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Photograph by Skye Dunlap
Donna Yeager, a Sunnyvale resident who hosts a show on Cupertino's cable access channel about life as a disabled person, is in need of a new van.
News Briefs
Community TV star raises money for access van
The Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church is hosting Meals for Wheels, a benefit to help replace Donna Yeager's van, from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, July 24. The event includes a spaghetti dinner, bake sale, raffle, white elephant auction and entertainment. Artist Laurel Burch is the master of ceremonies.
Yeager, a quadruple amputee, is a Sunnyvale resident, Hewlett-Packard employee and the host of "On the Move," an award-winning public access television show running on Cupertino's cable access channel. The show spotlights how disabled people can become independent and productive members of society.
Yeager's specially adapted van was condemned last August. For the last year, Yeager's husband has driven her to and from work.
"The van was dying for a long time," said Jeanne Yeager, Donna's mother. "It's 16 years old, and it hasn't been working property. The brakes weren't working properly, and we had three sets of new brakes. Then El Niño [dealt] the last fatal blow. There was a leak (that dripped down onto the equipment on her head) they couldn't figure out how to get rid of."
The cost of a new van is $90,000--$28,000 for a new van and $60,000 for the installation of special equipment that enables Yeager to drive.
Event organizers are anticipating a crowd of 250 and raising at least $10,000 for a down payment on the van.
The Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church is at 728 West Fremont Avenue at the corner of Fremont and Hollenbeck Road. For more information or to volunteer please call Jeanne Yeager at 720-8069.
City to host focus groups to gather more library views
In an attempt to gather more varied opinions on the expansion of the library, city officials announced last week they will establish focus groups in addition to collecting information in public forums.
"We want to do the focus groups next," said Bert Viskovich, public works director. "The criteria as to who should be selected to proceed with that stage of the public process haven't been established yet, and unfortunately we don't have a time frame for that as of yet."
Last month, the city began the process to solicit community input with a forum that attracted nearly 60 participants. While opinions varied regarding whether the city should expand or construct a new library and choosing a location, all of the attendees agreed that more space is needed for a community library.
After receiving the results of the forum in a report from facilitator Daniel Iacofano, Viskovich believes focus groups are the next step because the participants of the forum represented a small section of the community.
The forum attendees were primarily over the age of 35 and had no children at home. Nearly half of them were retired and most said they visited the library more than a dozen times a year.
"[The forum] was almost a focus group in a fashion," Viskovich said. "We need to get different people involved in another community meeting. Would (another forum) be the same or would it bring out another cross-section of the community?
Viskovich added that a focus group would target another cross-section of the community.
A possible reason for the small cross-section of the community present at the meeting, was because it was held on the same evening as the graduation ceremonies at Cupertino, Homestead and Monta Vista high schools, Viscovich said.
The forum was scheduled on that night because of Iacofano's availability.
"We tried to accommodate everyone, and I think we only had one or two individuals indicate they wanted to come," Viskovich said.
Copies of the response sheets are available at the Public Works Department for anyone interested in submitting their comments. So far, 10 residents have requested copies and one has been returned.
The city plans to conduct a community survey regarding expanding the library in the fall. An advisory ballot item and council hearings will be held in the spring.
Noone earns Eagle Scout
Chris Noone, a Cupertino resident, was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout at an Eagle Court on Honor Memorial Day weekend. Noone's Eagle Service Project entailed removing old ivy from the Memorial Park baseball field and constructed two flower boxes. Noone, has been in scouting for 10 years.
Children can tour local fire station Aug. 17
Cupertino children ages 5 through 12 may participate in a tour of the Monta Vista Fire Station from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 17. Tours are free, but pre-registration is required.
Firefighters at the station will conduct the tour. Children will meet a firefighter in full turnout attire so they know what to expect when firefighters respond to emergency calls. Children will also receive tips on fire safety and will have an opportunity to take a close look at a fire engine.
To pre-register for the tour, contact Marie Moore, emergency services coordinator at 777-3335.
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Cupertino, California Since 1947
