Around The Glen

AFL-CIO endorses Cohn for 24th District seat

The South Bay AFL-CIO Labor Council recently gave an early endorsement in the race for Assemblyman Jim Cunneen's soon-to-be-vacated 24th District seat. They say Democrat Rebecca Cohn's their woman.

Cohn will be vying for the Democratic nomination next year. The March primary will sort the field out, and the seat will be up for grabs in November 2000.

"Rebecca's experience working with labor and her background as a health-care provider show us that she is committed to fighting for the issues working families care most about--quality health care, affordable housing, improving education and relief from traffic congestion," says Amy B. Dean, the Labor Council's executive director.

Cohn works as a consultant, helping companies adopt new strategies and training methods for their workforces. She is also a licensed physical therapist, who formerly treated children and seniors.

--Jessica Lyons

Small dogs seek big-hearted foster homes

The Wallys, Mookies, Snickers, Teddys, Maxes and other small dogs of the world need a little help from some compassionate Glenites. K9 Haven, a dog-rescue agency, needs foster homes for canines who weigh less than 20 pounds.

K9 Haven goes to local shelters and rescues small dogs who would otherwise be euthanized, and places them in foster homes until they are adopted.

Lillian Davis has been a foster mom for three months. Wally, Mookie, Snickers and Teddy are four of the small pups she has cared for. Her current charge, Max, a miniature white poodle, is looking for adoptive doggie parents. "Dogs invented unconditional love," Davis says. "K9 Haven fosters pave the road to the loving, caring and permanent home they deserve."

For more information about K9 Haven, or to become a foster doggie home, call 408.371.2662. To view the ready-for-adoption canines, visit K9 Haven's website, www.K9Haven.org.

--Jessica Lyons

Longs asks community for input on new store

Glenites may find aspirin, hair dye and body glitter all within walking distance by next summer. According to a Longs Drug Store spokesperson, construction should start by mid-year 2000. The drug store will be moving into the vacated Washington Mutual bank building on Lincoln Avenue.

"We are about to start meeting with neighborhood groups and the city to get input so we can provide the types of services the community is looking for," said spokeswoman Nancy Cockerham. "Our focus is to blend in with the neighborhood, and meet the desires of the community."

A target opening date has not been set for the incoming drug store.

The company initially drew fire from some neighbors and local business owners after announcing its plans to move to Willow Glen a month ago. Critics say the chain store threatens to drive independents out of business and destroy Willow Glen's small town charm.

On the other hand, say some residents, Longs is a welcome addition to the Avenue. Longs will be the only drug store in downtown Willow Glen among the collection of retail shops, restaurants, banks and boutiques.

After the blueprints are drawn up, Longs will present them to the planning director before construction begins. Neighbors within 300 feet of the building will receive notice of the public hearing.

--Jessica Lyons

Senior day-care center opens its doors

Willow Glen's Live Oak Adult Day Services is open, and welcomes visitors and participants.

The day-care program, designed for frail and dependent seniors, provides recreation and companionship for its clients, as well as respite services for families and caregivers.

"On a typical day at Live Oak, we open at 9 a.m., and as people come in, we serve them coffee and tea. At 10 a.m. we have a continental breakfast and then begin our first activity of the day," says program director Pernilla Holmdahl. "Our activities include everything from current events, storytelling, pet visitors, child visitors, musicians from the community and dancers; we do trivia, we play bingo, and we have at least an hour of exercise every day."

Seniors also get a hot lunch and an afternoon snack before they leave at 3 p.m.

Interested participants and families can contact Live Oak at 408.971.9363 to begin intake procedures required prior to enrolling in the program.

--Jessica Lyons

Support creek trail with cards and letters

The Los Gatos Creek Trail needs some help. City officials have recently applied for several grants to complete the remaining stretch of the trail from Lincoln Avenue to downtown San Jose. But letters of support from neighborhood groups, business owners and residents are critical in obtaining the funds, says Michelle McGurk, District 6 Councilman Frank Fiscalini's chief of staff. Letters should be addressed to: Nadine Hitchcock, Manager, San Francisco Bay Program, Coastal Conservancy, 1130 Broadway, 11th Floor, Oakland, CA 94612; or Donna Arteaga, California Department of Parks and Recreation, Planning and Local Services Section, P.O. Box 942896-0001, Sacramento, CA 94296-0001.

For more information, call Fiscalini's office, 408.277.5166.

--Jessica Lyons

Translators help school reach the community

Schallenberger Elementary School is looking for English-to-Spanish translators. The volunteers would help translate fliers--ranging from the Walk-A-Thon newsletter to minutes from Home and School club meetings--to ensure that everyone in the Schallenberger community is informed. For more information, or to volunteer services as a bilingual translator, call Jane Zahra at 408.978.1594.

--Jessica Lyons

Around the Glen

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