editor: Larry Ames
We are well into the first month of January and June seems to be just around the corner! Maybe that's because we have been busy planning for the first half of the year and the calendar is already filling up. But before we get too far into the future, I would like to address the immediate past for just a moment. The last time I wrote to you, the fall general meeting was upon us. It went very well - Gary Richards, Mr. Roadshow, was engaging, there was helpful information on streets and traffic from the City and County, the food was delicious, and the company, approximately 65 members, was first rate. At the meeting, I outlined many of the plans which you will see highlighted in this issue of our newsletter. Molding these plans into reality will take an organizational effort - the plans are ambitious. We have tried to clarify the opportunities for involvement by creating the TEAM section which immediately follows this letter. Besides the Membership Drive, the Founders' Day Meeting, the Meridian/280 median project, and our 25th Anniversary Celebration, we also hope to host a mayoral debate at our Spring General Meeting. As you can see, there is much to be done.
WGNA will continue to monitor traffic and land use issues in Willow Glen and a strong membership base is essential to carry on this mission. Both the articles from our treasurer, Joan Doss, and from Ralph Serpe, stress why a growing, viable membership is important. The more information we print, the more meetings we hold, the more projects we undertake, the more money we need to accomplish our goals. In a city as large as ours, it is easy for the concerns of a few to be overlooked, but together we form a powerful base from which each of us can be heard. At the present, we have approximately 800 members and we are hoping to go over the 1000 mark by our 25th Anniversary in May. If each WGNA members brought in just one new person, we could easily accomplish this goal. Will you commit to being a part of this effort?
As always, you are welcome to attend our board meetings on the second Wednesday of every month at the Willow Glen United Methodist Church on Newport and Minnesota. We will be discussing land use/traffic issues and planning for the events targeted on the following pages. Please take the time to read the newsletter carefully, to enjoy and to zero in on where you can lend a hand. Your participation will be crucial.
Membership Drive: "Adopt your block" and become a captain.
Volunteer to serve as a boardmember
Attend the very important Founders' Day meeting - February 4th
WGNA's 25th Celebration: Share in the planning of this event.
Help beautify the Meridian/280 median.
Plant a tree on your parkway strip.
Donate Christmas lights
Recently on a long plane ride, I had the opportunity to transfer each member address of the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association to an X on a map of Willow Glen. Time consuming? yes, ... but I wanted to give our Board, and you, an idea of who we are, and where we are, as a member based neighborhood association.
You might assume that our membership stems from a randomly dispersed geographic zone that is roughly bounded by Hwy. 280, Meridian Ave., Camden Ave., and Hwy. 87. The boundaries are essentially correct, but randomly dispersed we are not. The reality is folks, unless you've been invited to join by a friend or neighbor, we are a membership of our individual specific interests. Airplanes, land use, density, trees, art, traffic, schools, parks. We tend to join when the traffic gets worse, the property behind us applies for higher density housing, the jet noise interrupts our dinner conversation, or the business next door applies for a 24 hour use permit.
We realize, at that particular moment, that it is much more difficult for the city and county, developers and politicians to ignore 1,000 residents than it is to ignore just one. Over time we understand that development issues at Hamilton and Meridian and Radio Ave. are no different then the speeding on Pine and Willow, and Blewitt and Bird.
We may have initially come together 25 years ago to stop a thoroughfare from bisecting the heart of this community, but we have never stopped there. If adversity brought you to the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association, then maybe it's the thousands of Christmas trees that connect our streets together each year, or a Lincoln avenue festival, or a hundred other miracles that happen in Willow Glen every year that keeps you renewing your commitment to this community.
Our goal of reaching 1,000 members, so we can continue to successfully advocate for the issues that are important to you, can only be accomplished with your help. We need your participation, and we invite you to become that friend on the block who will ask your neighbors to join WGNA. If you'd like to help and "adopt your block" give us a call at 408/294-WGNA. In the meantime, how about giving this newsletter (when you're through) to your neighbor. Don't just drop it in the mailbox, but use it as an incentive to say hello. Although, like many of us in Willow Glen, we're never short on issues to bring up over the fence.
Currently WGNA is fortunate to work from a solid financial base. We have a two-tiered dues format to accommodate individual and household memberships, at $5.00 and $10.00, respectively, that covers the organization's expenses. Many members include a donation with their dues. As of January 1998, we show 170 individual memberships and 334 household memberships, including 76 who have received past-due notices. Our annual income fluctuates with our membership.
Our biggest expense is the newsletter, which goes out about four times a year, supplemented occasionally by a special flyer or meeting announcement. The cost is about $350 - $400 per issue. It's the primary communications among members and the Board of Directors, particularly important because WGNA operates through the Board as the executive agent and representative of the membership. Also the newsletter helps keep members up to date on issues such as traffic and neighborhood infill development.
Other expenses include phone service, donation for the use of meeting rooms, office supplies, post-office box and bulk mail fees, participation in community events, and refreshments and general meetings. The ongoing graffiti eradication project is funded largely by donations. This past year WGNA invested in a laptop computer and printer.
The January 1998 treasurer's report showed $6,153 in WGNA funds, which accumulated over the past few years. The annual expensed vary, around $3,700, depending in large part on the number of newsletters and flyers. In respect to the surplus, the Board expects to consider the need and amount of a reserve account, and ways in which it can better serve the membership.
The discussion also will include appropriate use of a significant account, the Creek Project Funds, of about $6,000. These monies came to WNGA through its efforts with the Los Gatos Creek Project under Larry Ames' leadership over the past few years. Essentially, Larry coordinated and managed this significant project for planting and erosion control along a portion of the creek, and the managerial fees were returned to WGNA. The Board hopes to develop a project the provides environmental benefits to the community, such as the Meridian/280 Project.
WGNA is looking for a few good people who are willing to serve on the Board of Directors. Our by-laws require that officers of the Association (President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer) must be members for one year prior to the May election date. Four directors are also elected (with another 2 - 4 members appointed by the incoming President), and there are no time requirements on their memberships.
This is how it works. A five-member nominating committee, elected the previous year, receives short written paragraphs from members interested in serving on the Board of Directors. This committee also actively recruits persons they think might be interested in serving. They then present a slate of recommended officers and directors to the membership for consideration. All persons who have submitted their names to the committee will be able to have their names included on the ballot whether they are on the slate or not. The ballots will be mailed to the membership in a newsletter several weeks before the May General Meeting. Members may choose to vote by mail or in person at the General Meeting.
If you would like to be considered for a position, please submit, by March 15th, a short paragraph about yourself including any qualities, interests or community involvement that you think are pertinent. Remember to include your phone number so that you can be contacted. Members can also help the Association by suggesting names of other members who, with a little encouragement, might decide to volunteer their name for consideration. If you have any questions or suggestions, be sure to call us at 294-WGNA and we will get back to you pronto.
Date: Wednesday, February 4th
Location: Home Savings, Lincoln and Minnesota
Time: 6:00 PM
Now is your chance to be in on the ground floor planning of Founders' Day 1998! The Willow Glen Business and Professional Association and WGNA are cosponsoring a community meeting to find out what kind of event the people of Willow Glen would like to see. Should the parade be kept? Do we need to bring back the craft and arts faire? What about music, dancing? Is there a part of the celebration that you would like to work on? Your input is vital to this premier Willow Glen event. By joining forces, WGNA and WGBPA are emphasizing the importance of building community. Please attend this meeting so that Founders' Day will emerge stronger than ever. Call 294-WGNA or 298-2100 with questions or comments. Hope to see you there!
In May, the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association will be a quarter of a century old! I remember with fondness those feisty women who dared to challenge what was "meant to be". The plan was to push Cherry Avenue from Race Street through to the Almaden Valley - the greater good of moving the many demanded it! At the time, my husband and I were a young (very young) couple, we were expecting our first child and had just bought our first home, a home that sat on Cherry Avenue. Needless to say, we like many other Willow Glen residents, are thankful for an organization like WGNA that has helped to enhance and preserve our neighborhood throughout the years. I am particularly thankful that, because our community banded together, I did not have to raise three boys on an expressway!
The WGNA Board has already begun to make plans for a May celebration. A committee is being formed to work out the details and we ask for your help - invitations, programs, food, decorations, etc. all need to be worked out. If you would like to join in the preparations for this celebration, give us a call at 294-WGNA. We would love to have you join us!
Billiards and Brew: At a Nov. 19th hearing, the Planning Commission voted 5 to 1 to table a request for a change in the pub's Conditional Use Permit which would have allowed a 2:00 am closing on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and a 1:00 am closing all other nights. The Commission also indicated that the business needed time to work on mitigating the noise and parking concerns expressed by some of their neighbors. Prior to this hearing, the WGNA Board had voted to support a Friday and Saturday 2:00 am closing with the provision that mitigations addressing neighbors' concerns be written into the Conditional Use Permit. Mitigations are usually decided upon by an applicant in conjunction with the city's planning staff. No mitigations were included in the Conditional Use Permit prepared in November.
This position was taken in keeping with our representative form of decision making process. Input was given by both Billiards and Brew and neighbors living close to the pool hall. The policies and ordinances governing the issue were studied. The topics of present impact and precedence were brought up. As is often the case, there was much discussion and not all boardmembers agreed. A few members thought Billiards and Brew should be granted unlimited 2:00 am closing and a few felt they should never close later than midnight. In the end, the motion to agree to Friday/Saturday 2:00 am closing with mitigations, passed 5 to 2.
Much has been said about this issue, but the WGNA Board wants our membership to understand that we take our job of representing our membership seriously. We take time and care in arriving at a position. At present, Billiards and Brew has said that they will be seeking a reconsideration of the Planning Commission's decision. A commissioner who voted with the majority will need to ask for a revisiting of the issue and then the request will be reheard. An informal poll taken at our Jan. 14th boardmeeting indicated that a majority of boardmembers present would like to discuss the Board's present position on B&B's late night operations should the matter be revisited by the Planning Commission. All parties involved will be informed if this matter is placed on our agenda again.
Meridian and Willow: Plans have been approved for a retail building and the demolition of the old Tasso's restaurant has taken place. The good news for nearby residents is that Taco Bell will not be locating at this site. The types of businesses that will occupy the property have not been determined.
Lincoln Court/Radio Avenue: The developer of this project which proposes eight houses on just under an acre of land, held a meeting on January 15th to allow for public input before the project proceeds. The WGNA Board has expressed concern over the density of the project. City planning staff who were present at the meeting will now go over the project with the applicant in order to provide direction and to set a hearing date. WGNA has asked Planning to keep us informed as plans progress.
Willow Street Safety: A report by Streets and Traffic indicated that a ban of big rigs on Willow Street was not merited because the numbers traveling Willow were not high enough to warrant restrictions. Many concerned Willow Street area residents attended the WGNA November boardmeeting and stated that a solution to speeding and the dangerous situation for pedestrians crossing Willow needed to be addressed. The Board voted 7 to 1 to request a traffic study to evaluate the need for a stop sign at Camino Ramon and Willow Street. Points made at the meeting included: the recent death of a pedestrian in the crosswalks just west of the intersection, the need for a safe crossing to the park by children, parents with strollers, cyclists using the new bike lanes, elderly, exercisers, etc. The fact that drivers speed from Lincoln to Meridian without being stopped, was also brought up. Therefore, WGNA has requested that Willow Street be added to the list of Willow Glen streets serviced by photo radar. At present, WGNA is waiting for the required traffic study to be completed so that we can proceed to the next step. Those who signed into our November meeting will be contacted as soon as a hearing is set. If you wish to be added to the list, call 294-WGNA and we will make sure you are included.
You may have noticed the sad shape of the landscaping along Meridian Avenue as it crosses under Interstate 280. The perimeter tree line in this area is well established and doing well, but both the median and shoulder embankment areas show evidence of long standing neglect. The roadway's center strip consists of a parade of dried out, tumbleweed-like plants.
To be sure, the decline of landscaping in this area is related to our regions past drought, frost, earthquakes and the natural life cycle of shrubbery. However, the deterioration of the median has probably also been affected by CalTran's budgets and the lack of a squeaky "neighborhood" wheel. No matter the cause, the median is in terrible shape.
A close-up inspection of this area is quite revealing. Even though CalTrans landscaping is drought tolerant, most plants in these areas already dead or nearly dead. In some areas weeds have lived out their growth cycle several times, now adding annually to a thick brown mat. Although the sprinklers had water, they weren't spraying the plants, but merely bubbling a water stream into the gutter or creating sink holes.
To find out more about the situation, WGNA contacted the State of California (CalTrans) in Oakland. The CalTran's officials we talked to readily agreed that this area was in very bad condition. The official also indicated that last August, CalTrans completed a "Project Study Report" for the landscaping areas along Interstate 280 from Meridian to Bird Avenue. The study conclusions recommended that this segment, including the Meridian-I-280 undercrossing, should be made a priority for future funding from the CalTrans State Highway Operations and Protection Program (SHOP).
Normally such a request would be funded in the fifth year after the request. However, officials said CalTrans has placed this request on a "fast track" status for funding by the year 2000. Although this is positive news, any CalTrans landscape improvement funds will be spread over 20 acres of landscape areas along 1.3 miles of Interstate 280 from Bird to Meridian Avenue. So these funds, which are at least 2 years away, may not be enough to help all areas.
In the interest of helping to improve the area sooner, WGNA is coordinating with CalTrans, evaluating the possibility of organizing a Willow Glen effort to supplement and compliment their improvement of the median. WGNA is investigating sources for donated trees and shrubs. Such an improvement program could include clearing the tumble weed plants, digging holes for trees, and planting trees and ground cover. It will require dozens of volunteers and hours of elbow grease. This area is the site of numerous businesses including restaurants, a gas station, a church and the San Jose Real Estate Board. Making a positive impact in this area will require the involvement of volunteers from businesses and neighborhoods residents. However, WGNA believes that this a project worth doing.
Are you interested in helping? Do you know others with special skills or equipment, who may be able to help? WGNA would like to hear your ideas on how to bring this area back into bloom. Call WGNA at 408/294-WGNA, or e-mail us at our web site (http://www.wgna.net) and tell us views. In the interim, if you notice a downed tree, broken fence or litter, call CalTrans directly at (408) 436-0930. WGNA looks forward to hearing your ideas.
The response to our fall newsletter article concerning the availability of free trees for Willow Glen was tree-mendous! Many of our members called Our City Forest and requested forms in order to plant trees on their parkway strips. For many of those who returned their applications, dates have been set. Our guess is that a number of forms are still sitting in our members' "to do" pile. Remember that time will run out and trees secured through the grant will no longer be available. Organize those tree plantings now by returning your forms or calling Our City Forest at 998-7337.
Planting dates and meeting locations already arranged are as follows (there already was a planting on Husted):
Jan. 31st - 1269 Settle Ave.
Feb. 28th - 1460 Glenwood and 1056 Cherry Ave.
Project organizers request at least one week advance notice to acquire the trees needed. If you live near one of these addresses and would like to be included on an above date, call Our City Forest as soon as possible to make your arrangements.
This is the prime time of year to plant fruits and nuts in your yard. You will find the greatest number of varieties are now available, and they are available "bareroot", fresh from their growing grounds and less expensive than if they've been potted up later in the season.
As I mentioned in the last WGNA newsletter, we can grow a broader range of fruit (and plants in general) than just about anywhere else in the world. Along with our congenial climate, most of the soil in Willow Glen is deep, rich, moisture retentive yet well drained. Our soil pH (acidity) is a little alkaline - usually around 7.5, which suits all but blueberries and strawberries.
To ensure long term success of your plants, and to provide a nearly year-round supply of fresh fruit from your garden, consider the following guidelines:
Sun:All fruits will grow best with full sun all day (except blueberries, which prefer a light (20%) shade cloth during the noonday sun). Planting: Dig a hole wider than the root ball - at least 18" in diameter - and break up the soil beneath if there is any hardpan. The U.C. Coop. Extension generally does not recommend a soil amendment. Firmly tamp soil in bottom of hole after loosening to reduce excessive settling. Plant trees on a slight mound at least 4"-6" high to allow for later settling and to keep stock slightly raised above surrounding soil after settling - this reduces the chance of crown rot if the soil gets water logged.
Fertilizer: Fruits generally do not need fertilizer in the rich, alluvial soils of Willow Glen: in fact, fertilizer may cause too much growth and thus unnecessary pruning work. I haven't fertilized my home orchard of 30 varieties for at least eight years, except for my bush and cane berries.
Selection: To ensure an even supply of ripe fruit over the longest period possible, buy multi-grafted trees which have several varieties of fruit that mature at different times (and also ensure cross pollination where necessary). If you can't find all your favorite varieties on one tree, you can graft it yourself in a couple years. For a list of recommended varieties, their availability, and bearing season, click here.
There is a wonderful home fruit growing organization, the California Rare Fruit Growers, which has hundreds of varieties of scions for grafting. Call Kit Donnell at (408) 379-7714 for more information on upcoming educational meetings and how to get the local chapter newsletter.
Nancy Garrison is the Urban Horticulture Program Coordinator with the University of California Cooperative Extension
The Willow Glen community is indeed fortunate to have neighbors such as the Ornellas family at the corner of Minnesota and Newport Avenues.
From what started as a lighted star on the roof top for their Christmas season decoration over nine years ago, now between 35,000 and 40,000 lights adorn their property at holiday time. This year the San Jose Mercury News rated it the "best of show" in the area.
Paulette and Tony Ornellas, both ardent preservationists, purchased the William W. Cozzens' house in 1976, 103 years after it was first built. With much hard work and money spent by them on the restoration, it stands as a landmark of early Willow Glen architecture.
Hard work continues for the Ornellases. The design and hanging of the lights and decorations is achieved over a three to four week period and Tony says, "That is working in between raindrops". In September they unpack all of the items to check that they are in working order. Then it is decision time as to what item will go where and how the topiaries, a love of Tony's, will be decorated with lights. This past year the flagpole on the front lawn was adorned with four strands of lights to suggest a Christmas tree. Next year they plan to increase the strands to six and hopefully ten. Tony also worked diligently this year to get the lights over the garage to depict bursting fireworks.
If you have had the good fortune to see the decorated house you can readily relate to how much work is involved. But that is not the end of it. Tony and Paulette, attired as Santa and Mrs. Claus, sit on their front lawn on the two Saturday evenings prior to Christmas Day handing out over 500 candy canes and listening to the happy children express what they would like Santa to bring them.
The couple dressed in red get deeply touched by some of the requests. A six year old girl wanted a "pretty pink dress with a lot of lace". A boy, approximately eight years old, wanted "all of the books that you can bring because I love to read" and a seven year old boy wanted "only a dictionary". Tony points out that all of the children weren't like this as there were some that were tough and materialistic.
Disabled older children came by and were very happy to see Santa and sit on his lap. The most requested items that children wanted were computers, Nintendo 64's and dolls.
In addition to all of the good feelings for Mr. and Mrs. Claus, a thrill for the Ornellases was having Chris Donahoe, the KNTV Channel 11 weather forecaster, broadcast live from the front of the house three times on December 23. This showed all of San Jose what Paulette, Tony and Willow Glen were all about.
All residents are invited to participate in this activity now and next year. If you have any Christmas lights or other items of decoration that you are planning to discard, please bring them to the Ornellas residence at 1195 Minnesota Avenue for reuse and recycling. If they are not working, Tony will repair them. Just leave them in a bag by the front gate or in front of the garage. Also, anyone interested in assisting in the activity next year as elves, Santa's helpers etc., please contact Paulette, Tony or the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association. Your assistance with both requests will be deeply appreciated.
Isn't it great to have such giving and caring neighbors in Willow Glen?
Congratulations to Ginger Brown, who was named California Teacher of the Year. One of five honorees chosen from throughout the State's thousands of teachers, Ginger teaches visually impaired preschoolers at Chandler Tripp School.
We are also proud to have Gloria and Evan Spanier as WGNA members. This energetic couple was highlighted in the Mercury News this holiday season for their 20 year commitment to helping the needy. In 1997, 10,000 tangible gifts were distributed by Gloria and Evan. The intangible - their gifts of time and companionship - were an equal blessing upon our community.
Speaking of blessings, when we put out the call for someone with membership and database experience, along came Ralph Serpe to the rescue. Ralph is in the process of updating our membership lists and pinpointing exactly were our constituency lives. He is also busy organizing his neighborhood east of Hicks for a February tree planting. We are glad to have him on board!
The Santa Clara Grand Jury is making good use of WGNA members this year. Margaret Hardy, Doris Liu, and WGNA boardmember Joan Doss are serving on this prestigious committee. We commend them on their service and congratulate them on the honor of being chosen.
We caught the article in the Willow Glen Times highlighting the contributions of WGNA member Steve Tedesco as the president of the San Jose Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. We wish Steve success in leading the Chamber's efforts to balance growth and quality of life issues.
Member Grace Wilson is one of three industrious women who plan a March opening of the new Lincoln Avenue store, "Comforts of Willow Glen". The Resident quoted Grace as saying that they will be selling anything that pertains to making a house a home. With so many terrific homes in Willow Glen, it sounds like they've picked the right place! Good luck to Grace and her partners.
Out doing good for our world community is Soozie Shireman, head of the nonprofit group, Ecuadorables. Soozie raised money this holiday season by selling handmade items from Ecuador to raise funds for children she has met on Interplast trips to Central America. Interplast is an organization that brings doctors to Third World countries to perform plastic surgery for those in need. Keep up the good work, Soozie.
It is with sadness that we read of the death of long time WGNA member Clyde Arbuckle, San Jose's premier historian. His book, Clyde Arbuckle's History of San Jose, is a gift to our city, and we join others in honoring Clyde's many contributions to our community.
June Cooley has found one more way to help others. She is involved in the Apheresis Program which is a blood platelets donor program vital to those in need of life-sustaining platelet transfusions. June is also a apheresis donor recruiter and encourages those interested in this safe and simple way of giving to call the Stanford Medical School Blood Center at 650/723-5093.
The entire Willow Glen Neighborhood: for an impressive display of holiday spirit. To area coordinators like members Jan and Bill Nicolosi and the numerous street captains for their diligence in organizing a visual feast which brought nothing short of enchantment to many.
Patsy Neher: for organizing residents in the Willow Street area. After following through on potential big rig problems, Patsy has agreed to act as contact person for those concerned about traffic and pedestrian safety on Willow Street.
Lupe O'Malley: for an impressive presentation of foods at our fall general meeting. We know that Lupe's efforts added warmth and the incentive to linger and mingle!
Terry Denevan: for showing up every first Sunday of the month (10 AM, at the American Savings Bank on Lincoln Ave.) in order to help WGNA fight graffiti in Willow Glen. Terry has been a diligent participant for several years and we appreciate his commitment.
Sue Kirchek: for answering our call for volunteers. Sue will be volunteering her time by helping to assemble our newsletters.
Barb Jarvis: for buying WGNA memberships as Christmas presents for her neighbors. What a great neighborly idea!
Willie Wright: for agreeing to help WGNA in a search for new residents in order to welcome them to Willow Glen and invite them to join WGNA. Willie is a realtor with Century 21/Contempo Realty and active in her neighborhood.
Maggie Benson: for her openness and fairness during the past two years as editor of The Willow Glen Resident. Maggie has been asked to serve as editor for both The Cupertino Courier and The Sunnyvale Sun. We will miss her and wish her luck!
This continues our series of Boardmember biographies.
Richard R. (Dick) Schwartz is serving as a health care public policy advisor to several elected and appointed officials, as well as consulting with corporations and associations. He retired as Syntex Laboratories' Vice President of Government and Industry Affairs in 1991. Schwartz has over thirty five years of experience in the health care industry in areas such as marketing, sales, public affairs, distribution, public policy, strategic planning, and government affairs.
Since his retirement he has been involved in the community by serving on the boards of directors of Goodwill Industries of Santa Clara and the Syntex Retiree Club. He recently served as chairman of the board of the Kenna Club at Santa Clara University, a forum where speakers discuss "perspectives on a changing world". He is a member of the American Public Health Association and its northern California affiliate, the Boston College Alumni Association and Pharmacists Planning Services, and a past member of the National Council on the Aging, the American Pharmaceutical Association, and the advisory board of the Zitter Group Center for Outcomes Information. Schwartz also served on the board of the University of Southern California Center of Excellence in Health Care Management and the Dean's Advisory Council at the University of Houston College of Pharmacy.
In between these organizational and community activities, he can be found enjoying the company of his children and three grandchildren, visiting with friends, taking pictures and just relaxing, when possible. Dick, a native Bostonian, has resided in the Dry Creek section of Willow Glen since July,1973 when the family relocated from New Jersey.
J. Michael was born in Modesto, California home of Gallo Winery and the birthplace of George "Star Wars" Lucas. Born the second of six children, he was raised in the small town and ranch environment of central California. Like most youth in central California, he spent a lot of time involved in the "American Graffiti" car culture.
In 1970 he graduated from Tracy High School and immediately went to work at Holly Sugar, unloading train cars of sugar beets to raise funds for college. In 1973, he relocated to San Jose to attend San Jose State University, where he majored in Political Science and pre-law. He was accepted, but only briefly attended, Georgetown University Law School in Washington D.C., quickly deciding that going into the legal field was the wrong thing to do.
He returned to Santa Clara Valley and pursued a career in community relations and citizen participation for major public projects. He has led public information campaigns for numerous projects including the Santa Clara Valley light rail system, CalTrain To Gilroy, BART and the San Jose Arena. He currently is the owner of a public outreach firm to help clients communicate with the public. What he loves best about his work, is the opportunity to help build trust between people, which can lead to achieving mutual goals.
After living near the university for several years, he and his wife Sandra bought their first home in Willow Glen in 1983. They were drawn to Willow Glen by the mature trees, variety of architectural styles, and detached garages. It reminded them of the small towns they grew up in - Tracy and Gilroy. With their four children, they maintain an active Willow Glen life that includes regular visits to the library, parks, Hicklebee's, Manhattan Bagel for smoothies and Aqui's for CalMex food.
My father immigrated to California in 1920, lured by a description of employment opportunities, sunshine, and gardens of fruit and vegetables. My mother followed in 1925, and they settled in San Jose on Ramona Avenue, near Lincoln and Coe. My memories include playing in the creek, walking to Willow Glen Elementar7 School, and taking the bus downtown. My family moved to Oakland in 1940. I enthusiastically attended UC Berkeley, and then worked for Field Research (which does the California Poll) and in economic analysis, with paper, pencil, and Monroe calculator.
It was a surprise to move back to San Jose with my own family in 1967, just a couple miles from my first home. Like many of my neighbors, I was concerned about land use issues, and I participated in community activities. Through these activities, particularly with the League of Women Voters and school efforts, I worked with the WGNA founders. As for making a living, I was employed as clerk for the Santa Clara County superior court judges for many years. Since retiring three years ago, I've enjoyed traveling, and this year I'm serving on the county civil grand jury. My children are now grown - one is an unrecognized artist living in a barn in Berkeley, and the other is in banking and lives in Willow Glen.
The thirty-some years in San Jose have gone quickly. However, land use issues are still with us, and so is WGNA. I've savored the sense of accomplishment, wailed at the frustrations, and enjoyed the acquaintances and friendships that come with the membership and community.
Motion to support the request of residents for a stop sign at Willow and Camino Ramon. A traffic study is pending. (vote: 7-1 at the November Board meeting).
Willow Glen Billiards and Brew: Motion carried to support a trial 2:00 am closing time for Friday and Saturday nights, with conditions to mitigate neighborhood impact written into the conditional use permit. (5-2, November)
Meridian Ave./280 Planting Project: Motion carried to begin negotiations and planning with CalTrans for a beautification of the median strip at this location. (unanimous, Dec.)
Letter to Department of Streets and Traffic supporting a continuation of NASCOP, the photo radar program on Willow Glen Streets. A request was made that Willow Street be included in those avenues serviced by NASCOP.
The WGNA membership rolls grow in large part by reputation and word-of-mouth. Feel free to pass this letter along to a friend or neighbor, and invite them to our Spring General Meeting/Mayoral candidate's forum.