July 15, 2004

NEWS BRIEFS

CUHSD parents continue to raise money

Parents in the Campbell Union High School District continue to raise money to save the district’s seventh period. At press time, the group had collected about $60,000 and needs $140,000 to ensure the range of AP and arts classes continue to serve students. The $200,000 goal must be reached by the end of the day on July 31.

A number of fund-raisers are planned:
—On Saturday, July 17 at Leigh High School, the group is holding a yard and bake sale along with a car wash, BBQ lunch and oil change sale. People are invited to attend the event and donate old items and baked goods, and to bring a dirty car and a hungry appetite.

—Buy four oil changes for $49.99 at Made in Japan/Made in the U.S.A. Auto Service Centers and they will contribute $25 to save the seventh period. The group’s goal is to sell 400 oil changes for a total of $10,000 contribution to the campaign—30 already have been sold. Contact Roberta at 323-8469 or e-mail savecuhsd@yahoo.com or purchase on Saturday at the car wash/yard sale.

—DiPuccio’s is holding a fund-raiser for the seventh period every Tuesday in July. The restaurant is located at 4710 Meridian at Branham. Call Roberta 323-8469 for a flyer.

—Gallo’s will hold a fund-raiser on Thursday, July 22 at its 14180 Blossom Hill Road. Call Roberta at 323-8469 for a flyer.

—United Shredding will donate 50 percent of each $6 box of shredded documents. Start locating old and unwanted documents and records that are collecting dust and taking up space in your home. Ask your company or business to gather theirs and bring it all to the shredding day on Saturday. It is scheduled for Saturday, July 17 at Leigh High. For more information, check with Roberta at 323-8469.

—The Gaslighter Theater on Saturday, July 17 and 24 at 8 p.m. will feature an old fashioned melodrama and on Tuesday, July 27, a “Save the Music” concert with five local bands performing. Witness pathos guaranteed to make even the strongest man weep. Deeds so dastardly that the frailest of women must be restrained from tearing our villain limb from limb. We encourage (nay urge) the audience to boo the villain and cheer the hero in this fight against evil. Then, following a brief intermission, the Gaslighter brings you its NEARLY famous Vaudeville Review. The Gaslighter offers to all guests, at no additional charge, all the free popcorn you can eat or throw, plenty of parking, and last but not least, the most laughs and best time in town. Tickets for the melodrama are $18 each and children 12 and under are $12. Tickets for the concert at $10 each. To purchase tickets for these nights, e-mail: rpruitt1948@sbcglobal.net, or call the Gaslighter 866-1408.

The theater is located at 400 East Campbell Ave. For more information, visit the group’s web site at www.save7thperiodcuhsd.energetic.com.

SJUSD to discuss parcel tax at board meeting

San Jose Unified School District (SJUSD) will hold a Board of Education meeting Thursday, July 22, at 6:30 p.m. at 855 Lenzen Ave., in Room 129.

The board will discuss a potential parcel tax for the November 2004 ballot. The significant budget deficit projected for the 2005-06 school year once again has drastic cuts moving toward the classroom. During the board meeting, budget information will be presented, the parcel tax will be discussed and public comment will be welcomed.

For further information contact Karen Fuqua at (408) 535-6444 or e-mail her at Karen_Fuqua@sjusd.org.

City Council accepting applications for Election Commission

The San Jose City Council is accepting applications for appointments to the Election Commission, which monitors compliance with all campaign and ethics ordinances in the San Jose Municipal Code. Comprised of five members appointed by no less than two-thirds of the council, qualified applicants must be registered voters in the city of San Jose and able to demonstrate familiarity and experience with campaign laws.

One member must be an attorney licensed to practice in California. Commission members must not be employed by the city or have direct or substantial financial interest in any business, work or official action taken by the city. While on the commission, members can’t hold any other public office or publicly endorse a candidate for city office. Nor can members participate as a candidate in any election for two years before and after commission tenure.

Applications must be received by Friday, July 30 at 5 p.m. The mayor and city councilmembers will notify the City Clerk as to whom they would like to interview. Applicants receiving four more such indications of interest will be notified and asked to appear during a regularly scheduled council member to be interviewed by the mayor and councilmembers. Following interviews, the mayor and councilmembers will cast written ballots that will be read into the record by the city clerk. Applicants must receive eight votes to be appointed. All interviews will likely be scheduled on Aug. 17.

For applications and additional information, contact the office of the city clerk, 801 North First St., Room 116, San Jose 95110, or phone 277-4424.

Readying a barbecue with the British to celebrate July Fourth in Iraq

National Guard Capt. Craig Macina, who grew up on Corte de La Reina in Almaden, is pictured in uniform just before a Fourth of July BBQ in Iraq. Capt. Macina, who attended Los Alamitos elementary and Pioneer High schools, has been in Iraq since February. He is in command of a detachment of soldiers in Umm Qasr. They run the port on behalf of the Iraqi people. The American soldiers held a July Fourth barbecue with real hot dogs and hamburgers, and invited local British soldiers to help them celebrate. Umm Qasr is in the British-controlled sector of Iraq.

Tim McLinden receives Eagle Scout rank

Tim McLinden of Almaden was recently recognized at a Court of Honor at Almaden Hills United Methodist Church for earning the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest honor in Boy Scouts. He is the 34th scout from Troop 232 in Blossom Valley to achieve this rank.

Tim attended Simonds Elementary, Bret Harte Middle School and is a 2004 graduate of Leland High School. He began his scouting career as a first grader when he joined the Tiger Cubs in Pack 275 in the Evergreen area and earned his Arrow of Light. After moving to Almaden, he bridged over to Troop 232, where he has been a member for seven years.

Tim has held a number of leadership positions, including patrol leader for two years and assistant senior patrol leader. During his climb to the Eagle rank, he enjoyed many camping and backpacking outings. A few favorites were snow camping and summer camp at Camp Oljato and Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico.

Tim’s Eagle Scout project was done at the San Jose Family Shelter. He built and installed three custom cabinetry pieces in one of the day care rooms. This required organizing people to help plan, build, paint and install the cabinets.

Tim also enjoys baseball, music, working on his cars and was on the varsity water polo team at Leland for two years. He has enjoyed being a volunteer camp counselor at Camp Campbell science camp for fifth graders the past two years.

Tim will attend Humboldt State University in Arcata, Calif., where he plans to major in business administration and minor in forestry. He gained is love for the out doors through Scouts and would like to incorporate that into his future career. He aspires to become a firefighter.

New Almaden block sale July 24 
The Board of New Almaden is sponsoring a block sale throughout the area on Saturday, July 24. Come find that unusual trinket or Western memorabilia or kitchen sink at several miles of yard sales at the annual event. The block sale starts on Almaden Road at McKean Road running all the way to Bertram Avenue in the historic district.

Hours are from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.