Community Services Unlimited INC: South Central LA

Community Services Unlimited Inc.
Serving the People Body and Soul

Announcements

:: CSU new office and number
:: Normandie Elementary Mini Farm Work Day - Sat May 3rd, 11am to 4pm
:: So Cal Library Work Day – Sun May 11th, 9am to 1pm
:: Expo Mini Farm Work Day - Wed May 21st, 4pm to 8pm
:: Simple Summer Sensations Food Party – Fri June 6th, 7pm to 10pm

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CSU New Office and Number

We have achieved our goal of finding and moving into a new office space in the community we serve. This is a huge step for CSU and will greatly increase our capacity and level of organization
Please note the new contact information:
1344 West Martin Luther Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90037
(323) 299 7075
All our email information is still the same and for now so is our fax, though that will be changing soon
Please mark your calendars for an Open House in our new space on Friday June 27th and help us to celebrate with local food and special exhibits from the youth in our various projects; more details will follow. At this time of celebration we would be deeply amiss to forget those who have supported us; for many years we have been housed at the Law Offices of B. Kwaku Duren where we have paid no rent and have only recently contributed in any way to basic operating expenses. Even when working conditions have become cramped with CSU’s gradual growth, Kwaku has never made us feel like we were in the way or unwanted. May we never forget but rather seek to emulate the Panther spirit of brothers and sisters like Kwaku who have contributed to and served our community simply out of love for the people!

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May 3rd – Normandie Mini Farm City Year Work Day – 11am - 4pm

Part of the Mayor’s city wide Big Sunday weekend, this workday on Saturday is in partnership with City Year and will focus on the fruit tree groves. At this time of year we need to once again clear the area around the trees of weeds and grasses and compost and mulch for continued healthy summer growth. So if you can make it for any time please join us.

WHERE: Normandie Growing Healthy Fruit Orchard; Please enter through the school gate on Vernon Avenue just a little east of Normandie Avenue

In partnership with City Year and Normandie Avenue Elementary

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May 11th- So Cal Library Rockcorps Work Day – 9am to 1pm

The So Cal Library is a unique organization that exists to preserve and showcase the history of social justice movements in Los Angeles. A couple of years ago we began to partner with the library to create a garden in an open space next to the main building. On this workday we will be clearing away weeds and grass that have taken over the area, pruning and mulching in order to move forward in the goal of creating a beautiful green space. As always please wear appropriate clothing, all tools, garden gloves and water will be provided.

This day is organized in partnership with Rockcorps and we ask that you please register through their web site; the reward, volunteer for 4 hours and you get a free ticket to an awesome concert, check it out at BMRC.com or call 1888 Rock 889. Also, please let us know that you are planning to attend, rsvp to Neelam@csuinc.org

WHERE: Directly next door to the library which is at 6120 S Vermont, Los Angeles 90044. The major cross street in 60th Street, the library is on Vermont in between Slauson and Cage

In partnership with Rockcorps and the So Cal Library – You gotta give to get!

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Wed May 21st - Expo Mini Farm Rockcorps Work Day – 4pm to 8pm

This event is ideal for those of you who cannot get to the weekend work days, a perfect time to work on a summer day, with the heat cooling off you can be out in the open, get some exercise and help you community. This day is organized in partnership with Rockcorps and we ask that you please register through their web site; the reward, volunteer for 4 hours and you get a free ticket to an awesome concert, check it out at BMRC.com or call 1888 Rock 889. Also, please let us know that you are planning to attend, rsvp to Neelam@csuinc.org

Where: Expo Center Mini Farm
Located on the north east corner of King Blvd. and Menlo Avenue (one street east of Vermont Ave)
Close to the swim stadium at 3980 South Menlo, Los Angeles, 90037

In partnership with Rockcorps and the Expo Center.

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June 6th - Food Party Fundraiser – THEME: Simple Summer Sensations – 7pm to 10pm

Where: In Culver City, Address & Directions will be sent to those who RSVP
How Much: $20.00 (home cooked, beyond organic & served with love!)
RSVP: Neelam@csuinc.org or call 323 296-2038. Space is limited!

IN 2008 CSU is hosting a (mostly) monthly food party as a means of bringing together cool people and great food and also raising some needed resources for our work. Each food party will have a different theme that will be reflected in the food and music (and clothes for the willing). You don’t have to stay the whole evening, in fact the evening is planned so folks on their way elsewhere can stop, eat, chat and move on. The number of attendees will be limited for each event and it will be strictly pay in advance.

Thank you to all of you who joined us for Treats From Trinidad in April (no food party in May, due to staff attending conferences); we had a good time and made over $800.00 to help with our work and once again were full to capacity. So, get your confirmation in early; for you to be confirmed, we must receive your payment in advance. Rsvp as below and send your donation ($20 minimum) payable to CSU to 1344 West Martin Luther King Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90037. Or you can pay at our web site through pay pal; www.csuinc.org

This month’s Food Party will be hosted by our very own Heather Fenney and partner Dewayne Alexander and the theme is simply the very best of early summer produce which will be presented for your eating pleasure in the form of cooling salads, delicious tidbits from the grill, fruit inspired desserts and quenching herb iced teas.
A detailed menu will be sent to those that RSVP, but you can be sure to get home cooked gourmet food, featuring locally grown and beyond organic produce, at an incredible price of $20.00 Spaces are limited, so RSVP soon to neelam@csuinc.org or call 323 299 7075.

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Reminders.........

Farm Stand @ EXPO Every Thursday 3 – 5 pm (inside the reception area, if raining or extremely windy)
On Menlo in front of the pool Stadium 1 block north of King. Check out: http://www.csuinc.org/ for more details


Get Your Veggies on the Run! Sign up for CSU’s Produce Bag Program
Subscribe for CSU’s Farm Fresh Produce Bag program and each week receive a bag filled with seasonal fruits and vegetables from CSU’s urban mini-farms and local farmers. The bag also includes a news sheet with easy recipes using items in your bag! We grow and shop - You Stop - & Pick up your pre-paid bag at the EXPO farm stand on Thursday evenings! Subscribers get first pick of seasonal and limited items before they hit the farm stand and help CSU by paying in advance. Fresh, Local, Beyond Organic – good for you, the earth and the community –
Learn more and sign up @ http://www.csuinc.org/programs/villagemarketplace.htm


Support CSU Everytime You Search or Shop Online.
GoodSearch.com is a new Yahoo-powered search engine that donates half its advertising revenue to charities users designate. Use it just as you would any search engine, get quality search results from Yahoo, and watch the donations add up! GoodShop.com is a new online shopping mall which donates up to 37% of each purchase to your favorite cause! Hundreds of great stores including Target, Gap, Best Buy, ebay, Macy's and Barnes & Noble have teamed up with GoodShop and every time you place an order, you’ll be supporting your favorite cause!

How It Works: Just go to http://www.goodsearch.com or http://www.goodshop.com and enter and select “community services unlimited” as your charity of choice! Tip: Most folks will only have to enter CSU the first time they visit. After that your charity preference gets put in your “cookies” and CSU will automatically be selected every time you go to either site! So make GoodSearch your home page and easily support CSU every time you go o