Monday, May 20, 2013

KEY WEST

Strike a (yoga) pose for girls education charity

The Key West Yoga Sanctuary on June 1 will help send 200 girls in Africa and Asia to school by participating in a global yoga benefit with Namaste World. The sanctuary will donate 100 percent of donations made during a yoga class to Room to Read's girls' education program.

Educating girls is the most powerful and effective way to address global poverty, according to a press release from the Yoga Sanctuary/ Room to Read supports girls so they not only graduate, but also develop skills to negotiate key life decisions. The program provides academic support, mentoring and life skills training to girls in nine countries in Asia and Africa. Finishing secondary school leads to smaller, healthier familes, lower HIV infection rates, and higher wages. Educated women are more likely to educate their own children, thus ending the cycle of illiteracy in one generation. To date, Room to Read has supported more than 20,000 girls.

The class will take place from 1-2:15 p.m. on June 1 at the Key West Yoga Sanctuary, 1130 Duval St. All are welcome regardless of skill level, and donations will be encouraged for the charity.

KEY WEST

Survivors Party adopts casino theme on Memorial Day

Casino in Paradise is the theme of the 36th annual Survivors Party, taking place from 5-9 p.m. May 27 at the new Cowboy Bill's, 618 Duval St., to benefit the Sister Season Fund. The organization helps keep a roof over the heads of locals in the hospitality and entertainment industries when they are unable to work through no fault of their own. The group has raised and distributed more than $200,000 in the past eight years.

Survivors Party attendees can try their luck at blackjack, Texas hold'em, roulette, pool, poker and a wheel of fortune, along with bull riding, a silent auction, surprise boxes with a total value of $2,000 to win with raffle tickets and a 50/50 raffle every hour.

Musical entertainment will be by Alphonse -- and there will be line dancing and lessons.

Tickets are still only $20 and will be available at the door.

Silent auction items, raffle prizes and sponsorships are still welcome and the event calls for 62 volunteers, who will help set up, staff the doors, be dealers and spinners for the games, serve the buffet, bus tables, monitor the silent auction and break down and clean up after the party. All volunteers will receive commemorative T-shirts. To help out, please contact Hanson at 781-956-3189.