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

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.

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.

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.

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."

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.

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.

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.

Whole Foods on The Alameda: Your input is needed

Councilmember Oliverio is inviting you to join with your neighbors to learn more about Whole Foods moving forward on The Alameda.

Whole Foods and their architect will be presenting drawings of the new grocery store as well as taking questions from the community.

The meeting is Tuesday, July 31 at 7:00PM at San Jose City Hall, room 120, in the Wing.

Parking is available in the underground garage at City Hall, entrance on 6th Street between Santa Clara and San Fernando.  Please bring your ticket with you to the meeting for validation. 

Party in the Park

You may have also noticed that we have set a date for this year's Party in the Park. We will gather in Hummingbird Park on Saturday, August 11th. In many ways it will be the last Saturday of summer as school starts for many of the neighborhood kids the following Wednesday. Last year brought a lot of people together for a lot of food and good times. We're following the same formula again this year. We will have music, barbequed hot dogs, ice cream, your side dishes, a kids activity area and fun for the grown ups too. This year Elite Ballrooms has graciously agreed to provide Salsa and Swing Dancing lessons for free for this event. We have most of the event under control, but we would love to have some volunteers to help staff the kids area and suggest some crafty projects for them. If you would like to volunteer and/or have some ideas please contact us at board@nwgna.org. Whether you volunteer or not, we would look forward to having you all out again this year.

NWGNA Party in the Park
Eat, Play, Meet, Enjoy
Saturday, August 11, 5:00-8:00pm
Hummingbird Park, corner of Bird & Fisk

Swim lessons available at Biebrach Pool

Sparkle Swim School is offering lessons this summer at Biebrach Pool, at the corner of West Virginia Street and Delmas Avenue, at the Gardner Community Center. Instructors are working with swimmers from three months to adult. For more information, visit their web site, call 408-293-6435, or email info@sparkleswimschool.com.

Beware the fire hydrant and its parking ticket

Some North Willow Glen neighbors are learning to look more closely when they park their cars to be sure that they are not within 15 feet of a fire hydrant. The city's Parking Compliance and Enforcement has been ticketing cars that are parked near fire hydrants, and you cannot depend on the curb being painted red as a clue. It's a $65.00 ticket, so be warned.

Friends & Neighbors Meeting Tuesday, July 24

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 this will this will impact residents and riders alike, directly from the source.

Our guest speaker is extremely knowledgeable on the subject. Jayme Ackemann, Government Affairs Officer for SamTrans, Caltrain and SMCTA will tell us about who, how, when, where and why.

Following Ms. Ackemann, we will discuss all the latest neighborhood news, 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.