March 4, 2008

News Briefs

Lights! Camera! Action!

Campbell’s Steve Voldseth turns childhood passion into a successful second career on the big screen in Cinequest 2008 Film Festival

It’s never too late for a second career. Campbell’s Steve Voldseth appears in “Around the Bay” screening at Cinequest Film Festival. Photo by Alejandro Adams

Actor/writer/tax accountant, Steve Voldseth, appears in a leading role in the feature-length independent film “Around the Bay” showcasing at this year's Cinequest 2008 film festival in San Jose.

If you're looking for proof that it's never to late to realize one's dreams, you need look no further than Voldseth, a local tax accountant who had already experienced some later-in-life success as a freelance comedy writer with credits that include Jay Leno, Craig Kilborn, Tina Fey and the syndicated cartoon, Dennis the Menace. 

At the age of 45, Voldseth took the advice of a UCLA screenwriting instructor and decided to explore a lifelong interest in acting by taking classes at Mission College. Those classes led to roles in local stage productions and more acting instruction. 

And then, at an age when most people are beginning to think about retirement, Voldseth landed a San Francisco agent and within two years built an acting resume that includes more than a dozen different film roles. In August of 2006, Voldseth had the good fortune to land a leading role in Alejandro Adam's feature film “Around the Bay,” which screens three times (twice at prime screening times at San Jose Repertory Theatre( at this year's Cinequest 2008 Film Festival.

For more info about the film, visit www.aroundthebaymovie.com. For more info about Voldseth, visit www.stevevoldseth.com. For more info about “Around the Bay” screenings at Cinequest 2008 visit http://cinequest.org/event_view.php?eid=377.

Go Warriors!

Westmont High School beat Wilcox 65-64 in the second round of the CCS BBB Playoffs. Westmont's Max Schneider hits the jumper and subsequent free throw to complete the three-point play as Wilcox's Kyle Johnson tries to take the charge in their fourth quarter contest at Westmont. Photo by R. Allan Schnoor

Bats and Balls for Everyone

The B.A.B.E Program [Bats and Balls for Everyone] is accepting used baseball equipment to help underprivileged kids play ball this season. To make a donation of bats, gloves, spikes, etc., please email the community project leader, Pierce Urban, at batsandballs643@earthlink.net. Urban has recently made donations to the Babe Ruth League in Oakland and the Junior Giants of San Jose.

Collection bins will also be available at the Campbell Little Field starting on Opening Day, Saturday, March 15.

Free Living Trust Seminars in Los Gatos

“Everything You Wanted to Know about Wills and Trusts But Were Afraid To Ask” will be held at Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center, 14855 Oka Road, Los Gatos onSaturday, March 15, from 10 a.m. to noon and Saturday, April 19, from 10 a.m. to noon. The seminars are offered by estate planning attorney Robert P. Bergman. Call (408) 247-0444 or visit www.lawbob.com to register.

Campbell Union School District public notice of governing board vacancy

A vacancy in the membership of the Governing Board of the Campbell Union School District [CUSD] has occurred due to board member Janet W. Johnson’s resignation, effective March 14.

The CUSD is accepting applications to fill the vacancy by provisional appointment. Applications are available at all district schools and at the District Office, 155 N. Third Street in Campbell. The governing board will conduct interviews and select the provisional appointee prior to April 8.

The new board member will serve as a member of the Governing Board until November, when an election will be held to fill the seat for the next four-year term; the current term expires the first Friday in December. The deadline for submitting applications is 3 p.m. Friday, March 14,.  For information, contact Mary Breshears, (408) 341-7232.

Higher limits equal lower mortgage payments

The legislation to adjust the level for “Jumbo Loans” is expected to take effect as early as the first week in March. This is great news for borrowers. Loans as high as $729,000* will qualify for the lowest interest rate offered. This will be a dramatic increase over the current cap of $417,000.

For example, on a $700,000 mortgage, the lower interest rate equals a savings ranging from $300 to $500 per month.

*The loan cap will be calculated on the average sale price in a region- final cap for our area to be determined. 

Community spirit

Last fall, Technology Credit Union [Tech CU] ran a community change campaign through their blog site called What Would You Change with $1,000?

A job well done. Volunteers Talex and Charlene Hsieh, Mohan Wadhwani, and Tech CU employees Karen Crabtree and Cessmi Andawa along with Kelley Sterle and Sally Bentz from Our City Forest, plant the first tree. Photos by Jeanne C. Carbone

One of the biggest vote winners was to plant trees locally to offset global warming. Tech CU contacted Our City Forest to help implement the idea and donated $1,500 for the project. Tech CU employees Karen Crabtree and Cessmi Andawa, Kelley Sterle and Sally Bentz with Our City Trees and volunteers Mohan Wadhwani, Charlene and Talex Hsieh planted six fruitless mulberry trees at Forest Hill Elementary School on Feb. 20.

The next tree planting will be at Blackford Elementary School on March 7.

Tech CU also announced the winners of their “Trees and Our Community Poster Contest” at the Campbell Financial Center. The winners were Brooke Alarcon, for 5-year-old and under, Marina Rogers, for 6-8-year-olds and Chaitanya Galivanche for 9-12-year-olds. Each won a $100 savings bond.

Technology Credit Union is located at 1562 S. Bascom Ave. and is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to a.m. to 2 p.m.

The 3rd annual Business Expo was a networkers dream. Photos by Jeanne C. Carbone

The best of the best

The Campbell Cham-ber of Commerce presented the third annual Business Expo at Villa Ragusa in downtown Campbell on Feb. 27. More than 36 businesses showcased their products and services to the public as well as networking with each other. Adding to the excitement the chamber raffled off a flat screen TV and two gifts of $100.

Denise Toto

Welcome!

Meet the Campbell Times new sales representative, Denise Toto (pictured, left). She joined Times Media Inc. approximately a month ago and looks forward to serving your advertising needs. She may be reached at (408) 799-1471.

Congratulations

The Campbell Chamber of Commerce selected Blendz Fun Fresh Food as the Business of the Year and Carl San Miguel as Citizen of the Year. “Celebrate Campbell” will be held at Villa Ragusa, 35 S. Second Street on Saturday, March 29. There will be an auction and a dinner to publicly recognize the contributions of Blendz owner Matt Phipps and San Miguel. Members of local service groups will also be honored at the event. For an invitation contact the Chamber of Commerce at (408) 378-6252.

Stanford University of Law professor Pamela Karlan discusses the Supreme Court with League of Women Voters of Southwest Santa Clara Valley President Fred Armstrong at the Campbell Community Center. Photo by Patricia Appelquist

The Supreme Court and you

The League of Women Voters of Southwest Santa Clara Valley presented “The Supreme Court: Now and in the Next Decade” at the Campbell Community Center on Feb. 27. The featured speaker was Stanford University School of Law award-winning professor Pamela Karlan. She is the founding director of the Supreme Court Litigation Clinic where students litigate live cases. She joined the faculty in 1998.