A real magnet: Ortega Elementary has waiting list

Ortega Elementary School has gotten off to a successful start in 2012 with a full slate of activities – and a full student roster. The museum magnet school has a waiting list and more than 60 new magnet students enrolled in the 2012-2013 school year. The neighborhood magnet school is making good use of the […]

Nonprofit hones in on area private schools for student success

Focus on Excellence program launched this fall Getting students through school and into college is a challenge for any family – particularly in today’s economic climate. But add at-risk and financially drained to a bright student’s load, and many would-be college leaders slip through the cracks. A local nonprofit organization aims to change that outcome. […]

Birthday party fosters philanthropy

San Jose resident Caroline Giddens took the focus off herself and put it on the needs of others during her 10th birthday party this fall. Instead of bringing gifts, Giddens asked her friends to bring new socks or underwear. The items were donated to the Foster Closet (www.fostercloset.org). The group provides clothing for local foster […]

Pumpkin fun!

  Students from Southside United Methodist Church Preschool didn’t have a far walk to enjoy the fall foliage and pumpkin patch on their school campus. A trip to the pumpkin patch is an annual adventure for many neighborhood children, and these students enjoyed their visit.

Student wins top model contest

Hendricks Avenue Elementary School fifth-grader Grace Atkins recently won the Dillard’s Model Search 2012. The annual contest attracted nearly 70 contestants, who won votes from customers. Atkins, who lives with her family near Point La Vista in San Marco, won an iPod shuffle and the honor of having her picture up in the store for […]

Baptist officially opens senior health center

Baptist AgeWell Center for Senior Health officially has opened following a recent ribbon cutting. The facility is the centerpiece program of Baptist AgeWell Institute and is an outpatient clinic of Baptist Medical Center. “Baptist Health has a long-standing commitment to helping people in our community maintain their quality of life as they age,” says Hugh […]

David Gum – Part II

By Laura Jane Pittman Resident Community News (Note: In the last The Way We Were column, Jacksonville native David Gum shared memories from his early childhood. Here he recounts the stores and favorite establishments that made up “The Strip” of old in St. Nicholas and South Shores. He also shared several ads from The Times […]

It’s in the bag for San Jose Catholic artist

Fresh Market held an artist contest recently called “The Design Our Bag Challenge.” One of the two winners was Karley Dry, a student at San Jose Catholic School. Dry’s prize was a $50 Fresh Market gift card — and the chance to have her design selected to be featured on a reusable bag sold in […]