Ravenna patio homes, designed in Spanish, Monterey and French-cottage styles, will be available for residency in summer 2004. SummerHill Homes is constructing the 83 homes in a community near the border of Willow Glen at Rubino Drive and Foxworthy Avenue.

The homes range in size from 1,489 to 1,712 square feet and include a two-car garage and additional storage space. Other amenities are high ceilings that allow for natural light to spill inside the homes and private master suites.

"The buyers tend to be first-time homeowners who moved from rentals and don't have kids," said Laura Jameson, marketing manager at SummerHill Homes.

The homes are in the middle of construction, and 39 of the homes have been sold. The prices start in the $500,000s, and three model homes are open for viewing.

For more information, visit http://www.summerhillhomes.com.


City Council opposes the USA Patriot Act

The San Jose City Council voted 8­1 to pass a resolution opposing the provisions of the USA Patriot Act. District 6 Councilman Ken Yeager voted with the majority. Vice mayor Pat Dando cast the only opposing vote, citing concerns that the resolution did not protect civil liberties or its citizens and that it second-guesses law enforcement and Congress.

The USA Patriot Act is legislation that was passed by Congress shortly after Sept. 11, 2001. The Department of Justice says the Patriot Act has played a key part, and often aleading role, in a number of successful operations to protect innocent Americans from the deadly plans of terrorists.

Critics of the act, such as the Silicon Valley for Civil Rights coalition, say it violates the founding principles of this country--specifically, the Bill of Rights.

The American Library Association's website says the group is "opposed to any use of government power to suppress the free and open exchange of knowledge and information." According to the association's Resolution on the USA Patriot Act, the group claims sections of the USA Patriot Act are "a present danger to the constitutional rights and privacy rights of library users.

Despite Congress' position on the importance of the act, San Jose passed the resolution opposing the provisions, becoming the third largest city to do so. Santa Clara County passed a similar resolution on Aug. 19.