March 27, 2008

NEWS BRIEFS

Pioneer to host community outreach fair

Pioneer High School’s Youth Re: Action Corps is hosting a Community Outreach Fair for Hoffman/Via Monte Court Neighborhood. The fair will include 10 to 15 nonprofit organizations that provide services to community members. The fair will be held Apr. 5 at Cornerstone Church, 655 Gallup Dr. from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Food, games and music will also be available for everyone to enjoy.

District 10 Councilmember Nancy Pyle will be among those attending, as well as the San Jose Police Department’s horse-mount unit and stealth car, San Jose Fire Department Shark Truck, Neighborhood Housing Services Silicon Valley, Santa Clara Family Health Plan, Breath California, Family and Children Services Substance Abuse Services, San Jose Mayor’s Gang Prevention Task Force, San Jose Public Libraries, Parks and Recreation, Washington Mutual, Work 2 Future, South Bay Medical Center Mobile and others.

The Youth Re: Action Corps has surveyed over 300 community members and they came to the conclusion that the Hoffman/Via Monte Court neighborhood is lacking some key support. The group hopes to bring some much-needed support to the community as well as build some community unity.

The Youth Re: Action is in its second year at Pioneer High School. Each year the group starts by surveying the community to see how to make it a better place. Last year the group worked with the ESL classes on campus by assisting the teacher and planning and teaching their own lessons. In June they held a graduation for the adult students in the class. They have made an impact on the community and hope to make an even bigger impact in the future.

LifeSport Fitness to expand boot camp programs

LifeSport Fitness is expanding its popular fitness boot camps at the Shamrock Martial Arts Academy in Almaden beginning in April.

“We’ve been looking for a venue in the Almaden area to offer our small group boot camp classes, and we’re very excited that Shamrock has agreed to let us use his facility,” said Becky Williamson, president of lifeSport Fitness. Shamrock is none other than Frank Shamrock, the undefeated five-time UFC Middleweight World Champion.

“We are excited to have lifeSport bring their camp to our facility,” said Ralph King, general manager of Shamrock Martial Arts Academy. “The boot camp program coincides perfectly with our philosophy and our existing programs. It’s all about fitness, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and having fun while doing it!”

Holding boot camp at the Shamrock facility provides Almaden and South San Jose residents an opportunity to experience the classes and adds exercises in the martial arts facility that aren’t possible at the group’s other venues. “The fact that this camp is located inside the training gym of a champion just adds to the excitement and intrigue," she added.

“Becky knows how to create an environment that makes you want to come back to train and I can see why her classes are in such high demand,” adds King.

LifeSport Fitness has been offering fitness and wellness programs in San Jose for over 18 years, and began offering boot camps as a “summer only” series at a park in Campbell in 2004. Since then their boot camp has grown to be a year-round offering with an indoor location in Willow Glen at St. Francis Episcopal Church as well as their summer program at John D. Morgan Park in Campbell.

LifeSport will kick off its boot camp program at the Shamrock facility with a three-week camp from 6:30-7:30 a.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays beginning Apr. 14. Shamrock Martial Arts Studio is located at 5725 Winfield Blvd, Suite 1. Interested individuals can log on to www.lifesportfitness.net to register or learn more.

Bowling for badges

The San Jose Police Foundation will hold a fundraiser on May 8, at 300 San Jose, which used to be called Oakridge Lanes.

The foundation is raising money to provide trauma kits and safety and technology as well as other equipment for police officers as well as the department’s K-9 unit.

Individual bowlers can register for $50, while teams of five can register for $250 at www.bowlingforbadges.org. Registration includes a ball, shoes, two tournament games and an all-night gourmet buffet. If you’re not into bowling you can watch and enjoy dinner prepared by the 300’s chefs for just $25.

For more information, contact the San Jose Police Federation at (408) 291-5257 or sanjosepolicefoundation.org or call the event chair Rich De La Rosa at (408) 828-1983.

AVCA elects delegates, alternates to represent District 10

AVCA has elected its delegate and alternate to vote for three commissioners and two alternates who will represent District 10 on the new Neighborhood Commis-sion. Anyone who lives in D-10 is eligible to apply to be a commissioner. Please note the deadline to apply is April 4.

This is a time-critical message regarding the new San Jose Neighborhoods Commission. Neighborhood Group Reg-istration and Neighborhood Commission-er submission deadlines will end Apr. 4, so all applications must be filed by that day at the close of business.

For a Neighborhood Group to vote at the District caucus, it must have registered with the Neighborhood Development Center by Apr. 4. For an individual to be considered for Neighborhoods Commis-sioner, she or he must file an application through the City Clerk's Office also by Apr. 4.

Assure that your neighborhood will be heard at the Caucus, and if you are interested in serving as a commissioner, please make sure your application is received by the Apr. 4 deadline.

The following link to information on the to the City Clerk's Web site is http://www.sanjoseca.gov/Clerk/commissionboard/NC/NC.asp.

AFICE looking for community representatives, host families

The Academic Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (AFICE) is looking for individuals to work as Community Representatives. Community Representatives find host families and work with their students during the school year. Individuals must enjoy working with teenagers and have good communication skills.

AFICE is also looking for host families in the local area to host a Foreign Exchange student. These young ambassadors are between 15 and 18 years of age and all speak English.

Student profiles will start arriving for students from various countries. Students come with their own spending money and medical insurance.

Please call Anne Ring, 1-866-462-3423 if you are interested in getting more information about becoming a Community Representative or if you're interested in opening your hearts and homes to one of these individuals.

San Jose Rep launches ‘The Scene’

San Jose Repertory Theatre announces “The Scene at the Rep,” an all-inclusive, fully-planned, affordable night on the town for busy, culture-seeking young professionals.

“The Scene” is all about meeting like-minded people who are interested in experiencing theatre in a fun, social atmosphere. It’s a great opportunity to make new friends and reconnect with old ones while enjoying world-class theatre for less than a tank of gas! “The Scene” participants will see how theatre is created and will mingle with the people who make the magic happen on stage.

“The Scene” includes a pre-show networking party at a hip lounge, with drinks and hors d’oeuvres, and the opportunity to mix with artistic staff and to experience exclusive behind-the-scenes insights. The party is followed by the theatre performance and concludes at a post-show gathering at a downtown San Jose hotspot.

“The Scene” will debut Mar. 29, and feature a second event July 12. On Mar. 29, the pre-party is scheduled at the ultra-sophisticated Fahrenheit Ultra Lounge and Restaurant at 6 p.m. followed by the regional premiere of the Broadway hit “Souvenir” at San Jose Repertory Theatre at 8 p.m. The post-event party will be held at Paragon Restaurant and Bar.

On July 12, “The Scene” will include a performance of the Reduced Shakespeare Company’s hilarious “All the Great Books (Abridged).” Pre-and post-party locations will be announced.

The all-inclusive ticket price for “The Scene” is $31 for one performance or $55 for both. For tickets call the box office (408) 367-7255 or visit http://www.sjrep.com/experience/scene/. For more information call (408) 367-7210 or visit us on-line at http://www.sjrep.com/experience/scene/ or http://www.myspace.com/thesceneatSJRep.

“The Scene at the Rep” is sponsored by Fahrenheit Ultra Lounge and Restaurant, and Paragon Restaurant and Bar. Participating sponsors include Poor House Bistro, Bally’s Total Fitness, Camera Cinemas and Main Street Burgers of Los Gatos.

About the Rep
San Jose Rep is an award-winning, non-profit, professional theatre company in the South Bay, presenting six main stage productions each year. As a major contributor to the South Bay’s cultural community for 27 years, the Rep’s mission is to engage, entertain and inspire people. The Rep produces innovative theatrical performances that offer fresh perspectives into the human condition, educational programs that promote life-long learning and outreach initiatives that benefit our diverse community. For more information, visit www.SJRep.com.