Monday, December 31, 2012

Have you seen Leo the Greyhound?


Leo the greyhound has gone missing in North Willow Glen. He is wearing a gray "thunder shirt" sweater. Call Chris at 510-593-6078 if you see him. It's cold out and he will be tougher to spot in the dark, so please watch for him.

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Last day for holiday lights voting!

Tomorrow is the last day for voting in the holiday lighting contest. You can drop your ballots at 562 Fisk by 8:00 p.m.


Saturday, December 08, 2012

Neighborhood holiday party on Sunday

Join us Sunday night starting at 5:30 pm for our annual holiday gathering. It's the start of voting for the holiday lighting contest, too. Come by and share time with neighbors before heading out to check out the lights.

Holiday Party
Lila Kakuk's house
562 Fisk Ave.
Sunday, December 9
5:30-8:00 p.m.

Friday, December 07, 2012

Supervisor Ken Yeager's Dec. 6 newsletter


Topics for this newsletter include:

  • Mercury News endorses Yeager proposal for transparency
  • Yeager nominated as 2012 board president
  • County recognizes CalWorks outstanding clients and partners
  • VTA seeks input on possible light rail extension
  • Volunteer to serve on a county commission
  • Calendar of Events

If you would like to receive this newsletter by email, write to jim.weston@bos.sccgov.org with the subject line "add me to your list."

Thursday, December 06, 2012

Street sweeping Friday morning

Our neighborhood's street sweeping day is this Friday. Reminders from the City of San Jose:

  • Move vehicles off the street on your sweep day. One parked car equals nearly three car lengths of space that can't be swept because the street sweeper must leave room to avoid it. Visit Vehicle Abatement to report vehicles abandoned for more than 72 hours.
  • Fallen leaves collected by the street sweeper end up in the landfill. Consider using them to make compost or as mulch under trees and bushes. Or collect and save them until your next collection day to be turned into compost for City parks.
  • Sweep up yard trimmings that remain behind after collection; don't re-pile them. Instead, save them for next week's collection. Street sweepers drive around piles to avoid rocks or other unseen items that can damage their equipment.
  • Street sweepers steer clear of low-hanging tree branches to avoid breaking them. Prune tree branches to at least 13 feet above the curb. Call the Street Tree Section at (408) 794-1901 for a free pruning permit for trees growing between the sidewalk and street.

Tuesday, December 04, 2012

7-Eleven Community Meeting Recap

Thank you to all who attended to community meeting last night. We had a significant turnout - I would estimate 60 people - last night and it was a lively though respectful dialogue between all parties in attendance including the two from Planning for the City of San Jose, two representatives of 7-Eleven, and our District 6 City Councilmember. Neither the store owners themselves (7-Eleven franchisees) nor SJPD were present. A 7-Eleven representative said she did not think to invite the owners. Lack of advance notice was noted by SJPD.

As Councilmember Oliverio noted at the beginning of the meeting, the main issue before Planning is whether or not this business can be open between the hours of midnight and 6am. By right, the owners may keep their business open from 6am to midnight. Among those in attendance from the community, there was solid opposition to the request for hours of operation. Beyond the yes or no vote on the hours, it should be noted that Planning can make other stipulations on their approval for such concerns as security (a big topic last night) and litter abatement. These are the windows of opportunity we have for legally ensuring that the 7-Eleven will be as good a neighbor as possible.

The store does retain the state "Title 21" liquor license previously held by Fairmart. This allows them to sell beer, wine, and liquor whereas "Title 20" restricts to beer and wine. By state law it is not legal to sell alcohol of any type from 2am to 6am. The 7-Eleven representative made it clear that this store intends to sell liquor during store hours to the extent legally allowed. The city does not have the authority to regulate alcohol sales beyond state regulations. However there is some influence SJPD has in the matter.

As a matter of process, this was the only community meeting. Planning will continue to collect input before the matter is brought up to the Planning Commission. The Conditional Use Permit is expected to be brought before the Planning Commission in late January or early February. At that point there will be the opportunity for further input as to whether or not the hours should be allowed and if so, under what conditions.

Contact information for officials seeking feedback is as follows:

Aparna Ankola
Planning, Building, & Code Enforcement
Planner II
aparna.ankola@sanjoseca.gov

Sgt. Todd Trayer #3301
San Jose Police Department
Office of the Chief
Special Investigations Unit- Vice
408-277-4322
todd.trayer@sanjoseca.gov

Monday, December 03, 2012

Provide SJPD with Input on 7-11 Hours

If you have sent your concerns over the hours of 7-11 at Bird and Virginia to Planning or your City Councilman, please forward those to SJPD Sgt. Todd Trayer. He has a lot of experience in our neighborhood and he is also concerned about the hours at this location.

An NWGNA representative has spoken with him this morning and he hasn't received any other input on the subject so it is important that we provide our points of view. The three concerns discussed with him were potential increases in litter, graffiti, and drinking in Fuller Park.

SJPD does not make the final decision but they will be advising Planning on what allowances or restrictions may be placed on 7-11. Sgt. Trayer had some good ideas about what to recommend, but would like to hear from others as well.

Tonight's public meeting is at the Gardner Community Center at 6:30pm. We hope to see you there.

Sunday, December 02, 2012

Holiday decorating postponed

The rain is coming down steadily right now, so we will reschedule the neighborhood decorating for a later date. Stay dry!

Saturday, December 01, 2012

Three important reminders!


Neighborhood decorating is Sunday morning, 9 am (more information)

Holiday trees and wreaths will be ready for pick up this Sunday between 9 am and 4 pm at 1023 Bird Avenue.

Community meeting about potentially increasing hours of alcohol sale at new 7-11
more information

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Holiday neighborhood decorating: 9 am Sunday


We will be decorating the neighborhood again this Sunday and we would love to have your help. It doesn't take very long and it's a fun way to kick off the holiday season by brightening the neighborhood for everyone. Join us at 9 am on Nov. 26 in the smokehouse parking lot, 885 Delmas.

We will have coffee, bagels, and fun!

Monday, November 26, 2012

Off-sale of beer and wine: Have your say


7-11 is moving in to the old Fairmart location at Bird and Virginia and several neighbors have raised issues about the potential expansion of alcohol sales at that location due to close proximity of schools, parks, the community center, and the nearby trail.

We encourage you to have your say in two ways:
  1. Participate in the community meeting on Dec. 3
  2. Call or email your City of San Jose representative now.
If you are in District 3, your representative is Sam Liccardo (Phone: 408-535-4903, Email: District3@sanjoseca.gov). If you are in District 6, your representativeis Pierluigi Oliverio (Phone: 408-535-4906, Email: pierluigi.oliverio@sanjoseca.gov).

If you need help understanding what district you are in, here is District 3, in the yellow area:

And here is District 6, in the pink area:

Here are details about the upcoming community meeting:

What: Community Meeting with City of San Jose planning department re: "Conditional Use Permit to allow 24-hour use and off-sale of beer and wine for a 7-Eleven convenience store to replace previously existing Fairmart Market at 601 Bird Ave."
Date: Monday Dec 3rd
Time: 6:30 - 7:30 pm
Location: Gardner Community Center Multi-Purpose Room, 520 West Virginia Street

Caltrain Holiday Train

The Caltrain Holiday Train, a Bay Area tradition since 2001, is a free family event that brings together thousands of local community members in the spirit of joy and giving. Decorated with 60,000 glittering lights, the dazzling show-train will visit 10 Caltrain stations between San Francisco and Santa Clara over two nights in December, providing holiday entertainment and collecting donations of toys for local children who otherwise might not receive a gift during the holidays. The Caltrain Holiday Train has generated more than 45,000 toys for local children in its nine-year history.

When: December 1 & 2

Where: Various locations

More Information: Visit http://www.holiday-train.org/ for further details.

280/880 interchange project breaks ground

From Supervisor Ken Yeager's newsletter:

On November 9, I led a group of assembled dignitaries in a ceremony to mark the start of the I-280/I-880/Stevens Creek Boulevard Improvements Project. It was with great joy that I celebrated the opportunity to deliver congestion relief to one of the most heavily traveled corridors in Santa Clara County. Anyone who has driven through this area knows that this interchange is one of the most congested in the region. This project will bring relief to thousands of commuters and shoppers.
I began advocating for improvements to this interchange in 2002, while serving on the San Jose City Council. I continued to advocate for it while serving on the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and up through today as the Chair of the VTA Board of Directors. It is satisfying to know that changes are finally underway.
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA)―in partnership with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)―began the long-awaited traffic relief and safety improvements on the I-280/I-880/Stevens Creek interchange in San Jose. At the end of two and a half years, there will be a number of improvements:
  • The existing full cloverleaf at the I-880/Stevens Creek Boulevard interchange will be reconfigured by widening and realigning ramps, improving traffic flow through the area;
  • Stevens Creek Boulevard will be widened where it passes over I-880 to create a better pedestrian and bicyclist experience;
  • Freeway-to-freeway traffic will be separated from local traffic by building a new direct connector from northbound I-280 to northbound I-880; and
  • Direct off-ramps to Monroe Street from southbound I-880 will be constructed. 
When the project is completed, we will see improved safety and traffic flow as well as reduced queuing and traffic backups. After years of headaches, this project will bring relief to residents, business owners, commuters, and shoppers alike.
During the next few months of the busy holiday season, VTA will focus on pre-construction activities and work along Stevens Creek Boulevard to avoid causing major delays. The first major construction activity to begin later this winter will involve widening the overcrossing structure at Stevens Creek Boulevard over I-880. The construction of the new flyover ramp from north I-280 to north I-880 is expected to begin in spring 2013. Overall construction is slated for completion by spring 2015.
This has been a long time coming, and I am excited that it is finally happening. I look forward to sharing its progress with you. For more information about the project, please visit http://www.vta.org/projects/280_880_stevens_creek_blvd_improvements/index.html.
As always, I encourage you to contact my office if you have any concerns or are interested in additional information. You can reach me at (408) 299-5040 or via e-mail at Supervisor.Yeager@bos.sccgov.org.



Sunday, November 25, 2012

Hike and bike to commemorate World AIDS Day

From Supervisor Ken Yeager's newsletter:
Bikers and hikers of all ages are invited to help fight AIDS by joining the Silicon Valley Hike and Bike. Participants can choose a 32-mile or 11-mile bike ride or a 2-mile walk. Bring your friends and raise money for The Health Trust AIDS Services. This one-of-a-kind event will raise HIV/AIDS awareness and much needed funds for services in Santa Clara County. All registered participants are invited to raise funds beyond their registration fee of $25 for walkers and $50 for bikers ($35 for student riders). All paid participants will receive a commemorative Hike & Bike T-shirt and various incentives for different fundraising levels.
When: December 1 at 9 a.m.
Where: Santa Clara University, Locatelli Student Activity Center, 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara
More Information: Register at www.svhikeandbike.org.

CalTrain seeking volunteers for bike committee



From Supervisor Ken Yeager's newsletter:
Caltrain is seeking volunteer representatives for the Bicycle Advisory Committee. Applicants who wish to apply must be part of a San Francisco bicycle advocacy organization; a member of the San Mateo general public; a member of a Santa Clara County public agency; or a member of a Santa Clara County bicycle advocacy organization.
The nine-member committee serves as the primary venue for the interests and perspectives of Caltrain bicyclists. The Committee meets every other month at 6:45 p.m. in San Carlos, just one block from the San Carlos Caltrain Station. All meetings are open to the public.
Interested persons can download an application. Applications are due December 3.

Looking for holiday treasures


Silicon Valley Community Newspapers is hoping to do a story on readers' favorite holiday treasure. It can be a tree ornament made by a child or one that commemorates a special event; a dreidel or menorah passed down through your family; or something else connected to the December holidays.

Ideally, they would like you to send them a photo (in jpg form and hi-res) and information on why this memento is important to you. However, if you don't have a photo, you can send information about the item and if it meets their needs, they will send a photographer out to take a photo.

The deadline for information is Dec. 7 and it should be emailed to jramseyer@community-newspapers.com.

Friday, November 23, 2012

Enjoy holiday events in Willow Glen


Willow Glen holiday traditions are continuing this year with several returning events and a few new ones:

  • Small Business Saturday, Nov. 24
  • Visits with Santa Clause at Hicklebee's and Buffington House
  • Free holiday concerts
  • Wagon rides
  • Tree lighting ceremony
  • Caroling at the Willow Glen Town Square Fountain Courtyard

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Community meeting about 7-11 scheduled


The community meeting regarding the 7-11 going in at the old Fairmart location at Bird and Virginia has been scheduled. Mark your calendars and attend if you possibly can. The details:

What: Community Meeting with City of San Jose planning department re: "Conditional Use Permit to allow 24-hour use and off-sale of beer and wine for a 7-Eleven convenience store to replace previously existing Fairmart Market at 601 Bird Ave."
Date: Monday Dec 3rd
Time: 6:30 - 7:30 pm
Location: Gardner Community Center Multi-Purpose Room, 520 West Virginia Street

Monday, November 19, 2012

Input Sought in Recruitment of SJ's Next Police Chief

City officials would like to know what qualities the city manager should consider in evaluating candidates for police chief. The city has contracted with Teri Black-Brann, of Teri Black & Company, an executive recruitment firm, to conduct the search.

Based on past public input, the search is focused on five themes:

Theme 1: Culturally Competent
The next Police Chief should have the lcnowledge, skills and motivation to work with and respect the diverse groups and communities in San Jose, including the most vulnerable members of the public (mental illness, victims of domestic violence, etc.).

Theme 2: Community Engagement and Community Policing
The next Police Chief should be committed to ensuring that members of the Police Department engage with the community regularly and in meaningful ways, including having a record of promoting community policing policies and practices.

Theme 3: Effective Manager, Communicator and Collaborator
The next Police Chief should have strong management skills and b~e able to communicate effectively with the workforce, community, City leaders, and the media while working collaboratively with different agencies, organizations and groups. Included under this theme is the ability to be innovative and creative in managing limited resources and budgets.

Theme 4: Courageous Leader who is Honest and Transparent
The next Police Chief should adhere to the highest ethical standards, which includes being able to make difficult decisions that he or she believes are in the best interest of community safety, even if it might prove to be unpopular with the some segments of the community or workforce.

Theme 5: Record of Crime Prevention and Suppression
The new Police Chief should have a strong record of crime prevention and suppression at all levels, as demonstrated throughout the person’s career and in response to different types of crime and in community environments similar to San Jose.

Four community meetings have been scheduled for November and December. Spanish and Vietnamese interpreters will be available at each meeting: 

  • Monday, November 26 –6:30 to 8 p.m. at Berryessa Community Center, 3050 Berryessa Road.
  • Wednesday, November 28 – 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Camden Community Center, 3369 Union Avenue.
  • Monday, December 3 – 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Mayfair Community Center, 2039 Kammerer Avenue.
  • Monday, December 10 – 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Southside Community Center, 5585 Cottle Road 
The Neighborhood Commission also will be discussing the Police Chief recruitment at its meeting on December 12. In addition, we are conducting a short online survey in English, Spanish and Vietnamese to provide another avenue of community input. The links for these surveys will be advertised in a number of places including www.sanjoseca.gov.

Read more at http://www.piersystem.com/external/content/document/1914/1614835/1/11-19-12%20CMO.PDF

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Update on 7-11 at Bird & Virginia

Debbie Palmer on Fuller spoke with Aparna Ankola from the City of San Jose Planning Deptartment about a status report on the 7-11 proposed for Bird/Virginia at the site of the old Fairmart Market. Here's what she learned:

  • No hearing date has been scheduled yet
  • No decision has been made yet
  • The applicant is trying to set up a community meeting 
  • The meeting should be scheduled before the end of the year 
  • We will be notified of the community meeting as soon as it is scheduled
She confirmed with Aparna that NWGNA will be notified, or at the very least, anyone who submitted comment will be notified, and she will notify Debbie when that happens. In turn, Debbie will notify the rest of the neighborhood via the Yahoo! Groups list, blog, and Facebook page.

Stay tuned!

Saturday, November 03, 2012

Daylight savings ends Sunday 2:00 am

Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday, November 4 at 2 a.m.

It's a good time to change the batteries in your smoke detectors, too. Fire Departments encourage it since the end of Daylight Saving Time provides a convenient reminder, especially With the busy holiday season coming up.

Friday, November 02, 2012

TODAY: Holiday tree orders due


Did you get your order in? If not, download the form and get it over to Pam Shukait at 1023 Bird today (or send via PayPal).

Thursday, November 01, 2012

Holiday tree orders due TOMORROW

Did you get your order in? If not, download the form and get it over to Pam Shukait at 1023 Bird by tomorrow (or send via PayPal).

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Downtown Willow Glen Trick-or-Treat

The trick-or-treat tradition continues in downtown Willow Glen. The event will be held on Wednesday, October 31, 2012 on Lincoln Avenue between Minnesota and Willow. Books For Treats will be located in front of the Garden Theater (1165 Lincoln Ave).

PLEASE NOTE NEW TIMES AND SESSIONS:
11am-12:30pm:
Session #1: Toddlers, Preschoolers, & Kids in Strollers: 

3pm-4:30pm:
Session #2: School-Aged Kids in Costume

Read more about this annual fun event.

North Willow Glen Holiday Tree Lane

For many years, in early December, the streets of Willow Glen begin to light up with the sparkle of miniature evergreens. We would like to invite you to join in this tradition. We have set up a way for you to order a tree for your yard.

If you are interested in having a tree in your yard, and do not already have one for this purpose, please read below for more details.
  • Orders need to be received by Friday, November 2, 2012. 
  • Rebar available if requested. This is used for anchoring the tree in your yard.
  • We are expecting delivery of the trees to the neighborhood Sunday, December 2nd.
  • You will have to set up the tree on your own.
  • You are responsible for putting on your own lights. A very old tradition is to use the large colored lights and to put one white light at the top of the tree.
  • Trees will be available for pick up at the Shukait’s house (1023 Bird Ave) on Sun., Dec. 2nd between 10:00am and 5:00pm.
* * * This year, again, we are also offering 22” Noble fir and Cedar wreaths decorated with pinecones. The wreaths will be $15 each. * * *

Fliers are being delivered to your door, but you can also download the order form and deliver it with a check made payable to: Pam Shukait or send via PayPal to pshukait@me.com. (Trees will be from Enchanted Forest Christmas Trees.)

Call Pam with any questions: 408-297-4388.

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Did you lose this dog?

This dog was found yesterday at Coe and Lincoln and has been moved to the San Jose Animal Care & Services on Monterey Highway.


Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Local credit card skimming case

Barnes & Noble is reporting that thieves tampered with in-store PIN pads at 63 of its stores and may have had their credit or debit card information stolen. The nearby Stevens Creek Boulevard store is included in the list of affected locations.

From the B&N press release:
As a precaution, customers and employees who have swiped their cards at any of the Barnes & Noble stores with affected PIN pads should take the following steps: 
Debit Card Users:
  • Change the PIN numbers on their debit cards
  • Review their accounts for unauthorized transactions
  • Notify their banks immediately if they discover any unauthorized purchases or withdrawals 
Credit Card Users:
  • Review their statements for any unauthorized transactions
  • Notify their card-issuing banks if they discover any unauthorized purchases or cash advances
For additional information and updates, visit the Barnes & Noble website at www.barnesandnobleinc.com. Customers may also call 1-888-471-7809, between the hours of 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM Eastern Standard Time, with questions.

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Supervisor Ken Yeager's Oct. 18 newsletter



Topics for this newsletter include:
  • Air Resources Board works to ease gas prices
  • County strives to make voting more convenient
  • Hospitals around the nation follow VMC's lead
  • County to phase out Styrofoam in government operations
  • HIV planning council seeks volunteers
  • Tax preparation program for families in need seeks volunteers
  • Emergency Medical Services strategic planning meetings
  • Calendar of Events
If you would like to receive this newsletter by email, write to jim.weston@bos.sccgov.org with the subject line "add me to your list."

Friday, October 19, 2012

Did you lose two little dogs?

Last night around 5:00, two light-colored miniature dogs without collars or tags were found and Bird and Fuller. If they are yours, they are now at the Monterey Road animal shelter, 408-794-7297.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Did you lose this kitty?

This dark gray cat has started frequenting 969 Delmas. See residents of that house if it belongs to you.

Sunday, October 14, 2012

New dialing procedures starting Oct. 20

To ensure adequate supply of telephone numbers for homes and businesses, the California Public Utilities Commission is introducing a new 669 area code. Starting October 20, it will be mandatory to dial 1 + area code + phone number to make calls, even from a 408 number to another 408 number.

From the CPUC web site:
Residents and businesses with telephone numbers within the 408 area code will retain their current telephone number(s) and area code. Consumers requesting new or additional telephone numbers (or telecommunications services) may be assigned telephone numbers with either the new 669 area code or the original 408 area code, depending on available telephone number inventory. Consumers will still be able to dial three digits to reach 911, 211, 311, 411, 511, 611, 711 and 811.
Be sure to notify alarm providers, reprogram speed dials and call forwarding, and update any promotional materials with your phone number to include the area code.

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Supervisor Ken Yeager's Sept. 27 Newsletter


Topics for this newsletter include:
  • Registering to vote is easier than ever
  • County receives grant to help place shelter animals
  • VTA launches improved services to meet rising ridership demand
  • Yeager joins neighborhood groups at National Night Out
  • Caltrain expands service starting October 1
  • Mandatory 11-digit dialing goes into effect October 20
  • Calendar of Events
If you would like to receive this newsletter by email, write to jim.weston@bos.sccgov.org with the subject line "add me to your list."

Thursday, September 27, 2012

September Meeting Recap

Thanks to all those who came out for our meeting under the stars and before an apropos backdrop.

We kicked off the meeting with the election of the 2013 NWGNA board. We have seen participation increase over the past few years and as a result, previous to the elections, the Board made some changes to the bylaws that slightly increased the size of the board. Our prior position known as Secretary/Treasurer changed to two individual positions and the Board Member positions increased from five to six. Taken together, this creates a total of eleven seats. This will do nicely should an inter-neighborhood association soccer league magically materialize. So without further ado, here is your current lineup.

President: Harvey Darnell
Vice President: Bill Rankin
Treasurer: Sheila Hunter
Secretary: Mary Pizzo
Past President: Chris Davis
Board Members (6): Alison England, Dan Erceg, Lila Kakuk, Barbara Keegan, Mark Lloyd, Vacant

We've worked with Vacant for a couple of years not long ago and s/he rarely showed up to meetings or really did anything tangible, so if you have an interest in replacing Vacant, we have an interest in having you do so. This is a chance to work with some good people doing some good things so contact us at board@nwgna.org to learn more. There will also be opportunities to participate on individual projects such as the Garage Sale, Party in the Park, Beautification Days, or Holiday Decoration Contest/Party outside of formal board membership.

After the elections we moved quickly to our guest speaker Marian Lee, Caltrain Modernization Program Executive Officer. Ms. Lee answered many of our questions and was able to elaborate on many of the details of Caltrain's move to electric trains and their compatibility with High Speed Rail (HSR). Here are a few bullet points from Ms. Lee.

- Caltrain and HSR plan to share tracks from SF to Diridon Station where HSR tracks will diverge and reconnect at Tamien Station, however electrification will be implemented all the way to Tamien. Ms. Lee will get back to us with how Caltrain will operate with respect to trains operating south of Tamien to Morgan Hill and Gilroy. These trains must use diesel so the concept is to use diesel trains as a shuttle to a station, then transfer to electric service. Which station is the question.
- Without the addition of passing tracks (none of which are being considered in North Willow Glen) they expect to reach a maximum of six Caltrain trains and two HSR trains per hour during peak times. Additional passing tracks could increase HSR by two more trains per hour while maintaining the 6 Caltrain trains.
- Implementation will begin with an upgraded train signaling system which will allow for more efficient coordination of trains in the system
- UPRR will continue to operate on the tracks and will continue to do so with diesel-fueled trains, as will Amtrak. The time window that UPRR will be allowed to operate will continue to be 12-5am, however mid-day and evening UPRR access will be halted.
- The total investment to Caltrain Modernization is $1.5B with $705M coming from HSR funds. Those funds are solely for Caltrain Modernization (thought the signaling will be shared) and not for use to create a four-track system.
- The new signal system will be completed in 2015. The completed electrification system is scheduled to be up and running in 2019. The addition of HSR is scheduled for completion in 2029
- The first 1-2 years will consist of environmental review and design. Ms. Lee vowed that Caltrain will conduct more public hearings than required by law, including venues in San Jose. Participants including NWGNA officers requested prior access to the designs in order to work with Caltrain to produce the best initial document possible.
- Years 3-4 are for construction. The work hours will be determined in the environmental reports above, so we should have some advance notice. The work will be done in stages so our area will be affected for only a portion of that period. To clarify something said at a previous meeting, the pole spacing for the catenary wires will be 150' or more. Ms. Lee will get back to us with a better idea of that. No track or tie improvements are planned for our section.
- While the new rolling stock will be lighter and able to accelerate faster, the top speed of 79 MPH will not change, though it should be noted that the slow speeds through our neighborhood will also not increase either as they must slow down for the sharp turns and station approach.
There were a few questions, some listed above, that Ms. Lee will answer for us after doing a bit of research. I will communicate those in the coming days.

So that's it in a (rather large) nutshell.

Update: Some funds for the Caltrain Modernization were recently released.

Sunday, September 23, 2012

San Jose Trails: Have your say -today-


San Jose Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhood Services wants your input on San Jose trails. Today is the last day to give input, so go to http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SanJoseTrails and let them know how you use our local trails. Read more about all of the nearby trails including our very own Three Creeks Trail.

Saturday, September 22, 2012

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.

Friday, September 21, 2012

Any requests/offers for this week's produce share?

What kind of plants or produce would you like to see at the share this Sunday? Do you need lemons, greens, or tomatoes? What can you offer to bring to share with others? Got extra fruit, vegetables or plants? Let us know.

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Friends & Neighbors Meeting - Caltrain & Elections

SEPTEMBER 25
6:30-8:00 PM
WORD OF FAITH CHURCH
DELMAS & FULLER

ELECTRIFICATION
What does Caltrain electrification mean for our neighborhood? With the next step in the Environmental Impact Report due in January, this may be our best and last chance to find out while there is still time to influence the process. We will welcome Caltrain Chief Planner, Marian Lee and Community Relations Officer Tasha Bartholomew to fill us in regarding construction and other issues.

ELECTION
NWGNA officers and board members will be elected at this meeting. Everyone within our borders has a vote and is eligible to hold one of the following positions: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, or Board Member. Serving on the board is a rewarding way to connect with your neighborhood. If you have any questions about elections or the role of officers and board members, please contact us at board@nwgna.org.

UPCOMING EVENT
Holiday Decoration Contest Kickoff Party
Date & Time TBD
Location: 562 Fisk Ave

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.

Friday, September 14, 2012

Any requests/offers for this week's produce share?

What kind of plants or produce would you like to see at the share this Sunday? Do you need lemons, greens, or tomatoes? What can you offer to bring to share with others? Got extra fruit, vegetables or plants? Let us know.

Saturday, September 08, 2012

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.

Friday, September 07, 2012

Any requests/offers for this week's produce share?

What kind of plants or produce would you like to see at the share this Sunday? Do you need lemons, greens, or tomatoes? What can you offer to bring to share with others? Got extra fruit, vegetables or plants? Let us know.

Saturday, September 01, 2012

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.

Friday, August 31, 2012

Any requests/offers for this week's produce share?

What kind of plants or produce would you like to see at the share this Sunday? Do you need lemons, greens, or tomatoes? What can you offer to bring to share with others? Got extra fruit, vegetables or plants? Let us know.

Friday, August 24, 2012

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.

Saturday, August 18, 2012

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.

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Any requests/offers for this week's produce share?

What kind of plants or produce would you like to see at the share this Sunday? Do you need lemons, greens, or tomatoes? What can you offer to bring to share with others? Got extra fruit, vegetables or plants? Let us know.

Saturday, August 11, 2012

Produce Share on Saturday, not Sunday

Reminder: This week's Veggie Share has been moved to Saturday, 5-8 p.m. to coincide with the Party in the Park. There will be no Share on Sunday, August 12.

We hope to see many of you at the Party, the salsa/swing lessons will be fun and we'll have crafts for the kids.

Friday, August 10, 2012

Party in the Park - Saturday 5-8pm

Eat
Hot dogs, watermelon, snacks, side dishes, ice cream, produce share

Play
Kids' crafts, dance lessons, music, antique car rides

Meet
Fun, friendly neighbors

Enjoy
All of the above in Hummingbird Park

Thursday, August 09, 2012

Any requests/offers for this week's produce share?

What kind of plants or produce would you like to see at the share this Sunday? Do you need lemons, greens, or tomatoes? What can you offer to bring to share with others? Got extra fruit, vegetables or plants? Let us know.

Sunday, August 05, 2012

Party in the Park


You've probably already received your flier about this year's Party in the Park. Hard to believe summer is almost over, isn't it?

This Saturday is our annual Party in the Park. Everyone is invited to Hummingbird Park, August 11 from 5-8pm for one giant North Willow Glen gathering. We had a great turn out last year and we are expecting more of the same.

The generous folks at Elite Ballroom will help you work up an appetite. by giving away free, professional Salsa lessons at 6pm and Swing lessons at 6:30pm.  Adults won't be having all the fun though. There will be crafts for the kids to keep them entertained.

Once you're good and hungry, pick from an assortment of barbequed hot dogs, kindly provided by our city council member, Pierluigi Oliverio. Feel free to bring a snack or side dish to share. But save a little room because you'll want to follow that up with some delicious Treat Ice Cream.

You'll also have the option of touring about town the way a very fortunate Willow Glenner would have when many of these houses were fairly new. Dan Erceg will be giving rides in his 1915 Pierce Arrow. Liberal use of the hand sanitizer is recommended (especially for the little ones) before climbing aboard this spectacular antique automobile.

If you have any extra produce, be sure to bring it by as well. This weekend's Produce Share will be moved from Sunday to Saturday during the party this weekend only.

We look forward to seeing you there. It's going to be fun.

Reminder: Produce Share at Hummingbird Park Today 1-3p

From today's host, Roy Nordblom:
 
I will be bringing a pie to cut up and give away to whoever comes Sunday.  It is a Himilayan Blackberry pie I bought at a Farmer's Market in Humboldt County.  I paid $15 for the beautiful thing, and my family is not interested!  So I will give away chilled slices of it to YOU, the neighbor who drops by the Produce Share !!

I have this big fat watermelon that I will be cutting up and giving away to whoever wants some.  A gift from the garden, this juicy melon will be free for the tasting at Hummingbird Park sunday afternoon!

My peach tree has produced peaches in it's very first year in the ground!  The tree is still a baby, only about 9' tall at the best, but there are a ton of sweet, juicy peaches coming off that little tree!  I have a basket of them to give away, I will slice up a bunch and let visitors to the park taste them, and take some home, free.

My daughter Dove has a kid's table.  At the children's table there will be free shells from the Atlantic Ocean, shiny rocks and crystals, and other fun stuff for little people to play with and take home.  Bring your own extra bling to share.

What is EXTRA STUFF to share?  You know, edible schwag, yummy loot, something valuable that you have way too much of, it will go bad before you will be able to consume it anyway, may as well give some to your neighbors.

Your fruit tree that is constantly dropping stuff, vegetable bounty that all comes ripe at the same time, what do you do with the excess? too much of something you bought in bulk at Costco now what are you going to do with it?  Extra leftovers in the refrigerator, those extra cookies you baked - SHARE them with your neighbors

It is like a free farmer's market.  Everyone has something to share, everyone comes away from the Produce Share with a fun bag of free to take home.  Oh, and it is a great way to meet your neighbors and make friends.  Kid friendly, too!

North Willow Glen Neighborhood Association
Sunday PRODUCE SHARE at Hummingbird Park on Bird Avenue @Fisk  1-3p

Saturday, August 04, 2012

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.

Thursday, August 02, 2012

Plant Clinic at this week's Willow Glen Farmers' Market

A plant clinic will be offered at the Willow Glen Farmers' Market on the first Saturday of the month, staffed by Master Gardeners. They will provide gardening information and assist you in finding solutions to individual gardening problems. The public is encouraged to bring their gardening questions, and also specimens of their plant problems (for example, leaves with mysterious black spots, withered fruit, a cute bug in a jar ...)

Any requests/offers for this week's produce share?

What kind of plants, produce, or other related items would you like to see at the share this Sunday? Do you need lemons, greens, or tomatoes? What can you offer to bring to share with others? Got extra fruit, vegetables or plants? Let us know.

SJPD considers eliminating burglary unit

According to NBC Bay Area, the San Jose Police Department is considering eliminating their Burglary unit. With burglaries on the rise, this is an important issue for all of us to follow and understand.

The news clip is available on their web site.

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Free symphony concerts start tonight

Symphony Silicon Valley's 2012 free outdoor summer music festival starts tonight. Sponsored by Target, Applied Materials, City of San Jose and KCBS Radio, the Symphony's 5th annual Target Summer Pops festival brings free professional orchestral music to the community in lawn concerts on the green at San Jose State University July 28 through August 5, 2012. Last year's festival drew over 16,000 people and they gave out 192 gallons of free ice cream.

For more information, see the symphony web site

Saturday, July 28, 2012

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.

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Any requests/offers for this week's produce share?

What kind of plants or produce would you like to see at the share this Sunday? Do you need lemons, greens, or tomatoes? What can you offer to bring to share with others? Got extra fruit, vegetables or plants? Let us know.

Monday, July 23, 2012

Reminder: Tomorrow's Meeting, Caltrain Electrification

The California High Speed Rail Authority has kicked in funds to accelerate the implementation of the proposed electrification of the Caltrain line from San Francisco to the Tamien Station in San Jose. Find out how electrification of nearby train tracks will impact residents and riders alike.

Jayme Ackemann, Government Affairs Officer for SamTrans, Caltrain and SMCTA will tell us about who, how, when, where and why.

An update on neighborhood news will follow, including a recap of the Summer Beautification Party and an announcement about this year's Party in the Park.

Meet us at Word of Faith Church on the corner of Delmas and Fuller.

Para traducción al español (408) 667-0355.

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Supervisor Ken Yeager's July 19 Newsletter

Topics for this newsletter include:
  • County to Get Fair Representation on Transportation Commission 
  • Rose, White, And Blue Parade Celebrates Independence Day
  • County Completes Almaden Expressway Improvements
  • CalTrain Tests Real-Time Information System
  • Earthquakes Raise Money for Juvenile Diabetes
  • Housing Trust Launches Foreclosure Help Program
  • Green Cadre Program Seeks Participants and Intern Sites
  • Calendar of Events
If you would like to receive this newsletter by email, write to jim.weston@bos.sccgov.org with the subject line "add me to your list."

Saturday, July 21, 2012

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.

Reminder: Signs on Posts and Trees

Throughout the neighborhood we often have some great garage or yard sales cropping up here and there and sometimes we have the unfortunate lost pet. In either circumstance, we often see signs affixed to poles or trees. Sometimes this is done properly and sometimes not so much. So if you're planning to have an event and would like to post signs to our neighborhood poles, please follow our tips, because the city does not maintain the look of our poles for us; our friendly neighborhood volunteers do that. So let's make it a bit easier on them and keep our neighborhood looking great. The number one rule is to take your sign down after your event is over. We know that after a long day, this can be the last thing anyone wants to do, but old expired signs can pile up and contribute greatly to blight. When you post your signs, please use zip ties, wire ties, or painters tape to attach signs to poles or trees. These methods are secure enough to do the job and they do not leave behind a sticky residue or remove paint from the poles. The same can not be said of duct tape or packing tape which are much too aggressive for this purpose. By all means, let's not use nails to attach signs to trees as this can be very damaging. We appreciate your help keeping North Willow Glen looking great and we wish you great success with your garage sale or the recovery of a pet.

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Any requests/offers for this week's produce share?

What kind of plants or produce would you like to see at the share this Sunday? Do you need lemons, greens, or tomatoes? What can you offer to bring to share with others? Got extra fruit, vegetables or plants? Let us know.

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Municipal Rose Garden: Community Volunteer Day

Help with deadheading and learn summer rose care tips by helping out this Saturday at the San Jose Municipal Rose Garden. All ages and abilities are welcome to this event at the corner of Naglee and Dana Avenues.

Children under 18 must be accompanied by adult. Bring gloves and clippers if have them; some will be provided.

Learn more about this event and join in this Saturday, 9:00 to 11:00 am.