Willow Glen Resident
News
News Briefs
Renovated Garden
Theater's new look
Willow Glen's landmark, the Garden Theater, has undergone a facelift that has restored its animated marquee.
Residents are invited to enjoy dessert and ice cream at a reception that will include a display of historic photos and videos of Willow Glen on May 30 from 7:30 to 9 p.m.
The marquee lighting ceremony, with comments from San Jose City Councilman Ken Yeager and a blessing of the building at 8:45 p.m. by the Rev. Peter Pabst, president of Sacred Heart Nativity School, are part of the grand re-opening.
For more information about the Garden Theater, 1165 Lincoln Ave. event, call 408.280.0435.
The theater opened in 1949 and was a community gathering point for years. The theater closed its doors to moviegoers in 1989 and reopened as a retail mall and office building complex in 1990.
The theater is owned by SDS NexGen Partners, which includes managing partners Shirlee DiNapoli Schiro and son Michael Mulcahy, as well as siblings Brian and Tim Mulcahy, Erin Stein and Paula Keane.
Man is mugged at
Mi Rancho market
A man was mugged at the Mi Rancho Super Market, 1003 Lincoln Ave., on May 20 by three young men. A man in his 20s was cashing a check just before 5 p.m. when he was approached by three Hispanic men in their mid to late 20s, San Jose Police Sgt. Nick Muyo said.
"It was a fear and intimidation thing; they surrounded him," Muyo said.
While one man asked for change, another reached into the victim's pocket and took the money he just received. Muyo said the victim was outnumbered and feared he might be hurt if he fought back.
The three men are described as between 5 feet 7 inches to 5 feet 9 inches tall. The men fled through the back of the store of the store, and drove off in a dark Dodge or Chrysler, heading south on Lincoln Avenue.
The police are following up on leads. Anyone with additional information can call the San Jose Robbery Unit at 408.277.4166 or report a tip anonymously at 408.947.STOP.
VTA pilot program
extends ticket time
VTA is launching a pilot program where readers can purchase an 8-hour excursion pass. The program is designed to make it easier for light rail passengers to purchase tickets to and from events. The pilot program starts June 1 and will continue through the end of the year.
Currently, VTA single-ride fares are $1.75 for adults, but the tickets must be used within two hours of purchase. The new adult excursion fares, good for two trips within an 8-hour period, will cost $3.50 and will save passengers long lines at the end of events.
Excursion pass fares for youths ages 5 to 17 are $3, and $1.50 for seniors 65 and over or who are disabled.
An all-day pass fare is $5.25 for adults, $4.50 for youths and $2.25 for those 65 and older.
VTA expects the new excursion fares to be popular with riders taking light rail to events such as the San Jose America Festival, San Jose Grand Prix, San Jose Jazz Festival and others. The program will be evaluated at the end of the year.
For additional information on VTA, visit www.vta.org or call 408.321.2300.
Greater Gardner area
is getting a facelift
The Greater Gardner Coalition's number one priority--street and sidewalk improvements--is finally getting done.
This renovation made the coalition's Strong Neighborhoods Initiative top 10 list and includes the reconstruction of W. Virginia Street between Delmas Avenue and Highway 87.
The project begins in July with an expected completion date in September, said San Jose department of public works project manager Paul Izadyar.
The sidewalks will be removed, smoothed down and repaved. Seven Japanese pagoda trees in 24-inch boxes will be added to the north side of the street.
A eucalyptus tree on the corner of Spencer and W. Virginia streets will be removed and replaced by one of the Japanese pagodas.
The reconstruction of Delmas, Minor and Spencer avenues, which was top priority in North Willow Glen, have all been completed.
The final stage, reconstruction of Prevost Street and Spencer Avenue/Brown Street, will begin construction in the fall.
St. Christopher is
ready for festival
St. Christopher's 48th Annual Festival opens June 9 with three days of fun for the whole family.
The festival features carnival games and rides for all ages and arts and crafts activities. The parish rummage sale, one of the largest draws, will include thousands of items. Food and beverages will be available for purchase, and The Hitmen will provide music on Friday and Saturday nights.
There will be a raffle Sunday at 3 p.m. The first-prize winner gets $5,000, and second- and third-prize winners will walk home with an iPod. Tickets are $1 each or $10 for 12.
Discounts are available before the festival at St. Christopher's School.
The festival is open on June 9 from 5 to 10 p.m., June 10 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and June 11 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The school is located at 2278 Booksin Ave. For more information, email stchrishns@sbcglobal.net.
Haircut proceeds
aid cancer walk
Alchemy Hair Studio, at 1049 Lincoln Ave. in downtown Willow Glen is offering 50 percent off haircuts on June 3.
The hair studio is fundraising to support Avon's "Walk for Breast Cancer."
There are a limited number of appointments available. Haircuts will be on a first-come, first-serve basis through the salon's scheduling line, 408.624.1227. Payments must be made by check and written to "Avon's Walk for Breast Cancer."
All proceeds will be donated and are tax deductible.
For more information, contact Sherry McGuire at 408.293.3494, email at alchemystudio@mindspring.com or visit www.alchemyhairstudio.com.
Cambrian district
wants family input
After 14 years, Cambrian School District Superintendent Barry Groves is moving on.
The Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District school board announced Groves was selected to replace Superintendent Richard Fischer, who is retiring. Groves' new position begins July 1.
The Cambrian school board is now looking for community input to discern what personal and professional qualities the families want in the next superintendent. Residents are asked to schedule an appointment with the district office, 4115 Jacksol Drive, on June 8 to meet individually or in groups with Leadership Associates, which has been hired to lead the search efforts for a new superintendent.
To arrange an appointment, contact Wendy Corkery at 408.377.2103, ext. 103. To submit comments via email, send a message to rtrigg@frontiernet.net, or fax 949.461.9119.
Gardner Academy plans
to show off its talent
Gardner Academy students will participate in the second annual Mariachi and Folklorico Recital, "Son y Tradición."
Mariachi bands from Willow Glen's Gardner Academy, San Jose High Academy and Hoover Middle and Lincoln High schools, as well as folklorico groups from Washington Elementary, Hoover Middle and Lincoln High schools, will perform for audiences May 31.
The recital, part of the Teatro Target Performing Arts Series, will include special guests Mariachi Aztlan, Mexican Heritage Plaza Mariachi Youth Program and Mariachi Azteca as well as the renowned group, Los Lupeños de San Jose.
The event will take place at 7 p.m. at the Mexican Heritage Plaza Theater, 1700 Alum Rock Ave.
Tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 3-18.
For more information, call 408.928.5517 or 408.928.5563.
Schallenberger school
earns two awards
Schallenberger Elementary School has been recognized with two honors for its hard work this month.
On May 1, the school received the "Star" award from the California Business for Education Excellence Foundation during the foundation's ceremony in San Francisco. The award recognizes the school's efforts to raise academic achievement levels and close the achievement gap.
The next day, the school received a second commendation, the Title I Academic Achievement award, this time from the California Department of Education during the State Title 1 conference in Costa Mesa on May 2.
Title 1 is a program set up by the state to help economically disadvantaged students improve their education. This award was given to Schallenberger for its increase in Adequate Yearly Progress scores.
"We are honored by the recognitions," said Schallenberger school secretary Valerie Hayes. "It's rewarding and validating for all our hard work bringing up our test scores."
These awards confirm Schallenberger is on the right track, Hayes said. "We have the right intervention to improve our scores and achievements."
