The Willow Glen trick-or-treating tradition continues on Lincoln Avenue this Halloween. Parents can bring their young trick-or-treaters to downtown Willow Glen for a fun atmosphere and sense of community on Oct. 31.

"It's a great, safe environment," said Posey Garden Florist owner Kay Wolf, who has participated in the festivities for the last three years. Wolf said she enjoys the chance to give back to the community. "It gets a little crowded, but it's cute to see all the costumes," Wolf said.

Volunteers from the Willows Senior Center are assisting the Willow Glen Business and Professional Association with handing out treats. Free books will be handed out by Books for Treats in front of the Garden Theater, 1165 Lincoln Ave., as an alternative to candy.

The annual parade of kids in costume is scheduled in two shifts—preschool age from 10 a.m. to noon and older children from 3 to 5 p.m. Participating businesses will display a poster in their window.

For more information, contact Norma Ruiz, executive director for the Willow Glen Business and Professional Association, at 408.298.2100.

—Beth Walker


St. Elizabeth's event is looking for angels

St. Elizabeth's Day Home, a child-care program in Willow Glen, is holding a charitable fundraiser and is looking for players to join its "Be An Angel" Golf Tournament held at the CordeValle Resort in San Martin this November.

The nonprofit provides child care and financial scholarships to San Jose families with children ages 1­12. The Sisters of the Holy Family founded the organization in 1907, and it is San Jose's oldest child-care program.

St. Elizabeth's provides teachers and learning activities for more than 200 children.

"The proceeds from this golf tournament will help support programs including our scholarship fund, as well as our wonderful music, art, carpentry, and nutritious-meal programs," said David Keller, executive director for the Day Home.

The golf tournament will be held on Nov. 10 and will feature two types of play: scramble and two best ball foursomes. The nonprofit is also looking for corporate sponsors.

Registration is first-come, first-serve, so responses are recommended in October.

For more information on the event and registration, visit www.StElizabethsDayHome.org.

—Amy Wicks


Books For Treats is an alternative to candy

Willow Glen trick-or-treaters can once again be treated to "brain candy" on Halloween through efforts of the not-for-profit group Books For Treats.

On Oct. 25, at 1157 Minnesota Ave., the Friends of the Willow Glen Library will have a book sale at which residents can purchase inexpensive books to hand out for trick-or-treaters. Volunteers from Books For Treats will be available from 9 a.m. to noon to help people select gently read children's books for various age levels.

Books For Treats will also give out books on Lincoln Avenue during Halloween. Books For Treats will be handing out books to trick-or-treaters in front of the Garden Theater, 1165 Lincoln Ave., from 10 a.m. to noon for preschool children and 3 a.m. to 5 p.m. for grades K­6, until supplies are gone.

For anyone interested in handing out books on Halloween, Books For Treats also has a free downloadable kit available at www.BooksForTreats.org. It has everything needed, including instructions and signs.

To donate gently read children's books to be given on Halloween or to volunteer, call Rebecca Morgan, founder of Books For Treats, at 408.977.7977 or email at info@BooksForTreats.org. Morgan will arrange a drop-off or pickup of your books.

—Moryt Milo


School district adjusts construction schedule

Willow Glen elementary and high school parents have reason to cheer. For starters, the San Jose Unified School District has changed its schedule for the construction of its two-story permanent classroom structure and multipurpose space at Willow Glen Elementary.

The two-story structure is scheduled to begin construction in the summer of 2005 and should take about a year to complete. The construction of the multipurpose space will begin in the summer of 2006, with both facilities to be completed by the fall of 2006.

However, these plans are tentative until the district decides which elementary schools will be closed. The district is planning to close two to four schools. Willow Glen Elementary is not exempt from consideration for closure.

At the high school, concerned parents heard rumors that a bus turnaround would be built, eliminating the new volleyball and resurfaced tennis courts and batting cages. But director of school construction Ty Williams squashed these rumors, telling the Willow Glen Resident that the district is looking into two possible bus-turnaround spots, but definitively stating that the athletic facilities near Dry Creek Road would not be in jeopardy from the proposed bus project.

—Amy Wicks


Help keep downtown vibrant, get involved

The Willow Glen Business and Professional Association is asking residents interested in getting involved with the association to attend its meetings. The next meetings are scheduled for Oct. 28, 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

At the meetings, citizens will be presented with opportunities to participate in the association, which include becoming a board member, committee leader or short-term project leader.

The business association just completed its five-year strategic plan for downtown Willow Glen and its members are eager to showcase their vision to those interested in joining the association. Food and beverages will also be provided at the meeting.

For more information, contact Norma Ruiz at 408.298.2100. The next meeting will be held in the Willow Glen Business and Professional Association conference room, 1202 Lincoln Avenue.

—Amy Wicks


Workshops that deal with tough decisions

Planning for the end-of-life is an often-ignored and an uncomfortable topic, said Director at Coda Alliance Cindy Safe.

But it's important for loved ones to know the wishes of family members or friends.

To help promote a better understanding of what is involved, the alliance is sponsoring various activities in conjunction with "California Health Care Decisions Week" Oct. 26­Nov. 1.

The alliance is sponsoring a workshop, "Creating Your Own Advance Directive," in Willow Glen on Oct. 27, at 978 Jansen Ave. The workshop is to help individuals learn more about what is involved in making end-of-life decisions such as the filing of specific forms and directives and assigning an agent.

To RSVP for the open house or for more information, contact Cindy Safe at 408.261.9444 or visit www.codaalliance.org.

—Moryt Milo


Insurance agency sponsors program

For more than five years, Willow Glen's Ray Silva Insurance Association Inc., in conjunction with Silicon Valley Association of Insurance Financial Advisors, has been participating in the Adopt A Family program.

This year the insurance agency is trying to get the word out early to facilitate the process. The program's primary intent is to make sure needy families and their children are able to celebrate and enjoy the holidays. The insurance agency helps by pairing sponsors with Willow Glen families who need holiday support. Sponsoring individuals or families help complete a wish list of items that can range from Tylenol to Nintendo. The program also looks for donations and gift certificates to places such as grocery stores as well as toy stores.

For more information, contact Cindy Burns, Greg Yoder or Judy Hopkins at Ray Silva Insurance Association, 155 Minnesota Ave., 408.885.8400.

—Moryt Milo