May 2007 Newsletter

    News You Can Use...

    Family Literacy Events - Mark Your Calendar

    Next month, Assemblymember Coto (D - San Jose), in partnership with the San Jose Public Library will hold two community celebrations focusing on Family Literacy.

    More than any other single skill, the ability to read allows a child to succeed in school, learn about the world, function in society and someday have the opportunity to succeed as an adult. It is important for families to read together often and encourage their children to read at home and to visit our public libraries.

    Please join Assemblymember Coto and bring the entire family for GAMES, CRAFTS, MUSIC and FUN!

    Cinco De Mayo Family Literacy Celebration at
    The Hillview Branch Library
    Saturday May 5th 11am - 2pm
    1600 Hopkins Dr., San José

    Special performance by
    Los Mestizos de San José - Ballet Folklorico

    Chinese American Literacy Day at
    The Berryessa Branch Library
    Saturday May 12th 10:30 am - 1pm
    3355 Noble Ave., San Jose

    Special performance by the:
    Far East Dragon Lion Dance Association

    Free book giveaway at each event!!

    Coto Invites Parents to an Internet Safety Day at the Tech Museum - Sunday, May 13 Free Administration All Day - Thanks to AT&T

    Parents are invited to the Tech Museum on Sunday, May 13th to find out what is and isn't safe on the internet for their children. Personnel from the San Jose Police Department and the Silicon Valley Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force will be providing information on web sites such as My Space, and discussing the dangers of other web activities - chat rooms, web games and downloading free music and games. They will teach parents how to monitor their children's activity on the internet and ways to inform the children about the dangers of the internet.

    Forty-five percent of all children in the United States use the internet, more than 30 million of those youngsters are under 18. Let's work together to teach our children how to be safer both on and offline.

    When: Sunday, May 13th, 2007
    Time: 10:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

    Where: The Tech Museum of Innovation
    Address: 201 South Market Street, San Jose, CA 95113

    Partnerships Make a Difference
    San Jose Police Department, the Silicon Valley Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, AT&T.

    East Side Union High School Students Score in Top 1% of the Nation

    Congratulations to the East Side Union High School Juniors who made it into the National Merit Scholarship Finals. These students competed against 1.4 million students who take the test nationally. Of students who took the PSAT only 1% of the 1.4 million are selected for the finals.

    Being a National Merit Scholarship Finalist is truly an honor.

    Assemblymember Coto would like to recognize the following students for their distinguished performance in this competition:

    Roman Chang -  Santa Teresa High School

    Katherina Nguyen - Piedmont Hills High School

    Siran Deng - Evergreen Valley High School

    Michelle Nguyen - Evergreen Valley High School

    Catherine Hsu - Evergreen Valley High School

    Qimeng Jimmy Shen - Santa Teresa High School

    Jeff Hwang - Piedmont Hills High School

    Divya Sundar - Evergreen Valley High School

    Lucinda Lai - Piedmont Hills High School

    Kelvin Trieu - Silver Creek High School

    Shirley Luo - Evergreen Valley High School

    Pamela Wong - Evergreen Valley High School

    Join Latinas Contra Cancer Mother's Day Walk - Sunday, May 13th

    Next month Latinas Contra Cancer will hold their annual "Walk Against Cancer." This event is a major annual fundraising effort, to raise awareness in the Latino community around issues of cancer. The walk will start at San Jose City Hall on Santa Clara Street in downtown at 9 a.m., and end at the Mexican Heritage Plaza with a celebration and commemoration at noon. After the walk participants can stay and enjoy a Mother's Day brunch, music and a raffle.

    This year Latinas Contra Cancer will spotlight Breast and Cervical Cancer, which are major health issues facing the Latino community.

    To register now to be part of the Mother's Day Walk Against Cancer and Celebration Call (408) 280-0811 or online at: lccoffice@sbcglobal.org

    Everybody is Welcome!

    Coto Community Spotlight

    Ysabel Duron is an award-winning journalist with more than 30 years in television broadcasting.  In 1997 she was inducted into the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences' "Silver Circle" for more than 27 years of meritorious work as a journalist.

    Duron is a weekend anchor of "KRON 4 Weekend Morning News" She joined KRON 4 as a general assignment reporter in 1990. Since joining KRON 4, Duron has garnered public acclaim with two award-winning series.  "The Child I Never Held," a 1991 series about Duron's reunion with a son she gave up for adoption, was honored by the Radio Television News Directors Association.  The second series, 1998's "Life with Cancer," focused on Duron's winning battle with cancer, and gained her national recognition. She received an honorable mention from the American Women in Radio and Television's Gracie Awards, and an Excellence in Journalism Award from the Northern California Society of Professional Journalists.

    A native of Salinas, California, Duron received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from San Jose State University.  She was named one of America's top 100 Hispanic Women in Communications by Hispanic USA Magazine.  In addition to the International Women's Media Foundation, she is also a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.

    Duron is a cancer survivor and founded a successful non profit named "Latinas Contra Cancer" in 2003 to address the void in health services for Latinos.  In the Spanish-speaking community around issues of cancer support services and education, there is a major need for improvement.

    Assemblymember Coto commends Ysabel's significant achievements and her efforts to address women's health issues in the Latino community.  This month, Assemblymember Coto is highlighting the work of Ysabel Duron. "Ysabel is a pioneer and leader and I thank her for her contributions to our community," said Coto.

    Coto Vision Day at Olinder Elementary School

    On April 27th Assemblymember Joe Coto will host a free vision day at a local elementary school. Students at Olinder Elementary School in downtown San Jose will receive free vision screening on campus by volunteer opthalmologists. Free follow-up care will be provided for families of students in need of a more detailed screening at a vision-care facility.

    Because poor vision has a direct effect on a child's ability to learn and comprehend, screening a child at an early age and taking corrective steps can have positive influence on his or her academic performance in the classroom.

    Assemblymember Coto would like to thank Dr. Martin Fishman and his team for volunteering their time services on April 27th to assist our families.

    Coto Calendar of Events

    May 4-Dec. 14 San Jose Downtown Farmer's Market at San Pedro Square
    10 a.m.-2 p.m.
    San Pedro Street at Santa Clara Street
    www.sjdowntown.com
    Every Friday, more than 40 growers and artists offer brightly blooming flowers, appetizing foods, unique gifts and fresh fruits and vegetables. Topping it off - great lunch spots and people-watching.

    May 5th Cinco de Mayo Family Celebration
    11 am - 2pm
    Hillview Branch Library
    1600 Hopkins Dr.
    San José, CA 95122
    Games and crafts and treats
    Free book giveaway and special performance by Los Mestizos de San Jose - Ballet Folklorico
    Contact: darcie.green@asm.ca.gov

    May 5th Cinco de Mayo Fundraising Party for the benefit of the Santa Teresa Victims' Fire Fund
    1 to 4 p.m.,
    St. Julie's Church (366 St. Julie Drive, San Jose 95119)  
    There will be food and drinks as well as music and fun! 
    Contributions will be accepted at the fundraiser or you can send contributions in any amount to Bank of the West. ATTN:Santa Teresa Fire Victims' Fund, 6213 Santa Teresa Blvd., San Jose CA 95119.  For any questions or to volunteer, please contact Coordinator Ash Kalra at (408) 888-7526 or via e-mail at STFireVictimsFund@gmail.com.

    May 12th Chinese American Literacy Day
    10:30 am
    Berryessa Branch Library
    3355 Noble Ave.
    San José, CA 95132
    Games and crafts and treats
    Free Book giveaway and special performance by the Far East Dragon Lion Dance Association
    Contact: darcie.green@asm.ca.gov

    May 13th Internet Safety Day
    10:30 am - 2pm
    Tech Museum of Innovation
    201 South Market Street, San Jose
    Free Admission all Day
    Internet Safety Day
    Contact Darcie.Green@asm.ca.gov

    May 13th Mother's Day Walk
    9am - 1pm
    San Jose City Hall walk/ Mexican Heritage Plaza brunch
    Register now to be a part of the Mother's Day Walk Against Cancer and Celebration
    Call (408) 280-0811 or online at:lccoffice@sbcglobal.org

    May 16-19 Circus Chimera
    Discovery Meadow
    www.cdm.org
    A family favorite; Come get chills from a variety of unusual acts from all over the world.

    May18th AACI 34th Annual Banquet
    6pm Reception/ 7 pm Dinner
    San Jose Downtown Marriot Hotel
    For more information contact Kathleen.Cordova@aaci.org

     May 19th Affordable Housing Fair
    10am - 2pm
    Washington United Youth Center
    921 S. First Street
    Meet more than 40 agencies providing various housing related resources

    June 9th Mayfair Improvement Initiative 10th Anniversary
    Carnival and Fiesta
    11am
    Tropicana Shopping Center
    1630 Story Road, San Jose
    Free Admission
    Contact (408) 251 - 6900

    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)