The Willow Glen Resident

Around The Glen

Junior League honors Booksin volunteer

The Junior League of San Jose Inc. will honor Willow Glen resident Karen Clinton on April 3 for her volunteer efforts as president of the Booksin Elementary School Community Association (BESCA), Junior League representatives said last week.

Clinton will receive a Silver Bowl Award at the league's 29th annual volunteer recognition luncheon at the Fairmont Hotel in San Jose, where 14 others will also be honored with Silver Bowl Awards.

"Karen Clinton has provided leadership and energy critical to BESCA's fundraising efforts on behalf of Booksin Elementary School," said league spokesperson Lisa Green. "She has implemented fundraising activities which have raised over $75,000 for the 732 children at Booksin. ... She was also instrumental in the establishment of the Booksin Music Endowment Fund to ensure that music remains a part of the curriculum."

Green also said that Clinton worked to raise funds for Booksin's library and computer staff.

--Rebecca Wallace

Commuters can speak on Caltrain fare hikes

People who have something to say about Caltrain's proposed fare hikes can say it--loud and clear--at a public hearing held by the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board on Thursday, April 2.

Caltrain officials have suggested raising all fares by 5 percent, increasing the daily parking rate from 50 cents to $1 and eliminating the 1.89-percent discount now available through the Ticket-by-Mail program (while retaining the program).

The hikes should generate an estimated $800,000, and Caltrain officials have plenty of plans for their funds, said spokesperson Rita Haskin. These include putting in 300 new bicycle lockers, adding service at the new San Antonio station in Mountain View--and possibly adding service on Friday and Sunday evenings.

The hearing will be held at 10 a.m. at the San Mateo County Transit District headquarters at 1250 San Carlos Ave. in San Carlos. For more information, call 1-800-660-4287.

--Rebecca Wallace

Police seek public's aid in nabbing two robbery suspects

San Jose police are asking for the public's help in trying to nab two men believed responsible for a string of recent South Bay and Peninsula bank robberies, including the Feb. 19 robbery of the Bank of America at 1245 Lincoln Ave.

The rash of 11 crimes began on Nov. 17, 1997, with the robbery of Downey Savings and Loan in Cupertino, officer John Carrillo said. The last incident linked to the two men was a March 12 attempted robbery of Sumitomo Bank in Mountain View.

Police say they think the two men alternate approaching bank tellers with a demand note, as witnesses have said only one man was in the bank during each of the robberies. The men then flee on foot; no vehicle has been linked to them, Carrillo said.

The suspects have not been identified but have been photographed by bank surveillance cameras, police said. One man is described as white, in his mid-20s, about 5 feet, 8 inches to 5 feet, 10 inches tall, with a slender to medium build. He is said to have a pale complexion and brown hair with a two-day growth of beard and mustache.

The other is described as white and clean-shaven, in his mid-20s, 6 feet to 6 feet, 3 inches tall, with a medium build and brown hair.

Bank of America is offering a reward to anyone who provides information to police that assists in the apprehension and conviction of the suspects. Anyone with information should call Robbery Det. Sgt. Mike Ponte at 277-4166, or Crime Stoppers at 947-STOP.

--Rebecca Wallace

Volunteer exchange marks annual event

Businesses and civic and service organizations all over the country are planning to celebrate the 25th annual National Volunteer Week from April 19 to 25. And the San Jose-based Volunteer Exchange is hoping to get more Santa Clara County residents than ever involved this year.

Founded in 1987, the Volunteer Exchange works with more than 630 nonprofit and public agencies to promote volunteerism in the county, maintaining a database of 2,100 volunteer opportunities, a representative said.

For more information about volunteering in Santa Clara County, call 247-1126 or visit www.volunteerexchange.org.

--Rebecca Wallace

Zoo shows off its endangered species

Endangered animals are the stars of the show this month at Happy Hollow Park and Zoo, which is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act with a variety of activities.

Zookeepers will hold keeper talks and demonstrations on all April Saturdays and Sundays at 1 p.m. On Meerkat Mondays, Happy Hollow's eight meerkats show off their hunting techniques. For more information, call 295-8383.

--Rebecca Wallace

Cancer Society poll says most voters support smoking ban

A poll released March 25 by the American Cancer Society found that more than 60 percent of registered voters in the Bay Area support California's ban on smoking in bars, which went into effect Jan. 1.

Sixty-eight percent of those surveyed this month favor the ban, while only 28 percent oppose it, according to the Cancer Society. Statewide, 61 percent of those surveyed back the law, compared to 34 percent who oppose it. The poll was conducted by Charlton Research Co.

While not everyone supports the ban, 88 percent of Bay Area residents and 84 percent of Californians polled say they're concerned about the health hazards of secondhand smoke for bar workers and patrons.

Alan Henderson, president of the Cancer Society's California Division, said, "This poll clearly shows that Californians support a smoke-free atmosphere in bars and gaming clubs."

More than 5,000 people in California die due to secondhand smoke every year, according to the state Environmental Protection Agency.

--Bay City News Service

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