If you have any questions, feel free to email donate@lelandsd.org and we will do our best to respond to your concerns.

In addition, if you are organizing a different fundraising event and would like to partner with us to create a similar reward program, email support@almadenbusiness.com and we would love to help you out.

For more information on sponsoring ads on AlmadenBusiness.com, click here.

by Greg Sterling

This excerpt comes from searchengineland.com, it discussed a new study what the real impact of paid search is offline.

Six-to-One Impact in Offline Stores

Based on two years of research conducted by retail marketing firm RevTrax, the study discovered that “for every $1 of e-commerce revenue generated from paid search, marketers can expect to see approximately another $6 of in-store revenue.”

In other words, paid search has 6:1 impact on offline sales over e-commerce. Because of the challenges of tracking consumer behavior online to offline, most of this has been invisible to marketers. Only now with the rise of smartphones and other methodologies is online-to-offline tracking becoming more widely available.

Average Paid Click Worth $15 in Store

Here’s how RevTrax’s findings illuminated the “value of a click” (where the average transaction size was under $200):

• The average click on a paid search ad generated approximately $15 of in-store revenue, with some merchants seeing as much as $28 of in-store revenue.
• Approximately 9% of clicks on a paid search ad generated an in-store sale, with some merchants seeing up to 26% of clicks on a paid search ad generating an in-store sale.

Again, what the company found was that paid search drove $6 in offline sales for every $1 in sales online. RevTrax thus argues that multichannel merchants who do not include in-store sales into the ROI calculation are potentially “undervaluing the paid search channel by as much as 85 percent.”

since youtube only allow 15 minutes per upload,  there are two parts of the video:

The purpose of this article is to create a record of what happened on this day, and who is responsible to either to cancel or vote for the contract. Because the kids would be  exposed many hours per day to the cell phone tower emission, this may have long lasting effects that we are unable to predict.  Any comments are welcomed so that we can have accurate record of this event, and we sincerely hope the school board members will take the time to read this article and all the comments.  Some parents had written arguments, you may post them here as comments. If you did not have the chance to speak there, now it is your chance. Because of spam, we will have to approve your comments manually, so be patient.

http://almadenbusiness.com/leland-high-school-t-mobile-tower-meeting/

Meeting minutes:

Date: Tuesday 04/05/2011

Time: 6:00pm

Room: Leland High School cafeteria

People: San Jose Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Vincent Mathews and Concerned Parents and Students

The Superintendent, his staff and some board members hosted a community meeting on the proposed construction of a cell tower at Leland.   Previously, some concerned parents attended the San Jose Unified School District Board meeting on March 24.  At last Wednesday’s (March 30, 2011) community meeting, Board member Leslie Reynolds confirmed the school district can still cancel the contract with T-Mobile.  After hearing our concerns, Leslie agreed to stand up for us and request that  the district rescind the contract.

In an effort to help school finances, the local school board wanted to replace the flag pole beside the scoreboard in the football field with a T-Mobile cell phone tower. In return, the school would receive $2,000 a month for the next five years, with an annual 3% increase. The city has already approved the permit.

Dr. Vincent Mathews: “If we did not feel they were safe we would not have them at the schools.”  He quoted the following:

• The American Cancer Society: “Some people have expressed concern that living, working, or going to school near a cell phone tower might increase the risk of cancer or other health problems. At this time, there is very little evidence to support this idea. In theory, there are some important points that would argue against cellular phone towers being able to cause cancer.”, link here http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/CancerCauses/OtherCarcinogens/AtHome/cellular-phone-towers

• World Health Organization: “Considering the very low exposure levels and research results collected to date, there is no convincing scientific evidence that the weak RF signals from base stations and wireless networks cause adverse health effects”. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs304/en/index.html
• Federal Communication Commission FCC:  “radiofrequency emissions from antennas used for cellular and PCS transmissions result in exposure levels on the ground that are typically thousands of times below safety limits.  These safety limits were adopted by the FCC based on the recommendations of expert organizations and endorsed by agencies of the Federal Government responsible for health and safety.  Therefore, there is no reason to believe that such towers could constitute a potential health hazard to nearby residents or students.”   http://www.fcc.gov/oet/rfsafety/rf-faqs.html
• Mathews said that seven other schools in the city already have cell towers.

The Leland cafeteria was packed with people (must be more than 200).  Many waited in line to speak, and not everyone waiting was allowed a turn to speak, in order to conclude the meeting on time.

During the meeting, many parents stood up to speak against the project. One student also spoke. There were two individuals in favor of installing the tower: one man claimed to be a scientist who says the emission is very low and there is no proof of harm; the second is a lady who says she preferred to having a tower installed so that she can have better signal. Many people made disparaging comments and noises as those two spoke, but Dr. Vincent Mathews reminded people to allow different opinions to be heard.

Some excerpts from the voices of the parents:

• The school’s field is named for another famous alum, Pat Tillman, who turned down a lucrative contract with the Arizona Cardinals to serve the nation, but for $24k, the school is doing the opposite.
• Leland has 3000 students, if every student would donate $8, then it can cover the $24k.
• pledge of $1k from a Realtor Therese Swan, and many people raised hands for donation.
• Property values. Therese Swan said that the closest comparable example is was the high tension wires which brought a 10% decline in property value.
• Some parents: “I don’t want my kids in a microwave oven”; “I don’t want my kids to be guinea pigs”; “I don’t want my  kids to be a social experiment”;  “We will move if the tower goes up”.
• Ginger Tate read a letter from her doctor who warned that living near cell towers could cause cancer.
• Jeannette Chock: cell towers were dangerous, prone to toppling over.  Graduated from Bret Harte, brought her daughter back for school. Daughter also spoke.
• Roland Genise, a teacher at Bret Harte, “Let’s on the side of caution…, some school districts decided not to put up cell towers. We will not stop until the cell tower is rescinded.”
• Greg Braley: To risk 3,000 plus students’ health for the unknown health effects of a cell tower over $2,000 a month is just an absurd tradeoff in my mind.
• There are differences in: definitely safe; no reason to believe unsafe; not yet proved to be unsafe;
• Recent study: http://healthland.time.com/2011/02/22/study-cell-phones-cause-changes-in-brain-activity/print/

After the meeting, Dr. Vincent Mathews said: “My position is, I still feel the towers are safe from the research we’ve done”.

OK, let’s raise some money: 1. If the contract is canceled, then the money will go to the school; 2. If the project is not rescinded, then we will use the money to take legal action against the school district. The school district will have to pay their lawyers, thus they will not get the $24k, less incentive for Vincent Mathews to go ahead. The next school district meeting will be on May 5.

The school will get $24k, but what is the cost of the parents?:

• move away, how much money?
• stay and pay property tax, but send kids to private school.
• the quality of the school goes down, property value decreases.
• It is likely the kids will not die during the 7 years at Bret Harte and Leland. The effect of tower may be only secondary effect, thus they may not die in college either. The college will cost a lot of money to the parents and the society. What if they die right after college?  If just one kid dies after college but before they can contribute to the society, then that $24k really  seems to be insignificant.

Almaden Lake is now closed to all water activity due to blue-green algae bloom; the Lake will remain closed until the bloom dissipates. The algae, identified as Cyanobacteria, can be harmful to humans, especially small children. The bloom can occur in fresh water in late summer after a warm spell of weather. Park staff will continue monitoring and testing the Lake waters as we allow the bloom to subside.

Unfortunately, it seems like the lake closes every year for one reason or another.

Almaden Yoga

one of the newer businesses in the neighborhood, open since February 2010

visit their website at : http://www.almadenyoga.com/

6922-C Almaden Expressway
San Jose, CA 95120
Phone: (408) 596-4243

America’s Best Karate

http://almadenkarate.com/

888-683-2378

6940 Almaden Expressway

Optimum Results Fitness Studio

http://www.optimumresults.com

6928 Almaden Expy
San Jose, CA 95120
(408) 927-6387

Greenman Pet Services

(408) 455-3292

Greenman Pet Services is a licensed and insured pet services company based in the Almaden Valley of San Jose. We are dedicated to the health, safety, and happiness of companion animals of all kinds. We love the joy that animals bring to our lives, and know others do too.

..

Whether you’re looking for someone to provide pet sitting while you’re away, someone to give them a potty break and a little more exercise during the day while you’re at work, or some help keeping up with vet visits, we would love to help you give your non-human family members the excellent quality of life you want for them.

We are available to help care for any pets: dogs, cats, birds (from a flock in aviary to socialized companion parrots), rodents, reptiles, fish, and beyond – and we’d love to meet your family!

Michael North, co-owner of the Britannia Arms on Almaden Expressway, has the kind of problem every restaurateur dreams about.

His establishment has a legal capacity of 220 patrons. Yet more than a month before Saturday’s World Cup clash between England and the United States, 200 people had called to reserve seats for the 11:30 a.m. match from South Africa.

To that end, North has added seats on the patio, scheduled extra staff, set a limited menu and installed an extra television — bringing the Brit’s total to 24 screens.

“We will try to accommodate everyone who wants to watch while following the guidelines set by the fire marshal,” said North, an Englishman who has U.S. citizenship. “I told everyone to be in your seat by 11, or the reservation is void.”

Like many restaurants, pubs and bars that cater to sports fans, the Almaden Brit expects brisk business throughout the World Cup.

North will sell U.S. and England T-shirts on Saturday and plans to give away raffle tickets throughout the monthlong event.

The prize: a soccer shirt signed by Pele.

http://www.mercurynews.com/sports/ci_15259809?nclick_check=1

The San Jose Mercury article by Jon Wilner also includes a list and map showing establishments recommended for soccer-viewing in other parts of the Bay Area (along with their national team allegiances!).

While it may be a bit late for World Cup viewing with only the final left tomorrow, but there will be other sports events and other World Cups in the future!

(408) 997-3112

Run by Mimi Fujii and her husband Mike, this school has an outstanding reputation teaching both children and adults alike with a method that Mrs. Fujii has developed herself.  The atmosphere is calm, respectful, and non-competitive, prices and hours are reasonable, the location is very accessible.

Mimi and Mike are Almaden residents, and this business has developed from simple week-long summer programs  run from a home studio, to a larger home studio year round, and finally to this location, an inspiring success story.

• Tutoring Club

6477 Almaden Expressway
#D-2
San Jose
CA 95120
Web Site: SanJoseAlmaden.TutoringClub.com
Email: SanJoseAlmaden@TutoringClub.com
Tel No.: 408-997-7590

• Jumping Up Learning Circles

Tutoring Center offering transportation and after school care.
We offered academic classes from K to 8th graders

Class: MPM Math, Math Reasoning, English Writing
Reading Comprehension, Pre Algebra, Algebra I
Chinese Class, Chess, Science Fun

6477 Almaden Expressway
#D-2
San Jose
CA 95120
408.323.8388

*owned and run by local residents

• Flex College Prep
  

5965 Almaden Expressway, Suite 155
San Jose, CA 95120
Telephone: (408)997-1632

www.flexcollegeprep.com

• Knowledge Quest

6055 Meridian Avenue
San Jose, CA 95120-2700
(408) 323-1544

www.kqonline.com

• San Jose Chinese School

“Our mission is to offer, incubate and nourish a Chinese language and culture enriched learning environment for the south San Jose community.”

Founded in 1974, it is a parent co-op school, non-profit, runs classes not only for heritage speakers (of Chinese descent) who may have exposure to Chinese language at home, but also offers Chinese as a Second Language-CSL classes for those who have had little or no exposure to Chinese language and culture.

Classes meet at Leland High School on Saturday mornings.

www.sanjosechineseschool.org