September 19, 2008

NEWS BRIEFS

Build It Green home tour

The Build It Green Home Tour in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties will be held Sunday, Sept. 28 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

This one-day self-guided tour showcases 15 green homes that look great, save money and are easier on the environment. From remodels to brand new custom homes, these homes demonstrate green/sustainable materials and technologies, such as FSC-certified wood products, bamboo flooring, radiant floor heating, solar hot water, solar electric systems, graywater and rainwater collection systems, green ‘living’ roofs, dual-flush toilets and more.

Tour-goers will also have the opportunity to speak with the homeowners, builders and designers to learn about the latest green building techniques, installation dos and don’ts and lessons learned. A guidebook provides details on exact locations of each green home.

Purchase of the tour guidebook for $20 per person serves as admission. Admission for two people using one guidebook may also be purchased for $40 (save paper!). Children under 16 are free. Guidebooks can be purchased online at: www.builditgreen.org or by visiting one of the local retail locations listed on the Build It Green Web site.

For more information call Build It Green at (510) 845-0472 or 1 (888) 404-7336.

Latino Health Awareness Month

Fidel Gonzalez tries the Hula Hoop with his daughter Leslie, 6, during the San Jose Fiestas Patrias at a booth sponsored by the Network for a Healthy California—Bay Area Latino Campaign on Sept. 14, 2008. In celebration of Latino Health Awareness Month, the Network addresses the health risks faced by California’s Latinos and empowers them to become Champions for Change by eating more fruits and vegetables and being physically active every day.

Photo by Chris Riley/Network for a Healthy California

Inside Connections

Thora Tam (pictured) thought it might be helpful for her clients to have access to home improvement professionals that she knew to be expert and reliable. So she exercised her entrepreneurial spirit and formed Inside Connections-The Bay Area’s Home Professionals. It’s a group made up of home improvement experts in areas such as general contracting, painting, decorating, and flooring.

On Sept 13, companies like Cavestone Marble, Santillan ornamental plaster work, Cambrian Floors and Construction and others joined Tam’s Interiors by Decorating Den in the lobby of Comerica Bank in the Canyon Creel Plaza to display their services.

Local residents stopped by to ask questions about remodeling projects and sign up for the door prizes offered by the businesses. Tam was pleased with the event and plans to schedule more as the network of professionals grow.

Burrito Azteca

Burrito Azteca in the Evergreen Village Square will be celebrating its second anniversary Saturday, Sept 20. Featuring Mexican cuisine in a family-friendly environment, the restaurant also offers takeout and catering services.

Development of the old IBM site on Cottle Road

Hitachi bought the IBM site on Cottle Road and operates a unit if its global storage there. Much of the land was sold to San Jose for development and that work is in process. Construction on infrastructure and roadways is ongoing. Loew’s is obtaining permits to build a store and developesr are studying plans for a major retail and residential area. San Jon Jose City Councilmember Forrest Williams says high-density housing is planned and the community has expressed a desire for retail similar to Santana Row. The community would like a destination place, not just another mall, according to Williams.

Don’t forget our military personnel

The Evergreen community is invited to join Grace Church to show appreciation to those in military service overseas. The church along with other community groups are creating banner cards to send through various means to military personnel in active service and in Veterans Hospitals in time for Veterans Day.

The banner cards generally display the words:

“Thank you Armed Forces Personnel.

Thank you for your Commitment and Service.”

Individuals may add personal greetings to the cards. Opportunities to help create and sign the cards will be available at booths in front of Grace Church on Saturdays during Sept. and Oct. and inside the lobby each Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Banner singing will also be possible at Day in the Park Multicultural Festival at Lake Cunningham on Oct. 11.

Contact Grace Church at 408.274.1200 for further details.

Airman Fernando completes basic training

Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Justin D. Fernando has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, TX.

During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization and military customs and courtesies, performed drill and ceremony marches and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises and special training in human relations.

In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate’s degree in applied science through the Community College of the Air Force.

Fernando is the son of Marylin Fernando of Steinbeck Drive, Modesto, CA, and nephew of Lorna DeJillo of Aldworth Drive, San Jose, CA.

The airman graduated in 1998 from Mount Pleasant High School, San Jose, and received a bachelor’s degree in 2006 from California State University, Long Beach.