VoicED Academy is a specialized college guidance and academi

VoicED Academy

VoicED Academy is a specialized college guidance and academic strategy organization founded by Ava Gencheva. With over 20 years of experience in elite education, the academy provides comprehensive support for high school students navigating the competitive admissions process to selective universities worldwide. The organization is grounded in a strategic, thinking-driven philosophy that prioritizes long-term development over simple checklists. Services include personalized college strategy and admissions planning, expert academic writing and essay coaching, and structured group programs. Founder Ava Gencheva, a former school director and UCLA admissions reader, brings a unique dual perspective to her consulting, having supported thousands of students in achieving their academic goals. Her expertise extends to helping students build authentic voices and clear direction, with a track record that includes guiding more high school students to the TED stage than any other educator in Silicon Valley. Families can expect an integrated, high-touch experience that covers everything from initial planning to final application submission. By focusing on fit, purpose, and original thinking, VoicED Academy helps students stand out with confidence and clarity throughout their educational journey.

Santa Clara County

Bay Area

Los Altos

California

VoicED Academy is a specialized college guidance and academic strategy organization founded by Ava Gencheva. With over 20 years of experience in...

Illusive Comics & Games, LLC

All are welcome at Illusive Comics &amp; Games, located in Santa Clara. Woman owned and all spectrum friendly, we are a brightly lit, well organized, and welcoming shop. It's easy for anyone to come in and wander, and shop. Roll some gorgeous dice and play some boardgames if you have the time. We will you pick out the perfect item you're looking for! We have the largest selection of new comics in the Bay Area. You can also find Dungeons &amp; Dragons, Pokemon, Magic: the Gathering, and a huge selection of boardgames. We've got comic books for every age, starting with Superhero board books. We have a full weekend of events all of the time, which we update on our website each week. There's also space for free Boardgaming for you and your friends. Illusive has been a Santa Clara mainstay since 2007. We're on Stevens Creek at Lawrence Expy and 280, next to Harbor Freight, on the other end of the center from MicroCenter. Open every day of the year, our Holiday Hours for 2026/27 are Mon 11a-7p Tues 12p-7p Wed 11a-8p Thur 11a-7p Fri 11a-9p Sat 10a-7p Sun 11a-7p (Libraries, Teachers and Schools- contact us for bulk ordering discounts for your schools and fundraising options!)

Campbell

All are welcome at Illusive Comics & Games, located in Santa Clara. Woman owned and all spectrum friendly, we are a brightly lit, well organized,...

October 1, Wed., at Los Altos High School Eagle Theatre, 201 Almond Avenue, Los Altos.6:30PM: Doors Open7-9PM: Forum You ASK—Candidates ANSWER! Before the event, enter and vote on questions for the candidates here: <a href="http://www.google.com/moderator/#15/e=211674&amp;t=211674.40" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.google.com/moderator/#15/e=211674&amp;t=211674.40</a>The event is FREE. Pre-registration requested via <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/los-altos-council-candidates-forum-on-los-altoss-vibrancy-and-sustainability-tickets-12985119843" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.eventbrite.com/e/los-altos-council-candidates-forum-on-los-a...</a>

October 1, Wed., at Los Altos High School Eagle Theatre, 201 Almond Avenue, Los Altos.

6:30PM: Doors Open7-9PM: Forum

You ASK—Candidates ANSWER! Before the event, enter and vote on questions for the candidates here: <a href="http://www.google.com/moderator/#15/e=211674&amp;t=211674.40" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.google.com/moderator/#15/e=211674&amp;t=211674.40</a>The event is FREE. Pre-registration requested via <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/los-altos-council-candidates-forum-on-los-altoss-vibrancy-and-sustainability-tickets-12985119843" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.eventbrite.com/e/los-altos-council-candidates-forum-on-los-a...</a>

Meet the candidates and hear their answers to our questions!

Oct. 1 Los Altos Council Candidates Forum - Wednesday Night!

Politics & Government

Palo Alto

Mountain View

Cupertino

San Mateo County

East Palo Alto

Menlo Park-Atherton

Saratoga

Albert Gregory

Redwood City-Woodside

Alameda County

Newark

San Carlos

Viewpoints Art Gallery

Show Dates: September 30-November 1, 2026

Meet the Artist Days: Wednesday, September 30th; Thursday, October 15th; Wednesday, October 21st and Sunday, November 1st, 11am-5pm

“Travel Memories” by Jan Grady

Viewpoints Gallery is thrilled to present “Travel Memories,” a collection of breathtaking watercolor works by local artist Jan Grady. In this stunning exhibition, Jan pays homage to scenes throughout Europe, drawing inspiration from her extensive lifelong travels. &nbsp;Jan’s passion for her subject is evident in every piece, and her latest collection celebrates the charm and magic of Europe. “I have selected scenes from trips, particularly in Europe, that have captured my imagination and made me want to explore them further,” explains Jan. “From cozy sidewalk scenes in France or Italy that show charming vine-covered buildings, to a view of a town square with a magnificent church, each one is special to me.” Jan masterfully recreates these scenes from her travels and infuses each moment with radiance and life. &nbsp;In one standout piece, her depiction of the rose window in the restored Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris expertly draws viewers into the piece using strong values, color and light to express the reverence and joy of the sacred space.

Jan has long been drawn to the luminosity of transparent watercolors, and her works are suffused with light, vibrant colors and masterfully rendered reflections.&nbsp;“My paintings often capture reflections in glass, landscapes with water, historic buildings, brightly colored flowers and leaves, or still life subjects with a close focus,” says Jan, adding,” I am particularly drawn to warmer colors and vivid hues.”&nbsp;&nbsp;
After retiring from a career in Information Technology at Hewlett Packard in 1999, Jan discovered her passion for art and her second career as a fine artist began. She developed her impressive talent with watercolor after taking workshops and classes from accomplished watercolor teachers. She has since traveled to many European countries to paint with art groups.&nbsp;Today, Jan’s stunning works continue to bring beautiful destinations to life. 
Jan is a signature member of Watercolor West and a former president and member of the Santa Clara Valley Watercolor Society. Today, Jan’s work can be found at Viewpoints Gallery in Los Altos, where her vibrant watercolors light up the gallery and delight viewers.&nbsp; More information about Jan and her work is available online at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.jangrady.com/" rel="nofollow noopener">www.jangrady.com</a> and on Viewpoints Gallery’s website <a target="_blank" href="https://www.viewpointsgallery.com/" rel="nofollow noopener">www.viewpointsgallery.com</a>. For details, please contact Jan at <a target="_blank" href="mailto:jangrady@aol.com">jangrady@aol.com</a>.

Local Event: “Travel Memories” by Jan Grady

“Travel Memories” by Jan Grady

Show Dates: September 30-November 1, 2026

Meet the Artist Days: Wednesday, September 30th; Thursday, October 15th; Wednesday,...

History Park San Jose

Walk for Mental Health. Walk for Hope. Walk for Our Community.
NAMI Santa Clara County invites the community to come together for NAMIWalks Silicon Valley 2026 on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at History Park in San Jose.
NAMIWalks is more than a walk. It is a day of connection, hope, and community action to raise awareness about mental health, fight stigma, and remind individuals and families affected by mental health conditions that they are not alone.
Mental health touches all of us—our families, friends, workplaces, schools, and communities. By walking together, we can help create a Santa Clara County where conversations about mental health are welcomed, people feel comfortable asking for help, and everyone has access to support when they need it.
NAMIWalks Silicon Valley is free and open to everyone. Individuals, families, friends, companies, schools, community organizations, and teams are all encouraged to participate. Whether you walk in honor of someone you love, in support of your own mental health journey, or simply because you believe mental health matters, we invite you to join us.
Funds raised through NAMIWalks help NAMI Santa Clara County continue providing free mental health education, support groups, advocacy, and resources to individuals and families throughout our community.
<h3>Event Details</h3>
NAMIWalks Silicon Valley 2026 Saturday, October 3, 2026 History Park, San Jose 635 Phelan Avenue San Jose, CA 95112
Come walk with us, bring your family and friends ,fur babies, form a team, or support someone who is walking.
Together, we can raise awareness. Together, we can reduce stigma. And together, we can build a community where no one has to face a mental health challenge alone.Register for free here <a href="https://www.namiwalks.org/siliconvalley" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">namiwalks.org/siliconvalley</a>
Join NAMI Santa Clara County on October 3 and walk with us for mental health for all.

Local Event: Namiwalks Silicon Valley

San Jose

Namiwalks Silicon Valley

Walk for Mental Health. Walk for Hope. Walk for Our Community.
NAMI Santa Clara County invites the community to come together...

Los Altos Community Center

Don’t miss this eco-friendly artisan event: Nearly 40 local makers! Uniquely beautiful, sustainably-handcrafted fine art, fashion, home decor items, jewelry, toys, gifts, holiday items and pet accessories. All artisan items will be crafted from the 70+ tons of textiles and other discarded designer materials the non-profit FabMo diverts from Bay Area landfills each year. Sunday, October 4, 11am-4pm at the Los Altos Community Center, 97 Hillview Avenue. In addition to the artisanal wares, a curated collection of vintage linens and other curios will be sold, along with $5 Mystery Gift Boxes containing a variety of small but unique handmade items. Proceeds from the above will go to support FabMo’s mission to inspire creative reuse.

Local Event: FabMo Artisans Market

FabMo Artisans Market

Don’t miss this eco-friendly artisan event: Nearly 40 local makers!  Uniquely beautiful, sustainably-handcrafted fine art,...

San Mateo & Santa Clara Counties

A showcase of environmentally-friendly homes in San Mateo and Santa Clara County renovated with sustainability in mind.
[Continúa en Español]
Acterra is proud to present the 2026 Peninsula and South Bay Green@Home Tour! This is a free, community-powered event that invites the public to explore innovative, electrified homes. On Saturday, October 10th, from 11 AM to 3 PM, explore homes throughout Santa Clara and San Mateo County, ranging from new construction to those transitioning away from gas. Gain valuable insights from tour hosts on appliance selection, contractor decisions, installation processes, tax credits, and incentives, making your transition to electric living informed and cost-effective.
Attendees will have the chance to see firsthand a wide variety of electric appliances and environmentally-conscious home upgrades, including energy-efficient heat pumps for heating and cooling, heat pump water heaters, induction cooktops, rainwater catchments, compost bins, electric vehicles (EVs), solar panels, battery storage systems, and more. Attendees will also be able to engage with tour hosts to learn about their choices, including financial considerations, rebate programs, contractors, and appliance models.
The free Tour is made possible through the generosity of our sponsors. 
______________________________________________________________
Este verano, Acterra se enorgullece de presentar el Peninsula y South Bay Green@Home Tours 2026. Este evento gratuito, impulsado por la comunidad, invita al público a explorar viviendas electrificadas innovadoras. El sábado 10 de octubre, de 11 AM a 3 PM, explore viviendas en los condados de San Mateo y Santa Clara, desde nuevas construcciones hasta aquellas que están dejando de usar gas. Obtenga valiosa información de los guías sobre la selección de electrodomésticos, las decisiones de los contratistas, los procesos de instalación e incentivos y créditos, para que su transición a una vida eléctrica sea informada y asequible.
Los asistentes tendrán la oportunidad de ver de primera mano una amplia variedad de electrodomésticos y mejoras ecológicas para el hogar, como bombas de calor de bajo consumo para calefacción y refrigeración, calentadores de agua con bomba de calor, placas de inducción, sistemas de recolección de agua de lluvia, composteras, vehículos eléctricos (VE), paneles solares, sistemas de almacenamiento de baterías y más. Los asistentes también podrán interactuar con los guías del tour para conocer sus opciones, incluyendo consideraciones financieras, programas de reembolso, contratistas y modelos de electrodomésticos.
El tour gratuito es posible gracias a la generosidad de nuestros patrocinadores.

Local Event: Peninsula and South Bay Green@Home Tour 2026

Peninsula and South Bay Green@Home Tour 2026

A showcase of environmentally-friendly homes in San Mateo and Santa Clara County renovated with sustainability in...

🌱 Patch AM: Which Los Altos seniors just became...

Also check out "Travel Memories" by Jan Grady on the Los Altos Patch calendar

🌱 Patch AM: Which Los Altos seniors just became National Merit semifinalists?

Community Corner

Across California

CA Foreclosures Spike | 25-Cent Coffee |...

Catch up with the latest CA consumer and business news, plus under-the-radar stories and the week's best sales and freebies.

CA Foreclosures Spike | 25-Cent Coffee | Silicon Valley Brothel | Data Center Crackdown: CA Business News

Business

🌱 Patch AM: What will glow and pulse with your...

Make time for "Travel Memories" by Jan Grady on the Los Altos Patch calendar

🌱 Patch AM: What will glow and pulse with your heartbeat on Distel Circle?

San Francisco County

San Francisco

Dog Dies Saving Owners | Mega Pop Star...

Star Arrested In Traffic Stop | Student Race, Gender Changed In College Pic | Day Laborers Disappear | Record Potluck | CA Sea Turtle First

Dog Dies Saving Owners | Mega Pop Star Surprises Fans At Park | Father Backs Cybertruck Over Son: CA News

🌱 Patch AM: See which local preserves starred...

Make time for Flamenco de A on the Los Altos Patch calendar

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