Around the Glen

Annual Farmers Market returns to Willow Glen

Despite the heavy April showers, local farmers are committed to ushering in spring in style. On Saturday, April 17, Farmers Market manager SueEllen Sterling and local vendors will kick off their annual outdoor market on the Willow Glen Elementary school grounds.

The more than 20 vendors participating on the first day include new additions like Glen-based Liggett's Rose Nursery, Dave's Albacore Tuna from Santa Cruz, Fox Hollow Farm with homemade soaps and lotions, and Santa Cruz Pasta Factory fresh pasta.

New this year, a local artist will be featured once a month. On opening day, local homemade greeting card creator Sara Parks will set up shop and sell her wares.

"We're all looking forward to coming back," Sterling says.

Sterling promises that the market will continue until at least December. "If we have the demand from customers, we will go year round."

The market will be open on Saturdays from 8am to noon at Willow Glen Elementary, on the corner of Lincoln and Minnesota avenues.

--Mary Spicuzza

Volunteer training session scheduled

Willow Glen seniors interested in volunteering in the community are invited to attend an "Introduction to RSVP" on Wednesday, April 21 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the city's office on aging, at 1190 S. Bascom Ave., suite 220. The Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) helps people age 55 and older find service opportunities in non-profit community organizations in their home communities. Currently, the City of San Jose's RSVP has more than 1,300 participants who volunteer at more than 90 community agencies, ranging from hospitals and youth recreation centers to police stations and schools. The orientation will include an explanation of Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) policies and procedures and an overview of RSVP's 100 plus volunteer opportunities. To sign up for the orientation, call 277-4790 no later than Monday, April 19.

--Jessica Lyons

Music and dancing will be featured at benefit

"40 Years of Blessings" is the theme for this year's dinner to support the Discalced Carmelite Fathers and Brothers of Mount St. Joseph. The benefit will be held Sunday, May 16 at Lou's Village Restaurant, 1465 San Carlos St. Tickets for the event must be purchased by 5 p.m., Tuesday May 4.

The benefit will begin at noon with a no-host social hour, followed at 1 p.m. by a sit-down dinner. Dinner entertainment will include music by Michael Javier, Irish Step Dancing with the traditional Irish solo, set and figure dancing by the Golden-Greene School of Irish Dancing.

Swing Solution will play music from the '40s and '50s from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. One lucky guest will walk away with $1,000--the first prize award in a raffle to be held at the event.

Dinner tickets are $50 for adults and $25 for children 11 and under, and are tax deductible. To buy dinner tickets, call 251-1361. For raffle tickets, call 378-6380.

-- Jessica Lyons

Five Willow Glen homes will open to the public

Martha Stewart has nothing on these five Willow Glen Homes, all remodeled by their owners and open to the public for the 17th annual Willow Glen Lifestyles home tour. Tickets are now on sale for the event, which will include a garden party, boutique, interior decorating tips and home tour of styles ranging from a 1927 cottage restored to a two-story modern home, to a Victorian sporting a gold-leaf balcony.

All proceed from the event will benefit the San Jose Day Nursery. The nursery, a United Way agency, provides day care with fees on a sliding scale for low-income parents.

Advance tickets for the tour are $20 and are available by mail or in person at the San Jose Day Nursery, 33 N. Eighth St., San Jose, 95112. To order by mail, send a check with a self-addressed stamped envelope. Tickets can also be picked up at Casa Casa, 1355 Lincoln Ave., and at the Eclectic Touch, 1711 Lincoln Ave.

On May 2, tickets will be $25 and can be purchased at the Willow Glen Elementary School parking lot at Minnesota and Lincoln avenues. For information, call 288-9667.

-- Jessica Lyons

Around the Glen: Farmers Market, Retired Senior Volunteer Program, Carmelite benefit

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