Willow Glen Neighborhood Association

P. O. Box 7706,

San Jose CA 95150

408/294-WGNA

www.WGNA.net

 

Fall General Meeting

Wednesday, Nov. 14, 7 PM

Willow Glen Baptist Church

(on Minnesota at Hicks)

~~~

the “Three Creeks Trail”
(also known as the WG Spur Trail):

a “virtual tour” and panel discussion

~and~

Updating San Jose’s General Plan:
Envision San Jose 2040
with Stan Ketchum, SJ Planning Dept.

Larry Ames

Whew!  A lot is going on in and around Willow Glen!  It’s a good thing we have a strong and experienced Neighborhood Association Board!  In somewhat chronological order, some of which will be expanded upon elsewhere in this newsletter:

·         The History book.  Joan Bohnett and the History Committee parlayed a $1,500 “CAP Grant” (Community Action and Pride) from the City, along with $3,000 from the Preservation Action Council of San Jose (PAC«SJ), to upgrade our 29-page self-guided walking tour booklet into a 140-page bound masterpiece.  The book is sold at Willow Glen Books on Lincoln Avenue.

·         Trees.  The tree-lined streets and shaded gardens are a trademark of Willow Glen.  Following up on WGNA’s special meeting this past winter, we have attended various public meetings, worked with staff, and communicated a formal position in support of enforcement and appropriate enhancement of the City’s Tree-Preservation Ordinance.  (A copy of the WGNA letter is on-line at www.wgna.net – click on the “Position Papers” tab.)

·         Movie in the Park.  It finally happened!  The natural amphitheater at Willow St./Bramhall Park was used for a public event – the free showing of the movie “Happy Feet”!  Many thanks to Councilmember Oliverio and his staff, and to WGNA’s Ed Rast, for putting on a wonderful event!

·         Traffic Calming.  Willow Street at the Park, Bird Avenue at the dogleg, Blewett Avenue everywhere, and more – it seems as if drivers speeding down the streets is a major threat to life and safety.  Bill Cardoza is representing WGNA at the numerous traffic-calming meetings in various locations scattered across Willow Glen.

·         Riparian (“Streamside”) Habitat protection.  San Jose has a pretty good riparian corridor policy; the problem is that it sometimes seems like the City doesn’t know it has a policy.  Members of the WGNA Land-use Committee (Harvey Darnell and others) attend public meetings on various project proposals to remind developers and city staff alike that new development, as per policy, is to be set back from the creek so as to allow adequate room for habitat (vegetation, animal, bird, and aquatic) and for appropriate recreational uses (e.g., trails).

·         The Willow Glen Spur Trail, which is now being called “the Three Creeks Trail.”  WGNA had been receiving periodic reports on how the City was negotiating with the landowner (Union Pacific Railroad) for purchase of the Right-of-Way (ROW), only to find that the City was only purchasing a portion of the ROW in Willow Glen, and the rest was in danger of being lost to development.

·         Founders’ Day.  This was a wonderful event, the convergence of History (WGNA’s guided walking tours together with PAC«SJ), Commerce (the Willow Glen Business Association, WGBA), and Culture (the Italian Festa, by the Italian American Heritage Foundation).

·         Community support.  WGNA donated $1,000 to the Willow Glen Elementary School in honor of the new buildings and remodels on campus, located at the heart of Willow Glen: the donation will go towards structures (e.g., benches) that will serve students and the public alike.  WGNA has also budgeted $1,000 to go to the new Willow Glen Library: we are working out details on how the donation can help in the recognition and preservation of Willow Glen history.

·         Historic Preservation.  The beautiful older homes are another of Willow Glen’s trademarks, but they are in danger of being lost to “progress.”  One of the goals of the History Book was to raise awareness, and appreciation, of older homes, and to inspire residents to remodel and restore and not to replace their older homes.  Councilmember Oliverio has begun a process to educate the public on Historic Preservation, and perhaps also to streamline the City bureaucracy related to the creation of Historic Conservation Districts. 

·         New Developments.  Hugh Graham and the Land-use committee keep us updated on all the proposals, including a proposed development on Lincoln at Willow, allowing us to work with the developers to help the projects better fit into the fabric of the community.  And finally…

·         General Plan Update.  This once-every-other-decade exercise shapes the direction in which San Jose will grow.  Should it sprawl over hill and valley, or should it group taller, and if yes, where: everywhere, or just downtown?  Where will there be industry, shopping, parks, and residences?  Should older plans, such as the 20+ year-old plans for Lincoln Avenue, continue to be followed, or washed aside in a whole new vision?  Nancy Ianni (past WGNA President and former SJ Councilmember) and Harvey Darnell (WGNA Board) join two dozen others from the community to thrash out these details over the next many months.

Dear Readers,

            As is our custom, we invite our local elected officials to contribute articles to our newsletter.  We also extended an invitation to those of our members who had indicated a possible interest in writing for the newsletter.  We received many interesting articles, all contributed by local residents.  I hope you enjoy the many “tips,” and please feel free to share your comments regarding the newsletter content.  Thank you to those who wrote in, and the promise of more for the next one!   Enjoy! 

Helen Solinski, Editor

Councilmember Oliverio, SJ Dist. 6
[northern and central Willow Glen]

A few months ago, my concern about speeding peaked when two parents were killed by a speeding driver while walking on Graystone Lane in Almaden Valley. At that time, I proposed that the City of San Jose review its traffic calming policy in an effort to update it so that it reflects the needs of residents today.  For example, the current policy refers to using NASCOP (a photo radar device) that would take pictures of drivers in their cars as they sped by.  Recently, NASCOP was ruled illegal by state courts, leaving a hole in our current policy.

            Although I am concerned about speeding that occurs on expressways and freeways, my main concern is speeding on our neighborhood streets.  Eighty percent of our streets in San Jose have a speed limit of 25 mile per hour.  These 25 mph streets are where people live, kids play, and seniors walk.  Speeding is a serious issue that does not discriminate against any neighborhood.  Streets in Almaden, Willow Glen, Berryessa, Alum Rock, Northside and others echo the same sentiments: Stop speeding cars on our neighborhood streets.

            Speeders affect our quality of life in San Jose and limit our outdoor activities—for example, not being able to allow our children to play in the front yard.  In addition, another limitation speeding causes is that many people will not walk in their neighborhood for fear of crossing the street—and I am not referring to Almaden or Capitol Expressways, but 25 mph neighborhood streets which drivers continue to speed on, even where there are crosswalks.

            In an effort to address the neighborhood speeding problem, the San Jose City Council unanimously supported Mayor Reed’s memo to update our traffic calming policy (on September 18) which would allow the City of San Jose to have a series of traffic calming meetings throughout the city—one meeting in each district.  I am proud that the mayor recommended that I chair the Neighborhood Traffic Calming Hearings because this issue is important to me. 

            The meetings will begin on October 18 and run through November 29 (go to www.sanjoseca.gov and click on the traffic calming link).  Jim Helmer, Director of Transportation (DOT); Laura Wells, DOT Division Manager; and Captain Diane Urban and Lieutenant Jeff Smith from the San Jose Police Department are members of the traffic calming meetings.  Our group is required to attend the meetings and then, from the input received, write a report that will be presented to the city council in December.

            The purpose of the meetings is to gather input from all residents in San Jose on what they would like to see us do.  Residents can share any ideas, suggestion and concerns.  From what has been shared with me thus far it seems that many residents would like to see more enforcement, the appeals process for traffic calming expanded, and funding allocated to traffic calming efforts.

            In 2001 our city had $5 million budgeted for traffic calming; this last year we had zero.  Our budget should echo the priorities of our residents and I believe after the traffic calming meetings are completed, money to slow cars down on the neighborhood streets will be validated as a priority.

Kc f d,

            The City of San Jose has not stopped collecting taxes; therefore, we need to prioritize the funds we do have on items and issues that are important to residents; let’s start with traffic calming.

Councilmember Pierluigi Oliverio

 

 

 

[President’s comments: Kudos to Councilmember Oliverio!  When presented with the speeding problem on Blewett Avenue, he proposed a trial program of “speed lumps” – rubber bumps stretched across the roadway.  As this test program requires the approval from a majority of the residents, Pierluigi personally went up and down the street with a petition to get the signatures needed to get the program started!  Well done!  ~Larry.]

County Supervisor Blanca Alvarado,
Second District (east and central Willow Glen)

Dar Friends,

            On November 14, I will participate in the WGNA forum to discuss the Willow Glen Spur (Three Creeks) Trail project.  For over ten years, I have worked with WGNA and have obtained County financial support to extend our trail system.  I am gratified by our accomplishments from planting the riparian corridor along the Los Gatos Creek to opening the trail section between Lonus and Auzarais.  Now we need to assure that the Los Gatos Creek Trail is linked to the Guadalupe and Coyote Creek trails in a plan that shows thoughtful attention to our present and future recreational and transportation needs.  This is the plan that we are now calling the Three Creeks Trail.

            Currently, the County of Santa Clara maintains a 44,000-acre system of urban and mountain parks, trails, lakes, streams and open space.  The Three Creeks Trail would connect parts of this system.  Vasona Lake Park, Los Gatos Creek Park, and the scenic Coyote Creek Parkway would all be linked by the proposed trail.

            The regional county parks are large in size, usually more than 200 acres, and offer recreational opportunities in a natural environment.  This month, the County launched a Healthy Trails Fitness Challenge program for residents of all ages and skill levels.  A guidebook is available that features twenty-one trails and can be obtained by fax, mail, telephone or on-line at www.parkhere.org.  The Healthy Trails program might provide a fun way for you and your family to exercise, become acquainted with the County park system, and enjoy nature at the same time.

         I look forward to seeing you at the General Membership Meeting on November 14, where we can discuss further our hopes and strategies for extending, connecting, and improving our regional trails system.

Best Regards, Blanca

Pam Foley
San Jose Unified School District Board Vice President

The local public schools are alive with activities.  Many have Fall Festivals that bring families together to celebrate the Fall season and raise funds for the schools.  In that regard, a huge thank you to the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association for their generous donation to Willow Glen Elementary.  Willow Glen Elementary looks to purchase a park bench with these funds. 

            The community has shown tremendous support to all of the schools within my school board trustee area.  Schools in Trustee area 3 were well represented at the Founder’s Day parade.  I was honored to ride along with Schallenberger Elementary in the parade. 

            But that was not the end of parade season.  Willow Glen High School will hold its annual Homecoming Parade, Carnival and Football games on October 27.  The parade will wind its way towards Lincoln Avenue around 9:30 on Saturday morning.  After the parade, please join us for a craft fair, carnival and football games at the Willow Glen High School campus.  These events will be held near the football field on Cherry Avenue between Dry Creek and Curtner.

            What update would be complete with a word about construction? The two story building is now complete at the WG Elementary campus.  The design, color scheme and lighting all contribute to making this building an attractive gateway to Willow Glen.

            Thanks to the Measure F bond funds, approved several years ago by voters, your tax dollars are still being put to work modernizing old facilities, adding new buildings, repairing and replacing fields.  Part of these funds will be used to install stadium lights at the football field.  After many neighborhood meetings, the Board of Education approved the installation of these lights at all of our high school campuses.  As a Board, we are committed to being good neighbors respectful of our community. 

            Finally, allow me a moment to express my gratitude for your continued support of our schools.  It is with your generosity and caring that these schools thrive.  As a school community we are fortunate to live in Willow Glen. 

Larry Ames, President

Thank you, everyone, for participating in the WGNA Board election last May.  A quorum of the active membership voted, endorsing the slate of candidates presented by the Nominating Committee:

President – Larry Ames

1st VP – Joan Bohnett

2nd VP – Hugh Graham

Secretary – Helen Solinski

Treasurer – Steve Kaylor

Elected Directors: Harvey Darnell, Charley Luckhardt, and Chris Piekarski

Nominating Committee: Kris Cunningham – Chair, Sharon Fierro, Jim Gardner, Lynn Repetsky, and Helen Solinski

            Rebecca Schoenenberger, candidate for Elected Director, had to resign due to schedule conflicts; the Board voted to appoint Jack Nadeau to fill the vacancy.

            The by-laws instruct the President to appoint at least two, and no more than four, additional members to the Board.  Bill Cardoza, Ed Rast, Ellen Santomauro, and Steve Tedesco have all accepted my invitation to serve.

            We have a busy year before us, and we’re lucky to have such an involved and experience Board to face the challenges!

Bill Cadoza

Bill is new to the WGNA Board.  He has been actively involved with traffic-calming issues on his street (Blewett Ave.), and is willing to share that involvement with the rest of Willow Glen.

Ed Rast

Ed is WGNA’s most recent past President.  He is quite active (over extended!) in community affairs, including United Neighborhoods, District-6 Leadership Group, Citizens for a Livable San Jose (CalSJ), the Neighborhood Commission, and especially the Sunshine Task Force.  Ed’s passions are public access to government and community involvement.

Ellen Santomauro

Ellen is returning to the Board after a year’s hiatus.  Besides her involvement with WGNA’s eList (she handles all of the administrative issues, such as adds, drops, and changes between “immediate” and “digest” modes: write to her at admin@wgna.net), she has also been quite involved with Lincoln Avenue issues.  She helped organize the volunteers for the Founders’ Day event and parade, and ran WGNA’s Historic Tour booth at the event.

Steve Tedesco

Steve is new to the WGNA Board, but has a lot of experience with Willow Glen.  His tenure on the Airport Commission and his service with the Chamber of Commerce will bring new insights to the Board.  Steve was recently a candidate for City office, and as such talked to many Willow Glen residents as he walked precincts.

Jack Nadeau

Jack is also new to the WGNA Board.  His interests include traffic calming and bicycle safety.  As a resident adjacent to the abandoned Union Pacific right-of-way, Jack has a vested interest in seeing the plans for the Los Gatos and Three-Creeks Trails come to fruition.

Larry Ames

We asked a couple of survey questions on the WGNA Board election ballot this spring about the eList, WGNA’s “electronic talk-to-your-neighbors-over-the-back-fence service.”

Question 1 asked about the allowable level of commerce on the eList.  The majority feel that the following are appropriate on the eList:

·         62% of the respondents felt that announcements of “personal sales” (sale of own car, open house, golf-clubs, whatever) is appropriate;

·         56% felt it is okay to announce special event sales (holiday boutiques, etc.);

·         62% thought  notices about non-profit fundraising: races, tours, etc. are fine;

·         and an overwhelming majority accept notices about special events: both informal (book signings, coffee-shop concerts, etc.: 79%) and more organized (Farmers Market, Halloween, etc.: 73%).

The survey respondents felt the following were not wanted on the eList:

·         local in-house for-profit services (daycare, tax accounting, etc.: favored by only 45%), and

·         sales events: half-price sales at local stores, etc. – only 29% thought they would be appropriate.

 

Question 2 asked about “politics” on the eList.

·         67% wanted to see announcements of non-political or non-partisan events, such as candidate forums, in the eList;

·         a bare majority (51%) wanted to read announcements of appearances of elected official or candidate at “non-political” events; and

·         only a few (33%) wanted to read about officials or candidates appearing at public fund-raising events.

            Thank you for expressing your opinions.  We are using these results in moderating the eList.  If you have any questions about the appropriateness of a post, please send it to the Moderator at Moderator@wgna.net for suggestions.  And if you want to join or leave the eList, or change between Immediate and Digest modes, write to Ellen Santomauro at admin@wgna.net.

Larry Ames

A new segment of the Los Gatos Creek Trail is open!  The Los Gatos Creek Trail now crosses under I-280, providing a safe crossing of “the Great Divide”!  This new segment utilizes an existing piece of trail off of Lonus Avenue (a dead-end street off of Lincoln), ties into the bike/ped bridge built a couple years ago to Fuller and the Gregory Plaza neighborhood, and then dips under I‑280 behind Reed & Graham, going beside a San Jose Water Co. well, and ending at Auzerais at the former Del Monte cannery / future KB homes development.  Quite soon the KB homes project will be open, providing an additional segment of the trail that will lead up to San Carlos St.

            More news!  After some years of delays and missed opportunities, things are now happening with the “Rails to Trails” conversion of the local abandoned railroad right-of-way.  This trail has formerly been called “the Willow Glen Spur” trail, as it followed a portion of the rail line of the same name that was laid out during WW I to support the canneries of Willow Glen.  However, the name gives the false connotation that the trail is just in Willow Glen, whereas the trail is planned to extend across much of District 7 as well, all the way over to Kelley Park.  As the trail is to tie together the Los Gatos Creek Trail, the Guadalupe River Trail, and the Coyote Creek Trail, it is being renamed “the Three Creeks Trail.”  (Okay, maybe it should be “the two creeks and a river” trail, but that’s too cumbersome.  You don’t want to call it “the 3 Rivers Trail,” because that should connect to the 3 Rivers Stadium, former home of the Pittsburgh Pirates.)

            Renaming aside, public awareness is being raised.  Councilmember Pierluigi Oliverio is bringing a measure before City Council on Nov. 6th that instructs the Parks Planning Dept. to get moving on the purchase of the right-of-way (check the eList for meeting time and details).  The trail is also receiving significant support from the County Supervisors and County Parks, and other local and regional officials and agencies.

            Be sure to attend the WGNA Fall General Meeting (Nov. 14th, 7 PM, at the WG Baptist Church) for a “Virtual Tour” of the trail alignment, followed by a discussion by panel of elected official, representatives, and staff, on how to make this trail a reality.

Larry Ames

A couple weeks ago, Councilmember Pierluigi Oliverio held a public meeting on Historic Preservation.  Sally Zarnowitz, San Jose’s Historic Preservation Officer, explained about Landmarks, Historic Districts, and Conservation Districts.  It looks as if various sections of Willow Glen could qualify as the latter.  As detailed at www.sanjoseca.gov/planning/historic, there are a number of “hoops” that one must jump through (and various expenses) in order to have an area declared “historic,” but there are a number of advantages as well:

·         Historic Preservation.  Being declared a “Conservation District” does not prevent one from scraping and rebuilding one’s house, if so inclined, but it does introduce an extra review cycle.  This allows for the Planning Dept. to work with the owner to see if other solutions might exist.

·         Variances.  Often, when remodeling, a lot of items have to be brought up to current code.  However, there is flexibility granted for homes in Conservation Districts: for example, you might not have the expense of replacing every old window with the modern double-glazed model.

            Hopefully, the process by which areas can achieve the protection of Historic Conservation District will be simplified, and the advantages will become more apparent.  They’re not making any more old houses, and some are being lost all the time.  (More details in future newsletters.)

Helen Solinski and Lisa Askins, Willow Glen moms

“When is the last time you made an investment in yourself?”  Hopefully, you’re able to answer that question fairly easily.  Maybe you read a good book, took a long walk, shared coffee with a friend, or simply sat in silence.

            “Women in particular have a hard time putting themselves first,” says Chris Melching, founding partner of the Center Stage Group.  “We drive projects at work, we pick up and feed our kids, and before our day is over we go back online.  It’s rare for us to do things for ourselves.  But, when we take time to replenish, we’re better able to keep up with the demands of our daily lives, and we’re a lot happier too.”

            Since 2002, Chris and company have been showing women how to rediscover their potential and focus their energy while balancing the pressures of life, as part of a unique retreat called Power Camp.  Power Camp is an intense two-day professional development program that combines experiential learning with 1:1 coaching and peer mentoring.  The program’s mantra is: Discover.  Focus.  Achieve.  It helps women improve their communication effectiveness and gain more focus to survive the chaos.  It’s also the foundation for a community of women dedicated to supporting one another.

            Chris and company want to give women in the Willow Glen neighborhood the same opportunity.  “This is an incredible place to live, and it’s the perfect place to hold a camp.  We’ve been working with Silicon Valley leaders for years.  Now we want to do the same thing for your best friend down the street.”

            Lisa Askins at Power Camp says, “We’ve seen tremendous changes and growth from the women who’ve come to camp.  It’s great to witness new confidences emerge and friendships develop.  It’s similar to how we bonded as kids playing hide and go seek.  But what amazes me most is how lasting the connections are.”

            The Power Camp is holding a free focus group for Willow Glen women on Friday, Nov 9.  Come meet your neighbors and walk away with a few new communication techniques and insights to integrate into your relationships at home or work.  The goal is to use community’s feedback to design a retreat specifically for women in Willow Glen and neighboring communities. 

To register for this focus group, email Lisa@centerstagegrp.com, call 408/269-4436 or visit online at www.power-camp.com.

Karen Storey (Steve Tedesco’s wife)

Have you or a loved one been affected by cancer? If so, you know it can be overwhelming juggling family, professional and financial responsibilities while trying to cope with the emotional burdens of the disease. 

            To provide a place for people affected by cancer to go to for support, education and hope, several Willow Glen residents, along with friends, are working to start up an affiliate of The Wellness Community (TWC) in Silicon Valley.

            The national TWC organization is celebrating its 26th year as an international non-profit with over 25 locations in the United Sates.  Locally, the Committee for a Silicon Valley Wellness Community, chaired by Rusty Hammer, has already received its 501(c) (3) not-for-profit status and is looking for temporary donated office space to continue its fund-raising efforts. 

            You are invited to hear more about the plans and how you can get involved by attending an interactive presentation at the home of Steve Tedesco and Karen Storey on Monday, November 12 at 7 p.m.  RSVP to Kstorey@pacbell.net or phone 408/298-5381 for the address.

            TWC provides a home-like setting where people affected by cancer can connect with and learn from others.  Through participation in professionally-led support groups, educational workshops, nutrition and exercise programs, and stress reduction classes, people affected by cancer and their caregivers learn vital skills that enable them to regain control, reduce isolation and restore hope regardless of the stage of their disease.  All TWC programs are free of charge.

            To learn more about the Committee and it’s plan for Silicon Valley, go to www.svwellness.org and www.thewellnesscommunity.org.

Helen Solinski

The Metro Silicon Valley Marathon^® is a chip-timed, official Boston Marathon qualifier offering a USATF-certified flat, fast course that highlights the renovated San Jose downtown, its charming neighborhoods, and the beauty of local Northern California scenery along the Los Gatos Creek Trail.  All races begin in downtown San Jose at the corner of Park Avenue and Almaden Blvd.  The Marathon begins at 7:00AM and offers an out-and-back route that traverses San Jose, Campbell and Los Gatos before finishing just a few blocks from the start line in Discovery Meadow Park.  The Half-Marathon also begins at 7:00AM and follows the Marathon route to Los Gatos High School.  There, finishers can enjoy recovery food and drinks before boarding first-class Royal Coach buses back to the finish line party at Discovery Meadow Park. 

            The 5K Run/Walk presented by The Silicon Valley Community Newspapers begins at 7:30AM and finishes at Discovery Meadow Park after a loop through downtown San Jose and adjoining neighborhood streets.  The Phelps & Cohen Orthodontics Kids Races take place in Discovery Meadow Park beginning at 10:00AM.

            The Metro Silicon Valley Marathon^® is much more than a running and walking event.  One of our primary objectives is to make a difference across the entire Silicon Valley community by raising money and awareness for important charitable initiatives.  Our Official Benefiting Charity is The Health Trust.  In addition, we welcome groups that raise money and awareness for their particular causes by soliciting pledges in return for the participation of their members in our races.  If you are interested in learning more about our Charity Affiliate program, please send an email to info@svmarathon.com and put “Charity Affiliate” in the Subject line.

            For more information on race directions, maps, course elevations, and registration instructions, please go to svmarathon.com.

            There are a number of locations where spectators can view the race action.  We encourage the entire community to come out to support the runners! 

Greg Lindahl, CPA and John Callan, MBA
JMG Financial Network on Lincoln Ave.; 271-8800

One of the best investments you can make for a child, grandchild, niece or nephew is an investment in his or her educational future.  College graduates with a bachelor’s degree typically earn twice as much, over a lifetime, as those with a high school diploma.

            Given escalating college costs, you may need more than a bank savings account to fund the college of your loved one’s choice.  According to 2006 data from The College Board and Standard & Poor’s, the projected average cost for a newborn’s four-year degree at a public college could total almost $125,000.  You would have to save $4,232 per year in a savings account earning 5% per year to equal that amount by the newborn’s freshman year.  And should the newborn ultimately decide to attend a private college, you would need to add approximately $175,000 to your savings goal, bringing your annual contribution to $10,156.

            But don’t despair.  A sound investment strategy, coupled with knowledge of other college financing options, may put your loved one on the road to a valuable four-year degree.  Outlined below are a few general guidelines to consider.

Final Tuition Bill Due in 12 to 22 Years:  With time on your side, your portfolio can potentially withstand a bit of volatility in your quest for higher returns.  You may want to consider investing the majority of your college savings assets in stocks, as these investments have historically provided the greatest long-term growth potential based on the S&P 500.  For example, a $1,000 investment in a vehicle that mirrored the Standard & Poor’s Composite Index of 500 Stocks at the end of 1986 would have grown to $9,310 by year-end 2006.  By comparison, an equal amount invested in lower-risk, lower-returning money market instruments over the same period of time would have grown to only $2,550.3 Of course, past performance does not guarantee future results.  Consider the volatility and possible loss of income involved in stock investing and your ability to wait out potential fluctuations in the value of your college savings.

Final Tuition Bill Due in 8 to 11 Years:  As your future scholar gets older, you may want to complement a stock portfolio with a fixed-income element to balance risk.  Also, consider encouraging your loved one to save a portion of dollars earned through paper routes, babysitting and other jobs in a college account.

Final Tuition Bill Due in Less Than 8 Years:  You may start allocating more of your portfolio to fixed-income and money market instruments.  If you have only a small amount saved, you have a challenge ahead of you, but some cost cutting in other areas of your life may allow you to make substantial monthly investments. 

            Whatever the age of your future scholar, remember that any investment plan needs a fresh look every year or so to determine whether adjustments need to be made.  As the day nears when your loved one goes off to college, preservation of your principal becomes a primary concern, and you may need to adjust your investment strategy accordingly.

Consider All Your Options:  Reviewing the time frame available to you is probably your best strategy in seeking to meet college costs, but there are other options to consider as well.

            Explore Section 529 Plans.  These state-sponsored plans allow individuals to invest in a predetermined investment pool and offer some flexibility in how much you can contribute.  But if you invest in a 529 Plan outside of the state in which you pay taxes, you may lose tax benefits offered by the state’s plan.  Tax treatment at the state level may vary. 

            Encourage Savings Gifts.  For birthdays or holidays, consider giving Series EE Savings Bonds that will mature close to the time you will need the money for college expenses.  These bonds are sold at a 50% discount to face value at maturity.  For example, a Series EE paper bond issued today with a face amount of $1,000 costs $500 and will be worth $1,000 in 17 years. 

            In addition, you may contribute up to $2,000 annually per beneficiary to a Coverdell Education Savings Account, where earnings can accumulate tax free and withdrawals can be made tax free for qualified education expenses.  You may also make annual gifts of up to $12,000, free of federal gift taxes, to a minor.  And you can pay any amount directly to a loved one’s college for tuition and fees, with no gift tax consequences.  Remember to brief yourself on the tax considerations of each of these gifts so you’re not caught off guard by Uncle Sam.

            Together, time and a smart investment strategy are likely to be your best options for meeting the rising costs of higher education.

Amber Lopez
di Moda Salon, 1060 Lincoln Ave.; 277-0400

Start with color: Warm up those brown tones; for those bright summer blondes, throw in some “low lights”.  Darker hair can be spiced up by adding natural red tones.  These color changes can be very natural and subtle, or outrageously fun and bold.  And everything can bounce back after the New Year.

            A smooth and shiny, low side pony is very chic.  Start by with small sections through the crown, hit with hair spray and back comb.  Then use a natural bristle brush to smooth down the top of the hair, smooth with gloss and band behind your ear.

            Big hair is always in style for the holidays. . . Hot Rollers! Begin at the front hair line with Medium sections.  Hit it quickly with hair spray.  Brush through with a natural bristle brush and wrap on the roller.  (Quick tip: lay the ends of the hair so they are aligned with the direction of the roll.) When rollers are cool, drop them, turn your head up side down and using your fingers, rub your scalp to break up the curl sections, don’t run your fingers through as it may pull your curls out.  Finish with a spray gloss. . . shiny!

            Never be afraid of something new.  Remember – it’s just hair and can always be changed again back to what you had, or changed again to something new!

Steve Kaylor, WGNA Treasurer

WGNA is proud to offer two new membership options.  Members asked for multiyear memberships and the ability to pay via PayPal.  You spoke, we listened.

            Memberships can now be purchased in 3 and 5-year increments, as well as the current 1 year membership.  The three year renewal comes with a ~15% discount, the 5 year with a 20% discount.

            The new Rates are as follows:

	Individual	Household/Associate	Notes
1 Year	$10	$20	---
3 Year	$25 ($8.33/yr)	$50 ($16.33/yr)	Save ~15%
5 Year	$40 ($8/yr)	$80 ($16/yr)	Save 20%

            If you are tired of writing checks, memberships can also be renewed via PayPal.  Send your payments to treasurer@wgna.net.  Be sure to add in your name and address in the ‘notes’ section.  If you have any questions on the above options, please feel free to email me at treasurer@wgna.net.

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