 |
 |
|
August 21, 2002
Willow Glen, California Since 1992 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Local Notebook
|
|
Work begins at SJ Civic Center
Construction officially began at the new San
Jose Civic Center, N. Fifth St., on Aug. 14.
The 18-story, 555,000-square-foot center will
accommodate approximately 2,000 city
employees.
City officials said the project will not only
minimize the need to rent office space but
will also save the city more than $180
million annually. They also hope that by
bringing city operations together, residents
and businesses will have better and more
efficient services.
The new civic center will have a convenient
one-stop customer service center for permits,
bill payments and other city services. It
will also have a public plaza and rotunda for
community events and civic celebrations.
Construction work is scheduled to be
completed in 2005.
State program helps reduce electric bills
The state of California is offering an energy
conservation program that allows residential
PG&E customers to cut 20 percent off
their electricity bills this summer.
To qualify for credits, customers have to use
20 percent less electricity than they did
during the same month last year. The program
officially began in July and will run through
the end of October.
According to PG&E, one of the easiest
ways to achieve the 20 percent savings is to
turn the air conditioner to one or two
degrees above 78 degrees, which can save up
to 10 percent on energy use every month.
Another simple strategy is to replace or
clean washable air conditioning filters each
month.
For more energy-saving tips and information
on the rebate program, residential customers
can visit PG&E's website at
www.pge.com/foryourhome or call the Smarter
Energy Line at 800.933.9555. Business
customers can learn about conservation
measures by visiting
www.pge.com/foryourbusiness or calling the
Business Customer Center at 800.468.4743.
DOT sponsors two emergency forums
The Department of Transportation held two
forums last week to help local transit
agencies respond effectively to emergency
situations.
The participants included officials from the
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority
(VTA), San Francisco Municipal Railway,
Alameda-Contra Costa Transmit District,
Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) and the Golden
Gate Bridge Highway and Transportation
District.
"Our goal for the forum is for transportation
and emergency response organizations in every
community to build and strengthen
relationships with each other to prepare for
a disaster by sharing best practices and
reviewing the essentials of emergency
management," said Federal Transit
Administration official Jennifer L. Dorn.
VTA General Manager Peter Cipolla said that
joint efforts are an important element in
improving homeland security.
"This is an excellent opportunity for all of
us to hone our skills in connecting transit
and emergency response agencies outside Santa
Clara County," Cipolla said.
Hospice of the Valley receives Cisco grant
Hospice of the Valley, a San Jose-based
nonprofit public hospice, received $15,000
from Cisco Systems Foundation's Community
Grants Program for its end-of-life care
program. About 20 terminally ill patients and
their families in Santa Clara County will
benefit from the grant.
Hospice of the Valley will use the money to
provide home medical equipment and
pharmaceuticals for quality end-of-life care.
"The philosophy of hospice care is to
consider the end of life as being as
important as birth," said Jessica Marie
Klinghoffer, executive director of Hospice of
the Valley. "Generous support from local
donors, like the Cisco Systems Foundation,
helps us to live up to our belief that no one
should die suffering and alone."
Hospice of the Valley is one of the more than
100 community organizations within 50 miles
of Cisco's headquarters that have received
funding.
For more information about Hospice of the
Valley, call 408.947.1233 or visit its
website at www.hospicevalley.org. For more
information about Cisco's programs and
philanthropy, visit its website at
www.cisco.com/go/philanthropy.
Dahlia workshop is scheduled for Sept. 21
Those interested in adding bright colors to a
garden and attracting beneficial insects can
learn how to plant and care for dahlias when
the Friends of Guadalupe River Park &
Gardens hosts a dahlia workshop Sept. 14,
9:30 a.m. to noon.
Instructor Sue Evanicky of the John E.
Stowell Dahlia Society will introduce the
various forms and functions of the flower and
share her expertise at the Guadalupe Garden
Center, 715 Spring St.
The cost is $10 for members and $17 for
nonmembers. Since the workshop is limited to
25 participants, interested gardeners are
encouraged to reserve a spot no later than
Sept. 13. For more information, call
408.298.7657. Registration information is
also available at the organization's website
at www.grpg.org.
Health Center Week began on Aug. 18
San Jose-based Community Health
Partnership (CHP) is celebrating National
Health Center Week by holding a variety of
activities at its 17 health centers
throughout Santa Clara County. Some events
include seminars, screening tests and
speeches.
CHP serves the county's medically uninsured
and underinsured, and other vulnerable
populations. By hosting these events, CHP
promotes awareness of and access to
high-quality health care for every resident
of Santa Clara County. For more information,
call 408.289.9260.
|
|
|
|
|
|