Willow Glen Resident

News

News Briefs

San Jose police arrested 60-year-old Willow Glen jeweler Gerald Dan Mokma on Sept. 18 at his residence in Santa Clara on a warrant for grand theft. The jeweler allegedly misrepresented the quality of the diamonds he was selling and possibly sold cubic zirconia stones as diamonds.

Police had been investigating the former owner of Willow Estates Jewelry on1302 Lincoln Ave. since last February when he authorities saw him on a local news broadcast admitting that he sold poor-quality diamonds under the pretense that they were of higher quality. Mokma closed his business in February.

Police have identified 20 victims. Anyone with information or a similar case is urged to contact Detective Patrick Ward at 408.277.4521.

Maynard Mansion
open to public for
'Challenge' event

The Maynard Mansion, 1151 Minnesota Ave., will be open to the public Sept. 27 from 4 ­ 7 p.m. for a silent auction benefitting the Challenge Learning Center.

The learning center is a nonprofit organization that uses ropes courses to provide leadership training to youth.

Tickets for the fundraiser ar $40 in advance and $50 at the door. For more information, call 650.424.0600.

St. Elizabeth's
Day Home to
hold open house

St. Elizabeth's Day Home is opening its childcare facility, established in 1907, to the public Sept. 30 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

St. Elizabeth's Day Home is located at 950 St. Elizabeth's Drive in San Jose. For more information, call 408.295.3456 Walk-a-thon
supports cancer
organizations

Ida Price Middle School eighth-graders will walk to raise funds for cancer research as part of the first "Making Cancer History" walk-a-thon , Sept. 27, 8 a.m. to noon. The walk is the brainchild of eighth-grade teacher Dan Kirwan to provide students with a way to fulfill the school's community service requirement.

Funds raised from the event will be presented to representatives from the Lance Armstrong Foundation and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Donations can be made to the school by calling 408. 377.2532.

Ida Price Middle School is located at 2650 New Jersey Ave.

Cambrian teacher
wins Masters trial
championships

Cambrian area resident Marcia Morrison won the Masters National Time Trial Championships for the 20-kilometer course in the 60-64 age group at the 2008 USA Cycling Masters National Championships in Kentucky this summer. Morrison came in first place with a time of 35:54.7.

Morrison was among 30 riders to claim a national title at the event June 30, open to amateur cyclists age 30 and older.

Before retiring in 2000, Morrison worked for the Cambrian School District for 10 years. She continues to work as a substitute teacher for the Cambrian and Union school districts.

She is among 57,000 competitive cyclists who are members of USA Cycling. Andy's to hold
a pet supply
swap Sept. 27

Andy's Pet Shop is hosting a community swap meet for unwanted pet supplies such as cages, leashes, tanks and toys on Sept. 27 from noon to 4 p.m. at the store, 1280 The Alameda.

Those who would like to sell are asked to call the store, 408.297.0840, in advance for planning purposes.

Owner Lissa Shoun is also accepting donations of items with sale proceeds benefiting the store's vet fund.

Animal rescue groups will be on hand with surplus items for sale as well.

Comedy coaching
part of class
for youth 10-15

Youths age 10 to 15 who want to learn about comedy, from writing jokes to performing, can attend free workshops at the Rose Garden Library, 1580 Naglee Ave., at Dana Avenue.

Introductory meetings are set for Sept. 25 and Oct. 15 from 4 to 5 p.m., under the direction of Tom Miller. For additional information, call 408.808.3070.

Caregiver fatigue
topic of workshop
at O'Connor

A free workshop on compassion fatigue among caregivers will take place on Sept. 30 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at O'Connor Medical Office Building, 2101 Forest Ave.

Patricia Smith, a certified compassion fatigue specialist, will discuss how to create a self-help plan to avoid the secondary traumatic stress syndrome that often results from being a caregiver.

Reservations are requested to 408.947.2909.

The workshop is part of O'Connor's ongoing Living Well Community Classes program.

Guadalupe park
is hosting class
on scarecrows

A workshop on making scarecrows will take place on Oct. 4 from 9 a.m. to noon at Guadalupe River Park & Gardens Visitor and Education Center, 438 Coleman Ave.

Groups of friends, families, scout troops, coworkers and others are encouraged to come and create a scarecrow. The fee is $20 per scarecrow.

Finished pieces may be taken home, or entered in the annual scarecrow contest that is part of Pumpkins in the Park on Oct. 11.

For additional information or to register, call 408.298.7657. Free prescription
drug drop-off
event on Oct. 6

As part of the No Drugs Down the Drain Week Campaign, a free prescription and over-the-counter drug drop-off station will be open Oct. 6, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Cypress Senior Center, 403 Cypress Ave. for residents to safely dispose of unwanted and expired medications.

For more information, call the District 1 office at 408. 535.4901.

Wonders of
Fire & Ice
at Calabazas

"Wonders of Fire & Ice: A Spectacular Science Program" invites children and teenagers to learn and explore "magical" chemical potions, wonders of dry ice and dynamics of air pressure.

The program is presented by Mad Science and will be held Oct. 4, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. across from the Calabazas Library in the Calabazas Park Community Room at 1207 Blaney Ave.

Call 408.996.1536 for more information.

Hollywood comes
to Campbell
for fundraiser

Campbell Historical Museum and Ainsley House Foundation brings Hollywood glitz and glamour to Sonoma Chicken Coop, 200 E. Campbell Ave., for the Hollywood Nights fundraiser Sept. 27, 6-10 p.m. Walk the red carpet, dance and dine in glamorous or casual chic attire at the Hollywood Nights fundraiser. Proceeds will benefit the museum and the Ainsley House education programs.

For tickets, call 408.866. 2119.