Emergency regulation to control water use during drought

From San Jose Water Company and the State Water Resources Control Board:

The Board has determined that the following water use activities by San Jose Water Company customers are not allowed:

1. Watering outdoor landscapes in a way that causes “runoff” onto adjacent property, non-irrigated areas, private and public walkways, roadways, parking lots, or structures.
2. Washing a vehicle with a hose without a shut-off nozzle or other device that will immediately stop the flow of water when not in use.
3. Using drinking water to wash driveways and sidewalks.
4. Using drinking water in a fountain or other decorative water feature, except where the water is recirculated.

Violation of any of these four prohibited or restricted water use activities may be punishable by a fine of up to five hundred dollars ($500) for each day in which the violation occurs. These violations are defined as infractions under Water Code section 1058.5(d) and therefore enforceable by local law enforcement, or public agencies charged with enforcing the mandatory use restrictions.

Read more on the water company web site.

Produce Share this Sunday!

What can you bring to this Sunday's produce share? Let us know and we'll see you on Sunday, 1:00 to 3:00 in Hummingbird Park.

Produce Share this afternoon!

What can you bring to today's produce share? Let us know and we'll see you 1:00 to 3:00 in Hummingbird Park.

Bikeways Meeting Tonight, 6pm

Curbside bike lane, painted & parking buffer.
Photo: People for Bikes

The City of San José Department of Transportation will host a public meeting to discuss proposed bicycle‐related street improvements for the area west of downtown San Jose tonight, August 13, 2014, 6:00 PM, at Gardner Community Center, 520 W. Virginia St. 

How do you think bikeways could be improved in our area? Do the lanes we have get you where you need to go? Does it strike you as odd that Bird has a large painted buffer between auto traffic and the median and yet the bicycle lane is right up against traffic? Is it strange that the lane ends abruptly at Virginia rather than continuing on over 280 to popular public transit destinations such as the CA-17 Shuttle stop or to the existing Enhanced Bicycle Lane on San Fernando that could take you to Diridon Station? Would you like to see the Willow Street Bicycle Lane upgraded to an Enhanced Bicycle Lane with green paint and/or a buffer that could get us more safely to downtown Willow Glen? How about a bike lane up Prevost to Virginia to the Guadalupe River Trail along with a ramp to ascend Virginia's enormous curb. If you'd like to see these changes or any others you've dreamt up happen sooner rather than later, here's your chance to communicate that to the people in charge of these matters.


The following is a brief overview of the upcoming planned bikeway improvements.

Stockton Avenue:
add Bicycle Lanes between The Alameda and Emory Street

Julian Street:
add Bicycle Lanes between The Alameda and Guadalupe River Trail

Park Avenue:
add new and improve existing Bicycle Lanes from Market Street to the Santa Clara city limits

Lincoln Avenue:
add Bicycle Lanes between Willow Street and San Carlos Street
add Shared Lane pavement markings and signing between San Carlos Street and Park Avenue

Scott‐Auzerais:
add Shared Roadway pavement markings between MacArthur Avenue and Los Gatos Creek Trail


You can find more comprehensive details of the above plans in the full contents of the DOT flier by clicking here to download the Acrobat file.

Development at the Old Valero on Willow and Lincoln

The Mercury News recently ran a brief article on the plans for the now-closed Valero station down the road on Willow.

Valero station in Willow Glen to be replaced with retail 
By Leeta-Rose Ballester

The corner of Lincoln Avenue and Willow Street will no longer be home to a gas station as crews begin to remove structures and underground piping. 

The removal and cleanup of the Valero station will take about three months, said Brian Mason of Colliers International, co-leasing agent for the property at 1096 Lincoln Ave. Mason's partner is David Bider of Cypress investments.

"To close out a gas station means we've got to take everything out of the ground," Mason said. "It's a detailed and controlled process."

Once the all clear has been given by the city and there has been soil testing, Mason said, there are plans for a smaller retail development. 

The new retail area will probably house no more than two tenants and will be some 4,000 square feet to in order to limit the impact on parking in the area. 

"It's a popular corner, and we're going to be very selective," Mason said, adding that tenants will "fit the surroundings." 

Between cleanup of the existing Valero station and acquiring permits, construction of a new building won't begin for approximately another six months, he said.

Party in the Park: NOW!

Live music, food, games, food, candidates, food, mmm. Party in the Park going on until 7:00.

Party in the Park is Tomorrow, Starting at 4:30

Tomorrow is the last Sunday evening before school starts for many of the little ones in North Willow Glen and that's the signal for NWGNA's Party in the Park. We've got so much going on this year. We will try to wrap it all up in this post.

We have live music from North Willow Glen's own Johnny the Piano Man. He has a background in a diverse range of musical styles including classical music, jazz, rock and roll, experimental/electronic music, rockabilly and blues. We're looking forward to what surprises he will have in store for us.

Our own District 6 Councilmember, Pierluigi Oliverio has generously donated hotdogs to keep us all fed and happy. But that's not all. Willow Glen Meats & Smokehouse on Delmas is providing us with sausages too. Between all that and the side dishes neighbors will bring you might get pretty full, but you'll definitely want to save some room.

Willow Glen Creamery has donated two tubs of ice cream, including the wildly popular Mango and Chocolate Fantasy flavors. However will we choose?!

There will also be our special guests. Dave Cortese and Sam Liccardo will be on hand from 5:30-6:00 pm to briefly address the audience, share their views on the mayoral race, and learn what's important to us here in North Willow Glen.

Your kids will no doubt want to check out the crafts and activities we have planned as well, you know, in between eating, swinging from the monkey bars, and chasing each other around.

We hope to see you there.

Party in the Park
Hummingbird Park (corner of Bird & Fisk)
Sunday, August 10th, 4:30-7:00 pm

Please be sure to visit our great sponsors Willow Glen Creamery and Willow Glen Meats & Smokehouse and thank them for their contributions to Party in the Park.

Willow Glen Meats & Smokehouse Spices Up Party in the Park

Our neighbors at Willow Glen Meats & Smokehouse on Delmas are joining the fun at Party in the Park and they're providing us with some of their delicious sausage. How great is that?! Be sure to stop by when you get a chance and support this North Willow Glen business.

Party in the Park
Hummingbird Park
(Corner of Bird & Fisk)
Sunday, August 10, 4:30-7:00 pm

Willow Glen Meats & Smokehouse offers prime rib roast, seasoned and tied; marinated steaks - tri-tips, pork loin, and chicken; beef jerky; sausages; smoked products; bacon; chicken; fresh and frozen turkeys; pork; corned beef brisket; cheeses; party trays; wild game processing; sandwiches; lunch meats; beef; and smoked fish.

Music, Live and Local at Party in the Park

We are proud to present North Willow Glen's own Johnny the Piano Man to provide the musical entertainment at Party in the Park this year. First swing dance lessons, then hula, and now Johnny the Piano Man?! Always a good time with great neighbors.

John Francis of Duke Mantee and the GOLD MONEY BAND started his musical journey on the east coast in 5th grade. This journey took John Francis thru school band music, classical music, jazz, rock and roll, experimental/electronic music, rockabilly and blues. All while avoiding accordion music! Listen to what he does as he interprets and stylizes his music on the piano.

Party in the Park
Hummingbird Park
(Corner of Bird and Fisk)
Sunday, August 10, 4:30-7:00 pm

Hot Dog, It's Party in the Park!

We would like to thank Council member Pierluigi Oliverio for his contribution of Party in the Park's main food offering: hot dogs. Knowing Pierluigi there will be a wide assortment so your favorite might just be on hand.

Pierluigi is the son of immigrant parents, Italo and Matilde, who are both retired teachers. Pierluigi attended Booksin Elementary, Hoover Middle School, and Willow Glen High in the San Jose Unified School District. He then went on to obtain his BA and Teaching Credential from San Jose State University. Raised on Willow Street, he is a homeowner on Cherry Avenue where he is a parishioner of St. Christopher’s church.

Party in the Park
Hummingbird Park (Corner of Bird and Fisk)
Sunday, August 10, 4:30-7:00 pm

Party in the Park is Where Mayoral Candidates Want to Be

What a great chance to get to know the candidates better. Sam Liccardo and Dave Cortese will attend
Party in the Park from 5:30-6:00 pm to speak briefly and to visit with residents. If you'd like to learn their position on the issues that matter to you, its a great opportunity to ask them.

Party in the Park
Hummingbird Park (Corner of Bird and Fisk)
Sunday, August 10, 4:30-7:00 pm

Dave currently represents District 3 on the Board of Supervisors, which includes Evergreen, East Foothills, Berryessa, North San Jose and Alviso.

Sam represents San José’s Third District on the San José City Council, one of the most diverse communities in our city. 

Ice Cream, You Scream, we all Scream for Party in the Park

Willow Glen Creamery is donating to Party in the Park! Expect big favorite flavors Mango and Chocolate Fantasy.

Party in the Park
Hummingbird Park (Corner of Bird and Fisk)
Sunday, August 10, 4:30-7:00 pm

Willow Glen Creamery has proudly served the Willow Glen community since 2002. Thanks to your support and nominations, we have won many “Best of Awards" We strive to serve the best frozen yogurt and Ice Cream. All of our yogurts are made fresh daily using frequently tested homemade recipes. We provide only the freshest fruits and best ingredients available. Our frozen yogurts contain many live active cultures which have been shown to aid in digestive health, and rich in calcium and nutrients! Our vast menu is sure to provide options for everyone in the family. Please see our Products Page for more information or better yet, come down and give us a try! We also proudly provide doggie yogurts for our furry friends!

Temp closure of the Lower Guadalupe River Trail

News from the city about a temporary closure of ​the Lower Guadalupe River Trail:

Work by the City of San Jose on a roadway and by PG&E on its gas system in North San Jose will temporarily prevent trail access along the Lower Guadalupe River Trail from Tasman Drive to Gold Street.

The City has awarded a construction contract to replace the existing undercrossing at Tasman Drive. The new structure will be about three feet higher than its current elevation and will make this section of trail less susceptible to tidal flooding. Work is expected to begin August 12 and extend through October.

A section of the east levee north of Tasman Drive will also be removed this summer as PG&E replaces a section of a gas transmission pipeline as part of a mandated pipeline safety program. PG&E expects to conduct its work between August 25 and October 30. The trail closure will also prevent access to ramp leading to the interconnected Highway 237 Bikeway.

During the closures, trail users are encouraged to use adjacent roadways and sidewalks, or they may use the gravel maintenance road along the west bank of the river. The City is working closely with PG&E and the Santa Clara Valley Water District to minimize the duration and construction impacts. For additional information San Jose Trail Program Manager yves.zsutty@sanjoseca.gov

Produce Share this Sunday!

Examples of what has been offered at the Produce Share this summer

What can you bring to this Sunday's produce share? Let us know and we'll see you on Sunday, 1:00 to 3:00 in Hummingbird Park.

Party in the Park!

Come join us for our fourth annual Party in the Park.
We’ll have live music by Johnny the Piano Man. We’ll have a barbeque fired up with hot dogs of all kinds on the grill. We’ll also have snacks and provide beverages. Because we all love variety, please bring a snack or side dish to share.

We’ll have fun projects to keep the kids entertained and we’ll be hosting our Produce Share at the same time. See you there!

Party in the Park
Hummingbird Park (Corner of Bird and Fisk)
Sunday, August 10, 4:30-7:00 pm

P.S. There's going to be even more. Stay tuned for special announcements.