Life and Real Estate in Willow Glen, San Jose

Santa Claus

I Saw Santa Claus At A Home In Willow Glen With Lots Of Twinkly Christmas Decorations But He Looks A Bit Sad. There was a big barrel with some canned foods sitting near Santa. The sign on the barrel read: “Please Donate Food Here”. A neighbor told me that last year the barrel was over-flowing, and that it gets delivered to Second Harvest Food Bank on Curtner Avenue during the holidays. She also said that car after car would drive down Coastland Avenue in Willow Glen slow down and enjoy all the Christmas decorations. The neighbor said the little children in the cars would scream out “Hi Santa!” She would see people drop off bags of cans, and some would drop off a can or two in the barrel. It came to me as I was speaking with the neighbor… maybe Santa was sad because the barrel wasn’t full with canned foods yet. The neighbor said “I have faith since tomorrow is Christmas Eve and there’s still time for that barrel to over-flow!” I jumped in my car and went to the nearest Costco and bought some canned food. I went back and dropped them in the barrel, and it put a smile on my face. If you can, I encourage you to drop off a can or two… or a bag of cans if you have the means. Santa Claus, the barrel and the Christmas decorations are located at 2183 Coastland Avenue, Willow Glen. I’m sure we can get a smile back on Santa Claus by Christmas!

Crab & Pasta Feed and dancing is back in Willow Glen!  If you’re looking for crab, pasta, dancing and fun, then you don’t want to miss out on the Crab Feed at Presentation High School.  It’ll be held on February 5, 2011 at 6:30PM at Presentation High School (2281 Plummer Avenue, San Jose, 95125).  The evening starts with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, dinner with wine around 7:30PM then dancing.  Tickets are $65 for preferred seating and $55 for general seating.  This is a fun evening with good food, catching up with friends and family, and dancing if you’re not too full from dinner!

If you want to get warmed up to the Presentation Crab Feed, then you might want check out the Cioppino Festa XII on January 20, 2011 at St. Christopher’s Church (2278 Booksin Avenue, San Jose, 95125).  This is a crab and shellfish Cioppino Extravaganza including wine with dinner!  There will be Italian singers, sing-a-longs, musical entertainment and great raffle prizes.  The cost is only $20!  The doors open at 6:00PM.  Seating is limited so purchasing your ticket before is encouraged.  This is put on by St. Christopher’s Holy Name Society with the help of Tony Piazza (this is a general meeting for the men of the Parish so sorry… it’s for Holy Name members, men of the Parish and men friends only).

I can tell you that I have attended both of these events and have always had good food and great fun!  Let me know if you’re interested in more information.

Traffic Jam On Lincoln Avenue In Willow Glen On An Early September Morning?  It wasn’t a traffic jam that happened in downtown Willow Glen on that early morning of September 12, 2010… it was classic car owners and hot rodders looking for the perfect place to park for the “Cruise For A Cause Classic Car Show & Food Drive”.  This was the 3^rd annual event hosted by The Rompacoglioni Car Crew The Rompacoglioni Car Crew.  It was held in the parking lot of the popular Bertucelli’s La Vill Delicatessen Bertucelli’s La Villa Delicatessen on Lincoln Avenue and spilled on to Lincoln Avenue.  All that Rompacoglioni Car Crew asked was that people attending the car show donate canned food or monetary donations for Second Harvest Food Bank. 

I am classic car collector… I got the bug when I was young .  I remember the first year of this event I casually dropped off four of my five classic cars  at 7:00AM or so with the help of a friend, and no traffic jam.  This year by 6:00AM the traffic jamb started and all the prime spots we’re already taken…  so only my ’60 Cadillac convertible made it on Lincoln Avenue.  By mid morning the Avenue was full of people interested in looking at the classics cars and hot rods… and dropping off cans and money for Second Harvest Food Bank!  People were also able to eat great food at La Villa’s, Taiwan Restaurant, Aqui’s and other restaurants on Lincoln Avenue.  The shops on Lincoln Avenue were open and supporting the event…  Bernie and Robin Levine, the owners of Details Clothing, were excited to see the car show again in downtown Willow Glen.  I think this is a great event for the Willow Glen community and Business Association!  Next year I will claim my parking spots before the traffic jam starts on Lincoln Avenue on an early morning September morning!  Let me know if you want information on the 2011 “Cruise For A Cause Classic Car Show & Food Drive” in downtown Willow Glen.