Willow Glen Resident
News
Spirits emerge to haunt Willow Glen
By Emilie Crofton
A warning to trick-or-treaters passing by 1359 Robsheal Drive: Enter if you dare.
If the elaborate decorations don't spook the passersby, Willow Glen pre-teens Aidan and Mick Kirwan will.
Aidan, 11 and Mick, 10, have been preparing for a spooky Halloween since Labor Day, when the two brothers started decorating. The early Halloween tradition began five years ago, with the decorations and scare tactics getting more elaborate each year.
"I expect it every year now," says their mother, Sandra Kirwan. "It will be 90 degrees outside on a hot September day, but the two boys will be out there decorating for Halloween."
This year's decor includes skeletons, spiders, gravestones, lights, bones, corpses, a scarecrow, a fog machine, a pumpkin patch and plenty of cobwebs.
The two boys have spent hours readying their home in preparation for the ghostly eve, drawing the attention of many in the neighborhood.
"People always slow down when they drive by our house," Mick says. "especially in September because they are so surprised to see Halloween decorations."
Of the two brothers, Aidan is the true Halloween fan.
"It's my favorite holiday, because I always look forward to decorating the house. And also, my aunt was born on Halloween," Aidan says. "But most importantly, I love scaring trick-or-treaters."
Aidan says he has scared hundreds of trick-or-treaters throughout the years, but only if they are older than 7. This year Aidan wants to set a new personal record for the number of trick-or-treaters he scares.
Although Halloween isn't Mick's favorite holiday, he looks forward to helping his older brother.
"I'm more the tech guy. I always work the fog machine," he says.
The two boys say they are anxiously waiting for the arrival of Oct. 31, fixing up and rearranging the decorations every day when they come home from school.
"Aidan's always sad when Halloween is over," his mother says. "The day after he'll start counting the days till next Halloween."
Willow Glen has plenty of Halloween fun haunts
By Mayra Flores De Marcotte
Willow Glen Funeral Chapel,1039 Lincoln Ave., is opening its doors again on Oct. 27 at 6 p.m. for everyone to come and watch the movie classic, It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. The movie is free and so are the drinks, popcorn, snacks and goodie bag. Costumes optional.
The funeral chapel will do it all again on Oct. 28 at 1 p.m. showing the classic Vertigo. Movie is free and so are the drinks, popcorn and snacks.
Music & Entertainment Center, 1202 Lincoln Ave., on Oct. 28 at 1 p.m. in conjunction with Papa Hugs Productions and Open Path Music Studio will present a Halloween Children's Music Concert in downtown Willow Glen. There will be balloon animals, face painting, popcorn and lemonade. Halloween costumes are welcome.
Gussied Up Dog Boutique, 1310 Lincoln Ave., is making sure pet owners also have a happy Halloween. On Oct. 28, between 5 and 6:30 p.m., residents can come watch or participate in the fourth annual Halloween Doggie Social and Costume Parade in downtown Willow Glen. Man's best friend has never looked so good. The event is free.
Elva's Coffee Stop, 2206 Lincoln Ave., on Oct. 29 all day long will kick off the candy craze. The coffeehouse will be decorated for Halloween and handing out treats to children in costume.
Halloween on Lincoln Avenue, a tradition for years, happens on Oct. 31 between 10 a.m. and noon for pre-schoolers. Families can bring their preschoolers in costume to trick-or-treat in downtown Willow Glen along Lincoln Avenue and enjoy meeting hundreds of children and parents. Participating businesses will have a poster in their window. Gently read books, through Books For Treats, will be given out at the Garden Theater.
The school-age children have their turn to trick-or-treat in downtown Willow Glen on Oct. 31 between 3 and 5 p.m.
Willow Glen Baptist Church, 1292 Minnesota Ave., has its annual Harvest Carnival on Oct. 31 between 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. The church located between Minnesota and Hicks avenues invites families to enjoy games, candy, a slide, pony rides, coffee and popcorn. The harvest carnival is free.
Willows Senior Center, 2175 Lincoln Ave, in conjunction with the San Jose Parks and Recreation is hosting a Pumpkins & Pizza party for children 2-13 on Oct. 27 from 10 a.m. to noon. There will be crafts, ghoulish games and a costume contest. Each child registered by Oct. 26 will get a pumpkin. The fee is $7 on the 27th. To register or for more information, call 408.448.6400.
Gardener Community Center, 520 W. Virginia St., has planned a Pumpkins & Pizza party for children on Oct. 27, noon to 2 p.m. There will be crafts, ghoulish games and a costume contest. Children can take home their own pumpkin, but space is limited. The fee is $7 at the door. To register or for more information, call 408.277.4761.
