The seventh annual Natalie Fund Golf Classic was held on Oct. 20 at Almaden Golf and Country Club, and the event was a sellout.

The event raised more than $70,000, with participants enjoying a great day of golf, dinner, a donation drawing and auction. All the proceeds benefit The Natalie Fund, a nonprofit foundation dedicated to raising money for childhood brain disease research.

The fund is named for Natalie Aurelio, a 13-year-old from Willow Glen, who is fighting Batten Disease, a genetic brain disorder.

The Natalie Fund supports research projects at Stanford University, King's College London, and Cornell University. This year's proceeds will go to Cornell, to help fund a gene therapy clinical trial scheduled for early 2004.

—Moryt Milo

The Glen is recreating itself with a new look

Once again The Glen is recreating itself, turning into Beavers Bar and Grill.

The Glen, which has been closed for more than a month, is making way for its new name and look, according to owner John Karamanos. The bar and grill is being remodeled into a rustic, woodsy, beaver-themed lodge, Karamanos said, and it will be more neighborhood oriented.

He added that after the Lincoln Avenue San Jose Redevelopment Agency study this summer, the consensus was that customers wanted lower-priced meals and businesses that provided entertainment with later hours. The new menu will list items mostly in the $10 range. The owner plans to have the renovated restaurant open until midnight.

Although there has been a considerable amount of resident concern as to what Karamanos had planned, he said the idea is to make the new bar and grill a more "tasteful family place."

The restaurant is also planning theme nights, such as beaver ball Mondays, a take-off on Monday Night Football. And Tuesday evenings will turn into Fat Tuesdays, with beads and spicy foods in the Mardi Gras theme. Other themed nights will include ladies night and James Bond night, and on Saturdays kids 12 and under eat for free.

The restaurant is planning a soft opening this week, with a grand opening scheduled in the future.

—Beth Walker

Relay for Life needs Willow Glen helpers

Volunteers make a difference, and the Willow Glen Relay for Life Planning Committee is looking for help in the fight against cancer. Volunteers are needed to serve on the Willow Glen Relay for Life 2004 Planning Committee.

The group's first meeting is Nov. 13 at the American Cancer Society office, 1715 S. Bascom Avenue, Suite 100, in Campbell.

The organization wants volunteers to know that this event is a premier way for those interested to get involved.

Although the Willow Glen American Cancer Society's relay is not scheduled until May 15 and 16, organizers need help planning and implementing the relay to make it a success.

The relay involves Willow Glen residents taking turns walking or running around the track at Willow Glen High School to raise funds for cancer research, community education, legislative advocacy and patient service programs.

For more information, call Kit Ganz, relay manager, at 408.688.0137 or send email to kit.ganz@cancer.org.

—Moryt Milo

High school field gets a facelift this summer

Members of the San Jose Unified School District met with citizens on Oct. 30, to discuss various issues pertaining to Willow Glen High School's athletic facilities. At the meeting the district told residents that the athletic fields would receive a facelift through Measure F funding.

Beginning next summer, a new, eight-lane, all-weather track will be installed and a synthetic-turf surface will replace the existing football/soccer field surface.

Along with the synthetic turf surface, a new drainage system will be installed to eliminate muddiness and excessive puddles on the field. The new surface will be suitable for year-round use.

During the field upgrade, a new irrigation system will also be installed. And an electrical infrastructure will be put into place for a future upgraded public announcement system and scoreboard.

The district has scheduled a final public meeting for Nov. 21 to provide input before the plan goes to the school board. Interested members of the community are encouraged to attend.

For more information on improvements to Willow Glen High School's athletic facilities, contact Principal Elaine Farace at 408.535.6330.

—Amy Wicks