News Digest News Digest (March 18, 2005)

Scholarship applications due Wednesday

The locally supported Amador Valley Scholarship organization has launched its annual fundraising drive to help fund scholarships to selected seniors at Amador Valley, Foothill and Village high schools. Applications for the scholarships are available from school scholarship advisors and should be turned in by next Wednesday, March 23.

Mary Reding, president of the nonprofit scholarship group, said public contributions to assist to provide this year's scholarships are encouraged, and should be sent by May 7 to Amador Valley Scholarships Inc., 4665 Bernal Ave., Pleasanton 94566.

"New contributors help us serve increasing numbers of students," she said.

The AVSI has awarded scholarships since 1965 to graduating seniors selected by the organization to help pay for their college education.

For more information, contact Reding at 846-3933 or by e-mail at mreding@pleasanton.k12.ca.us. Stem cell talk

Dr. Susan J. Fisher, a professor and co-director of the Program in Human Cell Biology at UC San Francisco, will be the guest speaker at a luncheon tomorrow being sponsored by the Pleasanton-Livermore-Dublin branch of the American Association of University Women. The luncheon, which will start at noon at the Pleasanton Hotel, is open to the public with tickets available in advance at $30 each.

In her talk, entitled "Demystifying Human Cell Research," Fisher will describe research under way on human embryonic stem cell lines. She said it gives hope for patients of cancer, diabetes, spinal cord injury and more. She explained that creating human embryonic cells from human cultures eliminates contamination concerns and takes scientists closer to clinical trials in people.

Tickets may be reserved through Devon LaHar, AAUW Education co-chair, at 548-4333 or by e-mail at devon@smalltownusa.net. She said $10 of each ticket will be used to support the AAUW Educational Foundation.

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