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Community Corner

Support El Cerrito High "Casino Night" – For a Safe and Sober Graduation Celebration

"Casino Night" is an community tradition where you can have fun, win prizes and help the graduating class at El Cerrito High enjoy a safe and sober graduation celebration, which this year will be a trip to Disneyland.

Pull out your Vegas clothes, grab your dance partner, and buy a ticket!  Parent volunteers are busy organizing a fun and financially important 2012 El Cerrito High School Casino Night. 

It takes place March 17, 7-11 p.m., at .

With a little luck from St. Patty (i.e., your support), the proceeds from Casino Night will send the Class of 2012 on a Safe and Sober Graduation Night trip to Disneyland.  And this year should be extra special with a change in venue to the Mira Vista Golf and Country Club.  The beautiful views, lovely architecture, music, food and prizes will add up to a great time and a “do good” atmosphere. 

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A $35 ticket buys you a night of fun and chances to take home fabulous prizes.  Everyone gets $25 in “play” chips to use on blackjack, craps, roulette, and/or poker.  Additional chips can be purchased, and the best (or luckiest) gambler takes home the still secret main prize. Raffle tickets will be sold, so those who don’t do well at the tables can still win. The Grand Prize in the raffle is a luncheon for 12 at a private Lake County Winery.  Other raffle prizes include a Kindle Fire, a $200 American Express gift card, and a $100 pre-loaded Clipper card.  If luck fails you at every turn, you can still silent auction your way to great prizes. Each class year has a theme: freshmen - Ecology/Succulents; sophomores - Rainy Day Activities; juniors - Hobbies; and seniors - Food & Dining.  Many local merchants and residents also donate auction items and money to make this a great event. 

All guests will be serenaded by classic piano music at the start of the evening (compliments of Mark Kroll, parent of a 2012 class member), and a bit later ECHS alum parent Willy Valera will spin discs that draw you to the dance floor.  Other parents and ECHS alum parents will pour your COMPLIMENTARY BEER AND WINE, and ECHS faculty and staff will mingle with the crowd.

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Providing a Graduation Night party/activity for seniors is a long-standing ECHS tradition with a storied history. The Class of 1967 danced the night away on the Cal campus. Other classes have bowled their graduation nights away. In recent years, the school gymnasium became an all night carnival.  Like the Class of 2011, the Class of 2012 is taking yet another page from history—a long, sleepy bus ride followed by a day at the Happiest Place on Earth, Disneyland.

Tickets can be purchased in advance for $35; $40 at the door.  Contact Cathy Garza:  garzacathy@gmail.com; 510.541.6195 (cell).  The Casino Night Committee also welcomes additional auction items, from merchandise to gift certificates to cash. 

Remember folks, it takes our whole village to look after our kids!

Cathy Garza is Casino Night co-chair and parent of an El Cerrito High senior.

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