Photograph by Jacqueline Ramseyer

Fritz Knipe, also known here as Punxsytawney Phil, delights the crowd at the Twelfth Annual Pennsylvania Groundhog Party held at Harry's Hofbrau in San Jose.

Community Briefs

AAUW Scholarship Dinner

The American Association of University Women will hold its annual Local Scholarship Chinese New Year Gourmet Dinner on Feb. 15, at 7 p.m. at Hong Fu Restaurant, 20588 Stevens Creek Blvd, Cupertino. Cost is $33 per person. Proceeds benefit a West Valley College scholarship for a re-entry woman, majoring in mathematics or science and transferring to a college or university in pursuit of a bachelor's degree. Each year there is a special program relating to the Chinese New Year. This year's speaker will be Mark Hylkema, state archaeologist who was involved in the discovery of the Woolen Mills Chinatown site in San Jose in 1997. Hylkema will address the establishment of Woolen Mills Chinatown brought into existence around 1887, after the fire that destroyed San Jose's Market Street Chinatown. To reserve a seat or for more information, call Ethel Worn at 408.354.2944.

Dance Dialogues

Ballet San Jose Silicon Valley presents "Dance Dialogues," a series of free lectures that offer special insights into the world of ballet. The hour-long presentations incorporate colorful slides, anecdotes and a question and answer session. The first program will take place locally on Feb. 15, from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Cupertino Public Library. The lectures are free and open to the public. Other locations include the Los Altos Public Library, the Santa Teresa Public Library and the Rose Garden Library. For date and time information, call Nanette Heidtman at 408.288.2820, ext. 202.

Tickets available for 'The Sound of Music'

Tickets for the upcoming presentation of Barry Williams in The Sound of Music are now on sale for $36 to $56. The show will be presented on March 18, at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. and on March 19, at 8 p.m. at Cupertino's Flint Center. For tickets and more information, call 408.998.2277, or go to www.tickets.com.

ViewFinders Club

Cupertino ViewFinders Club for amateur videographers will meet on Feb. 14, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Quinlan Community Center, 10185 N. Stelling Road, Cupertino. Nonmember videographers also welcome. For more information, call 408.252.2667.

Sky-high Valentine's wedding ceremony tradition

Continuing a Valentine's Day tradition, 13 couples will marry on Feb. 14, beginning at 8 a.m. in the 80th floor Sky Lobby of the Empire State Building in Manhattan, N.Y. Bea Colby and Jay Howard of Cupertino, who were engaged atop the Empire State Building on Valentine's Day 1998, will be among the couples wed every half-hour until 4:30 p.m. by the Rev. Paula Posman, a nondenominational minister.

Book Sale

The Friends of the Cupertino Library will hold a used book sale on Feb. 17, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Feb. 18, from noon to 3 p.m. in the lower level of the library.

Sheriff's Report

Jon Hoornstra: Could you push the button?

American Cancer Society will hold its 16th annual Daffodil Days fundraiser for cancer research

Sports Briefs

Montanez wins league title for Mats