May 13, 2004

NEWS BRIEFS

Family Community Church offers renewal of wedding vows service

During all three regular weekend services, Family Community Church will have wedding renewal services this weekend. Couples will reaffirm their marriage commitment in front of everyone! We're going to turn this place into a great big wedding chapel! Pastor Bill is going to wear a tux and the music team will be all decked out. Couples can come in a tux and wedding gown, or just come as they are. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance.

"We expect hundreds of couples will participate," said Pastor Jim Bryson. "We even have some beautiful invitations (no cost to you) that you can give to friends, relatives and family members."

The event is Saturday, May 15 at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 16 at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. at Family Community Church, 20 Great Oaks Blvd., San Jose.

After the service, the church will have a complete wedding reception with a wedding party canopy and gazebos set up in the parking lot-wedding cake, punch and snacks-even a dance floor with a DJ so couples can have a romantic wedding dance with their spouse.

Couples need to register to participate. Contact the church office for more information: (408) 365-0313.

CHP teams with 4R Kids Sake to request public's help

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is teaming with 4 R Kids Sake to prevent the senseless deaths of children who are left unattended in motor vehicles. "With the summer months approaching and temperatures increasing, the goal of the CHP is to raise public awareness regarding Kaitlyn's Law, while also asking the public's help in reporting incidents where children are left unattended in motor vehicles," CHP Commissioner Spike Helmick said. Since the death of Kaitlyn Marie Russell in August of 2000 (from heatstroke after being left in a parked car), each year there have been reported incidents of children that have been injured or died in California after being left unattended in a motor vehicle.

Kaitlyn's mother, Tammy Russell, said: "Kaityln's death was absolutely 100 percent preventable. It should have never happened. It is my goal to affect change in legislation and to bring about public awareness to this type of tragedy. If I succeed in saving one child's life and keep one family intact and free from this emotionally devastating pain and suffering, I will have accomplished what I set out to do. I will have done one last thing for Kaitlyn."

California law has been changed as a result of Kaitlyn's tragedy. "Now our job is to raise public awareness while also enforcing Kaitlyn's Law to prevent these tragic occurrences. We can only accomplish this goal with the public's help," the Commissioner said.

Showcase of talent

A jungle-themed recipe book. A rule book for banana basketball. A school of colorful three-dimensional fish.
These student-created works are just a few of the dozens that will be on display at Almaden Country School May 18-20 as part of the school's All School Showcase of Talent.

"Every child in the school is showcased," said event co-chair Stacey Holden. "Every child is made to feel important."
The event, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. each night, is free and open to the public.

Parents will transform the auditorium into a magnificent art gallery. Students from each grade at Country School, from the 4-year-old begindergarten class to junior kindergarten and through eighth grade, will chose the projects they want to display. Many of the works have been yearlong projects.

The showcase started as an art show more than 20 years ago and has blossomed into a talent, art and project show, said Country School art teacher Sharon Wilkus, who coordinates the show with the school's Parent-Student Association.

Outside the auditorium, some of the almost 400 County School students will display their individual talents, performing karate or gymnastic demonstrations, piano recitals and square dancing exhibitions.

Country School's own singing groups, Starmites and Zoom, will perform. Seven Country School students who are members of the singing group Sweet Harmony will sing from their spring show.

"It's an unique event," said co-chair Holden, whose two children attend the school. "It's a chance for every child to feel important and proud about what they have accomplished."

Almaden Country School is located at 6825 Trinidad Drive. For further information or to obtain a program for the event, please call 997-0424.

—By Patti Wolf

Nation's most prestigious scholarship program awards Leland student $20,000

Deena Saad Shakir, an exceptional senior at Leland High School in San Jose, has been recognized as one of the country's most outstanding high school seniors by Coca-Cola and has been awarded a $20,000 National Coca-Cola Scholarship for college.

The program recognizes a diverse group of extraordinary high school seniors who have demonstrated academic and civic excellence in their schools and communities. In San Jose, the foundation is supported by the financial commitment of Coca-Cola Bottling Company of California and The Coca-Cola Company.

"Deena Saad Shakir has shown an unwavering commitment to educational achievement, leadership and service to her school and community," said Sandy Williams, chairman of the board of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation and president of Corinth Coca-Cola Bottling Works in Corinth, Miss. "The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation is proud to name Deena Saad Shakir as a 2004 Coca-Cola National Scholar."

Deena Saad Shakir joined 249 of America's most impressive high school students who competed for the 50 National Scholarships of $20,000 and 200 regional scholarships of $4,000 during the Coca-Cola Scholars Weekend, held April 15-18 in Atlanta, Ga. Scholars were chosen from an initial applicant pool of nearly 80,000 representing approximately 16,000 high schools nationwide. The students must have contributed at least 100 hours of community service during the last year. This award is designed to reward and encourage activities that have a significant impact in meeting the needs of local communities.