The Almaden Valley Athletic Club recently launched a new nutrition program for its members to assist them in making healthy food choices that complement their exercise routines.

The club brought nutritionist Vesna Mardesic on board to make detailed, individualized nutrition routines for members interested in the program.

Mardesic, a nutritionist for eight years, will use her experience and her knowledge of Nutritionist Pro, a software program to assist nutritionists in creating diets for different people, to make sure the nutrition programs she recommends are tailored to the needs of the individual clients.

Long-term detour
on Northbound 87

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority closed two northbound lanes on Highway 87 on Sept. 12 for construction. The lanes will be closed until late 2006.

Traffic will be detoured onto the Downtown Connector, which takes drivers by the Santa Clara Street and Julian Street exits into downtown.

The connector then directs traffic back to the main highway before the Taylor exit.

According to VTA, a carpool lane will be constructed on the northbound side during the detour. The work will be done between the I-280 exit and the Julian exit in downtown.

Local winery hosts
Healthy Kids benefit

The Thomas Fogarty Winery in Woodside will host the Healthy Kids Fourth Annual Wine Tasting Benefit on Sept. 25.

Hall of Fame football coach Bill Walsh will host the event, along with Dr. Thomas Fogarty and various leaders in the wine and health industries.

Guests will taste rare wines and gourmet food, listen to live music and participate in silent and live auctions.

Proceeds will go to the Santa Clara County's Healthy Kids health insurance program.

The benefit runs from 4 to 7 p.m. Tickets are $200. Call 874.1912 or visit www.healthykidsfund.org for more information.

Thomas Fogarty Winery is located at 19501 Skyline Boulevard.

Fair features solar and
electric technology

Local solar homeowners, contractors and experts on solar electricity will be on hand at a free solar vendor fair and electric vehicle show in Saratoga on Oct. 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The tour fair will feature energy-efficient appliances, such as tankless water heaters. Participants will receive a solar energy resource guide and maps to a self-guided solar home tour, where five homes within three miles of the park will be showcased.

The fair and tour registration will be at El Quito Park, 12855 Paseo Presada in Saratoga. Parking is at Westhope Presbyterian Church at 12850 Saratoga Ave. The solar tour is $15 per couple. There is a $5 discount to bicyclists, NorCal Solar members and those who pre-register at www.norcalsolar.org/tour. For more information, call 408.428.0808 or email ablack@norcalsolar.org.

American Red Cross
holds blood drive

The American Red Cross is holding a blood drive, Oct. 1 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Carlton Plaza activity room, 380 Branham Lane in San Jose. The drive is cosponsored by Carlton Plaza of San Jose and Southside Senior Center.

Doners must be at least 17 years old, weigh 110 lbs. or more and be in general good health.

Those who register will be entered into a drawing to win a gift certificate. To register to donate, call 408.972.1400 and ask for Caroline or Kelley.