Willow Glen Resident
Cover Story
2006
Year in Review
By Moryt Milo
Heave Ho: Heavy lifting didn't deter the women with the Habitat for Humanity project from raising the walls on a new home. AAUW members and Willow Glen-based Anderson Brulé Architects, who designed the home, participated in the project. Brenda Ladewig (second from left) helped lift the framing.
The Willow Glen community: It's all about the people
The theme that wove its way through the Willow Glen community in 2006 is easy to decipher--it was all about the people.
From beekeeper Steve Demkowski to Segway polo player Stuart Moore to pilot Mayetta Behringer to Willow Glen High School Vice Principal Al Gallegos, and that is a mere handful of the people we profiled in the newspaper this year.
There was the early talent of young comedian Charley Guptill and the seasoned musical wisdom of Celia Mendez, who founded a Beethoven competition. We had stock car racer Garland Self and a high school football team, the Rams, who won it all this year, taking the West Valley Division title in the Blossom Valley Athletic League. Our neighborhood has ham radio operator Del Harbold and Habitat for Humanity volunteer Nancy Becher. There is Rhonda Berry, who helped create Our City Forest, and there is Holocaust survivor Chaja Ash, who spent her life in the theater. The amount of talent in one ZIP code can leave one breathless.
Then we have residents who are committed to maintaining Willow Glen's quality of life--from Michael Mulcahy, who restored the Garden Theater and its landmark marquee, to all those, including Harvey Darnell, Kevin Christman, Ed Rast, Dan Erceg and an army of others who pour hundreds of volunteer hours into the community through various neighborhood associations.
There is no doubt that within the small confines of Willow Glen, the diversity and richness of those who live here bring together a true meeting of the minds.
Nowhere was that more apparent than during election season and the District 6 race. The five candidates who ran for Ken Yeager's seat--Pierluigi Oliverio, Steve Tedesco, Clark Williams, Jim Spence and Art Maurice--all had something to offer the community, so much so that many residents were unsure until election day who to vote for.
When it comes to people in politics, it is only fitting that the year close out with Yeager moving out of his familiar role in District 6 into his new role as county supervisor. His hands-on style of governing and listening to his constituency was absolutely the Willow Glen way. His shoes are big ones to fill, but it will make the upcoming year one to watch as the community selects a new councilman in the March runoff.
People, whether they excel in communication or sports, volunteering or advocating, are just some of the complex personalities that make up Willow Glen. They're the reason 2007 should be another exciting year.
--Moryt Milo, Editor
January
The Palm Haven Restoration Committee and the North Willow Glen Neighborhood Association received San Jose Beautiful Neighborhood Improvement Awards. San Jose Beautiful recognized the neighborhood associations at a San Jose City Council meeting in January.
Bill's Cafe owners Bill and Amalia Rizos sold the restaurant. They opened the cafe in 1977, sold it in 1991 and regained ownership in 1993 when the new owners defaulted on their payments. The family-friendly atmosphere continued under the new owners, brothers Demetri and Jimmy Zafiris.
Willow Glen resident and business owner Eric Nelson changed the name of his longtime Lincoln Avenue business Saratoga Plumbing Supply II to SplashWorks Kitchen & Bath Gallery. The store continues to offer the same services and products that it has for the past 19 years.
February
Willow Glen businessman Michael Mulcahy threw his hat in the ring for mayor. Mulcahy filed his "declaration of intent" to seek office, along with candidates Chuck Reed, Dave Cortese and Vice Mayor Cindy Chavez.
Blaine's Lighting wrapped up 55 years of business on Lincoln Avenue. The lighting showroom lost its lease, according to owner Ken Leake.
Vandals stole Cambrian Little League's tractor when they broke into a shed on a George Steindorf Jr. School field. The league needed to raise $4,000 to replace the tractor. Lincoln Avenue business Elva's Coffee Stop held a raffle, and Willow Glen resident Ken McKenzie, a board member for Air Systems Foundation, donated $6,200 to the Little League from the company. The donation covered the purchase of a new tractor and a new shed.
Matt Montenez and Jose Gutierez, two Willow Glen High School wrestlers, were among the top finishers at the Blossom Valley Athletic League wrestling championships. Montenez and Gutierez finished fourth in their weight class.
The Willow Glen Rams girls soccer team finished first in the Santa Teresa Division of the Blossom Valley Athletic League to earn a place in the Central Coast Section Division III playoffs, but after a win on penalty kicks over Robert Louis Stevenson High School in the opening round, they lost a 1-0 heartbreaker to Scotts Valley in the quarterfinals.
March
The Santa Clara Valley Water District board approved plans to replace the 90-year-old Willow Glen Way bridge that crosses the Guadalupe River. The $3 million project broke ground in May.
Artist David Ruth's two conceptual designs for Willow Glen Library public art were approved by the San Jose Public Art Committee. The first concept is a glass-blown gateway into the library. The second is a series of windows made out of blown glass that will line the west side of the new library.
Spencer Avenue, in north Willow Glen, was reconstructed between Willow Street and Atlanta Avenue. The street received new paving, curbs and gutters, sidewalks, driveways, wheel-chair ramps, fire hydrants and street trees. It was considered one of the worst streets in San Jose.
Dylan Haysbert from Willow Glen Middle School ripped down 15 rebounds and poured in 18 points to lead the boys sixth-grade team to a 63-62 overtime win over St. Christopher's in the championship game of the Bret Harte Tournament. With the win, Willow Glen wrapped up the year with a 14-2 season record.
Willow Glen's abundant fruit trees became hosts to the Mediterranean fruit fly, commonly known as medflies. The quarantine area was bordered by Hillsdale Avenue to the south, Meridian Avenue to the west and Clark Way to the north. Eventually, the quarantine was lifted.
Longtime Willow Glen resident Dominga Lujan died on Feb. 25, closing the book on a life that spanned 106 years.
She left behind five children, 31 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Three years after the main building at Gardner Academy was destroyed in a four-alarm fire, the school celebrated its rebuilding.
The main building, which included the administration office, library, computer labs and seven classrooms, was destroyed in the blaze. The new facility cost $7.2 million.
The San Jose Unified School District was awarded the grand prize, $3,500 in scholarship monies, in this year's Magna Awards program, one of three in the nation. The program was sponsored by the American School Board Journal. The awards recognized school districts across the country for programs that advance student learning and encourage community involvement in the schools.
April
Thirty students walked out of Willow Glen High School to participate in the national debate over illegal immigration. The students were told they had to attend a Saturday school and would receive a failing grade for the day.
The San Jose City Council awarded a $1.3 million contract to complete Reach 4 of the Willow Glen portion of the Los Gatos Creek Trail. It will run about a half-mile along the creek between Lonus and Auzerais streets and connect Willow Glen to downtown San Jose. The trail should be completed by October 2007.
Developer Robert Raffanti proposed a 15-unit project on Radio Avenue. The project would be built on a three-quarter-acre site and be named Willow Village Square.
Vandals torched four cars on several streets in Willow Glen, vandalized five more cars in the neighborhood, and egged a number of vehicles on Franquette Avenue.
May
President Bush bestowed a once-in-a-lifetime honor on Willow Glen resident Joe Russo. Not only did Russo get to meet the president during Bush's visit to San Jose, but he also was honored with the President's Volunteer Service Award.
La Concha spa owner Gloria Maciel's request for the construction of a new building in Willow Glen was approved. A new three-story, 8,941-square-foot building will go up on Lincoln Avenue near Coe Avenue.
A string of robberies dating back to the beginning of March culminated with the arrest of John Kent. He was charged with five counts of robbery. Police say he may have been involved in a May 1 robbery at the Washington Mutual on Lincoln Avenue, which was robbed again on May 11.
Fuller Park opened in May on a 1.6-acre site. The Greater Gardner Coalition wanted to turn the undeveloped area by the railroad tracks into a gathering place for the neighborhood.
Willow Glen Elementary School was named a California Distinguished School.
Joan Warager died at age 69. Warager, known for her love of children and family, worked for more than 20 years at KNTV, Channel 11, where she served as executive assistant beginning in the early '60s.
The San Jose City Council approved a change in its city ordinance that will more than double the fines for homeowners and tree-removal companies illegally cutting down a tree. The amended ordinance also provides steep fines up to $6,000 for repeat offenders.
June
The Garden Theater-turned-business complex reopened with the lighting of its symbolic marquee. Owner Michael Mulcahy wants the theater to help jump-start downtown Willow Glen to its former vibrancy.
Fifty-six condominiums were approved for Almaden and Malone roads. The
2.3-acre parcel at 1992 Almaden Road was home to four single-family residences.
San Jose City Councilman Ken Yeager won 52.1 percent of the vote in the District 4 Santa Clara County supervisorial race, avoiding a November runoff election. Yeager replaced termed-out Supervisor Jim Beall.
The San Jose City Council approved the opening of Beverages & More on Lincoln Avenue.
Beverages & More Store co-founder Steve McLaren asked the city for two permits, for a public drinking establishment (a wine- and beer-tasting area) and off-site sales of alcohol.
Albertsons closed 37 underperforming grocery stores in Northern California, including the Willow Glen location at 1409 Bird Ave.
Willow Glen residents Ed Rast and Virginia Holtz were selected to serve on the Sunshine Reform Task Force, which was approved by the San Jose City Council in March. The task force is reviewing proposed sunshine reforms that deal with public access to information, enhancing neighborhood participation and government accountability.
Willow Glen residents Danforth E. Sturges, Patricia Flynn and Ernie Giachetti were among 19 people chosen to serve through June 2007 on the Santa Clara County Grand Jury, the county's watchdog group for government agencies.
All three Willow Glen jurors have extensive ties to the community.
Three new members joined the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association board. Steve Kaylor was elected treasurer and Stuart Moore a board member, while R.C. Kost was appointed to the board. The men filled all but one vacancy left by longtime board members Helen Solinski, Ellen Santomura, Margaret Hardy and Carol Rossebo.
July
Willow Glen resident Christine Burroughs retired from her job at InnVision The Way Home after 18 years, 16 of which were spent serving as CEO of the nonprofit organization. Juan Benitez succeeded Burroughs on July 10.
Willow Glen-based nonprofit Cultural Initiatives Silicon Valley closed, but the Santa Clara County Office of Education took over the nonprofit's successful program, Creative Education, on July 1. Since its founding in 1997, Cultural Initiatives Silicon Valley handed out nearly $10 million in grants, technical assistance and professional development to 127 elementary schools in Santa Clara County.
Liberty High School, an alternative education program for at-risk students, moved from Cottle Avenue to Allen Avenue. The school was adjacent to Willow Glen Middle School for more than 30 years.
Garland Self, owner of Selco Heating & Air Conditioning in Willow Glen, showed off his stuff in the San Jose Grand Prix's historic stock car race, where he placed second driving his 1994 Ford Thunderbird. The Historic Stock Car Race was one of many races during the three-day event in July.
A Willow Glen Beautification Project, "Sassy Seats," spruced up generic brown bus stop benches at 11 locations along Lincoln Avenue between Coe and Minnesota avenues. Artists painted the bus stops with colorful, whimsical designs. The project was funded by a $1,500 San Jose Beautiful grant.
Allen and Barbara Gilliland's property at 1025 Broadway Ave. was the scene of a fire after several oil-drenched rags spontaneously combusted. Work, which included the use of stains, was being done on the home. The stained rags were not disposed of properly and exploded in the 104-degree heat. The fire burned only the outside fence, the inside of the garage and roof before neighbors and firefighters confined the flames.
The Willow Glen Business and Professional Association launched its new website. The new site and all business-related materials contain the district's new brand image, which was developed by Willow Glen-based etc. group. In late June, the association also distributed a Willow Glen directory, the first since 2000.
Bill Baron, the 2005 San Jose/Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce chairman, was honored with the 2006 Small Business Advocate Award from the statewide Chamber of Commerce in Sacramento in July. Baron is a Willow Glen resident and a 23-year partner in Brandenburg Properties.
The Willis Avenue cul-de-sac previously known as "Varrio Horseshoe" after a local gang transformed into the "Circle of Dreams" with the unveiling of a public art project. The project consists of 10 bronze posts that stand in place of the bollards that are meant to keep cars from driving into Briebach Park. The posts were designed with the impressions of more than 350 community members' dreams. The project, which took more than a year, involved youth and adults coming together twice a week in the fall of 2004 at the Gardner Community Center.
Alexander Stark, 18, of San Jose, was arrested on charges of battery with serious injury after two teenagers were assaulted July 27 near Schallenberger Elementary School. According to police, Stark hit a 16-year-old girl in the face. The girl underwent more than four hours of reconstructive surgery at Stanford Hospital on Aug. 4, according to her father. The other teenager, a 15-year-old boy, was knocked off his bicycle but did not sustain any serious injuries.
August
A Santa Clara County Superior Court judge ruled in favor of Rite-Aid Pharmacy, which sued Hacienda Gardens Shopping Center owner Garret Rajkovich and developer Mark Tersini. The lawsuit claimed the developer's plans to renovate the center with housing and additional retail breached the store's lease agreement and right to parking. The judge said Rajkovich and Tersini could not reduce Rite-Aid's parking or construct pods close to the store without Rite Aid's consent. The judgment allowed construction to resume at the site, which was at a standstill since spring, pending the lawsuit.
Willow Glen Library closed on Aug. 12, forcing patrons to use another branch for 18 months. The 57-year-old building will be demolished. A new building is scheduled to open in April 2008. The rebuilt Willow Glen library will be 7,670 square feet larger, with more than double the number of computers, and will include new study and storytelling areas, a community room, more seats and parking spaces.
Two men robbed an 18-year-old male, a recent Willow Glen High School graduate, and two 15-year-old female sophomores at the school pool on Aug. 7. The men wore black ski masks and were armed with handguns. One man put a gun to the head of one of the girls, demanding the teenagers hand over their personal belongings, which included money, cell phones and keys to a 2001 gold Chevy Tahoe owned by the 18-year-old.
Following San Jose City Councilman Ken Yeager's June victory in the Santa Clara County supervisor race, six candidates announced their intention to run for the District 6 council seat. They were retired police Sgt. Jim Spence, neighborhood advocate Clark Williams, nonprofit executive Steve Tedesco, environmental software executive Pierluigi Oliverio, city real property agent Brad Imamura and neighborhood leader Art Maurice. Imamura dropped out of the race in October.
In an Aug. 11 compliance order, San Jose's code enforcement department asked American Legion Post 318 to prove its status was grandfathered in and exempt from current city regulations. The order cited the Legion for operating a private club in a residential zoning district. The city began researching the Legion's history in Willow Glen after neighbors complained that weekend parties at the site had flooded their quiet neighborhood with noise. Neighbors and Legion leaders had tried to reach a compromise until their talks came to a standstill in June.
The San Jose Planning Commission approved a condominium conversion at 1215 Bird Ave. The project consists of 12 vacated two- and one-bedroom apartments. All the units will be gutted and remodeled with new appliances before going on the market.
Greater Gardner Coalition vice chairman Harvey Darnell was chosen to succeed Kevin Christman as chairman. Christman has served at the group's helm since 2002 and oversaw vast neighborhood improvements.
Two male juveniles, ages 14 and 17, and 19-year-old Michael Burriesci were arrested after a confrontation at Willow Glen High School. The 17-year-old allegedly threatened to kill the school's custodian, according to the police. None of the teenagers attended the high school.
Willow Glen schools hit the numbers on the Academic Performance Index. Most schools in Willow Glen improved from the prior year, except Schallenberger Elementary School, which repeated its previous high score of 811, 11 points above the state performance target. Gardner Academy jumped 60 points, the best improvement in Willow Glen. The second biggest jump, 36 points, was made by Canoas Elementary School.
The city approved plans to construct 19 single-family residences on a 3.34-acre property behind Hervey Lane from W. Alma Avenue to the Guadalupe River. The Pinn Brothers project includes a narrow strip of land, which will be designated as a public trail.
September
The Willow Glen Business and Professional Association canceled its Founders Day celebration. The association, mainly funded by local businesses, would have incurred a $23,000 loss due to lack of sponsors and runners for a planned race. The association plans to put on Founders Day in 2007. The last year the event took place was in 2002.
A PG&E tractor dug a trench at 1170 Coolidge Ave. to examine underground utilities and hit an unexpected bump. The PG&E crew discovered a human skeleton. A forensic anthropologist determined the remains belong to a "human, prehistoric Native American."
The San Jose City Council approved a 15-unit townhome and condominium project at 1088 Paula St. The existing three single-family homes will be demolished. Developer Michael Abdollahi of Rockwell Homes purchased the property from the Enfantino family, which moved to Willow Glen in the early 1920s from the small agricultural village of Tricarico, Italy.
October
A fight broke out near the Bramhall Park amphitheater. Witnesses say the brawl involved 10 to 15 young men, who attacked two young men who were sitting on the grass. One of the men fled, but the one other stayed behind and was beaten.
Willow Glen Runners Supply moved from 1140 Lincoln Ave. across the street to 1115 Lincoln Ave. and changed its name to Urban Sports. Footwear Etc. opened an outlet store in the former runners supply space.
Mojo Burger opened in the Willow Glen Village Shopping Center at the corner of Bird and Minnesota avenues.
The North Willow Glen Neighborhood Association elected a new board. Harvey Darnell and Clark Williams continued in their positions as president and vice president. Chuck and Stephanie Hudson, Ken Eklund, Dan Erceg and Corinne Winter were also elected to the board.
The San Jose City Council voted to rezone 1070 Bird Ave. from single-family home to planned development. The property owners hoped to rezone the 0.29-acre lot to allow three single-family residences, two of which have been constructed without permits. However, staff recommended only the two existing units be allowed. The house once belonged to John "Jack" Holmes, one of two men arrested and lynched for the November 1933 kidnap and murder of 22-year-old Brooke Hart.
Residents spilled onto Lincoln Avenue from neighboring streets to watch Willow Glen High School's homecoming parade. The traditional Ford Thunderbirds led the procession, followed by cheerleaders from both Willow Glen High School and Gardner Academy. Dancers, bands, clubs and high school floats followed.
November
Beverages & More opened its doors in downtown Willow Glen, just in time for the holiday season.
Willow Glen residents Pierluigi Oliverio and Steve Tedesco received the most votes in the November election for the District 6 city council seat. The candidates face a March 6 runoff. In District 3, Santa Clara County prosecutor Sam Liccardo beat Manny Diaz.
SaveMart eyed several closed Albertsons sites, including the one located at 1409 Bird Ave. However, residents wanted to see a Zanotto's move into the old Albertsons space. SaveMart's deal for the Willow Glen store fell through.
A three-alarm fire destroyed a Willow Glen home on the morning of Nov. 11. The fire ruptured a gas line in the home and caused nearly $1 million in structural damage to a 2,000-square-foot home at 1845 Newport Ave.
Joseph Vincent Castello died Nov. 8 at age 94 after a long illness. Castello was a man known to move fast and work hard, from his early years as a local farmer to becoming a commercial property developer. He was instrumental in the founding of St. Christopher Parish. A barn on the family's Lincoln Avenue property served as the site for what became the church.
The San Jose Planning Commission denied Tomato Thyme's application to construct a 3,300-square-foot patio. The conditional-use permit couldn't be approved because under the city's parking ordinance, the eatery would be short 96 parking spaces. More than 2,000 people signed a petition in support of the proposal, although several neighbors worried about noise from the patio.
The San Jose Planning Commission approved a 98-unit senior care facility on Meridian Avenue and Curci Drive. The project by developers Merill Gardens at Willow Glen will include the construction of a four-story rectangular building on a 1.17-acre site.
The Willow Glen Foundation's Wine Tasting and Auction exceeded its expectations and raised $25,000. The figure is more than double the amount raised in 2005 and nearly $7,500 more than the foundation's projected goal.
Mohamed Abdalla, a Willow Glen High School junior, made history when he ran his way to the state Division III championship at the cross-country finals held at Woodward Park in Fresno. Senior running mate Marcos Corona was only 14 seconds behind Abdalla, finishing fourth in the state meet. As a school, Willow Glen High was only able to finish ninth, but Abdalla and Corona together dominated runners from every other school in the state.
Willow Glen's football team experienced a Cinderella story this year when, for the first time in school history, the Rams won a game in the Central Coast Section playoffs. But after a 38-37 overtime win against Menlo in the playoff opener, the Rams did not live happily ever after. Their Cinderella year came to an end when they lost 50-13 to Pacific Grove in the CCS Small School Division semifinals. Not only was this the first team in Willow Glen history to win a CCS game, but the Rams became the first team in the history of the West Valley Division to win a playoff game.
Goosetown Cocktail Lounge owner Gary Rovai, in pain after a recent surgery, passed out at the wheel and drove his new truck into the wall of his building. Nearly 40 people showed up throughout the day to help repair the damage to the neighborhood business. Miraculously, at 5 p.m. that day, Fire Station No. 6 Capt. Kevan Banton signed off on the bar, and the lounge reopened.
The Valley Transportation Authority unveiled plans to amend the Tamien Station Area Specific Plan--adopted by San Jose in 1995--to create additional housing and parking on 17-acres owned by the VTA. The transportation agency is exploring a possible infill housing project that would finance a multi-level parking garage along the transit corridor. The high-density project would include 500 to 600 living units in buildings varying in height from three to 11 stories.
December
Ken Yeager resigned on Dec. 12 from his San Jose City Council District 6 seat and took the oath of office for his Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors District 4 seat. Yeager was elected to the city council in 2000.
The San Jose parks department trimmed trees in Briebach park after Greater Gardner residents expressed concern that the thick foliage cast shadows and invited crime. Police told residents of troubling activities that had transpired during the last month, which included a gang-related shooting during the second week of November.
Despite San Jose Planning Commission's November vote to keep Alano Club West open over the holidays, two appeals following the meeting kept the Minnesota Avenue facility's doors closed until next year. The San Jose Planning Commission approved the permit with numerous conditions aimed at resolving noise and privacy issues in the neighborhood. The club cannot reopen until the city council considers the appeals.
The San Jose City Council approved new parking regulations in nine business districts of San Jose, including Lincoln Avenue, the change is expected to make these areas more attractive to retailers and restaurants. The earlier regulations, introduced in 1960, required more spaces than the new regulations do.
