High Speed Rail Visual Simulations Released

The California High Speed Rail Authority has released visual simulations to be included in the San Jose High Speed Rail Visual Design Guidelines for the aerial alignment. The guidelines dictate how the structures of an aerial alignment would look. This document does not indicate any preference on the city's part for an aerial alignment over a tunnel. But if the aerial alignment is chosen, the Visual Design Guidelines ensure that the structures will be in accordance with the city's ideals.
  
Photo simulations have been produced and incorporated into the document to better illustrate what all the text in the document supports. We have chosen those closest to our neighborhood for you to preview. Please have a look to see if you agree with the direction this is headed. Representatives of the project will be on hand to present these and more at our Friends & Neighbors Meeting this Tuesday, September 27th and they would like to hear from the community. So let's hear it. What do you think? Is this what High Speed Rail should look like?

Bird Ave looking east

Bird Ave looking north

Bird Ave looking northwest to Diridon Station

Gardner Academy looking east - hoop bridge

Gardner Academy looking east - basic bridge

NWGNA Friends & Neighbors Gathering: Tuesday

Come join us on Tuesday evening at the NWGNA Friends & Neighbors gathering, 6:30 p.m. at the Word of Faith Church, 873 Delmas (cross street is Fuller Ave.). The agenda for Tuesday is:

• Introductions
• Parks maintenance and fighting graffiti: Mike Will, Parks Department Director, will talk about park maintenance efforts and show us how to fight graffiti. A limited supply of graffiti-fighting supplies will be available.
• Nominations and voting for NWGNA board positions: Available roles are Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and Board Member. You may nominate yourself or someone else for a position.
• High-speed rail photo simulations: Come see what high-speed rail in San Jose might look like.

Community service projects available

Does your student need to do community service work for school? If so, there are opportunities for your child to help with neighborhood maintenance projects, upcoming events, and more. To find out more, contact us at board@nwgna.org.

Dog and cat licensing amnesty program until Oct. 31

The City of San Jose Animal Care Center currently has an amnesty program for licensing cats and dogs. Until October 31, 2011, you can register your animals with no citations, late fees or penalties. After this period, owners of unlicensed pets are subject to late fess and/or citations.

Please note: All dogs and cats are required to have current rabies vaccinations before being licensed. The San Jose Animal Care Center will o ffer the rabies vaccine for only $5.00 on selected dates. Visit www.sanjoseanimals.com for details.

Also: All San Jose residents who purchase a new license, renew a license or adopt a San Jose shelter dog or cat during September and October will be automatically entered into a lottery for a chance to win either a $1000 grand prize or one of four $500 prizes. Tickets will also be made available without charge to all other participants upon request at the City of San Jose Animal Care Center. Prizes sonsored by Pet Awareness and Welfare Society for San Jose Animal Care Center, www.paws4sjacs.org

Cherry tomatoes galore

We've got a pile of cherry tomatoes to offer at the Produce Share from 1:00 to 3:00. Yes, there's a football game on, but at least the tomatoes are in the 49er colors, right?

Produce share on Sunday

Don't forget the produce share on Sunday, in Hummingbird Park, corner of Fisk and Bird, from 1:00 to 3:00. If you have something to share (plants, veggies, fruits, goodies made from your garden, etc.), come on by and drop it off. You don't need to offer anything to receive something great -- the goal is to keep great food from going to waste. We look forward to seeing you on Sunday from 1:00 to 3:00.

Galarza classroom looking for donations

Our local school, Galarza Elementary, is looking for donations for a trampoline via the site Donors Choose. Check out the details to learn more.

Produce share on Sunday

Don't forget the produce share on Sunday, in Hummingbird Park, corner of Fisk and Bird, from 1:00 to 3:00. If you have something to share (plants, veggies, fruits, goodies made from your garden, etc.), come on by and drop it off. You don't need to offer anything to receive something great -- the goal is to keep great food from going to waste.

We look forward to seeing you on Sunday from 1:00 to 3:00.

Lost cat - help find Penny

A beautiful cat named Penny is missing from Ramona & Coe. Their backyard faces the construction at the old railroad tracks so she may have been scared away from the immediate neighborhood. Attached are a couple of pictures. Penny is very friendly. Call (510) 408-6329 or email tatutana@yahoo.com any time if you see her. The family is offering a reward.