Saratoga News

COMMUNITY BRIEFS

County fair garden applications open

Applications are now available for the design of garden plots at the 1996 Santa Clara County Fair, which runs July 24 through Aug. 4. The 300-square-foot gardens will be on display throughout the fair and will demonstrate the themes reflecting the fair's activities and cultural diversity.

All plots will be judged, and prizes from $335 to $425 will be awarded. Gardens will also be eligible for bonus prizes, including the Fairgoers' Choice Award.

Plots are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. The entry fee is $45 per plot, with a limit of two entries per person, group, organization or family per class, and only amateur gardeners may apply. Applications may be picked up in person at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds Administration Building, 344 Tully Road, San Jose. For more information, contact Bernice Avina at 494-3134.

County arts council will present ABBYs

The Arts Council of Santa Clara County will host the 1996 Arts and Business awards (ABBYs) dinner on March 7 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the San Jose Fairmont Hotel.

The ABBYs honor local corporations and individuals who have made significant contributions to promoting arts and culture in Santa Clara County during the past year. This year, the Arts Council will honor contributors to the Silicon Valley Arts Fund and present awards in the categories of business leadership, new business support for the arts and the Rising Star award.

Tickets to the Arts and Business Awards Dinner are $125 per person or $1,250 for a table of 10, and can be purchased from the Arts Council. For more information on attending the dinner or corporate sponsorship opportunities, contact Gina Hernandez at 998-2787.

Ruben Diaz joins HOPE board

Ruben Z. Diaz, Santa Clara County assistant sheriff responsible for the Field Enforcement Bureau, recently joined the board of directors for HOPE Rehabilitation Services.

Diaz has worked in law enforcement for 25 years. He is also president of the National Coalition of Hispanic American Police Associations and is involved in numerous other organizations, including the West Valley College Puente Program, the Channel 11 ABC-Advisory Council, Knights of Columbus and the Santa Teresa High School Police Academy Advisory Board.

HOPE, one of the largest organizations of its kind, provides work training, job placement, professional counseling, supported living, day activity and other services to more than 1,000 infants, adults, students and seniors with developmental disabilities in Santa Clara, San Benito, San Mateo and Monterey counties.

Junior League offers breast health speakers

Because one out of eight women will be diagnosed with cancer in her lifetime, the Junior League of San Jose and the American Cancer Society have joined forces for "SmartWoman."

Twelve Junior League volunteers have received professional training to teach women about the three most important life-saving practices for detecting breast cancer early--self-examination, clinical exams and mammograms.

"If detected early, nine out of 10 women could survive breast cancer," said Penny Malloy, Junior League co-chairwoman of the project. The SmartWoman program arms them with the facts they need, she said.

To arrange for a SmartWoman speaker, or to find out what services are available from the American Cancer Society, call 287-5973.

Montalvo hosts arts workshops

Villa Montalvo has announced a new community outreach program. The 1996 Artshop Project will offer a series of hands-on weekly workshops to promote the use of the visual, performing and literary arts as a means of expression for physically disabled seniors and emotionally challenged children and teenagers.

The workshops will run from April to July and will be held at Santa Clara's Hope Rehabilitation Services and Zonta Services in San Jose.

Workshops will be led by artists chosen from the local community, as well as Montalvo's Artist Residency Program and gallery exhibitors. Activities will include painting, sculpting, ceramics, movement, music and poetry.

The project is made possible by a three-year donation from Hewlett-Packard Co.