The Willow Glen Resident

Around The Glen

Woman suspected of WG bank robbery escaped from VMC

The Bank of America on Meridian and Foxworthy avenues was robbed last week by a woman police believe escaped from the security ward at Valley Medical Center. The suspect, Karen Hess, was awaiting trial for assault with a deadly weapon and attempted bank robbery. She escaped from VMC, where she was being treated for a shoulder problem.

On Monday, Jan. 5, only hours after Hess escaped, a woman walked into the Bank of America on Meridian and produced a demand note, said San Jose Police Detective Joe Ireland. Following the instructions on the note, the female teller handed the woman an unknown amount of money.

"It was very low-key," Ireland said. "Most of the people in the bank didn't even know anything was going on. That's not unusual."

The next day at 2:39 p.m., a woman walked into Cupertino's Eureka Bank with another demand note, and again left with an unknown sum of money. Police believe Hess is responsible for both robberies.

"At this time it is believed that the person who escaped from jail on Sunday night is the person responsible," Ireland said. "She should be considered dangerous. If anyone sees her, please just call 911."

--Cecily Barnes

Stanford sponsors arthritis lecture at WG senior center

Willow Glen seniors suffering from arthritis or interested in learning more about it can attend a lecture Jan. 22 at the Willows Senior Center.

The lecture, sponsored by Stanford University, will take place from 10 to 11 a.m. at the center, located at 2175 Lincoln Ave.

Arthritis, or inflammation of the joints, tends to affect older people. There are more than 100 different types of arthritis, with osteoarthritis--a breakdown of joint cartilage--the most common.

For more information, call 448-6400.

--Christine M. Lias

Women's group shows films celebrating abortion legalization

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the controversial Supreme Court decision that made abortion legal, the San Jose branch of the American Association of University Women will hold a free screening of several documentaries on Jan. 19 at 7:30 p.m.

When Abortion Was Illegal is a 28-minute, Emmy Award-winning program by Dorothy Fadiman. The AAUW will show two other documentaries made by Fadiman: From Danger to Dignity and The Fragile Promise of Choice. Fadiman will speak and answer questions about the three films.

Free refreshments will be served at the screening, which takes place at the AAUW office next to the Willow Glen Library at 1165 Minnesota Ave.

The AAUW has maintained a strong pro-choice position over the years and promotes equity for all women, as well as lifelong education and positive societal change. The AAUW is one of the state's most active and diverse organizations for women. Regular membership is open to all persons who have earned a baccalaureate degree.

For more information, contact Judith Miller at 286-4605.

--Christine M. Lias

Friends of the Willow Glen Library hold a book sale

Friends of the Willow Glen Library will sell used books and hot baked goods Feb. 7 to raise money for materials and library programs that have not received funding through the main branch. The books being sold have been donated by community members or purged from the library's shelves.

Among other things, money raised will be used to support children's programs and to purchase large-print books.

"The money goes for all kinds of things that we can't get through our regular funding," Willow Glen librarian June Hayashi said. "Friends has been one of the most active supporters. We depend on them quite a bit."

The sale will be held Saturday, Feb. 7, at the Willow Glen Library from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

--Cecily Barnes

Children's author to read new version of 'The Three Little Pigs'

Children's author and illustrator Steven Kellogg will introduce his new book, The Three Little Pigs, at Hicklebees Childrens Books in Willow Glen. Kellog, who has rewritten Jack and the Beanstalk, Johnny Appleseed and many other children's favorites, will explain why he did the same for the story of The Three Little Pigs. While at the store, he also will read the book to children.

"He usually comes in and shows how he does a drawing, and he'll read all of his new book," said Hicklebees employee Karen Sesody. "He has a really good rapport with children. When he autographs the book, he usually does a drawing, too. He doesn't just sign his name."

According to Sesody, Kellogg's past visits have packed the house.

Kellogg has told and illustrated stories since he was a young child, initially using his younger sisters as an audience. He now lives in an old farmhouse in Connecticut with his wife, Helen, and their Great Dane, Pinkerton, the character behind his Pinkerton, Behave! and Rose for Pinkerton.

Kellogg will be at the store on Monday, Jan. 19, from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Hicklebees is located at 1378 Lincoln Ave.

--Cecily Barnes

Riverfront homes demolished for flood-control project

Thirteen homes have been demolished as part of the Santa Clara Valley Water District's $141 million Upper Guadalupe River Flood Control Project. Although it must wait for approval from the federal government before beginning construction, the water district has been making some crucial preparations that include buying and demolishing homes along the flood project site.

At a Jan. 6 meeting, the water district's board of directors approved demolition of one more home that rests on the outskirts of Willow Glen, at 377 McLellan Avenue.

"They are being demolished because of their condition, for public safety," said project manager Joe Chen. "If we left them in this condition, the property may collapse, so mainly for public safety, we need to have it demolished."

For nearly 50 years, the Santa Clara Valley Water District has planned to widen banks along the Guadalupe River, erect flood walls, build bridges and utilize bypass channels. All these efforts work to prevent homes and land along the Guadalupe River from being destroyed by the so-called "100-year-flood," a flood so devastating that there is just a 1 percent chance it will occur each year. Such a flood would destroy approximately 7,200 homes, six public schools and hundreds of acres of agriculture and industrial property.

While waiting for environmental approvals and federal funding, the water district has acquired 66 of the 89 homes that will need to be demolished for the project.

"Until the project is finalized, we can only acquire property on a voluntary basis," Chen said. "A lot of property owners feel the threat of flood and would rather sell their home at this point in time. We have purchased more than half of the property this way."

The bulk of the properties won't be demolished until the final project is approved.

"Those still in good shape have not been demolished," Chen said. "We will wait for the EIR and visibility study to be approved by the California Department of Fish and Game, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Federal Fish and Wildlife Services."

--Cecily Barnes

[ Back to Contents Page | Willow Glen Resident Home Page | Archives ]