San Jose Swim and Racquet Club tennis director Ken DeHarte knows how to play the game.

At the 18th Annual World Senior Games in St. George, Utah--for athletes age 50 and older-- DeHarte won the Gold Medal in the Men's 500 singles bracket. He also won the silver in the men's age 55 singles bracket.

DeHarte hopes to make it three in a row next year, by trying for a third victory in the men's age 50 singles tennis bracket and "avenging" his loss in the men's age 55 singles.

The games featured 8,000 athletes from around the world competing in 22 events. It is regarded as the Olympics for those 50 and older.

--Moryt Milo

Willow Glen resident
is SJLC board member

The San Jose Leadership Council (SJLC), a local nonprofit, has named Willow Glen resident Sheryl Lee as one of its four new board members.

Lee, graduated from Community Leadership San Jose in 2003 and is a principal with Connected Steps, a company that helps businesses, nonprofits and individuals sharpen their ideas.

Lee's other community activities include serving as chair of the board for Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley.

The San Jose Leadership Council develops leadership skills and opportunities through quality education and training programs that reflect the diversity of San Jose and embody the principles of leadership and community involvement.

For more information contact Rick Holden at 408.291.5256 or visit the SJLC website at www.sjleadership.org.

--Moryt Milo

Sharks NHL trainer is
looking at new options

The National Hockey League's season may be on ice, but Veteran NHL trainer Tom "Woody" Woodcock's career has never been frozen.

Now after 37 seasons as an NHL athletic trainer--the last 13 with the San Jose Sharks--Woodcock, a Willow Glen resident, is moving on to other pursuits.

Woodcock has been the athletic trainer for the Sharks since the team's inception in 1991. During his career he worked more than 3,000 NHL regular season and playoff games combined. Prior to working with the Sharks he spent 16 seasons--from 1967 to 1983--as head trainer of the St. Louis Blues, which included three trips to the Stanley Cup Finals.

"Woody is one of a kind and will be truly missed by all of us on a daily basis," Sharks Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Wilson said. "I am not sure words can truly illustrate this man's impact on us or on the game of hockey. His kindness and ability to make all of us smile when we really need it will be missed and definitely never forgotten. Woody epitomizes what this game is all about and his belief in the philosophy 'What can I do to make those around me better?' "

In June 2003, Woody was inducted into the Professional Hockey Athletic Trainers Society Hall of Fame, marking the first time an inductee was given the honored while still actively working for an NHL team.

He was also the recipient of the 1998 National Athletic Trainer Association Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award, which recognizes outstanding dedication and service to the athletic training profession. And he authored Hockey From the Ice Up, a book for aspiring hockey players dealing with conditioning, injuries and equipment.

--Moryt Milo

Decorated home opens for AAUW fundraiser

Let it glitter and glow.

Willow Glen resident Marie Sider has decorated her home for the holiday season and is opening her doors to the community. Her hospitality will help benefit the San Jose chapter of the American Association of University Women. The proceeds from ticket sales will go toward local AAUW scholarships.

Each room in the home, at 11304 Glen Dell Drive, is a festive delight. There will also be collectibles and gift items for sale. A percentage of the gift sales will also go toward AAUW scholarships.

The home will be open on Dec. 5 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For information about tickets contact Edie Kerr at 408.559.9444 or Rita Skillman at 408.268.6130. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.

City approves storm
drain improvements

On Nov, 16 the San Jose City Council voted to approve funding for a storm drain improvement project in Willow Glen.

The project includes the installation of approximately 2,200 feet of storm sewer pipe. It will be installed on Nevada Avenue between Lincoln and Newport avenues, Willow Glen Way and Telfer Avenue between Lincoln and Searles avenues, and along Lincoln Avenue from Louise Avenue to Willow Glen Way. Construction is scheduled to begin in Feb. 2005, with a completion date of June 2005. The improvement project is estimated to cost approximately $1.4 million.

The project will replace aging storm sewers and add new storm sewers to streets were no storm drains existed.

"The neighborhood has been waiting a long time for these improvements," said District 6 Councilman Ken Yeager. "I couldn't be happier about this project finally getting underway."

For more information about this project, contact David Montenegro at the Department of Public Works at David.Montene gro@sanjoseca.gov or 277-3647.

--Moryt Milo

Residents are invited
to a traffic meeting

District 6 Councilman Ken Yeager has arranged a Nov. 30 meeting with the Department of Transportation on the proposed changes to the Traffic Level of Service Policy.

Currently, San Jose requires that a proposed development must improve traffic flow conditions to reduce the increased automobile traffic caused by a development. Usually, it results in physical improvements at the intersections, such as widening the street or adding turn lanes.

Now the city is considering changing that policy so that in some area improvements would take the form of pedestrian level lighting, bike lanes or other enhancements when street widening or additional turn lanes would negatively impact adjacent properties, sidewalks and transit stops.

The DOT has targeted 13 specific intersections to exempt from current traffic flow improvement requirements.

Five of the intersections are in Yeager's district: Lincoln Avenue at Willow Street, Bird Avenue at San Carlos, The Alameda at Hedding Street, Meridian Avenue at West San Carlos Street and Stevens Creek Boulevard at Winchester Boulevard.

The meeting at the San Jose Fire Department Training Center located at the intersection of South Montgomery Street and Park Avenue, will be attended by Yeager and the DOT. It is scheduled for Nov. 30 at 6:30 p.m. Another hearing is also planned for Dec. 2 at 6:30 p.m. at San Jose City Hall.

Additionally, Yeager said the comment period for the Environmental Impact Report has been extended to Dec. 6. Copies of the report are available at City Hall and at the Willow Glen Branch Library, as well as online at www.sanjose ca.gov/planning/eir/eir.htm.

--Mary Gottschalk

Lincoln Avenue bistro adds theater to meal

Siena, a Mediterranean Bistro owner Don Skipwith is taking a stab at dinner theater, with a vengeance.

On Dec. 5, the restaurant will host a "Mystery by Design" murder mystery dinner, Par 4 for Murder. Wine and a three-course meal accompany the show. Tickets are $60 per person, and $75 with a wine pairing.

To make reservations, call Siena, 1359 Lincoln Ave., at 408 271.0837.

--Meghan O'Hare

Consolidation schedule is modified by district

The San Jose Unified School District has revised its elementary school consolidation schedule.

On Dec. 6, the ad hoc advisory committee will provide the district staff, board members and district superintendent Don Iglesias with its recommendation for school closure. The meeting is closed to the public. At the district's regularly scheduled board meeting on Dec. 9, the trustees will approve a date for the final recommendation. This meeting which is at the Lenzen Avenue offices is open to the community.

--Meghan O'Hare

Lovers of ballet can be
docents for children

Ballet San Jose has put out the call and is looking for Docents in Willow Glen who would be interested in making presentations about The Nutcracker to elementary schools before Dec. 17.

Willow Glen Elementary School and Gardner Academy will benefit from those who step up to talk about sugar plum fairies and teach the children a basic history of Ballet. The docents will also present a synopsis of the

Nutcracker storyline, and talk about theater etiquette and what to expect when going to a performance.

For their efforts, volunteer docents will be able to attend the school matinee performance at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts on Dec. 17 at 11 a.m.

To help with the school docent program contact Jodi Porter, Ballet San Jose school administrator, for information and guidelines at 408.288.2820, ext. 218 04 email her at jporter@balletsanjose.org.

--Moryt Milo

Dance the night away
at the senior center

Willow Glen residents with an urge to cut a rug can join the Willows Senior Center for ballroom dancing every third Thursday of the month from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

No partner is required, just the desire to socialize and listen to some favorite tunes. The entrance fee is a definite bargain at only $1, which includes refreshments. The next dance is scheduled for Dec. 16.

For more information call 408.448.6400 or stop by at the Willow Senior Center, 2179 Lincoln Ave.

--Meghan O'Hare

Ice rink finds a home
In SJ downtown plaza

Ice skaters in San Jose will finally be able to glide through the winter.

According to the San Jose Downtown Association, the city's seasonal skating rink is getting a permanent home in a downtown plaza. The new home will be in a public plaza off Market Street between the Fairmont San Jose and the San Jose Museum of Art.

The rink, which measures 8,100 square feet and can accommodate up to 200 skaters at a time, will include four passageways connecting to the outer ring--which circles dual rows of 32 palm trees--to an inner ring.

The city's Redevelopment Agency board voted to loan $450,000 to fund many of the one-time capital costs for the customized rink. The deal with the downtown association calls for a portion of the admission and skate rental revenue to be returned to Redevelopment Agency until the loan is paid back, he added.

The association expects 30,000 skaters and 80,000 spectators through the season, lasting from Nov. 24 through January. Children under 12 pay $10 and everyone else pays $12.

The rink will be open daily from noon to 10 p.m. weeknights and until midnight on weekends through Jan. 17. Extended hours will run from Dec. 18 to Jan. 2. Skaters will be allowed on the ice as space allows and may skate as long as they want.

Special USPS delivery
schedules for holidays

Santa Claus may be able to circle the globe in one night, but for mere mortal delivery services, getting packages to people on the other side of the globe takes a bit longer.

Because of this, the United States Postal Service has released a schedule for families to use to make sure the goods they send this holiday season get to their intended receivers by Dec. 25.

For most Armed Forces personnel, first-class cards, letters and Priority Mail must be mailed by Dec. 11. For Global Airmail letters and Parcel Post to reach Africa or Central and South America, it must be mailed by Dec. 6, and by Dec. 13 for all other global destinations.

The latest a package can be sent is through Global Express Guaranteed International Mail, which has to be mailed by Dec. 20.

For a full guideline, visit www.usps.com, and search the Overseas Holiday Mail Dates.

Sign up to spread cheer
to area families in need

The Salvation Army of Santa Clara County is once again putting out its annual request for help.

The nonprofit is looking for people to adopt a family this holiday season and help provide warm clothing, gift certificates for food, gifts for children or other family needs. The organization wants to bring joy to those who might otherwise have a hard time making ends met during the holiday season. The program runs through Dec. 1.

For more information about the adopt-a-family program call Alycia Cornejo at 408.282.1165, ext. 210.