It's been a pleasure to serve as your President. One of the highlights of my two year term was being in a position to meet and work with many of you.
In review of the last two years, the RGNA board and other residents have worked diligently to provide opportunities to get together such as: picnics, yard sales, a star party, candidate forum, and many community meetings. Members of the board have worked hard and effectively with local government and agencies, and Bachrodt School. These relationships were a key to RGNA's overall success. We also worked hard to keep you informed with creative and timely communication.
We begin 1999 with a balance of over $3,200 with another $2,500 to be received mid February. This is due to successful fundraising efforts, a more than 100% increase in membership dues from 1997 to 1998, grants and donations. We were in the fortunate position to make financial contributions to causes the neighborhood felt strong about such as the Airport Traffic Relief Initiative.
The annual meeting is Tuesday, February 23. Come meet Cindy Chavez, our new City Council person, pay dues (if you haven't already) and vote in the annual election and on proposed changes to the bylaws.
I thank all of the board members for their contributions these last two years and wish the best to the new RGNA board that will continue to serve and represent the neighborhood in the future.
- Lilian Dennis
Mark your Calendars!!
The Rosemary Gardens Neighborhood Association's Annual Meeting is Tuesday, February 23, 1999, at 6:30PM in the Bachrodt Elementary School's Media Center.
If you are interested in serving on the Board of Directors for the neighborhood, please call the Message Center at (408) 436-1270 and leave a message for the Nominating Committee, on Mailbox 2.
This year's meeting will include:
o Election of board members
o Revisions to the neighborhood bylaws
o Special guest - Councilwoman Cindy Chavez
Please review the summary of proposed bylaw changes included in this newsletter. We will be voting on the bylaws at the annual meeting.
- Joseph Fota
We are very pleased that the Board of Directors of Community Foundation Silicon Valley has approved a $2500 grant for our neighborhood's ongoing activities as well as to add some new activities. Some of the new 1999 highlights will be welcome bags for new incoming neighbors, an Easter Egg hunt in April and a Day with Santa in December.
1999 activities and projects and their associated costs were discussed at the October RGNA board meeting. Resulting from this meeting, a four page grant request was submitted to Community Foundation Silicon Valley for their review and consideration. In November, four RGNA board members; Stephanie Lykam, Patti Bossert, Lilian Dennis and Holly Lewerenz were interviewed by Community Foundation's staff.
We are fortunate that the Community Foundation is so supportive of our neighborhood's endeavors.
- Lilian Dennis
The City of San Jose Library System has over 1.6 million books, and other material available to any resident with a library card. Obtaining a card is easy. Just visit any one of San Jose's 18 libraries and ask for one. It is free and can be used at any branch.
In addition to newspapers, magazines, and reference materials, all libraries have sections with the latest best-sellers, children's books, books on tape, large print books, video cassettes, including movies, and foreign language books. A patron is not limited to just the materials physically located in his or her local branch, however. All branches have computer access to the electronic "card catalog." Every book and video tape in the 18 branches is listed in the catalog and can be easily reserved. If you have a computer with a modem, a search can be done at home by dialing the Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) at 293-1256.
The library also has a toll free web site at www.sjpl.lib.ca.us that provides access to its on-line reference desk. It provides a wide variety of useful information, including Kelly Blue Book car prices, job listings, earthquake maps, and even when to plant vegetables.
Most branch libraries have computers and printers available for public use. They can be used to type a personal letter or to search the Internet. They are heavily used so call ahead to reserve a time.
One of the most innovative library programs is Disabilities Outreach. It delivers books by mail, free of charge, to anyone who is homebound and cannot get to a library. If you feel you may qualify for this service, call 277-4834.
Visit your local library branch soon. It is a rewarding experience. The three branches closest to the Rosemary Gardens neighborhood are:
Empire Branch, 491 E. Empire Street, San Jose, (408) 286-5627 Hours: Mon.-Tue. 12-9 and Wed.-Sat. 9-6 * Preschool Story Hour: Fri. 10:30 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. * Family Bedtime Story Hour: 7:30 p.m., first Tuesday of the month * frequently includes Puppet Shows
Rose Garden Branch, 1580 Naglee Avenue, San Jose, (408) 998-1511 Hours: Mon.-Tue. 12-9 and Wed.-Sat. 9-6 Preschool Story Hour: Wed. 10:15 a.m. Grandparents Read to Children: Mon. 3-5 p.m. and Thu. 1-3 p.m.
Dr. King, Jr. (Main Branch), 180 W. San Carlos Street, San Jose, (408) 277-4846 Hours: Mon.-Wed. 9-9, Thu.-Sat. 9-6 and Sun. 1-5 Grandparents Read to Children: Mon. 12 noon to 2 p.m.
- Margie Cornehl
Just a thought... We were at Home Depot the other day buying some supplies when we noticed the automatic porch lights. These lights turn themselves on when it gets dark and off again when it becomes light. They have special energy efficient bulbs so the daily cost is minimal. The fixtures start at about $8. We bought a $30 fixture and installed it on our porch. We also bought two of the $8 units for a friend's home. They work great! You can check ours out at 1404 Arnold Avenue. Installation is very simple!
What if everyone purchased and installed one of these fixtures? It sure would light up the neighborhood.
- Roger Wharton and Marc Fuentes
Chocolate Fudge Sauce In small heavy saucepan heat 3/4 cup heavy cream just to boiling. Off heat, whisk in 2 ounces each unsweetened, semisweet, and milk chocolate, chopped, and 2 tablespoons each brown sugar and butter to melt. Swirl over vanilla ice cream.
Mexican Chocolate Frosting Blend together 1/4 cup softened butter or margarine and 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder. Add 1/2 cup sour cream, 4 cups confectioners' sugar, and 1 tablespoon coffee liqueur. Beat until very smooth. Fabulous to fill and frost a 2-layer, 9-inch cake.
Chocolate Truffles In small heavy saucepan over low heat, melt 8 ounces semisweet chocolate chips and 2/3 cup heavy cream. Off heat, beat in 2 tablespoons butter. Freeze until firm. Roll 2 tablespoons mixture around a chocolate kiss; toss in unsweetened cocoa powder to coat. Chill before indulging. Makes about 12 to 14 truffles.
Malted Milk Float In blender whirl 1 cup chocolate milk, 1/4-cup scoop chocolate ice cream, and 2 tablespoons chocolate malt powder. Pour in 16-ounce soda glass and top with more ice cream.
Spicy Chocolate Popcorn Toss 8 cups popped popcorn with 3/4 cup chocolate-flavor drink mix blended with 1 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper. H-O-T!
Chocolate Chip Pancakes Make pancake mix according to package directions, adding 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips to batter. Serve in stacks of three, topped with coffee ice cream and toasted almonds.
Love Potion Place 1/2 cup frozen strawberries, slightly thawed, 1/2 cup frozen raspberries, slightly thawed, and 1 cup white grape juice (or apple juice) in a blender and mix on high until you have a uniform color. To make the potion thicker, add more fruit; to make it thinner, add more juice. Garnish extravagantly with cherries and sip, sigh and swoon.
Painted Hearts With this edible paint recipe, you can turn an old staple heart-shaped cookies into valentine canvasses. Mix up your favorite sugar cookie recipe, cut out the heart shapes, and add some color before popping the hearts in the oven. For each color: mix 1 egg yolk and 1 teaspoon of water in a small cup. Add drops of food coloring until you've reached the desired shade. Using a small, clean paintbrush, paint onto unbaked sugar cookies and bake according to your usual directions.
- Trudy Forrester
In November 1998, Caltrans began construction of the Route 87 Detour Road Project. The purpose of the detour project is to construct a temporary four-lane (two lanes in each direction) roadway between the I-880 overcrossing and Airport Parkway. The detour road will be located just east of the existing Guadalupe Parkway. Sometime this summer, traffic will be shifted to the detour road allowing construction of the permanent freeway to begin. In addition, the detour road will also provide access to the San Jose International Airport at the newly constructed Skyport Drive Bridge. For further information, contact Ray Razavi of the City of San Jose's Department of Public Works at 277-2889.
- Ray Salvano
On November 7, 1998, Technology Drive was officially closed at Sonora Avenue. The closure of Technology Drive was needed primarily to mitigate Route 87 construction parking impacts. In addition, the closure serves to address neighborhood concerns regarding cut through traffic.
As part of the City Council's approval of the closure, City staff was directed to work with the neighborhood to address several issues. These issues include signal timing improvements and additional signage along N. First Street, the potential for improvements to the on-ramp to I-880, pedestrian access to the future Guadalupe River Park and Gardens and removal of the traffic diverter island at the intersection of Sonora and Technology. All items have either been addressed or are in progress.
Beginning in early spring of this year, the City of San Jose will conduct a comprehensive study along the Guadalupe Light Rail Corridor to improve signal timing. It is expected that signal timing improvements will be implemented toward the end of this year. Staff will also request the City's Police Department begin a random traffic enforcement campaign in and around the neighborhood to further discourage commuters from cutting through the neighborhood.
For further information, contact Ray Salvano of the City of San Jose's Department of Public Works at 277-4217.
- Ray Salvano
If you would like to write an article or submit any information to be included in the Rosemary Gardens Quarterly Newsletter please send or drop off your final copy to Joseph and Cindy Fota, 1437 N. San Pedro Street. The deadline for the April issue is Tuesday, March 9th. Please include your name and phone number with each item.
We need your help to keep us informed about any new neighbors you may have, graduations, weddings, anniversaries, retirements and new additions to your family for the Stroll Through The Neighborhood section of the Newsletter. If you have an announcement you would like to share, please give us a call at (408) 453-1101.
- Cindy Fota
A grant application will be submitted to CAP (Community Action and Pride) no later than March 1999 for funds. A very popular request is to have another dumpster day. Communication Action and Pride is an excellent source for this type of funding. Look for further details from your 1999 RGNA board. If we are successful in obtaining this grant, volunteers will be needed to assist on Dumpster Day. Leave a message on the message center at (408) 436-1270 if you would like to help.
- Lilian Dennis
On the day of the neighborhood's November recycle drive, you may have seen Ron and Vicki Townsend's station wagon crammed with bags of donated blankets, jackets, and sweaters. The neighborhood response to Rosemary Garden's first warmth drive was overwhelming. InnVision, which operates 11 sites (one of which is located at 66 E. Rosemary) was the recipient of your generosity. InnVision, is one of the most cost effective agencies in the county whose approach is designed to provide long-term solutions to the homeless.
Below are excerpts of a letter addressed to "Friends" in Rosemary Gardens Neighborhood from Christine Burroughs, Executive Director of Inn Vision:
"...wish to thank you for organizing a donation drive which provided InnVision programs with 25 bags of warm clothing and blankets! This will help us in providing warmth and comfort to the many homeless men, women and children this winter season. We are truly grateful for your assistance in our efforts to help homeless men, women and children break the cycle of poverty and despair and take those first steps towards self-sufficiency."
Thank you to Sarah Spalding, of San Pedro Ave. who was the catalyst in this warmth drive endeavor and Ron and Vicki Townsend for picking up the donations.
- Lilian Dennis
The neighborhood was in all its glowing splendor this holiday season. There were 162 homes radiating holiday spirit in many different fashions. There were colorful lights, nativity scenes, home made wooden cut-outs of Santa Claus and a family of gnomes, angels, reindeer, and lit outdoor trees to be enjoyed.
Santa Paula -- 34 homes
San Juan ---- 29 homes
Forrestal ---- 25 homes
Keoncrest --- 25 homes
Arnold ----- 22 homes
San Pedro --- 17 homes
Ferrari ----- 10 homes
Participation certificates were delivered to each of the 162 decorated homes. If we missed you and you did not get a certificate, please leave your name, phone number and address on the message center at 436-1270 so we may bring you your certificate.
- Stephanie Lykam, Patti Bossert, and Lilian Dennis