The Willow Glen Resident

Around The Glen

San Jose man, 71, killed in head-on crash on Meridian

Willow Glen resident Rudolph Hernandez, 71, driving down Meridian Avenue Sept. 2 at 7:39 a.m., was killed when his car collided head-on with another, says San Jose Police Department spokesman Louis Quezada. The vehicles crashed at the corner of Meridian Avenue and Lama Way.

Hernandez was driving his 8-year-old grandson and 12-year-old granddaughter to school in his 1988 Toyota pickup. As he attempted to turn eastbound on Lama Way, "it appeared to witnesses at the scene that he may have suffered a heart attack," Quezada wrote in a press release.

The man lost control of the vehicle and smashed into 39-year-old Loretta Romero-McNat, who was driving her 1990 Dodge Caravan northbound on Meridian Avenue.

Ambulances delivered all four victims to Valley Medical Center, where Romero-McNat was treated for whiplash and the children left with minor head injuries. Hernandez was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. The coroner has not yet determined the cause of his death, but Quezada said the impact of the crash was not enough to kill Hernandez.

--Cecily Barnes

Sacred Heart gets a grant for youth- education program

The California Commission on Improving Life Through Service, in partnership with the Allstate Insurance Company and America's Promise in Silicon Valley, has selected Sacred Heart Community Service to receive one of nine 1998 Communities of Promise grants.

The $11,000 grant will help expand Sacred Heart's Youth Education Programs, which provide a stable, trusted community center where children feel safe to learn and develop. Educational programs include the Homework Club, an Academic Summer Day Camp, a Computer Learning Center and the Reading Club.

This grant was awarded as part of a project of Kids in Common, a children's advocacy organization for Silicon Valley, which is designed to provide educational and social resources to 30,000 at-risk children and youth. The goals for this project are to increase children's knowledge of alternatives to violence, non-gang choices and strategies to deal with peer pressure; and to increase their computer skills, communication and observation abilities and self-esteem.

--Sharon Parks

Senior Center hosts open house to show off class offerings

Classes aren't just starting again for children: The Willows Senior Center is hosting an open house on Friday, Sept. 18, 3-5 p.m., to showcase the center's class offerings. The open house will feature displays and demonstrations of calligraphy, painting, hiking, piano, exercise, travel, current events, sewing and other classes. For information contact Janie or Judy at the Willows, 448-6400.

--Sharon Parks

Talented youth wanted for local arts competition

The Greater Bay Talent and Performing Arts Competition is looking for youths age 4-26 who sing, dance or play an instrument.

Sponsored by Youth Focus Inc., the competition is being held Nov. 6-7 at the Lincoln Glen Church Fellowship Hall in San Jose. Winners will receive trophies.

The application deadline is Monday, Oct. 19. For more information, contact competition coordinator Ellen Chong at the Youth Focus office at 298-2644.

--Sharon Parks

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