Willow Glen Resident
Cover Story
Year in Review
Willow Glen celebrates the old and the new in 2007
By Linda Taaffe
Willow Glen spent much of 2007 honoring the old and celebrating the new as residents proved again this year that a little effort can go a long way in preserving and improving their portion of San Jose.
Nearly every month in 2007 was marked by the opening of a new business or the celebration of a longtime neighborhood staple or community member.
Neighbors gained more trail space with the opening of the Los Gatos Creek Trail's Reach 4 segment that runs from Gregory Street bridge to Auzerais Avenue, connecting Willow Glen to downtown. And proposed plans to connect the Los Gatos Creek Trail with the Guadalupe River Trail were on track.
At the core of change was Lincoln Avenue, which saw the opening of several new businesses, including Powell's Sweet Shoppe, an old-fashioned candy emporium, and Calee's Lilies, a full-service florist. The Lincoln and Brace Storm Drain Improvement project, which included the installation of new curbs and gutters, was completed, and the San Jose Department of Transportation announced plans to install a left-hand turn signal light at the corner of Lincoln Avenue and Willow Street.
Local schools also saw improvements. Willow Glen High School was among those targeted for new stadium lights. Gardener Academy and Galarza Hammer Montessori Elementary School were two of nine schools in the San Jose Unified School District that received a one-time state grant to shrink class sizes and hire more qualified teachers.
The year also marked the recognition of the achievements of several residents: The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors honored Nina Bruno Boyd with a commendation for her work as a volunteer and her 16 years of service on the County of Santa Clara/Province of Florence, Italy, Sister-County Commission; Willow Glen resident Catherine Albin was honored by the Santa Clara County Medical Association with its Outstanding Contribution in Medical Education award; Ted Biagini and Raymond Davilla were honored at Santa Clara University's school of law spring awards banquet; and Michael Mulcahy, a third-generation Willow Glen resident, was elected president of the Willow Glen Business and Professional Association.
In between the groundbreakings and accolades, residents said goodbye to Carol Garcia, who announced she was retiring after 40 years with the San Jose Unified School District. Jon Tavella retired after 3 1/2 years as principal of Willow Glen Middle School; and Rabbi Eitan Julius left as spiritual leader of Congregation Sinai to immigrate to Israel with his family.
Residents mourned the passing of longtime resident Jim Arbuckle, who was killed in a bicycle accident on July 7. Arbuckle was past president of the California Pioneers of Santa Clara County and son of the late city historian Clyde Arbuckle.
The Alano Club shut its doors and moved to Campbell after a yearlong battle with neighbors.
Several community organizations celebrated milestone anniversaries: Hammer Montessori Elementary School, turned 10 on March 27; Barber Walt Tosoni, 78, celebrated 30 years at Walt's Barbershop on Westwood Drive; St. Elizabeth's Day Home celebrated 100 years of service to the community; and the Baha'i Center held its 50th anniversary celebration.
If the upcoming year mirrors 2007, we can expect Willow Glen to continue to blossom without losing its charm.
January
The runoff to replace District 6 San Jose City Councilman Ken Yeager moved into high gear as Pierluigi Oliverio and Steve Tedesco opened campaign headquarters. The two were the top vote- getters in the November 2006 election, when Yeager was elected to the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors. Yeager assumed duties of his new office, and the runoff vote was set for March 6.
Megan Doyle served as chief of staff for District 6 to maintain representation of residents during the runoff campaign.
The city of San Jose announced plans to hold a series of forums to jumpstart work on parks. This included revamping the Greenprint guidelines approved seven years ago, which called for investing $1.2 billion in parks by 2020. Park officials said they hoped to present the modified Greenprint to the city council in early 2008.
San Jose Unified School District forged ahead with its plan to install stadium lighting at local high schools, including Willow Glen and Lincoln. The lights will allow the school to host more home games. The district held community meetings to discuss the proposal and said it would go before the school board in March.
Dick's Bakery at the corner of Hamilton and Meridian avenues marked 60 years in business on Jan. 12 by giving away samples of its signature burnt almond cake. Dick Sota started the bakery, and his brother Clarence joined him as a partner. Dick, 84, retired, but Clarence, 80, continues to work in the family business.
Paul Hay was named superintendent of the Metropolitan Education District, following the retirement of Tim Hallett. Hay had been assistant superintendent. MetroED provides vocational training to 50,000 students in Santa Clara County.
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority's board of directors adopted a no-smoking policy at all VTA shelters, transit centers and light rail station platforms. Officials said they would begin enforcing the ban when signs about the policy were in place, probably in spring 2007.
Allied Appliance on Lincoln Avenue in Willow Glen marked 50 years in business in 2007. The vacuum cleaner sales and repair shop has been in the Mendence family for three generations. It was founded by Mel and Helen Mendence.
San Jose City Council moved toward approving the formation of the Strong Neighborhood Commission, a 30-member, all-volunteer body composed of three neighborhood leaders from each of the 10 city council districts in San Jose.
San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed and the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors said they wanted to make a "fresh start" to improve and strengthen their relationship and end squabbling.
San Jose Police Department's Safe Passage Program, a week-long campaign from Jan. 22 through 26 to calm traffic at local schools, resulted in 816 citations and 356 warnings being issued, 49 vehicles impounded and 14 drivers arrested.
San Jose's legendary Emile's restaurant changed ownership. Founder Emile Mooser sold his namesake operation after 33 years to Alexandra Dorian. It closed after New Year's Eve and re-opened on Jan. 18.
San Jose City Council approved using an $18,883 donation from Happy Hollow Zoo to purchase bullet-resistant vests for K-9 police units. The money was raised by Elena Hansen, Lea Mehrkens and Diane Truong, who volunteered at the zoo and raised money for the "Vest-A-Dog" program.
February
The Santa Clara County 911 Communications Center announ-
ced the upcoming installation of a $500,000 phone system that displays mobile phone callers' approximate location when they call for help. The county receives more than 38,000 calls each month.
San Jose police Chief Rob Davis announced that any companies removing a tree without a permit in hand would be given a cease order. This new policy follows the illegal removal of three sycamores at the corner of Camino Ricardo and Willow Street on Jan. 13, 2006. An outcry and criticism from tree-loving residents followed the illegal cutting and the property where the trees were cut down was vandalized, with signs reading "Tree Killer." The property owners were ordered to plant four trees on the property and to purchase another 16 for Our City Forest to plant elsewhere.
The HIV testing and counseling program at the Billy DeFrank LGBT Community Center expanded from four hours in a single evening a week to four days, 44 hours. The expansion was made possible by a $10,000 grant from Gilead Sciences.
United Way Silicon Valley introduced 211, the newest information and referral service phone number in Santa Clara County. Call specialists can deal with 140 different languages and answer questions about everything from day care, schools, job training, counseling and emergency shelters in the county.
The Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office marked Valentine's Day by releasing statistics showing domestic violence-related deaths dropped to five in 2006. In 2005 the figure was 10 and in 2003 it was 21.
Rystad's Limited Editions at 1013 Lincoln Ave., celebrated its 40th anniversary in business. One of the first collectibles stores in the South Bay, it was founded by Dean Rystad; son Bob now works there as well.
San Jose Police Capt. Richard Fairhurst, who commanded the department's western division, retired after a 30-year career. He was replaced by Lt. Rich Calderon, who worked alongside him.
The San Jose Fire Department announced plans to build a new station in the Willow Glen-Cambrian neighborhood. No site was named and no construction timetable issued.
Car thefts were on the rise throughout San Jose, with a 30 percent increase in stolen cars in 2006, from 2005 according to statistics released by the San Jose Police Department.
The San Jose code enforcement department announced it would add staff to improve response time on complaints about code violations.
The 5,330-square foot Willow Glen Library was demolished to make way for a new, 13,000-square foot library scheduled for completion in spring 2008.
The San Jose City Council approved $165,000 to hire a consultant and seek community input on ways to better utilize sports field space in the city.
March
Following a sometimes testy campaign, Pierluigi Oliverio won the San Jose City Council District 6 seat in the March 6 runoff. He defeated Steve Tedesco, with less than a third of the district's voters turning out for the election.
After an eight-year decline, graffiti in San Jose saw a dramatic rise from 129 incidents in 2005 to 2,594 in 2006. A maintenance worker with the city's graffiti and litter program said funding losses might have contributed to the upswing.
Silicon Valley Community Newspapers launched the Cambrian Resident on March 1. The newspaper group now publishes 10 weekly community newspapers.
The San Jose City Council voted to upgrade coin-operated telephones at public libraries, community centers and office buildings across the city.
The San Jose City Council updated its green building policy to require all new municipal building projects of 10,000-square feet and up budgeted in 2007-08 to meet minimum sustainability status.
On March 30 a ceremonial groundbreaking took place for JW House on the new Kaiser Permanente Medical Center campus in Santa Clara. The house is named after Jan-Willem Knapen, who died in 2005 of inoperable brain cancer at the age of 16. It was his dream to have a home away from home for families whose children are receiving cancer treatment at the hospital. Many local residents contributed to the effort.
Jacqueline Ramseyer, a photographer for Silicon Valley Community Newspapers, won a first-place award from the Bay Area Press Photographers Association for one of her photos.
April
Caltrain increased its fees by 25 cents per zone traveled.
Erin Morris, senior planner for City Council District 6, resigned to take a similar job in Santa Rosa.
A study of the 2006 San Jose Grand Prix by a sports research firm found that the financial impact of the event was $23.6 million, far less than the $42 million race promoters and city officials promised.
San Jose code enforcement started a three-month pilot program to aggressively target blighted neighborhoods by issuing citations instead of warnings.
Victoria's Dance & Costumes closed its doors on Lincoln Avenue in preparation for a move to W. San Carlos Street.
San Jose City Council approved a mailing to alert residents of plans to increase sewer and storm fees by 9 percent to single-family homes and from 3 percent to 15 percent to commercial businesses.
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority announced plans to install solar-energized lighting at 30 bus shelters throughout San Jose.
San Jose City Councilman Pierluigi Oliverio held a press conference in the San Jose Municipal Rose Garden to unveil a proposed "pilot program" for the city to outsource maintenance of the park. City staffing at the park had dropped from 15 shifts a week in 2003 to four shifts in 2006.
A 342-page book on Designing California Native Gardens by Arlie Middlebrook and Glenn Keator was published. In conjunction with the publication, Middlebrook announced she would open a native plant nursery on selected weekends as part of her offerings at Middlebrook Gardens at 76 Race St.
The San Jose District 6 Neighborhood Leaders Group re-formed after being dormant for several years.
San Jose City Council approved drafting an ordinance lifting the ban on gambling fundraisers for nonprofit groups.
May
San Jose City Council approved Sobrato Development's request that 21.5 acres on Lincoln Avenue be rezoned from industrial to high-density housing. The developer wants to build 975 units on the property.
Artists throughout San Jose opened up their studios for the 21st annual Silicon Valley Open Studios.
San Jose City Council approved raising garbage rates 28 percent effective July 1. The monthly rate for single-family homes with 32-gallon bins will rise from $20.15 to $25.80.
Letter carriers in the Rose Garden and Willow Glen participated in the 15th annual National Association of Letter Carries National Food Drive.
The San Jose planning director approved construction of 19 condominiums on Meridian Avenue between Fruitdale Avenue and Curci Drive.
San Jose City Council rejected Councilman Pierluigi Oliverio's plan for a one-year pilot program to outsource maintenance duties in the San Jose Municipal Rose Garden to a private contractor. The council voted 8-2 at the May 15 meeting to continue duties under the city's parks department.
Debra Figone was named San Jose city manager on May 15, to replace interim city manager Les White. Figone, town manager of Los Gatos at the time, was scheduled to start in San Jose on July 23.
The San Jose Unified School District board voted unanimously at its May 24 meeting to install permanent stadium lights at five of its high schools, including Lincoln and Willow Glen.
Tom Fanella, president of KTEH, died on May 28 after battling cancer for more than a year.
June
San Jose dropped a grant program reimbursing residents for sidewalk repairs as part of its budget-cutting efforts to deal with a $16 million shortfall.
The Santa Clara Valley Water District asked residents to voluntarily cut back on water use by 10 percent because of the dry winter.
San Jose Unified School District announced that Jackie Zeller would move from assistant principal at Willow Glen High School to principal at Lincoln High School. She replaced Chris Funk, who moved into a management position.
San Jose City Council approved a six-month pilot program to charge drivers $5 to park after 10 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays in five city-owned garages starting July 1. Additionally, council members approved charging drivers $2 on weekdays after 6 p.m. stating Jan. 1.
The San Jose City Council updated the city's animal ordinance to legalize outdoor adoption sales.
San Jose City Council voted on a new city policy requiring onsite recycling at all events drawing more than 1,000 per day. There are more than 60 such events annually.
July
The San Jose city auditor's office released a report critical of the transportation department's traffic-calming program, citing slow follow-up on neighborhood complaints and little or no documented rationale for costly capital projects.
The Santa Clara County civil grand jury reported that San Jose may have collected $2 million less than anticipated in fees earmarked for 911 emergency dispatch services. Inaccurate information provided by local telephone companies responsible for charging the monthly surcharge was cited as the cause.
Rotten Robbie became the first gas company in San Jose to offer B20 biodiesel fuel at selected area stations.
The San Jose Grand Prix was held July 27-28 in downtown San Jose.
Breathe California hosted the 34th annual Camp Superstuff for children suffering from asthma.
San Jose Unified School District announced plans to install solar power systems at four high schools. Willow Glen and Lincoln High Schools will be converted in the next group.
Victoria's Dance & Costumes reopened at 1921 W. San Carlos St. on the edge of the Rose Garden area after operating on Lincoln Avenue for 30 years.
August
At the request of District 6 San Jose City Councilman Pierluigi Oliverio, the city council unanimously approved a dog run and public restrooms at Del Monte Park, the new 2.2-acre park to be built at Auzerais Avenue and Los Gatos Creek. There are no public dog parks in the district.
San Jose City Council approved a new code of conduct for the public attending its meetings. Anyone causing a serious "disturbance" or who engages in "disorderly conduct" will be ejected or arrested.
A female food handler at Jamba Juice, 1140 Lincoln Ave., exposed customers to Hepatitis A while working there 11 days in August. Customers were advised to see their doctors to check for the liver disease.
San Jose City Council voted to repair and reopen four city swimming pools over the next five years.
San Jose Rotarians pledged $17,500 to equip 29 San Jose parks with swings for children with special needs.
September
Mineta San Jose Airport opened a cell phone waiting area for drivers picking up passengers, with space for about 50 cars.
Bob Kieve, CEO of radio stations KLIV and KRTY and a columnist for Silicon Valley Community Newspapers, was honored as the first recipient of Silicon Valley Leadership Group's Community Cornerstone Award.
Chinese in San Jose and the Santa Clara Valley, co-authored by Lillian Gong-Guy and Gerrye Wong, was published by Arcadia as part of the Images of America book series.
A program that gave grants up to $5,000 to new teachers to encourage them to move to San Jose was so successful that the San Jose Education Foundation announced it will expand the project.
San Jose City Council directed staff to make an exception to union rules to allow volunteers to work in city parks.
The San Jose City Council approved a $199 million redevelopment budget that will fund community centers and parks.
San Jose Grand Prix organizers said they plan to hold their race elsewhere in 2008.
The Bureau of Justice gave San Jose police a $250,000 federal grant to strengthen management of the city's 2,281 registered sex offenders.
Caltrain hosted a grand opening and public tours of its new $139 million maintenance center off of Stockton Avenue on Sept. 29.
The Columbus Park Horseshoe Complex opened Sept. 14.
The installation of stadium lights at five San Jose high schools, including Lincoln and Willow Glen, was postponed while waiting for installation permit approval by the California Public Works Department.
San Jose City Council approved the formation of a new neighborhoods commission to act in an advisory capacity to the council.
October
Silverleaf Antiques and Home Furnishings opened at 1343 The Alameda. The business had been located on Lincoln Avenue until it lost its lease and closed on Dec. 28, 2006.
The 18th annual Walk for AIDS Silicon Valley, one of the oldest AIDS walks on the West Coast, took place on Oct. 21.
San Jose Earthquakes officials announced their intention to build a new, privately funded professional soccer stadium near Mineta San Jose Airport.
Councilman Pete Constant announced his proposal to install anti-pornography software in all San Jose city branch library computers. San Jose-based Christian Values Advocacy Council is backing the move.
Two Bellarmine College Preparatory students were taken into custody, accused of throwing homemade bottle bombs at a Pioneer High School homecoming dance and at a private birthday party.
The San Jose City Council selected the Bank of America building at First and Santa Clara streets as the preferred site for a Bay Area Rapid Transit station. It's expected to cost $50 million to make the building earthquake-safe.
San Jose City Council unanimously approved Mayor Chuck Reed's Green Vision for the city. It's a plan with 10 environmental goals to achieve in the next 15 years, including creating 25,000 "clean tech" jobs.
San Jose firefighters traveled to Southern California to help "mop up" areas burned in wildfires.
San Jose Office of Economic Development launched a website to help entrepreneurs start and grow businesses in San Jose at www.businessownerspace.com.
November
San Jose City Council voted to move forward in negotiations with the Union Pacific Railroad Company to purchase a 3-mile stretch of land that cuts through council districts 3, 6 and 7.
Helen and Eddie Owen were named 2007 Distinguished Citizens of the Year by the Santa Clara Council of Boy Scouts of America and honored at a dinner Nov. 15.
The city of San Jose extended a pilot program allowing secondary units to be built in the back yards of single-family homes until April 30 or until 100 applications have been filed.
Bill's Café, a Willow Glen institution for almost three decades, opened a second Bill's Café at the corner of Naglee and N. Bascom avenues in the Rose Garden area.
San Jose City Council voted to
ontinue working with developers and San Jose Earthquakes officials to build a new, privately funded professional soccer stadium near Mineta San Jose Airport.
San Jose City Council asked staff to continue working on a plan to raise sewer rates 15 percent in 2008, bringing the average homeowner rate from $23.56 to $27.09 a month.
After San Jose city crews started demolition on Nov. 18, all that was left of Stephen's Meat Products at 105 S. Montgomery near HP Pavilion was the signature neon pig sign out in front.
San Jose building inspectors went on strike over a dispute on how disciplinary matters would be handled under a new contract.
December
A groundbreaking ceremony was held Dec. 6 for Merrill Gardens, a 98-unit senior care facility on Meridian and Curci Drive.
Lissa Shoun took ownership of Andy's Pet Shop, the venerable 56-year-old institution on The Alameda. Owners JD Duncanson and Dennis Thomas, who bought it in 2005 and revitalized it, said they are retiring.
San Jose building Inspectors ended their strike and returned to work on Dec. 12.
