Local Digest
New emergency services director named
A longtime American Red Cross administrator was named Santa Clara County’s director of emergency services, the county announced Wednesday.
Kirstin Hofmann Ruf’s appointment is effective Jan. 7, 2008. Her salary will be $108,879, according to a news release.
Ruf has a master’s degree in not-for-profit Leadership from Seattle University and a bachelor’s from the University of Washington. She joined the American Red Cross in 1999 in Seattle as Youth and Young Adult Services Coordinator and a member of the National Rapid Response Corps, eventually being promoted to the position of community outreach coordinator. During her tenure, Ruf ran mass care and mental health operations for the nonprofit following the Alaska Airlines Flight 261 crash and coordinated local volunteers for both hurricanes Katrina and Rita with United Way of King County in Seattle.
Later, Ruf was selected to manage the launch of 2-1-1 Santa Clara County for United Way of Silicon Valley. 2-1-1 is a free, non-emergency, confidential service that operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week providing streamlined access to critical health and human services such as food, shelter, counseling, drug and alcohol intervention, employment assistance. Ruf had oversight responsibilities for daily operations, negotiating and managing contracts, and overseeing the development, production, marketing and distribution of informational materials.
“Kirstin brings a lot of drive and passion to her work,” said County Executive Pete Kutras. “She has demonstrated the ability to mobilize individuals, work well with organizations, and to get the job done. I am sure she will be an asset to the County of Santa Clara.”
The 2007-2008 Youth Activities Hoop Shoot
The year’s Gilroy Elks Lodge Hoop Shoot “Shootoff” (basketball free throw contest) for boys and girls ages 8 to 13 will be held at the Gavilan College Gym at 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 15. Registration begins at 8:15 a.m.
Contestants are too young to participate if they will be 7 by April 1, 2008, and too old if they will be 14 by April 1, 2008.
First and second place finishers from the contests held at local schools will shoot free throws to determine the winners who will advance to the district finals. More than three million youngsters will participate, with winners advancing to district, state, regional and national competitions. The finals this year will be held in Springfield, Mass., and national champions will be enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Any child in the South County area whose school did not hold a shooting contest but wants to participate call local chairman Jerry Movrich to make arrangements.
Details: 426-1354.
Unique volunteer opportunities at CMAP
Community Media Access Partnership, serving Gilroy, Hollister and San Juan Bautista, invites residents to volunteer for studio and field productions that will air on community cable channels. No experienced is required. Staff will provide training in field camera, audio, studio production and editing.
Volunteers are need to operate cameras, audio, a graphics program, and to direct live television shows. Here is a chance to learn what goes on behind the scenes and be a part of the action. All ages are welcome.
Those interested can attend an orientation at 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14 at Gavilan College, room L-139. Cable subscribers can watch the orientation on channel 20. Airtimes are available at www.mycmap.org.
Details: at www.mycmapt.org, or at 846-4983.
Give toys to Salvation Army’s Giving Tree
The Giving Tree is a program that helps provide toys and clothing to children in south Santa Clara County. Angel Trees are placed at Black Bear Diner, Union Bank, Curves, Wal-Mart, Denny’s (Gilroy and Morgan Hill), St. Stephen’s Church, Nob Hill Gilroy, Presbyterian Church Gilroy and Tommy Hilfiger at the Gilroy Premium Outlets. Choose an Angel tag from the tree and purchase a toy or clothing for a child in need. Angel tags state whether the child is a boy or girl, their age, and the toy or clothing item (with size) they requested for Christmas. Bring the item unwrapped back to the Angel tree site and/or the Salvation Army and it will be distributed at Christmas.
Details: Ellen Torchio 848-5373.
‘My Three Angels’ on stage at Live Oak High School
Live Oak High School’s fall play, ‘My Three Angels,’ will be preformed at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and at 8 p.m. Friday. Performances are held at Live Oak High School in the Little Theater. $7 with an ASB card, $10 without.
SVCT presents ‘Scrooge! the Musical’
South Valley Civic Theatre presents Scrooge! the Musical Friday, Saturday, Dec. 14 and Dec. 15 at 8 p.m.; matinee Dec. 9 at 2 p.m.
Performances are at the Morgan Hill Community Playhouse. Tickets are $18 general, $14 students/seniors. Advance tickets are available at BookSmart in Morgan Hill, the Gilroy Visitors Bureau, and at the Morgan Hill Community Center, Also online at www.SVCT.org.
Details: www.svct.org.
Begin Advent season with Suzuki violins
The Suzuki Music Foundation will perform a concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8 at St. Mary Church, 11 First St. The concert will benefit the groups 2008 friendship tour to Europe.
Details: Jacqui at 472-1692.
Meet, greet and get picture with Santa in the park
Santa Claus will hear present requests and spread mirth in San Ysidro Park, between 2 and 4:30 p.m. Dec. 12.
All children are invited to the event, held in the recreation room near the intersection of Murray Avenue and Chestnut Street. There will also be music, police officers and firefighters for children to meet, and goodie bags for the first 450 children. Free pictures with Santa.
Details: 846-0524.
Candlelight vigil in memory of drunk driving victims
In remembrance of the victims of drunk drivers and a reminder to the public to not drink and drive during the holidays, join the Community Substance Abuse Prevention Partnership and The Morgan Hill Police Department for a candlelight vigil at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12, at the Morgan Hill Community & Cultural Center, 17000 Monterey Road.
‘Footloose’ dances onto Mount Madonna’s stage
Mount Madonna School students will put on a production of ‘Footloose.’ The show will be held at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14 and 15 and at 2 p.m. Dec. 16 at Mount Madonna School, 491 Summit Road, Watsonville.
Tickets cost $15 for adults and $10 for students 16 and younger.
Details: 847-2717.
Send digest items to City Editor Robert Airoldi at ed****@****ic.com.
