October 31, 2008

NEWS BRIEFS

Campaign to save Youth Science Institute (YSI)

Youth Science Institute has launched an aggressive fund-raising initiative designed to prevent the agency from closing its doors forever. The Save YSI Campaign will run through Dec. 14, 2008 with the objective of raising $300,000 — the amount needed for the agency to continue its operations.

“Mounting financial pressures, such as a significant drop in earned revenue due to the impact of the economy and state budget on our client teachers and families, fewer government dollars, increased operating costs and higher-than-expected construction and facilities costs, have combined to create this perfect financial storm for YSI,” said Susanne Mulcahy, the agency’s executive director. “The good news is that we have done significant analysis of the issues and have a very workable plan to position the agency solidly for the future. The difficulty is, we need to get past this considerable bump in the road to stay open long enough to implement it.”

YSI delivers hands-on, natural science education to more than 30,000 Silicon Valley children per year, filling a critical need for teachers and their students in the region. Its programs, which correlate to state academic standards, are designed to bolster student understanding of scientific concepts, develop critical thinking skills, spark interest in physical, life and earth sciences and connect children with nature.

Community members who are interested in helping to save YSI are urged to come to a meeting at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9 at longtime Board member Nancy Valby’s home, 5403 Fairway Drive, San Jose, CA, 95127, just blocks away from Alum Rock Park where YSI was founded in 1953. For more information, visit YSI’s campaign website at http://ysi.tiktala.com/campaigns/save-ysi-meeting.

Change Your Clock – Change Your Battery

Daylight Savings Time ends early Sunday morning and the clocks go back one hour. At 2 a.m., Nov. 2, timekeepers revert to Pacific Standard Time. Fire departments across the nation encourage you to change the batteries in your household smoke detectors while you are resetting your clocks.

D8CRT Moves General Meeting To First Thursday

Starting in November, the regular District 8 Community Round Table meeting will move to the first Thursday of the month at 7:00-9:00 p.m. The next meeting will be held on Nov. 6, and it will feature an election recap and a welcome to our new District 8 City Council member.

Other featured topics for the Nov. 6 meeting include a presentation by Santa Clara County Weed Abatement Program Coordinator Moe Kumre, who will discuss the ongoing weed abatement program at the Pleasant Hills Golf Course. The D8CRT meeting will also include an update by Mike Alvarado of the Going EverGREEN subcommittee, which is working on bringing more solar power purchasing opportunities to residents of Evergreen.

The D8CRT is currently seeking officer candidates for the next year. D8CRT elections will be held in December, and nominations are needed by Nov. 6.

Everyone who lives or works in District 8 is invited to join the D8CRT, which focuses on issues of interest to the community. The next District 8 Community Round Table meeting will be held on Nov. 6 at the Evergreen Branch Library from 7:00-9:00 p.m. For more details on the D8CRT, visit www.d8crt.

Applications for Multicultural Arts Leadership Initiative Due Nov. 14

1stACT Silicon Valley will be accepting applications for its Multicultural Arts Leadership Initiative (MALI) through Friday, Nov.14. 

MALI is a 12-month program that identifies future and emerging multicultural arts leaders, develops and delivers a training program that provides these individuals with the skills and knowledge to help stabilize and grow their respective organizations and equips those leaders to successfully participate in community forums to act as advocates for a strong and healthy multicultural arts community. 

For more information on requirements and to receive an application, contact Tamara Alvarado at talvarado@1stact.org.

Clarity celebrates its second anniversary

By Amy Lee
Clarity Business Manager

Two years ago, Clarity Medical Spa opened its doors with several goals in mind: spread awareness of skin cancer prevention, help residents turn back the “aging” clock, and at the same time, invest in the community by supporting nonprofit organizations.

Dr. Donna Lee, the medical director and an advocate of skin cancer prevention, has provided lectures on the topic through venues such as the Silver Creek Valley Women’s Club, Curves Fitness Club and various women’s groups. She explains the dangers of UV rays and their effects on skin. “Many people focus on the estimate that 95 percent of extrinsic aging is caused by the sun, but the more important reason to wear sunscreens is that 90 percent of non-melanoma skin cancers are also caused by the sun,” states Dr. Lee.

Many people still do not know the difference between a medical spa and a traditional day spa. Medical spas provide medically-oriented alternatives to looking younger without invasive surgical procedures. These nonsurgical healthcare alternatives include cosmetic laser treatments to help with sun damage, age spots, freckles, broken capillaries, unwanted hair, wrinkles and acne scars.

These procedures are nonsurgical services that have been popularized as “lunchtime” cosmetic procedures because they require little or no downtime. Clarity also offers prescription skin care products to correct a variety of skin conditions that over-the-counter products cannot correct.

At most medical spas, technicians and aestheticians do the procedures. In contrast, Dr. Lee is not only on site most days, she is the one performing the laser procedures and injectables.

Clarity takes pride in supporting ongoing community events and fundraisers in local schools. Clarity also sponsors the Hatwalk Gala benefiting the Asian-American Cancer Support Network. The gala celebrates the value of “HATS” and the comfort they bring to cancer patients.

Clarity stresses that “it never loses sight of our focus: patient safety and customer service. We thank our patients and the community for their support the past 2 years.”

Clarity Medical Spa is located at 3005 Silver Creek Road, Suite 158, San Jose, CA 95121. For questions, call Amy Lee at (408) 270-3877 or go to www.claritymedicalspa.com.

Evergreen’s Waist Shapers

Mwezo Kudumu and Jane Kerr of Kujiweza Healing Arts celebrates and recognizes Evergreen’s “Biggest Losers” at Creekside Cabana Club. First place went to (seated right) Nell Johnson who shed 11 lbs. Second place loser, Erma Linn, (seated middle) trimed10.4 lbs and third place loser, Marsha Stone (seated left) dropped 10 lbs. All winners received trophies and certificates! Kerr and Kudumu stand with participants (left to right) Pat Pinkney, Judy Ladeau, Sharyn Scoppettone, Tamra Alcantara, Sandra Valenzuela and Debi Kerrick.

For more information, call Jane at (408) 315-1179.

Jhoom 2008 scheduled for Nov. 15

On Nov.15, Evergreen Indian Cultural Association (EICA) is celebrating their annual  event “Jhoom 2008” with Festivals of India as the theme showcasing the diverse and secular culture of India with performances from local talents.

“Jhoom 2008” will take place at Mt. Pleasant High School Auditorium, 1750 South White Road, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

ChaatCafé will be selling delicious boxed snacks during break. General admission tickets ($10) are available online at www.sanjose-eica.org. For more information, contact Monika at 408-802-5661.

H. James Paradis exhibits art work

Adine and H. James Paradis are all smiles here, in front of “Boogie Woogie Horserace,” an acrylic painting by H. James Paradis, which, along with other works by the Villager artist, were exhibited at a reception held in the Conference Room at the Cribari Center at the Villages on Sunday, Oct. 12.

Paradis explains his work, “An exploration of the interplay of color, shape and texture is the motivation for my current work . . . .The ideas of those American painters of the mid-twentieth century who would become known as the abstract expressionists were very influential to both my developing aesthetic sense and working methods. . . . My pieces begin with no preconceived subject matter in mind. . . . I allow each composition to develop, juxtaposing textures and shapes.”

The “Exhibit of Recent Work” by H. James Paradis will be on display through mid-December in the Conference Room in the Cribari Center at the Villages. (Photo/Caption by Thom Harney.)

Laird appears before Democratic Century Club

John Laird, Assembly Member, 27th District, and Chair of the Budget Committee, California State Assembly, was guest speaker at the Democratic Century Club at its monthly luncheon meeting at the San Jose Holiday Inn on Friday, Oct. 10.

More information about the Democratic Century Club is availableat:events@democraticcenturyclub.com. (Photo/Caption by Thom Harney.)

Professor Sedlock addresses Rotary Club

Richard Sedlock, Professor of Geology at San Jose State University addressed the San Jose East Evergreen Rotary Club at its luncheon meeting at the National Hispanic University on Tuesday, Oct. 14. More information is available at:www.rotarysjee.org and sjsjgeology.org/sedlock. (Photo/Caption by Thom Harney.)

Nuestro Raices

Jess Haro, author, and his daughter Rosanna Salberg await the performance of his documentary play, “Nuestra Raices” at the National Hispanic University on Saturday, Oct.18. The very moving historical play tells the story of the Mexicans that have migrated to the United States of America and how, throughout the years, have experienced changes according to the circumstances. More information on the play is available at (408) 661-6186 and (408) 258-4598 and jtharo@comcast.net. (Photo/Caption by Thom Harney.)

Veterans Day

On Nov. 11, all U.S. former military service members will be honored on Veterans Day. Celebrations, parades and memorial services are scheduled nationwide and locally.

A new law changing the U.S. Code states that retirees and veterans not in uniform may render the military salute whenever the flag is raised, lowered or passes in a parade.

Ed. Note. As a proud retired U.S. Army officer and combat veteran, I am very pleased of my service to the military and my country. I will be saluting my flag.