Willow Glen Extra (WGx) just reported (well, a couple of days ago—I was away from my computer this weekend) that Zanotto’s Family Markets is committed to opening a new store at the corner of Cherry and Foxworthy in Willow Glen. So despite challenges for the downtown Zanotto’s (which is under a slightly different ownership than Zanotto’s Family Markets), the small grocery chain is prepared to expand, and we’re finally seeing a development Metblogs’ own Joann Landers predicted, or at least hoped for more than two years ago.

"Give Brain Candy. Feed Kids' Minds, Not Their Cavities."

With the sight of fallen brownish yellow leaves on the lawn, the next step will be the sound of the doorbell and shouts of Trick-or-Treat.

Rebecca Morgan is one Willow Glen resident who believes Halloween is the perfect opportunity to encourage reading. So much so that she began the Willow Glen based program “Books For Treats“.

Rebecca can’t pull this off all by herself. She needs our help:

* Wed., Oct. 28 — pick up 2 pallets of books from our storage area near Spartan Stadium and deliver them to the Diabetes Society, 3rd floor, Garden Theater. You’ll need a truck and a few people who can lift boxes of books onto hand trucks. There’s an elevator in the Garden Theater. (Great project for the Boy Scouts!)

* Thurs., Oct. 29 10-noon — Sort books into reading levels. (Wear comfortable clothes.) Diabetes Society, 3rd floor, Garden Theater. This is always fun as you get to see great children’s books and get to know other volunteers.

* Fri., Oct. 30, 9:00-noon, 1:30-4:30 — Lincoln Ave. Garden Theater portico. Set up and staff Books For Treats tables during Lincoln Ave. trick-or-treating. We’ll be giving books from 10:00-12:00 for pre-school children, and 2:00-4:00 for grades K-6, until books are gone. We need to set up tables, banners, and books from 9:00-10, then at the end of the day we need to clean up and pack up. We have been told Council member Pierluigi Oliverio will help us pass out books. This is always a wonderful experience, seeing the kids’ (and their parents’) faces light up when they get a book!

More:

* If you have sources of gently read children’s books, especially from baby through second grade, please contact them and see if they will donate. Email Rebecca directly for a drop-off point near Minnesota and Newport.

* You can buy gently read children’s books at the Oct. 24 Friends of the Willow Glen Library book sale.

* Make a monetary contribution to support her web hosting, bookmark printing, etc.

See Books For Treats for all the details.

Note: Check back here (SJMB) on the 29th of October for exciting news!

La Villa Deli - Willow Glen

Sunday the Rompacoglioni Car Crew will start their engines for the ‘Second Annual Cruise for a Cause’.

This classic ‘car cruise’ is happening September 6th – 9 AM to 3 PM on Lincoln Avenue in downtown Willow Glen.

Everyone is welcome to look at the cool cars. Please bring canned food and/or financial donations to the La Villa Deli parking lot.

Every $1 donated will help the Second Harvest Food Bank (750 Curtner Ave.) provide two nutritious meals.

Pierluigi Oliverio

Tonight is council member Pierluigi Oliverio’s 3rd annual district 6 “Safety Fair & Outdoor Movie Event“.

Featuring – “WALL-E” by Disney/Pixar

When – Friday, August 28th

Time – 7:00 PM

Where – Bramhall/Willow St. Park – Willow Glen

Enter – Willow St. (near Meridian) cross street Glen Eyrie

Bring – a Blanket and Flashlight

Head over to the Willow Glen Branch Library if you are looking for a way to amuse the kids, or if you need to learn a new party trick.

Kyle Zampaglione will be there to demonstrate his expert skill with the yo-yo.

Bring your yo-yo to the Willow Glen Branch Library
1157 Minnesota Ave, near Lincoln Avenue.
Saturday, July 18 at 3:00 p.m.
Yes, it’s free.

About the yo-yo

To learn more about the community which is Willow Glen, take a look at a site created by Kevin Swanson.

Willow Glen In Motion lets us look and listen in on what makes this neighborhood tick.

View it on your computer or Comcast. The current episode can be seen on Comcast channel 15 on Wednesdays at 9:30pm.

The good news is that Silicon Valley Business Journal reported today that the deal might not be totally dead. Apparently the buyer, Roland A. Vierra, wasn’t able to get financing to buy the business before the former owner went out of business. But, Vierra is now saying he hasn’t given up hope. He’s still seeking a loan to buy the building and the business so that he can re-open Willow Glen Books. With some luck, San Jose will soon have an independent general book-dealer again.

To see what was once where your bed is now try Historic Aerials (can be slow to load). Put in your address, zoom in, zoom out or pan the image. I enjoyed looking at our valley in 1956 with ‘Major Roads’ on, to see where the freeways of the future would be. To get a look at Park Ave. as it runs through what is now Plaza De Cesar Chavez Park use 170 S Market St 95113 (The Fairmont Hotel). Panning the image can be a bit fussy and slow, but it is a good way to navigate to a spot if the address is not known. Set it to 1948, zoom out – pan around our valley and just look at the orchards.

Now imagine you have to decide between buying a box of diapers for your child and food to feed her. Which would you choose?

Help a Mother Out (HAMO) is a unique organization providing diapers to homeless and low income mothers. On July 1, 2009 between 5PM and 7 they’re going to be collecting diapers at Willow Glen’s BabyBuzz, a chic shop offering clothes and toys for babies and toddlers as well as infant massage and mom’s night out parties.

The goal is to collect 1,000 diapers to distribute to shelters and moms in need. Bring a pack or a case of diapers down to the store between , do a little shopping and enjoy a little wine, a cup of tea, and the knowledge you’ve made the decision between food and diapers easier for someone. RSVP on Facebook or just drop off the diapers.

Here’s the address: 1314 Lincoln Ave #1A, San Jose, CA 95125 and a map. Can’t make it? You can select a non-profit to help and donate right now!

Lincoln Street shuts down from Minnesota to Willow, with three stages of music and dancing throughout the event. Entertainment ranges from bluegrass, jazz and salsa to classical ballet, hip hop and belly dance. Visit the official site for a  list of performers. Look for plenty of great food and drink, much from local vendors as well.

Last year 30,000 people attended the event, so parking fills up fast. If you decide to park in the neighborhood, please be respectful of the neighbors. Here’s a map of the event and suggestions on parking.