August 5, 2004

NEWS BRIEFS

Sacred Heart Community Service asking for donations of filled backpacks for local youths

Summer is almost over and Sacred Heart Community Service of San Jose is getting ready for Back to School. On Aug. 11, 2004, Sacred Heart Community Service plans to distribute 500 backpacks to local youths from low-income families from kindergarten through sixth grade who are from low-income families.

Donors are asked to either make a financial contribution (and let Sacred Heart Community Service volunteers do the shopping for you) or to donate filled backpacks as parents and grandparents shop for school items this summer. Local companies’ support is also welcome and appreciated.

Suggested items to fill each donated backpack include one lunch box, several #2 pencils, a pencil sharpener, several erasers, a glue stick, a ruler, two packs of crayons and markers, ballpoint pens, a 3three-ring binder, two packs of wide-ruled paper, two writing tablets, two folders, one box of Kleenex and a disposable camera or roll of 35mm film. Backpacks in all styles for boys and girls are appreciated.

To make a financial contribution, visit the web site at www.sacredheartcommunityservice.org or make checks payable to Sacred Heart Community Service and mail to SHCS Backpack Drive, 1381 S. First St., San Jose, Calif.,A 95110. To donate a backpack, for more information or to volunteer, contact Gracie’s Clothes Closet: caroll@shcstheheart.org Carol Langley at (408) 278-2163 or mariezelam@shcstheheart.org Marizela Maciel at (408) 278-2188.

Barnes & Noble hosts Aug. 12 community panel exploring Silicon Valley’s contributions to ‘Space Race’

Barnes & Noble, in partnership with History San Jose, will present the latest installment in the its ongoing quarterly local history series, History Makers. The community panel event, entitled “History Makers: The Last Frontier: Santa Clara Valley and the Exploration of Space,” will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday Aug. 12 at the Barnes & Noble, located at 5353 Almaden Expressway.

Santa Clara Valley has always been at the forefront of space exploration. Local scientists and engineers have had a hand in some of the greatest space missions ever undertaken:, including the Hubble space telescope, the International Space Station, planetary probes of the moon, Mars and beyond. This panel event will take a close look at the valley’s contributions in the past, present and future.

Guests will include John Boyd, Senior Advisor for History at NASA Ames Research Center; Walter Vincenti, professor emeritus of the Stanford University Department of Aeronautics and the Program in Science, Technology and Society; Walt Wolverton, science writer and author of “The Depths of Space: The Story of the Pioneer Planetary Probes” and Glenn Bugos, of the NASA Ames History Office. History San Jose President Dave Crossen will moderate the discussion.

Republican Party holds annual volunteer picnic at Almaden Lake Park

Volunteers were honored for their efforts in signing up new registered voters at the Santa Clara County (SCC) Republican Party annual picnic at Almaden Lake Park in July. Over 150 volunteers mingled with local politicians at the event, according to SCC Republican Central Committee Communications Director Joyce Rabourn. Doug McNea (left), is a candidate for Congressional District 16 which represents Almaden. He is running against incumbent Zoe Lofgren. Steve Poizner (right) is a candidate for Assembly District 21, which represents Almaden. His strongest contender for the seat being vacated by Joe Simitian is Democrat Ira Ruskin.