"Willow Glen is a convenient location for us," said Minette Bosolet, one of the learning center's San Jose directors. "We have quite a few students living in Willow Glen, and we also received many phone calls from Willow Glen parents."

The learning center will offer classes on reading, writing, math, SAT preparation and study skills, as well as beginning reading for kindergarten students and first-graders.

The Sylvan Learning Center has two other offices in San Jose: 5415 Canden Kooster St. and 2720 Aborn Road. Together the two centers serve more than 150 students.

Bosolet said the new center in Willow Glen is expected to recruit more than 100 students. It will be open only on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday until more students sign up for its Monday and Wednesday classes.

"Our ultimate goal is to instill a love of learning and to build student confidence," Bosolet said.

The Sylvan Learning Center has more than 900 offices nationwide, as well as offices in Spain, Germany and France. For more information, call 408.979.8565.

—I-chun Che


Free church picnic is planned for Sept. 8

The First Congregational Church of San Jose, United Church of Christ, invites neighbors to join a free community picnic on
Sept. 8.

This picnic celebrates the start of the church's Sunday school.

The picnic will start at 11:30 a.m., after the worship services and Sunday school are finished.

The church plans to serve hamburgers, watermelon, lemonade and ice cream. Besides free food, the picnic also features a children's jumping house, face painting, balloon tossing and many old-fashioned picnic games.

The church is located at 1980 Hamilton Ave. For more information, call 408.377.7121.

—I-chun Che


Health Trust awarded for public relations

The Health Trust received three of the Northern California Public Relations Society of America's Compass Awards, which annually honor the year's best programs in corporate branding, marketing communications and public relations.

"Despite six years of issuing grants, providing services and raising funds to solve community health issues, the Health Trust was relatively unknown in Silicon Valley," said Catherine Edwards, Health Trust's vice president of communications. "It was such an honor to be recognized among our peers for an aggressive yet cost-effective campaign to build brand equity and create awareness."

Edwards directed an eight-month outreach program to increase the visibility of the Health Trust and to further its commitment to improve the quality of life for area residents.

—I-chun Che


Walk to raise funds for heart research

Willow Glen resident Michael Giuffre was born with a serious heart condition. At eight days old, he had major heart surgery. Thanks to research and medical advancements funded by the American Heart Association, Giuffre successfully survived the traumatic surgery. Although it is not yet determined whether he will need more surgeries, the 3-year-old boy is doing well.

To show their gratitude to the American Heart Association, the Giuffres organized the "Michael's Team" three years ago to participate in the annual Silicon Valley American Heart Walk held by the association.

This year, the team will join the walk with more than 6,000 people on Sept. 22 at West Valley College in Saratoga to promote fun, fitness and the American Heart Association.

The event aims to raise more than $600,000 for research and education to fight heart diseases and strokes, the nation's number one and number three killers. Michael's Team has committed to raising more than $4,000.

Those interested in supporting or walking with Michael's Team can contact Angie Giuffre at 408.977.4950 or Angie.Giuffre@heart.org.

—I-chun Che