Photos John McKeon,

The Sun Kings, Alameda's Beatles cover band performed at the celebration.

The Alameda Community for Kids Awards were held last Friday at Rhythmix Cultural Works for the first time. The event honored individuals for their outstanding service on behalf of children in our community.

Jared Altura, aka Cowboy Jared, shares some of his western charm.

Among the honorees were Joanne Robinson for her work with the Red Cross Youth and several other programs, Vickie R. Smith for her work with homeless youth in Alameda, Jim Franz, of the Alameda Services Collaborative, Kristen Mateer, who, along with her colleague Roger Chan answered the call to help children in the foster care system when the Public Defender of Alameda County discontinued its representation of foster children, Lucy Gigli and Dan Wood of BikeAlameda, Frederick Chacon, Alameda High School drama teacher and Jared Altura, aka; Cowboy Jared whose musical entertainment at the former Crosstown Coffeehouse and other venues is a well known favorite among both youngsters and adults.