The Community Newspapers are getting an online facelift, and the Image Cultural and Charitable Events Calendar is going interactive, thanks to a partnership between the Community Newspapers and Artsopolis Marketing Partnership, a program of the nonprofit Arts Council Silicon Valley.

Our relationship with Artsopolis, the online arts and entertainment calendar, began several months ago with the realization that the information we had been developing for Image about charitable fundraising events was something that would be useful to Artsopolis.

By the same token, we realized that we were spending long hours developing weekly updates for the arts portion of the Image Calendar, when Artsopolis was already maintaining a comprehensive--and interactive--arts calendar.

We both brought something to the table that could expand and improve the efforts of the other. So, beginning this week, when you go to the Image Calendar at www.image-magazine.com, you'll find an interactive calendar that includes an advanced search function, event images and user-friendly event listings. Additionally, selected events will offer direct ticketing and discounts through Artsopolis.com.

Although our relationship with Artsopolis began with the customized calendar engine, it evolved into a redesign of our website. Now when you visit our home page at www.community-newspapers.com or the home page for your local newspaper, you'll still find stories and information from our weekly newspapers, but it will be presented with a fresh new look. You can also access the Image calendar at the Community Newspapers website. This transition will take place over the next few days.

We are delighted to be able to bring our readers expanded arts and entertainment coverage through this online partnership, and we hope readers will find our Community Newspapers website redesign livelier and easier to navigate.

--Dale Bryant, Executive Editor

Housing article brings both hope, despair

When I read the March 15 issue of the Community Newspapers article, "Thousands may line up for low-cost housing list," and learned that the Santa Clara County Housing Authority will be accepting applications for its housing voucher, I was filled with joy and anticipation that my family may finally get into affordable housing. At the same time, I was filled with despair because I will be competing with many families in the same homeless situation as myself.

I wasn't always homeless. I worked for the county of Santa Clara for 18 years, and I was in the process of buying my first home, a "rent to own" arrangement, when I lost my job in 2001.

I lived off of my savings until I depleted it in 2003. I had a hard time providing for two children as a single mother on my disability income. I became delinquent in all of my bills. I had to make the tough decision to move my family into a shelter, just to make ends meet. Currently, we are staying at Sobrato Family Living Center, which is transitional housing.

Getting into a more permanent housing solution, like Section 8, would make a huge difference by allowing my family the continuity of remaining in one place.

Every time I move my grades suffer, slowing me down (but not stopping me) from achieving my goal to finish school. Similarly, it affects my children's ability to learn.

I would like to thank your newspaper for bringing the story and the needs of low-income families such as myself to the public's awareness.

Julie Loredo

Santa Clara

Residents, not Realtors,
should give direction

An article in the Willow Glen Resident ("Neighborhood Association takes a neutral stance on BevMo Issue," March 15), disturbs me. The neighborhood association doesn't want to take a stand. The business association doesn't want to take a stand, and the best that Pam Foley can come up with is "A large store like Beverages & More would actually bring in foot traffic to Lincoln Avenue" and "Willow Glen ought not be afraid of what's coming into the neighborhood." We already have enough individuals who plow down Lincoln Avenue oblivious to speed limits and pedestrians.

I have often wondered how many of these reckless drivers are alcohol- impaired. Let's not give then one more place on the street to buy alcohol.

I'm suspicious of this push for so many chain stores, this latest liquor business (BevMo), and an additional Starbucks so close to the first one.

I'm OK with the other coffeehouses, because they are unique in the way that they have their own blends and food items. I understand that Bella James Boutique, located in the Garden Mall, would have located somewhere else if Starbucks had not opened next door. People are calling it "synergistic leasing," and it is supposed to help create balance for Lincoln Avenue. Frankly, I think most of us are just scratching our heads wondering "Why the heck do we have two Starbucks a quarter mile apart?" I guess common sense doesn't figure into to all of this.

We had some wonderful independent stores at one time that were around for years, but they were forced out due to the continual rent increases. A few years back the idea of chain stores on Lincoln Avenue was very unpopular, and now we're being told that we need a balance of independent and chain stores to make it all work.

Guess which stores will be crowded out? Is the whole idea behind this thinking simply to get big chain stores that can afford high rent to move in so the Realtors can make the big bucks?

What I'm seeing is that it doesn't seem to matter what the residents of this community want. It's all about the Realtors leading us in a direction that we may be sorry for later on if Willow Glen loses its one-of-a-kind identity. I want a shopping district I can be proud of again.

Linda Julian

Willow Glen