Community Briefs Community Briefs (July 15, 2005)

Foundation will match donations to CSA

The Grove Foundation in Los Altos has announced a $25,000 "Challenge Grant" for the Community Services Agency in Mountain View, effectively matching every dollar contributed by community members throughout the month of July.

CSA is the primary nonprofit social services provider for those in need in the Mountain View, Los Altos and Los Altos Hills area. Its Emergency Assistance Program provides a food bank, vouchers for school supplies, limited financial aid and helps arrange dental care and eye exams for children and sometimes working adults who don't have health insurance. The Grove Foundation has been a regular contributor to CSA's cause.

To donate by mail, make checks payable to "Community Services Agency Challenge Grant" and mail to 204 Stierlin Road, Mountain View, 94043. -- Jenny Baer

Eagle Pool's family night a splash

More than 100 people flocked to Mountain View's Eagle Pool for the annual Family Fun Night, consisting of music, food and games around the pool deck.

The theme for the July 9 party was "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," and featured just about every character from the story, including dancing Oompa Loompas. Lifeguard Jesse Connors played Willy Wonka.

For those who missed the event, Eagle Pool plans to host a second Family Fun Night later this summer. Also, Rengstorff Pool will throw its own Family Fun Night on August 6. -- Jenny Baer

Early birds line up for Babies and Books

Mountain View mothers and fathers started lining up outside the public library as early as 7:30 a.m. for the 8:15 registration for the Babies and Books Program.

The program, put on four times a year by the Mountain View Public Library, is a free three-week workshop immersing "non-walking infants" in books, music, poetry and, of course, finger plays.

Christine Ryan arrived outside the library at 7:30 with 6-month-old Matthew. The program appeals to her, she said, because she wants her son to "learn how to read books at an early age so that he likes to read when he's older."

Pooja Maheshwari hopes the program will give her baby, Sejal, a chance to interact with other youngsters. Maheshwari echoed other parents in the line when she said she hopes her daughter will grow to be "smart, intelligent, caring and definitely good in her studies." -- Jenny Baer
@newsitem:NASA delivers Cosmic Impact

On Saturday, the NASA Ames Research Center offers a family-friendly program of astronomy, asteroids and other space phenomena with Cosmic Impact Night.

The event, the second installment of NASA Ames' family night education series, includes exhibits and hands-on activities from 6 to 10 p.m.

At 7 p.m., research astrophysicist Scott Sandford presents information and images on comets and how NASA studies them. Also, senior scientist David Morrison explains how NASA locates and identifies asteroids that come close to earth, and Apollo 9 astronaut Rusty Schweickart addresses how NASA could change the orbits of asteroids to avoid a cosmic impact.

From 8:30 to 11 p.m., guests can join amateur astronomers in viewing the moon, planets and other celestial objects through telescopes.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.nasa.gov/centers/ames. -- Katie Vaughn

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