Yet for all the unexpected events that frame any year, there are also predictable ones, such as the city debate and final vote on the Tamien Place project, the return of Willow Glen's popular summer concert series and the opening of Hummingbird Park.

Looking back over the stories written throughout the year, these moments help add to this year's collage of events, but on closer review one theme clearly stood out in the majority of our issues—diverse people in Willow Glen.

This year highlighted a 95-year-old reporter-turned-songwriter, poet and painter, Dick Barrett, and 56-year-old Maurice Stevenson, who retired after dedicating 27 years of service to the San Jose Public Library system. There was hockey player and Sharks trainer, Tommy 'Woody' Woodcock, who was inducted into the Professional Athletic Trainers Society Hall of Fame, and Charles Colburn, whose home overflowed with Statue of Liberty memorabilia.

We also featured youth like Turnaround Scholar Sahr Kasmachi Mbawa, a young artist at Willow Glen High School who fled his native homeland of Sierra Leone. There were people who used their skills and talents to help others, like contractor Steve Demkowski, who built and donated a playhouse to be auctioned by nonprofit Rebuilding Together, and San Jose Mounted Police Officer Moses Barreras, who fulfilled a terminally ill boy's wish to see a policeman on a horse. The community also read about residents who were adventurers and hobbyists, like Matt Parker, who is traversing the American Discovery Trail on horseback, and the Fasano family, who have dedicated 45 years to frog leaping competitions.

We also wrote about people who are working to preserve Willow Glen's special heritage, like Jim Arbuckle, who completed and published his mother Helen Arbuckle's book about San Jose pioneer women. And those like Valerie Negler who spent years restoring her home back to its original Britton House splendor, while other Willow Glen residents like missionaries Linda and Randy Pyle worked overseas to restore the future.

It turned out to be quite a year for sharing stories about the people who make up the community, a year that offered a rich sampling of Willow Glen citizens. So as the calendar flips to 2004, we look forward to discovering more interesting people and bringing their stories to the community.

—Moryt Milo, Editor

Year in Review 2003

January

The Daisy Patch, a local institution, closed its doors on Dec. 26. The previous owners, Judie Block and Lynette Clark, opened the store in 1976 on Lincoln Avenue where the Willow Glen Coffee Roasting Company is currently housed. They sold the store to Augusta Laura Lee and Paul Burton, who changed the name to L'Daisy Patch and then changed it back. Designer consignment boutique Our Secret took over The Daisy Patch location.

The 10-year anniversary celebration honoring San Jose School of Music was a year full of changes for the longtime music business. Along with celebrating its anniversary, the San Jose School of Music also changed its name to Willow Music School and a new owner, Bradford Lee, took over the business. Lee said he avoided using "Glen" in the name because he didn't want the school to look exclusive to Willow Glen. At Willow Music School, located at 1202 Lincoln Ave., Suite 201, Lee hoped to not only provide instruction but also hold recitals. The school had a mixed clientele of adults and children instructed in classical, jazz, rock, contemporary, ethnic and folk music.

The San Jose City Council approved a 14-townhouse development project on Northrup Street, located in the northernmost part of Willow Glen. It was originally designed for eight homes. The developer, Blackwell Brothers Development Company, wanted to increase the project's density and revised the plans, asking for an approval of 14 three-story, single-family townhouse units to be built on approximately three-quarters of an acre just south of Interstate 280. The development was originally denied approval in a 5-1 vote by the San Jose Planning Commission, but this vote was overturned by the unanimous vote to approve the project at the city council's Jan. 21 meeting, after reviewing various modifications to the plan presented by District 6 Councilman Ken Yeager.

After 30 years on Lincoln Avenue, Tri-Me Appliances closed its doors and owners Larry Toney and Marie Brasil leased the store's space to another business. But the farewell didn't last long. Toney and Brasil moved next door to their old business and decided to open Willow Glen Appliances, to be in the business of servicing appliances instead of selling them. Toney said Tri-Me was a successful business and that there really was no reason to sell, except to try something new.

Judy Chirco began her first term on the San Jose City Council during the second week of January. As Chirco took office, there were two major projects within District 9 that directly concerned Willow Glen residents: the Hacienda Gardens project at Foxworthy and Meridian avenues and the progress of the Rainbow Recovery home on Kilo Avenue, which provided temporary housing for people with a history of substance abuse. The southern part of Willow Glen in District 9 begins south of Curtner Avenue, west of Booksin Avenue and again south of Husted Avenue, and Chirco represented those constituents.

February

After 10 years in the Foxworthy Shopping Center, the American Cancer Society Discovery Shop lost its lease and relocated its store to Branham Lane. The lease for the nonprofit retail store, which sold high quality used and donated items such as clothes, toys and furniture, expired in September 2002. According to store manager Lucy Derkach, negotiations to renew the lease fell through. The store was scheduled to reopen Jan. 31. Derkach said that the shopping center's management had the Discovery Shop move out so it could rearrange the store to accommodate other businesses.

The Willow Glen Middle School and High School Foundation—a nonprofit foundation made up of parents, students and community leaders—held its third annual phone-a-thon Feb. 6 and 7. The drive raised a calculated $16,325 in pledges and matching funds, only slightly less than the $17,000 it raised in 2002. The goal for the 2003 phone-a-thon was to raise $15,000 in contributions, according to foundation President Pam English. The foundation was formed in July 2000. Among other initiatives, the foundation established scholarships for B-average students who also do community service work, sponsored after-school programs at the middle school and created an annual career fair at the high school.

March

Children swung from monkey bars, slid down the slide and ran around a playground structure decorated with red and blue balloons at the dedication of the newly opened Hummingbird Park, at the intersection of Bird and Fisk avenues. North Willow Glen residents were thrilled to see the long-awaited project finally completed. Some residents had waited for more than a decade for the city of San Jose to adopt the park.

After almost four years operating a corner shop on Lincoln Avenue, Bauer Leather Galleries closed its doors because of a 20 percent increase in the rent. Owner Bill Bauer said he wouldn't close his store in Sacramento, which opened the same year as the Willow Glen location. Bauer sent a letter to all his customers telling them about the store closing and sale.

The San Jose Unified School District distributed 133 "notification of reassignment or release" slips to its credentialed management employees—principals, vice principals and district officials—on March 15, stating that their positions might not be available in the fall. The notices warned, in part, "You may be released from your present assignment or the terms under which you are employed may change." District spokesperson Karen Fuqua said this action gave the district the flexibility it needed to reassign anyone while it worked out the budget.

A new program called San Jose LEARNS—Literacy Education Arts Recreation Nurtures Students—was introduced to students at Willow Glen Middle School. Funded by grants from the State Department of Education and managed by San Jose's Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services, the goal of the program was to raise student test scores and attendance, said San Jose LEARNS program administrator Michelle Jennings. The program was also offered at 21 sites citywide—19 elementary schools and two middle schools in the San Jose Unified School District, including Gardner Academy in Willow Glen.

April

Presentation High School's second phase of reconstruction got under way with the aim to improve sports facilities at the all girls' school. The school's goals were to demolish its softball field, tennis courts and two nearby school-owned houses and replace them with a soccer and hockey field, a new softball field and an outdoor pool. Plans had been drawn up and approved, and after an environmental impact study was completed, the school would approach the community for input regarding the project's general plan. If everything went according to plan, the school would have raised the necessary funding—$5 million—by its proposed construction date, which was in spring 2004, said Keith Meyer, a civil engineering consultant hired by the high school. As of April, $125,000 had been raised.

The San Jose City Council approved Mission Square Shopping Center's request to allow its largest tenant—Albertson's—to refurbish and expand. And although other merchants in the center were wary, nearby residents were looking forward to more services and selections. When the issue was brought before the council at its April 1 meeting, no one came forward to address the item during the public hearing. Less than a minute later the council members voted unanimously to allow the Mission Square Shopping Center, located at the corner of Bird and Minnesota avenues, to rezone from "commercial pedestrian" to "commercial neighborhood."

An 83-townhouse housing development located just beyond Willow Glen's eastern border became ready for occupancy, and nearby townhouse homeowners were pleased the project was not another car dealership or large housing complex. Palo Alto­based SummerHill Homes had completed 21 of the 83-unit, single-family detached townhome development at Foxworthy Avenue and Old Almaden Road. The project, which consisted of six acres, was designed to fit approximately 16 units per acre. The complex, called Ravenna, was made up of three types of two-story models, a mix of Spanish, Monterey and French Cottage style architectures. The homes ranged in size from 1,489 to 1,712 square feet. Prices started at just under $500,000.

Many Willow Glen residents expressed trepidation about the city of San Jose's drive toward the development of high-density housing, which was proposed for the Tamien Station area. Members of various neighborhood associations were concerned that their opportunities for input had been reduced since the project was initiated in 1995. The Tamien Station area housing project was located in San Jose's District 3. The city council approved a request from developer Barry Swenson to increase the height of the project from 65 feet to 120 feet.

Christian Jimenez, a student at Willow Glen Middle School, was hanging out with two friends at the park on the evening of April 24. It was spring break and he was enjoying his time away from his studies. What began as a normal evening at the park became a tragedy for Jimenez, as he was fatally shot in the chest at the William Street Park behind the Olinder Community Center. "It was deliberate," a police spokesperson said. "The culprits were looking for someone to kill. The victim didn't fight back. There was no reason for this killing." Several hundred students paid their respects to his family and memory at an open-casket wake at the Lima Family-Erickson funeral home.

May

To the delight of many Willow Glen residents, the San Jose City Council took less than six minutes at its May 13 meeting to discuss and vote unanimously to approve an agenda of routine items, one of which was to replace the bridge along Willow Glen Way that crossed the Guadalupe River. The council's vote was to approve an agreement with the Santa Clara Valley Water District to use a federal highway bridge rehabilitation and replacement grant for $1.5 million—administered through Caltrans—with an additional $142,000 from city traffic capital funds.

June

Although Measure A—the parcel tax proposal for the San Jose Unified School District—won by a majority vote, it fell short of the required two-thirds majority, forcing the district to rethink how it would handle a $10 million deficit. Voter turnout was poor, with only 21,452 voters casting a vote in 90 precincts. Of those who voted, 12,830 or 59.8 percent voted yes, and 8,622 voted no. The district had already asked for and received two prior bond measures, Measure C in 1997 and Measure F in 2002.

An early morning fire at the Emperor's Garden Chinese restaurant on Lincoln Avenue was discovered just before it engulfed adjoining businesses. Five engines and three fire truck companies shut down a portion of Lincoln Avenue for 90 minutes in response to a 911 call from a Round Table Pizza employee reporting smoke rising from the nearby Emperor's Garden restaurant on June 8. No one was hurt, but according to Battalion Chief Greg Spence of the San Jose Fire Department, the fire began in the Emperor's Garden's kitchen, causing an estimated $300,000 in property damage.

After months of committee meetings and trips to the drawing board, the San Jose Unified School District said it had a workable plan to spend the $429 million approved by voters to refurbish its 45 campuses. Committees made up of school officials and parents from each school in the district had a few weeks to tweak certain budget items in their favor before the plan came before the district's board of trustees on July 1. That's when the trustees were scheduled to vote to approve the "implementation plan," which was a draft and subject to change. Voters approved Bond Measure F—a $429 million bond package to be used only for facility improvements—in March 2002.

One San Jose gas station/mini-mart business owner piqued the attention of the San Jose City Council by challenging a seemingly antiquated ordinance that prohibited the sale of food and alcohol at gas stations. Thomas Robinson, the CEO of the Robinson Oil Corporation, said there was a double standard emerging from a 1985 ordinance that prohibits gas stations in San Jose from selling food or alcohol, with the city allowing larger companies like Costco and Safeway—which specialize in groceries—to sell gasoline. California state law prohibited cities or counties from selling food, gas and alcohol at the same location. But San Jose passed its ordinance in June 1985—just a month ahead of the state's August 1985 law—which prohibited gas stations opened in San Jose after 1985 from selling these items.

July

Fourth of July block parties had become an annual neighborhood event in Willow Glen. Cheryl Way and Bello Avenue were sites of parties that are a 30-year tradition. The North Willow Glen Neighborhood Association planned its first-ever Independence Day block party on Delmas Avenue to unite the ethnically diverse neighborhood and promote community. The association's block party chairman Harvey Darnell used the $1,925 grant from the Silicon Valley Community Foundation to pay for decorations, the permit, games, prizes, water and ice cream.

Willow Glen parents were dismayed by the decision allowing third-grade class sizes this fall to expand from 20 students per teacher to 30 students per teacher in the San Jose Unified School District. The district's best hope at maintaining the 20:1 ratio was Measure A, a parcel tax that, if it had passed, would have assessed residents an additional $98 per parcel for the next five years. But the measure failed to meet the required two-thirds approval, and incoming third-graders saw an increase in the number of their classmates.

Willow Glen High School's Doug Dionne nabbed an interception with 5.8 seconds left in the 29th annual Silicon Valley Youth Classic Charlie Wedemeyer High School All-Star Football Game on July 23, clinching his team's win. Dionne's interception prevented North from scoring at the 7-yard line and secured South's two-point lead to win 27-25. Dionne was the 2003 valedictorian and a Rams' star in football, baseball and basketball. Just three days earlier, he was a top hitter and pitcher for the Lincoln Glen Little League's Big League team that won District 12 and Section 5 championships on July 20.

August

On Aug. 16, Santa Clara County Regional Auto Theft Task Force arrested 47-year-old Jacqueline Elaine Small on suspicion that she used her position at the Meridian branch post office to help burglarize a home on Sweetbriar Drive. One of Small's duties was to place "mail stops" for people who requested their mail be held while on vacation. Authorities believed that Small conspired with Michael Heimann, Shannon Rey Gilroy and Alana Mohacsi to steal jewelry, antiques, documents, electronics and a Grey 2000 Jaguar S-Type. The suspects stole more than 250 items from the house and left drug paraphernalia. The car and some items were recovered. A member of the task force said it was the first time in his 27 years that anyone had used a postal mail stop to commit a crime.

Willow Glen resident Diana Foss was so fed up with the recall of Gov. Davis that she decided to run in protest. The stay-at-home mom said she'd never been politically active beyond voting, but said voters should also blame legislators, not just the governor, for the state's budget problems. She collected the necessary 65 signatures, paid the $3,500 entrance fee and became one of the 135 candidates in the special election.

The San Jose Unified School District eliminated 32 school librarian positions for the 2003­04 year because of the district's $16 million budget deficit. Library aides, teachers and parent volunteers stepped in to run schools' media centers. Parents raised concerns about inequity because they said wealthier schools and those with active parents' groups could raise money to reinstate librarians. Willow Glen Middle School Principal Darla Briggs was confident the Willow Glen Middle and High School Foundation would help fund a librarian.

September

The 76th anniversary of Founder's Day was dramatically scaled down with no parade, face painting or fanfare. Willow Glen Neighborhood Association President Helen Solinski said the association began organizing the Founder's Day celebrations in 2001 and was happy to plan festivities for the 75th anniversary, but wanted to focus on neighbors' broader concerns rather than a one-day event. In coordination with Founder's Day, the Palm Haven neighborhood held its second annual Homes Tour to raise money to restore historical street columns.

The Willow Glen Business and Professional Association's board of directors voted to adopt the draft of the 2003­07 strategic plan that was in the development stage for more than a year. First vice president and Willow Glen Books owner Cathy Adkins called it a turning point in the association's history. The strategic plan outlined what the downtown will uniquely offer, such as specialty and lifestyle retail, entertainment until midnight, street performers. To accomplish this, the association identified five goals—increase downtown awareness, strengthen its membership, expand human and financial resources, retain and recruit more businesses and make downtown more pedestrian- and customer-friendly.

Willow Glen resident Ken Brady, a longtime member of San Jose Lawn Bowls Club, won the Northern California Men's Singles championship. In late September, he headed to Pinehurst, N.C., for the U.S. Lawn Bowling championships, where he competed for the title of "Best Singles Bowler in the U.S." Earlier in the summer, Brady won the Pacific Intermountain Division singles championship for lawn bowling when he beat two members of Team USA—the nation's international team—and also had to play against the only U.S. member of the World Lawn Bowling Hall of Fame. Brady competes out of the Willow Street Park Green, the home court for the San Jose Lawn Bowls Club.

At the Sept. 16 city council meeting, the controversial issue of lifting the current ban on alcohol and food sales at San Jose gas stations was debated back and forth between council members, before ending in a 6-4 vote. The city council then directed the city attorney to draft a proposed ordinance and bring it before the council in 90 days. District 6 Councilman Ken Yeager was one of four dissenters on the issue—the ordinance was also opposed by Cindy Chavez, Nora Campos and Terry Gregory—and he vocally expressed his anxiety about bringing alcohol into his constituents' neighborhoods. Mayor Ron Gonzales urged the council to support lifting the ban on food and alcohol sales at gas stations, and a new ordinance could potentially support his plan to increase jobs in San Jose by making it easier and more attractive to do business in the city.

Noemi Anderson celebrated her 106th birthday with friends at the American Association of University Women headquarters on Minnesota Avenue. She had been a member of the organization for 67 years and attends its monthly bridge days. Anderson had played in a number of bridge tournaments and still reads duplicate-bridge magazines. Her friends baked a chocolate cake to celebrate Anderson's milestone. She attributed her longevity to exercising throughout her life and staying away from fatty foods and salt.

City council voted 9-1, with Ken Yeager dissenting, to approve the Tamien Place development. The Sept. 30 approval enabled Barry Swenson Builder to construct two 11-story condominium towers at the corner of Lick and West Alma avenues. Prior to the city council meeting discussion and vote on the Tamien Place project, interested parties attended a marathon planning commission meeting on Sept. 10—lasting well past midnight—at which nearly 40 citizens voiced their opinions to the planning commissioners. And several issues related to traffic, parking and a new development of a park were brought forward by citizens. In response to these community issues at the planning commission hearing, District 3 Councilwoman Cindy Chavez responded by authoring a memorandum, which she introduced at the city council meeting, that provided answers to the aforementioned questions. Nine council members saw the project as a positive step forward in meeting the city's long-range housing goals. This ultimately left Yeager casting the lone dissenting vote because he wanted more time to develop a successful transit village and incorporate citizens' concerns.

October

The San Jose City Council voted 8-1 to pass a resolution opposing the provisions of the USA Patriot Act. District 6 Councilman Ken Yeager voted with the majority. Vice Mayor Pat Dando cast the only opposing vote, citing concerns that the resolution did not protect civil liberties or its citizens and that it second-guesses law enforcement and Congress. The USA Patriot Act was legislation that was passed by Congress shortly after Sept. 11, 2001. The Department of Justice said the Patriot Act had played a key part, and often a leading role, in a number of successful operations to protect innocent Americans from the deadly plans of terrorists. Despite Congress' position on the importance of the act, San Jose passed the resolution opposing the provisions, becoming the third largest city to do so.

After months of debate, San Jose Unified School District board members unanimously adopted the Measure F Implementation Plan, even though a portion of the $429 million had already been applied to several San Jose schools. With the implementation plan now in place, needed Willow Glen campus renovations would begin in the elementary, middle and high schools. At the board meeting, members from the appointed Measure F Citizens Bond Oversight Committee and district officials acknowledged that by working together, both sides came up with a plan they can comfortably adhere to. San Jose Unified School District director of school construction Ty Williams said the district realized some sites needed improvements more quickly and adjusted the timetable to reflect need.

November

The need to cut $10 million from the San Jose Unified School District budget brought parents to a community forum to review parents' opinion surveys of possible cuts for the upcoming 2004­05 year. Out of the 32,000 parent budget surveys, just over 5,000 were returned to the district office along with 600 additional write-in comments. Parents answered questions that included the possibility of closing three to four elementary schools, increasing class sizes, eliminating bus transportation and reducing instructional periods at middle schools from six to five. During the meeting, to the displeasure of some parents, it was also made clear that all elementary schools were on the block for possible closure, including magnet schools.

The Nov. 10 opening of Beavers Bar and Grill, formerly The Glen, generated quite a stir in the community. Some Willow Glen residents were upset by the sexual innuendo of the name Beavers and its green neon sign. Willow Glen Neighborhood Association's elist abounded with concerns that the place would be like a Hooters—a restaurant catering to an adult crowd. According to owner John Karamanos, the impetus for changing the upscale restaurant and pool hall to a bar and grill was based on a San Jose Redevelopment Agency study done this summer. He said the study polled residents about business and found that what the majority of people want were reasonable prices and a place that stays open later. Councilman Ken Yeager said the redevelopment study findings did not recommend the late-night usage that Karamanos said it supported.

The Willow Glen High School football team rebounded from a middle of the pack finish a year ago to win a league championship and qualify for the Central Coast Section playoffs. Willow Glen beat Del Mar High School 42-14 to win the West Valley Division of the Blossom Valley Athletic League championships. Senior Chris Hobbs had an outstanding game, throwing six touchdown passes as quarterback and making 10 tackles as linebacker. Coach Andy Penwarden praised all the senior players' hard work in the successful 2003 season that ended with a 7-3 record.

Willow Glen Middle School Principal Darla Briggs resigned on Nov. 20, shocking parents who later voiced concerns that Briggs did not receive the necessary school support needed to implement various curriculum changes, which helped improve the school's overall performance. San Jose Unified School District spokesperson Karen Fuqua could not confirm whether Briggs and the middle school staff were having difficulties working together. She also said she had no knowledge of problems between Briggs and the district. Fuqua also said Briggs was leaving because she had applied for a new principalship in Lodi. In response to parent concerns about her sudden departure, Briggs said that it seemed time for her to leave, but she wished she could take the students and parents with her to Lodi.

On Nov. 22, Gardner Academy, part of the San Jose Unified School District, was the scene of a four-alarm fire called in by residents who saw the smoke rising from the main building. The fire alarm sounded at the district office at 9:35 p.m. on Saturday, said district spokesperson Karen Fuqua. A group of teachers arrived to see seven classrooms, the library, media center, computer lab, office and administration building go up in flames. Ninety-five firefighters battled the fire until 1:30 a.m., at which time the fire was brought under control. Arson investigators were also on the scene conducting investigations and Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) investigators were going door-to-door to get any leads on the cause of the fire. On Monday, Nov. 24, the district arranged buses to transport children and their teachers to empty classrooms at Galarza and Horace Mann elementary schools.

December

Two former Gardner Academy students were arrested Dec. 4 for allegedly starting the fire at Gardner Academy that destroyed the newly renovated main building. The 13-year-old attended Willow Glen Middle School and the14-year-old attended Lincoln High School. The two boys were charged Dec. 9 with arson, burglary and vandalism. San Jose Police press information officer Sgt. Steve Dixon said investigators identified the boys after they bragged to their friends and word got around the neighborhood. If the juveniles are found guilty, each family can be held responsible for the damages up to $25,000, said Santa Clara County Assistant District Attorney Marc Buller, which is the legal limit according to law. If they are found guilty, the youths, who will also be held financially responsible, will also be required to make restitution through a variety of sanctions such as community service, and they could remain in juvenile detention until they reach age 21 or 25, depending on the charges and sentencing, Buller said.

District 6 City Councilman Ken Yeager faced competition to keep his seat in the upcoming March 2004 election, as Willow Glen resident and pet groomer Daniel Beasworrick filed his nomination papers by the Dec. 5 deadline. Beasworrick collected the necessary 50 signatures to file nomination papers and delivered them to San Jose City Clerk Pat O'Hearn, ensuring a place for his name on the March 2 ballot next to Yeager's.

George Garbarino, dubbed the "unofficial mayor of Willow Glen" and longtime resident of San Jose, died Dec. 5, less than a week away from his 92nd birthday. According to Judy Semas, his adopted daughter, Garbarino had been suffering from several ailments, including diabetes, a heart attack and pneumonia. He was released from the hospital Nov. 29 and died at Skyline Healthcare Center, where he had lived since the summer of 2002. Semas said Garbarino was extremely outgoing and gregarious. As he requested, Garbarino was cremated. Semas was also planning a celebration of his life at Lima Family Erickson Memorial Chapel, to take place at the beginning of the year.