The school year is winding to a close, and De Anza College art students finally have the opportunity to strut their creative stuff.

The De Anza College Student Art Show is running through June 10, and features a broad range of media, with all pieces created by De Anza students. A jury of three will select three works for awards, and the results will be announced at a reception on June 8.

The show is exhibiting in the Euphrat Museum of Art on the De Anza campus. Museum hours are Monday through Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Ikebana teachers to
stage free exhibition

Japan has brought sushi, karaoke and all manner of video games to the shores of the United States. And now, something a little more delicate has made its way to Cupertino.

The Wafu School of Ikebana will show off its members' talents in the art of Japanese flower arranging on June 12 and 13 at Quinlan Community Center. Teacher-level members of the school's California chapter will exhibit and demonstrate their handiwork throughout the two days.

The event is taking place to commemorate the 150th anniversary of American-Japanese relations.

Admission is free, though donations to the nonprofit Wafukai Ikebana Society will be accepted. The flower show will last from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both June 12 and 13. Quinlan Community Center is located at 10185 N. Stelling Road. For more information, visit www.wafu-ikebana.org.

New middle school
is ready for a name

Middle school is a time of great identity crisis for students, but the campus at Cupertino's yet-to-be-opened fifth middle school will soon find its identity.

The Cupertino Union School District is beginning the process of naming the new middle school and is asking for help from the public. Community members can submit suggestions through Aug. 2, using applications and criteria available in all school offices and on the district's website.

Parents and residents are also needed to serve on the Middle School Naming Committee, which will consider the nominations and turn their recommendations over to the school board. Those who submit a name for consideration cannot serve on the committee.

For submission applications or to participate in the committee, contact Jeremy Nishihara at 408.252.3000, ext. 323. Cupertino Union's website is www.cupertino.k12.ca.us.

Young artists shine
in local Olympiad

The Olympics will be held in Greece this year, but local students are bringing home prizes from artistic competitions recently held in the "Athens of the West."

The West Valley/Mission College Foundation awarded five Cupertino residents as part of the Olympiad of the Arts. Ninety students from Santa Clara County were honored for their studies in a myriad of areas, including the visual arts, dance and music.

Four of the Cupertino winners were honored for classical piano: Jay Wang of Mission College, and Grace Bahk, Michael Wang and June-Ho Kim of Monta Vista given an award for acting. Honorees exhibited their work and performed at West Valley College on May 2 in conjunction with the Saratoga Rotary Art Show.

The Olympiad of the Arts began in 1928 due to the efforts of U.S. Sen. James Phelan and Dr. Henry Meade Bland, who believed the Santa Clara Valley was capable of achieving the cultural significance of that famous Greek capital. Until 1984, the event was held every four years to coincide with the Olympic Games, and aims to stimulate creativity and excellence in the arts.

The Olympiad's sponsors, including Arts Council Silicon Valley, awarded $6,000 in prizes this year.

Jazz festival in need
of volunteer helpers

The San Jose Jazz Society needs more than 600 volunteers for the San Jose Jazz Festival, taking place from Aug. 5 to 8 in Plaza de Cesar Chavez. Music lovers are needed to sell beverages and tickets and help with staging, while listening in on a lineup including Terence Blanchard and Pete Escovedo.

To sign up, call 408.288.7557, ext. 2327.

City offering class in
composting for free

Compost can work wonders, so the city of Cupertino is offering a class in its creation.

In coordination with the Home Composting Education Program for Santa Clara County, Cupertino is holding a free "Composting Basics" workshop on June 5.

The two-hour workshop will address the basics in backyard and worm composting, and information on purchasing low-cost composting bins and equipment will be available. Master Composter volunteers from the local area will teach the class.

The workshop will take place on June 5 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at McClellan Ranch Park. Preregistration is required. To enroll, call 408.918.4640.

Sponsors are needed
for Red Cross drives

The American Red Cross is looking for sponsors to hold blood drives at their businesses and schools to help the reach its goal of a five- to seven-day blood supply in California in case of a disaster.

Those interested in sponsoring a blood drive must be able to supply at least 40 donors and a room of 1000 square feet forone day.For more information, call 800.GIVE.LIFE.