Last year 182 Californians died as the result of domestic violence. But the organizers of the 11th Santa Clara County Domestic Violence Conference are calling upon the community to knock out abuse.

Child welfare and batterers-intervention specialists Marno Batterson and Dave Mandel will moderate interactive workshops that are intended to engage the public in a dialogue about domestic violence. The conference will also include a keynote address from Georgia State University Professor Julia Perilla, a community psychologist who has researched and worked with Latino and immigrant communities.

The conference, which occurs on Oct. 22 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the San Jose Marriott Hotel, is open to the public, but space is limited. Tickets cost $95. For more information or to make reservations, call 650.940.4384.

Elections have started
with absentee ballots

California voters can now vote by absentee ballot, according to California Secretary of State Kevin Shelley.

The absentee voting period began on Oct. 4 throughout California. Voters will be able to request an absentee ballot by simply completing an application or sending a written request to their county registrar of voters.

Written requests must include the voter's name, residence address, the address where the ballot should be mailed and the voter's signature. The deadline to send in an absentee ballot is Oct. 26, according to Shelley.

Absentee voters may also cast their ballots in person at their local registrar of voters office.

The law requires that the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters provide voting materials in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese and Tagalog.

For more information, call 408.299. VOTE or toll free 866.430.VOTE.

InnVision gets ready
for annual Gala event

The InnVision the Night Gala fundraiser is set for 6 p.m. Oct. 16 at the Dolce Hayes Mansion.

A benefit for homeless families and individuals in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties, the evening includes cocktails, dinner, silent and live auction, a comedian and dancing to the Jesse Charles Band.

Among the auction items is a Breakfast at Tiffany's package with a choice of a full catered dinner or cocktail party for up to 50 guests at the store and the opportunity to ride as a passenger in the AFA Porsche World Challenge Car prior to the Oct. 17 race at Laguna Seca.

Tickets are $150 per person, and the mansion is at 200 Edenvale Ave., San Jose. For tickets or additional information, call 408.292.4286, ext. 1014.

Guadalupe River Park
offers corny activity

It's going to get pretty corny at the Guadalupe River Park and Gardens.

The Friends of Guadalupe River Park & Gardens invite children and adults to discover corn products--planting a popcorn plant, creating a mosaic with corn kernels and making cornhusk dolls.

A workshop on Nov. 5 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. is designed for children 5 years of age and older at the Guadalupe Garden Center, 715 Spring St. The workshop fee is $5, and all children must be accompanied by an adult.