August 2, 2007

NEWS BRIEFS

Leland grad commissioned as second lieutenant

Christopher W. Wellington has been commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army after successfully completing the Army ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) program and graduating with a bachelor's degree from Arizona State University, Tempe.

The new officer will be branched to a specific corps in the Army to serve on active duty or in the National Guard or Reserve. The lieutenant also will attend the officer basic course relating to his or her particular military occupational specialty/job.

The ROTC curriculum prepares students with the tools, training and experiences to help them succeed as effective leaders in any competitive environment. Army officers serve as leaders, counselors, strategists and motivators, who lead other soldiers in all situations occurring in ever-changing environments. As trained problem-solvers, key influencers and planners, they are driven to achieve success with their team on every mission.

Wellington is the son of Peter S. and Margaret R. Wellington of Almaden Valley and a 2003 graduate of Leland High School.

Our City Forest accepting intern applications

Our City Forest, a nonprofit urban forestry and environmental action organization serving the greater San Jose area, is accepting applications for 22 paid community service positions. These full-time positions offer an $8.50 hour living allowance plus health insurance and education scholarship.

It’s an opportunity for anyone who has thought of joining the Peace Corps or VISTA but would rather stay close to home. All ages welcome and encouraged to apply. The program begins Oct. 1.

Successful applicants will receive specialized job training while serving their community. Activities include coaching neighborhood and school tree plantings, teaching tree care techniques to residents, recruiting community volunteers, mentoring youth, conducting tree care projects, teaching in classrooms and developing /publishing educational materials.

Interns will receive technical training in all aspects of urban forestry, community service and applicable computer software. Successful applicants must commit to completing 1,750 hours over 10 months, typically working five days per week, Tuesday through Saturday. The program begins Oct. 1 and ends Aug. 9, 2008.

To apply, please e-mail resume with cover letter to Monica Nañez at mnanez@ourcityforest.org. Applicants must be 18 years of age, but there is no upper age limit. All are encouraged to apply. All members receive:

A $15,000 stipend for 10 months of service (living allowance valued at $8.50/hr)

A $4,725 AmeriCorps education scholarship after completion of the program

Health insurance

For additional information, visit www.ourcityforest.org.

California State Parks, Travelocity team up to support state parks

Travelocity today announced an alliance to support and promote California State Parks.

As a “proud partner” of California State Parks and the California State Parks Foundation, Travelocity offers new options on its site for visiting California State Parks and provides online travel booking capabilities to the California State Parks Foundation Web site. It is also the first online travel company to provide the option to purchase annual California State Parks passes, along with a newly created three-day pass designed for out-of-state visitors (or park enthusiasts), through its Web site.

“We are pleased to be partnering with Travelocity to generate greater awareness for our parks and to help more people enjoy California’s incredible natural treasures,” said Susan Parker, director of marketing at the California State Parks Foundation. “With Travelocity’s support, we hope to connect travelers from near and far to California State Parks.”

Travelocity is contributing to the parks through direct sponsorships and online advertising on Travelocity.com. It is sponsoring the Park Visitor Welcome Kit, hosting online ads for the parks and is launching a special online store designated specifically to mountain travel. Travelocity’s Mountain Travel Store is the only online travel site to offer annual parks passes, and provide consumers with detailed information about the California State Parks such as maps, park details and travel deals for planning mountain vacations.

“As the number of outdoor enthusiasts booking travel to these popular mountain destinations continues to increase, we’re focused on offering tools to give travelers easier access to popular park information all in one easy-to-use place,” said Tracey Weber, chief operating officer for Travelocity. “This is a great opportunity to support the parks while offering unique value to our customers.”

Under the agreement, Travelocity also will power a California State Parks Foundation private label online travel engine, providing a variety of travel products that allow travelers to book trips for the first time directly from the sites, ranging from flights, hotels, car rentals, vacation packages and last minute packages. Travelocity will power private travel engines on the California State Parks Foundation Web site, www.calparks.org.

Coldwell Banker collecting phones for Habitat for Humanity

Coldwell Banker collects old cell phones and PDA devices through its Donate-A-Phone Program and donates 100 percent of the proceeds to Habitat for Humanity.

To help with the program, package your old cell phone or PDA device and accessories in a plastic bag and take them to Rick George, a realtor with Coldwell Banker.

All donations go to support Northern California Habitat for Humanity by contributing money toward home construction projects in our local communities as well as ReCellular, Inc. by providing cell phones to needy individuals, such as victims of domestic violence and teachers working in impoverished neighborhoods. In addition, the program helps the environment since cell phones and PDA devices that cannot be refurbished and are recycled in accordance with all environmental regulations.

For more information or to donate your old cell phone or PDA device today, please call or e-mail Rick George at rick.george@camoves.com or contact him at the office (408) 448-4488 or (408) 979-3297.