News digest News digest (September 09, 2005)

Realtors give back to schools

Realtors across the Tri-Valley are raising money for the Pleasanton, Dublin and Livermore school districts with the first annual "Realtors Getting Real About Schools" fundraiser. The event will be held today at Castlewood Country Club. Tri-Valley real estate owners and managers will serve dinner to the realtors in their office, but only if they receive lots of tips. The money collected from the tips will be donated to the schools. To participate, contact fundraiser co-chair Donna McMillion at mcmillion@lendscape.com or Rosie Yandell at 519-4729. VA Nursing Home second meeting

The second Veterans Affairs meeting to hear public comment regarding possible relocation of the VA nursing home in Livermore will begin at 9 a.m. Sept. 14 in the nursing home's dining room. The facility is located at 4951 Arroyo Rd. For a map or to log an online comment, visit www.va.gov/cares/LocationSite/Site13.asp?VASite=13. Online comments are given the same weight as those delivered in person, which are limited to three minutes. Sign-up sheets for times to speak will be provided at the meeting. At May's meeting, the V.A. noted that, of all issues raised, many who spoke (31 per cent) spoke in favor of leaving the nursing home in its present location. Valley Concert Chorale auditions Sept. 12, 19, 26

Good sight readers are invited to audition for the Valley Concert Chorale. The Chorale will hold auditions by appointment for experienced singers on Monday, Sept. 12, 19 and 26 in Livermore. An open rehearsal will be held on Monday, September 19, at 7 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, Livermore for the first rehearsal of the holiday concert music.

Valley Concert Chorale performs three sets of concerts each year, singing a range of music from contemporary to classical to jazz. Singers who have sight reading skills and want more information can call 462-4205 to schedule an appointment, or for more information, visit www.valleyconcertchorale.org. Walnut Grove gets solar power

Walnut Grove Elementary School was one of 10 schools in the state awarded with a one kilowatt solar generation system from PG&E. The system, valued at $20,000, converts sunlight into electric power at the school site and will be used for educational purposes. Included in the package is an online monitoring tool that provides real-time data on the system's activity and the amount of electricity generated. Also funded through the program are a specialized curriculum package and teacher training. PG&E will award 10 more schools the same package later in the year. Tutors needed

The Pleasanton Public Library needs Adult Literacy Volunteers for its "Pleasanton Reads" program. Training, support, and materials are all free. Volunteers generally meet once per week to help another adult improve English language skills. The next informational meeting for prospective tutors is on Tuesday, September 13, at 7 p.m. in the Library's large meeting room, to be followed by a training session on Saturday, September 17, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. To sign up or ask questions, call 931-3411. More than 100 students need tutors.

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