Local Notebook

San Jose police assist the needy

The San Jose Police Department Chaplaincy spearheaded a drive to raise money, which provided food and gifts for needy families this holiday season. The department raised enough money to provide approximately $13,000 in turkeys, 200 food baskets and 500 toys for children. Police personnel distributed the gifts to low-income families Dec. 21.

The Safeway Store, 1300 W. San Carlos Ave., donated $3,000 in toys and provided discounted prices on 1,200 turkeys. Jad Bateh, manager of the store, assisted in the delivery.

For more information contact San Jose Police Chaplain Dave Bridgen at 408.289.9076.

Host families needed for foreign students

The Pacific Intercultural Exchange (PIE) organization is looking for families interested in hosting foreign high school students scheduled to arrive soon for the academic semester The students come from Spain, Germany, Latvia, the former Soviet Union, Venezuela, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Mongolia, Italy, Paraguay, Australia, Sweden, Yugoslavia, China, Belgium, Vietnam and other countries.

Participating students are between the ages of 15 and 18, speak English, have their own money, carry accident and health insurance and are eager to share their cultural experiences with American families. The organization has programs to match almost every family's needs, ranging in length of stay from a semester to a full academic year, where students attend local high schools.

The organization matches students with families by finding common interests and lifestyles through an informal in-home meeting. Families review student applications and make their selections. They are also eligible to claim a $50 per month charitable contribution deduction on their itemized tax returns for each month they host a student.

PIE is a nonprofit educational organization that has sponsored more than 18,000 students from 40 countries since its founding in 1975. The organization is designated by the United States Department of State and is listed by the Council on Standards for International Educational Travel, certifying that it complies with the standards set forth by international educational travel programs.

For more information, call 800. 631.1818. The agency also has travel/study program opportunities for American high school students as well as community volunteers to assist and work with host families, students and schools.

Children's museum hosts celebration

The Feast of the Three Kings will be celebrated by many cultures around the world the first week in January. The Children's Discovery Museum will host Celebracion de los Tres Reyes Magos, Jan. 5-6, with lively festivities featuring the traditions of Mexico: Folklorico dancers, mariachi bands, traditional arts and crafts, appearances by the Three Wise Kings, and sampling of the special bread of this holiday, Rosca de Reyes.

The Feast of Three Kings (in some cultures known as the three wise men) commemorates the 12th day after the birth of Jesus, when the Three Kings arrived bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. At the museum's events, volunteers dressed as the Three Wise Kings will be on hand to pose for photos with families and will share some of their gifts with the children.

The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Museum admission is $7 for ages 1 to 59, $6 for visitors age 60 and over and free for children under 1 and museum members. For more information, visit the museum's website at www.cdm.org.

Community meetings for recycling services

The city of San Jose's Environmental Services Department is hosting three meetings to inform residents of single-family homes about changes in the city's recycling and garbage services, scheduled to take place in the summer of 2002.

Two meetings are scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m. Jan. 8, one at the Eden Neighborhood Association, 3500 Amber Drive, and the other at city hall, 801 N. First St.

Another meeting is scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m. Jan. 9 at the Camden Community Center, 3369 Union Ave.

For more information, call 408.277.2700 or visit www.sjrecycles.org.

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