January 31, 2006

StreetScene

Clydelle Avenue block party welcomes new neighbors                                                                               

By Rosemarie Niles
Special to the Times

Welcoming handshakes, hearty laughter and delicious food greeted the Robbins Family, Cambrian’s newest residents on Clydelle Avenue. Neighbors gathered at the home of Jan and Fred Lindow on Friday, Jan. 20, to greet Shanna and Jeff Robbins and their sons, Justin and Cole.

The residents brought in pizzas, casseroles and desserts, which overflowed the Lindow’s dining table. A crackling fire glowed in the living room hearth as locals greeted the new folks on the block.

The people on Clydelle Avenue hold block parties and get-togethers to celebrate various occasions. They enjoy lively conversations, cement friendships and help each other. 

“We wanted to introduce the Robbins Family to our wonderful neighbors,” said the Lindows, who Recipe Box. Fred also works for Nortel Networks. The couple works from offices in their newly remodeled home.

“When we moved in way back in 1985, the Siberian elm trees drew us to this street. In summer their tall branches…curve over the street forming shady arches. When fall arrives, the canopies turn to brilliant shades of gold, rust and brown—Mother Nature’s palette.”

The beautiful foliage is what the Robbins family noticed first when they drove by and saw the for sale sign, said Shanna. “This is our first home. The school district is great, the street has a settled secure feeling and the neighbors we’ve met are so helpful and kind. Plus every shopping need is nearby in the Cambrian area.”

Justin Robbins is a student at Ida Price Middle School. He is in the color guard at Price and waiting to go to Leigh High School.

His younger brother Cole is also happy with his new home too. “I get to have a big bedroom all my own,” he says. Jeff Robbins is a general contractor and owner of Central Coast Construction while Shanna, works from home for Sun Microsystems.

Gail Collie and her husband, Joe, live next door to the new arrivals and were eager to tell stories about the neighborhood’s past.

“I originally came to Clydelle with my family when I was 5 years old,” said Gail. “That was in 1956. I remember playing in the old prune orchard where Good Samaritan Hospital now stands. The sand under those trees was soft, like walking on baby powder.”

There has been many changes through the years, she added, “I used to grocery shop with my Mom at Bettencourt’s Store on Los Gatos-San Jose Road. Now it’s a Nob Hill Market and the road is a big, wide boulevard!” 

She also recalled window gazing at gorgeous dresses in Louise Van Arsdale’s store in the Cambrian Park Shopping Center. That neat shop is gone now, but the center’s carousel still revolves and draws customers to the shops there.
Elaine and Fred Cotton settled in their home 33 years ago. Parents of two grown sons, Fred is retired and Elaine works for Russell’s Furniture Company. She’s known for the colorful iris plants blooming in her front yard every spring.

“I’m an old timer,” she says. “I was here before highways 17, 280 and 85. I remember when Branham Lane really was a lane! Now it’s Samaritan Drive. The old Cambrian Golf Course sat on land that is now Highway 85. For extra spending money, kids use to retrieve golf balls hit out of bounds and sell them back to the players.”

Cindy and John Thompson started housekeeping in their home in 1976, so they’re considered old timers too. Like the Robbins, the Thompsons, who have a grown son and daughter, were enticed to the area by the Siberian Elms. While the two have jobs outside their home, they spend weekends caring for the miniature forest of gorgeous bonsai plants in their backyard. 

John is a teacher and practitioner in the art of bonsai. Several days each month Clydelle Avenue becomes a bonsai school. Tables, chairs and beautiful miniature plants line his driveway and sidewalk as he teaches students how to snip, bend and shape tiny trees.

“I hope the Robbins family will have a good life in our Cambrian area,” says John. 

At day’s end, Shanna and Jeff stroll outside in front of their new home and wave at passers by on Clydelle Avenue. They smile and look happy.