Willow Glen residents in the Mediterranean fruit fly quarantine area may not be able to donate their fruit to charitable organizations.

Willow Glen's abundant fruit trees may be hosts to the Mediterranean fruit fly commonly known as medflies. Most fruit, tomatoes, peppers and eggplants are hosts to the destructive pest.

In Willow Glen, the quarantine area is bordered by Hillsdale Avenue to the south, Meridian Avenue to the west and Clark Way to the north.

Due to the quarantine, Second Harvest Food Bank is not accepting any donated fruit. Village Harvest, a nonprofit organization that gleans fruit for the hungry, cannot harvest in the quarantine area.

Residents may consume their fruit and vegetables at home or dispose of fruit in plastic bags in their trashcans.

For more information, visit www.villageharvest.org/medfly.htm.

Mayoral forum is set at Del Mar High

The Santa Clara County Democratic Club hosts a San Jose mayoral candidate forum on March 20.

Mayoral candidates Chuck Reed, Dave Cortese, Cindy Chavez and David Pandori will appear in the Del Mar High School cafeteria at 1224 Del Mar Ave., at 7 p.m. Santa Clara County Supervisor Jim Beall will moderate the forum.

The event is co-sponsored by DAWN, Silicon Valley Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Democratic Club, Dean Democratic Club of Silicon Valley, Bay Area Iranian-American Democrats and the Santa Clara County Democratic Central Committee.

Hicklebee's lines up
authors for spring

Hicklebee's children's bookstore brings a host of authors to downtown Willow Glen this spring.

In March, the store presents authors Derek Benz and J.S. Lewis on March 16, 3-4:30 p.m. The authors have co-written the adventure book, The Revenge of the Shadow King. On March 21, author Paul Stewart and illustrator Chris Riddell, creators of The Edge Chronicles No. 7: Freeglader, visit the shop from England for a book signing and presentation.

In April, Hicklebee's co-owner Valerie Lewis shows off her expertise at two book previews for adults--parents, grandparents, librarians and teachers. The first, on April 6 at 7 p.m., will focus on new books for kindergartners and preschoolers. On April 13 at 7 p.m., Lewis discusses the newest books for K-8 students. Lewis is the co-author of Valerie & Walter's Best Books for Children.

All events are free, and adult events require an RSVP. For more information and future events, call 408.292. 8880 or visit www.hicklebees.com.

Willow Glen jeweler
robbed, shot in leg

Willow Glen Estates Jewelry and Consignments store owner Dan Mokma was shot in the leg during a robbery outside his Lincoln Avenue store March 7.

Mokma called 911 at 8:10 a.m. to report the crime.

According to San Jose police spokesman Nick Muyo, Mokma said he was confronted by a gunman Tuesday morning, and the robber took some merchandise and then shot him in the leg.

The amount of jewelry that was taken has not been disclosed. The gunman concealed his face when he intercepted the store owner in a rear parking lot, according to police.

The police have yet to find the thief and are working with Mokma to come up with a sketch.

Historic ordinance
on March 16 agenda

On March 16 at 6:30 p.m., the Santa Clara County Historical Heritage Commission will discuss the revised draft of the historic preservation ordinance at the board chambers, County Government Center, 70 W. Hedding St. The commission will hear public comment on concerns and proposed alternatives to the draft. Another public meeting is scheduled for April 20. This summer the final revised draft ordinance will be presented to the Housing, Land Use, Environment and Transportation Committee. To view the revised draft ordinance, visit www.sccplanning.org, click on "Plans and Programs," "Historic Preservation," "Historic Preservation Ordinance."

Memorial fund
honors student

A memorial fund for Thomas Reyneri, the Bellarmine College Prep student who died in a snowboarding accident on Feb. 24, has been established to benefit both Bellarmine and St. Simon, his parish and elementary school.

Contributions can be sent to Thomas Reyneri Memorial Fund, Bank of America, 901 Fremont Ave., Los Altos 94024. They should be marked for account No. 0820841079, routing code 121000358.

Children can make leprechaun traps

Children 5 years and older are invited to a St. Patrick's Day in the Garden program on March 17 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at Guadalupe River Park & Gardens.

There will be a treasure hunt through the gardens and an exploration of rainbows. The children will make a leprechaun trap to take home.

There is a $5 fee for the class, which takes place at the Visitor & Education Center, 438 Coleman Ave. Children must be accompanied by an adult. For information or to register, call 408.298.7657.

Barrie honored for
educational work

The California Association of Bilingual Education selected Cecilia Barrie as its administrator of the year and honored her at a March 2 luncheon at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center.

Barrie was principal for 10 years at River Glen School. During her tenure, the bilingual immersion school won numerous awards and achieved high test scores, including those of students in the English learners subgroup. The two-way bilingual immersion at River Glen has served as a model program for programs throughout the country.

Presentation gets ready for annual show

Presentation High School will hold its 40th annual scholarship benefit fashion show on April 7. The event is a major fundraiser for the private school's financial aid scholarship program.

This year's show, "Time After Time," will feature Presentation seniors, faculty, board members, alumnae and senior boys from local high schools. They will model clothes from a variety of stores, such as Eddie Bauer, Talbot's and Barbarella.

Luncheon tickets cost $85 per person, and dinner tickets are $150 per person. The dinner event includes dancing, with music provided by KEZR-106.5 FM DJ King Raffi.

The scholarship fund enables girls without financial means to attend the private Catholic high school. Last year, the event raised $120,000.

For more information, call 408.264.5110, ext. 2447, or visit www.pres-net.com.