Social Journal

The Bach Dancing and Dynamite Society enjoyed fine weather for its Half Moon Bay New Year’s Day benefit for "Children in Africa through GRACE USA.”

Most participants wore traditional white attire for the full day of events, which included yoga, dance and drum classes, a catered meal and a drumming procession to the beach for a ceremonial dance of gratitude and blessings. GRACE USA, The Grassroots Alliance for Community Education, is a nonprofit entity and an international NGO registered in Kenya that works with communities in Kenya, Ghana, Malawi, Tanzania and Mozambique to mitigate the effects of HIV/AIDS. GRACE’s core belief is that in areas of poor resources, community-based leaders and health care workers are the most effective and powerful agents of rapid social change. GRACE has cooperated with and received grants from organizations such as the National Institute of Health’s Office of AIDS Research and The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.

GRACE founder Natasha Martin, a Bay Area Jefferson Award recipient, has been involved in pediatric AIDS research since the beginning of the epidemic.

The Bach Dancing and Dynamite Society is a nonprofit organization for the musical arts. Since 1966, the society has presented live jazz, classical and world music in an intimate setting at the Douglas Beach House, Miramar Beach, Half Moon Bay.

Seniors celebrate Dr. King’s birthday

Seventy-five participants enjoyed baked chicken, mashed potatoes and cornbread with honey at the Jan. 14 African American Heritage Celebration commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., held at the San Mateo Senior Center.

The delicious meal, catered by Gator’s Neo Soul Food Café of Downtown San Mateo, wasn’t the only treat. Tenisha Herrell from San Mateo’s Pilgrim Baptist Church entertained the delighted audience with a performance of a liturgical dance and a Gospel Hip Hop routine and Margie Alexander, a Senior Center volunteer, showcased a beautiful display created in honor of the celebration. Hope Whipple, community services supervisor for the city of San Mateo Parks and Recreation, commended the efforts of the Senior Center staff and volunteers whose work made the luncheon such a special start to the New Year, observing, "Patrons’ comments rated the Celebration "A+”!”