Tile Painting Press Release

Tile Painting Event in October
Will Raise Funds for New Lifeguard Tower

“Party at the Park!” to take place in Powerhouse Park on October 19

A group project - painting tiles for the bathroom area (FOP archives)

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October 3, 2008.  On Sunday, October 19 from 10am-4pm Friends of the Powerhouse and the City of Del Mar Lifeguards will hold a tile painting event “Party in the Park!” in Powerhouse Park to raise funds for the new Lifeguard Tower, it was announced today by Jill Coughlin and Ronnie Delaney, Friends of the Powerhouse Boardmembers and Co-Chairs of the event.

In addition to tile painting, there will be face painting, live music, a barbeque lunch and commemorative t-shirts and sweatshirts. Bricks that will be installed at the new facility will also be for sale with personal inscriptions.

“Party at the Park! is a fun way for families and Del Marians to come out and support the Del Mar Lifeguards as we raise funds for a new Lifeguard Tower and Beach Safety Center,” said Coughlin.

Every dollar raised at this event will be matched by the Del Mar Foundation as part of a $35,000 Community Challenge grant the group has earmarked for the new Lifeguard Tower.

“We’d like as many Del Marians as possible to be a permanent part of Del Mar history by coming out to Powerhouse Park and painting a tile or having a brick inscribed for the new Lifeguard Tower,” said Delaney.

The prices for tiles and bricks which will be installed at the new Lifeguard Tower remain the same as the prices charged for the Powerhouse Community Center nine years ago.  Participants can paint their own creation on a tile, or they can purchase one of four designs created by local artist Annika Nelson. 

“Through a variety of efforts over the past two years, the Friends of the Powerhouse has raised more than $125,000 in the community for this worthy cause. As with the renovation of the Powerhouse Community Center nine years ago, we’re pleased to be working closely with the City of Del Mar to make this much-needed facility a reality,” said Barbara Harper, Fundraising Chair for the Lifeguard Tower and Beach Safety Center.

The commemorative t-shirts and sweatshirts which will be on sale that day are silk-screened with a sketch of the current lifeguard tower drawn by Lifeguard Mark Rathsam.  Commemorative ball caps produced by Casa Del Mar, a local manufacturer of custom apparel and promotional products, will also be available for purchase.

Tiles measuring 4” x 4” are priced as follows: 1 for $40, 2 for $75, 3 for $100 and 4 for $130.  Family size tiles have been added for this event; they measure 8” x 8” and cost $150 each.  Bricks can also be purchased for $250 and inscribed with a personal message.

The tiles and bricks will be installed during construction of the new Lifeguard Tower.  All proceeds raised at the October 19 event will go toward the new Lifeguard Tower and checks, cash and Visa/MC will be accepted. For more information call 858 755 1641 or visit www.friendsofthepowerhouse.org.

For more information:  Piper Parry     858 245 8087

press release May 2008
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FRIENDS OF THE POWERHOUSE TO HOLD SUMMER FUNDRAISER
FOR NEW BEACH SAFETY CENTER

     May 27, 2008. The Friends of the Powerhouse and Del Mar Lifeguards are holding a summer fundraising event, “Power to the Tower,” on Wednesday, July 30 at En Fuego to raise money for construction of the new Beach Safety Center at 17th Street in Del Mar. The announcement was made by Jill Coughlin, Chair of the event and Piper Parry, Co-Chair.

“Thanks to the brilliant leadership of new City Manager Karen Brust, Community Services Director Pat Vergne, the Finance Committee and local resident Howard Gad, construction of the Beach Safety Center is expected to begin in the next twelve months. The Friends of the Powerhouse is pleased to be part of making this much-needed project a reality in the near-term,” said Coughlin. “And with the summer upon us, we're reminded of the fabulous job that is done on a daily basis by our Del Mar Lifeguards, and the need to support them in maintaining their clean safety record.”

A range of vacation packages and other unique offerings will be auctioned by master of ceremonies Richard Houk including: “Viva Las Vegas” with 5 nights at a hotel on the strip and roundtrip transportation on a private plane; a week's stay at a vacation hideaway on the coast of Oregon; and a Tiki Torch party at the beach hosted by the Del Mar Lifeguards.

The Del Mar beach attracts more than 2 million visitors annually.

“We're expecting a record turn-out at our beach this summer and a correlating increase in emergency and first-aid services, underscoring the need for a new Beach Safety Center and Lifeguard Headquarters. We are very appreciative of the outpouring of community support which has served as a catalyst for making this facility a reality,” said Pat Vergne, Director of Community Services.

Cocktails will start at 5:30pm, followed by a Mexican and seafood buffet dinner and a live auction. En Fuego, a popular local restaurant and bar, is located at 1342 Camino del Mar. Public parking is available at City Hall on Camino Del Mar between 10 th and 11 th Street and valet parking is available in front of Bully's.

Tickets are available for the July event by contacting Friends of the Powerhouse at (858) 755-5220. Tickets are limited and are $50 for one person or $90 for two people. They are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

The Friends of the Powerhouse was formed more than ten years ago to work with the City of Del Mar to renovate and preserve the Powerhouse building on Coast Boulevard. After several years of fundraising, the building was upgraded and transformed into the Powerhouse Community Center that today is an integral part of the Del Mar community.

Following the renovation of the Powerhouse, the Friends raised money for and worked with the City of Del Mar to rebuild and upgrade the Tot Lot, located at the southern tip of Powerhouse Park. The Friends of the Powerhouse has also raised money for and funded other beach-related projects including a lifeguard rescue boat and beach-ready wheelchairs, among others.

Press Contact:  Piper Parry

Note: Auction items
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Summer Fundraiser Auction Items: Auction and raffle items will be posted mid-June.

press release December 2007
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FRIENDS OF THE POWERHOUSE TO HOLD 11th ANNUAL VALENTINE DANCE TO RAISE FUNDS FOR NEW COMMUNITY SERVICES HEADQUARTERS

     December 27, 2007. It was announced today by Carmen Fernandez, Chair of the Annual Dinner Dance Committee and Co-Chair Carol Fletcher that Friends of the Powerhouse is holding its 11th Annual Dinner Dance and Auction on Saturday, February 9 at the Powerhouse Community Center. Proceeds from the “Del Mar Sweethearts: Temperature Rising” event will be used for construction of the new Community Services/Lifeguard Headquarters at 17th Street.

“With increased usage of Del Mar beaches by local residents as well as more than two million visitors annually, Del Mar is sorely in need of a new Community Services/Lifeguard Headquarters. After 40 years, the current facilities have been outgrown and have fallen to disrepair, and we're pleased to partner with the City of Del Mar to raise funds for the new Headquarters,” said Fernandez.

Among items to be auctioned by Sam Bass, local disc jockey at KYXY include: A champagne brunch and sail in San Diego Bay onboard a 38-foot classic Stephenson sailboat; rental of the Powerhouse with dinner for 10 people catered by Jake's; A Day at the Races for up to 10 people with lunch in the Directors Dining Room at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club and a visit to the paddock and winner's circle; and the Del Mar Beach Package including a boat ride on the Lifeguard rescue boat, scuba lessons and surf lessons for two and a wagon filled with beach accessories.

“The temperature will be rising at the Powerhouse on February 9, and we're looking forward to enjoying a fun evening with old friends and also to welcoming new faces to our annual event as we raise funds for a very good cause. And, Jake's dinner of lobster and steak is sure to be sumptuous as always,” said Fletcher.

Cocktails will start at 6:00pm, dinner will be followed by an auction of select items and dancing to the music of Java. Complimentary parking for the event will be offered at the King Lot across the street from the Powerhouse Community Center.

The Valentine Dinner Dance sold out last year with approximately 140 people attending the event. Tickets are available for this year's event by contacting Friends of the Powerhouse at (858) 755-5220. Tickets are limited and are $100 per person for cocktails, dinner and dancing. Tables for 10 people are available for $1,000. Tickets are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

The Friends of the Powerhouse was formed more than ten years ago to work with the City of Del Mar to preserve the Powerhouse building on Coast Boulevard. After several years of fundraising, the building was upgraded and transformed into the Community Center that exists today.

Subsequent to that, the Friends raised money for and worked with the City of Del Mar to construct the Tot Lot, located at the southern tip of Powerhouse Park. The Friends of the Powerhouse has also raised money for and funded many other beach-related projects including the beach-ready wheelchairs and continued maintenance and preservation of the Powerhouse Community Center.

Press Contact:  Piper Parry

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newsletter Winter 2007
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Dear Friends & Neighbors,

As the Friends of the Powerhouse celebrates more than eleven years as a non-profit organization in the community, we're pleased to announce our Annual Valentine Dinner Dance & Auction on Saturday, February 9, 2008 with the theme: "Del Mar Sweethearts, Temperature Rising."

Put it on your calendar & call us at 858-755-5220 to reserve your ticket. Every year the event is a sell out, so don't delay making reservations.

As with years past, monies raised are used to support or fund causes related to Del Mar Beach activities surrounding the Powerhouse Community Center on Coast Blvd.

This year funds have been dedicated to the future construction of the new Community Services/Lifeguard Headquarters at 17th Street. After 40 years, the current Lifeguard Tower & public facilities have been outgrown & are in disrepair. In addition to use by local residents, more than 2 million visitors come to our beaches each year, & our local Lifeguard team is working hard to maintain their perfect record in the existing substandard facilities.

The Friends of the Powerhouse are pleased to be working with the City of Del Mar to see the fruition of this project. Since the Friends of the Powerhouse group was formed it has raised money to preserve the Powerhouse Building. Now after years of fundraising it has been upgraded & transformed into a popular venue for weddings & other special events. It is an enjoyable location for the Cultural Arts Committee Musicals & Lectures, The Del Mar Foundation's Kids' Concerts, & daily senior activities such as exercise classes & bridge games. With the building in constant use, the Friends of the Powerhouse work closely with the City with the ongoing maintenance & preservation.

We have also raised money for and worked with the City to construct and upgrade the Tot Lot at the southern end of the Powerhouse Park. Our other projects include a defibrillator, beach reach wheelchairs and rescue boats all housed at our main Lifeguard Tower at 17th Street.

As year-end approaches, please consider supporting the construction of a new Community Services/Lifeguard headquarters that is sorely needed by donating to the Friends of the Powerhouse c/o PO Box 297, Del Mar, CA 92014.

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© 2008 Friends of the Powerhouse, Del Mar, California.     All rights reserved