Despite some Willow Glen residents' fears that they were losing the popular restaurant and lounge The Glen, the establishment is only undergoing periodic general maintenance, says co-owner John Karamanos.

The papered-over windows and the sign saying the restaurant was temporarily closed caused people to wonder if the upscale restaurant and pub had fallen on hard times. The establishment has faced some opposition over the years. Beginning with its inception in June 1996 when the Karamanoses announced their idea for a bar that began as Willow Glen Billiards and Brew, neighbors feared rowdy customers would disturb the residents nearby. After changing its name to The Glen and converting to a classier, European-style pub in 1998, the place became a mainstay for residents to go for savory breakfast dishes and entrees inspired by co-owner Steve Rowe's travels in Europe.

The restaurant has also been a significant contributor to the Willow Glen community, and in 2001 it was awarded the Cornerstone Humanitarian Award in recognition of its charity fundraisers.

The business closed in September to do preventive maintenance such as steam-cleaning the chairs and cleaning the kitchen.

Karamanos said the restaurant was scheduled for heavy cleaning every few years and that they chose this fall to do it.

"Better to do it now than the holidays," he said. The restaurant plans to reopen in October.

—Beth Walker


School has fundraiser to pay for its librarian

Blackford Elementary School is holding its 1st annual Harvest Festival fundraiser on Oct. 25 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1970 Willow Street. The Parent Teacher Association hopes to raise $10,000 to pay for the school-librarian position.

The event will feature a DJ, karaoke, crafts, an astro jump and food from Fresh Choice and Sarpino's Pizzeria. The theme is country life with country music and country-themed games. Games and races will also be part of the fun, including a potato-sack run, an egg race and a fruit-salad toss. A pumpkin patch will also be set up for kids to select and buy their own pumpkin.

The T-shirt design contest will be judged at noon by Campbell Union School District Superintendent Johanna VanDerMolen, San Jose Councilman Ken Yeager, Mariel Caballeros and a representative from Rep. Mike Honda's office.

Admission is free, but games will cost 50 cents. The raffle is only $1, with more than 50 raffle prizes.

—Beth Walker


Stone Church hires a new music director

After an extensive search, Stone Church of Willow Glen has appointed Lucik Aprahamian as its new director of music ministry.

"She brings strong gifts as a conductor and musician, as well as the enthusiasm and love for creating sacred music within the context of a vibrant congregation—and a multicultured community," Rev. Rebecca Kuiken said.

Some of the musical highlights presented at the church throughout the year include its annual Christmas bagpipe concert and a Dixieland New Year's Day service. The church also boasts a large choir whose singing is accompanied by an organist playing the church's Schoenstein organ.

Music lovers and community members can experience the new musical director's melodious offerings at its Sunday service, which begin at 9:30 a.m.

Stone Church is located at the corner of Lincoln Avenue and Clark Way. For more information, call 408.269.1593 or visit the website at http://www.stonechurch.org.

—Amy Wicks


Designers makeover creates fresh ideas

Two Willow Glen residents, Lara Pai and Denise Rainoldi-Fenton, are interior designers participating in two home makeovers in this year's Autumn in the Rose Garden Homes Tour Oct. 11-12 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Pai and Rainoldi-Fenton of Organize 2 Dezign specialize in interior home makeovers without spending a pretty penny to do so. They utilize the homeowner's existing furnishings and create a fresh, new look.

The two met in interior-design class after a career transition and decided to start an affordable-home-decorating business in 2002, when the economy made people more reluctant to expensively adorn their homes.

One home on the tour is an upscale traditional family home with a growing art collection. The other Rose Garden residence they re-designed is a cottage-style Tudor.

Pai and Rainoldi-Fenton also apply feng shui to every home they make over. In the Tudor home, the energetic combination of bright colors downstairs is balanced by the warm, calming tones that make the upstairs more restful, says Pai.

"Every room is an element of surprise," she adds; the house has a purple guest room to boot and a foyer with rocks on the wall.

Optional gourmet box lunches are being provided by Cafe Primavera, and there is also a donation raffle drawing and a boutique.

The tour is a fundraiser for St. Martin of Tours Elementary School.

The tour begins at 819 Garden Dr. between Naglee and Hedding avenues. Advance tickets are $25 and are available at LuIu Pom Design. 1463 Park Ave., Race Street Interiors, 176 Race St., and Casa Casa, 1355 Lincoln Ave. Day-of-the-event tickets are $30 at 819 Garden Dr. For further details, visit http://www.rosegardenhomestour.org or call 408.287.3630.

—Beth Walker


Pumpkin patch helps children at Stanford

The San Jose Auxiliary is holding its 31st annual Pumpkin Patch Boutique to raise funds for children's healthcare on Oct. 11 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 1980 Hamilton Ave., at the corner of Hamilton and Leigh avenues. All proceeds benefit the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford.

The boutique will feature antiques and collectibles, fine jewelry, boutique items, used and rare books, home-baked goods, plants and live music.

"We are particularly proud of and excited about this year's event," said Auxiliary President Val Bovone. "People can purchase some beautiful items, enjoy the live jazz of Bob Craddock and support the children at the same time."

The Pumpkin Patch Boutique is the group's big yearly fundraiser. The local auxiliary also operates the Thrift Box, 1362 Lincoln Ave. The secondhand store is staffed by volunteers and accepts donations at the back door during business hours all year.

The 220 members of the San Jose Auxiliary quarterly raise more than $50,000 for the hospital through the shop, benefactors and the Pumpkin Patch Boutique.

Admission requested is a $2 donation. Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The cost is $8. A donation drawing will also be held that includes prizes for a week at Lake Tahoe and a Willow Glen shopping spree.

—Beth Walker