June 1, 2005

LETTERS2theEDITOR

Two opinions for the editor

Editor,
In answer to the Have an Opinion question in your paper, I have two things I think of for you.

First, I think Willow Glen is a special place. However, the store owners in our little town or so-called village don’t do much to beautify it. Even on Bascom Avenue in the Whole Foods area they have big pots filled with flowers on the sidewalks.

Second, can something be done about residents leaving Christmas lights hanging from their roofs all year long?

Sincerely,

Homeowner on Newport Avenue, 95125

Suggestions from a former Willow Glenite

Editor,
I attended Willow Glen Elementary in the late 1930s and early 1940s. A suggestion for a fund-raiser is a photo album of the classic old Willow Glen Elementary School.

It seems that the current inhabitants of Willow Glen believe the township started in 1975 and nothing before that counts.

I would like to see articles in the Willow Glen Times about Old Willow Glen. I’m a Palm Haven guy. In high school, I worked at the old Willow Glen Theater. I’d also like to see stories on the Garden Theater. I understand there is a video out on 1950 Willow Glen, but I don’t know how to purchase this piece of history.

Other articles I’d like to see include the opening of Willow Glen High School in 1950, a beauty contest winner, Jill Gion, from Willow Glen and the mid 50s Rams basketball team and the mid 1960s Rams football team that won 42 straight games.

It would also be nice to see a pictorial book or magazine on Willow Glen prior to 1975.

Nicholas N. Nardolillo
Sun City Center, Fla., 33573

Thanks for tai chi article

Editor,
It was wonderful to read an article on tai chi. The benefits of tai chi for balance, concentration and relaxation is well proven.  In addition, there are studies documenting the benefits to include improvement in immune function, cardiovascular protection and brain functioning.  I invite the inquisitive readers to discover www.pubmed.gov, which allows the public to have access to abstracts of medical journals.

Yoon Hang “John” Kim, MD MPH

Appreciate school related articles

Editor,
THANK YOU for the nice school-related articles you print in your paper.  I happened to be talking with one of the activities directors at a local senior home because I was trying to promote the “Thursday at the Theater” shows at the Willow Glen Little Theater, AND she referenced the article from your paper!  Hurrah!  I must admit that I think you do a better job in highlighting the schools, which are so important to our community, than your competition!

For several years I had hoped to go to the Willow Glen High School Art Show, but always missed it because I didn’t know that it had happened until I had read the follow-up article in the local paper.  Last year, I lucked out and heard about it before it passed me by again. I’m not an art critic, but I like art a lot, and I really enjoyed seeing the students’ work. There are a lot of very talented art students at Willow Glen High School and I’m really looking forward to this year’s show!

As you may know, Willow Glen’s schools are seen by a number of parents as inferior and as a result, quite a few Willow Glen parents send their kids to private schools. (Have you ever seen any of the real estate ads in your paper feature “Willow Glen schools?”  Mention of schools in Saratoga, Los Gatos, etc. is quite common in real estate ads, but not in Willow Glen!  OK, I did see one mention Booksin by name once in the past 20-plus years.)  Articles such as this can really help turn around the image of the schools, which in turn will greatly help strengthen our community.

Sincerely,

Vern Ladd
Willow Glen resident since ’83

Library Foundation to raise money for Cambrian Library amenities

Editor,
The San Jose Public Library Foundation current mandate is to develop community-based fund-raising campaigns in support of the new branch libraries (partially funded by a bond measure in 2000). To accomplish this goal, it is essential to get to know the community served by each branch. We’re looking for “champions” who can help generate positive awareness and who can identify local leaders and influential associations and groups to whom we can tell our story.

It’s an exciting story: a commitment to expand 14 existing libraries and to construct six brand-new libraries in under-served neighborhoods. It’s an ambitious goal: ensuring that the entire public library system offers superior 21st Century state-of-the-art educational resources to San Jose residents no matter where they live. (For in-depth background, visit our Web site: www.sanjoselibraryfoundation.org/campaign.htm.)

We have found that in neighborhoods where the local newspaper has given us a voice, good things happen. As a result of articles in the Almaden Times and the Rose Garden Resident, for example, individuals in those communities have voluntarily made single contributions as high as $1,000!

According to Hannah Slocum, librarian at Cambrian until it closed, folks in the community have a strong local focus, including high interest in their local newspaper. Communicating through the Cambrian Times, therefore, would be a logical asset for the campaign. At the same time, as enthusiasm for the new facility builds, people will be happy to turn to the Cambrian Times for news of its progress. 

Eleanor Weber Dickman
Director of Development and Communications
San Jose Public Library Foundation
(408) 808-2081 phone

Editor’s note: If you are interested in helping, or would like to become a volunteer or champion, call Eleanor Dickman at (408) 808-2081 or visit the Web site www.sanjoselibraryfoundation.org/campaign.htm or e-mail her at ewdickman@sjplf.org.

Have an opinion?

Let the Willow Glen Times hear from you. In order to be considered, letters must be signed by the author or come with the name, address, and a phone number (which will not be printed). Send letters to carol@timesmediainc.com,
or via mail to:

The Willow Glen Times
1310 Tully Road, Ste. 107
San Jose, CA 95122