Youth basketball camp slated
Athletes who would like to improve their basketball skills will get an opportunity to do just that at the seventh annual MVP Holiday Basketball Camp.
The camp will be held from 1-4 p.m. Jan 2-5 at Verdugo Recreation Center.
The event is open to boys and girls in the fourth through seventh grades and the cost is $80. Space is limited to 40 athletes, and the registration deadline is Dec. 22.
The event is run by longtime Burbank Park, Recreation and Community Services, Catholic Youth Organization and high school coach Mike Graceffo. Graceffo has more than 25 years coaching experience and was an instructor at camps run by Michael Jordan and B.J. Armstrong.
Along with learning basketball fundamentals and skills, participants will receive a profile card outlining a player's strengths and weaknesses, a self-help booklet, a gym bag, a T-shirt and a certificate of participation.
Athletes will play pick-up games, participate in basketball drills, take part in free-throw and shooting contests, watch basketball videos and get a chance to win prizes. For more information, or to sign up, call (818) 238-5390.
Fundraiser to benefit gymnastics program
Connoisseurs of wine will get a chance to sample selections and benefit Burbank's Golden State Gymnastics at the same time.
The program's women's Junior Olympics program will be hosting a wine tasting event from 6:30-11 p.m. Friday at the Historic Huron Substation (2640 Huron St., Los Angeles).
Attendees will be able to sample more than 14 selections of rare wines, including varieties from Winemonger, a local importer and retailer. The attire is "upscale casual" and the evening will also feature hors d' oeuvres, live music and dancing.
The event will benefit the program's competitive gymnastics teams. Golden State Gymnastics is a community-based, parent-supported nonprofit organization that provides professional programs for youngsters interested in the sport.
Under coaches Chris Clark and Nicole Langevin, the facility provides a variety of programs for boys and girls. Golden State Gymnastics focuses on competitive gymnastics for students of all levels. In addition to competitive teams, the gym also offers recreational programs, cheerleading programs, martial arts classes, winter camps, birthday parties and sleepover events.
In March, Golden State Gymnastics will present the 27th annual Friendship Challenge. The Friendship Challenge is an international invitational meet for Junior women's artistic gymnastics levels four through elite and is one of the few in the USA which extensively invites foreign guests and operates with international flavor and protocol.
For more information about the wine tasting event, or about the program, call (818) 558-1177 or visit www.goldenstategymnastics.com.
