It may be a shocking headline … but the enemy is us.

Following the tragic death of a middle school bike-rider last June – run over by a parent picking up her own child from the same school – this year’s school opening week comes with an urgent safety message: Slow down!

The full court press comes from many sources, including the SJ Mercury News, bicycle safety training from SJPD, this week’s WG Resident, and SJUSD Superintendent Don Iglesias. Iglesias used a prerecorded voicemail message to remind parents to slow down and be safe:

I want to ask you to make safety a high priority for your child and all the other children who attend your neighborhood school. School zones are busy and hectic particularly at beginning and end of the school day. Please model safe behavior, so that all of our kids can have a safe journey to and from school
… There’s nothing more precious than the life of our children.

If you were looking for another reason to visit the Safety Fair this weekend at River Glen Park, here’s a simple way you can help: Stop by the special booth hosted by the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) Registry:

On any given day, more than 6000 men, women and children are searching the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) Registry for a life-saving donor like you. This year one of those 6000 in search of a match is also one of our neighbors in Willow Glen. In fact, he’s a five-year-old kid who played Willow Glen PAL Soccer last year. …

Unfortunately, a Marrow Transplant is not an option for our soccer player, because there aren’t enough donors that match his blood and ethnic makeup. But maybe we can all join the fight, and find a transplant match.

During our Kids Safety Fair on Saturday, August 16, you will have your chance to help us expand his options by being checked for a match.… The National Marrow Donor Program will be taking samples from 9-2 at River Glen Park.

It’s the second time in as many years that PAL Soccer players have felt the impact of tragic bad luck, but it’s a microcosmic part of our community that has shown an ability to pull together to support one of its own.

Now you can help, too!

The last energetic installment of Music in the Glen plays out this Thursday, August 14, at Willow Glen Elementary. Don’t miss it!

In today’s post, WGx proudly presents pictures from this past week’s performance, featuring local band Sage, including a shot of the wondering horn section. Additional pictures of crazy dancing and other playground frivolity are available in the right-hand column further down the page.

Special Donation Request: As part of the season finale, organizers are asking for donations of new socks to be brought to the final concert. The Kiwanis Club of WG will donate collected socks to homeless shelters and others in need of warm clothes this winter.

The “eWaste drop-off fundraiser” activity may be totally played out … now that Goodwill of Silicon Valley has gotten involved. Instead of searching for a local drop-off near you, you only have to go to your nearest Goodwill Donation Center, where they now accept all forms of electronic waste. (more…)

Whether or not you consider the corner of Hamilton & Leigh to still be in Willow Glen, there will be a Blood Drive there on Saturday, June 19, hosted by the First Congregational Church.

The Stanford Blood Center will be collecting blood from 9:00 until 2:00 at the church, 1980 Hamilton Avenue. Make an appointment if you can.

Last minute donations are certainly welcome … as are kind wishes of support. The locally-grown “Team Willow Glen” joins the regional Avon Walk this weekend, starting the morning of July 12. WGx — although technically on vacation — wishes them well!

With the new library slated to celebrate its Grand Opening on Saturday, August 23, the San Jose Public Library Foundation is heading down the home stretch for donor solicitation to herald the event.

Many WG residents received letters last week detailing the features of the new library and inviting community members to be a lasting part of the library’s future:

Your Willow Glen neighbors are pitching in to help us make your new branch library a reflection of neighborhood identity, and one of the finest facilities of its kind in the nation.

Our story is not complete without you. Your generous donation will help us provide multimedia resources, books, technology and furnishings. Donors will be recognized in the library; for a gift of

• $100+ you will be honored on the Community Donor Wall
• $1,000+ you will be honored on the Legacy Donor Wall
• $5,000+ you will be honored on the Laureate Donor Wall

Please make your donation today. …

The brazen daylight robbery was shocking enough. That it ended in the death of a local grocer makes it even more tragic. A Peace March in honor of Vahid Hosseini will begin at Sacred Heart Church on Willow Street, not far from our Willow Glen neighborhood: (more…)

ppssttt …. hey buddy … need to get rid of that sofa …. looking to ixney your green upholstered lazy-boy… don’t leave it on the curb!

Willow Glen neighbor Cynthia Sarabia has a better idea:

I work with battered women and children living in transitional housing. My organization is Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence. The units we provide at a reduced rent are fully furnished, however, there is a lot of wear and tear on the furniture. If you have any furniture you no longer need, we can definitely use it. It has to be in like-new condition. We strive to provide a safe environment where families can heal and improve their future.

Thank you, Cynthia Lum Sarabia

Next Door is part of a collaboration working to complete HomeSafe Transitional Housing projects in Santa Clara and San Jose. These facilities provide housing services for up to 36 months, so women and their children can begin new lives.

If you can help, the organization is looking for the following items:

• Family Room Sets (sofas, loveseats, chairs)
• Coffee Tables (rounded corners, no glass)
• End Tables (rounded edges, no glass)
• Table Lamps
• Floor Lamps, Torchiere, etc.
• TV Entertainment Centers

They also welcome family-friendly wall art to make the shelters feel more inviting.

Cynthia is even willing to help coordinate delivery – curb service, if you will – Leave a comment on this WGx post, and Cynthia will be in touch!

In addition to these specific furniture requests, Next Door maintains a permanent donations wish list on its website with more traditional items needed for daily use by families receiving services.

A few ideas for doing our neighborly part to help victims of this week’s Summit Wildfire in the Santa Cruz Mountains: (more…)