Saratoga High School honors chemistry and astronomy teacher E.J. Lux applied as one of more than 1,600 educators to NASA's Educator Astronaut Program. He is one of 30 to 40 finalists to be interviewed and medically examined in November at Johnson Space Center in Houston. There will be between three to six chosen few who will train to become real astronauts. Lux said it would be another three to five years of training before he could participate in a mission to space.

"For as long as I can remember, I've loved learning about space and astronomy," Lux said. "That makes me both very excited about this opportunity and, I hope, makes me an attractive applicant. Being able to experience space travel would be incredible; being able to share that experience with students and teachers all over the country and the world would be equally exciting."


Local clinics offer flu shots

The flu season is just around the corner, but don't fret—more than 90 clinics throughout the Santa Clara Valley are offering flu shots in the workplace, drugstores, senior centers, churches and other public locations over the next several weeks as part of the Health Trust Community Wellness Program. Shots are $20 per person, but free to seniors with Medicare.

Clinics will be held on Oct. 31 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and on Nov. 23 from 10 a.m. to noon at Longs Drugs on Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road. They will also be held in Los Gatos at the Longs Drugs stores on Pollard Road on Nov. 8 and on Blossom Hill Road on Nov. 13.

Organizations or companies that would like to arrange a flu-shot clinic at specific sites can call 408.260.6740. For more information, visit http://www.healthtrust.org.


Safari nights at local parks

Interested in learning about what types of four-legged creatures are lurking around the bushes at night? Join members from the Youth and Science Institute on a night hike on Nov. 15 as they explore the hills of Sanborn Park. The event will take place from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Registration is required. Adults can hike for $10 and students in high school or lower grade levels can join for $6. To inquire or arrange group hikes, call 408.867.6940. To register, call 408.356.4945, ext. 10. For more information about other YSI activities, visit http://www.ysi-ca.org.


Commission to fill vacant seat

The Saratoga Heritage Preservation Commission has an open seat for residents interested in serving on the commission. Candidates must have attended at least one meeting prior to the interviewing process. Applications are available at the city offices on the corner of Fruitvale and Allendale avenues and must be returned by 5 p.m. on Nov. 10. The commission meets on the second Tuesday of each month. For more information, contact the city clerk at 408.868.1269.