The MetroED Governing Board has unanimously appointed Tim Hallett as the new superintendent of the Metropolitan Education District, effective July 1

MetroED is the largest career-oriented educational organization in Santa Clara County, comprised of high school and adult occupational, academic and community programs.

"Tim Hallett has all the characteristics that we were looking for in a new superintendent for MetroED," said board President Richard Garcia.

Hallett, who was chosen by a selection committee consisting of MetroED staff, board members and union representatives, comes to MetroED with nearly 30 years of education experience.

For the past three years, Hallett has served as superintendent of Santa Lucia ROP in San Luis Obispo County while jointly serving as director of vocational/technical education for the Lucia Mar Unified School District in Arroyo Grande. During his career, Hallett has held a variety of positions, from teacher to superintendent in the K­12 system.

Hallett earned a bachelor's degree in industrial education from San José State University in 1972 and earned his master's from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in 1978. He also has two teaching and one administrative credential.

Hallett will become the fifth superintendent of MetroED, taking over for Richard Friberg, who will retire July 7.

—Amy Jenkins


Fitness studio wants to help fight child obesity

Studio Fit of Willow Glen, 1111-5 Meridian Ave., will offer a six-week program beginning July 15 for overweight and under-active children ages 6 through 12, called "Kids Fit Camp."

The fun and energetic program, to be held every Tuesday and Thursday from 3 to 4 p.m., aims to inspire children to become active and educated about proper nutrition. It will include exercise activities like running obstacle courses and games aimed at developing proper eating habits.

According to a studio representative, Christine Collins, "Childhood obesity is a serious epidemic that continues to grow. We are very concerned and hope that we can recruit others to share this concern and spread the word on our program in an effort to work towards a solution."

Most of the personal trainers involved are donating their time, enabling the program to be offered at a low fee. The cost is $99 per child.

For more information, call 408.265.0348.

—Amy Jenkins


Studio offers lessons in singing, modeling

Aspiring singers and models in Willow Glen have a place to polish their craft locally. Professional singer and model Charsette Powell offers voice lessons and modeling consultations at her studio, The SIMA Group (The Singing, Modeling and Acting Group), at 1202 Lincoln Ave.

Powell helps aspiring models get prepared for a photo shoot. She connects them with consultants for clothing, hair, makeup and photographers.

Children 5 and older as well as adults can also take voice lessons at the studio. A variety of styles are taught, including country, opera and rock.

A Willow Glen resident since 1994, Powell has been singing since she was 8 years old. She currently performs at special events and weddings throughout the country.

The vocal lessons are offered at the studio Monday through Thursday from noon to 7 p.m. The hour-long classes begin with 20 minutes of stretching so that students can relax before singing. The classes also include vocal exercises and practice in the musical genre of the student's choice.

There will be a private recital in August at Santana Row, where students will dress in costumes and perform songs from the 1930s, 40s and 50s.

The studio is located in the Willow Glen School of Music Building, formerly called the San Jose School of Music.

For more information, call 408.280.1830.

—Amy Jenkins


Coffeehouse holds a photography show

Photographer David A. Peterson will showcase some of his work at the Willow Glen Coffee Roasting Company, 1383 Lincoln Ave., during the month of July, with a reception on July 13 from 3 to 5 p.m.

The show, titled "Visions of Darkness," is a breakthrough in low-light photography. Since childhood, Peterson had a dream of photographing in the available light of the night, inspired by the beauty of his home state, Montana, he says.

Throughout his school years, he used a 35mm camera and developed all of his own film, using the family bathroom as a darkroom.

After he became physically disabled in the late 1980s, he decided to focus on his passion for photography, he says.

He received a grant from the state of California, which supported his equipment purchase and early development of his new photographic technique.

While the majority of his photographic knowledge is self-taught, he also took a course from Canon and received a lens in support of his work.

He has received permission for night shooting in various parks, such as Yellowstone Park, where he has permission for winter shooting.

For more information, call the Willow Glen Coffee Roasting Company at 408.297.9077.

—Amy Jenkins