More than 72 couples attended C.A.T.'s 2008 Father/Daughter Valentine's Dance that was held the Sunday before Valentine's.

NEW PHOTOS download & print, too
GALLERY 1
GALLERY 2
Some printed photos are left over from the dance. Contact Justin@JustinRudd.com

NEW IT'S MOM'S TURN! Justin Rudd and C.A.T. are hosting a MOM PROM! (for mothers and their kids) on Sun., May 18, 2008 in the gym at Bay Shore Church. DETAILS

g FOR CHARITY
$3,000+ Raised at Long Beach Father/Daughter Valentine's Dance 

MORE THAN 72 couples attended the third annual Father/Daughter Valentine's Dance hosted by Justin Rudd and his nonprofit 501c3 Community Action Team (C.A.T.).  The dance took place Sun., Feb. 10 from 5-7 p.m. at the expansive, carpeted community hall of Bay Shore Church on The Toledo in Belmont Shore.  Rudd says more than $3,000 was raised from ticket sales for C.A.T. 

IT WAS a special, area-wide, semi-formal evening for fathers and daughters of all ages.  The evening was complete with Valentine decorations, old-fashioned refreshments, wholesome music, girls in dresses, dads in ties, fathers giving corsages, and daughters learning how a gentleman treats a lady -- all to benefit great programs in our area.

ATTENDEES enjoyed party classics provided by DJ DanaT, who donated her time and talent for the fundraiser.  Music included dance hits like "Livin La Vida Loca", "Hokey Pokey", and "Conga", as well as tunes by Mylie Cyrus and other pre-teen and teen musical sensations.

COUPLES enjoyed home-baked goodies from moms, and other delights provided by C.A.T.  Couples also enjoyed complimentary prom-styled photos by Justin Rudd and Jane Lovett that were printed and available to be taken home after the event. 

PRIZES were awarded to winners of various dance contests throughout the night for dads and daughters.  Those winners were Spencer & Jefferson Lopez, Dennis & Kennedy Schaffer, and Scott & Nicole Finn.

FATHERS AND GRANDFATHERS have an opportunity to take their daughters or granddaughters out for dancing to party classics. There is no age requirement, so young and old are able to enjoy the evening. Girls may also be accompanied by their uncle, guardian or an adult relative.

MOMS WERE invited to spectate in the back of the room at the dance for the last 1/2 hour.


C.A.T.'S upcoming events include the 30-Minute Beach Cleanup this Sat., Feb. 16, 10 a.m. at 1 Granada Ave.; an All-Day Read of "Grayson" on 2nd St. on Mar. 1; the $1,000 National Elem. School Spelling Bee on Mar. 9; and a 3,000 prize-filled-eggs on-the-beach egg hunt and beach cleanup for older kids, teens and adults on Mar. 10.

For upcoming event details, visit www.JustinRudd.com.

Other Justin Rudd/CAT events include:
-Halloween Kids' Costume Contest
-July 4 Kids' Bike Parade
-Dog-themed Poetry contest
-Mother's Day Essay Contest
-Interfaith Blessing of the Animals
-$1,000 National Elementary School Spelling Bee
-National Adult Spelling Bee
-Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest
-Haute Dogs on the Beach events
-Haute Dog Easter Parade
-Haute Dog Howl'oween Parade
-Bulldog Beauty Contest
-Operation Easter Basket
-Operation Santa Paws
-5k/10k Grunion Run
-5k/10k Long Beach Turkey Trot
-monthly 30-Minute Beach Cleanups.

To get on Rudd's free "kids events" e-newsletter, just send a request to Justin@JustinRudd.com.  All CAT event details at www.JustinRudd.com.

Bulldog Beauty Contest to Attract More than 400 "Adora-bull" Beauties

MORE THAN 400 English & French Bulldogs of all ages will travel to Long Beach, Calif., from as far as Las Vegas, Phoenix and San Francisco to vie for the coveted title. The 4th Annual contest will take place on the Sat. before Valentine's Day, Feb. 9, at Livingston Park in Belmont Shore. The bulldogs will be evaluated (by real-life beauty queens) on personality, charm, face, figure, and first impression. DETAILS

g WINNER TO TAKE HOME $1,000 CASH
Spellers Sought for Bee

ARE YOU READY to try your skill? Are you a courageous young competitor ready to wrestle with some difficult words? Are you ready for the last word? If you are the best speller at your school and you are in fifth grade (or a lower level) you may be able to enter the championship that is scheduled to take place in Long Beach on Sunday, March 18, 2007. www.SpellingBees.com

g KICKING-OFF THE LONG BEACH POETRY FESTIVAL
Belmont Shore Sidewalk Chalk Art
SUN., APRIL TBA, 2008; 9 A.M. - 4 P.M. The "Belmont Shore Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest" is sure to "draw" a crowd on April 22!  Attracting seasoned and emergent visual artists, as well as participants from local high schools and universities, the Community Action Team's third annual "Belmont Shore Chalk Art Contest" will showcase the works of diverse artists who use chalk as their medium, and the sidewalks of Belmont Shore as their canvas.    Cash and prizes will be awarded.  DETAILS

g MORE THAN 1,250 BASKETS NEEDED
Operation Easter Basket Serves Local Kids in Need

OPERATION EASTER BASKET brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations right here in Long Beach through gift-filled Easter Baskets containing items such as small toys, school supplies, hygiene products, essential clothing items and some candy. This program, organized by Justin Rudd and his 501c3 nonprofit Community Action Team (CAT), provides an opportunity for people of all ages to be involved in a simple, hands-on project while focusing on the true meaning of love -- the greatest gift. In the first year of this program, CAT collected and delivered more than 750 baskets with the assistance of six local service agencies. This year's goal is more than 1,250 baskets! Recipients will include underserved -- homeless, sick and/or needy -- children from ages 2-14. DETAILS

g COMMUNITY ACTION TEAM - CAT
About the Team!

CAT IS made up of several organizations that you might be familiar with -- Haute Dogs, the monthly 30-Minute Beach Cleanup; Operation Santa Paws; the $1,000 National Spelling Bee; the Great American July 4 Kids' Bike Parade; the Adult Spelling Bee; Operation Easter Basket and more. MORE