Learn how to improve your yard--and help the earth while you're at it. Environmentally conscious Willow Glen residents are invited to attend a Composting Basics workshop from 12:30 to 2 p.m., Saturday March 20 at the Willow Glen Senior Center, room 14, at 2175 Lincoln Ave.
Sponsored by the city of San Jose in conjunction with the Home Composting Education Program for Santa Clara County, the free class will cover all the basics of backyard and worm bin composting. Learn which materials should be used or excluded, mixing ration and how to use the finished compost. Besides making for a healthier lawn, garden, plants and trees, composting reduces garbage going to the landfill.
To register, call 299-4147.
--Jessica Lyons
Girl sentenced in the Perez case
A 16-year-old juvenile girl charged in the beating and stabbing death of Oscar Perez Jr. was sentenced to the California Youth Authority on March 4. Judge Eugene Hyman meted out the sentence after Oscar's mother Adela Perez made an emotional plea for the maximum sentence.
"I've been doing juvenile cases for 10 years and this was one of the more emotional cases I've ever been in," said Deputy District Attorney Kurt Kumli, who heads up the juvenile department. "You had a grieving mother and a family that really breathed life into the case, which doesn't always happen."
According to Kumli, when juveniles are sentenced to the California Youth Authority, they are not sentenced to a specified period of time. "It essentially sentences you or commits you to facilities and depending upon how you do or what your crime was determines how long you stay," Kumli said.
A second juvenile female who is also a suspect in Perez's death is still at large. There is an outstanding warrant for her arrest. "When she gets pulled over or picked up she'll be brought into the system," Kumli said.
--Cecily Barnes
Club sells coverlets to benefit groups
Kiwanis Club of Willow Glen Sunrisers is selling coverlets to benefit community projects. They cost $60, and all of the profit goes to local groups, including Willow Glen Elementary School, San Jose Unified School District Turnaround Scholarship, Willow Glen Little League, Special Olympics and Hope Rehabilitation Services.
The coverlet is deep red and green with a cherry-bough border, inspired by Willow Glen's orchard heritage. It depicts different scenes of early-20th-century Willow Glen, including the 1897 elementary school, the Garden Theater, the Buffington House and the old Willow Glen Basket Factory.
Coverlets and order forms are available at several business along Lincoln Avenue, and purchases can be made at the Willow Glen Chiropractic, located at 1060 Minnesota Ave. Coverlets are also sold at The Farmers Market the third Saturday of each month.
--Jessica Lyons
Willow Glen, California Since 1992
