October 1, 2006

RIP Founder’s Day 2006

WGBPA cancels Founder’s Day 2006

Already working on 2007

By Carol Rosen
Editor

Plans for the Sept. 24, 2006 Founders Day were dropped in September when the Willow Glen Business and Professional Association found it had too few sponsors.

Lincoln Avenue in downtown Willow Glen looked lonely on Sept. 24 without the trappings of the Founder’s Day celebration. Photo by Jeanne Carbone Lewis

The daylong event was to have included a Founder’s Day Run and Walk, children’s activities and an afternoon silent auction as well as food and wine tasting. WGBPA had had a difficult time locating and getting sponsors to help out with the day’s events. To compensate, it began cutting expenses and discussed canceling the event in August.

However, the group had worked hard to plan and present the day and the community was anxiously awaiting the event after a four-year absence. They expected runner registration and food/wine ticket sales would grow as publicity increased. So, WGBPA decided to present the day as long as it could break even on runner registration and food and wine ticket sales. Often, a newly initiated event lands in the red until its officials can fine-tune it to run in the black. That had been the case with Dancin’ on the Avenue.

On Sept. 6, race organizers advised Tom Trudell, WGBPA board president that registration for the run was only 10 percent of the minimum required, which was significantly less than it should be, and projected to be less than half the minimum necessary by race day. That would mean the deficit from the event would run into tens of thousands of dollars, which the board couldn’t and didn’t want to sustain.

Trudell then discussed the circumstances via e-mail and phone with all 12 board members. The majority voted to cancel the event on Sept. 7.

“This was a very hard decision for the board to make and the WGBPA deeply regrets disappointing its business members and the Willow Glen community at large, but considering that sponsor funding and runner registration was not enough to be financially successful, the board's first and foremost obligation is to act responsibly with the Business Improvement District fees entrusted to them,” according to a release from the business association.
However, WGBPA intends to “build on this experience” and with a one-year head start began planning Founder’s Day 2007.

Since the cancellation, Norma Ruiz, executive director of WGBPA has appeared at the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association where a number of Willow Glen residents said they would like to help out for next year. A number of locals on WGNA’s e-list said they were disappointed in the cancellation and hoped to help work to put on the event next year.

WGBPA has already begun making some plans to develop a joint task force from its members and community members. “The initial meeting has not yet been decided, but one board member has volunteered to be co-chair of the event,” Trudell told the Times.

He wants to see an event that is more than just a run, he said, like Founder’s Day used to be, with Lincoln Avenue closed to traffic and a parade and so forth. “But that takes a lot of money, that’s why the neighborhood association stopped it several years ago, it costs a lot to shut down the street and get city permits.

Halloween activities
Even though Founder’s Day was cancelled, the WGBPA members are providing several exciting activities for Halloween.
The annual Trick or Treat on Lincoln Avenue will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 31. Younger children are invited to Trick or Treat participating stores—and Books for Treats—on Lincoln between 10 a.m. and noon, while older children are invited to come between 3 and 5 p.m.

On Friday, Oct. 27, there will be a free showing of “It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” at the Willow Glen Funeral Chapel, 1039 Lincoln Ave. at 6 p.m. Free drinks, popcorn, snacks and goodie bags for the kids will be available. Costumes are encouraged.

On Saturday, Oct. 28, starting at 1 p.m. Poppa Hugs Productions will have a children’s concert at the Stevens Music Building, 1202 Lincoln Ave. The party includes balloon animals, face painting, popcorn and lemonade. Kids are encouraged to wear their costumes.

Also on Saturday, Oct. 28, Gussied Up Dog Boutique has planned a costume parade and doggie social from 5 to 6:30 p.m.