December 17, 2004

NEWS BRIEFS

Dec. 31 application deadline

Looking for homeowners in need

Low-income homeowners, particularly the elderly and disabled, as well as nonprofit facilities, are eligible for services from Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley. All work is done free of charge.

A Project Selection committee reviews all applications to determine whether the applicant meets the eligibility criteria.

If so, a visit is made to ensure that the project is within the scope of work they are able to provide and that the repairs will improve the warmth, safety and independence of the homeowner.

Please pass this information on to anyone who lives in Santa Clara County and who may need these repairs.

Applications can be found at www.rebuildingtogethersv.org/ program/forms.html. For specific eligibility criteria and/or application, contact (408) 578-9519 or info@rebuildingtogether-sv.org.

Applications for the April 23 and 30 projects in 2005 are due Dec. 31.

Gates scholarship application
deadline Jan. 14

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation seeks nominations for the Gates Millennium Scholars Program for low-income students of color. Students are eligible to be considered for a GMS scholarship if they:

- Are African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian Pacific Islander American or Hispanic American,

- Are a citizen/legal permanent resident or national of the United States

- Have attained a cumulative GPA of 3.3 on a 4.00 scale (unweighted) at the time of nomination

- Will be entering a U.S. accredited college or university as full-time, degree seeking freshmen in the fall of 2005

- Have demonstrated leadership abilities through participation in community service, extracurricular or other activities and
- Meet the Federal Pell Grant eligibility criteria.

The deadline for submission of nomination materials is midnight (EST) Jan. 14. For more information about this scholarship and for application materials, visit www.gmsp.org or call (877) 690-4677.

Our brightest students get a chance to THINK

Rigorous summer program for seventh to ninth graders

The Davidson Institute offers the 2005 THINK Summer Institute, a three-week summer residential program for seventh, eighth and ninth graders to earn seven transferable college credits at the University of Nevada, Reno, during July 2005.

The brightest students from Nevada, Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana can participate in the Davidson Institute for Talent Development’s THINK Summer Institute, a full-immersion college program experience.

“The THINK Summer Institute offers twice as many college credits as similar programs in other states,” said Marie Capurro, director of the Davidson Institute. “It’s a one-of-a-kind opportunity for students who want to get a leg up on their academic career.”

To be eligible for the THINK Summer Institute, applicants must currently be enrolled in seventh, eighth or ninth grade and earn qualifying scores on the SAT or ACT.

THINK students can choose to enroll in either a chemistry or a logic/philosophy course and a speech communications or foreign language course. All courses are taught by university professors on the University of Nevada, Reno, campus. Every student who completes the program will receive seven transferable college credits.

The THINK Summer Institute will run from Sat., July 9 through Sat., July 30. Tuition is $1,850 for the three-week program, and scholarships are available based on financial need. To learn more about this program, visit www.davidson-institute.org/think, e-mail think@ditd.org or call (775) 852-3483 ext. 405.

The THINK application is now posted at www.thinksummerinstitute.org. Financial assistance is available to help cover tuition costs.

Interested students must register now to take the ACT and SAT on one of the few remaining test dates before the application deadline (March 1), if they have not taken these tests in the past. Links to detailed information about test registration can be found at www.thinksummerinstitute.org.

Evergreen Times seeks part-time reporter
Are you interested in the community around you? Are you a concise communicator who tends to be the one neighbors turn to for community information? The Evergreen Times needs you! We are seeking a part-time reporter willing to cover local Evergreen community-based meetings in a balanced, unbiased manner. Proximity and knowledge of this diverse community a plus. Please send a resume to Editor Bea Baechle, bea@timesmediainc.com, or call 494-7000, ext. 203.

Council District 8 seeks part-time help
San Jose City Council District 8 is seeking an energetic and reliable data entry clerk with some experience in Web design. This is a part-time (8 hours per week) entry-level position in a busy city council office. Must be flexible, well organized, and a self-starter with the ability to work independently.

Send your resume to Councilmember Dave Cortese, Attn: Adrianna Cota, 801 North First Street, Room 600, San Jose, CA 95110, (408) 998-2893 fax, adrianna.cota@sanjoseca.gov .For more information call (408) 277-5242.

Safety tips: Theft, victimization prevail during the holidays

We’re in the thick of the holiday season. The holidays bring happiness, joy and rush hour. As the days get busier, we sometimes forget to take special care of our loved ones and ourselves. Unfortunately, theft and victimization prevail during this joyous season. The following are some prevention tips to help you have a safe holiday.

When shopping:
- Take a friend with you (safety in numbers).
- Do not overload yourself with shopping bags. Take some back to your car, lock them in your trunk and return to the stores.
- Pay by credit card or check.
- Be alert with your children. Should they get lost, teach them to immediately go to a store clerk or security guard.
- Women should carry their purses diagonally across their bodies.
- Men should place their wallets in your front pants/jacket pocket.

In your car:
- Keep your car in good running condition.
- Make sure to always have at least half a tank of gas.
- Park in well-lit areas or near the entrance.
- Keep all valuables locked in the trunk.
- Always be alert when approaching and leaving your car.

In your home:
- Keep valuables and presents out of sight (away from the windows/doors).
- Do not open the door to unexpected guests or strangers.
- Keep all doors and windows locked even if you are leaving for small amounts of time.
- When going on trips or out for the evening, use automatic timers and lights.
- Immediately after Christmas, mark new gifts with your California I.D. number.

Have a safe and happy holiday season and remember, “Don’t drink and drive.”

Source: San Jose Police Department.

San Jose family wins Eastridge’s first 12 Days of Rudolph trivia contest

Evergreen resident Alejandra Ruiz, pictured with her five children Christina, 12; Marisa 10; Ruben and Jessica, 9; and Alyssa, 2; guessed the first correct answer in the 12 Days of Rudolph trivia contest at Eastridge Shopping Mall.

By correctly answering “Hermie” to the question, “Who was the elf who wanted to be a dentist?” Ruiz and her family won a three-foot plush Rudolph with a flashing, red nose.

“We’re very excited to win. Dec. 1 was my 12-year-old daughter’s birthday and she found a lucky penny,” said Ruiz.”

“She wished we would win the contest and what do you know ... wishes do come true.”

While the whole family will enjoy Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer, they told Alyssa that it was a special Christmas gift for her from Santa. Inset: Two-year-old Alyssa Ruiz gives Rudolph a big hug.

Christmas Open House at Joseph D. Grant County Park Dec. 18-19

A rare glimpse into the life of Joseph D. Grant

By Carl Ponzio
Times Intern

Escape the crowded malls and checkout line brawls to a place where the season is reacquainting visitors with a simpler type of holiday cheer, Joseph D. Grant County Park.

Atop Mt. Hamilton, life is different. Hawks glide through the sky on gusts of wind and deer walk without the fear of an on coming Mercedes. Nestled away on Mt. Hamilton Road is Grant Park, an amazing escape from stoplights, Starbucks and DSL connections. Those every day “luxuries” are traded in for a breathtaking view of oak woodlands and deep canyons.

Grant Park will be hosting “Christmas Open House,” on Saturday, Dec. 18 and 19 from noon to 4 p.m. Park rangers will be giving tours of the graying Ranch House that has been ornamented for the holidays.

Grant Park also offers occasional star parties, an exciting event to learn about the stars from astronomy enthusiasts. Telescopes are provided and park literature encourages visitors to bring their own as well.

“Grant Park offers a tremendous opportunity for visitors to see an amazing array of wildlife, oak groves and lookouts from several scenic areas across the foothill country,” said Jeff Cossins, senior park ranger.

The park holds these special events to get visitors outdoors before Christmas, but this stunning preserve has activities everyday of the week.

Trails stretch for miles throughout the park’s 9,522 acres. These are ideal routes for backpacking, hiking, nature walks or biking. If it’s a relaxing picnic that you’re looking for, Grant Park is also the right place. There are 40 sites available to reserve for visitors who like to bask in nature’s beauty. Bass, crappie, catfish and bluegill await anxious anglers at the park’s lake and ponds.

Park history
With the grand spectacles of Grant Park comes a lengthy history. Originally owned by Jose de Jesus, a Mexican military officer, the area was sold to Joseph D. Grant in the mid-1800s. Being a wealthy financier, Grant began buying the land surrounding his original purchase from Jesus until the land stretched 32,000 acres.

He utilized his vast ranch for social purposes, extending invitations to important figures of his time, such as President Herbert Hoover. Later, in 1927 Grant purchased a neighbor’s house and refurbished it into a ranch house, now known as the Joseph D. Grant Ranch House.

In 1942 Grant passed away and left his home and the surrounding property to his two daughters, Josephine and Edith. However, Josephine enjoyed a lavish lifestyle and was forced to chisel the land’s area down to the 9,522 acres that make up the park today. In 1975, the Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Division purchased the land.

With various activities and sights, Grant Park is a wonderful get away from the stress of living in the Silicon Valley.

Take a drive and experience nature first hand.

For more information about the tours and upcoming Star Parties, visit www.parkhere.org or call (408) 274- 6121.

Joseph D. Grant Park is located at 18405 Mt. Hamilton Rd. in San Jose. Locally, follow Quimby Road until it dead ends at Mt. Hamilton Road. The park is visible on the right. By freeway, take Highway 101 or 680 to Alum Rock Avenue eastbound. Turn right onto Mt. Hamilton Road and travel eight miles to reach the park entrance. A $5 day-use fee is assessed for visitors.

San Jose appoints new independent police auditor

Barbara Attard of Berkeley was recently appointed as the new San Jose Independent Police Auditor (IPA) by the San Jose City Council.

Attard will fill the vacancy left by Teresa Guerrero-Daley, who is leaving the city to become a Santa Clara County Superior Court judge in January. Guerrero-Daley has held the IPA position since it was created in 1993.

Attard currently is the Berkeley Police Review Commission Officer, where she has served for nearly seven years as chief investigator and administrator. Prior to that she served for 14 years with the Office of Citizen Complaints for the San Francisco Police Commission as an investigator and special assistant to the director.

“Barbara Attard is an excellent choice to lead civilian police oversight in San Jose,” said Mayor Ron Gonzales. “Her long experience with police review systems in several cities and her professional leadership in national and international organizations have earned her a reputation as an effective leader, collaborative partner, engaging manager and policy expert.”

Attard serves as vice president of the National Association of Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement, a national professional organization, and she makes frequent presentations to communities and law enforcement organizations regarding police oversight issues.

She received her master’s degree in public administration from the University of San Francisco and her bachelor’s in social science and philosophy from Humboldt State University. She currently is a resident of San Francisco.

An active community outreach component was included as part of the search process to ensure that the concerns, ideas, and priorities of local residents and stakeholders were included. In addition, panels representing San Jose’s diverse community interviewed the final candidates.

The city council also approved an annual salary of $145,000 for the new Independent Police Auditor, slightly higher than the current incumbent’s salary.

Under the San Jose City Charter, the mayor is responsible for recommending a candidate for the IPA for approval by the entire city council. The Independent Police Auditor is one of the six positions appointed directly by the mayor and council.

Governed by the San Jose City Council, the San Jose IPA reviews police investigations of complaints against police officers, makes recommendations regarding police policies and procedures, conducts public outreach to educate the community on the IPA role and assists the community with the process and procedures for investigation of complaints against police officers.

The IPA is independent from all other city departments and reports directly to the mayor and city council.

Craig Mann receives commendation from City of San Jose

Evergreen resident and East Side Union High School District board member Craig Mann received a commendation from San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzales and members of the City Council Dec. 14 for his many years as a dedicated member of the Independent Police Auditor (IPA) Advisory Committee.

The recognition of Mann and all of his peers on the IPA Advisory Committee corresponds with Teresa Guerrero-Daley’s departure from her San Jose IPA post and her move to the Santa Clara County Superior Court as a judge.

The Independent Police Auditor Advisory Committee comprises a broad range of community representatives who help identify, mobilize and coordinate resources to ensure maximum community and city commitment to effective and responsible police oversight that contributes to achieving the community’s goals for protection of the public.

The commendation said Mann “has been an exceptional advocate for all San Jose residents and has provided valuable insight and support to enable people to voice their concerns and have meaningful dialogue with the San Jose Police Department, its chief of police, and the IPA.”

It congratulated Mann “for his contributions and commitment that have been instrumental in building public confidence and credibility for the Office of the Independent Police Auditor and its oversight function in order to assist the community and the San Jose Police Department together.”

Mann appointed to governing board of MetroEd
On that same evening, the ESUHSD board of trustees voted to appoint Mann to serve as its representative on the governing board of the Metropolitan Education District (MetroEd).

As noted on its Web site (http://www.metroed.net/), “MetroED is the largest career-oriented educational organization in Santa Clara County, comprised of high school and adult occupational, academic and community programs. MetroED annually provides 70,000 diverse students with the skills to help them be productive, income-earning and tax-paying contributors to Silicon Valley.”

“I am honored that my colleagues have entrusted me with this appointment and I look forward to my expanded responsibilities in serving our learning community,” said Mann.