August 31, 2004 > Union City Ruggieri Center Moves to Hawaii

It was possible to think that the Ruggieri Center had moved to the Hawaiian Islands on a recent Friday afternoon. "The Islanders" serenaded the Hawaiian Luncheon crowd with their Ukuleles and South Seas tones while visions of softly swaying palms against the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean could be conjured easily by closing your eyes and just listening to the melodies.

Eyes were wide open as the Jeri Lee Castro dancers took the stage and performed the sensuous hula painting stories with their hands and bodies. Performers ranged in age from two young women, Tonya Graham of San Lorenzo who will soon enter Arroyo High School and Malia Au of Fremont, a student at Thornton Jr. High - both have been dancing since the 3rd grade - to a group of women who still have what it takes in their 80's!

A group of volunteers busily served lunch to the crowd of about 150 and could be seen dancing and singing along with the entertainers. Among this group were Danielle Orozco who attends Caesar Chavez Middle School and her brother, Anthony Orozco, a student at Logan High School. Both often volunteer at the center.