September 20, 2007

NEWS BRIEFS

Almaden Valley Women’s Club invites community grant applicants

Each year the proceeds received from the Almaden Valley Art and Wine Festival allow the women’s club to present nonprofit organizations with needed grants to assist with unparalleled work within the greater Almaden Valley area.

Since the club’s inception, it has been committed to serving the needs of local charities within Almaden. Their mission is to provide charitable financial assistance to nonprofit children’s foundations, education facilities, teen programs and community organizations. Past recipients include Diabetes Society, Sunday Friends, Loaves and Fishes, Special Olympics, 9/11 Fund, Hospice of the Valley, Career Closet, San Jose Library, Almaden Valley Counseling Services (AVCS) and local schools, just to name a few.

The fund-raising work of the women’s club is an ongoing effort and many new opportunities will arise. To apply for a grant, almadenwomen.com_welcome. Community grant applications are due by Oct.10 and grants will be announced Nov. 6.

For questions, contact Liz Marino, Funds Disbursement chair at jimlizmarino@sbcglobal.net To learn more about Almaden Valley Women’s Club or become a member, visit www.almadenwomen.com or www.almadenwine.com.

And the winners are…

The Almaden Valley Art and Wine Festival is a juried show. The winners for 2007 are:

Fine Art
First place—Jen Norton Art Studio, Jen Norton
Second place—Domondon Fine Art, Frederico Domondon
Third place—Water Colors by Judy Welsh, Judy Welsh

Artists
First place—Peace by Piece, Sharon Edwards and Meghann McKenzie
Second place—NixNax Handpainted Glassware, Nicky Painter
Third place—Wine Barrel Works, Don and Leslie Rosa

Jewelry
First place—Jayne Thomas Designs, Jayne Thomas
Second place—Jerry and Fran Harr
Third place—EJR Design, Elizabeth Ryan

Aerial searching for mosquito sources continues

Weather permitting, a plane will fly over parts of San Jose, Saratoga, Los Gatos and Monte Sereno this weekend in search of neglected pools and other backyard sources that could develop mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus.

The aerial survey will focus on poorly maintained swimming pools and other backyard water features. These aerial surveys help the county’s Vector Control District locate and eradicate backyard mosquito sources.

“The previous aerial surveys helped us detect neglected swimming pools and ponds in a timely manner,” said Tim Mulligan, district manager. “We now consider aerial surveys to be a vital part of our urban mosquito control program.”

The area to be surveyed will cover 80 square miles and is adjacent to the areas surveyed earlier in the season, where there was significant West Nile activity. A map of the survey area can be seen on the district Web site at www.sccvector.org.

Although the days are shorter and evenings are getting cooler, West Nile virus continues to remain a concern. “Even though it appears that West Nile virus activity in the county is slowing down, mosquitoes are still active,” said Kriss Costa, Community Education Specialist. “Residents need to remember to use insect repellent on exposed skin when outdoors. That is their best defense against West Nile virus.”

The district will receive the results of the aerial survey early next week and determine which pools need immediate attention. District technicians will then contact the pool owners to arrange for the pools to be checked and treated if they are developing mosquitoes.