After identifying a man found burning on a San Jose sidewalk on Dec. 12, police are searching for the victim's vehicle, Officer Enrique Garcia said.

Ghirmay Frezghi, 30, was discovered at 6:16 a.m. on Monroe Street and Tisch Way as firefighters responded to what they thought was a pile of burning trash.

Garcia said Frezghi, who is from Ethiopia and was also known as "Jimmy" was located beneath the tall flames.

Foul play was initially suspected and it appears Frezghi was stabbed several times before being set on fire, according to Garcia. Police immediately canvassed the area, which is near Frank Santana Park, but could not locate any witnesses.

No suspects have been identified and investigators are searching for the victim's vehicle, which is described as a late 1990's, white, four-door Dodge Stratus, according to Garcia. The vehicle has no license plates and tinted windows.

Anyone with information is asked to call Det. Sean Pritchard or Sgt. Pete Ramirez at 408.277.5283.

'One Warm Coat' call
on through New Year

The "One Warm Coat" drive is under way at Santana Row, continuing through Dec. 31.

New and gently worn coats for men, women and children collected during the drive will be donated to CityTeam Ministries for distribution.

Now, the program has expanded across the country.

Coats may be dropped off in the concierge office, across from Tourneau on the main street of Santana Row, at the corner of Steven Creek and Winchester Boulevards. The office is open from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Sundays. For additional information, call 408.551.4611.

Calvary's children to
hold holiday pageant

Children at Calvary United Methodist Church will tell the Christmas story in a special pageant at 10:15 a.m. Dec. 19.

In this modern version, Agent Angel gives Double O-Heaven his mission: To witness the birth of Jesus, monitor visitors to the child and his parents and ensure that no single nation or group claim him as theirs and theirs alone. The story winds though people trying to claim Jesus as their own.

Calvary Methodist is at 729 Morse St. at Naglee Avenue.

'Fuzzy Red Slippers'
author at Border's

Los Gatos author Carmen Richardson Rutlen will autograph her book Dancing Naked...In Fuzzy Red Slippers at 4 p.m. Dec. 18 at Border's in Santana Row.

Heather MacNamara, editor-in-chief of Chicken Soup for the Soul, wrote of Rutlen's book, "If the title doesn't make you laugh, reflect and then laugh again, the contents certainly will."

For additional information on Rutlen's personal appearance, call 408.241.9100.

Benefit pasta dinner
has strings attached

"Spaghetti and Strings," Lincoln High School's annual benefit dinner and concert, is set for Jan. 29.

The string orchestras of Lincoln--Chamber Strings, Advanced Orchestra, Intermezzo Orchestra and Mariachi Strings--will be performing under the direction of director Sofia Fojas. Musical selections include Tchaikovsky, Brahms and Bach, as well as Mexican classics and Cambodian and Filipino folk music.

An Italian dinner will be served and special edition wine glasses will be available for sale. The evening also includes a silent auction of theme baskets and a raffle.

The benefit will take place in the Concert Pavilion on campus, 555 Dana Ave., San Jose. Tickets are $25 if purchased by Dec. 30. From Dec. 31 on they are $30 each. For additional information or to reserve tickets, visit www.lincolnperformingarts.com or call 408.535.6300.

Casa de Cleaners in
old City of Paris site

David Han has opened Casa de Cleaners at 1739 W. San Carlos St., in the West San Carlos Shopping Center.

The former location of City of Paris Cleaners, Han has updated the facility and now offers dry cleaning and laundry serves on the premises, as well as an alterations services.

For additional information, call 408.298.6359.