July 4 event volunteers needed

We're all looking forward to a fun noontime celebration of the 4th of July at Fuller Park. But in order for it to be a success we need your help! We are looking for volunteers to:

-Help set up and organize kids games and events
-Help clean up in the neighborhood prior to the event
-Set up the morning of the party
-Clean up afterwords
-BBQ tender

If you would like to help, please call Bill at 408-893-6684.

High-speed rail update

On Thursday June 3, the High Speed Rail Authority will receive the alternatives analysis draft. Sometime in the morning, we'll find out whether Greater Gardner and North Willow Glen are still included in the possible routes.

The report will be posted on June 3. The board archives are also available.

May 25 NWGNA meeting and flier distribution

NWGNA is having its next general meeting on Tuesday May 25 from 6:30-8:00 at the word of Faith Church, 873 Delmas Ave at the corner of Fuller and Delmas. On the agenda:

• Planning a 4th of July noontime hot dog roast/potluck/ice cream fest in Fuller Park
• A police report about activities in our neighborhood
• Information about the upcoming closure of Virginia Ave at the Guadalupe River for flood control work

We are looking for volunteers to help distribute fliers in preparation for the meeting. Please get back to me if you are available to help.

Come get to know your neighbors, get involved, and have a fun time.

Bill Rankin
408)893-6684

Lost Dog

Bichon Frise LOST - Named RONIN

Friendly, white, 4.5 year old male Bichon Frise lost. He has a collar on, but his tags might have fallen off. He is microchipped thru Home Again. He loves to eat.

He needs daily medication.

What: Small, White, Bichon Frise - 14 pounds
When: May 20, 2010 - between 3:15 & 4:45pm
Where: 951 Delmas Ave, San Jose

Call: 408-656-7302 or 408-368-7500

"Historical San Jose" photography contest

The Historic Landmarks Commission of San Jose is holding the first "Historical San Jose" photography contest.

Photo Categories

• Residential
• Non-residential Buildings
• Landscapes / Streetscapes

Contestant Levels

• Student (up to age 19)
• Adult

Winning entries will be displayed electronically on Civic Center Television and on monitors at City Hall.

Entries must be emailed by May 1st, 2010

Reception: May18th from 5:30 pm to 7:00pm in the Rotunda Mezzanine at City Hall.

For more information: http://www.historicalsjcontest2010.smugmug.com/

North Willow Glen in the Mercury News

North Willow Glen neighbors were featured in the Mercury News on Friday as they spoke to the High Speed Rail Authority about the Greater Gardner neighborhood. Check it out: http://www.mercurynews.com/bay-area-news

Mercury News article: High-speed rail? Build it, but ...

Article about the High-Speed Rail Authority meeting in San Jose this week:
http://www.mercurynews.com/bay-area-news/ci_14847661

Government reform town hall coming up

From Assemblymember Beall's office:

TAMING THE BEAST: REFORMING CALIFORNIA STATE GOVERNMENT

 If California’s state government undergoes reform, what changes will be made? How will those changes affect our lives? Will California’s massive problems actually be solved?

As the Legislature’s leadership puts forward a package of reforms, Assemblymember Jim Beall is sponsoring a town hall to examine and discuss the gargantuan task of overhauling a sprawling government that serves 38 million people and regulates the world’s eighth biggest economy.

Guest speaker Thad Kousser, a University of California-San Diego political science professor and a visiting fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institute will review the government reform initiatives circulating and being discussed in Sacramento. He will also review the results of a multi-lingual poll that ask Californians what they think are the problems and solutions to our biggest challenges.

Kousser is a recognized authority on state government and California constitutional reform.

GOVERNMENT REFORM TOWN HALL

6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, April 8
Willow Glen Community and Senior Center
2175 Lincoln Ave., San Jose

2010-2011 Community Budget Meeting Schedule

Mayor Reed and the San José City Council will be holding community meetings in each district over the next several weeks to seek input from residents about potential cuts in services and programs as well as changes in service delivery. The community budget meetings offer an opportunity for residents throughout San José to learn more about the budget and share their ideas and concerns. The meetings are open to the public, held in the evenings to make it easy for residents to participate. They will be held in March and April throughout San José. You may attend any of the locations/times.

http://www.sanjoseca.gov/mayor/goals/budget/PDF/2010_2011BudgetSchedule_s.pdf

High-Speed Rail Authority looking for your feedback

The HSRA has published an online survey to collect feedback on their web site and how you want to receive information about high-speed rail. The survey is at http://www.surveygizmo.com/s/262357/california-high-speed-rail-questionairre-web OR http://tinyurl.com/yev5q68

Mar 23 NWGNA meeting and flier distribution

We need help getting the word out for our upcoming neighborhood meeting on Tuesday Mar. 23 at the Word of Faith Church, 873 Delmas Ave (at the corner of Fuller). The meeting will run from 6:30 to 8:00 and will include NWGNA outlook for 2010, high-speed rail update, and a special guest speaker from the master gardener program.

If you can help drop off fliers at local homes, let us know.

-Fuller (between Gregory and Prevost) - 86 homes
-Warren, Shepherd, and Snyder - 61 homes
-Fisk, Willis, Brooks, and Marshall - 71 homes
-Bird (both east and west sides) - 64 homes
-Hull (between Bird and Prevost) - 71 homes
-Spencer and Delmas (between Willow and Fuller) - 108 homes
-Atlanta and Coe - 105 homes
-Willow from Bird including Bird and Willow apartments to Minnesota, Prevost, and the apartments at Prevost and Willow - 64 homes

Please let us know how you can help! Please call Bill at 408-893-6684.

High-Speed Rail Simulations

High-Speed Rail released the three simulations shown at the meeting last week. You can find them at the CHSRA web site in the library under SJ to Merced or go to the Shasta Hanchett web site.

1. Fuller Park/Gardner Alignment. Check out the height of the wall at Bird Avenue near Fuller.
2. 280/87 with simple posts.
3. 280/87 with iconic bridges also a fancier Diridon station.

Shasta Hanchett site: http://tinyurl.com/yhystqd
OR
CA High-Speed Rail site: http://tinyurl.com/yhn3h6g - look under Alternatives Analysis, March 2.

Meeting Minutes Available from March 2 HSR Presentation

The minutes from the March 2, 2010 High-Speed Rail meeting are are available on the North Willow Glen Yahoo! Groups List, under the "Files" section, http://tinyurl.com/ydul67f.

Bocce! Horseshoes! Oh, my!

North Willow Glen's Fuller Park has both a bocce court and a horseshoe pit, with lighting coming in the future for both areas. Enjoy this space - it came into being with a lot of hard work by your neighbors working with the city, so be sure to not miss it! The bocce is between Bird and Delmas and the horseshoe area is between Delmas and Prevost.

http://playspacefinder.kaboom.org/playspaces/4816-fuller-avenue-park/photos/7451

Greater Gardner SNI Meeting Minutes Available

The minutes from the March 3, 2010 Greater Gardner Strong Neighborhoods Initiative meeting are available on the North Willow Glen Yahoo! Groups List, under the "Files" section, http://tinyurl.com/y9n2hgp