“Unity in Sacred Sounds” is an appealing  title for the theme for this year’s Day of Inclusion presented by the Multicultural Council.  The program will feature performances in songs, dance and musical instruments, many of which are handmade.  The event will begin with a Native American blessing and conclude with refreshments. If you are looking for a free event to enjoy with your family and friends, you don’t want to miss this!  Mark your calendars for December 17th from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Box Theater in the Fox Entertainment Plaza.

This traditional event celebrates diversity and has been presented for the past six years by the MCC. It reflects the day created by Assemblyman Mike Eng in 2009 to “remember and learn about the sacrifices and contributions of our diverse immigrant heritage.”  Featured music includes “Indigenous Tribes” from Wells Middle School, with aboriginal Didgeridoos and African drumming; Hula Halau Ma Kahawai will perform the Hula Kahiko and chants accompanied by a Hawaiian gourd drum and Pahu drumming; Hassan Saouli will perform on the Oud, a handcrafted Middle Eastern instrument and sing traditional Arabic selections; and the Villegas Show Choir All-Stars from Yshmael Villegas Middle School in Alvord will sing three songs with African rhythms, accompanied by instruments and drums.

For more information, contact rmonge@aol.com

Docents Roberta and Bruce Spieler

Sometimes just as you are feeling the stress from the hustle and bustle of today’s world,  something pleasant comes along to take your mind off things.  This morning I attended the RMA Lecture Series “Out and About” trip to Heritage House.  What a delightful morning it was!  The weather was perfect:  a cool start that warmed up gradually as we enjoyed the beautiful gardens and learned about the house.  The Heritage House Hospitality Committee served a delicious array of pastries, fruit, coffee and tea for us to enjoy as Sharon Marvin, Docent Trainer, talked about the history of the house and its owners through the years.  We felt like Mrs. Bettner would come out any minute to welcome us and show us around.  While Mrs. Bettner may be long gone, the Heritage House Docents were there in force to graciously escort us through the house, plying us with a mixture of pertinent history and fascinating stories.   None of us were eager to leave such a lovely setting to get back to the demands of today’s world.  A big thanks to Peggy Barnhart for organizing this event for us.  Another big thanks goes to the Heritage House Docents for hosting the morning with their usual grace and charm!  The Heritage House is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. with the last tour starting at 3:15 p.m.

What’s not to like?  Good theater, tasty Hors d’oeuvres, wine, cookies and coffee.  The RMA is hosting a fundraiser November 10, 2016 with a viewing of the Community Players’ production of “The Lion in Winter”, a wonderful complex play.  Many will remember the classic movie depicting the personal and political conflicts of Henry II of England and his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine set at Christmas time, 1153, played in the movie by Peter O’Toole and Katharine Hepburn, respectively.  Now you can see a live presentation of this classic.  Tickets are only $35 and are going fast, so add this to your calendar and join us at this special presentation.