Willow Glen Neighborhood Association

P. O. Box 7706,

San Jose CA 95150

408/294-WGNA

www.WGNA.net

 

Founders’ Day Festival
downtown Willow Glen, Sunday, Sept. 24th!

~~~

Fall General Meeting

Wednesday, Oct. 11, 6:30 PM

Willow Glen Baptist Church

(on Minnesota at Hicks)

Candidates Forum!

Come and ask questions of the candidates for

San Jose Council, Dist. 6.

~Also~

Meet the candidates for
State Assembly, Dist. 24

Larry Ames

Summertime is supposed to the time to relax, take things easy, and not worry about anything.  Somehow we missed that memo…

            Willow Glen is going to have a Founders’ Day Festival this year!  Sunday, September 24th!  The Festival had been an annual event for nearly two decades, initially sponsored as a joint event between the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association (WGNA) and the Willow Glen Business and Professional Association (WGBPA), with WGBPA doing most of the work.  A few years ago, WGBPA had troubles and had to drop the festival.  WGNA stepped in and did a festival by our lonesome in 2002: we wanted to make sure the Diamond Anniversary of the founding of Willow Glen was properly celebrated.  However, it took so much effort that the WGNA Board didn’t have time to devote to the top priorities: traffic and parking, and land-use and zoning, so we decided that throwing festivals was best left to the professionals. 

Well now the WGBPA is back in form and ready to party.  WGNA will participate in our traditional role, as supporter and by giving free walking tours of the surrounding historic neighborhoods.  WGNA also received a grant from the City of San Jose so that we could update and enhance our companion guidebook for the tours, which has kept WGNA Board member Joan Bohnett and the History Subcommittee quite busy this summer.

There is also local government.  With term limits, our local representatives have to move on or out, and various candidates vie for the vacated position.  As is our custom, WGNA will host a Candidates’ Forum so that we all can get to know the candidates and make informed decisions, and the candidates can get to know us and our issues and concerns.  So, come to the WGNA Fall Meeting on October 11th and meet the candidates:

·         San Jose Council District 6 (the office vacated by Ken Yeager): Real Property Agent BRAD IMAMURA, Technical Recruiter ART MAURICE, Environmental Software Executive PIERLUIGI OLIVERIO, Retired Police Sergeant JIM SPENCE, Non-Profit Executive STEVE TEDESCO, and Non-Profit Executive/Parent CLARK WILLIAMS. 

·         Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors District 4 (the seat vacated by Jim Beall): there is no election this time since last April Ken Yeager won outright (congratulations, Ken!)

·         State Assembly District 24 (the seat vacated by Rebecca Cohn): Jim Beall (Democrat), Lawrence R. Hileman (Republican), and Lionel H. Silva (Libertarian).

We are asking you, our members, to submit questions of the candidates.   Given the large number of candidates, the local interest, and the limited amount of time, we will collect, edit (as needed), and collate the questions in advance for the candidates: please email your questions to debate@wgna.net.  The candidates for State Assembly will be given a period of time (~10 minutes) for a short speech, and will be given your questions in advance so that they may address your concerns in their comments.  The candidates for City Council will be asked the questions in the standard on-stage format we routinely use.

            And there are local development issues!  Numerous developments in and around Willow Glen keep the WGNA Land-use and Zoning Subcommittee member busy!  There are also issues with city policy on the development of parks, the policy for parking requirements in the business district, and the policy on the openness of City government itself (the “Sunshine” ordinance).

I need a vacation!

Ed Rast

San Jose City Council authorized the formation of a “Sunshine Reform Task Force”, a community-based Advisory committee.  This Task Force is to recommend a series of measures to increase transparency in government, improve access to public information and records, increase city government accountability, and encourage community and neighborhood participation.  Willow Glen is well represented on the Task Force by WGNA Members Virginia Holtz (who is also active with the League of Women Voters) and by me (who was selected to chair the task force).

After reviewing local city Sunshine ordinances and discussing the issues, the task force adapted a comprehensive Code of Ethic and Conduct so that all work done on its behalf is fair and ethical. 

The Task Force has developed 7 categories (Public Meetings, Closed Session Meetings, Public Information and Outreach, Public Records, Technology, Enforcement and Ethics, and Conduct), and is working to develop a comprehensive set of  Sunshine recommendations for the City Council.

The task force meets through the end of the year on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month at San Jose City Hall, room W118/119.   We invite you to attend meeting and speak on agenda topics, or you can view the meeting on the web (check wgna.net for the link) or on Comcast Cable Channel 26. 

For more information, please contact me at
president@wgna.net.

Ed Rast

On Saturday, September 16th, 8 – 11 am, you can drop off electronic junk at no cost at the Bank of America parking lot on Lincoln Ave.: computers, copiers, fax machines, monitors, televisions, radios, microwaves, office phone systems, printers, printer cartridges/ribbons, stereo equipment, VCR’s,  DVD’s,  and small electric appliances.  (If you have questions about what’s eligible, call Earthcare recycling at 408-573-8573 or visit their web site http://www.earthcarerecycling.com/.)

The Willow Glen Computer and Electronic Equipment Recycling / Clean Up Day is jointly sponsored by WGNA, WGBPA, the Volunteer Center - Silicon Valley, and United Neighborhoods.

 Harvey Darnell

The City is proposing a Baseball Stadium in the Diridon Station Area.  The following is a simplified chronology of the events which have unfolded so far.

In December 2005, the City held a poorly notified (and thus poorly attended) Community Scoping Meeting, resulting in a Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) issued in February 2006.  (A project description from the San Jose Redevelopment Agency (RDA) is on the web at: http://www.sjredevelopment.org/ballpark/factSheet.pdf.)

A coalition group of District 3 and District 6 Neighborhood Association Leaders (including four WGNA Board members) formed an ad-hoc committee under the umbrella of the Strong Neighborhoods Initiative, Project Advisory Committee.  Because of the initial poor community notification, this group worked with Council members Chavez and Yeager to get the City Council to double the DEIR comment period to 90 days, to require four Public Comment Meetings, and to push back the Mayor’s proposal for a November 2006 referendum on the project to spring, 2007, at the earliest. 

The Neighborhood Leaders’ Committee put together a unified community response addressing Community Concerns: Traffic (including studies on Bird and Lincoln) and Parking (in the surrounding neighborhoods, e.g., Willow Glen);  Noise; Building height and design;  Open Space;  Pedestrian and Bike Access and Safe Routes to surrounding schools; Los Gatos Creek Trail width and design; Environmental Issues including: Shading and Light and Noise Pollution (including late night fireworks); Air Quality; Hazardous Materials on site; Site Runoff to Los Gatos Creek and Riparian Setbacks; Biologic Resources (Vegetation and Endangered species); Water and Energy use, including Green Alternatives; Economic Issues; and Historic Conservation of the surrounding noteworthy resources in the area.

By the end of the comment period on the DEIR on May 4, both the individual Neighborhood Associations (Including WGNA and NWGNA) and the SNI PAC Ad-Hoc Committee sent in letters outlining the deficiencies of the DEIR in addressing the above issues.

The RDA has been acquiring land at the site for “housing or new business development”.  If the City were to donate the acquired Land to a Ballpark, it would require a referendum, as occurred for the H.P. Pavilion (Shark’s Arena).

The RDA has revised the Cultural resources section of the DEIR.  We will again review the document for deficiencies and respond.  For the project to then move forward the Final EIR must be approved by the Planning Commission and the San Jose City Council.  (The Final EIR must include responses by the City to comments received on the environmental impacts of the project.)  Then (by City Charter) a Public Referendum must approve if any Public Monies are to be used. 

The Neighborhood Leader Joint task force has invested hundreds of hours reviewing this project to date.  We have not yet taken a position on whether the project should be built at all, as it seems likely that there is no team, no owners, and no financiers to move it forward at present, and no firm alternate proposed plans for the land if the stadium proposal fails. In case all the stars do line up for the project and the voters of San Jose approve, we will want to make sure it is the Best Facility in the World, and with the least amount of impacts on the surrounding neighborhoods. 

More to come in the future!  If you are interesting in getting involved in this or any other planning issues for Willow Glen please contact us at planning@wgna.net.

Pam Foley, San Jose Unified School District board member

Fall is in the air.  Kids are back in school, and parents are glad to resume the school year routine.

Thanks to the Measure F bond, approved by voters, several of our campuses have received new buildings, while others are under construction. 

·         At Willow Glen Elementary, construction of the long-anticipated two-story building has begun with a completion date of 10-12 months.  The building’s design will be a nice addition to Lincoln Avenue and serve as the Gateway to Willow Glen.

·         Most campuses are receiving upgrades to their playing fields.  Booksin’s fields are currently receiving an upgrade, as are the fields at Willow Glen High School and Middle School.

·         At WGHS and WGMS all windows are being replaced and a new building will be constructed behind the media center.  The new building will include two multi-media labs, a film studio, art gallery and community meeting room.  Additionally, construction will begin to upgrade the science labs at WGHS.

Teachers, administrators, parents and volunteers are gearing up for all the school activities.  Some of these activities are to assist our kids in college preparedness and academics, other activities have a fundraising focus, while others are celebratory and community building.

WGHS has a homecoming parade tradition going back many years.  On October 28, the Willow Glen community is invited to watch the parade on Lincoln Ave.  The theme this year is “Remember.” Kings and Queens from prior decades will be invited to participate in the parade.  Each high school class will compete for “best float” and march along with the band.  Back again this year will be the WG Community Youth Band and kids from the local elementary schools.  As a way to involve the Willow Glen community at large, pet owners are invited to walk their dogs down Lincoln Avenue.  (Participating dogs must wear a scarf in the colors of WGHS - red or gold.)  [editor’s note: there’ll also be a pooper-scooper clean-up crew as part of the parade.  Check the eList or wgna.net for further parade details.]

What would Homecoming be without football? After the parade, both Varsity and JV Rams football teams will play.  Adjacent to the football field, the Community Carnival will be held complete with games, activities and a jump house to keep the kids occupied while adults shop the various arts and crafts booths.

Homecoming and Community Carnival are events for the community at large to participate and celebrate with our school families.  One fundraising event coming up is the Willow Glen High School/ Middle School Foundation’s annual wine-tasting to be held November 12.  Tickets are $50.00 per person and will be on sale soon.  Food is served and a chocolate tasting has been added this year.  Unable to attend? Consider donating an auction item.  Proceeds benefit the Foundation, which supports innovative programs at the Middle and High Schools.

Finally, community involvement is critical to the success of our schools and our children.  Please consider becoming involved as a mentor, reading to children at one of the elementary schools, or as a financial supporter.  Your time, your talent, your passion and your insight can enrich our children’s education. 

Pam Foley, San Jose Unified School District, Board member,
Trustee area #3 (Willow Glen); pam@effoley.com

Larry Ames

It may seem like every newsletter has an article about the WGNA Board.  This is no accident: in order to assure an open nomination process for a representative Board, we solicit candidates in the February newsletter.  The April newsletter has the slate of candidates, biographies, and a mail-in ballot.  This, the next newsletter after the election, publishes the results.  And, lately we’ve found ourselves too busy to write more than three newsletters a year, so the next newsletter will probably seek candidates for next year’s Board!

It is sometimes challenging to generate voter interest in an uncontested slate of candidates, but the WGNA bylaws require a quorum of at least 10% of the eligible voters to vote for a meaningful election (and some years it’s been hard to get to that 10% participation).  This year 99 people voted.  Not only is this the most ever but it’s also close to 40% of our eligible membership!  Thank you!  Your votes give the incoming Board the mandate to speak and act on behalf of the WGNA membership. 

President: Ed Rast

1st VP: Joan Bohnett

2nd VP: Jim Spence

Secretary: (vacant)

Treasurer: Steve Kaylor

Board of Directors: Harvey Darnell, Hugh Graham, Charles Luckhardt, and Stuart Moore. 

Nominating Committee (to select next year’s slate of candidates): Helen Solinski (chair), Kris Cunningham, Sharon Fierro, Jim Gardner, and Lynn Repetsky.

As per the bylaws, the President appoints between two and four additional members to the WGNA Board.  Ed Rast appointed me and two others, but the other two, along with the elected secretary, had to drop out due to schedule conflicts.  Helen Solinski is filling in as secretary until the Board can find and appoint a replacement.  If you would like to become more involved in WGNA, please contact Ed at President@wgna.net.

This year’s ballot also included several survey questions.  The April newsletter gave some background information and provided examples, and then posed the following three questions.

Question 1 asked about “chain stores” on Lincoln Avenue.  There has been a lot of discussion over the years about chains on Lincoln, and it appears that the majority of our membership recognizes that many chain stores are chains because they’ve been successful, selling products that the people want.  But they don’t want an “anything goes” attitude -- they do want to maintain the character and feel of Willow Glen:

·         1 person said there should be no chain stores at all, and those already here should leave;

·         14 votes for no new chains, but those already here should be “grandfathered” and allowed to remain;

·         65 people felt new chain stores would be welcome, provided they fit in: parking, signage, hours of operation, etc. (e.g., a Trader Joe’s would be welcome, but McDonalds would have to tone-down the golden arches); and

·         20 people felt that the free market should dictate what goes in (be it a third and fourth Starbucks or a big-box warehouse store).

·         [Note: the total exceeds 99: people who were ineligible to vote for WGNA Board could still express their opinions.]

Question 2 asked about parking policy in the business district.

·         No one said that there should be no parking requirements: they all want businesses to deal with parking somehow -- there should be no blank-checks for landlords and developers;

·         20 voted to relax the current requirements: people can walk to the local shops, and so the requirements that are appropriate for the car-cultured suburbs may be too much here;

·         73 said the businesses should share their spaces, as at the shopping centers: people want to park once and then shop at the various stores, rather than facing all those signs that in effect say “parking for customers only while inside only this store, your car will be towed away if you also shop at the store next door”; and

·         16 people said that there should be no changes in the current policy: each shop should be required to provide adequate parking for their customers, with no concessions.

Question 3 asked about trees removal policies.  There are city policies on the removal of trees, with permits and fines, for trees between the street and sidewalk, and also for larger trees in private back and side yards.  This question evoked a wider distribution of results, sometimes with the two members of a household taking extreme opposite views:

·         11 people said that there should be no permits or fines: whatever I do on my own back yard is my own business;

·         15 thought the current fine structure was adequate;

·         24 thought that the proposal to double the fines was best; and

·         56 thought that trees are especially important to Willow Glen, and that contractors that repeatedly violate the tree-removal ordinance should not only be fined, but should also have their contractor’s license suspended for 30 days.

The survey results are guiding the WGNA Board in our actions, and also have been shared with the Willow Glen Business and Professional Association (WGBPA).  Thank you, everyone, for participating! 

Charlie Luckhardt

Keep the calls going to the Airport Complaint Hot Line.  These statistics are reported to the Airport Noise Committee and the Airport Commission.  The Willow Glen area has the highest number of complaints.  Also report noisy helicopters -- these are separately noted, and are numerous.

            The Airport Commission received 42 suggestions for projects to be funded by curfew violation fines.  There is much support for a “Fly Quiet” program similar to San Francisco’s successful one.

            Surprisingly, none of the Commissioners wanted an air pollution station studied.  This, in spite of the fact that it was the most requested item by public input.

The Business Association (WGBPA) is organizing a Founders’ Day Festival on Sunday, Sept. 24!  Foot-races, music, food!

Founder's Day Schedule of Events

·         7:00am - Founders Day Run (5K/10K) Registration. 10K race begins at 8:00am / 5K at 8:15am

·         8:00am - Pancake Breakfast, sponsored by the Fraternal Order of Eagles with per plate donations going to Eagles Disadvantaged Children's Christmas Shopping Spree and the Max Bauer Heart Foundation.

·         All Morning - Founders’ Day Festivities, Featuring the Art House Kids Zone, Live Entertainment, Community Stage, Health Expo

·         11:00am - Founders’ Day Race Awards Ceremony

·         11:00am - Neighborhood Walking Tours, Courtesy of the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association

·         11:30am - Race Raffle

·         2:00pm - 5:00pm - Food & Wine Tasting and Silent Auction. Sample from six of Willow Glen’s finest restaurants, four local wineries, and bid in the Silent Auction held by the Thrift Box to benefit the Lucile Packard Foundation.  Attendance limited to 500 adults (sorry no children) - Get Food & Wine Tasting Tickets Online ($35)

(For more information, check out http://downtownwillowglen.org.)

            WGNA is one of the official sponsors, both financially and in activities: we are reprising our free “historic walking tour”.  Come by the WGNA booth: starting at 11:00am guides will lead you on an hour-long walk around the area, pointing out architectural details, relating historic anecdotes, and sharing an appreciation of Willow Glen. 

WGNA will also be selling our “Historical Guide to the Homes of Willow Glen”, our newly enlarged and enhanced companion guide, funded in part with a CAP (Community Action and Pride) Grant from the City.  Besides updating information about historic houses in area (some, sadly, have been replaced over the years!), it also now includes historic photos, current photos illustrating architectural details, maps, and stories, covering the various old and newer sections of Willow Glen.  Stop by our booth and say “hi!”

Larry Ames

Several items to report on the Guadalupe:

            Last September 10th, the Guadalupe River Trail was dedicated from under I-280, through downtown, and up to I-880 by the airport.  It was a wonderful event, well attended, and the trail was enjoyed by all.  However, the trail was open for only the one day: since then it’s been closed at the railroad crossing north of Julian.  The City was granted a one-day waiver for a trail-crossing of the railroad track for the event, and the trail had to be closed afterwards until all involved agencies sign off on the at-grade crossing.  As of press time, those agreements are still not signed.  However, a temporary work-around has been built: a narrow, paved trail branches off from the main trail, loops under the railroad trestle, and back up to the main route, providing continuity.  Thank you, City trail builders -- well done!

            The trail still needs work: there is the construction of freeway 87 by Park Avenue (with signed detours) and the section by the airport is unpaved.  Also, quoting Yves Zsutty, Program Manager for the Citywide Trail Network, “Along the Guadalupe River, the installation of under-crossings at Highway 101 and Airport Parkway are required for a continuous trail system between I-880 and Gold Street.  Plans are at the 90% stage and should be completed before November of this year.  The Water District is the lead for the Highway 101 project, with the City managing the Airport Parkway project.  A fund transfer agreement must be developed and additional funding sources are required so that the City can transfer sufficient money to the Water District in order to manage both projects as one contract.  The one contract approach reduces project management costs, secures better bids due to the larger scope of work and reduces the chance of two contractors working within a small project site.  If funding can not be secured by November, there is a risk that the Airport Parkway project would be delayed until a future year.”  [By the way, check out www.sjparks.org/Trails/trailsindex.asp, the City website that shows the various trails within the city, along with maps and other information.]        Also along the lower Guadalupe: the City has just funded the completion of Autumn Street, which will parallel the creek from the Arena up to the new shopping district on Coleman.  The Guadalupe River Trail will be constructed at the same time, providing a west-bank connection across the railroad.

            Back to the river itself: In Willow Glen and on upstream, the issue is flood-control.  The Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD) has been upgrading the river one segment at a time: they started at the bay and have been working their way upstream.  The section downtown is now done, and the section in Willow Glen is next.  The SCVWD held public meetings some years ago, discussing their plans to construct a bypass channel parallel to the present stream to handle overflow flood waters.  Since then, they have modified their thinking and are planning on widening the existing channel instead.  WGNA will work with the SCVWD to try for a public meeting to present these new plans.  The SCVWD has all of the funding in place for this segment.

            Even when the Willow Glen stretch is upgraded, portions of Willow Glen will remain in the 100-year flood zone.  This is because Ross Creek can still jump its bank near Branham Lane, and that can’t be fixed until Guadalupe is upgraded from there all the way on down.  (If Ross Creek were forced into a non-upgraded Guadalupe, it would simply jump the banks somewhere else along the path.)  The SCVWD has been seeking funds for these stretches for years, but it has been hung up in Congress.  The “Water Resources Development Act” (WRDA), which includes a line-item for the Guadalupe, made it through House last August, and has just now passed the Senate.  If/when the two versions get reconciled and signed by the President, hopefully the Corps of Engineers will be able to work with the SCVWD to solve our flooding problems.  (Guess this is what we get for building Willow Glen in what had been the old creek channel all those decades ago!)  WGNA will continue to work with all parties on concerns related to environmental impacts, habitat, recreational trails, aesthetics, and to assure good community involvement.

The Willow Glen Neighborhood Association (WGNA) has a new logo!  Many thanks to Julie Larson, wife of past Board member Jim Gardner, for developing the new graphic!  The style is to represent the casualness and friendliness of Willow Glen.  When printed in color, it has subtle blue and green tints, with a warm yellow-orange light shining from the window and door.  Definitely more interesting than the “minimalist” single green line we had been using these past couple years.  Thank you, Julie!

Larry Ames

Parks and open space are critical for a livable city: they are part of the infrastructure, just like roadways, water and sewer, schools, power lines, police and fire, et al.  When developers build new housing, they pay their share of the infrastructure improvements as well: it is not right for developers to reap the rewards while burdening the residents with the costs.  Accordingly, developers are required to put in roadways and sewer lines, pay their share of the new library and fire station, etc.  Also, by State law (“the Quimby Act”), cities can require developers to provide 3 acres of parkland for every 1000 new residents.  However, it is not practical to have hundreds of postage-stamp-sized parks scattered all over the place, one for each new condo or apartment building: it is much better to pool money from the various projects in an area and then build a decent-sized park.  Accordingly, the City has a “Parkland Dedication Ordinance” (PDO) by which it charges the developers “in-lieu” fees: money given in lieu of providing the park.  There are various rules and regulations on such fees, such as “the money must be designated for a site within 5 years” and “the park funded by the fee has to be within two miles of the development”.  Also, the City grants developers “partial-credit” for recreational facilities such as private swimming pools.

            The issue at hand is that the in-lieu fees are not large enough to provide the needed parks, and the developers’ lobbyists are opposing the City’s efforts to raise them.  The fees are presently set at only 70% the cost of land in the area, and also using 2001 land-values: costs are higher now.  The lobbyists have used a number of delaying tactics, such as demanding a complete accounting of all previously collected funds.  (They were all there, but about 1% of the collected fees hadn’t been allocated within the 5-year time limit and have now been returned to the landowners.)  Now that the account has been “reconciled”, the lobbyists are challenging the levels of partial credit given for the private facilities, and also challenging the validity of the City’s park strategic plan (the “Greenprint”).

            Several WGNA Board members (Ed, Harvey and I) have joined with other community activists in the area to form “Citizens for A Livable San Jose” (CalSJ).  We have worked with the San Jose Parks Dept., the Parks Commission, and the City Council on the reconciliation.  We are now also working with the developers and their lobbyists to suggest refinements to the PDO as appropriate, and to raise the in-lieu fees to 100% of current land values.

            Revisions to the Parkland Dedication Ordinance will be brought to the City Council on Oct. 24.  Support from the public is critical in order to balance out the efforts by the lobbyists.  We invite you to write to your Councilmember, or email Matt Cano of Parks at matt.cano@sanjoseca.gov. 

            We will post updates on the wgna.net website.  For more information, check out www.CalSJ.org.

Helen Solinski

It’s that time again!  Please be responsible with your lawn signs.  Election signs may be displayed in connection with an election beginning on the first day after the opening of the nomination period for the election and continuing up to ten days after the date of election.  Signs are not allowed on public property, such as telephone, light poles and residential park strips.  If you have any questions you can reach the Department of Transportation at 408-535-3850 or check the City of San Jose's website for more information.  Election sign ordinance section #23.04.700.

Steve Kaylor

The Willow Glen Neighborhood Association (WGNA) has been around since 1973.  For over the past 30 years, our mission has been to focus on issues of neighborhood enhancement, safety and preservation.  We come together as neighbors to share ideas and create positive change and growth for the benefit of our lives, families and neighborhood.

In addition to providing a forum for community concerns and interests, WGNA has worked over the years for an informed and active electorate, sound planning and responsible government that will serve the residents of Willow Glen and the neighborhoods of San Jose.

With all of these great things going on, you may wonder ‘How can I get involved?’  We are active in such areas as Historic Preservation, Planning and Land Use, Traffic, Parks and Recreation and Airport Noise.  We also work with the Willow Glen Business Association to maintain the vitality of Downtown Willow Glen.  Our all-volunteer group can always use assistance in any of the above areas.  Take and active role and make Willow Glen a better place to live.  Help out with the upcoming Founders’ Day Parade, make you voice heard on Lincoln Ave parking issues or help out with some of the Willow Glen beautification projects.  You can make a difference and feel good about doing so.  Contact us at 408.294.WGNA, or drop us an email at Board@wgna.net.

Regular monthly Board meetings are held at 7 PM on the second Wednesday of each month at the Baptist Church on the corner of Minnesota and Hicks.  There are also two General Membership meetings each year; one in the fall and one in the spring.

For all of the latest happenings, be sure to check out www.wgna.net.

Larry Ames

Somehow, this has become a standard feature of the newsletter.  However, all of our regular contributors are apparently out on vacation, so I’ll give you one of my inventions this time.  (Send in your favorites for a future newsletter: email them to me at Larry@wgna.net).

            I periodically go visit my in-laws in Norway.  I find the food over there somewhat “pale”: boiled potatoes, cauliflower, codfish in a cream sauce, white-cake with whipped cream frosting and vanilla ice cream, and milk.

            This is not Norwegian food:

·         Combine in a rice cooker: 1 cup rice, 2 cup water, 1 tsp salt, and a dash of turmeric.   It takes about 20 minutes for the rice to cook: by the time it is done, everything else is also ready. 

·         Microwave defrost 3-4 frozen skinless, boneless chicken fillets

·         In a large skillet, sauté 1 large coarsely chopped onion in 1 Tbsp oil.  Add 1 red bell pepper, coarsely chopped.

·         Cut the defrosted chicken into cubes, toss in pan.  Microwave ½ cup of water with 2 chicken bouillon cubes.

·         Add 1 to 2 tsp minced garlic into onion/chicken.  Grate in about 1" of fresh gingerroot, add ~1 tsp (or more, to taste) oriental hot-sauce paste, plus fresh ground black pepper (to taste), and generous portion of fresh chopped cilantro (to taste). 

·         Add up to a cup of chunky peanut butter, a generous splash of soy sauce (~1 Tbsp), and the bouillon.  Cook.

·         Separately, finely chop some purple cabbage.

Serve on a plate: yellow rice, purple cabbage, and the spicy brown-and-red chicken.

Enjoy!

 

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