January 14, 2005

NEWS BRIEFS

Small toy collection

Grace Lutheran Church assisting tsunami-impacted children

Grace Lutheran Church is collecting small dolls, stuffed animals, Beanie Babies and Nerf footballs among other things for the children impacted by the tsunami in South Asia.

Although the major humanitarian organizations are requesting cash for basic supplies and medicine, many of the children living along the shores of Thailand have lost everything.

A member of Grace Lutheran’s congregation will be traveling to Thailand on business in February, and he’s willing to bring several boxes of toys along with him. His brother, who lives there, will assist him with the distribution.

Feel free to drop off your donation at Grace Lutheran Church, 2650 Aborn Rd., San Jose, 95121, at Kettmann, across from the Evergreen Branch Library by Jan. 31. For more information, call the church at (408) 274-1200

Tsunami relief through Humanity First USA

Humanity First is a leading humanitarian relief and development organization. It seeks to provide disaster relief and community development services to several poverty-affected communities in United States and around the world.

Presently they are focused on providing relief to disaster-stricken South Asia. People interested in donating to the tsunami victims can visit www.humanityfirst.org . For more information, contact Rabia Chaudhry at 408-277-5242.

Editor’s Note: All charitable donations dedicated to tsunami victims through Jan. 31, may be used as a 2004 tax deduction. If you want to ensure that your donation goes directly to tsunami relief, be sure to note that on your check.

If your Evergreen-based church or organization has a story to share about what they are doing in the face of this disaster, please contact Bea Baechle, editor of the Evergreen Times, at (408) 494-7000, ext. 203.

Wednesday, Jan. 26

Join Fowler Creek Park community meeting

Excited at the prospect of a lush 12-acre park in southeast Evergreen? Want to roll up your sleeves and help plan it?

If the answer is yes, then attend the Fowler Creek Park Playground Components Community Meeting. Sponsored by Councilmember Dave Cortese and San Jose’s Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services, the meeting will be held Wednesday, Jan. 26 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the new Carolyn Clark Elementary School, 3701 Rue Mirassou.

After introductions, Parks will do a site overview presentation and then cover playground equipment options. They will obtain community input and close with anticipated next steps.

For more information, please contact the District 8 Council Office at (408) 277-5242 or Parks Manager Evelyn Velez-Rosario at (408) 794-1336.

Feb. 9, 5:30 p.m.: Mayor Ron Gonzales’ ‘State of the City’ address

This year’s State of the City event will be held in the newly renovated California Theater at 345 South First Street in downtown San Jose on Wednesday, Feb. 9 at 5:30 p.m. If you have not yet entered this historical landmark, here’s your perfect opportunity.

The event includes this year’s Good Neighbor Awards and Pride of San Jose Awards. Complementary tickets are required for entry and can be obtained by calling (408) 345-9797.

Complementary parking will be provided in the San Jose McEnery Convention Center. To arrange accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, please call (408) 277-4424 at least 48 hours before the event. (A multimedia version of the invitation may be viewed at www.sjmayor.org/event_library/new_website/JAN05/socinvitefinal.html.

Chinese New Year workshop for kids Jan. 21

Although the traditional United States’ New Year’s celebration is Jan. 1, in China, they do not welcome in the New Year until Feb. 9 this year!

Join the Friends of Guadalupe River Park & Gardens on Friday, Jan. 21, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at Guadalupe Garden Center, 715 Spring St., San Jose, for a creative and educational afternoon learning about Chinese New Year and the Woolen Mills China Town that was located near Guadalupe Gardens. Create traditional Chinese New Year crafts and pick up a list of additional local Chinese New Year events and resources.

The workshop is designed for children 5 years of age and older, and the fee is $5. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Space is limited, so reserve your spot early by sending a check to: Friends of Guadalupe River Park & Gardens, 50 West San Fernando St., Suite 1100, San Jose, CA 95113. For more information please visit www.grpg.org or contact Kary Wilson, the Education Coordinator, at education@grpg.org or 408-298-7657.

District 8 Community
Rountable to meet Jan. 27

The Evergreen Community Roundtable meets quarterly to discuss issues with local impact. This quarter’s meeting will be held Jan. 27 from 7-9 p.m. at Cedar Grove Elementary School, 2702 Sugar Plum Dr. Some of the topics at the meeting include establishing the Roundtable as an independent group separate from the Councilmembers’ office, a conditional use permit update for Beshoff MotorCars and the Evergreen Garden Club’s desire to do a strip mall beautification program in the district. Other issues include interests with respect to education and the SCVCO’s work for charter school status and/or school district unification. For more information contact Councilmember Dave Cortese’s office at (408) 277-5242 or kerynn.gianotti@sanjoseca.gov.

Apply by 5 p.m. Feb. 2
Spring work experience session for youth

The city of San Jose, Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services’ Work Experience Program is looking for enthusiastic and motivated youth ages 14 – 16, to apply for the Spring Session, March 14 – May 6.

Earn money while working in a city department for eight weeks. Increase your employment skills and knowledge of career options through weekly workshops! Must have little or no paid work experience, be a San Jose resident or attend school in San Jose, and be available to work up to 18 hours per week (Monday through Saturday).

Positions available include recreation, library, clerical, parks and animal services. Mail or hand deliver applications to: PRNS, Work Experience Program, 4 North Second St., Suite 600 San Jose, Calif. 95113 by Wednesday, Feb. 2.

For more information or an application, please contact Kelly Keaney or Felipa Driscoll at (408) 277-3578.

East Valley Girls Softball registration dates

Softball season is just around the corner. Register for the East Valley Girls Softball league on Saturdays, Jan. 15, 22 and 29 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Ocala Middle School softball fields, 2800 Ocala Ave., San Jose. Or register Wednesdays, Jan. 19 and 26 from 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. at Round Table Pizza, at the corner of Aborn and White Roads, San Jose.

Registration fees for the 8U Division are $90 for the first child, $70 for the second child and $50 for each additional child. In the 10U, 12U and 16U Division, registration fees are $110 for the first child, $90 for the second one, and $70 for each additional child. A $20 late registration fee will be charged for each registration after Feb. 5, which is Evaluation Day.

Forms will be available at the time of registration or can be retrieved at www.eteamz.com/evsltwisters. For more information, call the East Valley Softball League (408) 291-3248 or e-mail at evslsoftball@yahoo.com.