It's been long overdue, but the repairs are finally done and community members came out to commemorate the accomplishment.

On Feb. 12, Greater Gardner Area neighborhood leaders Kevin Christman and Reymundo Mendez, along with city officials San Jose District 6 Councilman Ken Yeager and District 3 Councilwoman Cindy Chavez, celebrated the completion of the first phase of street reconstruction in the Greater Gardner Strong Neighborhoods area.

Delmas Avenue—between W. Virginia Street and Brown Avenue—is the first phase of a seven-district project that is estimated to cost $6.5 million. The San Jose Redevelopment Agency is funding $3.4 million, and the additional $1.8 million will come from San Jose's General Fund and a community development block grant. An estimated $5.2 million has been funded to date.

—Moryt Milo

Moms raise money for tsunami relief

In the wake of the tsunami that devastated Southeast Asia, the Rivermark Moms' Club unleashed a wave of compassion.

Members of the club, including Schallenberger Elementary School teacher Alissa DuBrow Meltzer, organized a bake sale on Jan. 4 through Jan. 6 to raise funds for people affected by the disaster. During the three-day sale, they raised $5,800.39.

But their efforts did not stop there. After the fundraiser, they approached local businesses and organizations for fund-matching sponsorships. In total, the club raised more than $30,000 for the American Red Cross Tsunami Disaster Fund.

The Rivermark Moms' club was founded by Ciara Balagot as a play group for working and stay-at-home parents in the Rivermark Community. The club has expanded its focus to include fundraising activities as well.

—Meghan O'Hare

Elections commission
looking to fill openings

Applications are now being taken for two openings on the city of San Jose's Elections Commission.

The commission monitors campaigns to see that they comply with the city's municipal code and ethics ordinances.

Applicants must be registered voters, have demonstrated familiarity with campaign laws and cannot be employed by the city. These individuals can not hold any other public office or endorse any candidate for city office during their term, as well as one year before and after serving on the commission.

Applications and additional information is available from the Office of the City Clerk, 801 N. First St., Room 116, or call 408.277.4424.

The application deadline is March 11 at 5 p.m. and interviews are expected to start March 15.