By Roy Cook

Open House and blessing at the Heartland offices of the Tribal TANF program at 8100 Suite 100 La Mesa Blvd. in La Mesa, California on January 24, 2011. Site manager Lynne Ray Smith was on hand to greet and welcome the invited guests to the official open house of the Tribal TANF offices. The office is recently moved from San Diego to La Mesa. It is just steps away from the MTS trolley line and freeway close to: 94, 125 and Interstate 8.

SCAIR Senior advisor Randy Edmonds conducted a purification blessing of the inside offices. Nick Elliot from Manzanita Band of the Kumeyaay earlier blessed the outside. Northern Birdsongs by Wayne Nelson, from Pala were an important part of the day proceedings.

Southern California Tribal Chairman and TANF Executive Director Denis Turner and Lynne Ray Smith officiated the open house welcome for the American Indian community, Program Officers and representatives of the peripheral delivery service folks like SCAIR Executive Director Wanda Michaelis, also pictured are: Anna Jacome, Vickie Gambala, June Hudson and Richard Overdal.

There were information folders, gifts and a reception of raw vegetables refried beans, salsa and corn chips with a fine selection of drinks for all to enjoy the special TANF cake.

I cannot promise you will be offered cake when you call upon them but you will enjoy the friendly, helpful folks behind the doors of the La Mesa TANF offices. Maybe we will see each other there next time. Give them a call at, 1-866-913-3725.