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 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 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.

SJ Rotary celebrating 100th year with July 4 fireworks

To celebrate its 100th anniversary in San Jose, the Rotary Club is hosting a free fireworks event this year. This one-time hosting will take place in Discovery Meadow. More information is available online. 

Free Intro to Urban Bicycling Workshops

From the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition:

Has it been a long time since you've ridden a bike or are you simply looking for a refresher? Come learn the basics of bicycling at our Urban Bicycling Workshops. The course is a one-hour presentation covering many of the basics: the rules of the road, safety tips, and especially for Bay Area Bike Share riders, Bike Share 101.

Read more about it!

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.

San Jose Clean App Expands Reporting Options

We have been using the "San Jose Clean" smartphone app for quite a while now for graffiti abatement in our neighborhood and the response by city contractors has been impressive. It is very simple and quick to use, and importantly graffiti is usually cleaned up within 1 workday of the report.

It looks like The City of San Jose has expanded the applications reach beyond graffiti and park concerns and now there is a whole host of report options available including potholes, streetlights, and animal control among many, many others. We will be trying out its new capabilities and we'd like to hear  how successful it is for you. The app is free, takes up relatively little storage, and is compatible with iOS and Android, just search "San Jose Clean" and download.

Produce Share Kickoff: 2014

The Produce Share is back starting this Sunday! 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. Happy Sharing!

Garage Sale Featured Homes

569 Atlanta
LG Stainless Dishwasher; Vintage Free-standing Kitchen Cabinet; LG Window A/C; Dustbuster; Wheeled Laundry Sorter; Wool Area Rug; Clothing & Shoes; + much more!!!

965 Prevost
Nintendo Wii; Wii Fit; Beanie Babies; Professional Soccer Jerseys; Clothing; Kitchen Items; Books

Development at 552 Coe

As you may have recently seen, the lot at 552 Coe has been largely cleared, with the exception of one structure. A sign on Coe, as shown, informs us to two requested variances. There are two requests for variances in the setbacks of accessory buildings. The developer wishes to alter the setbacks from 60' to 20'. We contacted Planning Division staff Liz Schuller to get more information on the subject. Liz informed us that the property will be divided into two lots. They are each unusual in that they have two front setbacks because there is no rear property line - unusual to most properties but common to those between Coe and Fisk. As you may know, homes in this area often faceCoe Avenue but have a garage entrance on Fisk. That is the proposed orientation for these lots as well. If approved, the variances would allow the garages to be placed 20' from Fisk. Those homes with garages on Fisk are typically older and their garages are right up against the sidewalk. The 20' setback is a comparative improvement, allowing for parking on the driveway as well as improved sight lines for ingress and egress.


The houses themselves will be two stories tall. Code dictates that houses not exceed a Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of 45%. This means at the floor level, the house may not cover more than 45% of the lot. We were forwarded some preliminary drawings for lot 23 (the lot closer to Bird Ave.) which reveals some other details specific to that lot.

• The plan is just within the 45% threshold (at 44.89%) so there are no FAR variances requested.
• Side setbacks are at the 5' minimum.
• Total living space will be 2587 square feet. 
• The garage is 20'x20', so 400 square feet. 
• Trees at the SW and NW corners of the property will be left in place.

Neighborhood Garage Sale June 14th!

It is time for the annual NWGNA Garage Sale. If you haven't gotten your flier yet, you soon will. Here's what you need to know:

What NWGNA Does:
Places signage at most neighborhood gateways and promotes on social media

What You Do:
Set up your stuff
It can be as easy as that!

Best Results Checklist:
Get Your House on The Map <click here!

Become Featured on Our Site:
Send a short list of your most impressive sale items to board@nwgna.org

Post Your Ad on Craigslist:
Include "North Willow Glen" and attach pictures

Be Ready Early:
Motivated shoppers will be there first and we are a popular gateway, especially with our great bridge sign

Donate Stuff to a Worthy Cause:
Got decent stuff to get rid of but don't want to host a garage sale? Donate it to NWGNA: call (510) 593-6078 by Friday June 13 to learn how. Proceeds will go to more awesome neighborhood events.

Friends & Neighbors Meeting: Can an Elevation Certificate Reduce Your Flood Insurance Premiums?

Join us Tuesday, May 27th, 6:30-8pm at Word of Faith Church on the corner of Delmas & Fuller

when we discuss the merits of elevation certificates and volunteer creek restoration.

Many of us are required to pay hefty amounts for flood insurance due to being in a flood zone. In many cases an elevation certificate can mitigate those costs. Insurance agent Natalie Arola will walk us through deciding whether it is appropriate for each specific home to get one.

Our other guest speaker will be Friends of Los Gatos Creek (FOLGC) founder, Steve Holmes. FOLGC is a volunteer group focused on the preservation of Los Gatos Creek through cleanups & habitat restoration from Lexington Reservoir to its confluence with the Guadalupe.

Head's Up for Next Water-Wise Wednesday: Lawn Replacement Talk

Replace Your Lawn with Drought-Tolerant California Natives, a talk by Cayce Hill 

Wed., May 21, 6:00-7:30 PM, SJPL Calabazas Branch, 1230 S Blaney Ave., San José, (408) 808-3066

Ready to lose the lawn, but don't know where to begin? Come to this talk and be inspired to create a beautiful, water-wise garden! See a variety of no-lawn landscaping styles and ideas. Get professional landscaping tips on removing a lawn, choosing the appropriate plants, and watering more efficiently. You’ll see how to have a lush landscape without a water-hogging lawn.

Cayce Hill has been growing California natives since she moved to San Jose in March 2008. She works as a professional gardener, designing and maintaining culinary gardens for restaurants and homeowners in the Bay Area. Her previous experience includes being a head gardener, program manager, and the treasurer for the Friends of Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County.

Keeping Creeks Clean is Water-Wise as Well: Join Us!

National River Cleanup event on Saturday, May 17 and Friends of Los Gatos Creek is asking for volunteers. Please arrive at one of the locations below 8:30-8:45am. This great organization has done a lot of good work removing debris from the creek to protect the wellbeing of our water supply and the wildlife in and around Los Gatos Creek. Please consider joining your neighbors this weekend to help out.

Auzerais Avenue Site
Cross streets are Wright Place & Auzerais Ave., our Sign-up table will be adjacent to the entrance of the bike trail next to LG Creek.

Park Avenue Site
Cross streets are Montgomery St & Park Ave, parking is in the 3-Story Business Complex (grey building) at 595 Park Ave. Sign-up table will be located in this parking lot.

FOLGC will be providing trash pick-up tools, trash bags, gloves & water. We ask everyone to wear heavy soled shoes, long pants, hat and sunscreen. The work will begin at 9:00 running through 11:30am. Thanks to all for supporting this effort. The Community is making a difference on our Los Gatos Creek!

 

Water-Wise Wednesday Tip

While it may not help you use less water, it does help the environment. By simply directing your runoff water to permeable land (rather than down a driveway for example) you feed your plants and help recharge the aquifers we rely on for so much of our drinking water. If that water otherwise goes to the street, it collects pollution and pulls it to the Guadalupe River, both making the river dirtier and contributing to a potential flood. Hard to think of flooding in a time of drought but there is a reason so many of us in North Willow Glen have to pay for mandatory flood insurance. If not for flood mediation than certainly consider it for the well being of our creek critters, and for our continued supply of drinking water.