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Around The Glen
Muir encounter may be isolated incident
San Jose police say that a sexual encounter between a John Muir Middle School janitor and a 12-year-old student may have been "consensual."
Joe Ramos Vasquez is being charged with two felony counts of child molestation. The 46-year-old San Jose resident was placed in custody Feb. 3 on suspicion of committing a lewd act with a child.
The arrest followed an eight-day investigation into allegations that Vasquez led the girl into a campus boiler room and sexually molested her on Jan. 25.
SJPD spokesperson Rubens Dialson said there's the possibility that the encounter "could have been consensual," adding, "The individual (Vasquez) obviously had the opportunity to leave, but he didn't."
Police say Vasquez has no prior criminal record. Police also confirmed that no additional complaints have been filed against Vasquez. Vasquez was placed into custody at the Santa Clara County Jail and bail was set at $20,000. The suspect will enter his plea to the court on Feb. 24.
--Chantal Lamers
Friends establish fund for hospital expenses
A memorial fund is being organized for Amelia Miyuki Coolbaugh, the daughter of Jennifer and Michael Coolbaugh. Amelia was born Jan. 14 and due to complications, was placed on life-support. Amelia passed away on Jan. 29. Donations received will help the Coolbaugh family pay medical expenses. Friends can make donations at Washington Mutual Bank on Lincoln and Minnesota avenues. For more information call Denise Miceli at 293.1297.
--Chantal Lamers
Rape crisis hotline seeks volunteers
The Rape Crisis Center of the YWCA in Santa Clara Valley is looking for volunteers to staff its 24-hour crisis line. All volunteers will need to attend a 40-hour training session, which begins on March 27. The crisis line provides counseling, emotional support, and information and referrals for assault victims and family members. These services are free to the community.
To volunteer or for more information, call the YWCA at 408.295.4011 x263.
--Michele Leung
Staffing the polls helps get the vote out
Earn some civic duty bonus points by signing up to be a poll worker for the March 7 election. The Registrar of Voters Office is looking for 2,500 workers to staff 1,100 polling sites. Poll workers are paid $85 to work as election clerks and $115 to work as inspectors on Election Day. No experience is necessary, and training will be provided at various times and locations.
To sign up, workers need to be 18 years old or older, a county resident, and a U.S. citizen. There is a critical need for poll workers in the Los Altos, Cupertino, Morgan Hill, Evergreen, Palo Alto, Milpitas, Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Berryessa and Saratoga areas. The Office is also seeking workers who are bilingual in Spanish, Vietnamese or Chinese.
Interested citizens should call the Registrar of Voters immediately at 408.299.POLL.
--Michele Leung
AMR sends smoke signals about tobacco
The Santa Clara County chapter of American Medical Response is sponsoring a campaign to prevent teenage tobacco use. Kim Roderick, AMR county operations paramedic, will be available to speak to teenage groups about the health risks involved in smoking and how to stop the addiction cycle.
The Federal Center for Disease Control conducted the first national survey of tobacco use in middle schools. According to the study, one in eight students has experimented with tobacco. CDC officials say this is the first evidence that many children begin smoking before they start high school.
According to the AMR, 4 million American adolescents smoke and half of those smokers will become addicted to nicotine as adults. Roderick will provide facts about teenage tobacco use and information on the health risks associated with smoking.
For information call Amy Cunha of Solem & Associates at 415.296.2033.
--Chantal Lamers
Licensed therapist launches local breast cancer support group
A therapist-led support group for women with breast cancer will begin offering weekly group meetings in March. Sam Marye Lewis, a local, licensed psychotherapist, launched the Breast Cancer Talk Project in October during national Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Lewis said the project will provide two support groups; one for women who are just developing the disease, and a second group for those with advanced breast cancer.
Lewis is in the process of having the Breast Cancer Talk Project approved for non-profit status. She is looking for a corporate or local business to sponsor the project. Lewis said research shows that breast cancer victims who become involved in support groups feel less distressed and less socially isolated.
For information call 271.9005 or log onto www.breastcancertalk.org.
--Chantal Lamers
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Willow Glen, California Since 1992
