July 8, 2008

News Briefs

Campbell manager earns professional designation

Samuel Sandy of Massingham & Associates in Campbell recently received a Certified Community Association Manager designation from the CACM.

Samuel Sandy, a community manager for Massingham & Associates in Campbell, has earned the California Association of Community Managers' [CACM] "Certified Community Association Manager" designation. CACM grants the designation to professionals who have completed an in-depth educational curriculum program and have fulfilled a minimum requirement of work experience in the field of community association management.

According to Karen D. Conlon, statewide president of CACM, the trade organization has experienced unprecedented growth in 2007 and 2008. Statewide, the association provides services to more than 2,000 managers, of which 1,268 are certified. The organization estimates that one out of every three people in California lives in a planned community.

The Laguna Hills, Calif. based CACM is a statewide, not-for-profit organization serving the community association management industry. For more information contact CACM at 1-800-363-9771 or visit www.cacm.org.

Credit union vishing scam targets everyone

The California Credit Union League advises everyone living in the Bay Area and San Jose to be aware of recurring telephone message scam.

Officials at credit unions throughout the Bay Area and San Jose are getting reports from both members and non-members receiving recorded phone messages seemingly from the financial institution. But, the messages are scams—a variation of the prevalent phishing scams, called vishing. Unlike phishing, which uses emails, in vishing, the victim receives a telephone message from an automated random dialer that states it is calling from the victim’s financial institution. The voice on the other end tells the victim that her credit card or account number has been used illegally. The victim is then asked to dial a fake 800 number to confirm account details and/or credit card information, in addition to other identifying details such as a security code or date of birth. 

In the most recent cases at area credit unions, the messages begin with “This is your credit union calling to inform you that due to excessive use of your credit card your account was closed…”  In many cases the call occurs late at night. The message also asks the person to call a phone number to re-instate their account.  If the phone number is called, the person is asked to provide a valid credit card number and expiration date.   

Many credit unions have posted information on their websites to inform members of the vishing scam and tips on what to do if contacted by anyone asking for credit card or account information. 

The California Credit Union League regularly reminds its credit unions to educate their members by posting vishing warnings on their website, newsletters, and lobby bulletin board. The following are tips on what consumers can do if they’re the target of this particular scam: 

- Do not call a number provided in a phone call or a voice message. Call the number on the back of your credit card or on a billing statement.

- If anyone calls purporting to be with a financial institution or credit card provider and requests your credit card number or the three digit code on the back of the card, hang up and call the phone number on the back of the card to report the attempt. If the call was legitimate, the credit card provider or financial institution will have knowledge of it.

- Be very cautious when dialing a call return number or replying to an email regarding any financial matter.

- Credit card companies normally refer to customers by their full name in any communication. If an email or telephone call does not refer to their full name, it may be a scam.

With headquarters in Rancho Cucamonga, the California Credit Union League represents more than 425 credit unions in California, with nearly 10 million members and more than $100 billion in assets. There are more than 8,000 credit unions in the U.S. with 90 million members.

Humane Society Silicon Valley seeks volunteers for foster care program

Foster homes for kittens and dogs are in demand

Humane Society Silicon Valley [HSSV] is actively recruiting volunteers to provide foster care for kittens and dogs. Kitten lovers who would like to help save kittens are in particular demand as the shelter is taking in dozens of kittens every day. The Humane Society currently has 180 kittens in foster homes but there are many more in need of foster care during this busy kitten season.

Foster care provides quality care for animals that are too young, need time to recover from an injury or require extra socialization and TLC. Foster parents are trained to care for the animals in their homes, providing them with social and medical attention so that they may eventually be adopted into permanent, loving homes. Last year, foster parents cared for more than more than 800 animals in need.

“You definitely get a feeling of satisfaction and achievement,” said HSSV Animal and Customer Care Vice President Beth Ward who has fostered kittens and dogs. “There’s no greater feeling that bringing your litter of kittens or foster dogs back to the shelter and watching them get adopted into loving homes.”

Individuals interested in becoming a foster parent, can visit the Humane Society’s website for more information at: http://www.hssv.org/you_can_help/volunteer/positions/foster.htm, or they can contact the Special Needs Department at (408) 727.3383 ext. 834 for dogs, and ext. 819 for kittens. People who would like to help but cannot foster kittens or dogs can donate Royal Canin kitten food, cat litter, towels, or make a monetary donation. It costs about $25 a day to foster a mother cat and her five kittens.

New location for Allen’s Portrait Arts

For over 20 years Sue and Larry Allen, a husband and wife team have operated their studio from home. It served them well but with their children gone, the couple announced that Allen’s Portrait Arts—ProPhoto has recently opened a new studio at 100 W. Rincon Avenue in Campbell.

Though Allen’s Portrait Arts—ProPhoto have moved to a larger location, the couple promise the same quality and service. They look forward to providing customers with a better experience and improved service. A grand opening will be announced soon.

Allen's Portrait Arts—ProPhoto is located at 100 W. Rincon Ave., Suite 104, Campbell. For more information visit www.allensarts.com or call 866-8811.

Garofalo’s—closing one door and opening another

After a number of successful years in Downtown Campbell, Cyndi Garofalo, of Garofalo's Interiors & Antiques, has decided to close her storefront on July 30, 2008. But don't worry, Garofalo's fans! Garofalo's will continue in another incarnation [without a storefront], and will be available to consult on home décor, teach "trash to treasure" classes, work with estate sales, decorate for holidays and parties, and re-purpose furniture.

Cyndi has made clear that this change is a "storefront retirement"—she's definitely not going out of business. The new venture will allow her to spend more time with family and do the creative work she enjoys the most. For more information on the new services, please phone Cyndi Garofalo at (408) 370-6608.

Meet author, Art Rodriguez

Come listen to Art Rodriguez, author of "East Side Dreams" as he talks about growing up on the rough side of San Jose at the Campbell Library on July 12 at 1:30 p.m. From his troubled days as a delinquent teenager to his success as a businessman and author, Rodriguez's life is a true inspiration.

The Campbell Library is located at 77 Harrison Ave.

Free movies at Sundown Cinema

Join Sundown Cinema for an evening of comedy and romance with Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck in 1953’s “Roman Holiday” on July 11. The film introduced American audiences to a Hepburn, who won the Academy Award for Best Actress. On July 18, science fiction lovers will enjoy the classic 1957 “The Incredible Shrinking Man” of one man’s journey into oblivion. Fans of Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin can enjoy an evening of laughs with the presentation of 1953’s “The Stooge” on July 25.

Sundown Cinema movies start after sunset which will be approximately 8:00pm at the start of the series and get earlier as the days get shorter. All films will be shown in the parking lot next to Orchard Valley Coffee near the corner of E. Campbell and Central Aves. Start times for each movie will depend on when the sun sets. Shows usually start between 8 and 9pm, once it's dark enough to see the movie. Don’t forget to bring a chair and a blanket!

Sundown Cinema is presented by Casa de la Cultura Mexica, a local non-profit arts organization, and sponsored in part by the Downtown Campbell Business Association and Javier Sanchez. They rely on donations from community members to keep this film series alive and cover costs of film royalties, equipment, etc. To donate funds, please visit Casa de la Cultura Mexica's website.

Family Fun Friday at Campbell Historical Museum

Family Fun Fridays are back for a third summer at the Campbell Historical Museum. On Friday, July 25 at 10 a.m., the museum will have hands-on crafts activities for families to enjoy.

Activities are designed for ages four and up and are centered on historical themes, a topic related to the Santa Clara Valley, or maybe just because they’re fun. The activities are self-guided and can be completed at the museum or taken home as a fun family project. Tables will be set up throughout the museum exhibit hall with activity directions and craft supplies provided on each table.

Friday hours at the museum are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $5 per person to cover the cost of the supplies. Children three and under are free. The Campbell Historical Museum is located at 51 N. Central Ave. For more information call (408) 866-2119.

Happy Anniversary!

The Olive Bar in downtown Campbell celebrated its one year anniversary on June 26. Owners Ed and Chrystie DeSoto [far right] thanked devotees for their support the past year of their storefront that features premium olive oils and balsamic vinegars retail store with a buffet and wine. The Olive Bar is located in Downtown Campbell at 232 E. Campbell Ave.

Happy Graduation!

Veritas Christian Academy celebrated the graduation of its first kindergarten class (Bernice Sun, Audrey Sun, Claire Kwok, Lena Serio, Lucas Lin, Robbie Ridder and Michal Young) on June 6. Future kindergartener Spencer Young joined the celebration.