The Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara, is seeking volunteers to serve on the 2004­05 civil grand jury. The Honorable Thomas Hansen, presiding judge, has announced that residents who have lived in this county for one year and who are United States citizens 18 years of age or older may apply for service. The one-year term will begin on June 24, 2004.

The civil grand jury is the county's investigative body and is part of the judicial branch of the government, an arm of the court. The major function of the grand jury is to carry out its civil watchdog responsibilities by exercising its authority to examine all aspects of county and city government and special districts, including school districts.

Grand jury service will require a significant amount of time from June 2004 through June 2005—approximately 20 to 25 hours per week, and frequently more.

The deadline for submitting applications is Feb. 6. Anyone interested in more information or an application for the civil grand jury should call Gloria Alicia Chacon, executive assistant to the grand jury, at 408.882.2721 or visit www.sccsuperiorcourt.org/jury/gj.html.

Cinequest festival will show films downtown

Organizers of Cinequest, the Silicon Valley film festival, announced that this year's festival will be entirely based in downtown San Jose and will include 37 premieres.

Cinequest spokesman Jens Michael Hussey said the March 3­14 festival is expanding from 11 to 12 days, and the venues will all be located within close proximity of each other. In previous years the festival has been spread out across various locations in the South Bay. "You will be able to walk from any venue to any other venue," Hussey said.

Festival organizers expect more than 58,000 people to attend this year's event. Last year, the festival had a 17 percent increase in attendance despite a down local economy.

The 37 premieres at the festival will include 15 world premieres, 12 North American premieres and 10 American premieres. More than 1,400 films were submitted to the festival, Hussey said.

The full festival schedule will be announced on Feb. 5.

Organizers will announce the winner of the first Cinequest Screenwriting Competition on the festival's opening night. Aspiring screenwriters from around the globe submitted 271 scripts in the competition, and one of the finalists is from San Francisco.

More information about Cinequest is available on the web at http://www.cinequest.org.