The San Jose City Council rezoned a .56-acre lot on Lincoln Avenue from residential to planned development at its Dec. 13 meeting. A duplex is currently located on the property at 1669 Lincoln Ave. It will be removed to make way for four custom single-family homes.

The development will be called Lincoln Glen Homes. Ted and Nancy Biagini and their son-in-law Marc Palacio own the property.

The owners plan to build four two-story homes ranging from 2,590 to 2,840 square feet. Each will have a different look--farmhouse, shingle, Prairie and Spanish-style architecture. The homes will be situated on a private street to the north.

According to planning documents, city staff will work with the developer during the planned development permit stage to design the new homes in a way that maximizes privacy for the surrounding single-family neighborhood.

Five-part literature
series at MLK Library

The San Jose Public Library will host a five-part Jewish literature reading and discussion series, exploring the theme "Between Two Worlds: Stories of Estrangement and Homecoming."

The first event on Jan. 29, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., will focus on Eva Hoffman's work Lost in Translation .

The library will then host an event per month over four months, including discussions on Out of Egypt by Andre Aciman on Feb. 26, The Centaur in the Garden by Moacir Scliar on March 19, Mr. Sammler's Planet by Saul Bellow on April 23 and Kaaterskill Falls by Allegra Goodman on May 21.

David Mesher will be the program's scholar and the event will include an open discussion at each session. All events will take place at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library, 150 E. San Fernando St. For details or to register, contact project director Ruth Kohan at 408-998-2022 or via email at ruth.kohan@sjlibrary.org.

Plumbing Supply shop
changes its name

The Saratoga Plumbing Supply II moves into the New Year with a new name--SplashWorks, a Kitchen & Bath Gallery.

Owner Eric Nelson said he wanted to change the store's name when he purchased it from Brian Vick in 1998. Another store in San Jose had the same name but the two were not affiliated. The names have led to confusion with customers, contractors, designers, vendors and shippers.

At the time Nelson said he was unsure how a name change would affect the business, which has been at 1284 Lincoln Ave. since 1987. Since then Nelson has remodeled the Willow Glen store and added 1,000 square feet to the kitchen and bath fixtures gallery.

Nelson said the new name is long overdue, but he is excited about the change

Information nights
discuss college aid

State Sen. Elaine Alquist and Assembly members Joe Coto and Rebecca Cohn are sponsoring Cash for College, an event for high school students that will allow them to apply and submit the free application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Cal Grant GPA verification form.

Experts in financial aid will be there to assist in filling out the applications line-by-line and to answer any questions.

There will be two events in January, three in February and one in March.

The Cash for College events will take place on Feb. 8 at Lincoln High School, 555 Dana Ave in the library/media center from 3 to 7 p.m.; Feb. 18 at Willow Glen High School, 2001 Cottle Ave. in the Library/Media Center from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on March 1 at San José City College, 600 S. Bascom Ave. in the technology building from 2 to 8 p.m.

For more information, visit www.sanjosecalsoap.com or call 408.288.3123 or email rlcruz@ucsc.edu. High School students should contact their guidance counselors for additional information.

Newsletter offers ideas for weekend fun

Willow Glen resident Deb Lavoy wants to make finding weekend activities a snap. She has launched a weekly email newsletter called "10 Things" that offers an array of ideas.

The newsletter lists a dozen-plus activities to its subscribers. "10 Things" offers detailed information, in addition to dates and times. The newsletter provides guidance on age appropriate activities, stroller and wheelchair accessibility, availability of food and drinks, restrooms, parking and driving directions.

Activities include everything from library puppet shows to child-friendly guided hikes, beach walks, street fairs, plays, science exhibitions and classes, art and cooking workshops and sports.

Approximately 600 families have signed up since September.

"10 Things" offers a three-week free trial, then it becomes fee-based, $30 for a one-year subscription. For more information call 408.979.9730 or email deb@10things withkids.com or visit www.10thingswith kids.com.