Willow Glen Resident
News
Music in the Glen keeps getting better
By Mayra Flores De Marcotte
The smell of popcorn and hot dogs filled the air, while children chased each other between picnics and lawn chairs. It was a familiar sight at Music in the Glen, and Aug. 16 was the final summer concert.
The six-week series kicked off on July 12 with The Road Dogs and closed with Flashback, a group of retired police officers who specialize in tunes from the'60s and '70s. The group's upbeat songs had many rising from their picnics to get up and dance.
Willow Glen residents Bruce and Hannah Vaughn-Hulbert got up in front of the stage to twist with the music.
"I love dancing with my kids," Vaughn-Hulbert says. "[My daughter's] always teaching me new moves."
The family attended half the concerts this year and have been regulars at the event since the series began in 2002.
"We just live across the street so it's very nice," says Vaughn-Hulbert. The concerts are held at the Willow Glen Elementary School at the intersection of Lincoln and Minnesota avenues.
"You get to have fun, and it's a safe thing to do in a family environment. The kids enjoy it, and it sets aside time every Thursday night."
Hannah, 9, catches her breath after dancing for an hour. She and her neighbor, 8-year-old Claire Busche, agree that the best part of coming to the concerts is the dancing.
"I love dancing with my dad and neighbors," Hannah says.
The family-friendly event hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Willow Glen is alcohol-free, and though picnic dinners are welcome, the Kiwanis Club sells hot dogs, Polish sausages, nachos, popcorn, pretzels, soda and water. All the proceeds from the sales are redirected back to the community and divided between Willow Glen Elementary School and other nonprofit groups, such as Sacred Heart Community Services and InnVision.
Through the support of such sponsors as the Willow Glen Resident, Coldwell Banker's Gail Leslie, Edward Jones, Elva's Coffee Stop and Aqui Cal-Mex Grill, Blue Sky Funding, Tim Casey Construction, Willow Glen Funeral Chapel and a host of other Willow Glen and San Jose businesses, the organization is able to pay the performers while keeping the event free to the public.
"There's such a community spirit," says Kristine Vaughn-Hulbert. "We get to run into neighbors and sit and enjoy a variety of music all summer long."
Willow Glen resident Rob Otto and his children, 2 -year-old Sam and 4 -year-old Addy, walked to the concert along with a group of their neighbors.
"It's something to do before the summer is over," Otto says. "It's for the kids."
This was Otto's first concert this summer, but the family has attended the event for the last three years.
"The fact that it's on a Thursday night is nice," he says. "Most events happen on the weekends and get rowdy. Here, kids get to dance, and we wear them out a little bit. Virtually everybody here is with family."
As the night progressed, the crowd swelled.
The crowds this year have been the largest yet, says Willow Glen Kiwanis Club president Michael Rubino.
"It's been packed," he says. "People have been looking forward to this all year. They're just so happy."
This year, the club enhanced the program with a classic car show during the concerts.
"They bring their cars, show them off for free, and we give them a hot dog," Rubino says.
Rubino says the Kiwanis members added another feature, a 50-50 raffle drawing. The winner gets 50 percent of the pot and the rest goes toward helping the community. On the last night of the series, the event took in $216.
"It wasn't our largest pot," Rubino says, "but it wasn't the smallest, either."
Chris Hagan walked away happy. He was the big winner, taking home, $108. But he didn't keep it. He donated his prize to Sacred Heart Community Services, making everyone a winner in Rubino's eyes.
"The bottom line," Rubino says, "is the series is designed to bring the community and its families together."
The Willow Glen Kiwanis Club is asking the community to help Sacred Heart Community Services outfit low-income children with backpacks before the start of the school year through backpack donations or school supplies. Sacred Heart Community Services is located at 1381 S. First St.
For more information on the Kiwanis Club, or to volunteer, call Michael Rubino at 408.978.8234.
