ECO-CONSCIOUS YOUTHS WIN TRIP TO COSTA RICA.Byline: TRACY VALERI / Community Columnist Fifteen-year-old Caroline Moore-Kochlacs of Reseda and 16-year-old Michael Winsberg of Woodland Hills accepted a challenge. They became active in their community and won a trip, along with four other teens, to a Costa Rican rain forest - an all-expenses-paid educational expedition to help them learn about the area's fragile eco-system. ``It was a great experience,'' Caroline said. ``It has convinced me that I want to do something in the future to serve the environment.'' The challenge was presented to them by T.E.A.M. Sebastian Sebastian, 1554–78, king of Portugal (1557–78), grandson and successor of John III. He was under the regency first of his grandmother (until 1562) and then of his uncle Henry (a cardinal and later king) until declared of age in 1568. Weak and sickly, Sebastian was imbued by his Jesuit training with fanatic religious fervor, which he combined with a tremendous admiration for the military. (Teens for Environmental Awareness and Management, sponsored by Sebastian International, Inc.), an ``eco-community'' project that attempts to get young people to become active in their own communities. Moore-Kochlacs created and presented, ``California Blues,'' an environmental slide show, to more than 200 people at her church service. The presentation focused on the various environmental problems in the Los Angeles area, such as smog pollution. Winsberg organized a reading program for the children at the West Valley Boys & Girls Club. ``T.E.A.M. Sebastian was created to reward teens across the nation who pro-actively protect their environment,'' said Manolis Lekkas, chairman and CEO of Sebastian International. ``Sebastian takes youths to the rain forest in hopes that they will return and serve as environmental ambassadors of their own communities.'' The contest is for young adults between the ages of 12 and 17. For an official entry form or for more information, call Sebastian at (800) 829-7322. With all the haunted Halloween houses in town to spook residents in the San Fernando Valley, members of Calvary Chapel of Reseda are planning ``Out of the Darkness and Into the Light,'' an anti-Halloween coffee night Friday. ``We are doing this to provide an alternative for Halloween,'' said Tami Castagna, an organizer and church member. ``Halloween is a rip-off of All Saints' Day All Saints' Day, feast of the Roman Catholic and Anglican churches, and day on which churches glorify God for all God's saints, known and unknown. It is celebrated on Nov. 1 in the West, since Pope Gregory IV ordered its church-wide observance in 837. Its origin lies earlier in the common commemorations of martyrs who died in groups or whose names were unknown, which were held on various days in different parts of the Church; over time these celebrations came to - a true holy day - and we wanted to give people a chance to celebrate in a non-ghoulish atmosphere.'' Live entertainment including drama, music and juggling will be featured. A variety of coffee, coffee-based drinks and fresh, homemade desserts will be served. The free evening of fun will begin at 7:30 p.m. and people of all faiths are welcome to attend. Calvary Chapel is located at 7217 Geyser Ave., second floor, Reseda adjacent to the McDonalds located on Sherman Way. The Macy's Benefit Shopping Days event, to be held Wednesday at the Sherman Oaks Macy's, will help Chatsworth's United Community Caregivers. UCC is a foster-parent association whose members care for children prenatally exposed to alcohol and drugs, and kids sexually and physically abused. The $10 tax-deductible tickets will allow a 15 percent discount on most merchandise in the store, and proceeds from ticket sales will go directly to helping the foster children. Ticket holders are eligible to win a $1,000 shopping spree, a trip to San Francisco and other prizes. There will be cooking demonstrations and fashion shows. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information, call Claudia Andrade at (818) 998-0761. CAPTION(S): 2 Photos PHOTO (1--ran in Bulldog edition only) MOORE-KOCHLACS (2--ran in Bulldog edition only) WINSBERG |
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