January 6, 2005

2005: A Year in Review

Scandals dominate headlines

By Carol Rosen
Editor

The year 2005 was indisputably a tough one for many around the Bay Area. Natural disasters in remote parts of the world and in our own country left many wondering how to help the suffering.

Political scandals exploded in our own backyards increasing public distrust and skepticism toward elected and school officials.

At City Hall, embattled San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzales began the year giving a State of the City address that promised bright things for Silicon Valley. They never materialized and were overshadowed by a backroom garbage deal confirmed illegal by the Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury in June and weakening the mayor’s office.

In Willow Glen, a fire at an apartment complex left families homeless few were injured and Willow Glen neighborhood rallied to help the homeless victims. Someone killed a small dog on Iris Court with antifreeze-laced meat. That person has never been found. There were protests and marches about schools and air traffic and the Farmer’s Market moved amid construction at Willow Glen Elementary.

Neighborhood fears a national baseball park would increase an already difficult traffic pattern were eliminated mid-year when the city decided the baseball park would not be placed near Willow Glen. Parent worries that the Willow Glen Elementary campus would become the site of commercial businesses were eased when the San Jose Unified School District announced that would not be the case.

As the year wrapped to an end, the community united again to reach out to victims of Hurricane Katrina, raising thousands of dollars to aid with the recovery of the worst national disaster in tour country’s history.

Willow Glen ended the year with a beautiful tree-lighting ceremony that triumphed over a number of problems including vandalism and awful weather. Parents and business owners came to the rescue and just as the ceremony began, the rain stopped.

January
Mayor Ron Gonzales and District 6 City Councilmember Ken Yeager visited businesses on Lincoln Avenue to discuss the state of the economy and 2004 holiday business. The two stopped and chatted with local business owners, had coffee at the Willow Glen Coffee Roasting Company and the mayor even bought a present for his granddaughter at Hicklebees. The tour allowed business owners to show off their wares to Gonzales and Yeager as well as build publicity for the downtown area.

Willow Glen Elementary has a new program called ABC Parents, or Asset Building Champion Parents. The program brings in parents to read about friendship, peer relationships, conflict resolution and bullying behaviors. These are the kinds of important life lessons that parents and teachers don’t always have time to teach. The children are excited about ABC. They need to be taught what bullying is, how it affects people, what their role is and how to handle it. Finding the program a success, Project Cornerstone decided to investigate potential interest at other partner schools.

Eighty-six year old Mayetta Behringer doesn’t worry too much about traffic when she visits family and friends. When she decides to visit her family in San Luis Obispo, she hops into her plane and flies there instead. It’s hard to believe this pilot is actually a day over 60. Her looks belie her age, but she very proudly says, “I’ve been flying for nearly 60 years. I started flying in 1945, that’s when I soloed, and I was licensed in 1946.” She’s been flying ever since.

February
Instead of gently settling into her new job, Pam Foley, Willow Glen’s new San Jose Unified School District board member, is enduring a baptism by fire. “I ran [for the school board] to help build the community and create a positive image of Willow Glen schools and the district as a whole. I wanted to strengthen the neighborhood schools and build outreach programs. But the first thing I get to do is close a middle school. And now we’re dealing with closing two grade schools and secession of half the district and I’m finding myself doing double duty,” said Foley.

Students from Willow Glen Middle School make a vital impact in supporting UNICEF’s efforts to deliver relief and reconstruction assistance to all the affected countries suffering from the earthquake and tsunamis in South Asia and eastern Africa. The students in Kimberlee Lawson’s leadership classes and those in Laura Harbers’ Changing Our World Club organized a fundraising drive to aid millions of children and their families affected by the tragedies. Students were asked to bring $1 to their fourth period class for the tsunami relief fund. In one day, the students raised over $2,500.

Embattled San Jose Councilmember Terry Gregory resigns after the Santa Clara County District Attorney filed 11 misdemeanor counts against him. According to the DA, Gregory failed to report eight gifts valued at $1,296, one loan in the amount of $4,000 and using his position to help a former girlfriend get a rental discount on an apartment. The agreement spared Gregory jail time in exchange for the no-contest pleas to the charges. Gregory, however, may be placed on probation, ordered to perform community service and to pay various fines and fees as well as restitution as determined by the court.

March
Tom Ficarra is a long way from his Willow Glen home. He’s even a long way from Philadelphia where he grew up. But the captain in the California National Guard, who’s spending a year in Afghanistan, is still having a good time. “I’m happy to be here,” he told the Times. “Coming over here, it’s an adventure, it’s exciting. The people are totally different. I feel I have a purpose; that I’m doing something to help after 9/11. It makes me feel good.” However, it’s taken some time to get used to the weather.

A cash-strapped San Jose Unified School District’s desire to make money is creating anxiety among parents and teachers concerned about a controversial proposal to build commercial space on some of its campuses. The proposal has tentatively targeted Willow Glen Elementary School’s new two-story building to include a 4,000 to 5,000 square feet commercial section when finished at the end of the year. San Jose Unified School District Superintendent Don Iglesias explained the plan to a group of parents and Willow Glen community members who fear the project would affect traffic, child safety, parking and other issues.

Don’t build a major league baseball stadium near our backyard, most of those who attended a meeting of the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association (WGNA) told city officials, who presented sketchy plans to attract a major league team to the South Bay. The nearly 50 people attending peppered Harry Mavrogenes, director of the San Jose Redevelopment Agency and Paul Krutko director of the Department of Economic Development with concerns and questions after the city officials presented a rough idea of Mayor Ron Gonzales’ dream.

April
A fire started just before dawn on the rainy, cold morning at the 84-unit Glen Willow apartments on Willow near Bird Avenue. By the time the six-alarm blaze was out, more than 250 people were left homeless, most in pajamas, many without shoes. Only three apartment dwellers were injured with smoke inhalation and burns. They were taken to Valley Medical Center. While a tragedy in the sense that fires can be, it also showed the heart of a community. By 6 a.m., less than an hour after fire fighters arrived, the neighborhood e-list was up and running and people already had begun to collect blankets, food and other necessities for the newly homeless.
       
In November, Randy Rice, a judge from Willow Glen, lay in a coma after falling from a ladder while trimming a tree. In December, Rice, paralyzed on his right side, was painstakingly re-learning to walk and use his hand. By the first week of April, Rice returned to work, presiding over criminal cases as a judge with the Santa Clara County Superior Court. He has recovered fully with no paralysis and no brain damage, but with an appreciation of the kindness of strangers, the prayers of friends and family and a new insight.

About 120 people turned out for the fourth annual Willow Glen Elementary School fund-raiser at Vin Santo Ristorante. Besides wine tasting and generous appetizers, the evening featured a silent auction, a live auction and door prizes. In fact, one attendee was quite embarrassed by his door prize. District 6 City Councilmember Ken Yeager explained that he never won door prizes when a PTA member filled out his name and placed it in the vase, and then he did. A shocked Yeager gave his prize to another guest!

At least 1,000 people joined with the Education Coalition at John Muir Middle School to let Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger know they are unhappy with potential cuts to an already slashed state school budget. Santa Clara County parents, students, teachers, administrators, classified employees, service union leaders and superintendents protested cutting Prop 98 along with various local and state elected officials and Colleen Wilcox.

May
Jackson was a small, but gorgeous little dog living the life of Riley on Iris Court until someone decided he barked too much. The 4-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel last month, the victim of meat tainted with anti-freeze, a lethal meal provided by someone who obviously doesn’t like dogs. Jackson could be the second victim on Iris Court. Several years ago, a cat living on the same side of the street as Jackson was found poisoned. Both pet owners had received threatening letters. Another couple, Lou and Heather Hoffman, also received threatening letters but so far their pets are OK.
       
District 6 City Councilmember Ken Yeager organized a protest in front of the America West Airlines terminal at San Jose Mineta Airport. Between 25 and 50 people showed up in their pajamas and bathrobes to call attention to the airline’s new late night arrival from Las Vegas.

And while there have been few complaints of noise surrounding the 1:40 a.m. landings, it became a big issue again early one morning when a loud screeching that sounded like a plane was in trouble woke many area residents.

June
Someone upstairs likes Willow Glen’s Relay For Life, because every year no matter what the weather has been like up to the Relay, the sun shines and it’s not too hot or too cold or raining at the Relay. This year was no exception. The weekend of the Relay, the sun came out with all the survivors and the teams despite the cold, wet weather that preceded it.

Willow Glen’s Fire Station No. 6 “hose wagon” and one of its five firefighters are on the chopping block again this year as the city tries to balance its budget by reluctantly cutting critical neighborhood services. The Willow Glen Neighborhood Association (WGNA), District 6 San Jose City Councilmember Ken Yeager and other community groups are trying to save the engine, also known as “hose six,” saying it has saved many lives and provides a critical service.

It was a quiet Tuesday night on Iris Court, when suddenly it seemed like the world descended on the Artman home. Neighbors and news people, including a reporter from NBC 11, gathered to hear how to protect themselves and to learn what was going on in the investigation of the murder of Jackson, the 4-year-old King Charles Cavalier spaniel poisoned in April. Neighbors living on Iris Court and Nevada often get together for block parties and progressive dinners. But on this evening, everyone was meeting to discuss their concerns not just for their animals, but for their children.

July
It was one of those perfect nights. The air was cool, but not too cool, the rain never came and lots and lots of people were on and around Lincoln Avenue, listening and dancing to some great music. Each year Dancin’ on the Avenue seems to get larger. This year was the biggest yet, with four great bands, a Kids’ Court and some great food. There was little room to walk and the dancers were out in force, rockin’ to the music. Joe Sharino’s Band performed at the Peak Travel Stage at the Stevens Building parking lot. It was hard to get in close to get pictures of the band. Even standing up on a traffic sawhorse, it was difficult to see.

When Willow Glen couple Sherry McGuire and Mike Mitchell decided to become parents, they jumped in feet first adopting four children instead of just one. The two had been trying to start a family and were considering adoption when they heard about a Palo Alto exchange program allowing potential parents to host and, if they wanted, to adopt children from the Ukraine. They signed up and 11-year-old Alina came to visit last summer. “It was love at first sight for all three of us,” noted McGuire. The three were ready to become a family. Then the couple learned the exchange program wasn’t working for two brothers—8-year-old Vitali and 9-year-old Nikolai, so they invited the boys to come to their home. Within days, the size of the family had grown to five.

August
Although there was some room to dance, it was standing-room only at most of the summer Music in the Glen events on Thursdays in July and August. The annual five-week free summer concert series stretched to six weeks this year due to rain. Five different bands entertained the audiences, including an Aug. 4 appearance by Joe Scharino. There was also plenty of other things to do while listening to the music including dancing or just playing on the grass playground.

Who ever said watching television turns people into couch potatoes has never seen Joan Hall and her friends in action. Hall and Dale Olstinske, along with five other couples, decided last year to create their own version of the Food Network’s popular “Iron Chef” cooking show. Two couples served as judges while Hall announced the secret ingredient and the four men cooked. The wives and girlfriends were left to clean up.

Willow Glen’s Grant Ryley, finished seventh after starting out in the eleventh spot on the starting grid in San Jose’s Toyota Atlantic Race. Ryley, racing for Intervision, got his best time on the 1.44-mile downtown course registered at 1:04.292 and said he was pleased with not only being able to sleep in his own bed for a weekend, but also his finish at the race. Ryley said the race course, which saw some changes throughout the weekend, including a chicane placed before the hairpin turn at turn three, as well as drivers having to contend with driving over light-rail tracks near the start/finish line, was one made for mostly smart driving.

September
The Assyrian Church of the East celebrated its 15th annual festival on the church grounds on Minnesota Avenue in Willow Glen. Besides the live music, which sounded as if you had moved to the Middle East, the festival featured folk dancing, great food, wine and attractions for the children. The festival is a good way to learn about a people, their customs, their food and their church. San Jose’s Assyrian population is descended from the ancient people of Mesopotamia (Iraq). Before Christ’s birth they helped found the civilizations of Assyria and Babylonia.  

On Aug. 2, friends and neighbors came out of their houses to enjoy ice cream and soft drinks and just talking with each other. It was a beautiful evening, warm and breezy, and people in Willow Glen were visiting and getting to know each other. Families on Lovoi Way and Malone gathered at Marg and Hal Hoge’s home. There was quite a crowd too, with everyone from tiny babies through a few senior citizens. District 6 City Councilmember Ken Yeager was there along with two of San Jose’s finest, Officer Bret Moiseff and Officer Francisco Ordaz. All the neighbors appeared to be having a great time.

October
For the fourth year in a row, historic Palm Haven opened a few of its doors for a home tour and to raise money to complete its restoration. But this year, a special evening tour took place the night before the regular home tour. This year’s theme was 1927, just prior to the election to merge Willow Glen into San Jose. Docents were dressed in period costume and took small groups to each home in the neighborhood. They discussed the homes and the people of that era. The vintage cars, which have always been present for Palm Haven drove around the streets.

Community members gathered recently at the Willows Senior Center to start the process of selecting the artist who will create the artwork for the new Willow Glen Library. The selection is complicated, for it is not simply a matter of coming to a consensus that is based on aesthetic taste. Members of the group must also choose an artist with an understanding of a community that is changing and is yet rooted in tradition.

Downtown Lincoln Avenue was quite crowded on the morning of Oct. 31 filled with witches, lions, Buzz Lightyears, Tinkerbells, fairy princesses, pirates, dogs and cats—real and in costume—and their parents. It was Willow Glen’s annual Trick or Treating on the Avenue, and the crowds were so thick it was tough walking! In fact, one merchant mentioned that at least 8,000 kids had visited and it wasn’t even 11 a.m. These trick or treaters were the younger kids, the baby, toddler and preschool set, older children arrived after school was out.

November
Congressional Medal of Honor recipients Col. Donald Ballard and Maj. Gen. Patrick Brady will be the guests of honor at two Veteran’s Day dances. The two, who received their awards for “conspicuous gallantry while risking their lives” during the Vietnam War, will be special guests at two unique Veteran’s Day memorials at the San Jose Elks Lodge on Friday, Nov. 11 and at the American GI Forum on Saturday, Nov. 12.

December
The Willow Glen Community tree-lighting went off without a hitch to the surprise of everyone.

It was a rough road getting there, but at 6:35 p.m. the rain stopped and the show went on to the delight of everyone. What had appeared to be just a small crowd of less than 200 people grew during the early part of the ceremony until the grounds were filled when the tree was lit.

The rough road began in mid November when it was discovered that the lights on the community tree had been vandalized.

Calpine Corporation, the independent energy producer with headquarters in San Jose ousts founder and former board chairman, CEO and President Peter Cartwright, along with CFO Robert D. Kelly. The board allegedly ousted the two because they would not agree to declare bankruptcy. The New York Stock Exchange delisted the company’s stock Dec. 5 and it fell to a low of $0.18 just after the company declared bankruptcy.

Thanksgiving may start the season of giving, but in the case of the Cambrian Park Little League (CPLL), it was a case of taking. Thieves broke into a shed on the field at the former Steindorf School carting away a lawn tractor and some field maintenance tools. The nonprofit Little League, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, typically enrolls about 450 children in its program. Parents and other volunteers run the program. No one is on paid staff.