January 23, 2009

NEWS BRIEFS

D8CRT Will Discuss Foreclosure Challenges

How is San Jose coping with the increasing number of home foreclosures in our neighborhoods? What can our residents do to avoid foreclosure? At the Feb. 5 meeting of the District 8 Community Round Table, San Jose’s Housing Department will discuss the City’s activities to address the growing foreclosure problem. Housing Staff will discuss the foreclosure data for San Jose, with particular attention to the situation in District 8. Staff will also talk about the Don’t Borrow Trouble program, which aims at ensuring that residents are not taken advantage of when financing or refinancing a home loan.

The February D8CRT meeting will also feature a representative from the San Jose Police Department who will discuss business-related crimes during the current economic downturn.

Everyone who lives or works in District 8 is invited to join the D8CRT, which focuses on issues of interest to the community. The next District 8 Community Round Table meeting will be held on February 5 at the Evergreen Branch Library from 7:00-9:00 p.m. For more details on the D8CRT, visit www.d8crt.org.

California Kids Sports center re-opens

On Saturday, Jan. 17, the California Kids Sports Center (CKSC) at Great Oaks celebrated a grand re-opening with an Open House. The updated facility, located at 100 Great Oaks Blvd. Suite 150, San Jose, shares space with existing California Sports Center gymnastics programs.

Serving the community of South San Jose in its mission of “growing healthy kids from the ground up”, CKSC features new preschool curriculum, re-trained staff, and a cozy gym area specifically designed for the safety and enjoyment of girls and boys ages 18 months to 5 years old.

Additionally, preschool Open Explore gymnastics sessions are available on a daily basis Tuesday through Friday from 11a.m. – 12 noon. Open Explore is a FREE CKSC member benefit and open for the public for just $5.

Silver Creek Valley Country Club elects new leaders

At the January Board meeting the Directors elected the 2009 Officers of the Silver Creek Valley Country Club:

Scott Karstetter: President

Michele O’Brien: Vice President

Nigel Allen: Treasurer

Kerry Kirchenbauer: Secretary

In addition to the elected Officers, Jim Vandiver was elected as the fifth member of the Executive Committee.
President Scott Karstetter will chair the Strategic Planning and Technology Committees.

The 2008 Grievance Committee will be chaired again by Kerry Kirchenbauer with assistance from Bob Moore and Scott Karstetter.

Michele O’Brien was appointed Chair of the Nominating Committee and will work with Rob Valiton and Danny Herns to find four qualified candidates for the 2010 Board of Directors; additionally, Michele will continue to chair the Sports Pavilion with assistance from Rob Valiton.

Additionally, Scott Karstetter appointed the following Directors as 2009 Committee Chairs.

Jim Vandiver will continue to chair the Green Committee with Danny Herns as co-chair.

John Crowley was appointed Golf Committee Chair with Jim Vandiver as co-chair.

Bob Moore will continue to chair the Membership Committee with Rob Valiton as co-chair.

Our Treasurer Nigel Allen will chair the Finance Committee.

Kerry Kirchenbauer will chair the Dining Committee with assistance from Michele O’Brien.

Evergreen School District Measure T Update

The Evergreen School District would like to extend its heartfelt thanks to the entire community for its support of the passage of Measure T. This $90 per-year parcel tax will allow the District to maintain small class sizes, reinstitute music and art instruction, enhance science and math instruction and ensure safety at all school sites. The measure will strengthen Evergreen’s ability to achieve its mission of providing all students a high-quality education in a safe and nurturing environment where each student demonstrates a spirit of respect, responsibility and a commitment to academic and civic excellence.

One of the aspects of Measure T is that it offers a senior exemption for property owners aged 65 or older. Beginning in April, seniors will be able to file the necessary paperwork with the School District to receive the exemption. As we get closer to spring, directions will be published on the District’s Web site (www.eesd.org) and through the Evergreen Times.

Property owners wishing to apply for the exemption will need to show proof of being 65 or older as of July 1, 2009 (driver’s license or California ID card, birth certificate, passport or Medicare card) and of owning and occupying property within Evergreen (driver’s license/California ID card, utility bill, social security check or tax bill).

Please note also that residents will need to know their Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN) which is located on the property tax bill and can also be found on the Santa Clara County Assessor’s Office Web site at http://eservices.sccgov.org/ari/home.do.

Participate in law and order

The Civil Grand Jury is looking for people to serve on the 2009-2010 panel. The Grand Jury is an arm of the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara. Volunteers must be willing to commit to significant amount of time, 20-25 hours per week, maybe more.

But the experience lets citizens take part in a vital aspect of county government. Volunteers must have lived in Santa Clara County for at least one year, be a U.S. citizen and 18 or more years old. The one-year term of service begins on Jun. 25, 2009.

Those interested must submit the application by Mar. 5. For more information and to get an application, contact Gloria Alicia Chacon at (408) 882-2722 or visit the Web site www.sccsuperiorcourt.org/jury/gj.html.

Youth Science Institute needs a little more help

At three Science and Nature Centers in Vasona, Sanborn and Alum Rock parks, students learn about nature-based science. For the past 53 years, the Youth Science Institute (YSI) has educated about 30,000 young people, more than one million in its history.

But the YSI is in a precarious financial situation. It was on the brink of extinction, but generous donors are pulling it back from the edge. YSI needs $300,000 by Jan. 31 to stay in business. With about a week to go, the fund stands at $280,000 and it needs $20,000 more. To help the YSI meet its goal, go to its Web site www.ysi-ca.org.

YWCA Rape Crisis Center needs volunteers

The Rape Crisis Center of the YWCA of Silicon Valley needs dedicated volunteers for its 24-hour crisis line. Volunteers must complete the 40-hour state-certified training, which begins Feb. 24.

Crisis line advocates counseling and emotional support for survivors of assault and their family members on the phone and at the hospital during forensic exams.

Bilingual volunteers are preferred. To volunteer or for more additional information, call the YWCA at (408) 295-4011 ext. 229.