LOCAL SCENE – Here’s a round-up of some local happenings that recently occurred or are on tap for the days ahead…
Holocaust survivor to speak in Los Gatos
Yavneh Day School, 14855 Oka Road, Suite 100 in Los Gatos, is hosting a talk with Yetta Kane, a Holocaust survivor and the grandmother of one of the school’s alumni, on Jan. 26 at 5:30pm.
Kane will be speaking about her experience during the Holocaust and as an immigrant to the U.S.
Students and families in the wider Silicon Valley community are invited to come hear her story. Students will also have the opportunity to ask her questions.
Seating is limited. For information and to RSVP, visit yavnehdayschool.org/holocaust-speaker-save-the-date.
Los Gatans honored at Belmont University
Henry Beamish and Sophia Ramacciotti, both of Los Gatos, were named to the Dean’s List at Belmont University for the Fall 2022 semester.
Eligibility is based on a minimum course load of 12 hours and a quality grade point average of 3.5 with no grade below a C.
Located two miles from downtown Nashville, Tenn., Belmont University comprises nearly 9,000 students from every state and 33 countries.
Silicon Valley Reads celebrates 20 years
What started as a one-book, one-community program in 2003, has grown to a multifaceted program centered around a specific theme, with selections that include three book options for adults, and four selections for children. In celebration of its 20th anniversary, Silicon Valley Reads will offer more than 150 free events throughout Santa Clara County, both in-person and online.
Every year Silicon Valley Reads works to select a theme and books that resonate with the community.
Programs will be offered in late January through March in partnership with schools, libraries and community organizations. Each of the programs relate to the theme, or specifically to the chosen books: “There There” by Oakland native Tommy Orange; “The Second Life of Mirielle West” by Amanda Skenandore and “What the Fireflies Knew” by local author Kai Harris.
The season will kick off Jan. 26 at 7pm with a free in-person and live-streamed event featuring all three selected authors, live at the De Anza Visual & Performing Arts Center in Cupertino. The evening will offer a related art exhibit at the Euphrat Museum of Art (connected to the theater), book sales and a book signing opportunity after the event.
Registration is available at siliconvalleyreads.org/events.
Other programs include author visits, book discussions, classes and workshops around many topics including yoga, meditation, dance, finances, photography, tidying-up and more. There will be discussions around people’s personal journeys and an opportunity for sharing stories. Other resources include opioid/drug information, suicide prevention and teen mental health that relate to the selected books.
People will have the opportunity to learn about local indigenous tribes with an in-person and live-streamed visit from Chairman Val Lopez of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band. A guided hiking tour of the Chitactac-Adams Heritage County Park is another opportunity to learn more about indigenous history along with the 2020 documentary, “Daughter of a Lost Bird,” hosted by multiple libraries.
There is a wide variety of options for kids of all ages from the youngest readers to teens; including events such as reading to cats at The Dancing Cat, arts and crafts, read-alouds in multiple languages, and virtual visits from all four of the featured children’s authors.
All events through Silicon Valley Reads are free to the public. Some events may require advanced registration. See a listing of all events and register online at siliconvalleyreads.org/events.
County boosts Mental Health Navigator Program
The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors recently increased funding and staff for the County’s Behavioral Health Navigator Program, an initiative proposed by Supervisor Joe Simitian.
The new program, which launched in July, helps residents navigate the County’s mental health system, including public and private resources.
“This is good news,” Simitian said. “The Mental Health Navigator Program is a one-stop shop, designed to help those who encounter challenges or barriers when seeking mental health care for themselves or their loved ones. We’re adding more staff to the program because the public is using this service to access a ‘system’ that can be complicated, confusing and bureaucratic. And there are even more folks who need help finding the right path to treatment.”
The Behavioral Health Navigator Program connects individuals and families to County and County-contracted services, and when appropriate, even identifies private resources to help guide the public through the mental health system.
Following established privacy protocols, trained navigators offer:
• Personalized assistance to get help for behavioral health needs;
• Knowledgeable information and resources for mental health, substance use, suicide prevention, support groups, and more;
• Peer guidance about options for wellness services and support;
• Connection to County and community-based resources; and,
• Support from peers with an understanding of local services.
“Navigators listen to concerns, provide information, and connect people with resources for themselves and their families. They work with County programs and nonprofit partners to find the best fit,” Simitian said. “From the beginning, my hope has been that by guiding members of our community through and around barriers, we can help them get the treatment they need and get their lives back on track.”
Santa Clara County residents may contact the Behavioral Health Navigator Program by calling 800.704.0900, option 4, or emailing BH*********@hh*.org.
