May 27, 2004

NEWS BRIEFS

Challenger students belt show-stopping numbers, capture true spirit of 'Wizard of Oz'

By Justin Petersen
Staff Writer

The hope and sunshine of a brand new spring finally peaked through May 20 at Challenger School on McKean Road in Almaden. According to veteran kindergarten teachers Mrs. Woods and Ms. Ghofrani, the bloom term had been put on hold until Challenger kindergarteners performed the Woods' adapted "Wizard of Oz" in the Spring Program.

"What's spring without a Spring Program at an elementary school?" mused Woods, after her students dazzled friends and family with a performance of the classic tale teaching us that happiness is where we are. "This was the best show ever," continued Woods, who has helped design and direct the show for the past 13 years, this year with the assistance of Ms. Ghofrani.

"The neat thing about Challenger is the focus on music and performance," added Ghofrani. "With opportunities like the Spring Program, children get to try everything. If they can dance, they dance. If they can sing, they sing."

For more information regarding Challenger School art curriculum call (408) 927-5771.

Youth Science Institute hosts Annual Insect Fair May 29
Touch a tarantula — watch a silkworm caterpillar spin silk

They have six legs, three body parts and are always small. There are more insects on earth than all other creatures combined. They are also fascinating and the Youth Science Institute invites the public to come out and learn about the adaptation and metamorphosis of these arthropods at their Annual Insect Fair on May 29.
Hold a cockroach and other fun hands-on activities, enjoy arts and crafts, face painting, food booths, educational exhibits, specimens, and fascinating guest lecturers. You can even discover which insects might be sharing you home!

The fair will be held Saturday, May 29 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at theYouth Science Institute, at Sanborn Park. Parking fee per vehicle is $4. The event is free with Family membership but suggested donation is $1 per child and $3 per adults. Call (408)356-4945 or visit www.ysi-ca.org for more information.

Skate-A-Thon to bring awareness to Sudden Cardiac Arrest

A Saratoga High School student and cardiologist’s daughter, Margaret Wang, 15, wanted to make the public more aware of sudden cardiac arrest and the importance of automatic external defibrillators (AEDs). A transplant from Boston, where skate-a-thons are popular fundraisers, Wang is using the same technique to raise money for the Arrythmia Society and the American Heart Association, according to San Jose resident Anita Grogan, whose husband, Jack Grogan, “died” of sudden cardiac arrest on a 2002 airline flight before an AED revived him.

The skate-a-thon takes place May 22 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Belmont Iceland, 815 Old County Road in Belmont. Campbell resident Kathleen Davey, wife of SHS basketball coach Mike Davey and a mother of two, is also a beneficiary. Davey has been in a coma since suffering sudden cardiac arrest this January. Several cardiac arrest survivors will be present, with Jack Grogan and Wang serving as announcers. Information and AED demonstrations will also be available.

Mark your calendar for this Saturday: Library/Community Center groundbreaking and Glenview Park Tot Lot grand opening

On May 22, the city will host a groundbreaking at the new joint Almaden Branch Library & Community Center at 11 a.m. on Camden Avenue. Following that event the city will be hosting a community celebration at Glenview Park to celebrate the re-opening of the Children’s Play Lot at the park.

The program includes a ribbon cutting for the new play lot, face painting for children, and a short program including Vice Mayor Dando and Williams School Principal Sue Walker.

Glenview Park is located at McCall Drive & Valley Quail Circle, behind Williams School and the event will be from 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.