The Campbell Education Association is conducting a community search for qualified school board members committed to working with teachers, students and parents in the Campbell Union High School District.

The five-member district school board has two seats up for election in November and members of the Campbell Education Association will be interviewing candidates during July. The association is seeking to endorse candidates in the upcoming election.

The association represents 300 teachers in the district and is a chapter of the 335,000-member California Teachers Association.

"School board members determine the entire direction in which a school district moves," said CEA co-President Rachelle Burnside. "The teachers are interested in finding candidates who are knowledgeable and energized to work for the best education for our kids."

The district serves 7,200 students at six high schools: Boynton, Branham, Del Mar and Leigh in San Jose, Westmont in Campbell and Prospect in Saratoga.

Those interested in being candidates should call Patricia Huddleston at 408.374.9800.

Campaign kicks
into overdrive

With less than a month remaining, the Save the 7th Period Campaign to raise $200,000 by Aug. 1 is still $150,000 short of its goal. As of June 30, it had raised only $40,595. There have been 202 donors, which included eight businesses.

The community effort went into overdrive shortly after the Campbell Union High School District announced in March it was imposing a six-class limit on the number of classes a student can take in a year.

A group of parents and the district reached an agreement that the district would rescind the cap if the parents could raise $200,000—the amount of the shortfall—before Aug. 1.

Several businesses are now also pitching in to help raise funds. United Shredding at 2677 Union Ave. will donate 50 percent of the shredding fees to the campaign when people mention CUHSD. The business also plans to hold a special Shredding Day on July 17. Made in America/Made in Japan is expected to offer oil-change certificates after July 2 to help the campaign. For $49.99, people can get four oil changes, only $13 an oil change, and 50 percent of the money will go to the fundraising effort.

And on July 10, 17, and 24, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., students will offer a car wash at Leigh High School. The July 10 car wash will also include a yard sale.

To make a tax-deductible donation, write a check to "CUHSD" and write "For 7th period" on the memo line. Send the check to Save 7th Period—CUHSD, P.O. Box 7108, San Jose, CA 95150.

County honors
Cancer Society

The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors is set to honor the city of Campbell's Relay For Life for its exemplary efforts benefiting the American Cancer Society. Campbell first sponsored the American Cancer Society's annual Relay For Life in 1999.

The presentation will take place during the opening ceremonies, which are scheduled for 10 a.m. on July 10.

The event is a 24-hour relay marathon that brings together groups and individuals concerned about promoting cancer awareness. Founded in 1913, the American Cancer Society has 14 regional divisions and local offices in 3,400 communities throughout the United States.

For more information, call toll free 1.800.ACS.2345 or visit www.cancer.org.

Program helps to
recoup bad checks

Twelve years old and going strong—that's the Santa Clara County Bad Check Restitution Program.

The program has recovered more than $3.5 million for victims of bad checks in the county since it was implemented by District Attorney George Kennedy in 1992. The program's objective is to provide full restitution for merchants without adding to the financial burden of the criminal justice system. The assistance provided is free and at no cost to taxpayers.

Through the program, Santa Clara County merchants recoup their losses without paying any collection fees. And first-time bad-check writers are given the opportunity to avoid criminal prosecution by attending a mandatory eight-hour intervention class in addition to paying restitution.

Complaints should be filed as soon as possible from the date of the transaction. For more information, call victim services at 877.520.6137 or contact Melissa Sifuentes at 877.208.8491.

Coldwell Banker
names scholarships

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Silicon Valley, announced the winners in its Path to Excellence Scholarship Program. Two of the high school seniors selected are from the Campbell Union High School District—Joshua Lagod from Branham High School and Amelia Wenniger from Westmont High School.

The scholarship program is offering 10 Silicon Valley graduating seniors a $2,000 scholarship each once he or she has enrolled in an accredited four-year university of their choice.

The Path to Excellence Scholarship Program is a partnership effort with local high schools. The principals and faculty at each of the 38 public high schools in Santa Clara and San Benito counties nominated three graduating seniors with exemplary records. A committee that included representatives from the business community, area high schools, area colleges and the leadership team of Coldwell Banker Silicon Valley made the final selections.

For more information regarding the Coldwell Banker Silicon Valley Path to Excellence Scholarship Program, please contact scholarship program chairwoman Nina Yamaguchi at 408.252.1133 or via email at nyamaguchi@cbnorcal.com.

Free lunch as a
Blendz thanks

People looking to do lunch in historic downtown won't need to think very hard on July 14. Blendz, the nutrition-minded cafe in historic downtown Campbell, will be featuring a free lunch that day in celebration of its one-year anniversary of doing business in the Orchard City.

In addition to having available the paninis, salads and smoothies that the establishment is known for, the anniversary event will feature live music, entertainers and a raffle drawing with a prize of a free catered lunch for an entire office.

The celebration will take place between 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Blendz, under the purple awning at 267 E. Campbell Ave. For more information, call manager Paul Cingolani at 408.376.0555.