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Around The Glen Dog dish added to gift of drinking fountain
The Willow Glen Neighborhood Association recently came to an important conclusion about inter-species fairness--if doggy tongues are to be kept out of the stainless steel drinking fountain the group just purchased for the Los Gatos Creek Trail, a doggy dish would have to be installed for the canine recreationists.
The water dish will be placed directly adjacent to the fountain, which will be located at the end of the Los Gatos Creek Trail just next to Blackford Elementary School. On the arm of the drinking fountain an inscription will read: "To Friends and Residents of San Jose, from the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association."
The fountain will be installed by the city of San Jose at the same time it paves portions of the trail. According to Ames, this should be any day now. "It was supposed to be done by Dec. 31--so any time," Ames said. Because of monetary constraints, WGNA will not engrave a message to the doggies too. For those who simply can't wait, an image of the drinking fountain can be viewed at www.mostdependable.com, model #410.
--Cecily Barnes
Fiscalini adjusts his office schedule to accommodate workers
District 6 Councilmember Frank Fiscalini has announced plans to open his local district office on the first Saturday of each month to accommodate his working constituents. Willow Glen residents unable to make time during the week, can now bring their wish lists and problems to their councilperson on the weekend. The office will be open on the first Saturday of each month between 9 and 11 a.m. It will also be open Mondays and Tuesdays between 4 and 5:30 p.m., and on Thursday mornings between 9 and 11 a.m.
"Sometimes it's really small things, people want to stop in and let us know there's a pothole on their street. Or maybe there's been some problems on their block," said Michelle McGurk, Fiscalini's chief of staff. "Sometimes business owners stop by to let us know if they've had a problem with their business license certificate."
The district office is at 1110 Brace Ave. in downtown Willow Glen. Councilman Fiscalini's staff can also be reached at 277-5166.
--Cecily Barnes
Willow Glen Salvation Army folds its tents
Willow Glen's Salvation Army store is closing its doors. The store on the corner of Lincoln and Curtner avenues and its donation trailer was the site of controversy this fall. Residents complained of illegal garbage dumping and inadequate donation pickups. Salvation Army officers said they had done all they could to control illegal dumping and after-hours donation pillaging, but code enforcement officers cited them for several violations.
Things have calmed down at the corner shop since the landlady hired an after-hours security guard, but the Salvation Army has decided to pack up shop anyway. The landowner is now seeking a new tenant for the location.
The Salvation Army is opening a new shop on Hillsdale Avenue in San Jose this spring.
--Mary Spicuzza
Starbucks unveils new work by Willow Glen muralist
Last Thursday night, Lincoln Avenue's Starbucks celebrated its renovation by proving that all Starbucks are not corporate cookie-cutter clones. The Willow Glen coffee shop hosted a party to unveil its new mural by local artist Sara Mordecai.
Mordecai was commissioned to create the piece to honor the individuality of the Willow Glen community. A freelance illustrator and designer, Mordecai was chosen from a pool of applicants by a panel including Starbucks partners and community members. Besides running the Three Moons Studio in Willow Glen, Mordecai has created street murals throughout California. She was recently invited to participate in a mural festival in Italy.
Money from all beverage sales during the festivities will be donated to local children's arts organization Villa Montalvo Outreach Program. The multi-disciplinary arts program offers hands-on workshops and special performances for inner-city students who have limited access to the arts. It works with more than 10,000 Santa Clara children each year.
--Mary Spicuzza
WGNA launches e-bulletin board
The days of stapling "Lost Dog" and "Yard Sale" posters on power poles around the neighborhood may be nearing an end. By the end of next month, the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association intends to have launched its first ever community email list. Anyone interested in the local goings-on in Willow Glen can sign up to receive notes sent by residents about the area.
"This list is to be used for things like 'my golden retriever ran away', 'my house got broken into last week so beware', or 'we're having a garage sale next week'," said WGNA board member Larry Ames. "It's not for someone to write, 'Come by the grocery store for discount orange juice', or 'vote for Joe or Fred.' If this thing gets abused by a user, then they'll be moved off the list."
According to Ames, a similar community email list is used by the Naglee Park Neighborhood Association and has worked quite well. WGNA board members intend to regularly check the submissions to ensure they are appropriate.
"We'll have a set of rules of being polite and trying to stick to neighborhood issues," said WGNA president Kris Cunningham.
People interested in joining the list once it has been created can email webmaster@wgna.net.
--Cecily Barnes
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Willow Glen, California Since 1992
