The San Jose Redevelopment Agency has submitted its proposed budget for the next two years and has allocated $285 million for improvements.

The proposed budget recommends investing more than $110 million in current commitments, including the mixed-use retail and housing project in downtown San Jose.

The budget also proposes nearly $60 million for Strong Neighborhoods Initiative projects and other improvements. And a proposed $44 million would be spent on affordable housing throughout San Jose.

The two-year spending plan relies primarily on current cash reserves and revenues and also recommends alternative fiscal resources, such as borrowing $3.4 million from the city's parking fund reserve and the state-approved loan pool under consideration by California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Grants available for
artists in two areas

Anyone with the skills to be the next Ansel Adams or Robert Frost may find a benefactor in The Arts Council Silicon Valley.

The arts council is looking for submissions for one of six art fellowships that recognizes professional artists in Santa Clara County.

The unrestricted grant award is worth $4,000 and for 2004 is open in the categories of photography and poetry. The deadline is Nov. 8 for the photography application and Nov. 15 for poetry.

An informational workshop for prospective applicants is being offered for free at 4 p.m. on Sept. 21 and 5 p.m. on Sept. 22 at the Arts Council office at 4 N. Second St. in San Jose.

Submission guidelines and applications can be found at www.artscouncil.org. For more information about the grants or to reserve a spot in the workshop, call 408.998.2787, ext. 214.

Hard-of-hearing event
organized by nonprofit

The San Jose chapter of Self Help for Hard of Hearing People, a national nonprofit organization for individuals with hearing loss, will hold an informational program Sept. 15 at the Moose Lodge Building in Willow Glen next to the Safeway Shopping Center.

The program features hearing professionals and general rap sessions. All people who are hardof hearing and their friends and family are welcome to attend.

The event is from 12:30 to 3 p.m. and includes free refreshments.

The Moose Lodge Building is located at 1580 Hamilton Ave.

For more information about the program, visit www.shhhca.org or call 408.267.4015.

Willow Glen residents
appointed by league

Once again, Willow Glen residents are stepping up to the plate and landing themselves leadership positions in the Junior League of San Jose.

Junior League of San Jose Vice President of Future Planning and President-elect Martha Lazarakis has been a member of the organization for 10 years and involved in community projects for two years. The Bay Area native and mother of two has lived in Willow Glen since 1987.

Another Willow Glen resident, who will take on the responsibilities of Junior League community outreach vice president, Maribeth Portz, became a member of the organization because she wanted to meet her neighbors and learn more about the community. Portz joined the Junior League of San Jose in 1999.

The Junior League of San Jose is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the community through volunteerism. Volunteers in the organization provide financial, legal, and emotional support to underprivileged young people.

For more information, visit www.jlsj.org.