The San Jose Chapter of Self Help for Hard of Hearing People wants to start the year off making it easier for those who are hearing impaired.

At the Chapter's Jan. 19 meeting, Bernard Frazelle of General Technologies will discuss and demonstrate the latest in Assisted Listening Devices. These are designed to better aid those who are hard of hearing. These devices improve hearing in various areas like talking on the telephone or while watching television.

The SHHH-SJ meeting will be held at the Moose Lodge Building next to Bank of the West, 1580 Hamilton Ave. from 1 to 3 p.m. Visitors are welcome, the program is free and refreshments will be provided starting at 12:30 p.m.

—Moryt Milo

Task force picks Cory
and Randol for closure

A 15-member consolidation task force has recommended that the San Jose Unified School District close Cory and Randol elementary schools for the September 2005-06 school year.

Students residing in the Cory attendance boundary area will be consolidated into either Trace or Bachrodt elementary schools, while students living in the Randol attendance boundary area will be reassigned to Allen Elementary School.

The recommendation to close two more elementary schools is a result of declining enrollment in the district and a $10 million budget deficit.

The district has already held one public forum on the issue. But a second forum is scheduled for Jan. 13 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. before final recommendations are presented to the board of education.

Final closure recommendations will be presented to the board during its regularly scheduled meeting on Jan. 20 at 6:30 p.m. A second public hearing is scheduled for its Feb 3. meeting. The public has the opportunity to speak at both board meetings.

The public forum and all board meetings are held at the San Jose Unified District Office Board Room, 855 Lenzen Ave.

—Moryt Milo

Willow Glen lawyer is
selected for top honors

Willow Glen resident Paul Caputo was selected as Trial Lawyer of the Year by the Santa Clara County Trial Lawyers Association.

The association recognized Caputo's work in obtaining lifetime medical care for a permanently disabled woman, Maria Borja. He worked on the case for more than two years, suing the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority on Borja's behalf for negligence.

In August the jury came back and awarded $2.1 million to Borja, finding the VTA at fault for her permanent injuries.

—Moryt Milo

LocalNotebook

New fees added to cell
and businesses phones

In an effort to streamline emergency dispatch and response services within the city, San Jose 911 dispatchers have begun answering emergency calls made from cell phones. Previously, these calls were fielded by the California Highway Patrol.

The transition began in January, and will continue over the next several months. Under the new system, highway patrol dispatchers will continue to answer emergency calls that come from on or near a San Jose highway.

To fund the current emergency dispatch system, San Jose residents and businesses will be charged a new fee on their phone bill, which was passed by the San Jose City Council in August 2004.

The new fee will add a monthly charge of $1.75 for individual and cell phone lines and $13.13 for trunk lines, which apply mostly to businesses. Telephone customers with lifeline service and certain organizations—including non-profit hospitals, educational organizations and government agencies—are exempt from the fee.

For more information, call 408. 277.5403 or email ECSSfee@sanjoseca.gov.

MACLA features an
exhibit of new artists

It sounds like one of the latest Sims games, but Bustin' Out is an upcoming exhibit at MACLA/Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino, introducing the work of four Latino artists working in San Jose.

The show features new photography, paintings and mixed-media work by

Angelica Muro, Alejandro Oliva, Mitsy Ávila Ovalles and Abraham Ortega

curated by Anjee Helstrup.

Mitsy Ávila Ovalles, a recent BFA graduate from San Jose State University uses mixed media, paint and found objects to address issues pertaining to women, such as body image and societal expectations.

Alejandro Oliva, studying at De Anza College, uses digital photography and an acute sense of composition to focus attention on things that could easily be overlooked.

Angelica Muro, in her last year of graduate school at Mills College, creates mixed media photo collages that reflect her interest in mass media images of beauty.

Cars, tattoos and beautiful women influence Abraham Ortega's artwork. His use of enamel paint on sheet metal speaks of his interest in car culture, and his imagery nods unapologetically.

A reception for the show will be held Jan. 14 from 6 to 8 p. m. The exhibit runs through March 5. MACLA/Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino Americana is located at 510 S. First St. For more information call 408.998.ARTE or visit www.maclaarte.org.

YMCA memberships
for military families

The YMCA of Santa Valley is offering complimentary six-month memberships to families whose head of household or employed spouse is serving in active military duty.

"This is a program which we initiated following the tragedies of 9/11 and has been continuing since that time," said Dave Thornton, president and CEO of the YMCA of Santa Clara Valley. "The sacrifices being made by the families of active duty reservists deserve the support of the entire community."

The YMCA has a long history of service to military personnel and their families dating back to at least 1861, when President Abraham Lincoln praised the YMCAs for their service on the battlefields of the American Civil War, caring for soldiers on both sides of the conflict.

For immediate consideration, present a copy of active military orders to any local Santa Clara. Valley YMCA or telephone 408.351.6415 or 408.288.YMCA for information.