September 9, 2004

NEWS BRIEFS


Welcome Ryan Matthew Eidschun!

The staff of the Almaden Times Weekly would like to congratulate Times graphic artist Jaime Eidschun and his wife Jena on the birth of their first baby. Ryan Matthew Eidschun was born on August 20, 2004 at O’Connor Hospital, weighing in at a healthy 7 lbs., 4 oz. Congratulations!

Busy week! Almaden Valley Community Association
to host Kitty on Monday and candidates on Wednesday

The Almaden Valley Commmunity Association will feature Kitty Monahan, president of the New Almaden Quicksilver County Park Association and past member of the Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Commission at their next meeting. The subject will be Quicksilver Park. The meeting will be held Monday, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. at the McDonald’s Restaurant at 5925 Almaden Expressway.

Two days later the AVCA will present a Candidates Forum on Wednesday, Sept. 15 at 7 p.m. at the Santa Clara Valley Water District Board Room, 5750 Almaden Expressway.

The candidates in attendance will be:
- City Council District 10: Rich De La Rosa and Nancy Pyle
- State Assembly District 21: Steve Poizner and Ira Ruskin
- State Senate District 15: Abel Maldonado and Peg Pinard.

Costco holds first Appreciation Day

By Kymberli W. Brady
Staff Writer

Representatives from an estimated 40 local business got a rare glimpse of a calm Almaden Costco on Wednesday—without having to maneuver around hundreds of bustling shopping carts and lengthy free sample lines that color the typically packed warehouse.

Instead, they were offered goodie bags and treated to a continental breakfast—part of Costco’s ongoing effort to showcase the many cost-saving opportunities available to their business membership.

“We invited approximately 100 HR and admins [sic] in the immediate area so we could showcase our services and specialty departments,” said marketing representative Rosie Quinone. “For example, a lot of people are not aware that we have a hearing aid center, travel department, or business delivery center—we want to let our members know what their membership really entitles them to.

Department representatives fielded questions and offered price comparisons on the various services, benefits, and merchant opportunities, while vendors from local businesses, including caterers, errand and limousine services, hotels, dental offices, and gourmet basket companies handed out samples and discount coupons in an effort to entice future clients.

“A lot of our vendors are key members of the community,” said Quinone. “We either met them through the chamber or the Almaden Business Association. Some have also been our businesses of the month.”

Included with the invitation was a chance to win one of several impressive prizes, which were awarded as follows:
- Two-night stay at the Miramar Victorian B&B to Kelly Oliver, Alliance Credit Union
- Six hours of Quicksilver Concierge Service to Sheila Cena, Dolche Hayes Mansion
- Three-hour Sharp Limousine service to Marsha Harris, Laserscope
- One-night stay at the Moorpark Hotel to Tina Ver-pacelli, AAA
- One-night stay at the Moorpark Hotel to Paul Koojoolina, Silver Creek Country Club
- $300 cash from Bay Dental to Sandi Manson, Manpower

One final winner will receive a two-night getaway provided by Costco and will be selected from companies who book a complimentary on-site Costco demonstration by the end of the month.

“This was a great way to let business know what a better value Costco is to their company and their employees,” added Quinone.

31st annual Women’s Equality Day Breakfast

Vice Mayor Pat Dando, (third from right) poses with Angela Chen, Colleen Hudgen, Verdis Crockett, Susan Votaw, Julie DeMaria and Van Le at the 31st annual Women’s Equality Day Breakfast held on Sept. 1 in San Jose.

Hundreds of the city’s movers and shakers gathered to celebrate the advances women have made this year and to listen to keynote speaker Lynne Twist, author of “The Soul of Money.”