The Campbell City Council on Oct. 5 unanimously passed a resolution supporting Measure H, sponsored by the West Valley­Mission Community College District.

Measure H, which is one of several measures on the November ballot, is a bond measure that will tax $14 for every $100,000 of assessed property value. Proceeds would be used to repair or upgrade West Valley and Mission colleges. The funds will also be used to support the district's improvement projects, like upgrading training/transfer programs, upgrading fire safety, repairing leaky roofs, improving disabled access and expanding job-training classrooms. The district would not use any of the proceeds for administrators' salaries.

The measure requires at least 55 percent voter approval to pass, and it is expected to raise about $235 million.

Red Cross looking
for disaster helpers

Campbell residents with time and a desire to reach out to those in need can help thousands of people who have been affected by the recent hurricanes in Florida and the surrounding regions.

The Santa Clara Valley Chapter of the Red Cross will be holding special training sessions for people willing and able to spend two weeks helping victims in one of several states that have been ravaged by the onslaught of hurricanes.

Volunteer duties would include delivering meals and supplies and talking to families and matching their needs with Red Cross financial assistance. The organization also needs licensed mental and physical health professionals to volunteer in overseeing and assessing the health of the workers and clients.

To volunteer, individuals must complete an application, interview and orientation training. They will attend one additional session before departing for their two-week stint. The American Red Cross will pay for round-trip transportation, as well as room and board.

For more information, call 408.577.2023 or email SCVVolunteers@usa.redcross.org.

Holiday cards help
the cancer society

Grand View League, a fundraising branch of the American Cancer Society, is selling a special holiday discount shopping card to benefit the cancer nonprofit.

The $60 card entitles the bearer to a 20 percent discount on regularly priced merchandise and services.

In the Campbell area, the card is accepted at 26 locations, including the Stone Griffin, Queen's Chest Gift Boutique, Silver Buckle Western Store and Mama Mia's.

The discounts are effective Oct. 30 through Nov. 7. For information on buying a card and a complete list of participants, visit www.gvlholidayshoppingcard.com.

Blendz offers youth free 12 oz smoothies

Campbell Mayor Donald Burr proclaimed Oct. 11 through 15 National School Lunch week. The proclamation was made to emphasize the theme of "Reach Your Peak" through healthier eating and lifestyle habits.

Blendz, which is located in downtown Campbell, is helping to sponsor National School Week, originally established in 1963 by President John F. Kennedy.

The restaurant will be offering certificates for a free 12-ounce smoothie to students in the Campbell Union Elementary School District.

Blendz founder Matt Phipps said, "We are very excited to be involved in this program. Balance and better nutrition is important for everybody. We want kids to see that being good to your body not only gives you more energy but tastes great."

Blendz is located at 267 E. Campbell Ave., Suite A. For more information, call 408.376.0555 or visit the website at www.blendz.com.

Ballot Measure H in
the debate hotseat

The Saratoga Chamber of Commerce is organizing a debate on the election ballot measures.

A debate will be held to discuss the West Valley­Mission Community College bond, Measure H. Kathi Tran of the West Valley College Associated Student Body and Jeff Schwartz of the West Valley College Board of Trustees will speak for the bond and Aaron Katz, a local citizen, will speak against it.

The event is being held in the board room at West Valley College, 14000 Fruitvale Ave., on Oct. 14 at 6 p.m. For more information, log on to www.saratogachamber.org or call 408.867.0753.

Channel 26 will air all
the council race info

Election junkies in Campbell won't have to go to CNN to get the results of their local city council race.

On Nov. 2, beginning at 9 p.m., Campbell's government channel 26 will post live election tallies as the registrar of voters makes the results available.

Polls will close at 8 p.m., so the city expects to have results coming in from the precincts staring about an hour later, said Campbell administrative analyst Al Bito. This will be the third time Campbell has provided this service. It also posted results during the 2000 and 2002 elections.

For more information about the cablecast, call Al Bito at 408.866.2128.

Oktoberfest is about
to rock the downtown

Campbell is due for a healthy dose of beer, bellies and bratwurst. On Oct. 16 and 17, the Campbell Chamber of Commerce will be presenting the 2004 Oktoberfest festival in historic downtown Campbell.

Oktoberfest has been a part of Campbell life for the past 10 years, and it has become the city's biggest annual festival. Anywhere from 30,000 to 40,000 visitors are expected to attend this year's event that will showcase a variety of musicians and more than 100 arts-and-crafts vendors. German foods, including bratwurst, German potato salad, sauerkraut, red cabbage and Spaten Beer, the official Oktoberfest beer, will all be served.

Festival hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Oct. 16 and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 17. For more information, call the Campbell Chamber of Commerce at 408.378.6252.

Residents can send in
their absentee ballots

California voters can now vote by absentee ballot, according to California Secretary of State Kevin Shelley.

The absentee voting period began on Oct. 4 throughout California. Voters will be able to request an absentee ballot by simply completing an application or sending a written request to their county registrar of voters.

Written requests must include the voter's name, residence address, the address where the ballot should be mailed and the voter's signature. The deadline to send in an absentee ballot is Oct. 26, according to Shelley.

Absentee voters may also cast their ballots in person at their local registrar of voters office.

The law requires that the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters provide voting materials in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese and Tagalog.

For more information, call 408.299.VOTE or toll free at 866.430.VOTE.