Send this story Print this story

Adjust text size

News digest

Just say TTYL

The Wellness Committee of Amador Valley High School (AVHS) will host a free presentation for students and parents on the dangers and consequences of distracted driving at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 22.

Attendees will find interactive activities, video, a real story, and giveaways, all to teach the realities of distracted driving and how to be safe whether you are the driver or the passenger.

The presentation will take place in the AVHS library and will feature a member of the California Highway Patrol in addition to guest speaker Martha Tessmer of the Impact Teen Drivers program.

An American Automobile Association survey showed nearly 50% of teens admit to texting while driving. This type of distracted driving results in 16% of all fatal car crashes, and 21% of crashes resulting in an injury. Statistics from the National Safety Council show teen crashes are the number one killer of kids -- more than disease, suicide and homicide.

Celebrate your graduate

If you're looking for a special way to celebrate the high school or college graduate in your life, you can put them on TV. Parents, grandparents and friends can let their graduate know how proud they are by creating a "Celebrate" announcement that will broadcast on TV30.

It's easy to do: Go to the TV30 website, click on Celebrate, fill out the form and include a photo. TV30 will produce a 20 second TV announcement that will air on TV30 and stream live on its website during June and July.

The cost is $20. For more information, visit trivalleytv.org.

Tri-Valley TV is accessed over Comcast Cable TV30 in Pleasanton, Dublin, San Ramon and Livermore or via AT&T U-Verse in the Bay Area, via streaming over the Internet at www.trivalleytv.org, or on any mobile device.

Sun, moon, Venus will star

Astronomers and volunteers at Chabot Space & Science Center are preparing for crowds over the next couple of weeks as three major astronomical events take place, starting this weekend.

On Sunday afternoon, the West Coast will have a great view of the solar eclipse, and Chabot Space & Science Center will be open past normal closing for a viewing party on the observatory deck from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., with the maximum eclipse coming at 6:32 p.m. In addition to hands-on solar projects and DIY pin-hole cameras, experienced astronomers will be on deck to guide visitors through safe viewing.

On June 4, Chabot's Observatory Deck will be open from 2 a.m. to 5 a.m. for a lunar eclipse, and visitors can chat with Chabot's astronomers and volunteers as they watch the moon cross the Earth's shadow. Donations of $3 for this event are suggested.

The following day, the transit of Venus will take place between 3 p.m. and 10 p.m. -- the last time Venus will pass in front of the Sun until 2117. This event is free with general admission, and includes hands-on activities, live broadcasts from NASA, demonstrations and viewing through Chabot's special solar scopes and sun spotters. The transit will be most visible from the area from 3:06 p.m. to 9:50 p.m.

For advance tickets and admission, visitors should go online at www.Chabotspace.org or call the box office at (510) 336-7373.The center is at 10000 Skyline Blvd. just off Highway 13 in the Oakland hills. For more information, visit www.chabotspace.org.