WGNA is currently planning for the annual Bike to School Day, now scheduled for Wednesday 10 - Friday 12 May 2017 (depending on the school).  This is part of the National Safe Routes to School program, which is coordinated locally by Stakeholders for a Safe Green Village with the partnership of Willow Glen Neighborhood Association and other neighborhood sponsors. WGNA has participated in the program since the year 2010 with other groups like Willow Glen Lions Club. Participating schools are to include Willow Glen Elementary School; River Glen School K-8 School; Ernesto Galarza Elementary School; Hammer Montessori Elementary (at Hammer); and possibly other schools.   #BikeToSchool #SafeRoutes  #Bicycle #WillowGlen #SanJose #WalktoSchool #SafeRoutesToSchool  #WGNA #WGNASJ #StakeholdersSGV BicycleWG  #SJUSD #WillowGlenElementary #RiverGlenSchool #ErnestoGalarzaElementary #HammerMontesori

UPDATE to the original article: The Annual General Meeting and Board Election for the 2017-2018 term are being rescheduled for Thursday 25 May 2017, but a Nominating Committee Report was made by Ed Rast, Chairperson at the 11 May 2017 monthly meeting.  The guest presentation by Don Weden had continued as planned.  (Last edited on Thursday 11 May 2017 at 11:37 pm). The next WGNA Board Meeting is scheduled on Thursday 11 May 2017, and this will include the Annual General Meeting and Board Election for the 2017-2018 term. [Edited: see update in the above] Please join us at the Willow Glen branch of the San Jose Public Library, inside the Community Room at 1157 Minnesota Avenue.   Guest speaker Don Weden will make a presentation on the topic of "Change, Growth, & Planning: Envisioning Santa Clara County 3.0." "Santa Clara County is entering a new era in its physical development, driven by major demographic, economic, environmental, and geographic forces. It is becoming a more urban place. Our population is projected to grow by about 300,000 people in just the next 15 years – the equivalent of adding two more Sunnyvales. The vast majority of that growth will be accommodated within existing urban areas, bringing major changes, challenges, and opportunities. In addition, 2/3 of that growth is projected to occur in the 65 and older age group, as the Baby Boomers age. By 2030, 1/4 of our adult population will be 65+ and our county’s population will be the oldest it has ever been. That dramatic aging of our population will bring many challenges, including pressures for changes in our automobile-dependent land use patterns and the need for a wider array of housing and mobility choices. Maintaining our quality of life, while adapting to these major changes will require responsible, visionary local land use planning – and community attitudes that support well-planned, appropriately-located, higher-density new development." More information will be made available at WGNA.net, including the next meeting agenda and Walk to School information. Also, follow us on Facebook and Twitter (see the menu for "Social Networking" on the right side of this page)#WillowGlen #SanJose #UrbanDesign #UrbanPlanning #WGNA #SantaClaraCounty  #WGNASJ

  The next WGNA Board Meeting is scheduled on Thursday 13 April 2017 PUBLIC SAFETY & CARE SERVICES will be the topic of our guest speakers and panel discussion at the next WGNA Board Meeting, scheduled on Thursday 13 April 2017. PANEL DISCUSSION will include Eddie Garcia, Police Chief, SJPD; Curtis Jacobson, Fire Chief, SJFD; the San Jose Neighborhood Commission, and others. Members of the panel will make a presentation and discuss items such as the Evans Lane Housing Project; Planned Fire Station #37; Emergency Response Times, and other quality of life issues. Please join us at the Willow Glen branch of the San Jose Public Library, inside the Community Room, at 1157 Minnesota Avenue. #WillowGlen #SanJose #SJPD #SJFD #Police #Fire #Homeless #Emergency911 #EmergencyResponse #WGNA #WillowGlenCares #PublicSafety #EvansLane Please join us at the Willow Glen branch of the San Jose Public Library, inside the Community Room, at 1157 Minnesota Avenue. More information will be made available at WGNA.net, including the next meeting agenda and Walk to School information. Also, follow us on Facebook and Twitter (see the menu for "Social Networking" on the right side of this page)

SLIDE PRESENTATION FROM THE LAST WGNA BOARD & MEMBERSHIP MEETING NOW ONLINE See the tab for "Meetings" atop this home page and pull down to select "Presentations".  You will then see the presentation for Thursday 09 March 2017 in addition to several others. The last meeting featured guest speakers from Kim Walesh's office, Deputy City Manager & Director of Economic Development for the City of San Jose, as presented by Nanci Klein, Assistant Director.The presentation and discussion provided an update from the city on topics such as job creation, private investment, revenue generation, and talent attraction and development. (These are the core areas of the department). Also on March 9th, Konstantin Voronin made a presentation on the subject of "Midtown@Meridian and The Ohlone Mixed Use" Towers, plus the Del Monte Park.  Voronin is the Land Development Manager, Republic Family of Companies. Social Media Hashtags (Facebook & Twitter): #WGNASJ  #WillowGlen  #SanJose #EconomicDevelopment  #JobCreation #Cities #SJPL  #KimWalesh #Preservation #UrbanDesign  #UrbanPlanning #RepublicProperties  #RepublicFamilyCompanies #MidtownSJ  #MidtownMeridian #OhloneTowers #DelMontePark  

WGNA BOARD & MEMBERSHIP MEETING FOR  THURSDAY 09 MARCH 2017;WITH GUEST SPEAKER, SAN JOSE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT The next meeting includes guest speakers from Kim Walesh's office, Deputy City Manager & Director of Economic Development for the City of San Jose, including Nanci Klein, Assistant Director.The presentation and discussion will include an update from the city on topics such as job creation, private investment, revenue generation, and talent attraction and development. (These are the core areas of the department). Please return to our website for more information about the presentation and discussion as we continue planning. Please join us at the Willow Glen branch of the San Jose Public Library, inside the Community Room, at 1157 Minnesota Avenue.More information will be made available at WGNA.net, including the meeting agenda. Also, follow us on Facebook and Twitter #WGNASJ  #WillowGlen  #SanJose #EconomicDevelopment  #JobCreation #Cities #SJPL  #KimWalesh #Preservation #UrbanDesign  #UrbanPlanning 

  UPCOMING WGNA BOARD & MEMBERSHIP MEETING: NEXT SCHEDULED DATE IS THURSDAY 09 FEBRUARY 2017 The next meeting includes guest speaker Dave Cortese, President, County of Santa Clara, California. The presentation and discussion will be on the topic of the Santa Clara County National Heritage Area Project. Please join us at the Willow Glen branch of the San Jose Public Library, inside the Community Room, at 1157 Minnesota Avenue. The meeting agenda is available on a separate page, here. Also follow us on Facebook and Twitter#WillowGlen #SanJose #NationalHeritage #NationalHeritageArea #NHA#California #WillowStreetPark #SJPL #WillowGlenHeritageWGNA#WillowGlenHeritage  #WGNASJ #DaveCortese #SantaClaraCounty#Preservation #UrbanDesign

THURSDAY 12 JANUARY 2017 with GUEST SPEAKER, SPUR-SAN JOSE Join us at 7:00 pm at the Willow Glen Public Library with a guest speaker appearance by Laura Tolkoff of SPUR talking on the topic of "Shaping the Region's Growth".San Jose's new District 6 Councilmember Dev Davis will also be appearing at the later segment of the meeting. "SPUR is a member-supported, nonprofit organization that promotes good planning and good government in the San Francisco Bay Area. In a region dominated by single-interest politics, SPUR plays the crucial role of uniting citizens to jointly craft solutions to our common problems. Headquartered in San Francisco with an office in San Jose, SPUR provides a common ground for citizens to come together in fruitful, forward-thinking conversation." See their website at http://www.spur.org/SPUR is formally known as the San Francisco Bay Area Planning and Urban Research Association.    

Willow Glen Neighborhood Association invites you to join fellow neighborhood seniors on an escorted bus tour and walkthrough of Christmas in the Park in downtown San Jose; a bus tour through the Fantasy of Lights at Vasona Park; plus, a coffee, tea & cake social afterward. Participants include residents from The Village of Willow Glen, Summercrest, and Sienna senior living facilities.  Seniors will be escorted by docents. Charter buses depart at 4:30pm from the Village of Willow Glen, 465 Willow Glen Way, San Jose, CA 95125.  Activities should finish by 8:00pm.

The next  WGNA Board & Membership Meeting will be open to the public on Thursday 10 November 2016 at the community room of the Willow Glen Library.  Aside from the regular business of the Board of Directors, guest speakers will include Nancy Pyle and Betty Ramirez on the topic of the San Jose Youth Commission.  Afterward, Dave Mitchell from San Jose's department of Parks, Recreation, & Neighborhood Services (PRNS) will be speaking on topics relating to changes in Willow Street-Frank Bramhall Park.  Finally, the electee of San Jose's 2016 campaign race for Council District 6 has been invited to speak.  The meeting agenda will be posted on the website, here.   Please note, there's typically no monthly meeting for the month of December.

The WGNA Board & Membership Meeting was open to the public on Thursday 13 October 2016 at the community room of the Willow Glen Library.  The following meeting will be scheduled for 10 November, and there's typically no monthly meeting for the month of December.The last guest speaker for October was Ben Tripousis, Northern California Regional Director for the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA). Rod Diridon, Sr. also appeared as a special guest. There was a discussion regarding alternate plans for California High-Speed Rail to enter Willow Glen "above grade", or, in other words, above the CalTrain tracks with sound walls. Following, there also included a brief talk from the Election 2016 candidates for San Jose Unified Board of Trustees. Pam Foley and Olivia Navarro will address residents and members (15 min each). See http://www.wgna.net/meetings for all our meeting updates and related materials.  

WGNA's monthly Board & Membership Meeting occurs Thursday 22 September at 7pm at the Willow Glen Public Library. Hear our guest speakers on issues pertaining to Urban Ecology. Dorsey Moore represents Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority, and Steve Holmes is from South Bay Clean Creeks Coalition. Members of the San Jose Police Department and San José Police Officers' Association will answer questions about police patrolling, suspicious activities, curfews, and other public safety issues in and around Willow Street Frank Bramhall Park; that's in addition to general care and safety issues in the greater neighborhood, such as Evans Lane, Boccardo Center, neighborhood watch, etc. WGNA began working with Stakeholders for a Safe Green Village (Stakeholders for Willow Street Park) on Bramhall Park earlier this summer, namely with the June 2016 presentation; whereas top issues there (as expressed by residents and membership) have been the ecological greenprint and the police patrolling of the park. Lastly, District 6 candidate Devora "Dev" Davis will be making a brief talk that's followed by questions. Her opponent, Helen Chapman, spoke during the last August meeting. #WillowGlen #SanJose #UrbanEcologyWGNA #UrbanEcology#OpenSpace #SCVOSA #SouthBayCleancreeks #SBCCC #FLGC  

ASSYRIAN FOOD FESTIVAL THIS WEEKEND, AUG 20-21 The 24th Annual Festival is happening this Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st, from 11am to 9pm. Enjoy traditional Assyrian foods with exotic teas, coffee, pastries, and a wine bar. There will be live music, dancing, and entertainment. Visit history exhibits, vendors from around the world. There will also be a fun filled kid's zone. You can also win a raffle with a grand prize of $10,000! The event occurs at the Assyrian Church of the East - Mar Yosip Parish, located at 680 Minnesota Avenue, near Hwy 87 and Alma Avenue. FREE admission, shuttle, and parking. Visit AssyrianFestival.com for more info! Social media hashtags: #‎WillowGlen #‎SanJose #‎AssyrianFoodFestival #‎SeasonsInTheGlen#‎MarYosipParish #‎EatHereWG

AUGUST 25, 2016, 7pm at the Willow Glen Public Library - Community Room. IMPORTANT TOPICS:The theme of this meeting is "Public Safety", including issues:1) San Jose Fire Department update, emergency response times, improvements.2) San Jose Police Department, emergency response times.3) Evans Lane, update, covering neighborhood concerns, from June meeting. Canoas Gardens. 

  UPCOMING: WGNA BOARD MEETINGTHURSDAY 28 JULY 2016, 7 pm Open House & Membership Participation The next WGNA Board Meeting will be at the community room of the Willow Glen Public Library (1157 Minnesota Avenue) at 7 pm. It's an open meeting and everyone from the neighborhood is welcome.  A presentation will be made about planned developments in Willow Street-Frank Bramhall Park, including community organizing, and a brief history of the park.  The guest speaker will be from Stakeholders for a Safe Green Village (SGV).  Updates on the park are now being shared on WGNA online media, as well as on a dedicated web page of Stakeholders SGV. In addition, there is also a Facebook Page, Stakeholders for Willow Street Park (@StakeholdesWSP), specifically for all topics related to the park.Please see the Agenda (second revision as of 25 July 2016). [Originally posted at the WGNA.net home page] SaveSave

June 24, 2016 San Jose Mayor Liccardo andSan Jose City Council MembersJim Ortbal San Jose, Director of Transportation Subject: San Jose City Council Meeting June 28, 2016,Agenda Item 6.1Lincoln Avenue Pilot Project Report - Request for 45 Day DeferralThe Willow Glen Neighborhood Association Board met Thursday evening June 23, 2016 and briefly discussed our 2016-17 Board Committee Work plans for our Public Safety and Transportation Committee. Research and develop recommendations about valid safety improvements, traffic design, signage and device mitigations needed to be addressed for neighborhoods impacted by Lincoln Ave Road Diet Board as was done for Bird Avenue near Ernesto Galarza Elementary School. Recommendations will be forwarded to Mayor, City Council and Transportation Department staff for funding and implementation.Neighborhood residents attending June 23, 2016 Board meeting asked if 2015-16 past Board had adhered to WGNA bylaws stating “…the right of members to have timely notice, be informed about and have an opportunity to address Board at public WGNA meetings about any WGNA proposed activities, position papers and actions prior to Board vote..” to approve the Road Diet Position Papers per WGNA as California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation. There was no properly noticed, public July 2015 Board meeting with members having an opportunity to address Board before Board vote as required in our bylaws. WGNA Road Diet Position Paper signed by past President to support Road Diet Position Paper, dated July 13, 2015 is invalid and should be removed from Agenda Item 6.1 Memorandum LINCOLN AVENUE ROADWAY DATE: June 6, 2016 CONFIGURATION PILOT PROJECT - Attachment J Therefore, WGNA Board voted to request Mayor Liccardo and San Jose City Council members - Approve a 45 day Council Agenda Deferral of Agenda Item 6.1 The 45 day deferral will enable WGNA at our public Board meeting to discuss with our member and community what should be WGNA Board’s Road Diet position. We will also be able to develop recommendations about valid safety improvements; traffic design; signage; and device mitigations that needs to be addressed for neighborhoods and small businesses impacted by Lincoln Ave Road Diet. By-Laws and Policies WILLOW GLEN NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION BY-LAWS ARTICLE I: NAME The Willow Glen Neighborhood Association (WGNA) is a California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation organized under California Corporations Code and U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986 - Section 501(c)(4), as amended, Section 2. VALUES. WGNA’s Purpose and Values embrace the principles and spirit of non-partisan, open, honest, transparent, fair, positive governance in full public view of our members and general public. Members have the right to be treated fairly and with respect, their privacy respected, and to be free from intimidation, harassment, abuse, and personal attack.Board will uphold these rights and respect between members and community and the right of members to have timely notice, be informed about and have an opportunity to address Board at public WGNA meetings about any WGNA proposed activities, position papers and actions prior to Board vote. WGNA represents all members and does not endorse candidates for political office, political parties, or divisive issues. [Signature] Richard Zappelli President 2016-2017 Willow Glen Neighborhood Association [Signature] Jeff Stanley 1st Vice President 2016-2017 Willow Glen Neighborhood Association [Note: The position paper was originally posted by Stakeholders for a Safe Green Village on SATURDAY, JUNE 25, 2016 on behalf of Willow Glen Neighborhood Association (WGNA). The new WGNA 2016-2017 Board of Directors did not have access to the WGNA proprietary media at that time. Stakeholders for a Safe Green Village is not affiliated with WGNA. This position paper has also been recorded by the City Clerk of the City of San Jose and was delivered prior to vote on June 28, 2016 for the Agenda Item 6.1, Lincoln Avenue Pilot Project Report.]

A new Facebook main page has been created at https://www.facebook.com/WGNASJ WGNA's main and original Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/WillowGlenNA is not yet restored. Also, see WGNA's alternate Facebook Pages that are back online:  Seasons In The Glen WGNA  Urban Ecology - WGNA  Urban Design & Vision - WGNA  Willow Glen Heritage WGNA  Eat Here, Willow Glen - WGNA  Willow Glen Cares - WGNA Willow Glen Neighborhood Association's current Board of Directors (2016-2017) are currently restoring the organization's media devices, including Facebook, Twitter, the website at WGNA.net and email accounts.Twitter: Alerts, notifications, meeting reminders and current events are now being shared on Twiter. Please subscribe at https://twitter.com/wgnasj There's also twitter.com/WGNAseasons to match the Seasons in the Glen page at Facebook. To contact WGNA Board of Directors by email, please use the new [email protected] share media content on social networks and websites, please contact [email protected] official business with WGNA, correspondence should be directed solely to the 2016-2017 Board President, Richard Zappelli.   He can be found online at Facebook, as well as through the above emails. Hashtags: #‎WGNASJ #‎WGNA #‎WillowGlen #‎SanJose

Willow Glen Neighborhood Association (WGNA) Newly Elected Board Officers: Richard Zappelli, President Jeffery Stanley, First Vice President Archie Moore, Second Vice President Elizabeth Estensen, Board Secretary Matt Fricke, Treasure Board Members: Ed Rast Harvey Darnell Kristen Peter Brown Christine Beraldo, Esq. (legal advisor) Nominating Committee for Year 2017: Hugh Graham Jeff Stanley Elizabeth Estensen Contact the new WGNA Board of Directors by email at [email protected]