December 6, 2007

NEWS BRIEFS

Community donates more than 3,000 items

The Girl Scouts of Northern California-Santa Clara County Service Unit 38 would like to thank the community for making the fourth annual Girl Scout One Warm Coat and a Blanket Too! drive, held Oct 31 to Nov. 30, such a huge success. More than 3,300 gently used coats, jackets, sweaters, sheets, blankets, and sleeping bags were collected and donated to Sacred Heart Community Service (SHCS) of San Jose.

“We live in such a generous and supportive community that really reaches out to help others in need. The amount of coats and blankets donated this year is phenomenal,” Girl Scouts Service Unit 38 One Warm Coat and A Blanket Too! coordinator Michelle Alaimo, said. “Many people in Santa Clara County will be much warmer this winter season thanks to everyone who donated items to the Girl Scout drive.”

More than 30 troops from GSSCC Service Unit 38 (Cambrian, Campbell, Willow Glen) participated in this year’s drive. Many of the troops teamed up to hold school wide drives. With the addition of this year’s totals, over the past four years, Girl Scout Service Unit 38 has collected nearly 10,500 gently used coats, jackets, sweaters, blankets, sheets and sleeping bags during its annual drive.

Collection locations included Fammatre Elementary School at 2800 New Jersey Ave, San Jose; Bagby School, at 1840 Harris Avenue, San Jose; Sartorette School, 3850 Woodford Drive, San Jose; Galarza/Hammer School, 1610 Bird Avenue, San Jose; Willow Glen School, 1425 Lincoln Ave, San Jose; Schallenberger School, 1280 Koch Lane, San Jose, Booksin School, 1590 Dry Creek Road, San Jose; and SU 38’s One Warm Coat and a Blanket Too coordinator’s home in the Cambrian/Willow Glen area of San Jose.

The One Warm Coat drive begins on Oct. 31 each year because it is the founder of Girl Scouts-Juliette Gordon Lowe’s-birthday.

New Intero office grand opening a huge success

Brian McDermott became a franchise owner and managing partner for Intero Real Estate Services, which recently opened an Almaden office. Above, McDermott poses with Gino Blefari, Intero founder, president and CEO.

Intero Real Estate Services has enhanced its presence in the market place and is now serving Almaden.

Brian McDermott uncovered an opportunity to open a real estate office in the Almaden area. With the desire to provide the best real estate principles in the area, McDermott became a franchise owner and managing partner for Intero Real Estate Services.

Born and raised in the Bay Area, McDermott brings a unique personal perspective to the realty business. Underlying his g approach is a foundation of strong communication, leadership abilities and extensive knowledge of the area. His 18 years of industry experience and optimistic enthusiasm provide invaluable assistance to both agents and clients.

The goal for Intero Almaden is to create an office of diversified, enthusiastic and energy driven agents to service the community.

Artistic boutique to aid San Jose Children’s Center

Almaden artist Avideh Yaghmai-Samardar recently hosted a free Christmas ornament-making and painting event for a group of Simonds Elementary School children. The children made ceramic holiday ornaments that will be for sale at the Art Through Women's Eyes' second annual Holiday Arts & Crafts Show on Saturday, Dec. 8, in Mountain View to benefit San Jose Children's Shelter.

Children decorate ceramic ornaments for sale at the Art Through Women's Eyes' second Annual Holiday Arts & Crafts Show, which will be held in Mountain View this Saturday.

More than 15 other artists also will be present at the Holiday Show, four of them from Almaden. There will be artworks in glass, ceramics, oils, acrylics, jewelry and photography among others. The show will run between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. at the Americana Ballroom located at 707 Continental Circle in Mountain View. For more information, contact (408) 679-0238.

The show will offer raffle ($2/entry ticket) items as part of the effort to raise funds for San Jose Children's Shelter, which is the fourth largest shelter in California for abused and neglected children. As the only receiving and short-term caring facility in the Santa Clara county, San Jose Children's Shelter provides services such as medical and mental care, home placement, education, recreation and art to these children through volunteer work.

You can view a sample of the art works at the online gallery: http://www.artthroughwomenseyes.com/galleries.php

Leland Blue and Gold Auction announces logo design winner

Leland High School’s booster and parents clubs announced the logo design contest winner for the 23rd annual Blue and Gold Auction ‘Arabian Nights’ fund-raiser. Tracy Liang, a junior at Leland High School, is this year’s contest winner.

Her winning design was selected by the Blue and Gold Auction committee members from a variety of logo art designs from Leland High School students. Tracy’s winning design will be used on the auction program, promotions and signage.

“Tracy’s winning design met our goal of designing a logo which captures our theme of ‘Arabian Nights’ for Leland High School’s annual fund-raiser” said Coreen Booth, 2007/08 Blue and Gold Auction co-chair. “Each year we ask the students of Leland High School to submit a design based on our annual theme, and this year Tracy’s logo design won the $100 prize.”

The Blue and Gold Auction will be held on March 1 at the downtown San Jose Marriott. Also offered this year are VIP Oasis Tables for 10. The Oasis Table option will offer our guests a select table location, premium wine selection and priority checkout. This year the live and silent auction dinner dance will be held from 6 p.m. until midnight.

All proceeds from the gala will be used toward sound equipment for the Leland stage, technology equipment for the classrooms, funding the teacher wish list and athletic facilities and renovations. The funds will be split evenly between the parent and booster clubs at Leland.

The annual Leland Blue and Gold Auction is traditionally a sold-out event. Space is limited and early response is strongly suggested. The reservation deadline is Feb. 15, 2008.

For more information about the auction event, including donation items, purchasing tickets, dinner choices, special table choices and discounted room rates, visit the Leland Blue and Gold Auction Web site at www.lelandblueandgold.com or call Pam Fierro at 408-997-8438.

Rotary to hold senior citizen luncheon at Almaden Community Center

The Almaden Valley Rotary Club members will barbeque and serve more than 200 filet mignon steak lunches including dessert and beverages to seniors at the Almaden Branch Library and Community Center on Friday, Dec. 14 at 11:30 a.m. In addition, 40 fourth and fifth graders from Simonds Grammar School will sing Christmas carols during the lunch, which will conclude with numerous door prizes.