January 29, 2009

NEWS BRIEFS

San Jose Unified to hold Emergency Preparedness Fair

On Saturday, Jan. 31 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., San Jose Unified School District will co-sponsor an Emergency Preparedness Fair at San Jose High Academy. The community is invited to attend this free event, which will be held in school’s gymnasium, at 275 N. 24th St., 95116.

Everything you need to be prepared will be available. Learn from experts how to safeguard your family in the event of an earthquake, fire or other catastrophe.

All attendees who register at the fair will be entered in drawings for 72-hour survival kits and other essential emergency preparedness items.

For information or to sign up for free CPR training at the fair, call San Jose Unified’s Office of Parent Education & Involve-ment, (408) 535-6493.

Sam Boyer studying language in Germany

Sam Boyer, a Bellarmine College Preparatory graduate who attends Bates College in Lewiston, Maine is one of 24 of the school’s students who is currently studying in Germany.

Boyer, who is a junior at the college majoring in philosophy, began an intensive language study at the Goethe Institute in Freiburg last August. In September, the students moved to Berlin to live with residents while continuing their language studies through the International Education of Students at Humboldt University and took two courses taught by Bates faculty.

During a break in October, the students had the opportunity to travel throughout Europe independently. Bates faculty members Gerda Neu-Sokol and Thomas Tracy led the program. Neu-Sokol, who lectures in German, taught a survey of 20th century German art, film and literature. Tracy, a religion professor, taught a comparative study of bioethics in Germany and the U.S.

Boyer is the son of Stephen Boyer and Jane Frommer who live in Almaden Valley.

AVCA is accepting officer nominations

The Almaden Valley Community Association is accepting nominations for president, vice president, secretary and treasurer. The officers will serve two-year terms, both this year and next.

Outgoing officers are Art Boudreault, president; Ron Blake, vice president; Ray Strong, secretary; and Gari Soule, treasurer.

The next meeting is Monday, Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. with guest speaker State Assemblymember Ira Ruskin.

Those wishing to become members can join for a $15 annual donation. For information, contact Boudreault, at artb@netwiz.net or www.avca-sj.org.

Craft Fair set forWillow Glen

A Handmade Craft Fair will be held at A Work of Heart Studio, 2196 Lincoln Ave., across from the Senior Center, on Sunday, Feb. 1 from noon-4 p.m. Seven different artists will offer handcrafted soaps, candles, pottery, jewelry, home decor and art items perfect for Valentine sweethearts.

More information and photos can be seen on the blog at http://aworkofheart.wordpress.com/.

Santa Clara County poet laureate applicants sought

The County of Santa Clara in partnership with Arts Council Silicon Valley is seeking applicants to fill the honorary post of Santa Clara County poet laureate. The poet laureate’s role is to elevate poetry in the consciousness of Santa Clara County residents and to help celebrate the literary arts. The application deadline is Feb. 17 at 5 p.m.

“Through poetry, the Santa Clara County poet laureate will showcase the spirit of the people and the special qualities of Santa Clara County,” said Supervisor Liz Kniss, president of the County of Santa Clara Board of Supervisors. “This is a wonderful opportunity to commemorate the rich and varied culture of Santa Clara County.”

On Nov. 18, the Board of Supervisors approved the establishment of the honorary post. Arts Council Silicon Valley, the official state and local partner of Santa Clara County with California Arts Council, is administering this program in partnership with the Santa Clara County Library.

“The creation of the Santa Clara County poet laureate position will certainly elevate poetry into the consciousness of our community and underscores the creative literary talent that resides here,” said Bruce W. Davis, executive director of Arts Council Silicon Valley. “We are delighted to team with the County of Santa Clara in the development and launch of this important community position and program.”

The poet laureate will be an honorary two-year position that will begin April 1and end on April 1, 2011. During that term, the poet laureate will act as an advocate for poetry, literature, and the arts, and contribute to Santa Clara County’s poetry and literary legacy through public readings and participation in civic events. The poet laureate also will propose and lead a community project.

Poet laureate duties include representing Santa Clara County and the art of poetry through outreach related to poetry, present appropriate works at the annual State of the County ceremony and at least four selected county-sponsored events, dedications or memorials per year, act as a resource for poetry and literary activities of the Santa Clara County Library, participate in National Poetry Month events and activities and undertake a project that will make poetry more available and accessible to people in their everyday lives.

The poet laureate will receive a modest honorarium. Applications are available at www.sccgov.org under “Hot Items” and at www.artscouncil.org.

For more information, contact laureate@artscouncil.org or (408) 998-2787. Applications should be submitted to Santa Clara County Poet Laureate, Arts Council Silicon Valley, 4 North Second Street, Suite 500, San Jose, CA 95113-1305.