July 1, 2008

Summer means Music in the Glen

By Carol Rosen
Editor

If it’s July, it must be time for Music in the Glen. This year, the 6th annual free event will last for six weeks beginning on Thursday, July 10.

At a show during last year’s ‘Music in the Glen,’ the crowd enjoyed dancing to the music of Flashback.

A different band will play each Thursday at quad area of Willow Glen Elementary School, 1425 Lincoln Ave., from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

By popular demand, the same six bands return this year, but in a different order. Flashback will play on July 10, followed by the Road Dogs on July 17, the Groove Kings on July 24, the Hitmen on July 31, Sage on Aug. 2 and the Silicon Valley House Rockers—who recently played at Dancin’ on the Avenue—on Aug. 14.

The series is made possible through the Kiwanis Club of Willow Glen, which also will provide food and drinks for sale. All proceeds from the food sales will benefit Willow Glen Elementary and several local charities including InnVision, Sacred Heart Community Services, Martha’s Kitchen and the Boy Scouts.

And the menu keeps growing. This year’s bill of fare includes hot dogs, sausages, soft pretzels, nachos, pizza, soft drinks, water, popcorn and possibly, fruit and cheese. Food and beverage donations are welcome. The mobile Elva’s Coffee Stop also will be present and plans to donate half of its proceeds to charity.

The concerts were so popular last year that people arrived early just to get a spot to put their blankets and chairs.

Mike Rubino, president of the Willow Glen Kiwanis Club also is looking for local teens, including recent high school graduates, who like to sing and would be available to open the evenings singing the “Star Spangled Banner.” Soloists, duos or groups are welcome to try out. For more information, contact Rubino by phone at (408) 978-8234 or by e-mail at michaelrubino@sbcglobal.net.

This year’s sponsors are local and include the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association, Willow Glen Dentistry, Gail Leslie of Coldwell Banker, Tim Casey Construction, Blue Sky Funding/Real Estate, Rotten Robbie (Robinson Oil), Bella James, Details Clothing Company, Willow Glen Resident, Domus, Willow Glen Funeral Chapel, Elva’s Coffee Stop, Silva Sausage Company and Roma Bakery.

The Kiwanis Club is always looking for new members. The community service group is actually a global organization of volunteer that are dedicated to changing the world, one child and one community at a time. It provides volunteers and helps sponsor a number of local programs including the Pumpkin Patch and the Christmas-tree lighting at Willow Glen Elementary, Dancin’ on the Avenue, Turn Around Scholarships for students at San Jose Unified schools, the Tony Lewis Scholarship at Willow Glen High, the annual Chili Cook Off, John Farley’s holiday turkey drive and Santa’s House on Lincoln Avenue.