The Italian-American Heritage Foundation will present an award dinner at 6:30 p.m. at Lou's Village, 1465 W. San Carlos St., on June 20 to honor Americans of Italian ancestry. Award recipients include Willow Glen residents Tim Muller, who owns Lou's Village; John Victor D'Ambrosio, who owns Georgio's Restaurant in Willow Glen; and Steve Tedesco, who lives in Willow Glen.

The Italian-American Heritage Foundation began in 1975, when the San Jose Bicentennial Commission endorsed the U.S. Armed Forces Bicentennial Band's appearance in San Jose and was seeking a sponsoring group for the concert. Rocci Pisano, a member of the bicentennial commission, suggested that Italian-Americans living in San Jose participate in the event. The Italian-American organization was established after community leader Don Lima stepped up to head the group.

The group started with 15 individuals who had no money, no experience and no set plans. As the organization grew, its success and the activities it sponsored were quickly recognized. This led to the establishment of the Italian-American Heritage Foundation in 1976.

Today the mission is to preserve and promote Italian culture and honor the contributions made by Americans of Italian descent.

The proceeds from the event will benefit the Italian-American Heritage Foundation scholarship fund and Italian Cultural Center. Tickets are $85 per person. The no-host social begins at 6:30 p.m.; dinner is at 7:30 p.m., and the awards program will immediately follow dinner.

To order tickets, call Cathy De Maria at 408.370.1803 or Marge Valente at 408.292.7556.

—Amy Jenkins


Wine-tasting and food benefits Healthy Kids

The second annual wine-tasting fundraiser for the Healthy Kids Fund—which raises money for a comprehensive medical, dental and vision insurance program administered by Santa Clara Family Health Plan at low cost or no cost to the family—will be held at Joseph George Wine Shop, 1559 Meridian Ave., on June 1 from noon to 1 p.m.

Owner Bert George will greet guests, and they will begin their food and wine odyssey courtesy of Le Papillon restaurant and Kathryn Kennedy and Mt. Eden wineries. From 1 p.m. until 2 p.m. guests will be shuttled to the Thomas Fogarty Winery, where the main event will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. The Thomas Fogarty Winery is located at 19501 Skyline Blvd. in Woodside.

Guests will continue their wine tasting at the Thomas Fogarty Winery, with food by The Plumed Horse and music by the Fisher Five Jazz Quintet and troubadour Homero Orayce. Dr. Thomas Fogarty and former San Francisco 49er coach Bill Walsh will be available to sign bottles of wine and conduct a special auction.

Healthy Kids provides health coverage for eligible children residing in Santa Clara County who would otherwise be uninsured. Funding for Healthy Kids comes from Santa Clara County and city of San Jose tobacco settlement funds, cigarette taxes and donations from foundations, corporations and individuals. The program, which began in January 2001, currently serves more than 13,000 children.

Donations for the event are $1,000 per couple and $500 per individual. For reservations, call Ann Wade at 408.874.1997. Contributions are tax deductible and will benefit the Healthy Kids Fund. Contributions can also be made through the Healthy Kids website, www.healthykidsfund.org.

—Amy Jenkins


San Jose Eagles honor 20-year police officer

The San Jose Eagles, 1036 Lincoln Ave., will recognize San Jose Police Department officer Alan Damon as police officer of the year on May 31. The cocktails begin at 5:30 p.m., with a roast beef dinner following at 6:30 p.m. and dancing to the Flashback Band, which plays a wide variety of music.

Damon is a 20-year veteran of the police department who was raised in San Jose. During his career he has worked as a reserve officer, a beat officer, a field training officer and a downtown bike patrol officer.

He has received several awards and participated in community policing activities like Halloween and Christmas parties.

The event is open to the public. Dinner costs $12. For reservations, call 408.993.1610.

—Amy Jenkins


Public is invited to give input on the use of funds

The San Jose Unified School District invites members of the public to attend a June 12 meeting at the Willow Glen High School cafeteria, 2001 Cottle Ave., between 4 and 5:30 p.m. for a community meeting. Topics to be discussed include construction, costs and a timeline for projects associated with the $429 million Measure F bond implementation plan. Measure F was passed in 2002.

Some of the items on the agenda include placing artificial turf on athletic fields, refurbishing science laboratories at the high schools, replacing portable classrooms, upgrading lights and making general improvements to the facilities.

For more information, call Karen Fuqua at 408.535.6444.


Comedy fundraiser to benefit school district

The "Shlepperellas—Mothers Gone Mad"—will be performing their 90-minute comedy/musical revue at the Montgomery Theater, 291 S. Market St., on June 13 and 14 at 8 p.m. The June 13 performance is to raise funds for the San Jose Unified School District. The June 14 performance is not a fundraiser.

The Shlepperellas' comedy is about the good, bad and challenging aspects of living in the Silicon Valley. Linda Merriweather and Karen Schilling-Gould are the Shlepperellas, and they explore aspects of being a woman, mother, wife and businessperson.

They have performed at sold-out venues throughout the Bay Area, including Stanford University and the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts.

Ticket prices are $27 standard admission and $22 for seniors. For tickets, visit www.ticketweb.com. For tickets, call 650.569.3301.