I am a Willow Glen native and would like to respond to the Aug. 20 story on the city's proposed ordinance to regulate coffeehouses and its impact on cafes.

I begin with a plea for more San Jose citizens to acknowledge this threat. I believe our community, as well as our city, would suffer greatly if some of its businesses were restricted from showcasing certain forms of art. This is not to say that all types of expression are acceptable for all ages, but drawing the line is where the focus should be, rather than forcing all vendors to comply with the same rules.

I am a musician who performs regularly in the Willow Glen area, and I would rather not limit my audience to shows played in a bar environment, where they have to battle with noise and other distractions in order to hear the music. Locations like Chris Carris' Willow Glen Coffee Roasting Co. allow people of all ages to gather and enjoy good entertainment in a relaxed setting. There are only a few such places left in the South Bay where parents and their children can come to experience the energy that is only found in live music.

It would be a shame if San Jose, with all of its culture, passed an ordinance that would eliminate much of the diversity that it prides itself on, not to mention further diminish an already dwindling nightlife.

As it is, this city lacks variety when it comes to venues for original music. These coffeehouses that they are looking to restrict provide platforms from which many artists launch their careers and build fan bases. I am grateful for the wonderful people that always come to support me and would never want to see any future musician denied the opportunity of the same encouragement.

The ordinance has not yet been set in stone, and that is a relief.

Hopefully, the story in the newspaper will raise awareness and will inspire others to become involved, as it has done me. I strongly believe that our community can formulate more positive solutions than the prohibition of live music or the homogenization of our cafes—we have to be more creative than that.

—Dianna Gatto, Willow Glen


Hummingbird Park not used by children

I just wanted to comment on Hummingbird Park, which recently opened on Bird Avenue. I drive by this park every day and it's always empty. Having been there once with my 3-year-old, it is clear why this is the case.

The play structure is so horribly designed that kids of all ages cannot figure out any fun activities to do on it. I mean, what's up with the swing/hammock thing that's two inches off the ground? I'm sure the city paid a nice sum for the park to be developed but without a significant redesign of the play structure, this park will go unused in the foreseeable future.

—Gerlando Piro, Willow Glen

Best of Willow Glen

It's up to you to vote for the Best of Willow Glen. In this week's issue of the Willow Glen Resident you will find a ballot for the Best of Willow Glen 2003.

It may look a little overwhelming, with so many choices, but it's your chance, as a resident or supporter of the community, to vote for the best of the best— people, professions, places and food in the Willow Glen.

With the "Best of" issue you have an opportunity to have that say, make your mark and let your voice be heard either online or by good old-fashion mail. Just fill out the online ballot and send it our way.

Consider this your neighborhood popularity contest. We at the paper have no input into the process. We just count the ballots and let you know the outcome.

It's the ultimate opportunity for Willow Glen residents to wield their power of opinion and acknowledge all the excellent people, places and foods that comprise the community.

We know completing the ballot takes time, but we hope to find our mailbox and the special email address—set up for the ballot—bulging with votes. And it's also one of the best ways for everyone in our town to discover what the majority of residents think.

There are only a few weeks to vote; the deadline is Sept. 17 at
5 p.m. But remember, as in any election, your vote counts, and what you say can make a difference.

—Moryt Milo, Editor


Real estate writer to look at market

Broderick Perkins, a journalist for more than 25 years and a real estate writer for the San Jose Mercury News for 16 years, will write news and analysis of real estate news for the Willow Glen Resident beginning with today's issue.

Perkins studied journalism at Robert Maynard's Institute of Journalism Education at UC-Berkeley and studied English literature and journalism at the University of Delaware. He later worked at the Wilmington, Del., News Journal Papers. He is the executive editor of DeadlineNews.Com.

Perkins won the 1997 National Association of Real Estate Editors Journalism Competition's first prize for the Best Newspaper Report by an individual for a story about private mortgage insurance.

He will report news and market trends as well as provide analysis and practical information about strategies for responding to changes in the real estate market. We believe Perkins' reports will improve our coverage of a critical element of the local economy.

—Editor