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Local Notebook
Volunteers needed at Happy Hollow Park
Community members can volunteer at Happy Hollow Park and Zoo, 1300 Senter Rd., San Jose, through its volunteer docent and keeper aide programs.
Docent training classes begin March 9. Docents help the public gain appreciation for animals by providing zoo tours and animal close-ups, or taking animals to schools.
Keeper aide training is ongoing and can be scheduled with staff at a mutually agreeable time. Keeper aides assist zoo staff with maintenance and animal-care routines. Those interested must fill out an application.
Artists for decorative painting and Happy Hollow Corporation Board members are also needed.
For more information, contact volunteer coordinator Paula Shelton, 408. 277.3497, email Paulasheltons@aol.com, or visit www.Happyhollowparkandzoo.org.
Spay Neuter Month at Humane Society
The Humane Society of Santa Clara Valley's Spay Neuter Month Appointment Line is up and running. Pet owners can call 408.727.3383, ext. 763, to schedule neutering and spay surgery in February.
"Spaying and neutering helps stop pet overpopulation, prevents certain types of reproductive cancers from developing, and your pet will be less likely to wander away from home in search of a mate," said Leslie Baikie-Khavari, Humane Society spokeswoman.
Surgeries are being offered during February at half the society's regular price: $15 for a cat neuter; $28 for a cat spay; and $28 to $60 for dogs, depending on their gender and weight.
The nonprofit society, located at 2530 Lafayette St., Santa Clara, is the largest animal shelter on the West Coast. It cared for about 28,000 animals last year; and 91 percent of the animals up for adoption find new homes.
S.J. Symphony to hold upcoming benefit concert February 9
San Jose Symphony musicians will join the San Jose Youth Symphony at 8 p.m., Feb. 9, for a benefit concert at San Jose's Center for the Performing Arts.
Yair Samet, music director of the San Jose Youth Symphony will conduct La forza del destino, by Verdi; Vivaldi's Four Seasons, Espana by Chabrier, and Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet. The performance features Concertmaster Robin Mayforth as soloist.
"It is so important to support this young generation and to nurture their love of music," relates Maestro Samet. "With their coaching, advising and teaching, the symphony musicians have been some of our strongest supporters over the years. I particularly thank them for this special gift to these young musicians."
San Jose Symphony musicians have been out of work since the orchestra ceased operations Oct. 15 because of a deficit of at least $2.5 million.
A transition team of community leaders and symphony musicians is currently working toward a restructuring of the orchestra, with no date announced for a return to the music.
"Both the youth orchestra and the symphony are going through challenging times. We, the musicians of the San Jose Symphony, want to help out by doing what we do best with this collaborative concert," says Kristen Linfante, symphony musician. "We are both excited and honored to share the stage with such a fine group of young musicians, and with them we will continue to strive to keep music alive in our community."
The San Jose Youth Symphony suffered financially from the shutdown of its parent organization. To that cause the professional ensemble will donate their time to rally behind the struggling student group. The Youth Symphony musicians will join the professionals for portions of the program.
"The upheaval has been difficult for all of us," according to Dolly Johnson, chairman of the board of the newly formed San Jose Youth Symphony. "I believe that this concert creates much hope for the future. It is such a tremendous reaffirmation of our valued relationship with the musicians. We greatly appreciate their support for our new organization and this priceless experience for SJYS students."
Tickets are $40, $30, $20 and $10 and may be purchased in advance. For information and tickets, call 408. 283.4113, 4-8 p.m., Monday-Friday. Tickets may also be purchased at the door prior to the performance.
Funding available for childhood health
The California Children and Families Commission is seeking proposals from nonprofit community-based organizations to help raise awareness among new and expectant parents and caregivers of children up to age 5 about the importance of early childhood development.
The grants are intended to educate parents and caregivers about what they can do during the critical early years to help prepare their children to start school ready to reach their greatest potential. Funding is available to help educate parents and caregivers on a variety of topics, including oral health, the importance of access to prenatal care, child safety, environmental health, the importance of the early years, reading, talking and playing with children, and the adverse effects of smoking, drinking and abusing drugs during pregnancy and around babies and children.
Grant awards will vary based on the number of counties an applicant targets. Grants of $10,000 to $75,000 are available for applications that target one county and grants of $10,000 to $150,000 are available for applications that target two or more counties. Grants will be awarded to successful bidders over a 30-month period. Community-based organizations in the Bay Area who have demonstrated experience conducting outreach and are culturally and linguistically responsive to the communities they serve are encouraged to apply. Early childhood development subject expertise is not mandatory.
The deadline to apply is April 1. For more information and to download an application, interested organizations should visit www.ccfc.ca.gov/rfp.htm, or call 800.335.5802.
The commission was established after voters passed Proposition 10 in November 1998, adding a 50-cent-back-per-pack tax on cigarettes to fund education, health, childcare and other programs to promote healthy early childhood development for expectant parents and children up to age 5.
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Willow Glen, California Since 1992
