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.  

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    

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

  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

  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

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.  

  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 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

' 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

  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

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 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

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

 * * * 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

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

Holiday Lights Tour Join Stakeholders for a Safe Green Village on Wednesday, 19 December, 4:30 - 8:00 PM for the annual Holiday Lights Tour - 2018 for the Christmas in the Park and the Fantasy of Lights, Vasona Park in Los Gatos.  We invite you to join fellow neighborhood seniors on an escorted bus tour and walkthrough of Christmas in the Parkin downtown San Jose; and a bus tour through the Fantasy of Lights at Vasona Park.  Holiday Feast & Socialstarts at 3:30 PM. All Activities should finish by 8:00 PM. Participating residentsof The Village of Willow Glen; Summercrest; and Sienna senior living facilities. Escorted by docents. Charter buses board promptly at 4:30 pm from the Village of Willow Glen, 465 Willow Glen Way, San Jose, CA 95125.  Meet at the Village of Willow Glen Co-sponsors with Archie's Army include Archie's Army, Inc. - San Jose; Willow Glen Neighborhood Association - WGNA; Martha's Kitchen; Stakeholders for a Safe Green Village. Please contact us to RSVP.