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News Briefs
County's board established three sister county agreements
In recognition of the many cultures represented in Santa Clara County, the county's board of supervisors formally established three sister-county agreements last month. The new sister-counties include the province of Florence, Italy, the region of Moscow in the Russian Federation and Hsin-chu, Taiwan, in the Republic of China.
The mission of the sister-county commissions is to foster the exchange of art, commerce, culture, education and technology. Scholarships have already been provided to students at San Jose State University and Santa Clara University to study in the province of Florence, Italy, with no cost to taxpayers.
Some of the upcoming fundraising activities include a Feb. 24, 2001, reception for the Hsin-chu, Taiwan, Republic of China Sister-County Commission and a black tie dinner dance-Medici masked ball on April 7, 2001, benefiting the province of Florence, Italy, Sister-County Commission. Funds from such activities help support the ongoing exchange of programs and ideas.
Each of the three sister-county commissions is composed of 25 leaders in the community appointed by the board of supervisors. Commissioners are appointed to evaluate and advise on appropriate activities; create opportunities to
develop ongoing working relationships between organizations within the respective regions; develop private funding resources, as well as implement actual exchange activities.
There are currently two openings on the Florence, Italy, Commission, three on the Hsin-chu, Taiwan, Commission and six on the Moscow Commission. Applications for the sister-county commissions can be requested from the clerk of the board of supervisors at 408.299.4321, and interested residents are encouraged to apply. People interested in acquiring additional information on any of the international sister-county programs can call 408.299.3800, ext. 7030 to be placed on the commission's mailing list.
Library hosts award- winning artist
The Friends of the Sunnyvale Public Library invite the public to join digital artist Frank Wu--1999 winner of the prestigious "Illustrators of the Future" Award--on Feb. 1, at 7 p.m. Admission is free at the Sunnyvale Library program room. Wu's science fiction and fantasy illustrations have appeared in a number of different publications, including E-SCAPE, Altair, Darkling Plain and Talebones.
Expanded YMCA to reopen
The grand reopening of the Northwest YMCA, located at 1635 Belleville Way, Sunnyvale, is scheduled for Feb. 10. Construction on the $2.8 million expansion project at the Northwest YMCA began last April. The existing branch will be enhanced by a new Family Aquatic Center and an 8,500-square-foot aerobic studio. The residents of Sunnyvale, Cupertino and west San Jose will have the opportunity to enjoy expanded programs for children, teens and families, starting in February. This free community event will include facility tours, food and music.
The newly expanded center will feature fitness programs designed specifically with the increasing over-55 population in mind. In addition to recreational active adult water volleyball and other water exercise classes, the Northwest YMCA offers a program co-developed by the Arthritis Foundation with exercises designed to offer relief for people with arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome. The class provides gentle motion and activities in water to help increase joint flexibility, range of motion, muscle strength and endurance.
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Sunnyvale, California Since 1994
