West San Jose Resident

News

News briefs

Sandbags are being offered to San Jose residents who want to protect their homes from flooding during storms. The Santa Clara Valley Water District is distributing free sandbags to city residents from its warehouse at 5905 Winfield Blvd. The water district is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Debris and fallen tree limbs in storm drains are common causes of flooding, and district representatives are asking residents who notice drain problems to call its watershed hotline at 408.265.2607, ext. 2378.

More shelters for
homeless open
during winter

Several San Jose agencies are pledging to provide beds for people in need of a warm place to stay this winter. The city manager's office reports that the Emergency Housing Consortium--a network of Silicon Valley shelters--filled the Boccardo Reception Center in November and opened National Guard armories in Sunnyvale and Gilroy for Santa Clara County residents in need. The San Jose Family Shelter at 1590 Las Plumas Ave. provides daytime activities, and InnVision, a Willow Glen-based homeless advocacy group, is giving blankets to those who choose not to stay in shelters. For more information on the Emergency Housing Consortium, visit www.ehclifebuilders.org.

Parking program
guarantees space
at Mineta airport

If you've got the money, Ampco System Parking has a guaranteed airport parking space.

Ampco has launched a corporate parking program that guarantees a parking space at Mineta San Jose International Airport at all times. The program offers space "even during the airport's busiest times, when the lots are full and closed to the general public."

Aimed at business travelers and corporations willing to pay $900 a month, the new program guarantees spaces on Level 2 of the garage across from Terminal A and in the new hourly lot by the baggage claim at Terminal C.

The cards are transferable, so different employees can use the same card, although they can be used for only one vehicle at a time.

Cardholders have special entrances and exits at the two parking areas, which has been designed to trim exit time from the airport.

For applications or more information, call 408.277.3145.

Children's group
says enrollment
time is January

A Santa Clara County children's health and education group is reminding parents that January is time for kindergarten enrollment. Representatives from First 5 Santa Clara County, a taxpayer-funded children's organization, says that pupils who will turn 5 before Dec. 2, 2008, should enroll now and use the next eight months to prepare for school. Families who start early "can secure a spot in kindergarten this fall and enter class ready to learn," said Erin Kang, a spokeswoman for First 5 Santa Clara County.

Parents are encouraged to read to their children and practice using some common kindergarten tools such as glue sticks, scissors and crayons in the next few months. In August, the group recommends that parents and children visit their school and try to meet the child's teacher so the student recognizes a friendly face on the first day.

For more tips and information, visit www.first5kids.org.