Seat of Your Pants Emergency Preparedness

Visit ready.gov for tips on how you can prepare for yourself, your family, and your community in case of an earthquake, flood, fire, or other disaster.

Bird Avenue Sanitary and Storm Sewer Improvements Project

Here are the latest updates from the project manager regarding Construction Phase Stage 2 on Bird Ave. between Coe Ave. and Willow St.

The contractor began work on Stage 2 of this project on Monday, Dec. 9th. The contractor has completed the installation of 190 linear feet of new sanitary sewer pipe, 720 linear feet of new storm sewer pipe, 5 new manholes and 3 new storm inlets. This completes the replacement of the older existing sanitary and storm sewer systems on this section of Bird Ave.
Over the last week, the contractor has been working on the demolition of the existing curb & gutter and sidewalk on the west side of Bird Ave. New curb & gutter and new sidewalk will be constructed over the remainder of this week and next week.
Over the next month, the contractor will be completing the replacement of sections of the curb & gutter and sidewalk, removing sections of the old roadway, and replacing these sections with new roadway.
You can find abbreviated project updates on Twitter. You can access this project information at “SJ Bird Ave Project” or, search for #SJBirdAve on Twitter.

Friends & Neighbors Meeting: Disaster Preparedness

Earthquakes and fires can strike at any time. Are you ready?

NWGNA and San Jose Prepared present Gracie Hernandez from the San Jose Fire Department Office of Emergency Services and Earthquakes. Ms. Hernandez will lead a free hour-long class to help you learn:

• What to do before, during, and after an Earthquake
• How to create a family disaster plan
• Ways to reduce risks of loss & injury before disaster strikes
• What to include in personal and family disaster supplies

Want to Help NWGNA but Can't Find the Time?

NWGNA has the good fortune to receive most of its financial support from The City of San Jose, however those funds have been on a downward trajectory for several years. You can help NWGNA's mission of increasing neighborhood pride and togetherness with even a small donation. While your donation would not be tax deductible, it will help support events such as the Produce Share, Garage Sale, Party in the Park, Holiday Decorations, Anti-Graffiti supplies, park fence paint and more. Simply click on that little yellow button up there to the left.

Thank you for your generosity!

San Jose Budget Games - Now Online

I'm sure we all have our thoughts on how the city's money would be best spent. And thanks to the online version of The City of San Jose's Budget Games we can see what it's like to fund city services and provide feedback to city officials on the choices we citizens would make.

The games consist of 6-8 residents and a facilitator who helps walk you through the process as your group decides how best to allocate available resources. Sound like something you'd like to do? You can, as long as you meet these three criteria.

1. You are a San José California resident
2. You have access to a computer or tablet with internet connection
3. You have an hour to give to your community!

Slots are available Thursday, January 23 through Saturday, January 25 between 9 AM and 9 PM. Click here to sign up!

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!