The American Cancer Society Discovery Shop, located at 1451 Foxworthy Ave. for 10 years, has relocated because of a rent increase.

The grand opening will be held Jan. 31 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. at its new location, 1103 Branham Lane, San Jose. There will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony and refreshments.

This particular shop donates about $200,000 per year to the American Cancer Society for cancer research, according to store manager Lucy Derkach. About 190 people donate items like diamonds, clothing and furniture per month, she says.

"Our goal is to save lives, and even if we save one life we are happy," Derkach says.

The resale shop sells "quality, high-end clothing," furniture, children's clothing, books, dishes and houseware accessories, says American Cancer Society volunteer Debbie Tokushige. The store has 49 volunteers—several are cancer survivors. There are 45 shops throughout California, including several Bay Area cities like Los Altos and Los Gatos.

For more information, call 408.265.5535

—Amy Jenkins


Orchid society has a slide show and talk

Orchid expert Fredrick Paget will give a slide show and talk on Brazilian Cattleya orchids at the American Legion Hall, 1501 Minnesota Ave., on Feb. 5 at 7:30 p.m. The event is part of the Santa Clara Valley Orchid Society's monthly meeting. An orchid raffle will follow, and guests are welcome.

For more information, call 408.723.9809.


San Jose City Council honors school athletes

The Presentation High School volleyball team and cross country star were honored at the San Jose City Council meeting on
Jan. 21.

Mayor Ron Gonzales and Councilmember Ken Yeager honored sophomore Melissa Grelli for the fastest time in all divisions in the recent Central Coast Section championships. She placed third at the California meet in a field of more than 200 runners. She also took first place in Division III, where she won the 5K race with a time of 17 minutes, 59 seconds.

The Presentation High School girls varsity volleyball team was also honored for winning four Central Coast Section Division III matches and taking second place in the California Interscholastic Federation State Tournament Division III Championship—making it the best volleyball season in the school's history.

Each of the 17 players received a certificate, and the team's coach, Stephen Santonastaso, was given a plaque. The school received a certificate to frame.

—Amy Jenkins


Bookstore to share its 'Potter V' profits

Hicklebee's bookstore is offering to share the profits from its sales of reserved copies of the fifth Harry Potter book, scheduled to hit bookshelves on June 21.

Interested readers may reserve their copy until June 20 by visiting the store, calling or emailing their reservations. Those placing an order should designate which school should receive either a 20 percent cash donation or 25 percent in store credit. Both public and private schools are eligible.

Up to 15 schools in the area sponsored by customer reservations will receive a leather-bound collector's edition of J.K. Rowling's first Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, which includes one of Rowling's original pen-and-ink drawings.

The school receiving the most sales will get a signed, first-edition copy of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

For more information, contact Hicklebee's, 1378 Lincoln Ave., at 408.292.8880 or email hicklebees@hicklebees.com.

—William Jeske