Have you seen Toby?

SJFD tweets about today's fire

*****Address Correction***** 892 Delmas Ave.
— San Jose Fire Dept. (@SJFD) December 22, 2013

*Second Alarm Fire* 885 Delmas Ave. Two story building with six units. Fire knocked down at 4:49pm pic.twitter.com/XjBsVllVhs
— San Jose Fire Dept. (@SJFD) December 22, 2013

*Second Alarm Fire* 885 Delmas Ave. Two story building with six units. pic.twitter.com/nFwXKiXLoC
— San Jose Fire Dept. (@SJFD) December 22, 2013

Neighbors displaced by apartment fire

An apartment building on Delmas between Hull and Fuller burned in a two-alarm fire this afternoon. The Red Cross has helped find overnight housing for the 17 displaced residents.

Read more via KTVU and the Mercury News.

Follow Bird Ave construction via Twitter

300 ft of new storm drain pipe installed on Upper Bird! Construction will re-start 1/6/14. Happy Holidays #SJBirdAve pic.twitter.com/NIYP02knW7
— SJ Bird Ave Project (@DPWBirdPM) December 20, 2013

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.

Bird Avenue construction

Phase 2 of Bird Avenue construction is underway between Willow Street and Coe Avenue including redirecting traffic around the area. From the city with added emphasis:

The partial street closure to through traffic on Bird Ave. between Coe Ave. and Willow St. will be in effect from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, through the end of the project in February, 2014.  Construction notices were distributed to the neighborhood and a notice published in the “Roadshow” section of the San Jose Mercury News.

Over the next two weeks, the contractor will be saw cutting for new trenches, pot holing to identify underground Utilities, and beginning work to replace the old existing sanitary and storm sewer pipes with new pipes. 

The contractor will not be working over the City’s Holiday Closure beginning Tuesday, Dec. 24^th through Wednesday, Jan. 1^st, 2014.  Bird Ave. will be open to normal traffic over this period.

Vote in the holiday decorating contest

Voting has begun in North Willow Glen's annual holiday lighting contest! Bundle up, go for an evening stroll, and let us know which houses are your favorite. Your ballot was delivered to your home in the last few weeks, and it can be dropped off at 562 Fisk by 8:00 pm on December 20.

Prizes will be awarded to the top homes including gift certificates from local businesses!

Yard trees available Wednesday evening

Yard trees will be available for pickup Wednesday night after 4:30 pm. Yahoo!

Yard trees are delayed

Due to weather, the yard trees ordered through Pam Shukait are delayed. Stay tuned for more details.

Holiday yard trees arrive tomorrow!

Holiday yard trees and wreaths arrive tomorrow, Sunday, and will be available for pickup from the Shukaits at 1023 Bird Avenue from 9 am to 3 pm. While you're there, give them a big thanks for leading the yard tree effort each year.

And, be sure to come by the NWGNA holiday festivities on Sunday night from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm at 562 Fisk. It's a really fun time each year with great food and beverages. Bring the whole family!

Aqui Supports NWGNA Holiday Decoration Contest

Our friends at Aqui Cal Mex have once again agreed to provide us with some of our prizes. Aqui has been a tremendous supporter of ours for a number of years. We are fortunate to have their support. You can show them your gratitude by stopping by for one of their tasty dishes - as if any of us needed another excuse, am I right?!

Show your support for NWGNA!

Support all of the great work of the North Willow Glen Neighborhood Association by clicking on the PayPal link at the upper left to make a donation. While your donation would not be tax deductible, it will help support the upcoming holiday events and more.

Thank you for your generosity!

Young kitten looking for a home

This friendly young fella was found near Spencer and Atlanta and is looking for a home. Contact board@nwgna.org and we will connect you with the person who is fostering him.

Daylight savings ends Sunday 2:00 am

Daylight Saving Time ends Sunday, November 2 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.

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 to pshukait@me.com).

TOMORROW: 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 by tomorrow (or send via PayPal to pshukait@me.com).

Holiday tree orders due in two days

Did you get your order in? If not, download the form and get it over to Pam Shukait at 1023 Bird by Friday, November 1 (or send via PayPal to pshukait@me.com).

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 1, 2013. 
• 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 8.
• 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. 8 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 $16 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.

And Now to Look Forward

We looked to our history as Founders Day approached. Now that we've gotten a glimpse of where we came from, here's a look into our future.

North Willow Glen History Part 15 of 15: The 2010s

Coming out of the burst housing bubble of end of the previous decade, a number of homes fall into the hands of banks and are slowly sold off as lines of credit are restored. Though still less than four years into this decade, a number of homes have been noticeably transformed through upgrades as ownership has turned over. Neighbors can be found congregating in small groups on Sundays exchanging the bounty of their gardens at the Produce Share in Hummingbird Park or en masse at summer's end for the Party in the Park at the same venue. Winter brings the Holiday Party and the Decoration Contest with prizes donated by local businesses and Spring starts the cycle anew with the Garage Sale.

Leading up to the September 21st Willow Glen Founders Day Parade on Lincoln Avenue, NWGNA is providing readers with history about the evolution of our neighborhood, largely excerpted from Ken Ecklund's North Willow Glen Neighborhood Association Page.

We view this as our history and encourage you to share. Stories and photos of North Willow Glen are very welcome and with your permission and credit we would like to archive this information to improve our understanding of life in our neighborhood throughout the years. Please post here or reach us via e-mail at board@nwgna.org.

North Willow Glen History Part 14 of 15: The 2000s

The neighborhood continues to improve. It forms its own neighborhood association, the North Willow Glen Neighborhood Association, and gains better representation with the City. Alison England is elected the first NWGNA President. NWGNA is instrumental in getting the City's vacant lots turned into pleasant spaces, at Bird and Fisk (Hummingbird Park) and on Fuller (Fuller Park). The Association wins a "BRICC" award from Community Foundation Silicon Valley in 2003.

Alarmed by the reckless speed of drivers, neighbor activists on Hull and Delmas Avenues get traffic calming measures from the San Jose Streets & Traffic Department. A series of "Neighborhood Improvement Days" led by Dan Erceg builds the distinctive North Willow Glen signature fence at the Atlanta and Delmas gateways. A series of planting days adds around 90 street trees to the North Willow Glen streetscape. In late 2005, the City installs vintage streetlights on the west side of Delmas Avenue, and begin reconstruction of Spencer Avenue. Edit: Throughout the decade, the housing market races ahead at breakneck speed and the bubble bursts in 2008 with a deep recession. SNI Redevelopment Agency funds run dry, halting the city's investment in the area.
Milestones
2000: The North Willow Glen Neighborhood Association (NWGNA) founded.
2003: Hummingbird Park opens.
2003: North Willow Glen holds its first July 4 Block Party - 300 people attend.
2005: Construction begins on Fuller Park.

Leading up to the September 21st Willow Glen Founders Day Parade on Lincoln Avenue, NWGNA is providing readers with history about the evolution of our neighborhood, largely excerpted from Ken Ecklund's North Willow Glen Neighborhood Association Page.

We view this as our history and encourage you to share. Stories and photos of North Willow Glen are very welcome and with your permission and credit we would like to archive this information to improve our understanding of life in our neighborhood throughout the years. Please post here or reach us via e-mail at board@nwgna.org.

Friends & Neighbors Meeting: Lawn Alternatives & Board Election

Thinking of replacing your lawn with low-water landscaping?

Need help paying for low-water landscaping project?

Learn more about those topics at this meeting.

Want to be more involved in NWGNA activities? Nominate yourself for a leadership position during the election portion of this meeting.

Tuesday, September 24

6:30-8:00 pm

Word of Faith Church

Delmas & Fuller

North Willow Glen History Part 13 of 15: The 1990s

North Willow Glen begins to turn itself around. Volunteers build the white fence along "Fuller Plaza" and get the City to donate the materials. North Willow Glen neighbor activists plant the pistache trees and other trees in the Bird Avenue median between Fuller and Coe. Neighbor activists get landscaping for the abandoned City lot at Bird and Fisk. Later in the decade, the City promises new effort and funds to help under-serviced neighborhoods such as North Willow Glen. A significant part of North Willow Glen is included in the Greater Gardner Coalition, eligible for City aid as part of the Strong Neighborhoods Initiative (SNI).
Milestones
Fuller Plaza gets its iconic fence.
Second track added to railroad line.

Leading up to the September 21st Willow Glen Founders Day Parade on Lincoln Avenue, NWGNA is providing readers with history about the evolution of our neighborhood, largely excerpted from Ken Ecklund's North Willow Glen Neighborhood Association Page.

We view this as our history and encourage you to share. Stories and photos of North Willow Glen are very welcome and with your permission and credit we would like to archive this information to improve our understanding of life in our neighborhood throughout the years. Please post here or reach us via e-mail at board@nwgna.org.

North Willow Glen History Part 12 of 15: The 1980s

Aesthetically, the neighborhood hits rock bottom. There is blight and residents find it impossible to get any attention from the City. Neighbors, after waiting for months to get abandoned vehicles towed from residential streets, push them out along Bird Avenue, where they are towed within the hour.

North Willow Glen neighbors take up the task of painting out graffiti on the Bird Avenue railroad bridge; graffiti needs to be painted out almost every day. They paint "Welcome to Willow Glen" on the bridge, and repaint it as often as necessary.

The real estate market turns red hot in 1986, and doesn't burn out until 1989. The situation rekindles interest in North Willow Glen, which has affordable homes, vintage charm, and quick access to Highway 280. New buyers bring new energy to the neighborhood, and a new appreciation for the aesthetics, scale and harmonious proportions of a largely intact vintage neighborhood.
Milestones
Early 1980s: Heavy rains; the Guadalupe River floods downtown San Jose.
1986: Houses sell for around $130,000.
1988: "Welcome to Willow Glen" first appears on the Bird Avenue railroad bridge.
Highway 87 is finished.

Leading up to the September 21st Willow Glen Founders Day Parade on Lincoln Avenue, NWGNA is providing readers with history about the evolution of our neighborhood, largely excerpted from Ken Ecklund's North Willow Glen Neighborhood Association Page.

We view this as our history and encourage you to share. Stories and photos of North Willow Glen are very welcome and with your permission and credit we would like to archive this information to improve our understanding of life in our neighborhood throughout the years. Please post here or reach us via e-mail at board@nwgna.org.

North Willow Glen History Part 11 of 15: The 1970s

Highway 280 is completed. Land is reserved for Highway 87, creating a new boundary for North Willow Glen to the east. The neighborhood is losing many of its original residents to old age.

Leading up to the September 21st Willow Glen Founders Day Parade on Lincoln Avenue, NWGNA is providing readers with history about the evolution of our neighborhood, largely excerpted from Ken Ecklund's North Willow Glen Neighborhood Association Page.

We view this as our history and encourage you to share. Stories and photos of North Willow Glen are very welcome and with your permission and credit we would like to archive this information to improve our understanding of life in our neighborhood throughout the years. Please post here or reach us via e-mail at board@nwgna.org.

North Willow Glen History Part 10 of 15: The 1960s

North Willow Glen continues to decline slowly. The neighborhood loses a few vintage homes to developers who scrape them and put up duplexes. Highway 280 cuts through to the north, cutting the community off from downtown San Jose.

Around this time, the City of San Jose attempts to make Bird Avenue into an expressway. Bird is widened to six lanes from Park Avenue south as far as Coe, and many old houses are lost on Virginia, Fuller, Hull, and Atlanta. But North Willow Glen residents south of Coe put up a fight, and eventually the City drops its plan for Bird Expressway.

Leading up to the September 21st Willow Glen Founders Day Parade on Lincoln Avenue, NWGNA is providing readers with history about the evolution of our neighborhood, largely excerpted from Ken Ecklund's North Willow Glen Neighborhood Association Page.

We view this as our history and encourage you to share. Stories and photos of North Willow Glen are very welcome and with your permission and credit we would like to archive this information to improve our understanding of life in our neighborhood throughout the years. Please post here or reach us via e-mail at board@nwgna.org.

North Willow Glen History Part 9 of 15: The 1950s

It's the time of the "Blue Sky Dream" in the South Bay. Orchards begin to be scraped up, and replaced with tract-style homes. As the young aerospace engineers and their wives buy new homes in the subdivisions, the older neighborhoods start to decline. There's a gas station on the northeast corner of Delmas and Hull across from the present day Starbrite.

Leading up to the September 21st Willow Glen Founders Day Parade on Lincoln Avenue, NWGNA is providing readers with history about the evolution of our neighborhood, largely excerpted from Ken Ecklund's North Willow Glen Neighborhood Association Page.

We view this as our history and encourage you to share. Stories and photos of North Willow Glen are very welcome and with your permission and credit we would like to archive this information to improve our understanding of life in our neighborhood throughout the years. Please post here or reach us via e-mail at board@nwgna.org.

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.

North Willow Glen History Part 8 of 15: The 1940s

Of course World War II hits and North Willow Glen, like neighborhoods throughout the country, is consumed with the war effort. The postwar boom more or less completes the neighborhood; almost all lots have homes on them.

Leading up to the September 21st Willow Glen Founders Day Parade on Lincoln Avenue, NWGNA is providing readers with history about the evolution of our neighborhood, largely excerpted from Ken Ecklund's North Willow Glen Neighborhood Association Page.

We view this as our history and encourage you to share. Stories and photos of North Willow Glen are very welcome and with your permission and credit we would like to archive this information to improve our understanding of life in our neighborhood throughout the years. Please post here or reach us via e-mail at board@nwgna.org.

North Willow Glen History Part 7 of 15: The 1930s

The Township of Willow Glen includes part of present-day North Willow Glen: Fisk Street, Brooks, Snyder, Warren and Shepherd Avenues are all within the boundary, as is the southern tip of Delmas. These streets become part of San Jose when, nine years after incorporation, the Town of Willow Glen narrowly votes in favor of annexation by the City of San Jose.

The demand for homes in this area continues to be high. Willow Glen's population was 4,145 in 1930; by 1936, it had risen to over 7,000!

The streetcar tracks on Delmas are pulled up, part of a successful nationwide effort by GM to persuade townships to replace streetcars with buses.
Milestones
1930: Willow Glen is the fourth-largest city in Santa Clara County.
1936: The railroad threat ended, Willow Glen is subsumed into the City of San Jose.

Leading up to the September 21st Willow Glen Founders Day Parade on Lincoln Avenue, NWGNA is providing readers with history about the evolution of our neighborhood, largely excerpted from Ken Ecklund's North Willow Glen Neighborhood Association Page.

We view this as our history and encourage you to share. Stories and photos of North Willow Glen are very welcome and with your permission and credit we would like to archive this information to improve our understanding of life in our neighborhood throughout the years. Please post here or reach us via e-mail at board@nwgna.org.

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.

North Willow Glen History Part 6 of 15: The 1920s

After the Great War and the Spanish Influenza epidemic come the boom times of the '20s. Many lots sell, and more of the farmland is subdivided, especially the cherry orchard that becomes the "Cherry Grove" subdivision of west Hull Avenue and Atlanta. Lots of Craftsman, Mission and other eclectic homes built in North Willow Glen (for a guide to vintage home styles, go here).

When the Southern Pacific railroad proposes to run its line down Willow Avenue and into Willow Glen, residents of the area gather together to figure out how to prevent this. The town of Willow Glen (see map) is formed expressly to prevent the railroad from going through the community. Instead, the railroad goes through North Willow Glen, effectively cutting it off from the Gardner area to the north. The railroad causes some homes on the north side of Fuller to be relocated to adjacent streets such as Hull.
Milestone
1927: The City of Willow Glen is formed

Leading up to the September 21st Willow Glen Founders Day Parade on Lincoln Avenue, NWGNA is providing readers with history about the evolution of our neighborhood, largely excerpted from Ken Ecklund's North Willow Glen Neighborhood Association Page.

We view this as our history and encourage you to share. Stories and photos of North Willow Glen are very welcome and with your permission and credit we would like to archive this information to improve our understanding of life in our neighborhood throughout the years. Please post here or reach us via e-mail at board@nwgna.org.

Three Creeks Trail Bridge Presentation

On Monday night San Jose Parks discussed the new bridge design for Three Creeks Trail. The bridge
will be located at the current site of the old trestle bridge near Coe and Lonus Streets. The link below provides us with 57 slides of the new design and considerations made in its design. A number of interesting features include engraved historic train company logos at each end as well as "Welcome to Willow Glen" (gee, sounds familiar doesn't it?) and "Welcome to Downtown San Jose" signs at each end.
http://www.sanjoseca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/21222

North Willow Glen History Part 5 of 15: The 1910s

North Willow Glen continues to grow. More multi-acre lots are subdivided, and sold to people of many different ethnic backgrounds. Across Bird Avenue, an exclusive subdivision is created, called Palm Haven.  

Around this time, a streetcar begins to run along Delmas Avenue, making the trip to downtown San Jose a breeze. In its heyday, you can apparently take a streetcar all the way to Los Gatos, and from there catch the train to Santa Cruz. In springtime, people all over the Bay Area take to the rails to enjoy the beautiful sight and smell of peach, pear and apricot orchards in bloom in the South Bay, "the Valley of Heart's Delight." 

Frank Wolfe (1863-1929) hits his architectural stride as a sole practitioner in this decade. The house at the corner of Bird and Brooks was built in 1912 according to his designs and Wolfe would reside there through the end of the decade.
Milestone
1911: Most of North Willow Glen is annexed into the city of San Jose. The exception to which is its more southwestern corner, south of Brooks.

Frank and Nellie Wolfe house, built 1912 (photo www.frankdeloswolfe.com)

Leading up to the September 21st Willow Glen Founders Day Parade on Lincoln Avenue, NWGNA is providing readers with history about the evolution of our neighborhood, largely excerpted from Ken Ecklund's North Willow Glen Neighborhood Association Page.

We view this as our history and encourage you to share. Stories and photos of North Willow Glen are very welcome and with your permission and credit we would like to archive this information to improve our understanding of life in our neighborhood throughout the years. Please post here or reach us via e-mail at board@nwgna.org.

North Willow Glen History Part 4 of 15: The 1900s

Developers buy up 5- and 10-acre parcels, and subdivide them into city lots. Once land is affordable, houses begin to appear in North Willow Glen. A sprinkle of buildings appear along Delmas and Fuller Avenue - mostly modest two-bedroom bungalows in the Neoclassical style, along with a few Victorians (for a guide to vintage home styles, go here). West Hull and Atlanta, however, are apparently a cherry orchard.

To own a home, people first buy the lot and then pay to have a home built. One of the lots on Fuller Avenue is sold in a raffle, and the winner is a young girl, Bernice Van Gundy, only 8 or 10 years of age. An elegant home, perhaps designed by the noted architect Wolfe of Wolfe and MacKenzie, sits proudly on the corner of Fuller and Delmas (unfortunately, it will burn while being renovated in the 1980s). Below is a map showing what San Jose looked like in 1901.

Milestones
1900: San Jose's population is around 20,000.
1909: Gardner Academy appears on city maps.

Leading up to the September 21st Willow Glen Founders Day Parade on Lincoln Avenue, NWGNA is providing readers with history about the evolution of our neighborhood, largely excerpted from Ken Ecklund's North Willow Glen Neighborhood Association Page.

We view this as our history and encourage you to share. Stories and photos of North Willow Glen are very welcome and with your permission and credit we would like to archive this information to improve our understanding of life in our neighborhood throughout the years. Please post here or reach us via e-mail at board@nwgna.org.

North Willow Glen History Part 3 of 15: The 1890s

Up to now, what we know today as Bird Avenue was called "Lincoln Avenue" and it only ran as far south as the present-day intersection with Coe, when it turned west (following the path of Coe today) and continued south again on present day Lincoln. Sometime in the 1890s, Bird Avenue was extended down to Willow and beyond, and the grand Victorian house at Bird and Snyder was built (along with another one closer to Willow). This house became the residence of the Wolfe family; F.D. Wolfe was a noted architect in San Jose during the early 1900s.

Leading up to the September 21st Willow Glen Founders Day Parade on Lincoln Avenue, NWGNA is providing readers with history about the evolution of our neighborhood, largely excerpted from Ken Ecklund's North Willow Glen Neighborhood Association Page.

We view this as our history and encourage you to share. Stories and photos of North Willow Glen are very welcome and with your permission and credit we would like to archive this information to improve our understanding of life in our neighborhood throughout the years. Please post here or reach us via e-mail at board@nwgna.org.

North Willow Glen History Part 2 of 15: The 1880s

By 1887, the Bird hop ranch has been sold, probably in its entirety to the Odd Fellows Savings Bank, and the land divided into 5- and 10-acre parcels. Present-day Delmas Avenue is labeled "Hunter Avenue" north of Willow, and "Myrtle Avenue" to the south. It's soon renamed "Delmas Avenue" for Antoine Delmas, who owned the French Gardens tract at the north end of the street (just south of Santa Clara Street). Antoine's son, D. M. Delmas, was born in France in 1844, and educated at Santa Clara College (and Yale). A San Jose lawyer, Mr. Delmas was admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1879.

"H. French" owns two 5-acre parcels, covering the land where Warren, Shepherd and part of Snyder are now.

The land that will become Palm Haven is primaily orchards owned by Sylvester Newhall, with a "silk factory" situated on the bank of Los Gatos Creek near his elegant Victorian home (now gone). Henry Coe was the first area grower to raise mulberry leaves (food for silkworms), and a silk flag he presented to Congress is on display in the Smithsonian.
Milestones
1887: spectacular apricot harvest - the land south of North Willow Glen is almost entirely orchards.
1888: Delmas Avenue appears on city maps, along with "Lincoln Avenue" (Bird), "Marliere Street" (Spencer) and "Home Street" (Virginia).

Leading up to the September 21st Willow Glen Founders Day Parade on Lincoln Avenue, NWGNA is providing readers with history about the evolution of our neighborhood, largely excerpted from Ken Ecklund's North Willow Glen Neighborhood Association Page..

We view this as our history and encourage you to share. Stories and photos of North Willow Glen are very welcome and with your permission and credit we would like to archive this information to improve our understanding of life in our neighborhood throughout the years. Please post here or reach us via e-mail at board@nwgna.org.

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.

North Willow Glen History Part 1 of 15: The 1870s

Leading up to the September 21st Willow Glen Founders Day Parade on Lincoln Avenue, NWGNA is providing readers with history about the evolution of our neighborhood, largely excerpted from Ken Ecklund's North Willow Glen Neighborhood Association Page.

Our story opens in 1876. There is only one house in North Willow Glen - the Isaac Bird residence, sitting in what is now Biebrach Park. All around are fields of hops (and an acre or two of orchards just south of the house) owned by Isaac and C. T. Bird - over 196 acres in all. South of what will become Coe Avenue, however, the hops fields are owned by the Odd Fellows Savings Bank. You know about hops, don't you? It's the bitter herb you use to make beer. Hops grown in the "California Willow Grove" were reported to be some of the finest in the nation. The hops may have been grown for the Eagle Brewing Company in downtown San Jose.

Isaac Bird, an Englishman, came to the Bay Area in 1850 or 1851 from Alabama. His son, Calvin, one of six children raised on the hop ranch, became a prominent San Jose attorney specializing in the law pertaining to streets and street improvements.

We view this as our history and encourage you to share. Stories and photos of North Willow Glen are very welcome and with your permission and credit we would like to archive this information to improve our understanding of life in our neighborhood throughout the years. Please post here or reach us via e-mail at board@nwgna.org.

Learn and Contribute to the History of North Willow Glen

Leading up to the September 21st Willow Glen Founders Day Parade on Lincoln Avenue, NWGNA is providing readers with small pieces of history about North Willow Glen. Each day we will post significant happenings of the fourteen prior decades.

We would like to hear from you about your experiences in - and connections to - our neighborhood. We view this as our history and encourage you to share in an open forum. Stories and photos of North Willow Glen are very welcome and with your permission and credit we would like to archive this information to improve our understanding of life in our neighborhood throughout the years. Please post here or reach us via e-mail at board@nwgna.org.

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.

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.

Have you seen Roxy?

Roxy is missing from the area around Fuller and Bird. She is a nine-year-old female, almost all black with a bit of white on her chin. She was last wearing a purple collar and she has a microchip. If you find her, please call 888-466-3242 and her chip ID, 443647396B.

Grapes and lemons, available now!

On the porch at 562 Fisk while they last.

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.

Where Does Our Stream Water Originate?

As we know, North Willow Glen sits between a creek and a river; the Los Gatos and Guadalupe respectively. This explains why many of us are required to purchase flood insurance. But did you know where all that water comes from? Thanks to a fun and informational tool called Streamer from the Department of the Interior, you can track any major U.S. stream in either direction. Here's what the Guadalupe looks like from source to destination.

Uvas, Llagas, and Los Gatos Creeks all start out very near one another, but only Los Gatos Creek flows north. Check out Streamer 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.

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.

Hula demonstration and lesson TONIGHT!

At tonight's Party in the Park, we will have a hula demonstration from 6:00 to 6:45. Come check out this beautiful dance form, try it yourself, meet your neighbors, and have a bite to eat.

North Willow Glen Neighborhood Association is providing a variety of hot dogs on the grill and a few beverages. Please bring a side dish to share, plus those extra fruits and veggies from the garden for the Produce Share.

Also! Willow Glen Creamery is providing San Jose-made Treat ice cream.

The event starts at 5:00 in Hummingbird Park, corner of Fisk and Bird. See you there!

Produce Share Tonight

Don't forget the produce share tonight at Party in the Park, in Hummingbird Park, corner of Fisk and Bird, from 5:00 to 8:00. 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.

Please note: this week's share will be at Party in the Park, Saturday starting at 5:00 in Hummingbird Park.

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.

Join us for Party in the Park, August 10

In two weeks NWGNA will host its third annual Party in the Park. We've had a great time in years past and we expect more good times this year. We'll have hot dogs, snacks and drinks and we encourage attendees to bring a side dish. Like last year, there will be music and fun for the kids as well.

NWGNA's Party in the Park
Hummingbird Park (corner of Fisk & Bird)
Saturday, August 10, 5-8pm

Hope to see you there!

Produce Share today, 1:00, Hummingbird Park

Bounty from last year's share

Join us today for the Produce Share from 1:00 to 3:00, in in Hummingbird Park, corner of Fisk and Bird. 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.

"Thief, thief, call 9-1-1!"

Read about how a Willow Glen neighbor stopped a roaming thief in Scott Herhold's SJ Mercury News column. The good guys win!

On Our Way to Five-Oh-Oh

About 3-1/2 years ago this little neighborhood association decided to use Facebook to open the lines of communication with our residents. "Someday we may reach up three hundred people," we thought. "Were we being wildly optimistic?" we wondered. Now here we are humbled to be on the threshold of five hundred; this, in a community of 730 residences. As we are prone to with each century mark passed, we are offering a now-vintage logo'd tee shirt to the follower that gets us to the threshold. Get them while you can because there are only a few left, and the new logo is likely make it's sartorial debut sometime in the year ahead.

Produce Share, Sunday 1-3

Join us at the Produce Share in Hummingbird Park, corner of Fisk and Bird, Sunday from 1 to 3. 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.

Produce Share Kickoff: 2013

We are back on track with the Produce Share. The schedule and concept are the same as the last two years; open in Hummingbird Park on Sundays from 1-3pm. Feel free to bring any of your excess produce to the share and exchange it for extras grown by fellow neighbors. It's also a great way to meet people with similar gardening interests. And don't be shy about swooping in and collecting some fresh fruits and vegetables even if you don't have any to contribute yet. We always end up with extras anyhow. We've got volunteers scheduled for the next three weeks. If you'd like to host on August 4, we could use your help. Please comment here or reach us at board@nwgna.org. Happy Sharing!

Suki is still missing

Suki is still missing. Find more information about the search for her at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Find-Suki-Willow-Glen-SJ/654988244528821.

Oliver is missing

He has been missing since July 4 when he was scared by fireworks. Last seen on Lansord Avenue, and is likely in hiding under some sort of cover. Oliver has a white marking on his forehead and will be skittish to strangers. If found, please call 408-313-9484.

City opens cooling shelters

From the City of San Jose:

When:	8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. Monday, July 1; Tuesday, July 2; and Wednesday July 3
Where:	Almaden Community Center, 6445 Camden Ave. 408-268-1133 Berryessa Community Center, 3050 Berryessa Rd 408-251-6392 Camden Community Center, 3369 Union Ave. 408-559-8553 Cypress Community Center, 403 Cypress Ave. 408-244-1353 r Evergreen Community Center, 4860 San Felipe Rd. 408-270-2220 Mayfair Community Center, 2039 Kammerer Ave. 408-794-1060 Roosevelt Community Center, 901 E. Santa Cla 408-794-7555 rra St Seven Trees Community Center, 3590 Cas Drive 408-794-1690 Southside Community Center, 5585 Cottle Rd. 408-629-3336 Willows Community Center, 2175 Lincoln Ave. 408-448-6400
Who:	Community Centers will be open to the community to enable San Jose residents to stay hydrated and cool during extreme temperatures.
Background:	The National Weather Service issued an Excessive Heat Warning for the inland areas of the San Francisco Bay that began at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 29, and will continue to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 3. The forecast is for a sustained heat with poor overnight ooling recoveries. This will be the most notable heat event since July 2006.

Produce Share Resumes - Calling on Hosts

After the 4th of July weekend the Produce Share will resume in Hummingbird Park. We are looking for volunteers to help out. We have a very easy system worked out so all it takes is stopping by Lila's, just three houses down from the park, picking up the wagon with tables in it, setting them up, and hanging out as neighbors stop by to pick up, drop off, and visit. It's a relaxing way to spend part of your Sunday afternoon in the shade. When it's over all that's needed is to fold up tables, place them in the wagon along with the banner and haul it back to Lila's.

Various board members will be helping out, but we are looking for a few more volunteers who can do it now and then. Please let us know when you're available and we can fill in any gaps. Contact us here or at board@nwgna.org. 

Everything Old is New Again

 In a neighborhood as ours that is so old and yet so transformational it is important to keep an eye on tradition while keeping up with the times; balancing the historic with the present and the future. For thirteen years now the North Willow Glen Neighborhood Association has represented the residents of our fine neighborhood and the symbol created back then has represented NWGNA.


Through months of discussion, and many, many iterations, with the input of neighborhood leaders - many of whom have contributed consistently and tirelessly going back well before the formalization of NWGNA - we have created a significantly updated representation. Through a process of careful selection of elements deemed most relevant, the symbol of North Willow Glen Neighborhood Association has undergone a remodel.

We chose not to demolish and build anew, nor to simply slap on a coat of paint for a quick flip. We chose rather to revive the essence of the original through a comprehensive remodel. With this in mind, we invite our neighbors to take a look at our logo. As the new logo is phased in on the most cost-effective basis, the prior logo will be phased out, but NWGNA will continue its quest to fulfill its mission to create a neighborhood that is a pleasure to live in; appealing to both residents and their guests; a place that is free of crime, litter, and blight; an environment that is safe for adults, children, and pets; a neighborhood that is beautiful in landscape and architecture."

Willow Glen in 1927

As many of you may know, and those in attendance at the May Friends & Neighbors meeting certainly know, Willow Glen was incorporated as a city in 1927. The current definition of Willow Glen has changed greatly since then. What today is known as North Willow Glen or Greater Gardner was just barely included in the original map. Those of you on Brooks and Fisk are living in an area on that map.

map courtesty of wgna.net

Neighborhood Clean-up next Saturday

The City of San Jose is sponsoring a household clean-up event next Saturday, June 1, from 8:00 to 11:00 am, or until the bins are full. To use the bins, you must have the postcard shown above that was mailed to your home. No copies of the card will be accepted.

Locations for the various types of acceptable items are listed on the back of the card. Be prepared to divert to another site if the lines are long.

(Hi)Storytellers: Friends & Neighbors Meeting Tuesday

Come learn about the rich and colorful history of North Willow Glen and the greater Willow Glen community.

Local history buffs Dan Erceg, Harvey Darnell, and Jean Dresden will be providing us with some very interesting background information on the neighborhood we call home.


TUESDAY, MAY 28
6:30-8:00pm
WORD OF FAITH CHURCH
873 DELMAS AVENUE


Para traducción al español (408) 667-0355

Garage sale day tomorrow!

With 33+ homes in this year's North Willow Glen garage sale day and great weather, tomorrow should be a wonderful day in the neighborhood.

If you would like your house to be featured on the map, let us know by sending a note toboard@nwgna.org. We can also help feature your sale items with a short description on our blog. Check out the current map at the top of this blog.

Sellers, help us spread the word by posting on Craig's List, Facebook, and more.

Also, North Willow Glen Neighborhood Association is collecting select items to sell at a central location to benefit the association. If you have some good goods to donate for this cause, call Chris at (510) 593-6078 to share details. Since funding for the association is more constrained every year, you can help fund our annual fun events by donating to this sale event. Call Chris with your details!

Help a neighbor find their next treasure

Need to de-clutter? You can help someone find their next treasure by participating in the North Willow Glen Neighborhood Association garage sale on May 18. Just decide what you want to sell and let us know. We will promote the event and you can set your own hours that day. Feel free to add your own online ad, of course!

If you would like your house to be featured on the map, let us know by sending a note to board@nwgna.org. We can also help feature your sale items with a short description on our blog. Check out the current map at the top of http://northwillowglen.blogspot.com/.

15 houses so far in the garage sale!

We have 15 houses so far for the May 18 garage sale day in North Willow Glen. Join us simply by deciding what you want to sell and give us your address. We will handle the promotion of the event and you can set your own hours that day.

If you would like your house to be featured on the map, let us know by sending a note to board@nwgna.org. We can also help feature your sale items with a short description on our blog. Check out the current map at the top of http://northwillowglen.blogspot.com/.

Help us spread the word

Help us spread the word about the May 18 garage sale day in North Willow Glen! There are quite a few neighbors who are not on the Yahoo Groups list or Facebook, so if you see your neighbors, tell them about the May 18 event.

It's easy for any neighbor to participate -- just decide that you want to sell items at your address and let us know. We will handle the promotion of the event and you can set your own hours that day.

If you would like your house to be featured on the map, let us know by sending a note to board@nwgna.org. We can also help feature your sale items with a short description on our blog. Check out the current map at the top of http://northwillowglen.blogspot.com/.

Help NWGNA by donating goods to sell

For the May 18 neighborhood garage sale day, North Willow Glen Neighborhood Association is collecting select items to sell at a central location to benefit the association. If you have some good goods to donate for this cause, call Chris at (510) 593-6078 to share details.

Since funding for the association is more constrained every year, you can help fund our annual fun events by donating to this sale event. Call Chris with your details!

Neighborhood garage sale, May 18! Are you in?

Are you set to participate in the neighborhood garage sale on May 18? Just decide what you want to sell and let us know. We will handle the promotion of the event and you can set your own hours that day.

If you would like your house to be featured on the map, let us know by sending a note to board@nwgna.org. We can also help feature your sale items with a short description on our blog. Check out the current map at the top of http://northwillowglen.blogspot.com/.

NWGNA Garage Sale Day: More houses every day!

We have 10 houses listed on our map for the May 18 North Willow Glen Garage Sale and we are adding more every day.

If you would like your house to be featured on the map, let us know by sending a note to board@nwgna.org. We can also help feature your sale items with a short description on our blog. Check out the current map at the top of http://northwillowglen.blogspot.com/.

North Willow Glen Neighborhood Garage Sale May 18!

We're getting closer to our May 18 Garage Sale. The buzz is spreading. Here's a little more info for you.

What NWGNA will do for you
We run all the ads, post all the signs, inflate all the balloons, build a Google Map of the homes.

What you do
Set up your stuff. It can be as easy as that!

For best results
1) Get your house on our map - send your address to board@nwgna.org.
2) Become featured on our site - send a short list of your most impressive sale items to board@nwgna.org.
3) Post your ad on Craigslist - include "North Willow Glen" and pictures
4) Be ready on time - Motivated shoppers will be there right at 8am looking for those great items

Got stuff to get rid of but don't want to host a garage sale?

Donate it to NWGNA. Just call (510) 593-6078 by Friday, May 17 to learn how. Proceeds from the sale of donated items will go to putting on more awesome neighborhood events.

Fresh & Easy parent company is leaving U.S. market

From Reuters:

Britain's biggest retailer, Tesco, wrote down the value of its global operations by $3.5 billion and announced plans to exit the United States, as it tries to rebuild after a year when profit fell for the first time in two decades.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/04/17/us-tesco-results-idUSBRE93G06O20130417

Please note: PG&E Flex Alert

A message from a nearby neighborhood:

The California Independent System Operator, who manages the electric grid, has issued a Flex Alert today, urging residents and businesses in the San Jose area to conserve electricity NOW following heavy damage to the Metcalf Transmission Substation.

Pacific Gas & Electric Company is reporting heavy damage to transformers at the substation following gunshots heard during an apparent vandalism in the early morning hours. The Santa Clara County Sheriff's office law enforcement is working closely with PG&E to investigate.

http://www.caiso.com/Documents/Flex-Alert-UrgentConservationNeededNow-SantaClara-SiliconValleyApr16_2013.pdf

http://www.pgecurrents.com/2013/04/16/25991/

As load around the Valley is shared, efforts made in our neighborhood can help keep the lights on across town and avoid rolling outages as the equipment is restored.

Guadalupe River Park celebrates opening of new paved trail

On April 20, the Guadalupe River Park Conservancy and San Jose's Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Department are celebrating the opening of the newly paved Guadalupe River Trail, a 6½-mile path that links downtown San Jose to Gold Street in Alviso.

Festivities include a 5K/10K and 1K kids' run, plant sales, live music, healthy living information, and trail ribbon cutting.

Get details and register at www.grpg.org.