National Night Out 2022

National Night Out on August 2, 2022 at Bramhall Park                                Continue reading

Past Posts

PAST EVENTS:           As part of Willow Glen Neighborhood Association and CP Dev Davis's efforts to beautify our neighborhood, we are sponsoring a dumpster day on Saturday September 11, 2021 from 9am to 1pm.   Dev Davis's office is providing four 40 cubic yard mixed waste bins and one 20 cubic yard e-waste bin for Willow Glen residents. To participate you must currently reside in Willow Glen. Be prepared to show proof of residency via a driver's license or utility bill.   Please enter the event from Cherry Avenue.  Dumpsters will be placed along Dry Creek Road near the Willow Glen High School Baseball field. We will accept the following items: E-waste Cell phones or landline telephones Computers, laptops, tablets, or computer accessories Copiers, printers, or fax machines DVD or VCR players Stereos Televisions Video game consoles Old furniture, desks drawers, mattresses, box springs Counter tops, hardware, toilets, glass, carpet and padding Lumber, fencing, wood, logs Lawn mowers(fluids drained) Plastic toys Clean concrete, brick, cinder blocks rock Packaging styrofoam in a clear plastic bag We will not accept the following items: Fertilizer and Pesticides Fluorescent lightbulbs Gas cylinders and tanks Paint, solvent, and more Pharmaceuticals Automotive and cleaning products Tires Refrigerators No commercial waste, trailers over 4x8 will be turned away We need volunteers to help with this important event.  Volunteers will be allowed to dispose of their items first.   Please don't forget to wear your mask!             Link to Event Registration August 24, 2020 The City of San Jose General Plan Task Force voted on August 20th to start the process of eliminating single family zoning throughout all San Jose neighborhoods. This would allow the conversion of your neighbor's home from a single family house to a four-plex development. This is in addition to the two accessory dwelling units allowed under state law.    This would be allowed "by right", which means no community meetings or public hearings; instead on any given day a house would be demolished and construction would start on four to six units. This would result in families being outbid for a house against a profit-motivated buyer who would obtain a higher rate of return from renting or selling four to six units. This would forever change the character of our beloved neighborhoods throughout San Jose.  When residents bought a house on a block with similar houses the expectation was and is that it would remain that way, not that it would be converted to a four-plex.  Many of our streets are narrow and street parking may already be tight. Since California state law does not allow cities to limit the number of cars per dwelling, the result of this proposed change would increase the number of vehicles competing for street parking exponentially.  Before our neighborhoods are irreparably changed, San Jose should complete the existing Envision San Jose 2040 General Plan which shields neighborhoods and locates housing along transit corridors such as the approved developments on Meridian Ave of 233 low income housing units and 365 low income housing units on West San Carlos among others. Please join Council member Devora "Dev" Davis, Council member Pam Foley, and the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association by supporting the existing General Plan which preserves the character of our cherished neighborhoods.   Please act now to save our neighborhoods by completing this petition which will be sent to Mayor Sam Liccardo and San Jose City Council.  The petition can also be found on our website http://www.wgna.net/save_single_family_houses.     Due to COVID we are unable to host in-person meetings to share this information but hope to resume so in the future. Representing our Neighborhoods, Willow Glen Neighborhood Association Please consider becoming a member and following us on Facebook   References: WGNA Letter to City in Opposition to General Plan Task Force's Proposal Board Member Pierluigi Oliverio Mercury News Op-Ed   Proponents of eliminating single-family zoning from the task force that are marketing this concept as "Opportunity Housing": Sylvia Arenas, Councilmember City of San Jose District 8 Juan Estrada, District 5 United  Linda LeZotte, Boardmember Santa Clara Valley Water District Jessie Solis, Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Megan Fluke, Green Alliance Jeff Buchanan, South Bay Labor Council Luis Arguello, Union Local 270 Jesus Flores, District 5 representative Sam Ho, San Jose City College Shiloh Ballard, SV Bicycle Coalition Kevin Zwick,  Housing Trust Leslye Corsiglia, [email protected] Ray Bramson, District 7 representative Dave Bini, Building Trades Union Teresa Alvarado, SPUR Simina Patel, District 2 representative  Tamiko Rast, District 3 representative  Susan Graham, District 9 representative  Jason Su, Guadalupe River Park Conservancy Andre Luthard, PAC SJ Karl Lee, Chinese Realtors Association Vince Rocha, Silicon Valley Leadership Group (SVLG) Steven Solorio, AFSCME union         November 14. 2020  WGNA and Dev Davis Sponsored Dumpster Day funded by SJ Beautify Link to Event Registration https://www.wgna.net/wgna_dumpster                   August 24, 2020 The City of San Jose General Plan Task Force voted on August 20th to start the process of eliminating single family zoning throughout all San Jose neighborhoods. This would allow the conversion of your neighbor's home from a single family house to a four-plex development. This is in addition to the two accessory dwelling units allowed under state law.    This would be allowed "by right", which means no community meetings or public hearings; instead on any given day a house would be demolished and construction would start on four to six units. This would result in families being outbid for a house against a profit-motivated buyer who would obtain a higher rate of return from renting or selling four to six units. This would forever change the character of our beloved neighborhoods throughout San Jose.  When residents bought a house on a block with similar houses the expectation was and is that it would remain that way, not that it would be converted to a four-plex.  Many of our streets are narrow and street parking may already be tight. Since California state law does not allow cities to limit the number of cars per dwelling, the result of this proposed change would increase the number of vehicles competing for street parking exponentially.  Before our neighborhoods are irreparably changed, San Jose should complete the existing Envision San Jose 2040 General Plan which shields neighborhoods and locates housing along transit corridors such as the approved developments on Meridian Ave of 233 low income housing units and 365 low income housing units on West San Carlos among others. Please join Council member Devora "Dev" Davis, Council member Pam Foley, and the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association by supporting the existing General Plan which preserves the character of our cherished neighborhoods.   Please act now to save our neighborhoods by completing this petition which will be sent to Mayor Sam Liccardo and San Jose City Council.  The petition can also be found on our website http://www.wgna.net/save_single_family_houses. Due to COVID we are unable to host in-person meetings to share this information but hope to resume so in the future. Representing our Neighborhoods, Willow Glen Neighborhood Association Please consider becoming a member and following us on Facebook   References: WGNA Letter to City in Opposition to General Plan Task Force's Proposal Board Member Pierluigi Oliverio Mercury News Op-Ed   Proponents of eliminating single-family zoning from the task force that are marketing this concept as "Opportunity Housing": Sylvia Arenas, Councilmember City of San Jose District 8 Juan Estrada, District 5 United  Linda LeZotte, Boardmember Santa Clara Valley Water District Jessie Solis, Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Megan Fluke, Green Alliance Jeff Buchanan, South Bay Labor Council Luis Arguello, Union Local 270 Jesus Flores, District 5 representative Sam Ho, San Jose City College Shiloh Ballard, SV Bicycle Coalition Kevin Zwick,  Housing Trust Leslye Corsiglia, [email protected] Ray Bramson, District 7 representative Dave Bini, Building Trades Union Teresa Alvarado, SPUR Simina Patel, District 2 representative  Tamiko Rast, District 3 representative  Susan Graham, District 9 representative  Jason Su, Guadalupe River Park Conservancy Andre Luthard, PAC SJ Karl Lee, Chinese Realtors Association Vince Rocha, Silicon Valley Leadership Group (SVLG) Steven Solorio, AFSCME union   _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________  January 23, 2020 Thank you to everyone who participated in our first public meeting of 2020.  We had a great turnout, over 80 people last night! WGNA wants to give a special thank you to guest speakers SJPD Chief Garcia and Lt. Steve Donohue Badge# 3699 as well as D6 Councilwoman Dev Davis who spoke on crime trends in our community, policing efforts, crime prevention, neighborhood watch and the status of SJPD.  They also answered pressing questions from our members about public safety. Check out NBC News coverage of the meeting. We are also working on posting a video of the meeting.  Crime and safety is an important focus for the new board of WGNA. We recently spoke to the Mercury News regarding our concerns about crime in Willow Glen.   Also a special thank you to Ruben Navarro, candidate for D6 council, who spoke to the crowd about his candidacy.  Finally, a special thank you to West Coast Beef Company for their generous donations of food (Roast Beef sandwiches) that the crowd really enjoyed.  Long time and much appreciated sponsor, Zanottos donated water. We also appreciate our District 9 Councilperson Pam Foley attending our meeting and telling us about the security camera rebate program in her district.  We look forward to seeing you at all our next public meeting in April. Please visit our Meetings page for updates.   BUY YOUR MEMBERSHIP NOW! We have some exciting news about our WGNA Memberships.  With any one year membership purchase, you will receive a 2020 Willow Glen Card which gives you some great discounts at local businesses.  Please visit our membership page for more information and to buy your membership. As an added bonus, if you purchase a $50 two year household membership, you will receive the Willow Glen Touring Book. Three Creeks Trail Clean-up  The 3 Creeks Trail is a busy walking/biking/running pathway in Willow Glen.  This will be the first volunteer clean-up of the new trail, so please join us as we trim back lots of ivy growth, clean up the iris garden, cut suckers and pull a few weeds that are popping up!   There is a lot of work, so bring a friend and make a difference!    Date: Saturday, November 23, 2019  Time Registration: 8:45 AM Kick-Off: 9:00 AM Project Complete: 12:00 noon  Meeting Location 3 Creeks Trail at Broadway Avenue [just east of Lincoln in Willow Glen]    Parking There is free parking on the residential streets. Please be careful not to park in a driveway.  All tools and supplies provided, including work gloves.  We will be working on the entire trail, from Coe to Minnesota.  Please:  +++Wear closed-toe shoes  +++Bring a filled water bottle  +++A hat and sunscreen are recommended    The event goes on: rain or shine!  Teens: Earn your community service hours at this event!  Families: Begin the holiday season by volunteering together, for just a few hours!    This event is sponsored by the City of San Jose, Parks, Recreation & Neighborhood Services, along with Save Our Trails  There is no pre-registration, simply show-up and help-out!  Questions? Please email [email protected] or text/call (408) 595-3483  Thanks and we hope to see you there! Bill Rankin, Chair, Save Our Trails http://www.saveourtrails-scc.org/ WGNA Open House Meeting — Thursday, October 24, 2019   GOOGLE MIXED-USE FRAMEWORK PROPOSED PLAN forWEST DOWNTOWN SAN JOSE The Next WGNA Open House Meeting — Thursday, October 24, 2019, 7 p.m. Presentation by the Google team on their Google Mixed-use Framework Proposed Plan (Downtown West development at Diridon Station Area) District 6 City Council Candidate Marshall A. Woodmansee Introduction The unveiling of The Willow Glen Discount Card Mini Redwood Forest project in Willow Glen Google Downtown West Project Description: ℹ️ The Downtown West Mixed-Use Project proposes construction of approximately 6,500,000 gross square feet (GSF) of office space (with a maximum of 7,300,000 GSF), including approximately 1,000,000 GSF on the previously entitled San Jose Water Company Building site east of Los Gatos Creek; approximately 300,000 GSF event space; hotel use and limited-term corporate accommodations; on-site utilities and approximately 15 acres of publicly-accessible open space.   See here for the Meeting Agenda on October 24th.    MEETING LOCATION Willow Community Center2175 Lincoln AvenueSan Jose, CA 95113(See Google Maps Directions here) WGNA's open house Monthly Meetings are typically held on the fourth Thursday of the month.   More info on our previous meetings and activities...   WGNA ELECTORAL CANDIDATES' FORUM — California Senate, District 15 The Willow Glen Neighborhood Association hosted a nonpartisan forum to introduce the candidates for the District 15 Senate seat in the upcoming 2020 election. See a VIDEO of the forum here, directing off-site on YouTube.  Opening comments for the forum are in a separate video, here. Candidates for this event included: Nora Campos https://www.noracamposforsenate.com/ Dave Cortese https://davecortese.com/ Tim Gildersleeve http://www.alternativevoiceforcalifornia.org/ Johnny Khamis https://www.johnnykhamis.com/english-1 Ann Ravel https://ravelforca.com/   About the California State Senate — 15th District Senate District 15 is comprised of 950,000 residents and encompasses a large portion of Santa Clara County, stretching from Cupertino east to Mount Hamilton and from Los Gatos north to San Jose’s Alum Rock District. The cities of Cupertino, Los Gatos, Campbell, Saratoga, Monte Sereno, and the San Jose communities of Willow Glen, Almaden, Evergreen, East San Jose, and Downtown are included within the district. The district also contains vast rural expanses of unincorporated areas that extend to the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Stanislaus County border. District 15 is currently represented by Jim Beall, who has served from the year 2012 to the present. Beall's term ends in the year 2020, whereas one of the above candidates will become our new state senator. See the regular map of the district See the zoom map, focusing on San Jose.     URBAN LIVING SERIES: "CRANE WATCH WILLOW GLEN" — SEPTEMBER 2019 WGNA's last open house monthly meeting was held on September 26, 2019, at the Willow Glen Community Center.  The presentation included the fourth part of our “Urban Living" series, "Crane Watch Willow Glen", a discussion about new real estate developments in Willow Glen.  Project updates were given for The Ohlone condominiums and mixed-use development; Tamien Station, a transit-Oriented Development (TOD); Park and Laurel, an affordable transit-Oriented development; Page Street Development affordable housing; and other misc. local developments.  See our news (blog) feature for more information.  See the Meeting Agenda for September 2019, here. Topic series: Urban Ecology; Urban Design & Vision/Planning WGNA's ADDRESS ON HOMELESSNESS CONTINUES... A previous WGNA Monthy Meeting in June 2019 featured two guest speakers and an open forum with public comments and discussion.Starting at 7:05 p.m., guest speaker Jonathan Fleming (returning guest) spoke on Laura’s Law, AB 47, AB 57, and AB 109.Next, at 7:15 p.m., DeAnna McNeal Mirzadegan, a neighborhood resident, spoke about a petition for a homeless encampment at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds. From 7:25 p.m to 8:25 p.m, an open forum, and public comments were heard on the homeless, needs for transitional housing, crime and safety, addiction and health, impacts on the environment, and the state of the city.A full hour was given to the WGNA Board, membership, and the open community to discuss and understand the issues related to homelessness, transitional housing, crime, and addiction, as well as the impacts on residential quality of life, the environment, the economy, social services, etc. There should be no "assumed" conflation on any of these matters. They are not necessarily all one and the same. SAN JOSÉ CLEAN ENERGY PROGRAM & INITIATIVES — MAY 2019 Presentation (viewable online, PDF format): San José Clean Energy program and initiatives.Speaker: Kate Ziemba, Senior Public Information Representative, San José Clean Energy (SJCE), City of San Jose; joined with Todd WebberSummary: San José Clean Energy, or SJCE, is the City of San José’s new electricity supplier—charting our path to a greener future. We are the Community Energy department of the City of San José, dedicated to creating a more sustainable future for our community and future generations. SJCE plays a crucial role in Climate Smart San José, the city’s climate action plan. The San José City Council unanimously voted to create SJCE in May 2017, and we began serving residents and businesses in February 2019. Topic series: Urban Ecology; Urban Design & Vision/Planning   PLANED FIRE STATION #37 in WILLOW GLEN — MARCH 2019 The last open house meeting of the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association was a Town Hall Meeting with a panel discussion on issues relating to the San Jose Fire Department's proposal to build the new fire station #37 in Willow Glen, long planned on the site near the community center on Lincoln and Curtner Avenues.   The panel members will include San José Fire Chief Robert Sapien, Jr.; Councilmember Pam Foley, District 9 (South Willow Glen); and Councilmember Dev Davis, District 6 (Central Willow Glen). Additionally, we had a chat on the San Jose Fire Museum in downtown San Jose, with its mission on educating the public about the history of the San Jose Fire Department.  

October 2020 Meeting

October 2019 Meeting

    GOOGLE MIXED-USE FRAMEWORK PROPOSED PLAN forWEST DOWNTOWN SAN JOSE The Next WGNA Open House Meeting — Thursday, October 24, 2019, 7 p.m. Presentation by the Google team on their Google Mixed-use Framework Proposed Plan (Downtown West development at Diridon Station Area) District 6 City Council Candidate Marshall A. Woodmansee Introduction The unveiling of The Willow Glen Discount Card Mini Redwood Forest project in Willow Glen Google Downtown West Project Description: ℹ️ The Downtown West Mixed-Use Project proposes construction of approximately 6,500,000 gross square feet (GSF) of office space (with a maximum of 7,300,000 GSF), including approximately 1,000,000 GSF on the previously entitled San Jose Water Company Building site east of Los Gatos Creek; approximately 300,000 GSF event space; hotel use and limited-term corporate accommodations; on-site utilities and approximately 15 acres of publicly-accessible open space.   MEETING LOCATION Willow Community Center2175 Lincoln AvenueSan Jose, CA 95113(See Google Maps Directions here) WGNA's open house Monthly Meetings are typically held on the fourth Thursday of the month.  

Safe Routes "Walk to School" 2019

NATIONAL SAFE ROUTES "WALK TO SCHOOL DAY" RETURNS THIS 16th OCTOBER 2019 IN WILLOW GLEN On Wednesday 16 October 2018 at 7:00 a.m., students, parents, and teachers will meet together in celebrating "Walk to School Day".  A morning reception will be hosted before we continue to our respective schools.  Meet at the Bank of America Parking Lot on Lincoln Avenue at 1245 Lincoln Ave, San Jose, CA 95125 (see Google map here). The program and events are free of cost to all the participants. Participating schools include Willow Glen Elementary School; River Glen K-8 Two-Way Immersion School; Ernesto Galarza Elementary; Hammer Montessori School, and others. All students in any of the other nearby schools are invited to participate, such as Blackford, Booksin, Gardner, Schallenberger, and Washington. Also, private schools BASIS, Sacred Heart Nativity School, San Jose Christian School, and Valley Christian. Team mascots appear, including "Q" of San Jose Earthquakes, "Gigante" of San Francisco Giants/ San Jose Giants, and "Stomper" of Oakland Athletics.  Area students and families are invited to participate, along with other area dignitaries.   We have snacks and giveaways for the participants. Stakeholders for a Safe Green Village sponsors and organizes our annual National Safe Routes to School“Walk to School Day”. Co-sponsors include Willow Glen Neighborhood Association - WGNA and other groups.  Seasonally, every year, Walk to School Day returns in the autumn, and Bike to School month returns in the spring (usually May). Through the year, and as part of the celebrations, students at our elementary schools receive bicycles, helmets, and razor scooters. Join children & adults around the world to celebrate the benefits of walking: Encouraging a child’s next stage of independence Physical activity Teaching safe pedestrian & bicycling skills to children Awareness of how walkable & bikeable community improvements can be made Concern for the environment Reducing traffic congestion, pollution & speed near schools Sharing time with community leaders, parents & children Creating joy and fun! Promoting psychological well-being and alertness Fostering maturation and responsibility Creating habits of activity, empowerment and thinking differently    

September 2019 Meeting

WGNA's Next Open House monthly meeting will be held on September 26, 2019, at the Willow Glen Community Center (2175 Lincoln Avenue).  A presentation will be made about the fourth part of our “Urban Living" series, "Crane Watch Willow Glen", a discussion about new real estate developments in Willow Glen.  Project updates will be given on... The Ohlone  Condominiums and mixed-use development 800 units Developer: Green Republic LLLP Tamien Station Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) 569 units (24% affordable) Developer: UrbanCo Tamien LLC Park and Laurel Affordable Transit-Oriented Development Laurel – 82 family units, Park – 100 senior units Developer: Santa Clara County, Housing Authority Page Street Development Affordable housing 81 studio apartments Developer: Charities Housing Misc. Local Developments   Continue reading

Candidates Forum 2019

WGNA Electoral Candidates Forum — Candidates' Forum for the California Senate, District 15       The Willow Glen Neighborhood Association is hosting this nonpartisan forum to introduce the candidates for the District 15 Senate seat in the upcoming 2020 election. The format of the event will be equal time Q&A with time for audience questions at the end. Confirmed candidates for this event are: Nora Campos https://www.noracamposforsenate.com/ Dave Cortese https://davecortese.com/ Tim Gildersleeve http://www.alternativevoiceforcalifornia.org/ Johnny Khamis https://www.johnnykhamis.com/english-1 Ann Ravel https://ravelforca.com/   Date & Time Thursday 17 October 2019 at 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM Location Starlite Banquet Facility, 680 Minnesota Avenue, San Jose, CA 95125 Directions See the Google map and get directions to the site here RSVP & volunteer (online) On the WGNA website http://www.wgna.net/event_registration Or offsite through Eventbrite    About the California State Senate — 15th District Senate District 15 is comprised of 950,000 residents and encompasses a large portion of Santa Clara County, stretching from Cupertino east to Mount Hamilton and from Los Gatos north to San Jose’s Alum Rock District. The cities of Cupertino, Los Gatos, Campbell, Saratoga, Monte Sereno, and the San Jose communities of Willow Glen, Almaden, Evergreen, East San Jose, and Downtown are included within the district. The district also contains vast rural expanses of unincorporated areas that extend to the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Stanislaus County border. District 15 is currently represented by Jim Beall, who has served from the year 2012 to the present. Beall's term ends in the year 2020, whereas one of the above candidates will become our new state senator. See the regular map of the district See the zoom map, focusing on San Jose. ONLINE VIEWING  (posted Friday, 18 October 2019, the day after the event) See a VIDEO of the forum here, directing off-site on YouTube.  Opening comments for the forum are in a separate video, here.     Continue reading

National Night Out — August 6, 2019

  JOIN US ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 6th for NATIONAL NIGHT OUT 2019 The event returns to Willow Glen at our usual location, the Willow Glen Creamery, at the Willow Glen Town Square on the corner of Lincoln Avenue and Willow Street. Thanks to the creamery and frozen yogurt shop, free ice cream will be offered to every guest that participates, 6:30 to 8:00 PM. The Willow Glen Neighborhood Association will be organizing the event with our co-host. National Night Out is a national program (trademarked) by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW). It occurs annually on the first Tuesday of August. NATW describes the event as "an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live." Millions of neighbors take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities from all fifty states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities, and military bases worldwide Coordinated by local police departments and grassroots organizers in every city across the United States, this is a community-based event with the purpose of awareness-raising, partnership, and neighborhood development. In agreement with National Night out themes, WGNA regularly addresses issues related to public health and safety (police, fire, emergency response, coverage areas, public welfare, etc.). We frequently invite guest speakers from the San Jose Police Department on the topic of neighborhood watch, and other anti-crime efforts." National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances." Continue reading

June 2019 Meeting

  The next WGNA Monthy Meeting for June 2019 will feature two guest speakers and an open forum with public comments and discussion.Starting at 7:05 p.m., guest speaker Jonathan Fleming (returning guest) will speak on Laura’s Law, AB 47, AB 57, and AB 109. Next, at 7:15 p.m., DeAnna McNeal Mirzadegan, a neighborhood resident, will speak about a petition for a homeless encampment at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds. From 7:25 p.m to 8:25 p.m, an open forum, and public comments will be heard on the homeless, needs for transitional housing, crime and safety, addiction and health, impacts on the environment, and the state of the city.A full hour will be given to the WGNA Board, membership, and the open community to discuss and understand the issues related to homelessness, transitional housing, crime, and addiction, as well as the impacts on residential quality of life, the environment, the economy, social services, etc. There should be no "assumed" conflation on any of these matters. They are not necessarily all one and the same.   Continue reading

New The New 2019-2020 WGNA Board

The New 2019-2020 WGNA Board — Results from the WGNA Annual Board Meeting & Election On Thursday 23 May 2019, the Annual Board Meeting & Election for the 2018-2019 term was completed.  The incumbent WGNA Board President, Elizabeth Estensen, will continue for a second term that starts June 1, 2019, to May 31, 2020.  Konstantin Voronin, incumbent First Vice President, and Rod Brittner, incumbent Second Vice President, will also serve a second term within that same duration.The new WGNA Treasurer will be Mitchell Ehrlich as of June 1, 2019.  Archie Moore completes his term as Treasurer on May 31, 2019, and will continue as a regular board member and director.The new WGNA Secretary will be Kathleen Almoslino as of June 1, 2019.  Silvia Filipponi completes her term as Secretary on May 31, 2019, and will continue as a regular board member and director.To see the rest of the new board officers, directors, and the Nominating Committee, click here to open the attached PDF document.  The new term for all Board Members and the Nominating Committee begins June 1, 2019, and continues to May 31, 2020. Annual Meeting & Election poster:  see a PDF version of the document here.  For the JPEG version, see here. WGNA bylaws at http://www.wgna.net/by_laws_and_policies WGNA News (blog) page at http://www.wgna.net/news;or see the specific news entry for on the Annual Meeting & Election at http://www.wgna.net/annual_meeting_2019 The slate of candidates for the Annual Meeting & Election in PDF document format here.For the JPEG version, see here. Agenda for the Annual Meeting & Election on May 23, 2019, in PDF format document here. Election Ballot — Annual Meeting & Election Ballot for May 23, 2019 (Membership Elected – Nominating Committee Recommendations) here (PDF format). Announcement of the new 2019 – 2020 WGNA Officers, Board Members & Nominating Committee: see the attached PDF document here. For the JPEG version, see here To see a copy of the meeting agendas, see our web page at Meetings > Meeting Agendas and then click the link for that month. This provides a document in PDF format that can be viewed online, as well as printed.  Agendas are posted once we come closer to the meeting date.  

WGNA Slate of Candidates for 2019-2020; Annual Meeting & Election

  DAY of the ANNUAL MEETING & ELECTION: Candidates will be elected at WGNA’s Annual Membership Meeting on May 23, 2019, at Willow Glen Community Center from 7:00 to 9:00 pm.   See a PDF version of the above poster here.  For the JPEG version, see here. See the complete WGNA bylaws at http://www.wgna.net/by_laws_and_policies See the News (blog) page at http://www.wgna.net/news;or the specific news entry at http://www.wgna.net/annual_meeting_2019 See the slate of candidates, PDF document format here For the JPEG version, see here. See the meeting Agenda for the Annual Meeting & Election on May 23, 2019 in PDF format document here. See the Election Ballot — Annual Meeting & Election Ballot for May 23, 2019 (Membership Elected – Nominating Committee Recommendations) here (PDF format). To see a copy of the meeting agendas, see our web page at Meetings > Meeting Agendas and then click the link for that month. This provides a document in PDF format that can be viewed online, as well as printed.  Agendas are posted once we come closer to the meeting date.     MEETING LOCATION Willow Community Center 2175 Lincoln Avenue San Jose, CA 95113 Continue reading

Annual Membership Meeting & Election, May 2019

Annual Membership Meeting and Election Thursday 23 May 2019 at 7:00 p.m. The Nominating Committee of the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association (WGNA) is seeking candidates for the 2019-2020 term of Board Officers, Directors, and Nominating Committee members. Candidates will be elected at WGNA’s Annual Membership Meeting on May 23, 2019, at Willow Glen Community Center from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Any member meeting the qualification for office who has submitted a statement of interest to the Nominating Committee in the announced time frame (as scheduled in the below) shall be included on the ballot. All WGNA Board candidates must be current WGNA members, and Officer Candidates are required to be members for at least 1 year prior to the Annual Meeting and Election. Candidates must agree with the WGNA Bylaws, Values, Non-Discrimination and Conflict of Interest and Policies  Schedule & Procedures REQUEST APPLICATION: Interested candidates must request an application from the Nominating Committee by the deadline on Saturday, May 11, 2019, at noon (12 o’clock daytime).  Submit requests by email to [email protected] SUBMIT APPLICATION: complete and sign the application to the WGNA Nominating Committee by the deadline on Sunday, May 12, 2019, at noon (12 o’clock daytime), and send it to [email protected] Provide contact information and be prepared to answer questions like: Why you are interested in being a Board member? What experience and skills can you offer? Which committees, activities, and events would you like to be involved? Why? What ideas do you have to improve programs, address public issues, engaging communications to the community? REVIEW of APPLICATIONS & CANDIDATES: Any member meeting the qualification for office who has submitted a statement of interest to the Nominating Committee within the announced time frame shall be included in the ballot.  The WGNA Nominating Committee will meet and review all the applications and determine if the applicants have met all the qualifications for the position for which they are applying on the WGNA Board or the Nominating Committee. PUBLISHING of BALLOTS, & CASTING VOTES : The 2019-2020 ballots will be posted online at WGNA.net or emailed to the membership on Tuesday, May 14, 2019, and must be returned by email to the Nominating Committee at [email protected] by the deadline on Thursday, May 23, 2019, at noon (12 o’clock daytime); or the voting membership can deliver their ballot to the Nominating Committee by the deadline of 7:30 pm on May 23, 2019, on the site of the Annual Membership Meeting. “Proxy voting shall not be permitted on any manner put to vote of Board or membership.” per the WGNA bylaws. DAY of the ANNUAL MEETING & ELECTION: Candidates will be elected at WGNA’s Annual Membership Meeting on May 23, 2019, at Willow Glen Community Center from 7:00 to 9:00 pm.   See a PDF version of the above poster here.  For the JPEG version, see here. See the complete WGNA bylaws at http://www.wgna.net/by_laws_and_policies See the News (blog) page at http://www.wgna.net/news;or the specific news entry at http://www.wgna.net/annual_meeting_2019 See the slate of candidates, PDF document format here For the JPEG version, see here. See the meeting Agenda for the Annual Meeting & Election on May 23, 2019 in PDF format document here. See the Election Ballot — Annual Meeting & Election Ballot for May 23, 2019 (Membership Elected – Nominating Committee Recommendations) here (PDF format). To see a copy of the meeting agendas, see our web page at Meetings > Meeting Agendas and then click the link for that month. This provides a document in PDF format that can be viewed online, as well as printed.  Agendas are posted once we come closer to the meeting date.   Continue reading

April 2019 Meeting

' JOIN US ON THE NEXT WGNA MEETING FOR APRIL 2019:HOMELESSNESS, HEALTH & SAFETY, THE ENVIRONMENT, & THE GUADALUPE RIVER Date: Thursday at 7 pm on 25 April 2019Location: Willow Glen Community Center, located at 2175 Lincoln Ave.San Jose, CA 95125 (between Malone Rd. & Curtner Ave.)   PANEL DISCUSSION: — Santa Clara County Supervisor Dave Cortese — San Jose Police Captain Heather Randol — San Jose Neighborhood Leaders from Council Districts 3, 6, 7 & 9   COMMUNITY RESPONSE & TALKING POINTS   Engage and participate, give us your feedback on   — Homeless encampments, and the neglected population — Opioid Epidemic, and the effects of substance abuse — Fire damages to natural brush, woodlands, and city infrastructure — Gangs, loitering, and criminal activities — Urban ecology and the spread of biohazards — Blight on residences, business, and economic development — Financial buildup on taxpayers and enterprise   #WGNAsj #SanJoseCA #WillowGlen   Continue reading

Safe Routes "Bike to School" Month, May 2019

  Seasonally, every year, Bike to School month returns in the spring (usually May), and Walk to School Day returns in the autumn. Stakeholders for a Safe Green Village sponsors and organizes our annual National Center for Safe Routes to School"Bike to School" activities, the next occurring in May 2019.  Co-sponsors include Willow Glen Neighborhood Association - WGNA and other groups. Through the year, and as part of the celebrations, students at our elementary schools receive bicycles, helmets, and razor scooters. This national event is organized locally by Stakeholders for a Safe Green Village in partnership with the National Center for Safe Routes to School.  Our regular co-sponsor is the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association - WGNA. WHO: PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS for the Willow Glen event include: Willow Glen ElementaryRiver Glen School K-8Ernesto Galarza & Hammer MontessoriGardner Academy and Washington Elementary Join children & adults around the world to celebrate the benefits of biking and walking to school: Encouraging a child’s next stage of independence Physical activity Teaching safe pedestrian & bicycling skills to children Awareness of how walkable & bikeable community improvements can be made Concern for the environment Reducing traffic congestion, pollution & speed near schools Sharing time with community leaders, parents & children Creating joy and fun! Promoting psychological well-being and alertness Fostering maturation and responsibility Creating habits of activity, empowerment and thinking differently

SCVWD & City of San Jose Forgo the Relocation of Hope Village to Willow & Lelong Streets

UPDATE as of  Monday 18 March 2019 The Hope Village Relocation to Willow & Lelong Streets was defeated on Monday 18 March 2019.In a meeting at Gardner Community Center that evening (7:00 PM), Councilmember Dev Davis and Mayor Liccardo announced that a decision at the Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD) earlier that afternoon (3:00 PM) would prevent the use of this site for a homeless encampment.  The relocation project had also received tremendous disapproval by area residents and stakeholders.Subsequent meetings on the topic of the Hope Village Relocation to Willow Glen have since been canceled. WGNA Issues Position Paper onHope Village Relocation to Willow & Lelong Streets SUBJECT: WGNA Position Paper opposing the Hope Village Relocation Proposal at the site of Willow and Lelong Streets. TO: Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD) OUR POSITION: The Willow Glen Neighborhood Association (WGNA) strongly urges the Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD) to deny the requested permit and the use of this site for Hope Village or any similar homeless transitional housing projects.   See the position paper here in PDF document form.     Continue reading

WGNA Position on Hope Village Relocation

WGNA Issues Position Paper onHope Village Relocation to Willow & Lelong Streets SUBJECT: WGNA Position Paper opposing the Hope Village Relocation Proposal at the site of Willow and Lelong Streets. TO: Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD) OUR POSITION: The Willow Glen Neighborhood Association (WGNA) strongly urges the Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD) to deny the requested permit and the use of this site for Hope Village or any similar homeless transitional housing projects.   See the position paper here in PDF document form.     Continue reading

March 2019 Meeting

Next WGNA Meeting for Thursday 28 March 2019, 7:00 PM The next open house meeting of the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association will be a Town Hall Meeting with a panel discussion on issues relating to the San Jose Fire Department's proposal to build the new fire station #37 in Willow Glen, long planned on the site near the community center on Lincoln and Curtner Avenues.   The panel members will include San José Fire Chief Robert Sapien, Jr.; Councilmember Pam Foley, District 9 (South Willow Glen); and Councilmember Dev Davis, District 6 (Central Willow Glen).Additionally, we will have a chat on the San Jose Fire Museum in downtown San Jose, with its mission on educating the public about the history of the San Jose Fire Department.We will be updating this page with more information on this meeting, so please stay in touch. Continue reading

Hope Village Relocation Meeting with WGNA

 * * * UPDATE: as of Monday 18 March 2019 * * * The Hope Village Relocation to Willow & Lelong Streets was defeated on Monday 18 March 2019.In a meeting at Gardner Community Center later that evening (7:00 PM), Councilmember Dev Davis and Mayor Liccardo announced that a decision at the Santa Clara Valley Water District earlier that afternoon (3:00 PM) would prevent the use of this site.  The relocation project had also received tremendous disapproval by area residents and stakeholders.Subsequent meetings on the topic of the Hope Village Relocation to Willow Glen have since been canceled.   Tomorrow night's meeting on Wednesday 13 March is hosted by Willow Glen Neighborhood Association - WGNA at the Elk's lodge.It's an open house meeting, whereas the city councilmembers, county supervisors, representatives, and departments are invited to attend and speak. The WGNA Board has encouraged Councilmember Dev Davis to participate along with all of the stakeholders in our community in an open house forum. As a resident, if this issue is important to you, and you cannot get a reserved seat in the city-sponsored meeting on March 20th, nor a confirmation for the second meeting on the unsaid date, then you are encouraged to attend Wednesday's meeting organized by WGNA and the Elk's Lodge on March 13th. Per the City of San Jose's flier, the Hope Village Relocation project is still considered a "proposal" at the Willow & Lelong Street locations; so, we would like to give residents the opportunity to review the issues, express their concerns, and speak out on what they think is important. That also includes the voice of, and the particular interests directly relating to, the homeless in our community. See WGNA's Facebook page at Willow Glen Neighborhood Association - WGNA, as well as here on WGNA.net.Questions or other matters, please email [email protected] and your message will be forwarded to the board.   Continue reading

February 2019 Meeting

Next WGNA Meeting for Wednesday 13 February 2019, 7:00 PM The next open house meeting of the Willow Glen Neighbmeeting of Willow Glen Neighborhood Association will be at the Willow Glen Community Center (2175 Lincoln Avenue, between Malone Rd. & Curtner Avenue. The meeting will begin with a brief review and update of issues by the 2019-2020 Legislative Session by the staff from California Senator Jim Beall's office in the 15th District. The second part of the meeting will include several updates on the Diridon Station Area and the Diridon Integrated Station Concept Plan, a collaborative effort to redesign and expand the station.  The four partner agencies working together on the Concept Plan include the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA), Caltrain, Santa Clara County's Valley Transit Authority (VTA), and the City of San José. In the past, WGNA has also hosted meetings on the Google/Diridon Station Area Plan (DSAP), whereas we will continue to expand on that topic here.  Google is working on an application for a master plan development, and the City of San José is preparing to review their application in conjunction with an update to the DSAP.  Leading the discussion will be Lori Severino, Civic Engagement Program Manager for the city's DSAP.       Continue reading

January 2019 Meeting

NEXT WGNA & UNSCC MEETING —  Caltrain Modernization Program" or "CalMod" Wednesday 09 January 2019   NEXT WGNA MEETING on the Caltrain Modernization Program" or "CalMod", including its electrification and system upgrades. This meeting is sponsored by UNSCC-United Neighborhoods of Santa Clara County.   DATE & TIME: Wednesday 09 January 2019 at 7:00 PM.   LOCATION: Gardner Community Center, 520 W. Virginia Street, San Jose, CA 95125 (Two blocks from Bird Avenue)   United Neighborhoods is sponsoring - CalTrain San Jose Electrification’s first public meeting where Caltrain representatives will answer questions about how this affects your neighborhood, homes, and businesses.   We expect a large audience since blended Caltrain - High-Speed Rail system specific details are still being incomplete.   They will discuss Overview, Plans and Construction Timelines for 880 - Diridon, Diridon - Tamien and Monterey Road Sections, which potentially will have the greatest impact on San Jose neighborhoods.   Please submit your concise detailed questions to [email protected] by 6 PM on Sunday, Jan 6, 2019. We will forward a summary of all submitted questions to CalTrain on Monday morning, so they can be well prepared to answer your submitted questions.   You can submit questions at the meeting but questions submitted at public meetings many times are not fully answered since the presenter did not anticipate your questions or have an appropriate public answer.   What Affects One Neighborhood Affects Us All.   #SanJoseCA #WillowGlen #CalTrain #UNSCC #WGNAsj Note that WGNA meetings typically occur on the second Thursday of the month.  This meeting occurs on Wednesday. SEE THE AGENDA OF RECEIVED QUESTIONS from the public (as of Tuesday 08 January 2019): click here. For a review or download of the WGNA Board Meeting Agenda, please see the dedicated page at http://www.wgna.net/meeting_agendas   Continue reading