Willow Glen Resident

News

News Briefs

Lincoln Glen Manor
fire kills resident

A 91-year-old World War II veteran died after a fire broke out Sept. 15 at Lincoln Glen Manor for Senior Citizens, on Plummer Avenue between Koch Lane and Foxworthy Avenue.

Allen Honn, an Army Air Corps veteran, was found dead in his independent living unit, said Loren Kroeker, the center's executive director. Staff employees made the discovery when he did not come to dinner.

At approximately 5:55 p.m., Honn was found in his bathroom with the door closed. When the door was opened, smoke poured out and set off the fire alarm.

Fire department crews were there within minutes. A smoldering electrical fire was discovered between Honn's bathroom and the hallway and was extinguished by 6:10 p.m., Kroeker said.

He said preliminary reports suggested Honn might have had a heart attack. The Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner's Office said it was not clear whether Honn's death was related to the fire.

"He was a real neat guy, a wonderful man," Kroeker said. "It's a real tragedy."

Benson's legacy is
honored by San Jose

Louise Benson fed the hungry and clothed the needy. Her legacy was immortalized on Sept. 23, when the city unveiled a plaque in her honor at Hummingbird Park in North Willow Glen.

Benson was the founder of Sacred Heart Community Service and Martha's Kitchen, one of San Jose's most visible nonprofit agencies. It all began in Benson's Leona Court home in 1964 as a single effort for a single family that grew to serve 50,000 needy residents each year.

San Jose City Council members Ken Yeager and Cindy Chavez dedicated the plaque, along with Martha's Kitchen Executive Director Edita Cruz, Sacred Heart Executive Director Poncho Guevara, and Benson's daughter, Micky Benson in attendance.

Benson, who was 61 when she began her volunteer work, died in 1986.

Scarecrow doings are at Guadalupe

It's scarecrow time in Guadalupe River Park & Gardens.

On Oct. 7, from 9:30 a.m. to noon, there will be a scarecrow-making workshop for groups or individuals. The $15 fee covers materials for one scarecrow. An adult must accompany youth under age 18.

On Oct. 14, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. a scarecrow contest will take place in conjunction with the Friends of Guadalupe River Park & Gardens annual Pumpkins in the Park. Participants in the workshop will be invited to participate in the contest. It is also open to school, youth, neighborhood, family and business groups as well as individuals.

For additional information or to register, call 408.298.7657.

Get ready to laugh in
the Little Theater

"Thursdays and Fridays at the Theater" will kick off Sept. 29 at 7 p.m. at Willow Glen High School's Little Theater with a night of family-oriented comedy.

Tickets for the Clean Comedy show cost $7 for adults, $6 for students and seniors, and $25 for families. Proceeds support the Willow Glen public school music programs.

Jeff Applebaum, Dan Edwards, Sandy Stec, Nathan Habib, Michael Kvamme and Willow Glen High School student Charley Guptill will perform.

Music Boosters started the monthly theater program two years ago, as a branch of the Willow Glen Foundation. The boosters support the musical arts in Willow Glen schools by funding supplies and equipment, instrument repair and maintenance and costumes.

Fore more information, visit www.thursdaysatthetheater.org.

Elementary school
receives accolades

Willow Glen Elementary School was honored Sept. 19 at San Jose City Hall for a program that instills positive qualities in its students.

Five Willow Glen Elementary School students spoke about the school's Peacebuilder Program. Principal Dayle D'Anna said the program centers around a weekly pledge made by every student to "seek wise people, not make put-downs, and use language to be cooperative and caring people."

"It was quite a big event," she said. "The kids were so cute!"

The children spoke about working on a Peacebuilder newsletter, resolving student conflicts and volunteering in the school's game room.

Willow Glen Elementary School was also honored last year for its caring school climate.

Project Cornerstone, a San Jose nonprofit group that works with child development, sponsored the event.

Elva's Coffee Shop
displays school art

Elva's Coffee Stop will display neighborhood children's art.

Through October, art by children attending San Jose Parents Participating Nursery School will be displayed at the coffee shop.

Jennifer Packard, head of publicity for the school, said the school's more than 100 students, who range in age from 18 months to 5 years old, will contribute to the display.

The first week of October will also signal the start of Elva's turkey drive. Customers may purchase raffle tickets and donate canned food. Proceeds will be used to buy turkeys that will be donated to local soup kitchens.

The raffle drawing will take place around Thanksgiving, with the winner receiving free tickets to a professional sporting event.

Elva's Coffee Stop is at 2206 Lincoln Ave. For more information, call 408.269.2245. The coffee shop is open seven days a week from 5:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Community center has many activities

The Gardner Community Center on W. Virginia Street and Bird Avenue is offering a variety of free activities, including after-school programs and traditional Mexican dance lessons.

Monday through Friday, from 2:30 to 5 p.m., boys and girls from first through fifth grades may participate in arts and crafts, sports and field trips. Activities include running obstacle courses, playing soccer and football and making lanyards.

Aztec dance lessons are offered to people of all ages every Wednesday night from 7 to 9 p.m. Lessons are taught by the Indigenous Peoples Council. Elaborate costumes, feathered headdresses and reverence of nature characterize the ancient dance form.

The center also offers Baile Folklorico dance lessons Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Adults and children over 8 years old are welcome to participate. Dance lessons will also include story-telling, games, lyrical poetry and traditional cuisine.

The community center is at 520 W. Virginia St. For more information, call 408.279.1498.