Music in the Park lineup announced
Music in the Park returns for the 2023 season.
Since 1988, Music in the Park has been a free public summer concert series held on Sunday afternoons, from 5-7pm on the Los Gatos Civic Center Lawn, 110 E. Main St.
This year’s lineup is as follows:
• July 23: Traveling Wilburys Review
• July 30: Suburban Bliss
• Aug. 6: Aardvark
• Aug. 13: Ruth Gerson
• Aug. 20: Tortilla Soup
• Aug. 27: Andre Thierry
For information, visit LosGatosCA.gov/MIP.
County helps fund career opportunities for people with developmental disabilities
The County of Santa Clara has entered into a two-year partnership with the College of Adaptive Arts (CAA) at West Valley College to provide adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) access to the CAA’s new workforce and apprenticeship program.
The County’s $250,000 budget allocation, proposed by County Supervisor Joe Simitian, will be disbursed over two years to fund staffing, dedicated computers for the program, and transportation for program participants, where necessary.
“Folks in the I/DD community are well-suited for a variety of career paths. They can and want to do more,” Simitian said. “This new workforce and apprenticeship program at CAA will provide the training and experience these adults need to reach their full potential and secure meaningful and fulfilling work.”
The U.S. Department of Labor accredited apprenticeship program at CAA has two tracks: training for receptionist positions and for teacher’s aide positions. Unlike other workforce development programs for individuals with developmental disabilities that focus on the retail or service industries, the CAA program is intended to provide training and experience for “non-routine” jobs.
Candidates for this apprenticeship program are drawn from CAA’s own students, the West Valley College Disability Student Services Program, and other populations that historically have had challenges obtaining work.
“Fostering a love of life-long learning for our students is our primary focus at the school,” said DeAnna Pursai, CAA co-founder and executive director. “With this additional support, we can now begin to prepare our students to seek out jobs, while exposing others to possible careers working with the I/DD community.”
CAA offers one-hour classes, taught in-person and virtually.
The CAA, founded in 2009 by Pursai and Dr. Pamela Lindsay, started with just 12 students. Pursai expects more than 200 students in the Summer/Fall semester, which began July 10.
“The work being done at CAA is unique, and really empowering for people in the I/DD community,” Simitian said. “The workforce apprenticeship program builds on the innovative practices in use at CAA, and is yet another resource to help folks in the I/DD world achieve a high quality of life for themselves.”
For consideration for the CAA workforce apprenticeship program, interested parties may send an email to workforce development coordinators Dr. Pamela Lindsay ( pa****@co*******************.org ) and Professor Angel Coronado ( an****@co*******************.org ). For information about enrollment, visit the CAA website at collegeofadaptivearts.org/admissions.
Court celebrates debut of artwork by local students
The Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara recently celebrated the artwork created by Santa Clara County students from kindergarten to fifth grade.
Students submitted these pieces for the Court’s Spring Art Contest, and their work is now on display in the Hall of Justice Juror Assembly Room.
The June 30 event brought together Santa Clara County students, parents, educators, community members and judicial officers to commemorate the achievements of 520 budding artists.
“We express our heartfelt gratitude to the Court for their support and collaboration throughout this initiative. Special thanks go to the teachers, parents and guardians who nurture the artistic abilities of the students and encouraged their participation,” Hon. Elizabeth C. Peterson said. “We also extend our appreciation to our community partners for their invaluable coordination efforts and communication channels that made this endeavor representative of the County of Santa Clara.”
“There was a tremendous response to our call for artwork. Entire classes prepared pieces, and I was honored to meet many parents who brought their young artist’s work directly to my courtroom,” Hon. Evette D. Pennypacker said. “It is wonderful to bring the community to this space that so many seek to avoid when they receive their juror summons. We hope this installation of children’s artwork reminds us all of our connection to and belonging in our County and the courthouse.”
The Court encourages people who have reason to visit the Hall of Justice, 190 W. Hedding St. in San Jose, to stop by the Juror Assembly Room and view the children’s artwork.
Public participation options to expand for county boards and commissions
Since the return of in-person Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors meetings at the start of 2023, the board has been wrestling with the challenge of providing remote public participation for all County commissions that are subject to the Brown Act (the State’s open meeting law).
Public participation for other board and commission meetings has been mostly limited to in-person only.
Potentially as soon as this August, members of the public will be able to attend in-person or watch online via a web portal. They will also be able to make public comment in person, online or by phone.
Until recently, technology gaps and facility limitations have meant that only meetings of the Board of Supervisors and its policy committees have allowed for remote public participation.
The move to provide remote participation was welcomed by County Supervisor Joe Simitian, who was among those Board members pushing for the accommodation.
“Frankly, it’s been frustrating,” Simitian said. “In the midst of the pandemic we used new technologies because we had to. We didn’t have a choice, really. But now we know, we have the tools if only we’ll use them—use them to engage more people more conveniently. The ‘new normal’ looks a bit different, and candidly, our County wasn’t as quick to pivot as we should have been. There was some bureaucratic back and forth, but I think at this point it’s all been sorted out and adequately funded. Public participation isn’t something it’s just nice to have, it’s essential to democratic governance.”
Over the summer, the County will acquire the necessary hardware and train existing staff to begin remote public participation. The County will also hire two staff members for the Office of the Clerk of the Board and a multimedia specialist for the Technology Services and Solutions department.
“The County’s boards and commissions are made up of dedicated volunteers that do good and important work. State law mandates that commissions and boards meet in person, and that will continue,” said Simitian, who pushed for the additional funding. “But many members of the public live far from the County Government Center in San Jose. Many folks have work or family commitments. Or commuting challenges. And some folks have difficulty with mobility. For them, the only practical way to participate in these meetings is remotely.”
To apply to join a County board or commission, visit boardclerk.sccgov.org/boards-and-commissions/opportunities.
Thilak graduates from Fairleigh Dickinson University
Iswaryadevi Thilak of Los Gatos, a student at Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Vancouver Campus, in Vancouver, Canada, graduated with a MAS in May.
Fairleigh Dickinson University is a private university and features more than 100 liberal arts and professional degree programs and two international campuses.
Emerson College recognizes Monte Sereno student
Brandon Krish of Monte Sereno earned Dean’s List honors for the Spring 2023 semester at Emerson College.
Krish is majoring in Media Arts Production and is a member of Emerson College’s Class of 2025.
The requirement to make Dean’s List at Emerson College is a grade point average of 3.7 or higher for that semester.
Emerson College is based in Boston, Mass.
