The Willow Glen Resident

Around The Glen

Starbucks is collecting 'All Books For Children'

Books and coffee being natural companions, Starbucks Coffee is holding an "All Books For Children" book drive, a nationwide effort to collect books and support local-area literacy efforts. Collection bins will be set up at all Starbucks stores through Sept. 6.

The Willow Glen Starbucks on Lincoln Avenue is teaming with San Jose Public Libraries, while other Northern California Starbucks will be partnering with the California State Library's Families for Literacy Program (FFL).

Books donated during the drive will be used to create home libraries for participating children. " 'All Books For Children' gives deserving children a vital tool they need for future success, and the opportunity to read," said Karen Friedman, Starbucks regional marketing manager.

--Puneet Jain

Storm-drain project gets council approval

The City Council on Aug. 4 gave unanimous approval to a project that calls for improved storm drains on Willow Glen Way and adjacent streets.

The Willow Glen Guadalupe Phase I project provides for the installation of 16,000 feet of 18- to 64-inch storm sewer pipe in order to increase drainage capacity. The Willow Glen Way Bridge will also be reconstructed and Willow Glen Way repaved.

Construction costs should eat up the lion's share of the project's estimated $2.6 million budget. Other costs include project development, design and construction management.

The council awarded the project contract to San Francisco-based Ranger Pipeline. According to a memo from Director of Public Works Ralph Qualls Jr., the city received only one other bid on the project, an indicator that competition for construction projects is low at present.

Money for the improved storm drains will come from the city's Storm Drainage Fee and Storm Sewer Capital funds.

Construction of the storm drains is slated to begin this month and should be completed in December. The reconstruction of Willow Glen Way Bridge is scheduled to start next summer.

--Puneet Jain

Back-to-school shopping can aid Schallenberger

While shopping for school supplies this fall, parents of Schallenberger Elementary School students can earn money for the school at the same time. Schallenberger is one of 35 local elementary schools participating in Oakridge Mall's Earning 4 Learning program, which began Aug. 15.

The program awards mall gift certificates to each school based upon the amount of mall purchases the parents, staff and friends of each school make. Shoppers can credit the amount of their mall purchases to the participating school of their choice. For every dollar they spend, five points are awarded to the school. In May 1999, the schools will be ranked by the number of points they have accumulated. Each school will be awarded at least $250 and as much as $2,500 in mall gift certificates based upon their ranking.

Last year, the program donated a total of $14,500 to local elementary schools. Schallenberger, which participated in the program last year, received $250 in mall gift certificates.

Earning 4 Learning will continue through May 15, 1999.

--Christine Frey

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