News Briefs

Sunnyvale is number one

Business Outlook Magazine rates Sunnyvale "the most attractive big city in which to operate a business." The choice was revealed in the magazine's best-of-cities, year-end issue. Cities with more than 100,000 people were judged on education levels, availability of workers, public transportation, housing, crime and commute times.

Hopefuls face off in political forum

All nine candidates for the 15th Congressional District seat will be at a forum sponsored by the Commonwealth Club of Silicon Valley this Friday, Feb. 4 from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Campbell Community Center (Building Q), 1 West Campbell Ave., Campbell.

Candidates will present their platforms for office, then take questions from the audience. Candidates for the seat, which is now held by Tom Campbell, are Jim Cunneen, Mike Honda, Dick Lane, Dale Mead, Robin Parker, Bill Peacock, Ed Wimmers, Douglas Gorney and Conor Velancich.

Cost is $5 for club members and $10 for non-members. Call 408.271.1262 for more information.

Sunnyvale wins library grants, offers classes

Librarian Sharon Kornhaus says that as library catalogs get converted to digital, some people get left behind.

"With all the new resources, some people just aren't finding what they want."

With that in mind, in late February, the Sunnyvale Public Library will begin offering a series of one-hour classes designed to help people use its electronic resources. Topics will range from using the books' index to the Internet. According to Kornhaus, the classes are the result of a $98,000 grant from the California State Library Service. One series of classes will be geared to fourth- through eighth-graders, the other to teens and adults. Students who take a required number of classes will be rewarded with gifts ranging from mugs to T-shirts to increased Internet time.

The library also received a second grant for digital storytelling. According to librarian Steve Sloan, the $95,000 grant will enable the library to begin recording the memories of Sunnyvale oldtimers in the form of short digital videos. The goal is to record 20 stories in the first year. Sloan says the idea for the program came from the Digital Clubhouse, located in the nearby mall.

Volunteers wanted for leisure services

The city's leisure services department is looking for volunteers. Positions such as art docent or office assistants are available. Descriptions are available at http://www.ci.sunnyvale.ca.us/city-manager/volunteer-services/. Interested parties can also call 408-730-7533.

Public Safety

The changing role of grandparents

Sports Briefs

High school wrestling