We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the people who made the seventh annual Sandra Drive block party a huge success again this year.

The event was held on Oct. 8. We once again had great weather and a large turnout due in large part to the cooperation of all the neighbors. We met our new neighbors Ashe and Amy Miller, and Jaime and Toni Medina, as well as some of our longtime residents, Eileen Wiens, Bea Scholes and Ann Fitzgerald. We had the entire block rocking once again with the sounds of the local club band, Touch of Class.

All day the kids were able to stay occupied and entertained with an Astro Jump jump-house. We would especially like to thank Dennis and Christine Richardson for co-chairing this year's event and helping with setup. Also thanks to Scott and Louise Crawford for help with the event and their son, Taylor. Thanks to Joe and Monica Martinez for some great Mexican food, and Darlene Fitzgerald for once again arranging for the band.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the other neighbors and friends who made this year's event a great success.

We moved to Willow Glen, and particularly to this neighborhood, because of the great spirit of family and togetherness that is unique to this area and the people who live here. There was a great time had by all, and it was only because of the effort and cooperation extended by all who live here.

Gordon and Cindy Castro

Sandra Drive

Getting rid of blight
benefits District 6

I recently received a letter from District 6 Councilman Ken Yeager informing me of the $200,000.00 that has been secured for improvements to the 7-Eleven building on Fruitdale Avenue and Saint Elizabeth Drive in order to assist the property owner with buying out the lease. I also understand that there have been mixed comments from the public about whether or not this was an appropriate expenditure. ( "San Jose OKs funds for renovations at 7-Eleven on Fruitdale," Sept. 28)

I drive by the site every day going to and from work. Given the unsightly appearance of it, which has been that way for many years, I am strongly in favor of this expenditure. I hope that the property owner can be persuaded to buy out the lease, which I gather would allow for the demolition of the building and facilitate a fresh start on this development project. I am concerned that improvements to the facade and landscaping will help but will not stop the other problems that go on at the site.

I am sure that those who live outside the immediate neighborhood, and not subject to such blight, would want the money spent on their pet project. I probably would. However, this is one of the reasons why we have elected officials and committees who can look at the community at large, then make decisions with our limited resources that are in the best interests of everyone, not just a sector.

I am grateful to Councilman Yeager and have expressed my appreciation to him for having accomplished this during a difficult economic period for the city.

My thanks for looking out for the best interests of his district.

Bernie Kinney

Willow Glen

Library design yet
to be determined

In response to last week's letter from Alma Taylor ("Resident favors plan to keep oak tree," Oct. 26) about the new Willow Glen branch library, I would like to say that the vast majority of residents and library staff at that meeting did not like "the plan where the library building is in the big square in the back."

This was due to several reasons: First, there would be fewer parking spaces than the other two designs. Second, the view from the street is more commercial, rather than residential as we enjoy now, because you mainly see the parking lot. And third, the plan included a curved driveway for a drop-off point in front of the library with no turnaround space. This would require drivers to back their cars out the long curved driveway and into the parking lot in order to exit the library.

I believe all of the plans provided for trees at the back of the lot, not just the plan Taylor favored. And I'm not sure how she knows there would be "more window space," as we were not shown elevations for any of the plans, and the layouts within the library are far from being determined.

Tina Drew

Telfer Avenue

Correction

An article in the Oct. 19 Willow Glen Resident Cuisine Section misstated the results of the 2005 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. We should have said that Burrell School Vineyards and Winery won silver for its pinot noir; Cinnebar Vineyards took gold for its 2002 Santa Cruz Chardonnay, not its pinot noir. In addition, we should have said all red wine grapes at Burrell School Vineyards go through a crusher-destemmer machine. Burrell's address is 24060 Summit Road.