October 10, 2008

News Briefs

AlaVie Fitness fights cancer

During the past year, AlaVie Fitness co-founders and coaches Mary Beth Gonzales, Heather Glenn, and Jennine Aiello lost their mothers and grandmother to cancer. To honor their loved ones and raise money to fight the disease, they’ve organized two special Saturday workout sessions to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and the American Cancer Society on Saturday, Oct. 11, from 9 to 11 a.m. at John D. Morgan Park, 540 W. Rincon Ave., and on Saturday Oct. 18, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Clos LaChance Winery, 1 Hummingbird Lane, San Martin.

The workout is free, but donations to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and the American Cancer Society are welcome.

For more information visit http://alaviefitness.com/alavie_events.php or call (415) 567-7411.

Grand opening

Union Bank of California celebrated a grand opening on Sept. 24. In attendance were Chamber of Commerce members, Union Bank employees and residents. The new branch is located at 2007 Camden Ave., #10 [cross street Union Avenue].

Pictured: Union Bank of California celebrated their grand opening on Sept. 24 with the help of [from left of center] Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Betty Deal, Branch Manager Johny Yadegari, Councilmember Jane Kennedy, Stephanie Easton, Union Bank Marketing President Julius Robinson, Chamber of Commerce past president Carl San Miguel and others.

Chihuahua adoptions increase at Humane Society

The Humane Society Silicon Valley [HSSV] is urging people who want to buy a Chihuahua after seeing the movie “Beverly Hills Chihuahua” to consider adopting one from a shelter or a rescue group instead of purchasing a dog from a breeder or pet store.

“There are so many wonderful Chihuahuas in shelters and rescue groups that need loving homes,” said Beth Ward, vice president of animal and customer care for HSSV.

Marilyn (above) and other chihuahuas are ready for a new home.

 Chihuahuas have become more popular in recent years with celebrities like Britney Spears and Paris Hilton shown photographed toting their tiny canines about town. But the popularity has a down side. 

“Chihuahuas have become the new throw away pet,” Ward explains. “South Bay animal shelters are experiencing a Chihuahua explosion.” Between July 2007 and July 2008, Ward says Chihuahua mixes comprised 28 percent of the 2,000 plus dogs entering the HSSV—more than any other breed. HSSV has approximately 20 Chihuahua mixes at any one time available for adoption. 

Ward says HSSV’s Adoption Counselors are great at matching potential families with the right pet to suit their lifestyle. “Because we have so many Chihuahuas and Chihuahua mixes, our staff has become experts at understanding the breed,” Ward explains. To view animals available for adoption, visit http://www.hssv.org/adoption.html. 

Why are so many Chihuahuas ending up at animal shelters? Ward says “moving” remains the primary reason people surrender Chihuahuas.

“Some people start to think of their Chihuahuas as babies and carry them around wherever they go.” said Ward. “They just expect that everyone else, including their landlords, will let them have a pet. Unfortunately, many landlords still do not allow renters to have pets and the dogs end up at shelters.” 

Ward says some Chihuahuas also have a tendency to snap around children and are prone to health problems if not altered. “We’ve had Chihuahuas surrendered to our shelter that have not been spayed or neutered and have developed health issues that the family cannot afford to pay,” Ward explains. 

While Chihuahuas are often stereotyped as high-strung, Ward says with correct training and socialization, Chihuahuas can be well-adjusted companion animals. Chihuahuas are prized for their devotion, ferocity, and personality. They can be quite affectionate with their owners and are easily adaptable to a variety of environments, including the city and small apartments.

More information about HSSV can be found at www.hssv.org or call (408) 727-3383. 

dressbarn hosts fundraiser for American Cancer Society

This October, in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, dressbarn in Campbell will contribute profits from the sale of Chloe—a plush dog—to the American Cancer Society’s [ACS] local and national breast cancer initiatives.

Chloe will retail for $5, and dressbarn will donate a minimum of $2.50 from the sale of each dog to the ACS, targeting breast cancer research. dressbarn will be selling Chloe from Oct. 1 through Dec. 15, or while the supply lasts.

“Cancer, and especially breast cancer in women, is so far reaching that it really touches all of us,” said Brigette Flentz, district sales manager for dressbarn in Campbell. “It is extremely important to the dressbarn family that we help make a difference in the fight against cancer and that we support breast cancer patients and survivors. With the help of our customers through their purchase of loveable Chloe, we will continue the fight against this disease and build hope for women everywhere.”

For the past six years, dressbarn has been part of a caring community, offering support through fundraising and awareness programs. Together, with customers and associates, dressbarn, Inc., has contributed over $4.5 million to the ACS for the fight against cancer.

For more information on dressbarn in Campbell and their breast cancer initiative, call (408) 377-7544. dressbarn is located at 1650 S. Bascom Ave.

Assistance League orientation starts Oct. 29

A new orientation group begins on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008 for the Assistance League® of Los Gatos-Saratoga.
If you like working hands-on with children and seniors in our local community, this is the organization for you. Do you like to cook, sew, walk, read to children, walk with kids, or meet new friends? These are several of the activities that are part of seven philanthropic programs of Assistance League. Isn’t it time for you to get involved?

The Los Gatos-Saratoga Chapter of the Assistance League is part of a national nonprofit organization. Locally, 100 members join together in a volunteer-driven organization with a vision to empower volunteers to make a lasting change.

To learn more about how you can become a member and to join the new fall orientation group of Assistance League, call Denise Renola, vice president of membership at (408) 866-8361 or leave a message at (408) 278-5300. There is someone just waiting to smile because of your help.

1st Annual Campbell Oktoberfest 5k Fun Run/Walk

The City of Campbell’s Recreation and Community Services Department is presenting the First Annual 5k Fun Run/Walk, to be held on Oktoberfest Weekend in Downtown Campbell on Saturday, Oct. 18, at 9 a.m.

The start/finish line and all activities will be located on the basketball courts at Campbell Park [on the corner of Campbell Avenue and Gilman Avenue]. Awards will be given to the top three male and female finishers in each of the 5K Run age divisions [17 and under; 18-34; 35-49; 50 plus].

Cost is $20 per person. Each person must fill out a separate registration form and return it with payment by mail or in person to the office indicated on the form. The pre-registration deadline is Friday, October 10 [all people who pre-register will receive a free t-shirt]. You may also register on the day of the race, 8 a.m.-8:45 a.m. [but will not receive a free t-shirt]. Call (408) 866-2104 for more information.

Fashion Frenzy creates a stir in Campbell

The Downtown Campbell Business Association's [DCBA] second annual fundraiser "Fashion Frenzy 2008" is all about clothes, jewelry, accessories, shoes, and looking good.

Last year's show was a sell out. This year the show will be at Villa Ragusa; but seating is still limited so buy your tickets early! Catch the latest in fashion and comfort clothes that will turn heads on the catwalk and the sidewalk. Bring your friends for some light refreshments and the silent auction before the show. Fashions and accessories presented by Bella James, Bombshell Boutique, Duchess Lingerie, Primrose Body & Boutique, Simply Smashing, 23 Skidoo, Sonya Paz, Studio Kicks, Terra Polaris, and Trailsloggers. Doors open at 6 p.m. for open seating. Tickets are on sale Oct. 1 at any of the stores listed above. A portion of the proceeds will go to a local charity through the DCBA Campbell Cares Program.

Fashion Frenzy 2008 tickets are $30 each and will be held Nov. 6 starting at 6 p.m. at Villa Ragusa, 35 S. Second St., Downtown Campbell [behind Sonoma Chicken Coop].