Page 4 September 5, 2013 New “Miss Manhattan Beach” Construction on City of Pageant Combines Fashion and Female Empowerment Manhattan Beach Library Begins A new pageant circuit is gearing up to begin out individualism, intellectualism, community with the goal of throwing out the prototypical activism and other qualities in strong women, C.W. Driver has broken ground for the without compromising quality, sustainability pageant contestant stereotype. In the “America’s pageant girls and pageants in general, have new 22,000-square-foot Manhattan Beach or appearance. It Girl Pageants” contestants eschew the regular gotten a bad reputation.” Public Library. This new facility will be a The building will be constructed to achieve trappings that have become stale in the pageant “We want to help women become more welcome addition to the Manhattan Beach the targeted LEED® Gold certifcation by world, and dismissed by the public, in lieu of empowered,” said Tracy Francis. “My own community as it replaces a 43-year-old incorporating sustainable features to optimize an emphasis on individuality, personal style career wouldn’t have been possible if I hadn’t existing library roughly half the size. This energy and water use effciency, enhance the and community activism. Miss Manhattan competed in pageants, and we want to enable $19 million design-build project will entail sustainability of the site, improving indoor Beach will be the frst pageant to launch on other women to start careers in a variety of the demolition of the existing facility and environmental quality and maximize the use the West Coast. industries as a result of our efforts.” construction of the new, two-story facility. and reuse of sustainable and local resources. The pageant embodies a Fashion Week style Women interested in participating in The building was designed by Harley Ellis C.W. Driver will conduct associated site vibe, as contestants will work with fashion the Miss Manhattan Beach Pageant in age Devereaux Architects with Johnson Favaro improvements, including new landscaping, designers (who are also competing for product groups 13-18 an 18-32 can apply at http:// creating the master plan. The facility is walkways and security lighting. To better representation), to create their unique style to manhattanbeachpageant.com targeting LEED® Gold specifcations. serve the needs of Manhattan Beach residents, display during the pageant. About America’s It Girls Pageants “All members of the design-build team this new facility will feature state-of-the-art The Miss Manhattan Beach Pageant will be America’s It Girls Pageants is a new pageant brought a specific expertise that would technology, replacing existing computers televised in local markets, with full production circuit created to redefne the concept and status allow us to achieve our common goal, said and services with express-service checkout values similar to the Victoria’s Secret Fashion of pageant competitions. In the America’s Tom Jones, project director at C.W. Driver. machines in the lobby and public access Show, providing an excellent platform for It Girl Pageants, women are encouraged to This will result in a LEED® Gold certifed computers. contestants in the fashion competition and vying embrace individuality, personal style and facility that will be constructed in the most The spacious interior will feature adult for the “Miss” title to showcase their talents. community activism and showcase those effcient manner to meet the goals for the reading areas along with teen and early The Miss Manhattan Beach Pageant is co- qualities on stage. The pageant embodies city and beneft the entire community of childhood areas. Additional features include directed by frst-time directors Mollie Thomas a Fashion Week style, as contestants work Manhattan Beach.” a dedicated programming space, homework and Tracy Francis. Mollie Thomas gained with fashion designers also competing in the One of the goals with which the City of center and 100-seat community meeting room. acclaim and notoriety after competing as the frst pageant for product representation, to create Manhattan Beach has tasked the design- Located in a busy downtown area, the openly lesbian contestant in the Miss California their unique style to display during the pageant. build team is to mirror the architectural and design-build team carefully laid out the USA pageant. Stemming from her interviews America’s It Girls Pageants also serve as an construction trends of surrounding buildings project to effectively accommodate the jobsite on television and in print, she now works as a innovative new social incubator for women, without stepping outside the budgetary without obstructing surrounding traffc or city full time model. Tracy Francis competed in the providing training from qualifed professionals constraints of the project. center activities and facilities. Throughout Miss West Hollywood pageant and parlayed in publicity, new media, broadcasting and live For example, said Jones. We looked at the construction process, the crane will be her experience into a career as a television events to teach young women how to become several roof designs, window systems and located on a remote corner of the city1s personality, appearing on E! Network’s “Watch masters of word-of-mouth and social marketing millwork details fnally deciding on the oor- loading dock and the jobsite offces will be What Happens Next.” Tracy also has another in order to cultivate their personal brands and to-ceiling glass walls, which met the budget located across the street in a city parking lot.· is currently under embargo. The “Miss” Pageants, which are currently Looking Upadd value to their lives.in 4 major markets (Manhattan Beach, CA;“More than anything, with this pageant upcoming program on a major network that stereotypes,” said Mollie Thomas. “As we like Jersey Shore), will be televised in local markets New Mexican Skies ProtectedManhattan, NY; San Francisco, CA and the we wanted to move away from pageant girl years of cookie-cutter pageants that didn’t seek Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. · With Dark Sky Park Designationprofessional production values similar to the to say, ‘this isn’t your mother’s pageant.’ Due to Finance By Bob Eklund sites, one can easily imagine another humanthe park’s 4,000 prehistoric archeologicalThe 34,000-acre Chaco Culture National Honoring Grandparents Who Raise Their Grandkids wonders including the remains of a civilization same universe while surrounded by ecosystemscenturies earlier gazing awestruck into theHistorical Park is home to many ancient By Jason Alderman allow child residents – which is legal – so some that thrived over 1,000 years ago. The park, that have adapted to the natural rhythms of In 1978, Congress passed legislation grandfamilies are forced to move. which has been protecting its archaeological the moon and stars,” said Turk. proclaiming the frst Sunday after Labor Day However, grandfamilies may be eligible for riches since it was established in 1907, is now Chaco Culture National Historical Park as National Grandparents Day. Presidents several federal tax credits: protecting its views of the starry skies too. joins 11 other parks scattered about the globe since Jimmy Carter have issued proclamations A Child Tax Credit of up to $1,000 for each It has just been named as the International that have been recognized by IDA for their urging citizens to, in the words qualifed grandchild, provided of President Barack Obama, they lived with you for more “The 34,000-acre Chaco Culture National “honor those who have helped than half the fling year and are Historical Park is home to many ancient wonders.” shape the character of our nation, under 17 at year’s end. and thank these role models for If you qualify for the Earned Dark-Sky Association’s newest Dark Sky Park. efforts in night sky preservation. Learn more their immeasurable acts of love, Income Tax Credit, you may be “Once the night sky was something that was at http://www.darksky.org/parks and about care and understanding.” eligible for an additional amount very much a part of the human experience Chaco Culture National Historic Preserve at Some 2.7 million grandparents for grandchildren you support. at Chaco and around the globe,” says IDA http://www.nps.gov/chcu. have taken on the responsibility A Child and Dependent Care Executive Director Bob Parks. “We are IDA established the International Dark of providing basic needs for Credit for childcare expenses delighted that Chaco is now preserving the Sky Places conservation program in 2001 to their grandchildren, according incurred so you can work or seek nighttime environment alongside their historic recognize excellent stewardship of the night to data compiled by Generations employment. treasures.” sky. Designations are based on stringent United. 21 percent of these vital If you adopt your grandchildren, As a Gold-tier IDA Dark Sky Park, Chaco outdoor lighting standards and innovative caregivers live below the poverty line. you may be eligible for a nonrefundable Federal has shown its commitment to preserving its community outreach. Since the program All told, an estimated 7.8 million children Adoption Credit of up to $12,970 per child. near-pristine night skies. The park has adopted began, four communities, 12 parks and fve under 18 live in households headed by In addition, depending on your income and a set of strict lighting guidelines that include reserves have received International Dark grandparents or other relatives, including those the health/disability status of your grandchildren, the use of dark-sky friendly lighting now and Sky designations. whose parents are absent due to death, substance you may also be eligible for benefts from in the future, ensuring that it will do its part Meanwhile closer to home, stellar viewing abuse, military deployment or other reasons. Medicaid, your state’s Children’s Health to keep the nighttime environment natural and is also available at Mount Wilson Observatory, Ironically, even though many of these Insurance Program, the Supplemental Nutrition unspoiled for generations to come. located in the San Gabriel Mountains just above “grandfamilies” barely scrape by, they save Assistance Program and numerous other federal, The park is also exemplary in its public Sierra Madre. The Observatory is open to the taxpayers more than $6.5 billion each year by state and local aid programs. outreach efforts, holding numerous educational public daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., March keeping children out of the foster care system. Helpful resources for grandfamilies include: programs and events. Upcoming will be the 30 through December 1. On weekends, you So it only seems fair that many federal, state Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, a Chaco Canyon Star Party on October 5 that can have lunch at the Cosmic Cafe, open 10 and local aid programs are available to help government-sponsored site at. www.usa.gov, will include a formal public dedication of the a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, and these guardian angels provide fnancial and that provides links to various subject-matter new IDA Dark Sky Park designation. The then take a 1 p.m. guided tour that includes emotional safety nets for their grandchildren. experts. event will feature guest speakers, dark sky entry onto the observing oor of the 100-inch Among the many diffculties these families AARP’s comprehensive GrandFamilies Guide preservation messaging and special interpretive telescope. At other times, including the winter sometimes face: (at www.aarp.org). programs, along with stargazing opportunities months, you can arrange for a special tour. If you become your grandchild’s foster parent, Benefts QuickLINK, an AARP tool to fnd throughout the evenings. A commemorative And for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, your you’re responsible for day-to-day decisions and out whether you or your grandchildren qualify poster will be given away to visitors during group can also reserve an evening on Mount care, although the state retains legal custody for 15 different public benefts. the event. Wilson’s historic 60-inch telescope, which still and pays for the child’s care. GrandFacts, a searchable database at www. Other regular park events include has nights available during the 2013 season. Unless you establish some form of legal aarp.org, where you can locate key state “Archaeoastronomy of Chaco,” “Public The views of planets, star clusters, nebulae relationship (custody, guardianship or adoption), and local resources, foster care policies and Telescope Viewing,” “Pueblo Bonito Full Moon and galaxies through the 60-inch, among the the parent may be able to take your grandchild services, public benefts, fnancial and education Walks,” and “Campfre Astronomy.” Special largest telescopes in the world accessible from your home at any time. assistance, and relevant state laws. events are also held celebrating astronomical to the public, are unforgettable. For more In some states, it’s diffcult to enroll the Generations United, whose “Grandfamilies” events such as eclipses and meteor showers. information: www.mtwilson.edu. child in school or get medical care without website highlights challenges often faced by Chaco Culture National Historic Park Image: some form of legal relationship. these households (www.gu.org/OURWORK/ superintendent Larry Turk feels strongly http://www.darksky.org/night-sky- Most senior-only housing complexes don’t Grandfamilies.aspx). · about the designation. “Standing at one of conservation/338 ·
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