June 2007 Newsletter

    News You Can Use...

    Coto Celebrates Cinco De Mayo With Families in East San Jose

    On May 5, 2007 Assemblymember Joe Coto celebrated Cinco de Mayo with the Hillview community in East San Jose. Thanks to a partnership with the Hillview Branch Library, families were offered a morning of activities - crafts, storytime, entertainment, refreshments, giveaways and games.

    The event was an effort by Coto and the Hillview library to encourage family literacy and ethnic pride. Many families in the area came to share in the festivities and enjoy the City of San Jose's brand new library facility. Parents helped their children make paper sombreros; families gathered around to listen to Assemblyman Coto read the book "Celebrate! It's Cinco de Mayo" by Janice Levy; and Los Mestizos de San Jose Ballet Folklorico dancers provided a lively and colorful performance. As an added treat, between dances, the founder of the dance troop provided a presentation on the history of Los Mestizos and the importance of this great Mexican cultural tradition.

    All of the children in attendance received a copy of the book read during story time, courtesy of Assemblymember Coto, so that they could read it at home with their families. In addition, there were refreshments, music, piñatas and prizes to keep the children engaged. Thanks to the library staff and Los Mestizos, families from all ethnic backgrounds were able to learn about Cinco de Mayo while helping to instill in their children the importance of reading together as a family.

    Asian American Literacy Day At The Berryessa Branch Library

    Also in May, Assemblymember Coto partnered with the Berryessa library and the Viet Heritage Society, to sponsor an Asian American Literacy Event at the Berryessa Library. A large number of families attended and they were treated to story times with Mr. Coto, Librarian Mary Núñez and assistant Michael Dines, followed by a book give-away of Rudyard Kiplings' Riki Tiki Tav, courtesy of the Viet Heritage Society and Assemblymember Coto. Free coloring books were also given away. After the readings, there was a historical presentation about lion dancing by the Far East Dragon Lion Dance Association followed by a 3 lion dance performance. Craft activities were also offered.

    Partnerships with key community organizations such as the Viet Heritage Society and the Far East Dragon Lion Dance Association made the event not only culturally relevant but also community relevant as well. Both non-profit organizations were able to make a connection with the families that day, sharing information and resources about their work. Diane Nguyen, Executive Director, of the Viet Heritage Society informed the attendees of the organization's goals and invited them to the upcoming Heritage Day celebrations in August to be held at the Children's Discovery Museum. Albert Le of the Far East Dragon Lion Dance Association, the only non-profit youth group of its kind, presented the historical background of the lion dance tradition. His dance group put on an outstanding performance for the crowd and afterwards the "lions" mingled with the children.

    100 Most Influential Latinos In Silicon Valley Awards Gala

    On June 30, 2007 MACSA will hold the first annual 100 Most Influential Latinos in Silicon Valley Awards Gala at the Mexican Heritage Plaza. For the past 42 years, MACSA has been recognized as a leader in serving the Latino community. This year they will honor the top 100 Most Influential Latinos and Latinas and highlight the top ten for their outstanding service in the fields of the "arts", "business", "community", "education", "government", "labor", "public safety & law", "media" and "technology". They will also honor individuals considered to be community legends. All honorees will be presented with a custom designed Red Carpet Gala Award. Community members are being encouraged to vote for the top person in each category via the internet. Assemblymember Coto was nominated for his service in the area of government along with many other great leaders in our community.

    To cast your vote, or for more information, please visit http://www.redcarpetgala.com/index.html.

    Coto Community Spotlight

    During the month of May the Office of Assemblymember Coto worked with several very special groups and individuals who displayed an immense amount of passion and dedication for the youth in our community. Assemblymember Coto would like to commend these individuals and/or organizations for their efforts.

    Diane Nguyen - Executive Director of the Viet Heritage Society

    Diane has always known that the best way to contribute to her community was to be involved with organizations that create positive social change. She started her career serving as an intern in the legislature. Her experience working in Sacramento landed her a leadership fellowship with Public Allies of Silicon Valley, a national AmeriCorps program that places Allies fellows with non-profit organizations and provides weekly leadership trainings.

    Through Public Allies, Mrs. Nguyen served as the Program Manager at Vision New America (VNA), an organization that connects high school and college students with elected officials through the Public Policy Internship Program. Students are provided training to promote civic leadership and participation within underrepresented communities, with an emphasis on the Asian Pacific American (APA) community. Diane's work with the VNA students propelled her to a greater understanding of the need within the APA community. After working at VNA for 2 1/2 years, Diane was invited to become the Executive Director of the Viet Heritage Society because of her positive influence within the community and her success in advancing the mission of VNA. She currently manages a $12 million capital campaign project to construct the first Viet Heritage Gardens in the United States.

    Thanks to Diane's support, the Viet Heritage donated $500, to the Asian American Literacy Day in Berryessa, to ensure that every child was able to receive a new book to keep and read with his/her family.

    Los Mestizos Ballet Folklorico

    Los Mestizos de San Jose Folklorico group have been going strong for 34 years. They are proud to announce that next year they will celebrate their 35th year! The group was founded by Theresa Rodriguez in 1973 and she is serving as the current youth dance instructor. Theresa recently passed the directorship to Hector Gonzalez. Los Mestizos have performed in many dance conferences such as ANGF, Danzantes Unidos, and San Jose's Mariachi festivals. The group takes pride in teaching children and adults the beautiful traditional dances and sharing the art of their culture.

    We were honored to have them participate in the Coto Cinco de Mayo event at Hillview. They put on an outstanding performance for the families. For more information on Los Mestizos, visit www.losmestizos.net

    Far East Dragon Lion Dance Association

    The Golden Dragon Lion Dance Team was created by high school students Albert Le and Tri Phan. Together with some close friends they formed a group devoted to lion dancing. This lion dance team, at its inception, was the first and only professional lion dance team created by, made up of, and maintained by high school students. These teenagers were trained in the professional and modern standards of the Lion Dance. The team was later renamed the Far East Dragon Lion Dance Association in August of 2000. Since then, the team has grown from two lions and a handful of members to twenty lions and more than forty members. As an incorporated non-profit organization, the Far East Dragon Lion Dance Association works in the community teaching the traditional art of Lion Dancing and promoting cultural pride.

    The Far East Dragon Company has volunteered its time and talents for several Coto community events. The students have served as excellent role models and there performances are outstanding. We commend the Far East Dragon Company for their dedication to the arts and our community. For more information, visit www.fedliondance.org

    Dr. Martin Fishman - Ophthalmologist

    Dr. Martin Fishman, a local ophthalmologist, recently volunteered his time and that of his staff to provide free vision screenings to close to hundred students at Olinder Elementary School for Coto Vision Day.

    Dr. Fishman has been active in the community and has held a number of leadership roles. He has served as Chief of the Medical Staff at Community Hospital of Los Gatos, President of the California Association of Ophthalmology, and is currently Trustee of the California Medical Association. Dr. Fishman was raised in California and finished his pre-medical studies at the University of California, Berkeley, graduating cum laude in Medical Sciences. He graduated in the top 10% of his medical school class at the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center.

    Since beginning practice in 1976, Dr. Fishman has served in a teaching position at Stanford University. He is currently an Adjunct Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology, Director of the Pathology Section of the Stanford Basic Science Course in Ophthalmology, and has been recognized as an Outstanding Clinical Faculty Teacher.

    We thank Dr. Fishman and his team for providing a valuable service to the families and children in San Jose. He has been a great partner in our efforts to educate our community on the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and the importance of early vision screening.

    Coto Calendar of Events

    Music in the Other Park
    Thursday, June 7, 14, 21 and 28
    5:30-9 p.m.
    St. James Park
    www.sjdowntown.com
    Groove and thrill to free Thursday concerts by quality recording artists at one of downtown's most historic places which transforms into the city's coolest outdoor concert venue.

    Cinema San Pedro
    Wednesdays, June 20-Aug. 29
    Dusk
    San Pedro Street at Santa Clara Street
    www.cinequest.org; www.sjdowntown.com/eve_outdoor_cinema.html
    Don't just see the movie - be the movie. Free classics are shown every Wednesday at dusk in the heart of San Pedro Square. There is plenty of fun and audience participation for you, family and friends.

    MACSA Red Carpet Gala
    June 30, 2007
    5pm -9pm
    Mexican Heritage Plaza
    For more information:
    Call: (408) 928-1122
    Visit at http://www.macsa.org/

    For more information on please contact:
    Assemblymember Joe Coto's office
    State Capitol, Room 2013
    Sacramento, CA  95814
    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)