Last Chance: Happening This Week in Campbell

Up and coming deadlines, fundraisers, and events this week in Campbell.

I'm guilty of it! We all do it. Forget to mark our calendars for upcoming events, fundraisers and deadlines. There are so many events and opportunities in Campbell that it can be hard to keep tabs on them all. The following is a list of deadlines coming up. Take a look before it's your last chance! REGISTRATION Tuesday, May 1 The 13th Annual Del Mar Field Hockey Camp ONLINE registration is now open.Camp takes place June 18-21, 9:00 a.m.-noon and is a fundraising event for the Del Mar High School field hockey program. $70 COMMUNITY Wednesday, May 2, 6:00 p.m. Bring our four-legged friends out to Downtown Campbell Waggin' Wednesdays. It's a social event that allows both pups and parents a chance to get outdoors and meet and greet with other …

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Who is the Hottest Dad in Campbell?

NBC, iVillage and the TODAY Show are looking for the hottest dads, and we're bargaining for a Campbell dad to enter and win.

You’ve heard the phrase hot mama, right? How about hot daddy? Well, NBC’s iVillage.com and the TODAY Show is looking for the hottest dad around, and we’re sure Campbell can give him up for viewing. Campbell Patch will support your entry as the hottest dad around if you’ll share your photo with us, too. There are 11 categories: Military Dad, Newbie Dad (Baby Less Than 1 Year), Fireman/Policeman Dad, Tattooed Dad, Dad with Facial Hair, Single Dad, Teacher Dad, Blogger Dad, Dad in His 20s, Dad in His 30s and Dad over 40. They’re giving the grand prize winner a week-long Royal Caribbean cruise for four, and category winners get $300 at Target, or Target gift cards. The winner will be announced on on June 12 on NBC's Today show. This Patch …

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Earth Day Happenings

Here's a list of things happening in and around the Orchard City April 21.

City of Campbell's Great American Litter Pickup Event Start your Earth Day morning by getting up and cleaning up local parks, waterways and underpasses in Campbell. In conjunction with the City of San Jose’s Great American Litter Pickup the city's 10th annual cleanup kicks off at 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Los Gatos Creek County Park. Rain or shine Wear comfortable shoes. (Bonus: All volunteers get one of these great Campbell canvas bags pictured here.) Westmont High School Plant Sale The FFA students and boosters have a selection of heirloom tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and squash. All the plants have been raised in the AG Science Greenhouse located across Westmont Avenue from the baseball field. Sale kicks off at 9:00 a.m. in the …

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A 5-Year-Old's Adventures in Campbell

How family-friendly is Campbell, really?

Like many in Campbell, I am also a parent and last week my 5-year-old was on spring break. It's a high-stress time for many parents like myself because we are faced with trying to figure out what we are going to do with our kids for the week--camp, daycare, family? For myself, I am lucky to have family locally to help out, but on April 12 I was on my own to juggle hanging out with my child and getting some work done. I decided to test something out. Something that's talked about, but that I wanted to see first hand: how kid-friendly is Campbell, really? Turns out, it really is! My son and I hung out all day in the Orchard City, posting photos along the way and getting suggestions/ideas/input from our Facebook readers. Our first stop was a …

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Watch Out for Lightning on the Horizon

Lightning is reportedly the second largest weather-related killer following floods—here are tips on how to protect yourself.

Avoid trees and metal today because lightning is expected to hit the Orchard City, according to WUnderground. Although showers are expected to continue through Friday, with a high of 61 degrees Wednesday, 59 Thursday and 57 on Friday, getting a little wet could be the least of your problems. Lightning is the second largest weather-related killer following floods and that's because lightning strikes one person at a time as opposed to washing away entire towns, according to a National Geographic article. "According to the U.S. National Weather Service, 73 people die from lightning strikes each year and hundreds more suffer life-debilitating injuries," the article states. Although trying to predict where lightning will strike is near …

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UPDATE: Tree Limb Leaves Campbell Without Power

A total of 2,427 residents were left without power around 7:46 p.m. April 9.

According to PG&E spokewoman Janna Morris, there were roughly 933 customers still without power as of 10:00 p.m. April 9. Initially reported as about 2,427 customers at 7:46 p.m., the outage was due to a tree that fell, breaking power equipment including a transistor and insulators, Morris said. "We don’t have a time of restoration as of yet but crews are out working to restore power to as many customers as we can," she said. PG&E is advising that there will be work on that section of Union Avenue for the next 5-7 hours, Campbell Police Dispatch said. The initial outage perimeter included Apricot, Union and So. Bascom avenues as well as Michael Drive and McGlincey Lane, Morris said. On facebook, readers shared whether or not they were in …

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Patch will Rock Bunnies and Bonnets Parade

This year's Bunnies and Bonnets Parade will be Campbell Patch's first parade!

It's time and what better event for Campbell Patch to strut its stuff than at the annual Bunnies and Bonnets Parade? This year's parade, which takes place April 7 at noon in downtown Campbell will have floats, music, people and pets, and of course, Campbell Patch and the Campbell Patch Mom Squad! But we have to make sure everyone knows (or at least those that didn't already know) that this amazing community event would not take place without the help and drive of one special lady: Campbell Express Editor and Owner Sally Howe so if you see her, make sure to tell her thanks! As for Campbell Patch, look for us in the green shirts and rabbit ears as we walk down Campbell Avenue. We will have goodies to hand out, so make sure to call out to us …

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History in Photos

The Neon Glow in Downtown

Signage in downtown Campbell was made up of a variety of styles, including neon.

This week's history photo depicts one of downtown's oldest buildings. This photo is an exterior view of the Gaslight Theatre; previously the Growers National Bank.  In the image, you can see the now-destroyed neon sign from a raised view from across the street.  The black and white image was taken in 1999.

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Campbell Foreclosure Consulting Firm Defrauds 400 Homeowners, Plead No Contest

Rene Alvarez and Mariano Ortega swindled homeowners out of close to $2 million.

A case that began a year ago is closer to resolution, with the two defendants entering a plea. Owners of a Campbell foreclosure consulting firm, M & R Contemporary Solutions Inc., Rene Alvarez and Mariano Ortega pled guilty and no contest this week. The two appeared in Santa Clara Superior Court March 19 on charges related to a scheme that, over the course of a year left about 400 mainly Hispanic homeowners out of nearly $2 million. "This was one of the largest, if not largest real estate fraud cases in the county's history," said Santa Clara Deputy District Attorney Mike Fitzsimmons. Fitzsimmons said the two defendants will receive a five year sentence of jail and mandatory supervision. Investigators have seized $257,000 from the …

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History in Photos

Campbell Cannery Workers

This snapshot of the past shows what life was like in the Orchard City.

This week's history photo is a black and white picture of possibly the Hyde cannery workers. The photograph is believed to be taken between 1910 and 1940 at the Geo E Hyde & Co./Campbell Fruit Grower's Union property, but exactly which company is shown is unknown. Women are all shown in a standard uniform of a rounded neck dress with white trim. Men are shown standing along the back row. The bottom portion of the Campbell Water Company Tower is shown in the back center of the image.  The Railroad crossing is behind the group to the left.

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