Morgan Hill
– One Morgan Hill and six Gilroy neighborhood groups are among
27 winners of more than $70,000 in grants announced Monday by the
Silicon Valley Community Foundation. In Morgan Hill, the Jasmine
Square Apartments won $3,100 for its monthly dinners, residents
meetings, community barbecues and picnic
s.
Local Neighborhood Groups Rake in Grants
Morgan Hill – One Morgan Hill and six Gilroy neighborhood groups are among 27 winners of more than $70,000 in grants announced Monday by the Silicon Valley Community Foundation.
In Morgan Hill, the Jasmine Square Apartments won $3,100 for its monthly dinners, residents meetings, community barbecues and picnics.
In Gilroy, the 100F Neighborhood Association received a $3,600 grant for neighborhood watch, gang-awareness meetings and beautification.
Additionally, the Glen View neighborhood received $3,520 for six monthly forums and a community pride event. Other Gilroy groups to receive awards include the Aspen Grove Community Association, the Sobrato Community Association, the Church and Farrell Avenue neighborhood and the Stoney Court Neighborhood Association.
The foundation announced 27 grants Monday as part of its Neighborhood Grants program. Winners are San Mateo and Santa Clara county residents and neighborhood organizations that are committed to renewal of their neighborhoods.
“Neighborhood groups and organizations are a wonderful vehicle for residents to put their ideas for building safe, strong communities into action,” said Eleanor Clement Glass, chief giving officer, Silicon Valley Community Foundation, in a news release. “We are happy to provide support to the residents and neighborhood groups of our community. These organizations improve neighborhood conditions and quality of life and nurture relationships among neighbors.”
The $1.7 billion Silicon Valley Community Foundation was created in January by the merger of Peninsula Community Foundation and Community Foundation Silicon Valley. The organization is focused on what it sees as innovative solutions that solve the region’s most critical problems and improve the quality of life throughout San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.
During the next several months, the community foundation is continuing the community grants programs of Peninsula Community Foundation – providing funding from Daly City to Mountain View – and Community Foundation Silicon Valley, providing funding from Redwood City to Gilroy.
The community foundation expects to announce new grant-making priorities in the fall.
“As a new community foundation, we need time to examine the needs across our region and evaluate the best practices before launching a new, regional grant-making strategy,” Clement Glass said in the news release. “During the next several months, we will continue the community grant-making programs of our parent foundations, which are organized according to the geographic area of the communities served.”
                                              Green Bill Passes Assembly
SACRAMENTO – A bill requiring the development of green building standards for homes passed the Assembly June 5 and is headed to the State Senate. The standards emphasize best practices that utilize energy, water and materials efficiently throughout a home’s life cycle, as well as enhance indoor air quality and incorporate environmentally preferable products.
“I’m pleased and proud the Assembly continues to address both the moral imperative and the legislative requirement to do more to combat global warming,” said Assemblymember
John Laird, D-Santa Cruz, who introduced Assembly Bill 1058. “This bill helps meet growing consumer demand for green building standards.”
Laird, D-Santa Cruz, jointly authored the bill with Assemblymember Ted Lieu, D-Torrance.
The bill would require the California Environmental Protection Agency to work with a variety of relevant state agencies to develop “best practices” guidelines. It would allow builders to voluntarily use the guidelines for two years, followed by two years for feedback and revisions. Then, beginning Jan. 1, 2013, all new homes must be built to the minimum standards created.
The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.
Needle Exchange Bill Passes Assembly
Legislation that clarifies the use of state funds to support locally run needle exchange programs passed the Assembly June 5.
“Clean needle exchange programs are an essential part of locally focussed efforts to reduce the transmission of HIV and other blood-borne diseases,” said Assemblymember John Laird, D-Santa Cruz, who authored Assembly Bill 110.
The bill clarifies the state policy so local agencies may use state HIV prevention and education funds to support authorize clean needle and syringe exchange programs, among other things.
AB 110 now head to the State Senate for consideration.
