Most Santa Clarans have yet to take advantage of a free energy audit from Silicon Valley Power (SVP) that can yield energy- and money-saving tips. Out of about 45,000 Santa Clara residences, including single-family homes and apartments, only 450 have been audited from the 2009- 2010 year to date. That’s just one percent of city … Read more
“There is no better way to start 2012 than focusing on home improvement and at the same time creating a greener environment,” says James Kuenzi, General Manager of South Bay’s 32nd annual Art of Home Show at the Santa Clara Convention Center January 20 – 22. “It’s a state mandate to reduce our carbon footprint … Read more
“I want somebody to listen to me. Are you somebody I can talk to?” asks Rudy Munoz outside the Community Ministry office at St. Justin’s Catholic Church on Homestead Road in Santa Clara. “You can talk to me, but you need to know that I’m a reporter for the Santa Clara Weekly newspaper, and I’m … Read more
Answering a community call to take up shovels, hoes, pick axes, and pruning shears, about 200 volunteers aged six to 75 turned out at Ulistac Natural Area on Lick Mill Boulevard in Santa Clara January 16, for a morning of service to honor the memory and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. For the third … Read more
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…,” read Teresa O’Neill, quoting Charles Dickens’ Tale of Two Cities and contrasting those in Santa Clara County with high-paying jobs to those holding minimum-wage service jobs. O’Neill was opening a January 9 meeting of 35 community members, volunteers, churches, Blue Star Moms, Boy … Read more
Unconditional surrender – it was a time of jubilation across America when Japan surrendered in 1945, ending WWII. Unconditional surrender—a white-uniformed nurse swept up in the spontaneous embrace of a sailor in the middle of New York City’s Times Square on Victory over Japan Day August 14, 1945. That now-famous embrace and kiss were captured … Read more
Ending rather than managing homelessness is the hope for the 7,045 homeless persons who were counted in the January 25 – 26, 2011, early-morning Santa Clara County census almost a year ago. In a change of approach, the current focus is on providing permanent housing first and then adding the support systems needed to help … Read more
No time is good but during the winter holidays is surely the worst of times to lose a roof over your head. “$300 is the difference between being homeless or not,” says Constance, who lost her apartment November 1 after losing her job and coming up short on rent money. She lost all her belongings, … Read more
Education is power, and power should always be used to the best advantage for people. The value of education is that it gives you an opportunity to be heard, said Rolanda Pierre Dixon in her remarks at Mission College’s third annual Kwanzaa celebration November 30. The retired former Assistant District Attorney for Santa Clara County, … Read more
On any given night in Santa Clara County, 7,045 people are homeless according to a 2011 Santa Clara County Homeless Census and Survey. Of this number, 2,520 are considered chronically homeless, an increase of eleven percent since the 2009 census. To address this social issue, California State Assemblymember Paul Fong, representing the 22nd district, hosted … Read more