It’s not completely unusual for the 2 honorees of Notre Dame San Jose’s annual Girls of Impression luncheon — a neighborhood chief and a Notre Dame alumna — to know one another. However this yr’s honorees, Santa Clara County Superior Courtroom Decide Erica Yew and Dr. Sejal Hathi, have a a lot deeper connection: They’re godmother and goddaughter.
Hathi, who graduated from Notre Dame Excessive College in 2009 and oversees well being care and public well being providers for the state of Oregon, mentioned it was a complete coincidence they have been each honored this yr when she revealed the connection to a crowd of practically 400 individuals who attended the fundraising occasion on the Signia by Hilton in downtown San Jose.
A crowd of practically 400 individuals attended Notre Dame San Jose’s Girls of Impression luncheon, honoring Decide Erica Yew and Dr. Sejal Hathi, on the Signia by Hilton resort in downtown San Jose on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (Sal Pizarro/Bay Space Information Group)
“She’s also one of the earliest friends that my mother cherished upon arriving to this country as a young woman herself,” she mentioned. “So to witness Judge Yew now, to honor her here, to see her stand in her own power, is to not only celebrate her, but also to celebrate my childhood, the starry-eyed young woman who was my mother before me. The dreams that their generation cherished for me and for all those that would come after.”
Yew mentioned that she and Hathi’s mom each labored in the identical San Jose regulation workplace, the place they bonded as the one two girls of shade. Yew’s profession has been one value celebrating: She was appointed Oct. 19, 2001 as the primary Asian American lady on the Santa Clara County Superior Courtroom, and this yr obtained a Group Heroes Award from the Santa Clara County Behavioral Well being Board.
Notre Dame San Jose Head of College Ashley Rae Mathis handle the group at the highschool’s Girls of Impression luncheon, honoring Decide Erica Yew and Dr. Sejal Hathi, on the Signia by Hilton resort in downtown San Jose on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (Sal Pizarro/Bay Space Information Group)
Earlier than the luncheon, Yew and Hathi have been interviewed by college students throughout a faculty meeting, the place they talked about their profession paths, their ideas on justice and on girls’s management.
Since 2009, Girls of Impression has been a signature occasion elevating cash for tuition help on the women Catholic faculty in downtown San Jose, which is celebrating its one hundred and seventy fifth anniversary subsequent yr. “There is power in having women tell women’s stories,” Head of College Ashley Rae Mathis mentioned.
BENEFIT ART SHOW: San Jose artist Jim Campbell has had a protracted profession as an artist and historian, identified for his drawings of crusing ships and three books. However now, he and his spouse, Joanne, might use a hand after each — aged 96 and 95 years previous, respectively — recuperate from falls they suffered in August.
Their daughter, Nancy Brown, is internet hosting an artwork present and fundraiser Nov. 1 to promote prints, playing cards, books and a few of his originals, with all the proceeds going towards their long-term care. The present will happen from 1 to 4 p.m. at a really acceptable venue, Morgan’s Cove in Morgan Hill, the pirate-themed house created by the late Wealthy Firato. The handle is 1980 Morgan Ave. You’ll be able to RSVP by calling 757-373-5680.
SPOOKY SEASON: Throughout the darkish and scary days of the COVID-19 pandemic, San Jose arts collective Native Colour got here up with an thought for a digital fundraiser that has now grown into one of the artistic occasions of the Halloween season. The sixth annual 31 Skulls returns Oct. 24 on the Guildhouse in downtown San Jose, and Erin Salazar, Native Colour’s founder and govt director, says it has “grown into something truly magical.”
“It’s a celebration of local artists, the spooky season and what it means to build community through creativity,” she mentioned.
This yr, 34 native artists have been turned unfastened to create distinctive artistic endeavors with clean ceramic skulls as their canvasses. Ten of the skulls might be up for bid in a dwell public sale on the occasion, which can even mark Native Colour’s tenth anniversary with a vinyl-driven after occasion, the place visitors can exhibit their “goth formal.” Tickets are actually accessible at 31skulls2025.givesmart.com.
Native Colour additionally teamed up with San Jose’s Paleta Planeta on “La 31,” an unique 31 Skulls taste accessible at their retailer on Santa Clara and Fourth streets all month (and 31 cents from each paleta bought might be donated to Native Colour).
SUNDAY SOUNDS: The San Jose Metropolitan Band and the San Francisco Brass Band are teaming up as “BANDthology” returns to the Hammer Theatre Middle in downtown San Jose for the second yr. The three p.m. live performance will function the 2 bands with very distinct applications. The San Jose Metropolitan Band, beneath the path of Ken Nakamoto, will current “Mystique and Whimsy,” whereas the San Francisco Brass Band, directed by Jeff DeSeriere, will brighten issues up with “Eternal Light,” together with picks from “Wicked.” Get extra info and tickets at www.hammertheatre.com.
TOGETHER FOREVER: Rudy and Lily Tenes, who first met at a dance at Candy’s Ballroom in Oakland, had massive plans for his or her seventieth wedding ceremony anniversary on Nov. 5, together with Bishop Oscar Cantú renewing their vows at St. Joseph Cathedral Basilica, the place they have been married in 1955. However they put these plans on maintain, as Rudy Tenes’ well being started to say no on account of diabetes and dementia.
He was hospitalized for just a few days earlier than returning dwelling Oct. 6 to spend his final days. Their daughter, Darlene Tenes, sensed her father was hanging on making an attempt to make it to the anniversary. So she requested their parish priest, the Rev. Joe Kim, for his assist, and so they held a small non-public renewal ceremony Oct. 9 of their lounge, the place his hospital mattress was located, full with flowers, cake, meals and decorations. Rudy Tenes died the following day.
“It wasn’t what we planned,” Darlene Tenes mentioned, “but it was the most beautiful celebration of two people who have wholeheartedly loved each other all of their lives.”
