Students at Los Gatos and Saratoga high schools received a firsthand account of life in another country March 2 and 3 thanks to a visit by former Peace Corps volunteer Cynthia Ranii, superintendent of the Los Gatos­Saratoga Joint Union High School District.

Having served in Iran as an English teacher from 1971 to 1974, Ranii spoke to students about her experiences. Ranii visited the classes of Saratoga High School teachers Julianne Geddes, Peter Jordan and Jill McFarlen and Los Gatos High School teachers Ann Jordan and Lindsay Schubert as part of Peace Corps Day celebrations. Santa Clara County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Colleen Wilcox, of Los Gatos, and Denney Daetz, a Los Gatos High School teacher, were also local volunteers.

Thousands of former Peace Corps volunteers, representing more than 100 countries of service, shared their overseas experiences from March 1­7 in communities around the United States. Through these presentations, former volunteers helped raise awareness of the Peace Corps as a resource for U.S. educators who want to incorporate volunteers' stories in the classroom. They also highlighted the opportunity to serve as a volunteer and the many benefits of Peace Corps service.

For more information about joining the Peace Corps, call 800.424.8580, and press 1 to speak to a local recruiter. To learn more about Peace Corps Day, email pcday@peacecorps.gov or visit www.peacecorps.gov.

Art professor will
celebrate Florence

Dr. William Fredlund, professor of art at UC­Santa Cruz, will speak March 23 about the Italian city of Florence, where legendary artists Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo once worked simultaneously.

The presentation, part of an ongoing public lecture series, will be held at the Saratoga Foothill Club at 20399 Park Place from 10 a.m. to noon. An $8 donation will be accepted at the door. For more information, call Grace Parker at 408.741.0460.

Slide stolen from
Wildwood Park

A 25-foot slide that workers had removed from Wildwood Park on 4th Street and set aside to be taken to the dump was reported stolen on March 3. The slide was removed to make way for new equipment that will comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department spokesman Terrance Helm did not give a value for the slide and said it was reported to the department for liability reasons.

Planning approves Verizon antennae

The planning commission approved an application to remove 16 Metricom panel antennas and related equipment from the theater building at West Valley College and install 12 Verizon Wireless panel antennae, two Global Positioning System antennae and an equipment enclosure. Cingular, Nextel and AT&T also have equipment on the Fruitvale Avenue building.

Posters focus on
patient safety

Community Hospital of Los Gatos and health-care organizations across the United States observed national patient safety awareness week March 7­13 through special educational and awareness activities for patients, students and families. The theme of this year's observance was "Patient Safety: The Power of Partnership."

Students at Rolling Hills Middle School of Los Gatos participated through a poster contest and designed creative posters expressing their ideas about patient safety.