Willow Glen residents concerned about older-adult care now have an avenue to speak their mind.

On May 13, a meeting will be held by the city of San Jose and Santa Clara County to discuss a joint strategic plan to improve services for seniors by identifying essential budget and policy priorities. As chairman of the Joint Strategic Plan for Aging Services Advisory Group, District 6 Councilman Ken Yeager is asking citizens to share their concerns about the needs of older adults.

San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzales' office has made arrangements with Yellow Cab to provide free taxi service from local homes to the meeting site at the Southside Community and Senior Center. Rides can be scheduled by contacting Cathy Noonan or Diane Lindberg at the city of San Jose Office on Aging, 408.277.4561.

The May 13 meeting will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Southside Community and Senior Center, 5585 Cottle Road.

Kudos to Willow Glen's
award-winning choirs

Willow Glen Middle School's APPLAUSE! show choir and Willow Glen High School's PANACHE jazz choir are on cloud nine after returning from the Redding Area Variety & Entertainment Showcase.

Both groups placed first in their show choir and jazz choir categories for "outstanding deportment on and off stage." The judges handed out the awards after observing each choir's presentation throughout the competition and chose Willow Glen's choirs because they were the best overall festival competitors, music booster president Linda Eaman said.

Each award also included a check. Three hundred dollars was presented to the middle school choir and $500 was awarded to the high school choir. This money will be used to further develop each school's vocal music program, directed by Andrew Eisenmann.

"Our singing and dancing middle schoolers, all of whom are first- or second-year show choir members, gave their best performance ever, and scored very well," Eaman said. "The high school group, also first- and second-year singers, performed with a jazz combo and participated in several clinics to help hone their skills."

For those interested in seeing the choirs perform, a concert will be held May 19 in the Little Theatre and will include all choirs from the middle and high school.

For more information, call Willow Glen High School music instructor Andrew Eisenmann at 408.535.6330.