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CUPERTINO SCENE October 2004 vol. xxviii no. 1 A monthly publication of the city of Cupertino Oktoberfest: a fun, family celebration Some famil- iar faces and some new fea- tures highlight the 2004 Library Opens, Oktoberfest, a Saturday, October 30 two-day com- munity celebra- tion that has raised more than $600,000 for community service organi- zations over the years. Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Cu- pertino, this 23rd annual Oktoberfest will Oktoberfest, Continued on page 4 “Diwali – Festival of Lights” Celebration The Asian American Business Council (AABC) of the Cupertino Chamber of Commerce is proud to host an expanded all-day celebration of “Diwali – The Cupertino Civic Center and Li- Festival of Lights”, brary will celebrate its grand opening on which will be held on -Saturday, October 30, 2004. At 9:30 Sunday, October 3, from a.m., music begins with the accompani- 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. at ment of free coffee and pastries. At 10 the Quinlan Community Center in Cuper- a.m. the Community Hall and plaza will tino. This community event is made pos- sible by the generosity of Western Union. Library, Continued on page 7 Festivities will include a free commu- nity fair from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. fea- turing wonderful Indian food, Indian Citywide Garage Sale music, and dance exhibitions and lessons, October 2 & 3 Diwali, Continued on page 4 Continued on page 3 In This Issue State Proposition 1A Comes to Voters Diwali – Festival of Lights .....1 in November Oktoberfest .............................1 Proposition 1A is an initiative on the No- Citywide Garage Sale .............1 vember ballot that will prevent the State Leg- Library Opens, .......................... islature from taking and using funds origi- Saturday, October 30........1 nally committed to local governments. Prop. 1A also requires the State to reimburse local State Proposition 1A ..............2 governments for the cost of programs and Wildlife Education Day...........3 services it mandates cities to provide. Prop. St. Joseph's 1A allows for flexibility in the event of a fu- Community Carnival.........3 ture state fiscal emergency. The State may bor- row local government funds, only if the The Better Part ........................3 Governor declares a fiscal necessity and 2/3 Reporting Cable Problems ....5 of the legislature approve. All funds must be From Russia with Music ........6 repaid within 3 years. For more than a de- Cupertino Wins Two................. cade, the State Legislature has been shifting Helen Putnam Awards ......6 billions of local property tax dollars each year from cities, counties and special districts in Light Up The Night .................6 order to fund the State’s obligation to schools. Tournament of Bands............7 Commonly referred to as ERAF (Educational Compost Site Revenue Augmentation Fund), the State has Closes for Winter ..............7 shifted more than $44 billion in property taxes since the early 1990’s from local ser- Cupertino Community Hall & vices, including $4.95 million from the city Civic Center Photos..........8 of Cupertino. The amount being diverted Roots: The Cali Kids ........... 10 from local budgets keeps growing and now Simply Safe............................11 amounts to nearly $5 billion annually — $631 Community Calendar .......... 12 thousand from Cupertino last year. The State has also imposed billions in additional costs Council Actions ................... 14 on local governments by mandating programs Telecommunications and services that are only partially funded or Commission Vacancy ... 14 not funded at all by the State. Earlier this year Access Cupertino................ 15 Prop. 65 was put on the ballot by many of City Meetings ....................... 16 the same groups that are now supporting Prop. 1A. All of the official proponents of Prop. 65 are now supporting Prop. 1A, and opposing Prop. 65. If you would like more information on Prop. 1A, the Secretary of State lists the following contact information for the proponents and opponents of the measure: Proponents: Yes on 1A Californians to Protect Local Taxpayers and Public Safety,1121 L Street, Suite 803,Sacramento, The Cupertino Scene is published monthly, except in August and January, and distributed CA 95814, 800.827.9086. www.yesonprop to all residents and businesses in the city. In- 1a.com. formation may be submitted via e-mail to Opponents: Carol Midgen, Chairwoman, [email protected]. Questions may be di- State Board of Equalization, 601 Van Ness rected to the Public Information Office at City Ave., #E3 611, San Francisco, CA 94102. Hall, 777.3262. Deadline is the first Wednes- day of the month for the next month’s issue. -2- Community Carnival Returns to Cupertino After a 30-year hiatus, St. Joseph of Cu- Demonstrations on stage will take place pertino School is bringing back its commu- throughout the weekend, with performances nity carnival. The three-day event, called Family by local dance companies, a trick roper, taiko Fun Festival, is scheduled Friday, Saturday and drummers and martial arts experts, among Sunday, Oct. 15, 16 and 17 others. Several bands will at the school, 10120 N. De provide musical entertain- Anza Blvd., Cupertino. In ment and children’s activi- addition to all the traditional ties will include jump games, rides and prizes, this houses, face painting, year’s carnival features con- clowns and pony rides. tinuous live entertainment, On display will be a fire including a free concert by engine from the Santa the Joe Sharino Band on Friday at 8 p.m. Also Clara County Fire Department, and the planned is a community talent show, with a County Sheriff’s Office will provide finger- dozen chosen acts competing for three top printing services for children. cash prizes. The carnival will also offer a wide St. Joseph’s held its first community carni- assortment of food and beverage booths, val shortly after the school opened in 1955 everything from burgers and pizza to egg rolls and discontinued it in 1972. Now, however, and margaritas, along with a mini flea mar- under the leadership of three co-chairmen, ket, gourmet coffee shop and gift pantry. Chris Valdez, Jan Orvick and Shawn Poirer, Hours for the event are: Friday, 5 to 10 p.m.; hundreds of volunteers have been recruited Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to help make the 2004 carnival a success. to 6 p.m. 13th Annual The Better Part The Better Part, produced by and for se- Wildlife Education Day niors, airs Tuesday, Friday and Sunday nights Saturday, October 23, 2004, 10 a.m. to 2 at 7 p.m. on Comcast channel 15 in Cuper- p.m. McClellan tino, Los Altos and Mountain View. Programs Ranch Park, 22221 for October 2004 include: on October 4, 5 McClellan Road, & 8, Mt. View Police Department - old and Cupertino. new. A look at the old and new days and Families are in- ways of a small vited to join Santa town police de- Clara Audubon and over a dozen other en- partment. Oc- vironmental organizations to celebrate nature tober 11, 12 & and wildlife. Activities include a bird banding 15, Backyard demonstration, birdhouse and birdfeeder Habitat. An en- building, a scavenger hunt, educational pre- vironmental ex- sentations, and a poster contest. Live animals, pert invites you including birds, reptiles, and insects will be to explore your backyard—a source of life shown. For “Early Birds,” SCVAS will hold and pleasure for many species, including you. a guided shorebird walk at Charleston Slough October 18, 19 & 22, Identity Theft. Don’t in Mountain View’s Baylands at 8 a.m. Fol- be a victim. An expert (who was a victim) lowing the walk, participants will caravan to discusses the many facets of identity theft. Wildlife Education Day festivities in Cuper- October 25, 26 & 29, New Year Lunar Unity tino. R.S.V.P. is required for the walk only. Parade. A Cupertino Councilman discusses Contact Kim Yuan-Farrell at 408.252.3740, the creation and logistics of putting on a for details on the poster contest and to R.S.V.P. yearly parade. -3- Oktoberfest, Continued from page 1 Diwali, Continued from page 1 be held at Cupertino’s Memorial Park (across Indian dress and fabrics, fortunetellers, crafts the street from De Anza College) on Satur- vendors, bounce houses and a traditional day, October 9 (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and Sun- Rangoli display. The fair will be followed by day, October 10 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Admis- an evening dinner program from 5 to 8 p.m. sion is free, and free parking will be pro- in the Cupertino Room of the Quinlan Com- vided in the De Anza Parking Garage. munity Center, 10185 N. Stelling Road. German flavor The purpose of this Second Annual Diwali will be supplied in – Festival of Lights event is to celebrate in- the large tent by tercultural understanding that promotes eco- old favorites Al nomic prosperity. Diwali event chair, Mr. Gruber and his Mahesh Nihalani, explained, “Diwali marks “oompah” band; the beginning of the new business year in In- Alpine Accordion- dia, and it is a festival of joy, splendor, bright- ist Jim Mueller, and Magician-Entertainer Ace ness, happiness and prosperity.” Celebrated Miles – this year coming disguised as Pirate through the world, typical Diwali traditions Jack Spareribs. Stand-up comedians and lo- include exchanging gifts, new clothes, meet- cal celebrities The Grateful Dads and the ing new and old friends, offering traditional Harrison Family Singers will perform on a sweets and wishing new community stage, as will Hawaiian dance each other a pros- ensemble Halau Na Wai Ola. perous new year. Ms. New this year will be the Pumpkin Patch, Hema Kundargi, a where children can get a jump on decorating fine arts commis- their Halloween pumpkins.