Visitors to the Willow Glen Business and Professional Association's website, www.downtownwillowglen.org, can find coupons hidden behind Easter egg icons. More than 20 different offers from various Willow Glen businesses will appear as printable coupons.

According to the site's webmaster, Kim Jennett of Kim Jennett Studios, Mann's Jewelers of Lincoln Avenue is offering to give away free pearl bracelets. The Grapevine, a wine shop also on Lincoln Avenue, is offering a quarter-pound of free cheese as a coupon giveaway. Jennett adds that several restaurants are offering a "buy one entree, get a second entree for half-price" deal.

Participating merchants will display fliers at their locations telling patrons that coupons for their services can be found on the website.

The Easter egg promotion runs April 6­20, and most coupons are for one customer each per visit.

For more information about the Willow Glen Business and Professional Association, write to P.O. Box 8086, San Jose, 95125, call 408.298.2100 or visit www.down townwillowglen.org.


Restoration committee holds patio, bake sale

The Palm Haven Restoration Committee is holding its first Palm Haven Spring Garden-Patio & Bake Sale on April 12 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The sale will be held in the Palm Haven park, located at the intersection of Palm Haven and Clintonia avenues in San Jose. All proceeds will go toward a fund for the restoration of columns that mark the entryways to the historic neighborhood.

Garden plants will include everything from 10-foot-tall cacti to small pots of orchids, indoor plants, outdoor plants and more. There will also be items for the patio and garden, such as pottery, statuary and furniture. Neighbors will provide an abundance of homemade treats for the bake sale.

From I-280, take the Bird Avenue exit near downtown San Jose and proceed south, passing the railroad bridge. Eighty-foot-tall palm trees on the right mark the boundaries of Palm Haven. Take a right on Coe Avenue and turn right again on Clintonia Avenue.

For more information, visit www.palm haven.info.

—Amy Jenkins


Assemblymember Diaz receives policy award

On April 1, Assemblymember Manny Diaz (D­San Jose), was honored with the 2003 Public Policy Excellence Award by the California Association of Nonprofits. The association, a statewide organization with more than 1,700 nonprofits as members, is dedicated to protecting, strengthening and promoting nonprofit organizations in the state.

"Assemblymember Diaz has worked very hard on AB 1891, which provides $25 million in housing funds so that affordable housing is made available to our community," said Roccie Hill of the Housing Trust of Santa Clara County, who presented the award. "His work in the housing area has been valuable to us."

The association selected Diaz for outstanding achievement in developing and strengthening the work of California nonprofits.

"Manny Diaz is a friend to nonprofits and works with us to communicate what is happening in Sacramento and with the state budget," said Patricia Gardner, executive director of Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits. "He understands the important work that our sector plays in providing services to youth, seniors and families in need."

After receiving the award, Diaz said, "I am honored to receive the California Association of Nonprofits Award for Public Policy Excellence. One of my main priorities while a legislator in the Assembly has been to ensure that affordable housing, affordable health care and quality education is available to all California children and their families."

—Amy Jenkins