Well, we are definitely making the news. The Rosemary Gardens neighborhood was featured in an article in the December 27th edition of the San Jose Mercury News. The article talked about what a great neighborhood we live in, and unlike many other neighborhoods in San Jose, that a sense of connection to the community exists.
Speaking of community events, there are a lot in store for 2000: our 2nd Annual Easter Celebration, our Bi-Yearly Neighborhood Yard Sales, the Annual Neighborhood Picnic, and "Here Comes Santa Claus..." There will be other events as well and they will focus on safety, graffiti, and neighborhood pride.
One other item I would like to talk about is Membership. Membership in the Association is a great way to personally contribute to your neighborhood. If you have been waiting to join, now is the time to show your neighborhood spirit. I would like to encourage everyone to take pride in their neighborhood and work with the RGNA to keep our neighborhood the best in San Jose!
Don't forget Valentine's Day! It is on Monday, February 14th!
Do you have a bare parking strip? Ever thought that you would like to see a tree in that bare strip?
Our City Forest (OCF), in conjuction with Councilmember Cindy Chavez's office, has allocated 30 trees for the Rosemary Gardens neighborhood. This is part of the mayor's "2000 Trees for the Millenium" project. Cindy Chavez was instrumental in securing the allotment of trees for Rosemary Gardens.
What do you need to do to get a tree?
1. Contact the RGNA Message Center, 441-RGNA, and leave you name, address, and phone number.
2. Help with the planting of the tree.
3. Commit to 2-3 years of watering the tree.
Trees will be given on a first come, first serve basis, and site eligibility.
Thank you to all of you who help support the neighborhood association by putting out your aluminum cans, cardboard, newspapers, and CA redemption plastic soda bottles.
Thanks to the all the recyclers who have volunteered their time and energy by helping and hosting Recycle Saturday.
Steve Alvarez
Carlos Arellano
Augie Bettencourt
Angela Campbell
Margie Cornehl
Cindy Fota
Joseph Fota
Vita Fota
Rok Gales
Peter Grimm
Ingrid Krantz
Len Latorre
Susana Messina
Bridgette O'Connor
Mike O'Connor
Greg Ott
Art Rangel
Carol Rivera
Beryl Spalding
Sarah Spalding
Gene Sylvia
Dan Valladao
Erica Valladao
Jen Valladao
Mike Valladao
Sue Valladao
Randy Wallace
Donna Wienman
Remember, recycling is the second Saturday of every month and starts at 8:00 a.m. with coffee, juice, and donuts (or bagels). We can always use more help on recycling days and we always need more people to host recycle Saturday. Contact the RGNA Message Center if you would like more details. It's easy, please call!
February 12th
Melanie Maruca
1312 Forrestal Ave.
March 11th
Carol Rivera's
1208 Santa Paula
A reminder that street sweeping is the 1st Tuesday of each month. So please have your cars off the street between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Next street sweeping days are Feb. 1st and March 7th.
On November 29, 1999, the San Jose International Airport (SJIA) subjected the Rosemary Gardens neighborhood to approximately 20 straight minutes of jet engine noise. The following is an excerpt from a letter sent from Gary Stowell, SJIA Noise Abatement Manger, to the RGNA explaining the event:
"A commercial aircraft required a high power maintenance engine run-up, following a repair, as a part of the testing procedures. The test ran from approximately 9:30 p.m. to 9:50 p.m. and was conducted at the southwest corner of the airport. Engine run-ups are usually conducted at the northwest corner of the airport and typically not audible near the south end of the airfield. The nature of this particular maintenance procedure required that the engine run be conducted on a concrete surface instead of asphalt. The reason for this was that the engine's exhaust had to be directed downward and may have damaged an asphalt surface. Because of the wind direction being from the south on that particular evening, the northern portion of the airfield was being used by departing aircraft. This limited the possible areas where the aircraft could have been positioned to conduct the test, and required the aircraft to be positioned at the southern end of the field.
This particular type of maintenance procedure is very rare and was only necessitated by the type of maintenance that was needed for this aircraft. We do not anticipate that this type of run-up will occur again. If a similar set of circumstance ever do arise, we will be certain that the engine run be conducted at the north end of the field."
We had a great turn out for our (RGNA's) very first Day with Santa. As Santa cruised up and down the streets of the neighborhood (in his sleigh), residents from every age came out to greet Santa and to get a candy cane. Holiday music was playing and smiles were everywhere.
A big thank you to Vern Nellis who was a superb Santa Claus. Thank you also to the team that put it together: Cindy Fota, Joseph Fota, Vita Fota, the Lewerenz family (Dan, Holly, Alex and Trevor) Rina Staehs and Sue Valladao.
We are planning this event again in December of 2000. You won't want to miss it!
San Jose Beautiful Home Improvement Awards
The Home Improvement Awards Program recognizes those who have renovated their homes or businesses. Recipients will receive an award and recognition at a City Council session to be held in April. To receive an application or learn more about the program, contact San Jose Beautiful at 277-5208.
Neighborhood Investment Districts (NIDs)
Working through the Redevelopment Agency and City Council, additional neighborhoods in our district have been designated as redevelopment investment districts. In addition to the three previously existing NIDs (North 13th St. corridor, Spartan-Keyes, and Five Wounds), the following neighborhoods have been added to the NID list: Gardner, Washington, Saint James, Olinder and University.
The NID designation means that our neighborhoods - at long last - will become eligible to receive Redevelopment funds.
Redevelopment will undertake a study this year that will culminate in a proposed redevelopment plan for each NID area. This will be a public process, involving public meetings and citizen committees in each area.
Each NID will have a Steering Committee to help guide the Preliminary Plan formation. The individual NID plans will be combined in a Redevelopment Plan for all the NIDs in the City of San Jose which would be reviewed by a Project Area Committee (PAC) made up of representatives from each Steering Committee. This year-long process would culminate in the presentation of the Redevelopment Plan to the City Council.
Once a redevelopment plan has been adopted by the City Council, each target area is eligible for various programs that revitalize the physical, economic and social conditions in the community.
Valley Transportation Authority
The VTA will be conducting meetings regarding long-term investments in public transportation designed to connect Downtown to the East Valley area.
Mayor's State of the City Address
Mayor Ron Gonzales will give the State of the City Address on February 17, 2000 at 5:30 p.m. at the Convention Center. Tickets are complimentary and will be available early in February through Cindy Chavez's office at 277-5231.
Free Towing
The Department of Planning, Building and Code Enforcement is providing a free towing service to owners of unused and inoperable vehicles. To arrange for the City to tow your vehicle (you must possess title - pink slip) call 277-4931 and tell the clerk you have a voluntary tow request. You may also wish to contact your favorite charity to see if they accept inoperable or working vehicles as a donated item.
Shopping Carts
I have launched a City effort to find a permanent solution to the problem of abandoned shopping carts.
Beautification Grants
San Jose Beautiful is currently accepting applications for beautification projects. The deadline is February 25, 2000 at 5:00 p.m. Funding is to be matched by volunteer efforts and/or cash donations. For more information or an application, contact San Jose Beautiful at 277-5208.
*** Missing Dog ***
Name : Murphy (male) Color: Black Breed: Cocker/Lab mix
Murphy is a friendly dog. He was last seen on Ferrari/Santa Paula on 12/9/99. He was wearing a turquoise collar.
Please contact the RGNA Message Center at (408) 441-RGNA if you have any information. A reward is being offered.
Below is a list of people that have paid their 2000 membership dues.
ARNOLD AVE.
Marc Fuentes
James Kinghorn
Ben Langedyk
Mildred Langedyk
Rachael Osorio
Kat Parra
Kenneth Steen
Lucille Steen
Mary Trembley
Roger Wharton
FERRARI AVE.
Dorothy Magee
FORRESTAL AVE.
Carlos Arellano
Joan Arellano
Barbara Burgess
Mike de la Cuesta
Rosalie Cannella-Guancione
Anthony Guancione
Karen Hardy
Bonita Hoffman
Mark Sahines
Sophie Sahines
KEONCREST AVE.
Kay Brenner
Helen Carcione-Elliott
Emilie Hioki
Shig Hioki
Ingrid Krantz
Eugene Sylvia
Lillian Sylvia
Julie Walker
Patricia Wilker
Jean Yamauchi
Mits Yamauchi
N. SAN PEDRO ST.
Linda Boyd
Gary Dominguez
Cindy Fota
Joseph Fota
Vita Fota
Linda Fujimoto
Robert Fujimoto
Janet Okagaki
Rebecca Renteria
Donna Weinman
SAN JUAN AVE.
Sonia Alvarez-Oppus
Vernetta Bailey-Heckman
Pearl Held,
Dan Lewerenz
Holly Lewerenz
Martin Oppus
Matt Staehs
Rina Staehs
SANTA PAULA AVE.
Margaret Amaro
Mary Bova
Kathy Moreno
Mary Moreno
Max Moreno
Nick Moreno
Liz Moscato
Gordon Prunty
Carol Rivera
Rosalie Sunday
Peggy Tokushige
Vic Tokushige
Eugene VanNatta
Levine Visico
Stephanie Visico
1 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/3 cups flour
3/4 cup finely chopped nuts
36 Hershey kisses
powdered sugar
Cream the butter, sugar and vanilla in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Add flour and nuts; blend well. Shape about 1 tbsp. dough around each kiss, covering it completely. Place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 375 for 7 to 10 minutes or until set but not brown. Cool; roll in powdered sugar and store in an airtight container. Roll in sugar again. Note: Be sure not to overcook the cookies, or they will be hard to chew. Also, use the regular Kisses, as the almond filled ones really are full of "surprises" when chewed.
Chocolate Kiss Cookies
1 1/4 cups butter or margarine (softened)
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 package (14 oz.) chocolate kisses
Cream butter; gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla; blend well. Stir in flour. Press dough from a cookie press 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets, using a star- or daisy-shaped disc. Bake at 375 degrees F. for 10 minutes. Press a chocolate kiss in center of each warm cookie, point side up. Remove to wire racks to cool. Yield: 6 dozen.