Proposition 10 established a tax on tobacco products; the funds are intended to promote, support and improve early childhood development from the prenatal stage to the age of 5 by coordinating resources and programs that emphasize family support, health care, child care and child development.

Applicants should have an interest in early childhood development and should also reside or work in Santa Clara County.

For more information, contact Enit Nichani of the Children and Families First Commission, 1150 S. Bascom Ave., Ste. 12, call 408.289.5330 or visit www.santaclarakids.org.


SJPD partners with occupational center

On Sept. 25, San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzales and San Jose Police Chief William Lansdowne announced a partnership with the Central County Occupational Center's (CCOC) law enforcement class on the MetroED campus, 760 Hillsdale Ave. Lansdowne and Gonzalez conducted a formal inspection of the 60 law enforcement students at the center, who come from various South Bay school districts.

The San Jose Police Department's honor guard and mounted police attended the ceremony, as well as San Jose District 9 City Councilman John Diquisto, San Jose Unified School District Superintendent Linda Murray, MetroED/San Jose Unified School District Board President Richard Garcia, and other school officials.


Health agencies offer flu vaccinations

The Health Trust has teamed with Longs Drugs stores throughout Santa Clara County to provide flu and pneumonia vaccinations to local residents.

In 2001, the Health Trust provided more than 40,000 immunizations. As part of its Community Wellness Program, the Health Trust has scheduled 72 public flu clinics throughout the county this fall and winter, with the kickoff clinic on Oct. 12, between noon and 4 p.m., in the lobby of Good Samaritan Hospital, 2425 Samaritan Drive in San Jose. A schedule of additional clinics at Longs Drugs stores is available on the Health Trust website, located at www.healthtrust.org.

Vaccination recipients must be at least 13 years old. Pregnant women in their second or third trimesters will need a doctor's prescription. The charge is $20 for flu shots and $25 for pneumonia vaccinations. There will be no cost with proof of coverage under Medicare.

The Health Trust will also continue on-site vaccine distributions to Santa Clara County businesses, churches and community centers. More than 100 Silicon Valley corporations, churches and community centers have already scheduled participation. Organizations with 35 participants or more may register for on-site vaccinations, while those with fewer sign-ups can distribute vouchers for employees to get shots at local Longs Drugs store locations. Organizations interested in participating should call 408.260.6740.

The Health Trust is a public benefit corporation that focuses on improving the health and wellness of at-risk, underserved Santa Clara County residents. Focusing on children, the elderly and vulnerable adults, the Health Trust operates its own range of programs and services and issues grants to other health-related agencies.

For more information about The Health Trust, located at 2085 Hamilton Ave., Ste. 150 in San Jose, call Catherine Edwards at 408.879.8425 or 408.559.9385 or visit www.healthtrust.org.


Mineta airport receives grant

The Federal Aviation Administration will grant $15 million to the Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport. The grant funds are to be used for airport security improvements and measures that lessen airport noise for neighborhoods.

Eight million dollars will go toward reimbursements for the airport's acoustical treatment program. Through the program, 300 homes in the Guadalupe/Washington and Rosemary Gardens neighborhood in San Jose and the Fairway Glen area in Santa Clara are to be insulated.

The other $7 million will go toward security improvements as well as reimbursements to the airport for security improvements the airport has completed since Sept. 11, 2001. Such improvements include: equipment to screen 100 percent of baggage and passengers in accordance with federal requirements, airport perimeter fencing improvements, security communications systems upgrades, fingerprinting equipment and modifications made to security checkpoints to improve the flow of passengers.

For more information on the airport, write to 1732 N. First Street, Suite 600, call 408.501.7600 or visit www.sjc.org.


Property brokerage hosts house festival

Silicon Valley homebuyers will have an opportunity to view available houses when Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Silicon Valley hosts its fourth annual Open Home Festival.

The festival will showcase an estimated 2,000 homes available on the market throughout the greater Bay Area Oct. 13 between 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Lists of homes, addresses, listing sales associates and open hours are available at each area Coldwell Banker office or by visiting www.CaliforniaMoves.com.

Festival attendees will be entered to win one of four $500 Nordstrom gift certificates.

For additional details on the festival or to find out which homes will be featured on the tour, contact Coldwell Banker at 925.275.3085 or visit www.CaliforniaMoves.com.


Presbyterians seek to restore valley's soul

The Stone Church of Willow Glen, 1108 Clark Way, will begin a series of Sunday evening services called "Restoring the Silicon Valley Soul." The Rev. Rebecca Kuiken and the Rev. Art Mills will lead the weekly 45-minute services beginning at 7 p.m. on Oct. 6 in conjunction with World Communion Sunday. The Oct. 6 communion will include several breads from around the world, such as pitas and tortillas.

"Restoring the Silicon Valley Soul," which runs from October through April 2003, is "for all those seeking spiritual renewal and an antidote for an influx of bad news," said Mills in a press statement.

The services do not require formal dress nor experience with or adherence to Christianity.

Children are welcome to attend services, but child care for infants and children up to the age of 4 will be provided.

For more information, call 408.269.1593 or visit www.stonechurch.org.


City Year pledges a year of service

The City Year service organization held its first National Opening Day Ceremony Oct. 1 in Plaza de Cesar Chavez. The 90 members of the San Jose chapter of City Year joined nearly 1,000 other 17- to 24-year-old volunteers in their respective14 communities nationwide to pledge a minimum of 1,700 hours during the next 10 months.

San Jose Police Chief William Lansdowne and Elaine Alquist, the assemblywoman for the 22nd District of California, were the keynote speakers.

The ceremony capped a one-month leadership training program that prepared the volunteers to work full time with elementary and middle school students. City Year projects include developing mentoring programs, developing curricula on social justice and diversity, planting landscaping and painting murals. Some volunteers will work at the Sacred Heart Community Services Agency and at the Emergency Housing Consortium in San Jose.

For more information on City Year's San Jose chapter, 116 Paseo de San Antonio, call 408.907.6500 or visit www.cityyear.org.


VTA unveils its new zero-emission buses

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) unveiled a handful of its new zero-emission buses, or ZEBs, on Sept. 16.

The buses use a hydrogen-fueled fuel cell whose combustion emits only water vapor. These new fuel cells are manufactured by Canada-based Ballard Power Systems.

"Clean air and a future with truly zero-emission buses are two things we can all look forward to," said San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzalez, who is also a VTA chairperson.

"VTA's leadership in demonstrating technology will have a legacy of a better environment for our children and all who live in or visit Santa Clara County. While the California Air Resources Board has mandated that 15 percent of new bus purchases be zero-emission vehicles later this decade, the VTA board has made the commitment that 100 percent of all our new bus orders will be ZEBs."

VTA teamed with SamTrans, the San Mateo County Transit District, in striving to place three ZEBS into service in early 2004 for a two-year period.