News You Can Use...

Assembly District 23 Participates in Lunar New Year Celebrations

With a population of over 80,000, Vietnamese American families account for 8.8% of the city’s population making San Jose one of the largest Vietnamese community in the United States. Therefore, it is no wonder that San Jose has some of the largest Lunar New Year celebrations in the country.

Assemblymember Joe Coto will be joining the festivities at the 10th Annual Vietnamese Spring Parade on Sunday February 18th at Market Street in Downtown San Jose and he will also be at the opening ceremony of the 25th Annual Tet Lunar New Year Festival. The opening will be held at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds on February 10th at 11:30 am. Over 50,000 people are expected to attend each of these days, a reflection of the prosperity and growth of San Jose’s diversity.

25th Annual Tet Festival will be held on February 10th and 11th at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds. The Opening Ceremony will be on Saturday February 10th beginning at 11:30 a.m.
Admission: Adults- $8 Children- $5
(Active duty military and service-people - free admission)

10th Annual Spring Festival and Parade will be held on February 18, 2007 at Market Street in Downtown San Jose.
PARADE: On Market St, from St. John St to San Carlos St (Reviewing Stage @ Park Ave.)
Sunday February, 18th, 2007 from 11am-1pm
(free parking)

FESTIVAL: Parkside Hall,
180 Park Avenue, Downtown San Jose
Sunday February, 18th, 2007 from 10am-6pm; Admission: Free

Assemblymember Coto Family Literacy Day At The Tully Community Library

Where: San Jose Tully Public Library
880 Tully Road
San Jose, CA 95111
When: February 10, 2007
Time: 1pm

Questions: (408) 277-1220
Email: Assemblymember.coto@assembly.ca.gov

*Free books given away to families. Supplies are limited*
Light Refreshments will be served

Assemblymember Coto Kicks off the Cash for College Campaign

CHECK INTO CAL GRANTS

What is a Cal Grant? Cal Grants are one of the smartest ways to get cash for college. For starters, it is money you don't have to pay back. And secondly, it's guaranteed. If you're a graduating high school senior or recent graduate, meet academic, financial and eligibility requirements and submit two forms by March 2, you are guaranteed a Cal Grant!

How Much Money Are We Talking About?
With a Cal Grant you can get up to $9,700 a year to pay for college expenses at any qualifying college, university or career or technical school in California. Depending on which Cal Grant you get, the money can be used for tuition, room and board; even books and pencils. The best part is, it's yours to keep and you don't have to pay it back.

Here's How to Get It.
All you have to do is submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) between January 1 and March 2 and submit a verified Cal Grant GPA anytime between November and the March 2 deadline. If you meet the income, eligibility, and GPA requirements, the cash is yours. The best part is, you can fill out the FAFSA online at the Cal Grant website.

Local workshops are being held to assist students and parents with the paperwork. For dates and times see the community events calendar at the end of the newsletter.

Anti Bullying Campaign at Andrew Hill School

Many clubs and campus groups are participating in this event to raise awareness of bullying and to learn how to make our corner of the world a more positive place. A cross-representation of students are pouring their hearts into this proactive campaign. The Andrew Hill can-do attitude and exceptional creative spirit should make this a fun and enlightening week.

Additional events happening during Anti Bullying Kick-Off Week:

• Anti-Bullying Film Festival after school in Dahl Hall. Daily showing of films related to bullying, such as Mean Girls, Heathers, Napoleon Dynamite and My Body Guard.
  
  
• A school-wide Anti-Bullying Questionnaire, which once filled, can be turned in to the school bank for a raffle. Great Prizes!!!
  
  
• Anti-Bullying “Didja Know” in the daily bulletin for the entire week.
  
  
• An Anti-Bullying Poster Contest with prizes of $50, $25 and $15 for the winners.
  
  
• Camp Anytown's special showing of “The Ant Bully” in the cafeteria one day after school.

Free Journalism workshop for High School Students

San José Urban Journalism Workshop for High School Students

June 24 – July 6, 2007

MOSAIC 2007 is a two-week journalism workshop for high school students interested in a career as a professional journalist.

Mosaic is held on the San Jose State campus, where students work in the university’s newsroom and stay overnight in a dormitory. Students learn the basics of reporting, writing and photography under the guidance of professional newspaper journalists. They hit the streets to gather real-life news stories about people who make the news and people whose lives are affected by the news. These stories appear in a workshop newspaper. Guest speakers during the program share their experiences and advice on the wonderful world of journalism.

The program is limited to 20 students and requires full-time participation, including living on campus. There is NO COST to students. Food and housing will be provided. Students will be supervised overnight by adults. Participating students will become eligible for a college scholarship.

1 The application process includes completion of the form and submission of required materials. The application is also available online at www.mosaicworkshop.org.

2 Applicants must be current high school sophomores, juniors or seniors. Latino, African-American, Native-American and Asian-American students are strongly encouraged to apply.

3 Application deadline is (postmarked by) April 16, 2007.

For more information contact: Joe Rodriguez, Mosaic Director
(408) 920-5767: Jrodriguez@mercurynews.com

Coto Non-Profit Spotlight - Vision New America

This organization was founded in 1996 to promote the civic participation of underrepresented ethnic groups, starting with the Asian Pacific American (APA) population.

VNA’s successful Summer Public Policy Internship Program, which focuses on youth leadership development, is the foundation of their programming and helps ensure that youth are ready to serve as community leaders. It is complemented by their nonpartisan voter education and outreach efforts and sponsorship of educational forums that seek to encourage youth to be more active and engaged citizens. Assemblymember Joe Coto has worked with Vision New America for 3 years and applauds their outstanding work in the community educating our youth about the importance of civic participation.

Impact of Vision New America:

“My summer internship with Vision New America (VNA) provided me with an opportunity to work with my fellow interns on VNA's First Annual Health Fair. I was placed in the Office of Assemblymember Joe Coto where I was given hands-on experience in drafting press releases, working on constituent casework, and helping plan and organize events for the community. The District Office staff gave me the opportunity to take ownership of my projects. Because of my amazing experience at VNA, I am rethinking my career goals and seriously considering public service.”

- Roderick Bersamina
Student at San Jose State University.

Employment Opportunities at Vision New America!

Interested applicants should submit the following for consideration: 1) cover letter detailing interest; 2) resume of qualifications and experience, and 3) three professional references. For detailed information on the two staff openings, visit the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network website. www.ynpn.org. Go to “Career Center”, click on “Search Jobs” and enter in the Job Title field the title Program Manager or Public Policy Internship Program Coordinator. For more questions, contact Ron P. Muriera, Executive Director at ronmuriera@visionnewamerica.org.

Spend Time with Your Family in District 23

MUSEUMS
Children's Discovery
History San José
San Jose Museum of Art
The Rosicrucian Museum
The Tech Museum
San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles

SPORTS
San Jose Giants
San Jose Sharks
San Jose Sabercats
San Jose Spiders
San Jose Stealth

VENUES
Center for the Performing Arts
HP Pavilion at San José
Le Petit Trianon
Mexican Heritage Plaza
Montgomery Theater
San José McEnery Convention Center
SJSU Events
San Jose Repertory Theatre

FAMILY STORY TIMES
Children's Discovery Museum
San Jose Libraries
Happy Hollow Zoo

Coto Community Calendar of Events

South First St. Fridays
First Friday of every month (Feb. 2)
8 p.m. until late
Galleries in the SoFA District from 300 - 520 S. First St.
www.SouthFirstFridays.com
An eclectic evening of arts and culture on the First Friday of every month in downtown San Jose's SoFA district. Participating galleries include: Anno Domini, GreenRice Gallery, MACLA, San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art and San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles. Free and open to the public.

No Dinx/NCVA Boys National Bid Qualifier
No Dinx/NCVA Boys National Bid Qualifier Volleyball Tournament and Northern California Volleyball Association Junior Girls Club Power League Qualifier.
February 3-4, 8:30am
San José McEnery Convention Center
415-550-7582 or www.ncva.com

Doodlebops
Doodlebops Live! Ages 1 year and older must have a ticket.
February 3, 1:00pm & 4:00pm
Civic Auditorium
www.doodlebops.com
Admission: $20 - $45

Assemblymember Coto Family Literacy Day
February 10, 2007, 1pm
San Jose Tully Public Library
880 Tully Road
San Jose, CA 95111
(408) 277-1220
Assemblymember.coto@assembly.ca.gov
Free books given away to families. Supplies are limited
Light Refreshments will be served

Cinequest
Feb. 28-March 11
Camera 12 Cinemas, California Theatre, San Jose Repertory Theatre and other downtown locations
www.cinequest.org
Downtown comes alive with some of the nation's leading film festivals. Check out the best of international and first-run films at a variety of downtown locations.

Opera San Jose presents “La Traviata”
There is a reason that Violetta, the principal character in La Traviata, has come to dominate the American opera goer's imagination: She is the gold standard of both vocal prowess and powerful acting. Verdi has asked everything of this delicate woman: vocal agility and vocal power, a complete cynicism regarding love, and utter disregard for her very life, and a desperate desire to live once she has discovered that love is possible. But as soon as she has made that discovery, Verdi rips that love out of her hands and leaves her with nothing. Violetta is the object of desire, hatred, pity, and finally of love; but she is lost. Verdi, in the course of telling the famous story of Camille, gives us some of the most unforgettable music in all of opera.
February 10-25
California Theatre
408-437-4450 or www.operasj.org

Amgen Tour of California bike race
Feb. 18-25
www.amgentourofcalifornia.com
Wednesday, Feb. 21 - Stage 3: Stockton to San Jose
After a neutral start with parade laps through Stockton's revitalized downtown area, the bikers will head west through California's farm lands. After passing through Tracy, the riders will encounter a climb new to this year's race, Patterson Pass. After passing through the city of Livermore, The route then connects to the familiar roads of the 2006 Stage 2 route on Calaveras Road. This long, constant grade leads to the most difficult climb of the race, the Category One (highest ranked in order of difficulty) Sierra Road climb in San Jose. After completing this KOM (King of the Mountain) competition, the riders will finish the 94.6-mile course in front of San Jose City Hall.

Ballet San Jose presents “A Valentine’s Potpourri”
A mixed-repertory program for the Valentine’s Day weekend includes the Bay Area premiere of Dennis Nahat’s ballet Le Style Classic set to Wolfgang’s Amadeus Mozart’s Symphony No. 39, and the return of Nahat’s sensuous “life-cycle” dance, Ontogeny, set to Karl Husa’s Pulitzer Prize-winning String Quartet No. 3. The Company debut of Lew Christensen’s 1967 comic ballet Il Distratto danced to Symphony No. 60. See it with someone you love.
February 15-18
Center for the Performing Arts
408-288-2800 or www.balletsanjose.org
Admission: $25 - $78

No/Dinx/NCVA President’s Day Volleyball Tournament
The Northern California President’s Day Volleyball Tournament for girls 18 and under, with teams from all over California and out of state is playing in San José.
February 17-19
San José McEnery Convention Center
415-550-7582 or www.ncva.com

Vietnamese Spring Festival & Parade
Vietnamese Cultural Festival and Parade celebrates the traditions and festivities of the Vietnamese culture through authentic food, lion dances, entertainment and a parade with local marching bands and a variety of floats and entries.
February 18, 10:00am
Civic Auditorium & Parkside Hall
408-292-8283 or www.vsfsanjose.com

No Limit Dance Competition
No Limit Dance Competition will be holding a competition for young dancers ages 4 – 18. The categories are from lyrical and jazz to tap and hip hop and entries will range from solo’s to duos, trios, small groups, large groups and lines.
February 24-25, 8:00am
Civic Auditorium
www.nolimitdance.com

Modern Bridal Faire
Meet with more than 150 of the bay area’s finest wedding professionals, view exquisite bridal fashions, and get inspired for your own wedding. The Modern Bridal Faire showcases incredible exhibits featuring florists caterers, cakes, photographers, videographers, music, and great honeymoon getaways.
February 25, 11:00am
Parkside Hall
800-400-2099 or www.modernbridal.com
Admission: $12

Cash for College Workshop

For more information on please contact:
Assemblymember Joe Coto’s office
State Capitol
P.O. Box 948249-0023
Sacramento, CA  94249
916.319.2023 (phone)
916.319.2123 (Fax)
assemblymember.coto@assembly.ca.gov

San Jose District Office
100 Paseo de San Antonio #319
San Jose, CA  95113
408.277.1220 (phone)
408.277.1036 (fax)