January 17, 2008

NEWS BRIEFS

Almaden Valley Counseling Service offers positive parenting classes

Almaden Valley Counseling Service is holding its winter session of Positive Parenting Classes starting the week of Feb. 4. The classes are based on the Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (STEP) model and are designed to help parents meet the challenges of raising their children.

Participants learn to:

- build self-esteem and responsibility

- encourage cooperation and problem-solving

- Implement discipline versus punishment

- Resolve conflicts

The classes are held one night a week for seven weeks, from 7:15 – 9:15 p.m.

School-age classes are scheduled for Mondays starting Feb. 4; teenage classes begin Wednesday Feb. 6; and preschool-age classes begin on Thursday Feb. 7.

The fee is $110 for one parent or $165 for a couple. If you are interested in attending this session, or would like to be added to the mailing list for future classes, call the agency at (408) 997-0200, or e-mail staff@avcounseling.org or download the class registration form from www.avcounseling.org.

AVCA sponsors e-waste collection event

Almaden Valley Counseling Service is sponsoring a free, drive-in, drop off electronic waste collection event on Saturday, Jan. 26 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Office Max/Rite Aid parking lot at 1130 Blossom Hill Road.

Items accepted are computers, printers, cables/cords, DVD players, disk drives, telephones (batteries removed), fax machines, copiers, keyboards/mice, microwaves, radios, etc.

By disposing of your electronic items responsibly you help to lead the way for a healthier environment. Each person recycles approximately five pounds of lead at an e-waste event. Over 40 million units of electronic equipment will be recycled this year. An estimated 6.8 million computer monitors and televisions will be sold in California each year.

Join us in this effort to raise funds for a local nonprofit agency, Almaden Valley Counseling Service, as well as disposing of your electronics in an environmentally healthy way.

Any questions, please call AVCS at (408) 997-0200.

Budget shortfall advisory group to seek options

Mayor Chuck Reed and the San Jose City Council established the Budget Shortfall Advisory Group to help review the budget from top to bottom to find new options and alternatives for the City Council to consider.

The Group will take a fresh look at how we spend our money, with everything on the table; no pet projects and no stone left unturned.

The Mayor’s Budget Shortfall Advisory will create a three-year strategic plan to address the city’s structural deficit. For more information, call (408) 535-4800 or contact Antonio Guerra at antonio.guerra@sanjoseca.gov.

Volunteers needed at the polls for Feb. 5 election

The Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters still needs over 1,000 citizens to volunteer to serve as election officers in the Feb. 5 Presidential Primary Election. This is the first time that the Presidential Primary Election has been held this early and that has made recruiting election officers more challenging.

Election officers are needed throughout the county, especially the areas of Cupertino, Saratoga, Mountain View and Gilroy. There is also a critical need for over 100 Spanish bilingual election officers.

Anyone who is registered to vote in the state of California can become an election officer. Election officers are paid a stipend of $95 or more. They can also earn an extra stipend for bilingual skills. Bilingual election officers must be fluent in English and one of the following federally mandated languages: Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese and Tagalog.

Experience is not necessary as training is provided.

High school students who would like to be involved in the election process can participate in the Student Election Officer Program. Students must be at least 16 years old with a minimum 2.5-grade point average, receive permission from their school and parents or guardians. Student election officers have the same responsibilities and receive the same stipends as other election officers.

For more information, call:

English: (408) 299-POLL [7655]
Spanish: (408) 282-3095
Vietnamese: (408) 282-3097
Chinese: (408) 282-3086
Tagalog: (408) 535-3916
Students: (408) 282-3091