The Capistrano Dispatch
The voting period for the eighth annual 2014 Best of San Juan Capistrano People’s Choice Horseshoe Awards is now open.
And this year, we’ve added a few new categories to vote for, such as, Best: Burger, Beer Selection, Specialty Beauty Service, Senior Living Facility, Local Nonprofit, Auto Dealer, Specialty Grocer and more.
Visit our homepage, www.thecapistranodispatch.com, to vote for your favorite restaurants, shops, services and attractions that make San Juan Capistrano a great place to live and visit. A link to our online poll is located on the right-hand side of the page.
Polling ends Sunday, Dec. 21 at 11:59 p.m.
Check out previous “Best of San Juan” issues:
2013:
2012:
Great news! I’m glad to see the new categories, especially the one for local nonprofits. I’m prejudiced, of course, because I represent one, but I can say first hand that this town has a spirit of volunteering like no other and more dedicated volunteers than any place I’ve ever been.
We honor and thank all the volunteers from all the nonprofits that regularly give of their time, talent and service to this community in large and small ways and are glad The Dispatch is opening “the best of” to these wonderful volunteers.
For us, I’d like to put in a good word and call the public’s attention to our 180+ volunteers that regularly give of their time, talent and service to this community. As an all-volunteer nonprofit, the SJC Friends of the Library relies on these selfless community-minded individuals, without whom, we would not be able to carry out our mission in the community or keep THE Bookstore open. Just this year alone, their accomplishments include:
• THE Bookstore construction was completed (thanks in no small part to a handful of dedicated volunteers with a vision who worked for years till it was built);
• We had our Grand Opening in June and in just four short months, it has become a regular part of locals’ San Juan community experience and been discovered by visitors seeking an additional cultural experience beyond the Mission gates.
• For us, we know what it took in the way of a large and dedicated cadre of community-minded volunteers to get THE Bookstore built, the elegant bookshelves procured/installed befitting of the Michael Graves style — and to it operate daily as the community wants.
• We also know the not-so-elegant or visible work of receiving/cleaning/preparing/processing books for sale therein.
• Volunteers are also crucial to the special events this community loves:
o doing docent-led architectural tours every Saturday;
o the 1st Friday/Saturday Film Program;
o the Multicultural Arts Series of Concerts in the Courtyard at the library;
o the City Council Candidates Forum with the LWV and The Dispatch;
o the 3rd Sunday Local Authors Lecture Series (providing an opportunity for residents to meet their neighbors who have written/published books);
o The special community events, such as storytelling at Winter Wonderland or the Juaneño storytelling/crafts and other OC-125 activities, including the docent-led, horse-drawn carriage tours through historic downtown SJC, Ice Cream Social, 1889 Press Conference and Modjeska Exhibit at LaSala, etc.
o They make it possible for us to participate in the 2nd Saturday Art Fair; San Juan Summer Nites, etc., and sponsor events such as the Young Authors’ Faire, the upcoming Dia de los Muertos Festival(November 1st);
o They help us sponsor library collections and programs, such as the Summer Reading Program, book clubs, bilingual storytimes and participate in library’s programs
o And, they do the unglamorous day-to-day running/administration of the nonprofit business itself
o And, they keep THE Bookstore open/staffed seven days/week.
None of this would be possible without regular, dedicated volunteer workers.
THANK YOU one and all. Since our Grand Opening in June alone, you have racked up over 6,000 volunteer hours with just us — and many of our volunteers work elsewhere in the community, making a significant contribution to the economy and well-being of San Juan Capistrano and the surrounding communities. Your contribution and the volunteerism spirit behind it is one of the things that truly make San Juan such a wonderful place to live, work, play, learn and READ.
And we’re only one of the local nonprofits in this community. There are many, many more that do wonderful work and serve the diverse population of our town. Thank you one and all for your selfless service. We are intensely grateful for your contribution to our town and to the revitalization of its economy. You are building a better community, day by day.
THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts.
Mary D, President
SJC Friends of the Library
Great job Mary D and Team!
Thank you, Scott. You and your team at San Juan Digital Photo’s volunteer help with our MAS concerts in the courtyard, Cut-throat Croquet Tournament, the Egan/Modjeska 1889 Press Conference at our OC-125 celebration and the horse-drawn carriage architectural tour photos is just one example of the 6,000+ volunteer hours that community-minded people like you have given back this summer alone.
Thank YOU and other volunteers like you who contribute to nonprofits all over town, making this such a wonderful community. We truly appreciate you!
Mary D
SJC Friends of the Library