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Around The Glen
Lincoln Avenue looking for Santa's helpers
The Willow Glen Business and Professional Association is looking for some friendly elves to help decorate downtown Willow Glen for the holidays. All interested helpers are invited to attend a decorating workshop, Sunday, Nov. 14 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at L'Daisy Patch, 1393 Lincoln Ave. Snacks and refreshments will be provided. For more information, or to RSVP for the workshop, call 298-2100.
--Jessica Lyons
Workshop will find friendly solutions for cyclists, motorists
Streets can be people- and vehicle-friendly, according to the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition and the Surface Transportation Policy Project. And come Nov. 13, the two organizations are going to prove it.
At a community workshop, Patrick Siegman of the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition and James Corless of the Surface Transportation Policy Project will use national and regional models to show how communities can create streets that comfortably move both vehicles and people.
Participants will also learn about new funding sources that are available for community-based street and intersection projects, and how to become more involved in the local transportation decision-making process.
The workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 13 at the Camden Life Activity Center, 3369 Union Ave. and is open to the public on a first-served basis. To register, call Stephen Ferro, 408.370.0413.
--Jessica Lyons
Program helps kids learn to teach peace
Exactly 726 Willow Glen Elementary School students paraded down Lincoln Avenue last week in recognition of their one-year anniversary as a "Peace Builder" school.
"We're announcing to our community that we are a Peace Builder school, and we need their support in the process of teaching our students how to promote peace," says Ana Fierro-Estrada, a counselor at the elementary school.
Peace Builders is an elementary school program that incorporates violence prevention into daily lessons. Joining Horace Mann and Gardner elementary schools, Willow Glen is the third San Jose Unified Peace Builder school.
The program uses five guidelines to teach peace: praise people, give up put-downs, seek wise people, notice and speak up about hurts you have caused and right wrongs.
This year, the Peace Builders' focus is to expand the program to families and the community, Fierro-Estrada says. "Our children learn what we show them. We need to act in a peaceful way, too," she adds.
--Jessica Lyons
Police make arrest in transient's murder
San Jose police recently arrested a 37-year-old man in connection with the Oct. 26 murder of a transient near the intersection of I-280 and Hwy. 87.
Shane Malone, described by police as a transient, was arrested on Oct. 31 in downtown San Jose's Saint James Park. Police say Malone is responsible for the death of 46-year-old George Theis. A passerby found Theis' body in a field near the highway intersection. Police investigation determined that the victim died of a blow to the head.
--Jessica Lyons
WGNA hosts speakers from parks and rec
The Willow Glen Neighborhood Association will hold a general meeting at 7 p.m. on Nov. 17 at the Willow Glen United Methodist Church on the corner of Newport and Minnesota avenues.
Fred Begun, chairman of San Jose's Parks and Recreation Commission and co-chair of the Parks, Community Facilities and Programs Strategic Plan, and Suzanne Wolf, strategic plan project manager, will be the keynote speakers.
WGNA board members are also expected to update the community on WGNA's current projects.
For information, check the neighborhood association's website at www.wgna.net.
--Jessica Lyons
Planners press ahead on design review
The "monster home" ordinances--the proposed city laws to require a design review for single-family homes--will be heard by the City Council on Dec. 7 at 7 p.m.
In a memo sent to the council members and dated Oct. 26, Mayor Ron Gonzales and Vice Mayor Frank Fiscalini recommended that before the council votes on the two proposed ordinances, planning staff should continue to work with the council offices and the community to "develop design guidelines and an alternative set of criteria for single-family home modifications that would achieve a proper balance between neighborhood character and homeowner rights."
The memo includes these provisions:
* If plans for a new home or rebuild remain under a 0.45 floor-area ratio, the property owner can proceed with a project that conforms to the city's routine planning and building standards;
* If floor plans depict a home with a floor-area ratio between 0.45 and 0.65. the property owner would have to obtain a site development plan, or over-the-counter approval for a project that conforms to the yet-to-be determined design guidelines (for example, setbacks, height limitations and architectural style) that will be established based on neighborhood character.
--Jessica Lyons
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Willow Glen, California Since 1992
