Police brighten holidays for kids with cancer
The San Jose Police Department and other South Bay law enforcement agencies hosted a really special event last Saturday. How could it not be special with Santa Claus arriving in the San Jose police helicopter?
And that was just part of the fun for more than four dozen kids battling cancer, along with their families, who were invited to the Cops Care Cancer Foundation’s 15th annual Fantasy Flight.
The foundation was started by retired San Jose police Officer Brian Simuro, who still serves as its president and aimed to provide the kids with an unforgettable day.
Families were driven motorcade-style from Juniper Networks in Sunnyvale to the San Jose Police Department’s hangar at Mineta San Jose International Airport, which was transformed into a winter wonderland.
They were greeted there by cartoon favorites and Star Wars characters like Boba Fett and R2-D2 and real heroes from the various law enforcement agencies
The Sunnyvale Moose Lodge provided a barbecue lunch, along with sweet treats, and the families got to take pictures on police and fire depart- ment equipment and meet the dogs working in the K-9 unit. Santa flew in by chopper for photos, and the chiefs and command officers from every agency involved handed out gifts to the kids.
Tyler Murray — a 12-year- old boy whose mom, Carmen Murray-Hernandez, is a Santa Clara County probation officer — served as the event’s first- ever grand marshal. Tyler’s currently in remission, making him a symbol of hope for the kids still fighting.
SHOPLOCAL » If you’re like me and vow every year to shun website and purchase more holiday gifts locally, you should think about checking out the San Jose CraftHoliday Fair this weekend. San Jose Made is bringing together more than 250 creative retailers who will be filling the San Jose McEnery Convention Center’s South Hall, offering everything from art and accessories to home decor and jewelry.
The fair runs 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and admission is free. Content Magazine will have a free photo booth set up, there will be DIY workshops and a kids play area will be available. There also will be food, beer and wine available; shopping can work up a thirst, after all.
BOOK REPORTS » More than 20 South Bay authors will be talking about their books Sunday at the sixth annual LocalLit event at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Main Library in downtown San Jose. The diverse group of writers will share their stories, work processes and inspirations during the free program, which runs from 2 to 5 p.m. on the library’s second floor. Check out the slate of authors on the San Jose Public Library’s website, www.sjpl.org.
PICTURE THE PLACE YOU LOVE » Singer Jackie Gage unveiled “A Secret Place,” her ode to her hometown, during her set at San Jose Jazz Summer Fest and now she’s looking for help on the video. Bay Area residents can submit a 5-10 second video clip of their favorite place in downtown San Jose for potential inclusion in the video. If your clip is picked, you’ll get a credit in the video as well as a ticket to the premiere at City Lights Theater in downtown San Jose on Jan. 20. Submissions have to be in by midnight Dec. 16, and you can get all the details at www.jackiegage.org/asecretplace.