As the days grow shorter, the evenings glow brighter in Willow Glen's Stone Church.

Every Tuesday evening during Advent from Nov. 30 through Dec. 21 the sanctuary will be open to the community for Taizé. Inside the sanctuary, worshippers will find 100 lit candles. Vocalist Barbara Roberts accompanied by pianist Karen Johnson and flutist Laraine Pitcher will also be part of the Taizé service.

Taizé is a unique and calming way to worship and connect with our love of God," said Rev. Rebecca Kuiken, co-Pastor at Stone Church. "This service is modeled after the ecumenical community of brothers in Taizé, France who have prayed this way thrice daily since 1940."

The Stone Church, 1108 Clark Way, provides this Taizé service on the first Tuesday of each month throughout the year. During Advent and Lent, the Taizé service is held weekly from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. For more information call 408.269.1593.

—Moryt Milo

New members added
to association roster

After acquiring three new members, the Willow Glen Business and Professional Association is laughing all the way to the bank.

On Nov. 2, three employees of the soon-to-be-opened Comerica Bank on Lincoln Avenue—Branch Manager Jason Lampkin, Account Officer Joan Clark and Vice President David Rosol—became the newest inductees to the association.

The bank will open in December, and hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Jan. 18, Lampkin said, with District 6 Councilman Ken Yeager and San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzalez scheduled to attend.

—Meghan O'Hare

YWCA offers help to
sexual assault victims

Victims of a sexual assault have a place to go for support and counseling: the YWCA of Silicon Valley's Rape Crisis Center.

The center, a nonprofit organization operates a 24-hour crisis line. The center provides advocate services, support group information and referrals to all assault victims and their families. All the services are free to the community.

Families and victims can call the 24-hour hotline at 408.287.3000. State certified staff and volunteers are available. Information and referrals, counseling, support groups, and advocacy services are free of charge. Calls are strictly confidential.

Hospice care is created for those terminally ill

Finding quality care for a terminally ill family member can be both stressful and costly. To help address these problems Hospice of the Valley has created Transitions, an innovative community service program.

The service is being touted as the first of its kind in Santa Clara County, designed to enhance choice and quality of life for individuals, caregivers and their families facing a life-limiting illness.

Through Transitions caregivers and family members can tap into services that include emotional and spiritual support, education, practical assistance and a coordinated referral network for community resources and services. Under the direction of the Transitions coordinator, the program utilizes trained volunteers to provide individualized assistance to clients, caregivers and their families. Clients with any life-limiting illness with a life expectancy of approximately one year or less can participate in the program. Services are provided at no charge to clients whether they reside in their homes, nursing home or assisted-living facility.

Hospice of the Valley has more than 100 trained volunteers, making it uniquely qualified to sponsor Transitions, says to Steve Casad, Hospice of the Valley Board President.

Transitions, a volunteer-based community service program, is sponsored by Hospice of the Valley and is funded by community grants and donations. Call Hospice of the Valley at 408.947.1233 or visit www.hospicevalley.org. For Transitions call 408.3627.4200