August 9, 2007

NEWS BRIEFS

West Valley Masterworks Chorale to hold auditions

There are openings for experienced singers in the West Valley Masterworks Chorale, a college-based community choir meeting in the music building at West Valley College each Tuesday from 6 to 9:10 p.m. during the school year.

The West Valley Masterworks Chorale, under the direction of conductor Lou De La Rosa, will celebrate its 30th anniversary this season with a gala concert on Dec. 8, featuring New York City Opera soprano and former West Valley College alumna Eilana Lappalainen.

Last summer, the choir represented California during Mozart's 250th anniversary in the American Celebration of Music in Salzburg and Vienna, and over the past three years has actively collaborated with local organizations such as The Choral Project, Winchester Orchestra, Santa Clara Chorale and San Jose State University choirs.

Auditions will be held by appointment beginning Aug. 20. Interested singers should contact Lou De La Rosa by phone, (408) 741-4663, or by e-mail at lou_delarosa@westvalleychoirs.org.

For more information, visit the West Valley College choir Web site, www.westvalleychoirs.org.

City manager appoints retirement director

San Jose City Manager Debra Figone has announced the appointment of Russell U. Crosby as retirement director. He was selected following an extensive nationwide search from a field of six final candidates.

Crosby has more than 15 years of experience in the investment of institutional portfolios and the delivery of retirement and other benefits to large beneficiary groups. His most recent experience has been as CEO of United Food & Commercial Workers-Employers Benefit Plan, which has an investment portfolio of $5,980,000 in annual expenditures and provides benefits to 150,000 retail workers. He also served as executive director of United Mine Workers Health and Retirement Funds with an investment portfolio of $7,850,000 in annual expenditures and 120,000 retired coal miners and dependents.

“Russell Crosby has excellent experience working with significant retirement plans with complex governance structures,” Figone said. “He has a unique background in the three major areas that will be necessary for the new retirement director to succeed—investments, retirement plan administration and health care. That’s a rare find. We are pleased to have him join us.”

Crosby began his career in banking and credit management in North Carolina. He has moved steadily into the demanding field of benefits and retirement portfolio management. He has a bachelor of arts degree from the college of William and Mary and a master’s in international business from the University of South Carolina. He is a native of Vallejo, Calif.

“I’m excited to join the San Jose city manager’s team, and to have the opportunity to contribute to resolving the challenges facing the city,” Crosby said.

Crosby fills the position left vacant from retired former director Ed Overton. He begins the job on Monday, Aug. 20. His salary is $203,000.

Hiking class covers Bay Area
Enjoy hiking but don’t won’t to go alone? Take a Metropolitan Adult Education Program (MAEP) “Hike the Best of Bay Area” class.

Join naturalist Jon Menard on a 6- to 8-mile hike that begins with a custom coach bus taking you to Crissy Field. Bus meets at 8:20 a.m. on Sept. 22 at the Willows Senior Center in San Jose. September’s hike starts at Crissy Field and ends in Sausalito. Bring layered clothing, lunch, water, hiking boots/shoes with traction-type soles and a personal first aid kit to the moderately easy hike.

The Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito class is part of MAEP’s 50+ program. Cost is $25 and pre-registration is required. Visit www.metroed.net to register online or call 723-6725.

MetroED is the largest career-oriented educational organization in Santa Clara County, comprised of high school and adult career technical, academic and community programs.

It annually provides more than 30,000 diverse students with the skills to help them be productive, income-earning and tax-paying contributors to Silicon Valley.

Moms and kids are working together for a cause—Turning Wheels for Kids. In the front row are Andrew Imobersteg, Christopher Takeuchi, Caroline Imobersteg, Emily Guerra and Max Moiseff; the middle row is filled with Noah Michels, John Imobersteg, Jacob Guerra, Sam Moisef and Christopher Raimondi; and in the back row are Laura Raimondi, Michelle Takeuchi, Heidi Imobersteg, Sally Moiseff and Monique Guerra. Photo by Jeanne Carbone Lewis

Kids with heart

Almaden Kids Helping Kids [with the help of their moms and dads] is hosting a Monster Yard Sale Aug.18 from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Los Alamitos Elementary School, 6130 Silberman Drive. All money raised will be donated to Turning Wheels for Kids, a nonprofit organization that raises money to purchase bicycles for children in the surrounding communities. Lots of items for the home, garden, kids’ gear and lots more plus donuts, coffee, water and soda for sale.

Almaden Valley kids show a few of the unique items that will be available for sale at the Monster Yard Sale Saturday, Aug. 18, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Seated from left are Andrew Imobersteg and Christopher Takeuchi; the middle row contains John Imobersteg, Emily Guerra, Caroline Imobersteg and Max Moiseff; and in the back row are Noah Michels, Christopher Raimondi, Sam Moiseff and Jacob Guerra.