If you’ve ever wished to be a part of opera, now is your chance. And you can support Santa Clara’s recreation programs at the same time. Beginning June 18, Mission City Opera (www.missioncityopera.org) will begin its Chorus Training Program, offered through Santa Clara Parks and Recreation by company founder and executive director — and longtime … Read more
The City of Santa Clara’s operating budget for the 2011-2012 fiscal year is up 2.2% from 2010-2011 spending, driven by increases in interest paid on municipal debt (up 25%), payments in-lieu of taxes and franchise fees (up 5.1%) and increases in non-salary operating expenses (up 3.9%). Despite freezing city salaries, implementing one-day-per-month employee furloughs, and … Read more
On May 17, Santa Clara unveiled a cautious capital improvement budget (CIP) for the coming fiscal year. Capital improvements are the infrastructure of the city, as opposed to the ongoing operations of the city. This year the City proposes to spend $16 million less on capital projects than the 2010-2011 fiscal year. The City currently … Read more
Santa Clara’s operating budget picture is somewhat brighter this year, City Finance Director Gary Ameling told the City Council at the May 17 meeting, but Santa Clara isn’t out of the financial woods yet. The city finance department projects a $3.2 million operating budget surplus for the coming fiscal year – principally as a result … Read more
There’s no shortage of potential scapegoats for the fact that California – the world’s 8th largest economy – can’t pay its bills. And defined benefit public pensions are a favorite straw man. California has two retirement systems: California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) for state and municipal employees, and California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS) … Read more
A climate of rising interest rates for municipal debt and declining property tax revenues wouldn’t seem to be a market smart businesspeople would rush to sell into – moreover, without competitive bidding. But that’s just what the City of Santa Clara did last week. The City Council voted unanimously to sell up to $35 million … Read more
In 1977 the Bill Wilson Center (BWC) opened its first shelter for homeless and runaway teenagers. Now those services are needed more than ever, explained BWC Executive Director Sparky Harlan to an audience of 700 at the non-profit’s annual “Building Dreams” fundraiser last month. The event netted $200,000 for the Santa Clara-based 38 year-old social … Read more
One of the charms of the City of Santa Clara is the way this town preserves deeply rooted traditions – not as museum artifacts but as living, breathing expressions of life, hope and faith in the present. Think of the January’s Señor Santo Niño (Holy Child) festival at Our Lady of Peace Church. Or the … Read more
A leader of the local Church of Scientology (CoS) on Saratoga Ave., John Allender, has drawn national attention for his role in disputes related to a Scientology schism. On more than one occasion, Allender has reportedly tangled with local members of Anonymous, a group that regularly conducts street theater-style demonstrations at Scientology locations and events. … Read more
Opera is the most costly of all the performing arts to stage. So an economic depression would seem like a bad time to start a new opera company. That’s not how Opera Bravura founder Sharon Maxwell sees it. In her view there’s a crying need for opera that’s audience-friendly – in other words, fun for … Read more