Bob Rawleigh

Treasured OnesCHRISTMAS 2010

Day TripDavis Ranch

A Singing Christmas Tree

Story of InspirationThe Christman Family

El Dorado Musical Theatre

Welcome to our second edition of “Treasured Ones”! We are so excited about our new online magazine devoted to our children, families and our community. This magazine is brought to you by McKay Photography and Starlight Starbright Children’s Boutique.

We are devoting this issue to the Holidays and to the Gift of Christmas. Features in this edition will include a wonderful day trip to Davis Christmas Tree Farm in Sloughouse, and of course Holiday clothing from Starlight Starbright.

Our Story of Inspiration this month introduces you to the Christman family. They have two Our Story of Inspiration this month introduces you to the Christman family. They have two boys that are very special gifts and you will be Blessed to see what a gift they have in each other. We also are featuring some great talent in this issue. Bob Rawleigh who is a localsinger-songwriter has just released his 3rd album “Filled with love this Christmas”. You will want to read all about his project and make sure to order yourself a copy.

We will be featuring the talents of El Dorado Musical Theatre who will be doing a production of “A Christmas Carol”. These youth are amazing and gifted and you owe it to production of “A Christmas Carol”. These youth are amazing and gifted and you owe it to yourself to attend one of their incredibly high quality and award winning productions.

Capital Christian Center will be holdng their annual Singing Christmas Tree once again this year. This is one more wonderful production that you and your family will love. It has become a tradition to attend for many families and a treat for all ages with a message that speaks of the hope of Christmas.

Please enjoy this edition of “Treasure Ones”. This is a time to truly reflect on what is imporPlease enjoy this edition of “Treasure Ones”. This is a time to truly reflect on what is impor-tant to us in life. We believe your family and your children are the most “Treasured Ones”in the world and are truly a gift. Merry Christmas everyone. We pray it is a Blessed season for you all!

Sincerely,Ally McKayDavid McKayKerri KayeKaren McConnell

Letter from the EDITORS

Features

Story of Inspiration- Meet the Christman familyby David McKay

Editors Letter

El Dorado Musical TheatreYouth Musical Theatre at it’s Best!by David McKay

A Singing Christmas TreeCapital Christian Center’s annual production

Filled with love this ChristmasA feature on singer songwriter Bob Rawleigh

Day Trip-Davis Tree Farm

Davis Ranch has been in business since 1972. Given it's start by Ed Davis as "Ed Davis & Sons", as a sideline to his farm, he had only sweet corn available to his customers. The corn was picked by hand, by Don, Jim, and Rick (the current owners of the business), and brought up to Ed's house by motorcycles to be sold.

Each year Ed grew more and more acres as the business expanded. "People would Each year Ed grew more and more acres as the business expanded. "People would line up for hours to buy it from us back then, because fresh corn was not available" Ed would say in later years as he thought back to how it all started.

With his success in the corn business, Ed decided to focus all of his attention tofarming sweet corn, Christmas trees, and newly added tomatoes, cantaloupe, and wa-termelon in 1984.

In 1992, Ed Davis & Sons was purchased by the 3 partners that own it today: Donald Davis, James Davis, and Rick Grimshaw. It was obvious that Ed Davis & Sons would no longer work for a company name and it was decided that Davis Ranch L.L.C. would be used. In 1993 they started to expand and renovate to bring in more items and stay open longer during the season

They now farm 500 acres, of which 50 are devoted to Christmas Trees alone. Each They now farm 500 acres, of which 50 are devoted to Christmas Trees alone. Each year they begin planting in February and open for business in late May, and stay open until the end of Christmas Tree season (December 21st) of each year.

www.davisranchproduce.com or (916)682-2658

DM: Who is your producer?

BR: Rick Balentine produced this album and didan incredible job. He is a veteran producer and an incredible job. He is a veteran producer and has worked with many notable people. As a jazz musician himself, Rick had a vision and feeling for my songs as well as an undertstanding of my heart behind them.

DM: What about your other albums?

BR: I have two others. available. The first is BR: I have two others. available. The first is “Never to Late”. The second is “Closer”. I am also set to release a fourth album in the Spring of 2011.

DM: What role does your wife play in your music?

BR: My wife Kathy is my biggest inspiration. She allows me the freedom to follow my passion and supports me 100%! She is also very instrumental supports me 100%! She is also very instrumental in the process of production of the albums them-selves. She oversees the design work and makes sure everything is perfect!

DM: Why this album?

BR: This is 20 years of my heart and soulwanting to come out. It is the cry of my heart aboutChristmas and now after 20 years, I have had the opportunity to record and release what has been inside me expressed in the way God has gifted me.God has gifted me.

DM: What is the thought process of this album?

BR: Christmas is my favorite time of year. I wanted to create an album that reflects the message of hope of Christmas. That message is that love isthe greatest cure for the pain in our world. That love conquers all and Christmas is about charity, giving, and loving. and loving.

DM: Where did your song’s come from?

BR: The songs reflect the wonder of Christmas especially joy and excitement. They reflect the opportunity we have to each love God as well as our neighbor.

DM: What does the gift of Christmas mean to you?

BR: New life! It means a fresh start. It is something that can’t be bought, can’t be sold. New life is a gift. It is a time to overcome hate with love. Christmas gives us that motivation and we can see that it is possible. My wish is we could all be like children this Christmas in their AWE struck wonder of the beauty of the season, and try to regain

our innocence just like them in their "childlike faith” that everything will be OK.

Celebrate with Bob in concert Sat, December 5th at Pollock Pines Community Church. 6pm

To order Bob Rawleigh’s new album, please visit his web site atwww.bobrawleigh.com

El Dorado Musical Theatre (EDMT) is celebrating its 10th season of success of highly acclaimed and award winning theatre in the region. With the new show “A Christmas Carol” set to open November 19th, EDMT is continuing to strive to bring the best theatre available in the Sacramento and Foothill area.

EDMT started 10 years ago when John Healey who was part of San Jose Children’s Theatre had moved to the area to teach at Oak Ridge High School. Seeing a desperate Theatre had moved to the area to teach at Oak Ridge High School. Seeing a desperate need for high quality youth theatre, he continued to ask his friend and professional choreographer, Debbie Wilson to consider moving to the area to help him start one. Debbie who also worked with the San Jose group, had been busy choreographing Super Bowl Half time shows, hundreds of musicals and even the Olympics. However, after 4 years of being asked and falling in love with the area, Debbie made the move here.

In 2000, EDMT was born around a kitchen table as Debbie and John decided to do their In 2000, EDMT was born around a kitchen table as Debbie and John decided to do their first show, “The Frog Prince”. After a few years of moderately successful performances, John unfortunately feel ill and had to step away from EDMT. It was at this time, in 2003, that Debbie called her brother Rick and said “I need help”. Rick Wilson, who has a background in marketing and administrative knowledge decided tocommute from Saratoga to El Dorado Hills twice a month to help Debbie run EDMcommute from Saratoga to El Dorado Hills twice a month to help Debbie run EDMT. During this time, crucial changes started to take place and the decision was made that EDMT was no longer going to be just a basic youth theatre organization, but was going to become “Youth Theatre At It’s Best” and be as professional as any theatre in the area, youth or adult. Not only would they aspire to be the best, but they would become a place where all youth that wanted to participate could do so. EDMT would be a place where young people could feel at home and safe regardless of their backgrounds. It would be a place where they could grow and learn foundations that would help them to would be a place where they could grow and learn foundations that would help them to develop and grow.

As EDMT started to really take shape again and the vision began to grow. Rick and his wife Ericka realized that their son Andrew who was getting the “performing” bug needed a place exactly like EDMT. “ We just looked at each other and went…duh!” says Rick. “And so we packed up and left the Bay Area to live full time in El Dorado Hills to help create EDMT’s vision with my sister and also to have a place where Andrew could grow in theatre. It was one of the best and smartest decisions I have ever made in my life”

Since that time, the vision has become a realitSince that time, the vision has become a reality. EDMT has become one of the most highly acclaimed theatre groups, youth or adult in the region. In fact, they have had over 43 Elly nominations to their credit as well as several wins including Best Youth Musical the last 5 years straight! (The annual Elly Awards honor outstanding achieve-ments of community theaters and artists in the Sacramento area. Elly Awards are named for the late Eleanor McClatchy, who was a devoted patron of the local arts.)

Crazy For You

CATS

Cinderella

Step inside the 700 seat theatre at Folsom High School for an EDMT performance and you will be transformed into the EDMT world. “ Because it’s youth theatre, people some-times think it will be a little cute production” states Wilson. The reality is, most often, our productions run well over $100,000 to produce and we create some of the most dynamic sets you will ever see anywhere. We have full professional sound and lighting, and for productions like CATS, we even brought in an actual Broadway set. This is not basic theatre, but full blown professional productions. For this upcoming performance of “A Christmas Carol” we are bringing in a company that handles all of the “flying” that occurs. This company is the same company that does Cirque du Soleil and Wicked. There will be snow on stage, fog effects, flying, and lighting. Our productions are top notch in every sense of the word.” Debbie Wilson is the artistic director and with her expertise and direction, these productions are as good as any in the region, if not the expertise and direction, these productions are as good as any in the region, if not the United States.

Beyond the regular performances, EDMT has High Voltage, their touring company, Performing Arts Institute which offers training in all aspects of musical theatre performance, and six different productions per year for youth of all ages from 5-20 years of age. One show per year, The Encore Show, is cast by audition only and may be suitable for older youth only such as “Hairspray” or “Grease” where the cast was made up of youth 13-22. There are also performances geared towards the “Rising Stars. These are productions such as Cinderella and the upcoming “Alice in Wonderland, Jr” where the cast is children from 6 to 13 years of age. This gives kids that have incredible talent an opportunity to be in a starring role where as they may not have been in one of the other productions. EDMT has a “training” show as well. This is made up of 5 to 9 year olds with smaller productions and as a way for the children to get their feet wet and learn about theatre. In doing so, EDMT is building for the future. These young ones, learn about theatre. In doing so, EDMT is building for the future. These young ones, someday will be on the main stage of a full blown EDMT performance.

One of the greatest miracles of EDMT is that they are able to do all this with local talent and NO ONE is ever turned down to be in a production unless they have too many people that sign up. “On paper, this shouldn’t work” says Wilson. “We decided in the beginning that EDMT was going to be a place of core values and that this would not be the place where young people come and feel left out or didn’t make the team. We have some of the most talented youth you will ever meet, and many have gone on to perform at a national level. However, we have youth that will come to us with no show experi-ence, some with learning disabilities, some with physical disabilities, and some with ence, some with learning disabilities, some with physical disabilities, and some with tons of experience. Our job is to find a place for all of them and help them excel not only as performers, but as wonderful human beings. We help them grow. In doing so, we build them up in confidence and give them life skills to take into adulthood.”

Auditions for EDMT performances are held, but not with the purpose of any cuts. A particular production may need a cast of 100 people. The first 100 to sign up, get a part. The auditions do help select who will be in what parts based on abilities, such as acting, singing , or dancing. Certain performers are given lead roles while others are in less demanding roles. Yet everyone has a place and everyone is valued and important. The older more experienced per-formers not only are expected to, but they enjoy taking the younger ones and mentoring them. That may come in the form of helping learn a routine, going mentoring them. That may come in the form of helping learn a routine, going over lines, or just being a friend in a time of need. “These kids learn to be a team in every way imaginable. They have to rally and rely on each other all the time. If one person is struggling, they have to all pitch in to help. If one is ill or injured, someone will step up to the plate. I have seen kids do performances with a 103 degree temperature so they wouldn’t let the “teammates” down. “I have seen a child finish a performance even after an injury. I have seen kids take on a role with no rehearsal and nail it when someone’s voice has gone take on a role with no rehearsal and nail it when someone’s voice has gone out. I have seen these kids rally around each other and this company in ways that you just can’t believe unless you see. These kids amaze me at their heart and dedication for what they do. They develop a sense of work ethic, responsibility and character that is truly wonderful” states Wilson.

El Dorado Musical Theatre is one of the best values for the money around. With tickets sometimes less than a movie, and snacks available for a $1, a family can enjoy top performances of live musical theatre and an evening out they will always cherish.

Visit El Dorado Musical Theatre’s web site www.edmt.info for information on Visit El Dorado Musical Theatre’s web site www.edmt.info for information on all programs, performances, times and tickets. If you are looking for a great place to get your child involved with theatre, this is the place. In January, EDMT will be holding their 5-9 year old training shows. This information is also available on the web site or by calling 916-941-SING (7464)

The Costumes!

But even without starry casts and spectacular trappings, this "A Christmas Carol" retains its emotional power and pure joy, thanks to the marvelously-told story by Ockrent and Ahrens, and the Menken/Ahrens score filled with beautiful melodies and emotional lyrics. In fact, their song "A Place Called Home" has become a holiday standard.

Directed and Choreographed by EDMT’s Debbie Wilson, this performance is top notch with featured special effects, set design, costumes and lighting.

A Christmas Carol is one of the most classic and beloved Christmas stories of all A Christmas Carol is one of the most classic and beloved Christmas stories of all time This production is an event the whole family can enjoy.

For tickets and information, please visit the EDMT web site at

www.edmt.info or by phoning 916-941-SING (7464)

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A Christmas Tradition Continueswith

the 54th Annual

A Singing Christmas Tree!Capital Christian Center is pleased to announce the 54th Annual Singing Christmas Tree. Truly a Sacramento holiday event seen by over 30,000 people annually, The Singing Christmas Tree has become a treasured holiday tradition for many families in the Capital City area and throughout Northern California. This year’s presentation is entitled “Christmas Fantasy!”

Christmas Fantasy features the 100-plus-voice Capital Christian Christmas Fantasy features the 100-plus-voice Capital Christian Center Choir, 40-piece symphonic orchestra, Capital Children’s Chorale, Capital Choreography Team, SCT Soloists, and the Capital Youth Choir.

Truly a Sacramento Christmas Tradition for the whole family!

Photographs provided by:A Singing Christmas Tree

In the fall of 1957, Clyde Henson, then senior pastor of Bethel Temple, was discussing the upcoming Christmas program with church member Bill Forbes. "What are we going to do with the music department this year?" asked Pastor Henson. Searching for an answer, Bill retorted, "Why don't we hang them from a Christmas tree?" They both chuckled. However, before the day was over they had a balsa model of a tree in their hands and a dream in their hearts. In December of that same year, standing atop a somewhat shaky wooden scaffolding, the very year, standing atop a somewhat shaky wooden scaffolding, the very first Singing Christmas Tree was presented at the Governor's Hall, located on the old State Fairgrounds.

A brand-new, and much sturdier, steel structure was designed and completed in time for the Tree in 1959. That year, the production was performed in the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium, where it was to remain for the next sixteen years. To accommodate the growing audience, the venue was then moved to the Sacramento Community Center. In 1979, Glen D. Cole became senior pastor. Pastor Cole's desire was to see the Tree performed at the church. The decision was made to bring the Tree home.

Over the years a number of extremely talented conductors have direct-ed the Tree. Each has lent their own unique style and creativity to this wonderful presentation. Rob Sapp became the conductor of the Singing Christmas Tree in 2006 and is the lead Music Ministries Pastor and Creative Arts Director at Capital Christian Center.

Each year hundreds of volunteers spend thousands of hours preparing and rehearsing for the Singing Christmas Tree. Although they assume various roles - singers and musicians, dramatists and dancers, set builders and costume designers - they are one in spirit and purpose. To each of them the Singing Christmas Tree is an opportunity to honor To each of them the Singing Christmas Tree is an opportunity to honor the One whose birth we observe and to bring this remarkable Christ-mas story to life!

Singing Tree Fun Facts!

Performances are as follows:

Friday, December 3..................................7:30 PMSaturday December 4......................1 PM & 5 PMSunday December 5.........................3 PM & 7 PMFriday December 10.................................7:30 PMSaturday December 11................... 1 PM & 5 PMSaturday December 11................... 1 PM & 5 PMSunday December 12......................3 PM & 7 PM

All performances are held at:Capital Christian Center - Main Auditorium

9470 Micron Avenue Sacramento, CA 95827

(Located off the Hwy 50 & Bradshaw Rd. Exit)

Tickets are on sale NOW! Prices range from $5-$25. There are special discounted perfor-mances for children and seniors, and wheel-chair access can be secured if requested when tickets are purchased. Interpretation for the

hearing impaired is offered at both Sunday evening performances.

For more information, please call (916) 856-5604 or visit the web sitesingingchristmastree.tix.com

Elevator access to the balcony is available.

This is truly a Sacramento Christmas celebration!

Story of Inspiration

Sean, Heather, Joe Riley and Sam have learned that gifts don’t always come in easy

packages and that packages and that there is way more to life then we some-times take for

granted. The gift of love, compassion, family, connectionand children are

priceless and beyond measure in anypackage wereceive them.

10 years ago, Sean and Heather Christman prepared for the birth of their first son. It was an exciting time. Then, unexpectedly, Heather’s father Joe passed away just 9 weeks before the due date beginning a series of events that would forever change their family. In the midst of the mourning of losing her father, Heather went into labor and Joe Riley was born 8 weeks premature weighing in at only 2 lbs 13 oz.

The Neurologist went on to say how Joe Riley would never be normal and never be able to walk, talk, eat or go to school.

“We have noticed that doctor’s many of times make very generalized statements such as they did to us about Joe’s situation. We never took their words of he will not do this or that and allowed those to rule us. We decided to be very pro active in helping Joe Riley to be all he can be regardless of what certain doctors may have said” says Heather.

We also want to tell parents tht early intervention and being pro-active is key.

“We called what is known as the “Warmline”. This is an organization whose mission is to provide information, education, and support to promote and strengthen the founda-tion of families and children with special needs to face the challenges of the present and create new dreams for the future. They were such a huge help to us and I recom-mend anyone with a child with special needs to call them. They will help you get start-ed on the right track with support and someone to just listen to you when you need it.”

At this same time, Heather and Sean knowing they still wanted more children, decided to have another baby. “We knew that it would be great to have another child and that this would also be great for Joe Riley.” It turns out, they were completely correct! Just a year after Joe Riley was born, Sam came along. “ I was nursing both children at the same time and it was quite the experience”. says Heather. “From the beginning, they have shared an incredible bond”.

In fact, for the first four years of their lives, the boys shared a bedroom where they lived in Strawberry off of HWY 50. During this time, the Christman’s would take Joe Riley and Sam down to Southern California every 6 months to do a very special therapy called “suit therapy”. Therapy would be for 5 hours a day for a month straight. This was only available previously in Poland and was developed by scientist as a way to help Cosmonautsrreturning from space to deal with their muscle atrophy. These suits are equipped with special rubber bands that create a much harder environment for your muscles to move in. In doing so, your muscles obtain strength and when you are out of the suit, it is much easier for the body to move.Heather says that this therapy was so significant in where Joe Riley is now at today which is way beyond what the doctor’s ever said would happen.

Then four years ago, the Easter Seals of Sacramento started ‘suit therapy”. At this time, the family moved to Sacramento where Joe Riley could attend this innovative therapy on a weekly basis. When the move occurred, Sam and Joe Riley each got their own room. Sam was excited, but missed the connection with his brother. In fact, for the first year after moving, he would get up in the middle of the night to go check on Joe Riley and would often fall asleep next to him.

Sam also started to hSam also started to have feelings of anger that his brother was unable to do the things he could do. Not at Joe Riley, but at the fact that it didn’t seem fair. “Sam would come in from playing outside and yell that he was mad that Joe wasn’t able to play like him and that he felt bad for having fun while his brother had to stay inside” says Heather. “I went and got a picture of Joe Riley and said here Sam, you take this anytime you go somewhere that your brother is unable and he will be with you right there. Sometimes, it may not be a picture, but a special symbol of their relationship he takes, but he alalways has his connection with Joe Riley wherever he goes”. Sam loves the outdoors and skiing and snowmobiling. This way he can enjoy those things and have indepen-dence, yet also retain the connection with his brother he loves so much.

Sam is so wonderful with Joe Riley and they have a unique bond. Sam will even inter-pret to the rest of the family what Joe Riley is trying to communicate. Heather says that through this, Sam has been given an incredible gift of compassion for others. “One day, Sam saw a little child that didn’t have a limb. He ran up to her and said it’s ok, my brother can’t walk or talk. He had such compassion for that child and for others that are in need.”

Heather herself was a teacher even prior to being married. She taught special learning children and disabled children. “ I feel like my life was set up for Joe long before he came along. It’s interesting how things work out. He has taught me so much and our family so much. He has given us gifts we would never have had without him. He has taught me patience and also brought so many wonderful people into my life I never would have known. These are two of the greatest gifts he has given me personally”.

Joe RJoe Riley continues to beat the odds. He is able to Eat, Sit, Communicate yes or no in sign language, crawl and even wrestle with his brother! He is doing so may things the doctor’s said he would never do. Joe Riley is all there cognitively, but just unable physi-cally to do what others can. When asked why Joe Riley is beating the odds, Heather said “because of early intervention and LOTS of love!” Sam loves to wrestle with Joe Riley and knows that it helps Joe Riley feel like a “normal” boy in doing so.

May you have a Blessed and Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!

from your friends at Starlight Starbright & McKay Photography!