December 18, 2008

NEWS BRIEFS

Almaden Valley Women’s Club gives back

At this time of year, the Almaden Valley Women’s Club Disburse-ments Committee meets to determine recipients of funds that have been raised during the Art & Wine festival in the past year.

AVWC is a nonprofit community service organization that raises funds to support local service and charity organizations. The fundraiser held in September, the Almaden Valley Art & Wine Festival, generated funds to disburse to organizations throughout the greater Almaden Valley area.

The committee has $31,500 to disburse this year and is proud to announce the following scholarship, school and nonprofit organization grants to:

—Leland for LCD projectors,
—Pioneer for leadership travel,
—Almaden Country School for computers/software,
—Simonds for computers,
—American Association of University Women for field trip fees,
—Assistance League for school uniforms,
—AV Counseling Service for photocopier,
—Challenge-Pure Fashion for girls’ leadership,
—Eastside Neighborhood Center for computer, printer,
—EHC Lifebuilders for homeless resources,
—Gifts for Teens for duffel gift bags,
—Loaves and Fishes Kitchen for groceries,
—Martha’s Kitchen for food and supplies,
—NAMI for mural supplies,
—Next Door Solutions for victims’ needs,
—One Step Closer Therapeutic Riding for scholarships,
—Special Olympics for training/support,
—Sunday Friends Foundation for writing curriculum,
—Turning Wheels for Kids for bike helmets, and
—Via Services, Inc. for beds for camp lodge

Since 1965, the Almaden Valley Women’s Club has been committed to serving the needs of the Almaden community and those of greater San Jose, through funds raised at the annual Almaden Valley Art & Wine Festival.

For general information about the women’s club, visit www.almadenwomen.com.

Leonardo exhibit extended

Blockbuster exhibit “Leonardo: 500 Years into the Future” enjoyed by thousands of visitors since its late September opening at The Tech, and has been extended to Jan. 25.

The exhibit had been scheduled to close Jan. 4, but due to popular demand and the unprecedented number of school field trip visits, officials opted to lengthen its stay. The extension is expected to generate a total estimated $8 million in economic impact from visitor spending, stimulating San Jose’s economy, according to projections by the San Jose Convention and Visitors Bureau.

“We’ve had an overwhelming response to the Leonardo exhibit,” said Peter Friess, president of The Tech. “So we wanted to give an opportunity for more people to see this one-of-a-kind show. This three-week extension is made possible thanks to the strong partnership between the city of San Jose, the Redevelopment Agency and Team San Jose.”

The exhibit, which makes its only U.S. stop in San Jose, features the most comprehensive exhibit of the innovative art, science and engineering works of Leonardo da Vinci and his contemporaries. The exhibit includes more than 100 life-size and scale working models, hands-on interactive machines, multimedia presentations and two priceless works of art. The extended exhibit will include expanded guided tours for visitors.

San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed lauded the extension, saying that it is imperative to maintain a strong arts and science presence in the community - and in schools. The Leonardo exhibit, he said, achieves both ends.

“This exhibit represents the best example of the intersection between art and science,” Reed said. “As the global capital of innovation, San Jose is the ideal city to host this unique educational and cultural attraction.”

Harry Mavrogenes, executive director of the San Jose Redevelopment Agency, said the extension is great news to visitors looking for a cultural, educational and fun diversion this holiday season.

“I am pleased to see the length of time the Leonardo exhibit will be in San Jose is extended into the New Year as it will allow thousands of additional families and children to see a world class exhibit that highlights the thinking of one of the world’s great minds,” Mavrogenes said. “The exhibit’s extraordinary popularity is great news for The Tech and for Downtown San Jose. “

For tickets, visit www.thetech.org or call (408) 294-8324. The Tech Museum of Innovation is located at 201 S. Market St. in downtown San Jose.

About The Tech Museum of Innovation
The Tech Museum of Innovation is a hands-on technology and science museum for people of all ages and backgrounds. The Tech is a non-profit educational resource established to engage people in exploring and experiencing technologies affecting their lives. Through educational programs, the annual Tech Challenge team competition for youth and the internationally recognized Tech Awards, presented by Applied Materials, Inc. The Tech Museum of Innovation celebrates the present and encourages the development of innovative ideas for a more promising future. For more information about The Tech Museum of Innovation, visit www.thetech.org.

Youth Science Institute needs your help

The Youth Science Institute, which helps teach nature to children from preschool to grade 12, plans to extend its campaign to raise money to continue its work through Jan. 31.

The Youth Science Institute partners with nature to teach science to preschool though grade 12 students throughout Santa Clara County and Silicon Valley. Its programs are designed to inspire enthusiasm for science and a love of learning, to develop critical thinking skills and to forge connections with nature that foster personal health and earth stewardship. Without its current fundraising campaign, the not-for profit group could not survive.

In the past month, more than 600 individuals and local companies have pledged or donated more than $165,000 to the nonprofit education organization in amounts ranging from $2 to $10,000.

“Children, families and teachers know first hand how important YSI and science education is to our community. They know that 40 percent of Santa Clara County students failed science last year,” said Diane Casey, chair of the volunteer Save YSI campaign committee. “That’s the logical reason we need to save YSI, but we also have 30,000 individual reasons; children whose lives are touched by YSI every year to keep YSI strong for the next generation.

“Many of those children, like the kindergartners at Lietz Elementary School who held a bake sale last week and donated all the profits to YSI and who now are collecting pennies so they can bring their gift up to $1,0000, tell us that the loss of YSI would leave a lasting hole in their lives. That’s why we’ve had a core group of volunteers meeting weekly to do everything from stuff envelopes to plan events. And countless others have organized other events, made pledges and donations and spread the word among their own communities,” Casey added.

“We the response we’ve gotten already and the amount of activity in the pipeline, we had to extend the campaign,” said YSI board president Mark Lohbeck. “Already we have tripled our base of individual donors and raised a record amount of funding. We’ve received a significant amount of cash donations already that are helping us through the critical cash flow period. We are compelled to continue and are confident that with the extra time we will meet our goal of raising $300,000 to keep YSI open and on the road to long-term financial sustainability.”

He asks that everyone who can donate something to YSI. “Thirty thousand children a year will thank you and directly benefit from your support,” he said.

To make a tax-deductible donation or pledge to YSI or to learn more about the organization and the Save YSI campaign, visit www.youthscience.org.

Volunteers needed for AFICE

The academic Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (AFICE) is looking for individuals to work as community representatives, who will find host families and work with their students during the school year. Individuals must enjoy working with teenagers and have good communication skills.

AFICE is also looking for host families in the local area to host a foreign exchange student. These young ambassadors are between 15 and 18 years of age and all speak English.

Student profiles will start arriving for students from various countries. Students come with their own spending money and medical insurance.

Please call Anne or Dianne, 1-866-462-3423 if you are interested in getting more information about becoming a community representative or if you’re interested in opening your hearts and homes to one of these individuals. For more information, visit www.afice.org.