Rose Garden Resident
Cover Story
Photograph by Vicki Thompson
The Rev. Gerald Wade, who ended his second tenure as president of Bellarmine College Preparatory.
2006
The Year in Review
By Mary Gottschalk
The Rose Garden spent much of 2006 honoring the old and celebrating the new as residents proved again this year that a little effort can go a long way in preserving and improving their portion of San Jose that is home. Making way for the new this year also meant saying goodbye to some of the community's longtime staples.
Nearly every month was marked by a milestone anniversary for a longtime community organization, a groundbreaking ceremony for a project that residents helped transform from concept into reality or goodbye to those who decided move on.
Neighbors gained a park for dogs at Delmas Street in February, and plans got under way for another park off Lenzen Avenue. The newly opened Guadalupe River Park and Gardens was recognized with an excellence award.
San Jose MarketCenter at the corner of Coleman Avenue and Taylor Street celebrated grand openings for Target, Cost Plus World Market and Marshalls among the retail stores. Plans for Trader Joe's and Whole Foods are in the works.
If that wasn't enough to boost business in the neighborhood, Longs Drugs store and Peet's Coffee and Tea both opened on The Alameda.
One of the most celebrated grand openings happened on Naglee, when hundreds of patrons showed up to celebrate the opening of the new Rose Garden branch library in February.
Plans got under way for several new housing and commercial developments, including on Stockton and Park avenues.
In between the groundbreakings, residents said goodbye to Lou's Village. The longtime restaurant closed to make way for housing. Bellarmine College Preparatory President Gerald Wade retired, and Garden City Supply closed its doors after 43 years of selling restaurant supplies.
Councilman Ken Yeager said goodbye to his constituents after nearly two terms in office after being elected Santa Clara County supervisor.
Residents mourned the passing of city historian and Rose Garden resident Leonard McKay in October.
The year also marked the first time a class graduated from the Downtown College Prep campus off Lenzen Avenue.
Several community organizations celebrated milestone anniversaries: Orchard Supply turned 75; Mel Cotton, founder of the sporting goods store on San Carlos Street, turned 90; the Burbank School District held its centennial anniversary in 2006; the Italian Festa turned 25; and the Greek Festival turned 35.
If neighbors continue their activism in the next 12 months, we can expect the Rose Garden to continue to blossom without losing its charm.
--Linda Taaffe, editor
The Year in Review
By Mary Gottschalk
JANUARY
Lou's says goodbye
Lou's Village, the venerable 60-year-old restaurant at 1465 W. San Carlos, closed its doors on Jan. 5 with a private party hosted by co-owners Tim and Tom Muller.
As furnishings and equipment from the restaurant were auctioned off on Jan. 17, there was a rumor that Lou's Village would reopen as early as April in the Crowne Plaza Hotel in downtown San Jose.
Bellarmine president steps down
The Rev. Gerald Wade, whose name is synonymous with Bellarmine College Preparatory, ended his second tenure as president of the private, all-male school.
He was honored by 1,000 guests at a $225-per-person dinner on Jan. 13 at the Fairmont San Jose.
The Rev. Paul G. Sheridan took over as Bellarmine president for Wade on Jan. 1.
New farmers market operator
The future of the Rose Garden Farmers Market was in limbo after The Alameda Business Association reversed its vote to continue with the operator of the 2005 market.
Larry Clark, president of the ABA, was upset to learn the board had voted at a meeting he missed to continue with the second year of a contract with the California Farmers Market Association.
Clark succeeded in reversing the vote and formed a committee to investigate the possibility of the ABA operating the market.
Fares increase
Caltrain raised its base fare by 25 cents for one-way tickets on Jan. 1.
Shots fired at door
Three shots were fired into the front of the Silicon Valley Community Newspapers offices on Jan. 6, shattering the front door and leaving holes in the windows of a conference room and office.
Grand Prix gets $4 million
The San Jose City Council approved a $4 million subsidy to the San Jose Grand Prix on Jan. 10 by a vote of 8-3. Councilmen Ken Yeager, Chuck Reed and Dave Cortese voted against it.
No notice for stadium
Jan. 3 was the first comment period deadline for the Environmental Impact Report on a proposed 45,000-seat sports stadium between Autumn Street and the railroad tracks, near the Diridon train station.
Leaders of the Shasta Hanchett Park Neighborhood Association complained they were not properly notified because the city sent a meeting notice to the wrong postal box.
Plant 51 becomes a landmark
Centex Homes, developers of 265 condominiums on the site of the old Del Monte Factory, asked for landmark status for the historic brick structure at 735 The Alameda. The office now serves as the sales office for the development, known as Plant 51.
Flames erupt at Chili's
A two-alarm fire on Jan. 20 at Chili's Bar and Grill in Santana Row was started when employees fired up the grills and stoves and flames erupted in the area of the flue. The fire was quickly doused.
Peet's joins The Alameda
Peet's Coffee & Tea started work on a new store at 1295 of The Alameda at Hanchett Avenue. A-A Lock & Alarm, which had occupied the site for 15 years, relocated down a few doors toward Race Street.
Antiques Row grows
Maria Labró Sherby opened Labró Antiques at 1864 W. San Carlos St. adding to the Antiques Row sobriquet of the street.
Villa home spared
Heeding pleas from neighbors, the San Jose Planning Commission deferred a decision on the demolition of a 1907 Craftsman home at 969 Villa Ave. for one month.
DeFrank volunteer honored
Steve Sosnowski's volunteer work at the Billy DeFrank Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center was recognized by the Martin Luther King Jr. Association of Santa Clara Valley.
Sosnowski lives in the Rose Garden area.
Murder suspect arrested
Murder suspect Frank Howard Beech was arrested on Jan. 31, four days after a fight in the Burbank area that resulted in the death of John Holman.
FEBRUARY
Branch library opens
The new Rose Garden Branch Library opened its doors on Feb. 11.
The 19,000-square-foot building replaced the former 6,850-square-foot building, which closed in December 2003.
More than 4,000 people visited the library the first day, checking out 4,298 items.
Breathe California launches
The American Lung Association chapter serving Santa Clara and San Benito counties changed its name to Breathe California.
Headquartered at 1469 Park Ave., it was one of five groups in California ending its affiliation with the Lung Association.
Antiques Colony relocates
Antiques Colony, the 30-year-old dealers' collective and mainstay of W. San Carlos St. Antiques Row, relocated to 1881 W. San Carlos St.
The new location is 9,000 square feet, down from the 14,000 square feet it had occupied a few blocks away.
Restaurant supply closes
Garden City Supply, a restaurant supply company, closed its doors at 855 Park Ave. after a 43-year run. Owners John and Robert Sardell, who bought the company in 1983 from its founders, decided it was time to retire.
Craftsman earns award
Jan and Thor Wiles received a San Jose Beautiful award for their restoration of a 1917 Craftsman home at 848 Asbury Ave. It took close to two years for the couple to restore and upgrade their home.
Candidates start debating
Candidates for the District 4 Santa Clara County Supervisor spot held their first debate. Participating candidates were Ken Yeager, Linda LeZotte and Patricia Mahon. A fourth candidate, Rebecca Cohn, missed the debate.
Longs opens new site
Longs Drug Store opened a 9,800-square-foot store at 849 The Alameda on Feb. 21.
New dog park opens
Delmas Dog Park, at the corner of Park and Delmas avenues, opened on Feb. 25, offering canines 17,000 square feet of running space.
Recycle rates increase
The San Jose City Council voted to increase the Recycle Plus rate by 5 percent for single-family homes and 2 percent for multi-family service, effective April 1. The rate bumped single-family rates from $18.30 to $19.20 a month.
Student killed on slopes
Thomas Reyneri, a 16-year-old junior at Bellarmine College Preparatory, died in a snowboarding accident Feb. 24 at Squaw Valley.
DeFrank names director
Aejaie Sellers stepped into the job of executive director of the Billy DeFrank Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center on Feb. 27.
Sellers replaced Patrick Soricone, who moved to a job at United Way of Silicon Valley in November 2005.
Clark Williams served as interim director while the center's board searched for a new director. Williams also donated more than $20,000 of the salary he earned back to the DeFrank.
Sellers has more than a dozen years of experience working with nonprofits in Monterey and previously in Burlington, Vt.
New city hall leaks
The heavy rains of a Feb. 28 storm revealed a leak in the city council chambers of San Jose's new city hall.
Ballpark deemed 'noisy'
A draft of the ballpark Environmental Impact Report found that the stadium would have significant and unavoidable noise and lighting impacts on the nearby neighborhoods. It also found it would generate a significant amount of traffic in the area.
Queen Anne up for sale
A Queen Anne Victorian at 1818 The Alameda was listed for $2.8 million. A San Jose historic landmark built around 1893, the two-story structure contains many original stained and leaded glass windows, hardware, plaster ceiling medallions and crown molding.
It served as the law offices of Collins & Schlothauer from 2003 until the firm closed on March 1.
MARCH
Target holds opening
Target, the major anchor for San Jose MarketCenter at Coleman Avenue and W. Taylor Street, held its grand opening on March 5. Other stores in the center that opened then or soon after include Michael's, Marshalls, Office Depot, Cost Plus World Market and PetSmart.
Healthy snacks required
District 6 San Jose City Councilman Ken Yeager introduced a proposal requiring healthy food and drink choices in all library vending machines in the city. The council unanimously approved the new ordinance, which took effect July 1.
Roberts' cow wins
Lincoln High School senior Lucie Roberts was one of 30 semifinalists across the country in Lucerne's "The Art of Dairy Cows & History" art contest.
Lucerne delivered a 5-foot-tall Fiberglas cow to the school for Roberts to paint in the "Beatle 'Moo'nia" style of her winning sketch. The cow then went on display at the Midtown Safeway.
Orchard Supply turns 75
Orchard Supply Hardware celebrated its 75th anniversary on March 1 with a private luncheon at the W. San Carlos Street store.
Fundraising disclosures mandatory
The San Jose City Council approved a new amendment by District 6 Councilman Ken Yeager requiring lobbyists to disclose which city officials they fundraise for, the amount they raise, the names of contributors and how much each contributes and on which date, as well as any contributions received from third parties.
Market expands to festival
Larry Clark, president of The Alameda Business Association, announced that the Rose Garden Farmers Market would continue for 2006 and would expand to include a festival as well as the market each week, starting May 27.
The market would remain in the parking lot of Downtown College Prep.
Trace gets free dictionaries
Third-grade students at Trace Elementary School were among the 3,500 third graders in the San Jose Unified School District to receive free new dictionaries from the California Dictionary Project.
Volunteers from Intel were on hand to help distribute the books.
Retail building gets approved
The San Jose Planning Department gave final design approval for a 9,752-square-foot, single-story retail building at 955 The Alameda, at N. Morrison Avenue.
Approval was delayed when Larry Clark, owner of a nearby building, objected to the design.
Condominium approved
The San Jose City Council approved the development of a high-density condominium project at 777 Park Ave., at Laurel Grove Street.
The development will include 125 single-family attached live/work lofts and a 2,500-square-foot retail/commercial space on 1.89 acres.
Villa home removed
Neighborhood efforts to save a 1907 Craftsman home at 969 Villa Ave. ended March 7 when the San Jose City Council voted unanimously to allow a developer to remove the house and an English walnut tree dating back to the 1930s.
The developer plans to build four single-family homes on the lot.
McClatchy buys papers
Silicon Valley Community Newspapers, part of Knight Ridder Newspapers, was included in the March 13 purchase of the Knight Ridder chain by the McClatchy Co.
McClatchy announced that it was putting 12 of the Knight Ridder papers up for sale, including the Community Newspapers as part of the San Jose Mercury News package.
Guadalupe earns excellence
The California Redevelopment Association gave a 2006 Award of Excellence in the Public Spaces & Linkages category to the San Jose Redevelopment Agency for the $350 million Guadalupe River Park project.
Newhall basements flood
Residents of the Newhall Neighborhood area had to contend with rising groundwater flooding the basements in their homes. For some it was an annual occurrence, but for others it was the first time they experienced it.
Hoses draining water from basements into street storm drains were a common sight for several months in the area.
Rains were heaviest since 1906, with 25 days of rain locally during March.
Anti-litter proponent dies
Stan Ochs, a 65-year-old College Park resident and neighborhood volunteer, died of colon cancer on March 19.
Ochs was the driving force behind the conversion of a weed- and trash-strewn area at the corner of Elm and W. Hedding streets into a small, neighborhood park.
Additionally, Ochs was the inspiration for All-Star Stan, the cartoon character star of San Jose's Anti-Litter Campaign.
Trail gets extension
The San Jose City Council awarded a $1.3 million contract to complete a portion of the Los Gatos Creek Trail project.
The trail is an 11-mile paved trail extending from Lexington Reservoir through Los Gatos, Campbell and San Jose.
New studio opens
College Park artist Al Preciado launched Overpass Gallery at his home studio at 859 W. Hedding St. He said he would open it one afternoon and evening a month to showcase the art and writing of area artists.
Mel Cotton turns 90
Mel Cotton celebrated his 90th birthday at the store he founded on W. San Carlos Street.
APRIL
Chef returns home
On April 1, Chef Quizno returned to his post on The Alameda. The Fiberglas chef disappeared in August 2004, sending occasional postcards and photographs to Mike Malik, owner of Quizno's Subs.
Immigration rally draws 25,000
More than 25,000 people rallied at San Jose City Hall on April 10 to protest proposed legislation for tougher penalties on illegal immigrants and penalties for anyone who provided aide to illegal immigrants.
Youth arrested in stabbing
A 16-year-old Hispanic male was arrested on April 17 in conjunction with the stabbing of a 14-year-old girl on Laurel Grove Lane on April 11.
1906 quake remembered
The 100th anniversary of the April 18, 1906, earthquake was marked with a special exhibition at San Jose History Park.
DeFrank celebrates 25 years
The Billy DeFrank Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center celebrated its 25th anniversary with a $125-per-person gala and dinner on April 29 at the Fairmont San Jose.
Former fireman turns 99
Lawrence Campbell, a former Rose Garden resident and historian for the San Jose Fire Department, celebrated his 99th birthday on April 12.
Q & Brew closes
Rodney Cannady, the owner of Q & Brew on the corner of The Alameda and Stockton Avenue, closed his restaurant specializing in Southern barbecue on April 12.
Council agrees to annex 'pockets'
The San Jose City Council voted unanimously on April 25 to annex 69 county pockets under 150 acres each. However, under adopted guidelines, annexation of densely populated pockets such as the Buena Vista and Burbank neighborhoods could take another three years.
Schaeffer receives Bronze Star
Sam Schaeffer received a Bronze Star six decades after he earned it while serving in the U.S. Army infantry during World War II.
MediaNews buys McClatchy
On April 26, Silicon Valley Community Newspapers were included in the sale of former Knight Ridder newspapers by the McClatchy Co. to Denver-based MediaNews.
No farmers at market
Larry Clark, president of The Alameda Business Association, secured a $1,500 grant from the city of San Jose's Cultural Affairs Office to fund a festival in conjunction with a farmers market for 2006. However, as of April 20, no farmers had committed to participating in the market, scheduled to open on May 27.
MAY
Businesses close for 'immigrants'
On May 1, several businesses along The Alameda, W. San Carlos Street and elsewhere in the Rose Garden area closed to observe "A Day Without Immigrants."
The nationwide demonstration was in protest of proposed legislation that would criminalize illegal immigrants.
Brownies donate stuffed bears
Thirteen members of Brownie Troop 928 raised $300 to fund the cost of 13 stuffed animals they made at a Build-A-Bear Workshop. The Brownies then donated the bears to O'Connor Hospital's Pediatric Center for Life to be used to ease stressful or traumatic incidents.
Food donations drop
Letter carriers in the Rose Garden neighborhoods collected nonperishable groceries for Second Harvest Food Bank while making their rounds on May 13.
They collected 6,802 pounds, down from 9,576 pounds in 2005.
College Prep students protest
Students at Downtown College Prep walked out of class on May 9 to protest the administration's decision not to renew the contracts of several teachers. As a result, the students missed STAR tests, the standardized test that measures student achievement.
Karen Sherwood honored
Downtown College Prep volunteer Karen Sherwood was recognized for her work by the Junior League of San Jose at the group's annual volunteer recognition luncheon.
Trees saved from removal
Hoover Avenue resident Nancy Dunne successfully saved an almond and two eucalyptus trees at the Garden Alameda complex from being chopped down. The owners of the complex applied to remove 11 trees. The planning department approved permits to remove seven live trees and one dead tree, but said the almond and two eucalyptus trees must stay.
The planning department also ruled that for each tree removed, four must be planted either at the complex or in the neighborhood.
City changes tree ordinance
The San Jose City Council unanimously approved a change in the city's tree ordinance, more than doubling the fines for homeowners and tree-removal companies illegally cutting down a tree. Councilman Ken Yeager pushed for the tougher ordinance that now provides steep fines of up to $6,000 for repeat offenders.
Student artwork chosen for doors
Thirteen Lincoln High School students had artwork chosen for the Downtown Doors art project. Their works will be visible on utility doors on the sides of the Fairmont San Jose, the Pavilion and the San Jose Repertory Theatre for a year.
Newhall gives input on park
Newhall Neighborhood residents met with representatives from San Jose's Parks, Recreation & Neighborhood Services Department to discuss what they wanted to see in the park planned for 1.5 acres at the corner of Newhall Street and Campbell Avenue.
JW's parents receive diploma
Gert Knapen and Anne-Marie Asnong accepted a diploma on behalf of their late son Jan-Willem Knapen at the Bellarmine College Preparatory commencement May 27. JW, as everybody called him, died of cancer at the age of 16 on Aug. 3, 2005.
A JW Award in Jan-Willem Knapen's memory was inaugurated at Bellarmine's graduation. The first one went to Derek Morgan Beck, founder of Cycle Recyclery, a nonprofit that fixes bicycles and donates them to those in need.
Landmarks policy strengthened
San Jose City Council voted to approve an updated policy to strengthen protection for historic landmarks. Councilman Chuck Reed was the sole vote against it.
JUNE
Students send soccer balls to Iraq
The seventh-grade class at St. Martin's School organized a two-day bake sale that raised $3,000 to buy soccer balls to send to Army Spec. Kevin Ferguson serving in Iraq. Ferguson, a St. Martin's alum, wanted the balls to give to children he met on patrol in Iraq.
Greek festival turns 35
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church held its 35th annual San Jose Greek Festival on the Davis Street church grounds. The three-day event attracted several thousand visitors.
Yeager wins supervisor race
San Jose City Councilman Ken Yeager won 52.1 percent of the vote in the District 4 Santa Clara County supervisorial race on June 6, avoiding a November runoff election.
In the same election Councilman Chuck Reed and Vice Mayor Cindy Chavez were the top vote-getters in the San Jose mayoral contest, forcing a runoff in the November election.
First College Prep graduation
Downtown College Prep graduated its first class from its new location at 1460 The Alameda. There were 32 graduating seniors in the class, the third one to graduate since the school started.
DeFrank named grand marshal
In recognition of its 25th anniversary, the Billy DeFrank Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center was named organizational grand marshal of the 2006 San Francisco LGBT Pride Parade and Celebration on June 25.
No notice for on-ramp closures
Caltrans closed one of the southbound on-ramps from The Alameda onto Highway 880 without any advance notification on June 12. They said they expected to reopen the ramp by July 31.
Goldston named 'Scholar'
Dan Goldston, a Shasta Hanchett Park resident and a math professor at San Jose State University, was named SJSU President's Scholar for 2005-2006 in recognition of his research in prime number theory.
Plans to tear down buildings unveiled
Sobrato Development proposed tearing down eight vacant buildings near the Burbank/Del Monte neighborhood and building up to 875 apartments on the 21.5-acre site. They presented their plans at a May 11 community meeting.
New farmers market opens
The Festival and Farmers Market on The Alameda opened on June 10 in the parking lot of Downtown College Prep. There were far fewer vendors than at the 2005 market, but each week had a different festival theme.
New Korean American center
Korean American Community Services Inc. announced plans to move its nonprofit agency to 1046 W. Taylor St. They said the would share the building with the San Jose Central Baptist Church.
District 6 gets park money
The San Jose City Council allocated $670,000 to District 6 for use on park improvements. Specific allocations included $20,000 to Cahill Park, $8,000 to Cinnabar Commons and $120,000 to the Rose Garden.
Mayor indicted on felony charges
San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzales and Joe Guerra, his budget aide, were indicted on June 22 by a grand jury and arrested on charges of felony bribery, felony conspiracy to cheat and defraud, felony misappropriation of public money and other charges in conjunction with the city's $11.25 million subsidy to Norcal Waste Systems.
Eight San Jose City Council members, including Ken Yeager, formally requested Gonzales resign, but he refused.
Valley Fair announces expansion
Westfield Valley Fair announced plans to add 650,000 square feet of retail to its existing 1.5 million square feet. The Longs Drugs, Safeway, Washington Mutual and Wells Fargo buildings along Winchester will be demolished.
Additionally, they plan to demolish and reconstruct two five-story parking garage structures to add another 2,500 spaces for a total of 9,600 on-site parking spaces.
Whole Foods asks for rezoning
Whole Foods Market filed to rezone property at the corner of The Alameda and Stockton Avenue to proceed with plans to build a 45,000-square-foot store on the site.
JULY
Sewer pipes get upgrades
Rehabilitation of sewer pipes along Hedding Avenue, between Myrtle Street and N. Bascom Avenue, started. Completion is expected by mid-October.
District 6 candidates file papers
Candidates for the San Jose City Council District 6 seat that will be vacated with Ken Yeager's election to supervisor started filing papers to run. Candidates were Steve Tedesco, Clark Williams, Pierluigi Oliverio, Jim Spence and Bill Chew.
Businesses receive eviction notices
Businesses holding leases on the property where Whole Foods Market plans to build were given eviction notices on July 27 and told they must vacate by Oct. 31. Among the businesses evicted were Move It Elsewhere and Grill Masters Catering.
Grand Prix deemed a success
The second San Jose Grand Prix attracted more than 150,000 spectators to downtown.
Gonzales enters 'not guilty' plea
San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzales and budget aide Joe Guerra entered not-guilty pleas at a court appearance on July 27. A trial date was set for May 14, 2007.
Korean American center drops plans
Korean American Community Services Inc. dropped plans to move their nonprofit agency to 1046 W. Taylor St. Although neighbors reacted positively to the proposal, the agency decided it would be too costly to proceed.
DeFrank walkers raise $24,000
Some 140 walkers from the Billy DeFrank LGBT Center raised $24,000 at the 20th annual San Francisco AIDS Walk for Bay Area HIV/AIDS organizations.
AUGUST
On-ramp remains closed
Work on the southbound ramp onto Interstate 880 from the northbound lane of The Alameda caused the ramp to remain closed through the month of August.
Council votes on 'misconduct'
The San Jose City Council voted 10-1 to draft an ordinance that would remove council members for willful misconduct. Mayor Ron Gonzales voted against the idea.
District 6 candidate's list grows
After the Aug. 11 filing deadline, the number of candidates seeking Ken Yeager's District 6 seat on the San Jose City Council increased. Art Maurice and Brad Imamura added their names to the existing field of candidates, joining Clark Williams, Steve Tedesco, Pierluigi Oliverio and Jim Spence. Bill Chew dropped out of the race.
St. Leo's pastor leaves
The Rev. Pablo Bonello left his post as pastor of St. Leo the Great Church on Race Street after three years. He moved to Brooklyn, N.Y. to a new assignment.
Jazz tribute to New Orleans
The 17th annual San Jose Jazz Festival, Aug. 17-20, paid tribute to New Orleans.
SummerHill to develop Lou's site
Tom Muller, co-owner of Lou's Village, announced that SummerHill Homes will develop the 5-acre parcel where the closed restaurant sits. SummerHill, which plans to build 95 residential units, was the third developer Muller and his brother Tim Muller dealt with.
Friends Outside goes up for sale
Friends Outside, the 51-year-old nonprofit agency serving people dealing with the impact of a loved one in prison, puts its two adjoining properties at 551 Stockton Ave. and 713 Harding Ave. up for sale. Each parcel was listed at $695,000.
NorCal contract not extended
The San Jose City Council voted unanimously to pursue trash-hauling contracts with Garden City Sanitation and California Waste Systems, rather than extending the existing contract with Norcal.
Bjornsrud honored for work
Marlene Bjornsrud, a Newhall Neighborhood resident, was honored at a Women's Equality Day Breakfast for her nonprofit work as executive director of the Bay Area Women's Sports Initiative.
Whole Foods unveils design
Whole Foods Market held a community meeting on Aug. 30 to share plans for a store on the corner of The Alameda and Stockton Avenue. The 44,000-square-foot building will be single-story with 20-foot interiors. Rooftop parking will be available for 80 cars, in addition to 100 cars at street level. The store is expected to open in 2008.
SEPTEMBER
Trader Joe's set to open
San Jose MarketCenter announced that a Trader Joe's grocery store would open there, thanks to a 10-year, $1.7 million subsidy from the city of San Jose.
Burbank school district turns 100
The Luther Burbank School District, which is a one-school district, marked its centennial on Sept. 23 with a community celebration.
Housing complex comes to Stockton
A San Mateo-based developer announced plans to build 250 housing units facing Stockton Avenue, between W. Julian and Cinnabar Street. The development will be called Morrison Park Homes.
Velodrome site commemorated
A commemorative plaque and display case with photographs was placed on the site of the Burbank Velodrome, now under the Lincoln High School football field. History buff Ed Hodges worked for two years on the project to assure future generations would be aware of the velodrome, which was torn down around 1942, and its history.
Autumn Street to be extended
At San Jose Vice Mayor Cindy Chavez's recommendation, the city council allotted $400,000 of the redevelopment agency's budget toward the eventual extension of Autumn Street to Coleman Avenue and the possible rerouting of state Route 82 from The Alameda to Coleman Avenue.
Council must report spending
The San Jose City Council voted to require council members to report on a quarterly basis any time spent on services unrelated to council duties and any extra earned income.
Police get funds for citations
The San Jose City Council voted unanimously to allot $800,000 for the purchase of an electronic citation system for the police department.
Italian festa turns 25
The Italian American Heritage Foundation hosted its 26th Italian Family Festa at Santana Row over a three-day period with food booths, arts and crafts and live entertainment.
OCTOBER
St. Leo's opens new gym
St. Leo the Great School opened its new gym with a special ceremony.
Caltrain parking fees increase
Parking fees at Caltrain stations went up from $1.50 for 24 hours to $2. Monthly parking passes increased from $15 to $20.
Half marathon comes through neighborhood
The San Jose Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon route on Oct. 8 included parts of the Rose Garden and Shasta Hanchett Park neighborhoods. Some 15,000 people participated running or walking the route with bands playing along the way.
Reed uses tax dollars for social expenses
Mayoral candidate and San Jose City Councilman Chuck Reed was discovered to have used $39,000 in taxpayer money to reimburse himself for such things as membership in veterans' clubs and dinners at fundraising events.
Car club celebrates 13th anniversary
The Outcasts, an informal car club that meets on Tuesday afternoons at Burger Barn on Forest Avenue behind Westfield Valley Fair, celebrated its 13th anniversary.
San Jose historian dies
Leonard McKay, well-respected San Jose historian and longtime Shasta Hanchett Park resident, died on Oct. 17 of heart failure. A memorial service was held on Oct. 26 at History Park San Jose.
City gives Rep $2 million
The San Jose City Council approved a $2 million loan to the San Jose Repertory Theatre. The loan is to be spread out over five years and must be paid back in full after 10 years.
Living Center moves
The Neil Christie Living Center moved from its original home at the corner of Sierra and Park avenues to a larger space at 46 Race St. at the end of October. The nonprofit is a safe house, where people living with HIV/AIDS socialize, receive counseling and participate in workshops teaching life skills.
Sewers get replaced in St. Leo's
A project to replace sanitary sewers in the St. Leo's neighborhood area got under way on Oct. 30. Pipes replaced were about 70 years old and many had cracked.
Fees increased for parks
The San Jose City Council voted unanimously to increase parkland fees for developers starting in February 2007. The new fees will be set at 100 percent of 2005 land values, rather than on 2001 land value prices.
Bellarmine student commission
Terry Reiley, a 16-year-old junior at Bellarmine Collage Preparatory, was sworn in on Oct. 24 as youth commissioner representing San Jose City Council District 6.
NOVEMBER
City purchases land for park space
The San Jose City Council unanimously approved the purchase of 0.4 acres at Clifton Avenue and Scott Street for $1.3 million to be used for park development.
Bellarmine grad honored for work
Marc Rebboah, a 1977 graduate of Bellarmine College Preparatory, was honored as a distinguished volunteer at the Nov. 17 Silicon Valley Philanthropy Day. Rebboah and his committee raised $11.5 million for Bellarmine's endowment fund.
Proposed land swap with YMCA
Three developers announced plans to move and restore one of San Jose's earliest eclectic Colonial Revival homes at 744 Morse St. By moving the house and trading land with the Central YMCA, the developers expect to build two new homes adjacent to the one they move.
Move It Elsewhere relocates
Move It Elsewhere moved its consignment business to 350 Lincoln Ave. after losing its lease on Stockton Avenue.
Driver crashes into Antonella's
An out-of-control car crashed into the front of Antonella's Ristorante at the corner of Park and Naglee avenues on Nov. 3. The accident closed the popular eatery for three weeks. It reopened on Nov. 27.
Oliverio and Tedesco earn most votes
Pierluigi Oliverio and Steve Tedesco were the top two vote-getters for the District 6 San Jose City Council seat in the Nov. 7 election. The two will face each other in the runoff election on March 6, 2007.
Elm Street home faces deadline
The San Jose Appeals Hearing Board told the owners of a boarded-up house on the corner of Elm and McKendrie streets they must complete the permit process they started in 2004 or demolish the house.
Neighbors oppose rezoning
Residents in the Shasta Hanchett Park neighborhood area voiced opposition to a proposed rezoning of property along Stockton Avenue, across from the proposed Whole Foods Market.
Lions win Big Bone game
The Lincoln High School Lions won the 64th annual Big Bone Game, defeating San Jose Academy 33-7. It was the ninth straight year the Lions won the game.
Oprah's grant helps Unity Care
Unity Care Group, a Race Street-based nonprofit that helps youths aged out of the foster-care system when they turn 18, benefited from Michelle Hall's attendance at an Oprah Winfrey show. Winfrey gave each person in the audience $1,000 and instructions to "pay it forward" for a charitable cause. Hall turned her $1,000 into $38,000 with the help of her church and area businesses. The money was used to furnish 12 apartments for the youths.
DECEMBER
Ken Yeager sworn in
Ken Yeager resigned from his District 6 San Jose City Council seat to be sworn in on Dec. 12 for the District 4 seat on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors.
New parking regulations
The San Jose City Council approved new parking regulations in nine business districts of San Jose, including The Alameda and W. San Carlos Street, which are expected to make these areas more attractive to retailers and restaurants. The earlier regulations, introduced in 1960, required more spaces than the new regulations.
Stockton rezoned
The San Jose City Council unanimously approved a general plan amendment to change land use designations on property at 106 to 139 Stockton Ave. from combined industrial/commercial to general commercial.
