The planning commission will hold a public hearing on Jan. 26 to consider modifications to the R1 zoning ordinance that affects roughly 10,000 single-family homes in Cupertino.

The R1 ordinance covers the regulations for single-family unit development in the city. The ordinance outlines the maximum area allowed, as well as setback and second-story regulations. The R1 ordinance also contains privacy-protection regulations to protect private yards from visual intrusion by new two-story development.

The city's R1 ordinance strives to balance property owners' opportunities to develop their land with protection of neighbors from some of the negative impacts related to new development.

To ensure the regulations are equitable, the city is looking for input from homebuilders and residents.

For more information, call Peter Gilli at 408.777.3313 or peterg@cupertino.org.

World Religion Day takes place Jan. 18

The Cupertino Baha'i community is sponsoring its eighth annual celebration of World Religion Day on Jan. 18 from 3 to 5 p.m. at Quinlan Community Center.

World Religion Day is intended to help foster interfaith understanding and harmony by emphasizing the common spiritual values underlying all religions.

This year's theme is "A Guiding Light in Uncertain Times." The organizers chose this theme to renew recognition of the power of positive spiritual values found in all religions.

The program features prominent civic and religious leaders from many traditions of faith, artistic renditions, music and an on-site reception.

For more information, call 408.446.5799 or visit www.cupertinobahais.org.

Gottwald is honored with Distinguished Service Award

Mayor Sandra James presented Cupertino resident Michael Gottwald with a Distinguished Service Award on behalf of ARose Books on Dec. 15. Gottwald lobbied libraries around the state to get them to place the book 'Sandlot Stories' on their shelves. The book chronicles childhood adventures in sandlot baseball games from 37 authors around the world and includes Gottwald's story 'Everyone Plays.' The book chronicles the odd lot locations these players used and their creativity in turning them into baseball fields. Recently, the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., added 'Sandlot Stories' to its library, as a book that captures America's national pastime as documented through the sandlot game. Councilman Richard Lowenthal said, 'Michael does more than anyone else to remind us of the importance of youth sports, playing as a team and to remember to take the time to celebrate accomplishment and effort.' Marcella Parsons, owner of ARose Books Publishing, said, 'I want to thank Michael for his work in adding 'Sandlot Stories' to the reading experience offered in the libraries in California.'

Mah Jongg Mavens to host annual South Bay tournament

South Bay Mah Jongg Mavens will hold its annual spring tournament on Feb. 22 at Congregation Beth David, 19700 Prospect Road in Saratoga.

Participants can also enjoy lunch and socialize with all levels of players from around the Bay Area. The tournament will start at 9:30 a.m. and end at 3:30 p.m.

It costs $25 to register for the game. The fee covers tournament play, the welcoming coffee and lunch.

The check should be made payable to Congregation Beth David and sent to tournament coordinator Phyllis Zis at 12260 Via Roncole, Saratoga, CA 95070. Deadline for reservations is Feb. 16.

For information, call 408.257.5618.