February 4, 2005

News Briefs

Early Settlers and Heritage Reunion

There will be a celebration of Campbell’s heritage on Monday, Feb. 21 at Orchard City Hall in the Campbell Community Center at the corner of Winchester and Campbell Avenues. This is the 113the Anniversary Meeting of the Early Settlers. Registration is at 9:30 a.m. Lunch (catered by Mama Mia’s) is at noon. Cost is $12 per person. Call the Campbell Chamber of Commerce for more information at (408) 378-6252.

Celebrate Campbell Feb. 26
Tom Francois has been chosen as Citizen of the Year for 2004, and Custom Vending Systems owned by Alan Aerts has been named Business of the Year for 2004 by members of the Chamber of Commerce. They will be honored along with many service organizations at the annual Celebrate Campbell event held at Villa Ragusa on Feb. 26. Honorees will receive their “Bennies” at the Dinner/Auction. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Campbell Education Foundation and the Campbell Chamber of Commerce. Call (408) 378-6252 for more information.

Country Woman’s Club of Campbell to hold 100th Year Celebration Dinner Feb. 24

The Country Woman’s Club of Campbell will hold its’ 100th Year Celebration Dinner on Thursday, Feb. 24 at Villa Ragusa. Tickets are $35 and include dinner, club tableau and a copy of the club’s book “A Century of Memories.”

Business attire or period costumes are appreciated. Gentlemen are welcome too! Dinner choices are Grandma’s pot roast or Aunt Ida’s chicken fricassee. For reservations, send your check and food choices to Country Woman’s Club of Campbell, P.O. Box 322, Campbell, CA 95009.

Campbell Tsunami Relief Event Feb. 10

Bring your donations and an appetite on down to the Sonoma Chicken Coop restaurant (formerly Stoddards), at 200 East Campbell Ave. on Thursday, Feb. 10 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Enjoy live music by Yugi, hors d'oeuvres, prize drawings, refreshments and wine. The event is hosted by the Campbell Chamber of Commerce, Alain Pinel Realtors of Los Gatos, New Century Title Company and the American Red Cross. Call 866-2699 for more information.

BAY AREA UNITES: Tsunami relief event Feb. 20 at HP Pavilion

Prominent author and philosopher Dr. Deepak Chopra, Grammy-nominated singer Lisa Loeb and philanthropist Dr. Malini Alles will be among the personalities headlining a major tsunami relief event Feb. 20 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the HP Pavilion, San Jose. Former President Bill Clinton will make a video appearance.

The event will benefit the victims of the tsunami in seven of the hardest hit countries: Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, the Maldives, Malaysia and Somalia.

The organizing group, called Bay Area Unites (www.BayAreaUnites.org), is a coalition of several business, civic, cultural and religious organizations. The cities of San Jose, Milpitas and Fremont are also co-sponsoring the event.

“The Bay Area is a true melting pot of cultures from around the world, many from countries devastated by the tsunami,” said Vish Mishra, convener of the event.

Kids Fun Day arrives at Westgate Shopping Center

On February 26, 2005 Westside Schools Children’s Health Initiative Collaborative (WSCHI) will be hosting a “Kids Fun Day” event at Westgate Shopping Center. “Kids Fun Day” at the Westgate Shopping Center is a family-centered event that will feature enrollment activities for various affordable health programs that provide comprehensive medical, dental, and vision care. In addition to enrollment services, information and referral booths will be available to provide information on family-oriented community based organizations, county, city, and school districts. There will also be singing and dancing performances, student arts competition and raffles every hour.

West Side Schools Children’s Health Initiative seeks to increase students and their families’ access to health care through providing health insurance. Health insurance coverage and access to preventive and early intervention care improves health, school attendance and academic performance. The Children’s Health Initiative at-large in Santa Clara County provides universal health care coverage to uninsured children in at or below 300 percent of the federal poverty level. Over 92,000 uninsured children have completed Medi-Cal, Healthy Families or Healthy Kids applications as of January 16.

Santa Clara County Supervisor Jim Beall, an early supporter of the countywide Children’s Health Initiative, saw the need to create strong collaborations with the school districts in order to identify and enroll uninsured children. “Schools are our best partners in ensuring all kids have access to preventative health care,” Supervisor Beall said. “All six superintendents of Westside school districts believe that securing health care for children is the first step towards healthier kids, healthier schools, and improved learning,” Superintendent Les Adelson adds.

“Expanding access to health insurance for children will result in having healthier kids. This event will be a wonderful way to celebrate our successes and to promote healthy and happy kids.” Councilmember Judy Chirco said. “The Children’s Health Initiative is a wonderful program—investing in the health and happiness of our children will always be money well spent,” added Councilmember Linda J. LeZotte.