November 25, 2004

NEWS BRIEFS

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas … Breakfast with Santa, Dec. 4

The Almaden Valley Counseling Service presents its annual Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 4, from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Almaden Golf & Country Club, 6663 Hampton Dr. This fun-filled event features Elves, music, balloons, art and ,of course, breakfast with the bearded man himself. The event is sponsored by the Brownstone Foundation. Tickets, which go quickly for this popular fundraiser, are; children 2-10 years $20 (must be accompanied by a paying adult), adults $25, children under 2  (if you will need a high chair and want a picture) are $5. Seating is reserved by tables of eight. Reservations must be received by Dec. 1

To attend, send a check to AVCS -Santa Breakfast  6529 Crown Blvd., Suite D, San Jose, Calif. 95120 and specify how many adults and children will be attending. For more information visit the AVCS Web site at www.avcounseling.org.

Sacred Heart needs turkeys, blankets and coats

As the holidays approach, Sacred Heart Community Service will be providing holiday foods to more than 3,000 families in Santa Clara Valley. Each food box includes a turkey, ham, or chicken, as well as fresh produce and dry goods. The need for this effort is greater than ever, and SHCS expects to have its busiest season in its 40-year history.

“In this time of gratitude and blessings, many of our families are still struggling to enjoy the holiday. One way we can help bring joy to their lives is through a donation of turkeys and other canned items,” says Amari Romero Vorwerk, executive director of Sacred Heart Community Service. “Having a special meal like this with their family brings a bright light in a sometimes overwhelming set of circumstances, like sky-high rent, costly transportation and low-paying jobs.”

Sacred Heart Community Service provides a wide variety of services, all at no charge, to help people become economically self-sufficient. It is a private non-profit, non-denominational human service organization, serving people of all faiths, ages and ethnic backgrounds. SHCS relies on donations from the public to serve 1,500 to 2,000 customers every day, with the help of 41 FTE paid staff and 6,000 volunteers.

Preparations are also beginning for the gift-giving season. On Monday, Dec. 20, the annual ToyBox will open to 1,800 pre-registered families from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. providing toys, a book and stocking stuffers for more than 6,000 children. Blankets, coats and socks are also needed all winter long.

Donations may be dropped off at the Sacred Heart Community Service “Donation Station”, 1381 South First Street at Alma in San Jose, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Saturday, from 8 a.m. to noon. SHCS will be closed Thursday and Friday, Nov. 25 and 26.

For donation information call (408) 278-2174 or visit www.sacredheartcommunityservice.org

Raymond Altamirano graduates from basic military training

Air Force Airman Raymond A. Altamirano has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises and special training in human relations.

In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force. Altamirano is the son of David Lindsay of Almaden and Josie Rodriguez of Sylmar, Calif.

He is a 1999 graduate of Vasquez High School, Acton, Calif.

San Jose remains safest big city in America

Annual study based on FBI crime stats keeps San Jose in top spot

San Jose continues to be rated the safest big city in America for the 32 cities with populations over 500,000, according to findings released Nov. 22 by Morgan Quitno Press, based on 2003 FBI crime statistics.

“Protecting the people of San Jose is one of my highest priorities, and I am very proud that San Jose remains the nation’s safest big city year after year,” said Mayor Ron Gonzales.

“Keeping our residents and neighborhoods safe is the result of our continuing investments in an excellent, well-trained and well-equipped police force, a strong commitment to crime prevention, and an effective partnership with all the people in our community to focus on solutions that protect public safety.”

This year, Fort Worth, Texas and Louisville, Ky. entered the top-10 list while Seattle, Wash., and Portland, Ore. fell off. San Francisco moved from seventh to ninth, and San Diego slipped from fifth to seventh.

The Morgan Quitno Safest City Award is based on a city’s rate for six basic crime categories: murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary and motor vehicle theft. All cities of 75,000-plus populations that reported crime data to the FBI for the six crime categories were included in the rankings. Each of the six crimes was given equal weight. Final 2003 FBI statistics were used in determining the rankings.

2004 top 10 safest big cities (500,000 or more population)
1. San Jose, Calif.
2. El Paso, Texas
3. Honolulu, Hawaii
4. Austin, Texas
5. New York, N.Y.
6. Louisville, Ky.
7. San Diego, Calif.
8. San Antonio, Texas
9. San Francisco, Calif.
10. Fort Worth, Texas

2004 most dangerous big cities (500,000 or more population)
1. Detroit, Mich.
2. Washington, D.C.
3. Baltimore, Md.
4. Memphis, Tenn.
5. Dallas, Texas
6. Philadelphia, Pa.
7. Columbus, OH
8. Nashville, TN
9. Houston, TX
10. Phoenix, AZ

Source: Morgan Quitno Press, based on 2003 FBI Crime Index, www.morganquitno.com/safecity.htm or www.fbi.gov/ucr/ucr.htm.