Willow Glen Middle School is experiencing a paper drought and is seeking community paper donations.

The school's paper drive, which began on March 8, is pitting grade levels against each other in an effort to bring in more donations. As of March 11, students had donated 15 reams of paper toward the goal of 500 reams.

Paper-drive coorganizer and teacher Wendy Budd said the school has estimated it will take 500 reams of paper to make it through the school year. She said teachers have already been picking up the tab to buy paper for their classrooms and school funding for more paper has run out.

"We're off to a slow start, but I think it'll pick up," Budd said. "I heard a lot of kids talking about going out to the store and picking up some paper to win the contest."

The class that brings in the most paper will be allowed a "free dress day," shedding their uniforms for the day.

The drive officially ends on March 19, but the school will continue to accept paper donations.

To donate paper, call Willow Glen Middle School at 408.535.6277. Any residents who provide donations will be given a receipt for the tax-deductible amount.

—Amy Wicks

Dog park meeting is
rescheduled for April

The March 23 community meeting to discuss the proposed off-leash dog park at Bramhall Park on Willow Street has been postponed until April.

The meeting will take place at Willow Glen United Methodist Church, 1420 Newport Ave., in April, but the date is still undetermined, said San Jose Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Parks Manager Steve Roemer.

At the Feb. 24 meeting, neighbors living near the park claimed they had only recently learned of the dog park proposal. So the city parks department and District 6 Councilman Ken Yeager decided to arrange for another meeting to discuss the issue.

—Beth Walker

Local merchant wins
award for stationery

Signed and Sealed, one of Willow Glen's newer downtown stores, which sells invitations and fine stationery, recently received the 2004 Seal of Approval for wedding invitations from the professional organization By Recommendation Only.

The store received the award for its traditional invitation lines like Crane's, William Arthur and Encore and customized designs like the one created for a wedding in Tuscany, Italy.

"This award is fantastic for our business," said Signed and Sealed owner Greg West. "We're getting calls from all over the South Bay."

Signed and Sealed, 1314-D Lincoln Ave., can be contacted at 408.999.0124 or through its website at www.signedsealed.com.

—Beth Walker

Annual fashion show
aids scholarship funds

See your family on a fashion runway at the 38th annual Presentation High School Benefit Fashion Show. The benefit fashion show raises scholarship funds for students at the all-girl's Catholic college preparatory school in Willow Glen. Last year, $70,000 was raised.

This year's show, Celebrating America, will feature Presentation seniors, faculty, board members, alumnae and senior boys from area high schools. The models will be wearing Aeropostale, Barbarella, Cache, Club Monaco, Eddie Bauer, Talbot's, Tommy Bahama, Eli Thomas Menswear and Winchester Western Wear.

A highlight of the show is the Grand Finale, when fathers escort their senior daughters down the runway.

The event takes place on April 2 at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center. Tickets for the luncheon show are $75 per person. Dinner tickets are $125 per person. The evening event is black tie optional. It will be hosted by NBC11 news anchors Brent and Laura Garcia Cannon and includes dancing.

For more information about the event, call the Presentation High School Development Office at 408.265.5110.

—Beth Walker