreciate that these departments have been with us since the very first Block Party.  The kids love the vehicles, rescue vehicles, canine officers and posse horses they bring.  Another big hit with the kids – both young and otherwise, was the petting zoo with rabbits, rats, hamsters, guinea pigs and other little critters that we got to pet and watch.  Thank you to the Montessori School and Tremont 4-H for letting us pet their pets.

The Dixon Block Party started 18 years ago when Dixon Family Services (DFS) and the Dixon Advocates for Children and Youth (DAC) set out to create increased awareness of child abuse and how to prevent it.  April is Child Abuse Awareness month and our Block Party usually falls right on the “Day of The Child”, or “Día de los Niños”.

It has been our tradition for the Citizen of the Year to lead the Blue Ribbon Ceremony.  This year’s Citizens of the Year, Carol and Dave Johnson reminded everyone that children are our most precious resource, so all citizens need to become more aware of child abuse, signs to look for, ways to prevent it, and how to report it.  The blue ribbons tied onto the WIC Park sign represent cases of child abuse or neglect in 2012.  They pointed out that there were approximately 300 reported allocations of abuse or neglect in 2012 right here in our own community and that there are usually additional cases that go unreported.

For more information on child abuse please call Dixon Family Services at 678-0442 or visit our website.  You can also visit the Solano County Children’s Alliance website at www.childnet.org for additional information.

This year financial support for the Block Party came from Dixon ATOD, First 5 Solano and Dixon Wal-Mart. And for the second year in a row, we are grateful to S & J Party Jumps’ Sam and Julia Lopez for providing a huge jump house, free of charge, which many children enjoyed all day long. Wal-Mart also provided a crew of volunteers to monitor kids in the jump house for the day.

Live entertainment was provided by some long-time favorites such as Ramtown Karate, Dixon Music Studio and Miracle Christian Worship Center.  This year we were also treated to the readings of a famous poet, Francisco X Alarcón.  The Dixon Public Library, with a grant from First 5 Solano, was able to provide the award-winning poet for reading, signing and distributing free copies of his books at the Block Party.  All of the live entertainment was delightful for all who were present at the Block Party and we very much appreciate their performances.

Another tradition that has been going on for several years now is that First 5 Solano Commissioner, Dixon resident and past Citizen of the Year, Dan Ayala provided the sound equipment, DJ and Master of Ceremonies for the Block Party.  Dan has been a true friend and supporter of DFS for many years and we appreciate him and his volunteerism.

Dixon Family Services thanks EVERYONE who helped make the Block Party a success.  We hope to continue this traditional event that is totally FREE for the public.  I saw a lot of happy faces at the 18^th Annual Dixon Block Party last Saturday and that makes me very happy too.

Sincerely, Cookie Powell

6th Grade Student of Tremont School Wins

DAC 2013 Logo Contest

•  The 18th annual Dixon Advocates for Children and Youth (DAC) Logo Contest was a great success.

• The theme chosen by the child advocates group this year was “FUN CAN BE FREE”

• The winning artist is Valerie Ruiz, a Tremont Elementary 6th grade student.   Valerie and her artwork will be acknowledged during the April 23 City Council meeting and again at the April 27 Community Block Party in the Women’s Improvement Park.

• Entries were judged by DAC members, Dixon Family Services Staff and community members.  The decision is never easy to make, however, Valerie’s drawing of kids at a park jumping rope, playing ball and hop-scotch was a great interpretation of the theme and her artwork was excellent and colorful.

• Congratulations to Valerie.   Her artwork will be on the front of the DAC t-shirts which will be on sale for $12 each at the Block Party.  For more information on how to get a t-shirt, call 678-0442.

•  As her prize, Valerie will receive a free t-shirt with her winning logo and a gift certificate to a local restaurant for her and her family.

• There were also first, second and third place winners in 4 different age categories.  There will be prizes and certificates awarded to them during the Block Party.  Those winners are as follows:

Kindergarten and First Grade

First Place -                         Natalie Diaz                                        1^st grade Dixon Montessori – Ms. Patty

Second Place -                   Akshara Bachu                                  1^st grade Dixon Montessori – Ms. Patty

Third Place –                       Tehya Brians                                      Kindergarten Dixon Montessori – Ms. Patty

Second Grade

First Place -                         Isabella Wilson                                  2^nd grade Dixon Montessori – Ms. Melissa

Second Place -                   Angelica Barajas                               2^nd grade Tremont – Mrs. Lopez

Third Place -                       Mariah Castillo                                  2^nd grade Dixon Montessori – Ms. Kim

Third and Fourth Grade

First Place -                         Roxanna Green                                3^rd grade Dixon Montessori – Ms. Melissa

Second Place -                   Keira Wolf                                           3^rd grade Dixon Montessori – Ms. Kim

Third Place -                       Jessica Sutherland                           4^th grade Gretchen Higgins – Mrs. Gomez

Fifth and Sixth Grade

First Place -                         Luke Mustard                                    6^th grade Tremont – Mrs. McNeil

Second Place -                   Emily Corbett                                     6^th grade Tremont – Miss. Colombani

Third Place -                       Max McAlister                                   5^th grade Tremont – Ms. Sikes

• There were numerous entries from Dixon youth who drew kids playing games and other activities at home and in parks.  There were many creative and colorful interpretations of the theme of “Fun Can Be Free”.

• Dixon Family Services thanks everyone who participated in this contest.  Thank you also to the teachers and parents who encouraged the young people to submit their illustrations.

• The next event that DAC and Dixon Family Services are working on is the Annual Community Block Party scheduled for Saturday, April 27^th from 10:00am – 2:00pm.

• The focus of the Block Party will be on families and children, but this event is enjoyed by people of all ages.

• The Block Party will take place at the Women’s Improvement Park next to the Dixon Public Library, Corner of 113 and C Streets.

• For additional information about the logo contest or the Block Party call Cookie Powell or Rich Mason at Dixon Family Services – 678-0442.

Press Release, February, 2013                    

18^th ANNUAL DIXON COMMUNITY BLOCK PARTY

SATURDAY, APRIL 27 10AM-2PM

WOMEN’S IMPROVEMENT PARK, NEAR DIXON LIBRARY

Dixon Family Services Block Party committee members are planning The 18^th Annual Dixon Community Block Party to promote awareness of child abuse prevention as well as provide health and safety information to the community of Dixon.

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and the agency uses the event to encourage parents to involve their children in safe and healthy activities that are available in our community.  Youth organizations, sports, scouts, gymnastics, karate, afterschool programs and others will be on hand to assist parents in signing up.  Dixon Youth Soccer has been using the Block Party as the first sign-up event for many years.

Each year many local youth groups participate in the Block Party in order to raise funds and/or perform community service.  The Block Party committee recommends that booking is done early, as the concessions will not be duplicated. All food and drink items intended for sale are on a first come, first served basis. This is done so no group will be in competition with others for sales.

The intent of the Block Party is to bring people together, young and old, to have fun, and learn ways to keep our children active, safe and healthy. The day will be fun, interesting, and entertaining for everyone.

Admission to the community Block Party is free and so are many of the activities. Many organizations give out free gifts to party go-ers, such as balloons, pencils, and other items.

An even larger number of businesses and groups provide free craft making, face painting, plant making, live animals to pet and other fun activities throughout the day.

Block Party sponsorships from First 5 Solano and The Dixon ATOD (Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs) City Team allow organizers to offer a free jump house for children to enjoy each year as well as defray the expenses of stage rental, portable bathrooms and other essential items.

Dixon Family Services is also looking for volunteers to help organize, help set up the party, monitor the jump house, and other tasks.

Local youth take the stage with singing, dancing, and karate.  Organizers ask that youth groups wishing to perform call Dixon Family Services as early as possible, for stage scheduling.

Dixonites are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity for a free, fun, and safe family day right here in our own community park.

Block Party organizers welcome more participation and anyone interested should call Dixon Family Services. There is also a list of suggestions for concessions and activities for those who wish to get involved but don’t know how. Those interested should call 678-0442 and ask for Cookie or leave a message on extension 102.

Questions regarding this press release can be directed to Cookie Powell, Thank you.

Phone: 678-0442  Fax: 678-4014        Email: cookie@dixonfamilyservices.org