Lighting Santa Clara's First Menorah
By Carolyn Schuk
Last Thursday evening the City of Santa Clara saw its first-ever public Chanukah Menorah lighting, drawing a crowd of all ages from young families with babies to senior citizens. To honor the Santa Clara Police Department, Assistant Police Chief Dan Winters was invited to light the top lamp.
Sponsored by Chabad of Santa Clara and Whole Foods Market, there were traditional sufganiyot (donuts) and latkes (potato pancakes), face painting and dreidels (tops) for kids, live music, singing and even a breathtaking fire-juggling performance by the nimble Rabbi Yigal Rosenberg – who says that he wasn't in full form as a performer due to a broken leg.
The celebration drew people from across the South Bay, many who are newcomers to the Bay Area as well as longtime residents. Guy and Renat Zyskind moved to Santa Clara from Boston two months ago. "We're so glad we found the Rosenbergs and the community here," said Renat. "I was amazed to find so many people here tonight."
Maya Brodetzai echoed that sentiment. "It's nice to have this welcoming place."
Yazliach Nicholas, who came from Milpitas to join the celebration, said, "We could feel the mitzvah [loving-kindness]."
"It's a great turnout," said Whole Foods Manager Ann Greenwald, who noted Whole Food's extensive selection of kosher foods, including kosher beer and wine – with tasting flights available in the Whole Foods café. "We plan to do this every year. This is what community is all about."
Chanukah celebrates a story of victory of Jewish rebels, the Maccabees, over the oppressive Syrian-Greek king Antiochus in 165 BCE.
Beyond Magic: Award-Winning Magician Phil Ackerly
Story and photos by Diane Andrews
Phil Ackerly has a five-year-old Netherlands Dwarf bunny named Buster and a white dove. He has four black magician hats, including a $300 silk one made in Germany, and four wands. He orders decks of playing cards by the gross. He has balloons, dozens of colorful scarves and more piles of magic money than Scrooge. He has countless books on magic and comedy in his professional library and plans to write his own book of magic for magicians...
Out of This World Marz Vodka Calls Santa Clara Home
Story and photos by Diane Andrews
"Our goal is to upset the vodka market with a world-class product developed locally," said Ward Karson, COO– and co-founder with CEO Vijay Caveripakkam–of Supernova Spirits, the maker of award-winning Marz Vodka...
Telling a Musical Message of Hope and Joy Wherever They Go
By Carolyn Schuk
While outdoor temperatures in Santa Clara were bitter cold, inside the Santa Clara Convention Center it was red hot with the gospel, jazz, latin and soul sounds of Soul Christmas Holiday concert...
Wedding Planning in Santa Clara: Wedding Fairs
Written by Alissa Reyes
Congratulations to everyone who got engaged during “proposal season!” After you’ve had some time to enjoy your engagement bliss, it’s time embark on the crazy path of wedding planning...
Far From a Picasso, But Bruins Beat Branham 3-2
By Andrew Bensch
Friday’s matinee matchup against Branham wasn’t the prettiest of performances by Santa Clara, but it was enough to hold onto a 3-2 victory. Before the game even began, this writer noticed it was a Bruins-Bruins matchup. Matching mascots made for avoiding redundancies rather difficult, so this recap might not be the prettiest of performances either.
The Santa Clara Bruins did earn a lion’s share of the possession in the contest against the Branham Bruins and they probably should have put the game away by halftime. However, after the first 40 minutes the two teams were deadlocked at 1-1. Santa Clara Head Coach Brad Comstock agreed that it was disappointing not to go into the half with a lead.
“Yes, very frustrating, we had really good opportunities in the first half,” confirmed the head coach. “For some reason they weren’t going in.”
Santa Clara took a 1-0 lead on a rocket shot from a good 25-yards out by senior striker Ellie Mujushi. The 6’0” forward also plays as an attacking midfielder at times, but is Santa Clara’s go-to scorer at either position. Mujushi would again break the tie in the second-half to put Santa Clara up 2-1.
“Since freshman year she has gotten so good,” commented senior midfielder Gabriella Medina on Mujushi. “She has definitely gotten use to her size,.That kid can shoot like crazy, it’s awesome. I love watching her run and shoot...”
Bruins Basketball Improves to 11-0
By Andrew Bensch
There were absolutely no signs of a Christmas hangover for the Santa Clara Bruins girls varsity squad on Tuesday, Dec. 27. The Bruins improved their perfect record to 11-0, cruising to a 53-25 win over Live Oak. Santa Clara particularly dominated on the defensive-end of the floor with tremendous performances by both senior Devyn Snyder and junior Yvonne Delgado. On their first few offensive possessions the Bruins weren’t able to get a shot to fall, but that stifling defense held the Acorns to a single bucket until the offense found its groove.
The Bruins are a well-coached squad as Head Coach Deedee Kiyota has her veteran group maintaining a consistent work-ethic and team-first attitude.
“We come out in the second-half and we say it’s 0-0,” commented senior Taylor Snyder on not sitting back on a 26-8 halftime lead. “We go out and compete like it’s the beginning of another game.”
When asked about one of her teammates setting the tone, Taylor showed the maturity to stand her ground and disagree with this reporter’s observation when many of her peers might just answer in a cliche agreement...
Kaiser Permanente Joins Historic Patient in Celebrating a Heart-Felt Holiday
At a recent holiday luncheon for heart transplant recipients at Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara, Gianna Panigua spoke of a lifetime experience as a heart transplant recipient. She is 25 years old.
“I received a heart transplant when I was 14 months old,” said Panigua matter-of-factly. “I was one of the youngest heart transplant patients at what is now the Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of New York-Presbyterian.” She's one of the longest-living transplant patients in Northern California.
As an infant, Panigua was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (or HCM), a thickening of the heart muscle that makes it difficult to pump blood. HCM can lead to sudden cardiac death. Panigua’s new heart was from a young child and she hopes it has grown as she has. She’s constantly aware of the possibility of organ rejection.
“I feel chest pains some of the time,” said Panigua who is now a patient of Kaiser Permanente. “It keeps me aware. I’ve never known anything except being a heart transplant recipient.”
Panigua has endured several episodes of organ rejection and credits her cardiac care teams in New York City, Pittsburgh where she lived for a time, and now Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara, with helping her manage and come through the organ rejection crises...
