Cornhusk dolls, Japanese brush paintings and homemade kites will all be on display May 15 at the 19th annual Hands on the Arts Festival.

The event is presented by the Sunnyvale Department of Parks and Recreation and will be held at the Sunnyvale Community Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For children between ages 3 and 12, artists will be on hand to showcase multicultural art forms from around the world and give children a chance to make their own art to take home and display.

More than 30 professional artists will be on hand throughout the day to provide art, entertainment and education for all in attendance.

Entrance is free, but participation in the workshops is $5 for the day for each child. For more information, call 408.730.7350.

Storm-water pumps
will get an upgrade

Heavy rains will no longer pose a threat to traffic flow on Central Expressway after the installation of a third submersible pump, motor and generator to augment the storm-water pump system.

The project—not to exceed $765,000—should be completed by the end of the year, according to a contract issued by the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors.

Central Expressway traditionally has problems with rains, which have only gotten worse as the local water table has risen. When large storms hit, the current two-pump system is unable to handle the excess water, and the expressway floods.

The Fremont High School band receives best in show

Anaheim is home to the happiest place on earth, especially for the Symphonic Band from Fremont High School.

The musical group competed in the Music in the Parks Festival, receiving the highest rating of "Unanimous Superior" and a score of 97 out of 100. The "Superior" rating is the first for any of Fremont's concert bands in more than 15 years.

The band, under the direction of Joseph Kelly, also received the "Best Overall Band" of those groups attending the festival.

Suspect caught due to
multiple crime tips

The city of Sunnyvale has made an arrest in a series of burglaries and thanks the public for its help in catching the culprit.

Twenty-five-year-old Sam Saephanh of Oakland was arrested and convicted of six counts of burglary committed on the south side of Sunnyvale in February.

His arrest was the direct result of tips called into the department of public safety.

Merchants can recoup bad checks

Twelve years old and going strong—that's the Santa Clara County Bad Check Restitution Program.

The program has recovered more than $3.5 million for victims of bad checks in the county since it was implemented by District Attorney George Kennedy in 1992. The program's objective is to provide full restitution for merchants without adding to the financial burden of the criminal justice system. The assistance provided is free and at no cost to taxpayers.

Through the program, Santa Clara County merchants recoup their losses without paying any collection fees. And first-time bad check writers are given the opportunity to avoid criminal prosecution by attending a mandatory eight-hour intervention class in addition to paying restitution.

Complaints should be filed as soon as possible from the date of the transaction. For more information, call victim services at 877.520.6137 or contact Melissa Sifuentes at 877.208.8491.