We have had a remarkable success with our Streets & Sidewalks goal. See the detailed report of Michelle Purviance, our Government Relations committee chair, later in this newsletter. Michelle did an incredible job on the research and presentation to the City Council that brought us so far on our goal to become a full-fledged neighborhood in the City of Santa Clara.
Working with the city is only a part of being a participating neighbor in the South of Forest Neighborhood. Knowing your neighbors next door, down the street and even around the block is what makes us unique. We are diverse in age, occupation, backgrounds, and yes, probably in our politics, but we can all be found working or playing together at a Neighborhood Watch meeting, the Senior Social, National Night Out, the Ice Cream Social, or recently at our Garage Sale fundraiser.
Even if we do not know each other’s names, there is a sense of familiarity (from the Latin famili-ritsintimacy) as we leave for work and wave at a neighbor retrieving the paper. There is no place like home… here in the South of Forest neighborhood … in the City of Santa Clara.
Many thanks to all the volunteers who keep the Neighborhood Association thriving. A special thanks to newer volunteers Joe Goschy, Chuck and Joan Packer, Linda Blair, Joanne McGowan and Joanne Anderson for your fresh perspectives and legwork. We can all be proud of our efforts and accomplishments.
Mike O’Halloran
SOFNA President
Tuesday August 7, 2007
Once again Royanna will be hosting in her beautiful back yard at the corner of Cecil and Bel Ayre the celebration of the year. There is a rumor that we may even have live music. Drinks, hamburgers, and hot dogs will be provided by SOFNA. Please bring an appetizer, side dish, dessert and a neighbor who has not yet enjoyed this wonderful event! If you have questions or would like to volunteer please contact Royanna.
The Senior Aid Committee, after two attempts, finally got the most perfect weather for the Annual Senior Appreciation Event. A springtime brunch was held at the home of Maria and Ted Coughlin, where 40 residents gathered to enjoy the beautiful garden setting, great food, and each other's company.
Through Linda Blair's efforts, we were able to obtain gift certificates and door prizes from local businesses which added to the festivities. City Council members Dominic Caserta and Kevin Moore dropped by to visit with us. And after their supportive votes at the recent City Council meeting, we were pleased to include them in our gathering.
Many thanks to the Senior Aid Committee (Debbie Benovitz, Linda Blair, Maria Coughlin, and Corinne Celio), to those attendees who offered to bring food, and to the following businesses who provided door prizes: Tony and Alba's, Salon Shine, Central Perk, FineLine Graphics, Baskin Robbins, and the Blair Team at Keller Williams Realty.
Some two dozen residents gathered at the home of Joanne Anderson on April 17, 2007, for a Neighborhood Watch presentation by Community Service Officer Jamie Caron from the Santa Clara Police Department. Officer Caron covered the four basics of protection: deter, deny, delay, and detect. She also emphasized the importance of getting to know your neighbors. In addition to her presentation, a representative from the Fire Department gave a talk on emergency preparedness and the Home Emergency Assistance Team (H.E.A.T.) training. If you would like more information on either of these topics, a window decal, or a refrigerator magnet with important telephone numbers, please contact Corinne Celio, or go to the City website: http://santaclaraca.gov/news/heat-training.html.
The chair of the SOFNA fundraising and social committees, Royanna Gazlay had proposed this idea a few years ago. This year, with lots of help it became a successful reality Saturday May 19, 2007. Thanks to all the neighbors who dropped off an endless supply of desirable goods to Royanna’s home. Many thanks to all the volunteers who organized, priced, sold goods and cleaned up: Jane Matulich, Debbie Benovitz, Linda Blair, Elena Morera, Joanne McGowan, Cindy Baldanzi, Joy Haas, John Shores, Ruth Norris, Tracie Johnson, and to Michelle Purviance (who picked up all of the signs at the end of the day). A special thanks goes to our largest contributor of goods Virginia Soo.
It was a lot of work and a lot of fun. As we tended our “shop” and visited with each other and customers, many exclaimed “I wish I lived in this neighborhood!” The first, maybe every few years? SOFNA garage sale added an impressive $1000.00 to our bank account. Congratulations Royanna!!!
June 13th, 2007 In less than a year, SOFNA has made significant progress on longstanding neighborhood issues. On June 12, 2006, SOFNA’s general plan and infrastructure improvement petitions were submitted to the City. Since then the Government Relations committee and SOFNA’s Board of Directors have provided stewardship to these issues resulting in the following outcomes.
On May 15, 2007, the City Council “directed the City Manager to initiate the general plan process.”
Background: On June 12, 2006, SOFNA submitted a Request to Revise the City of Santa Clara General Plan to stop commercial encroachment into our residential neighborhood. Specifically, the request calls for a change in designation of the residential properties bordering commercial properties along Stevens Creek Boulevard within SOFNA’s boundaries from Commercial Thoroughfare to Single Family Detached.
Next Steps: SOFNA’s Government Relations Committee will work with City staff to ensure this change is implemented in a timely manner.
On May 15, 2007, the City Council “referred the SOFNA request to the City Manager for inclusion in the CIP budget process, for the project to be completed within 5 years, for the exploration of funding options with the possibility of cost sharing, and for the review of the legality of assessment districts in relation to the real estate dealings in the area and the state constitution.”
On June 5, 2007, the City Council “approved 100% city funding of the SOFNA street improvements over the next 5 years through pay as you go, bonding or other funding measures not including the general fund.”
Background: On June 12, 2006, SOFNA submitted a Petition to Improve Neighborhood Infrastructure to City Standards. In response, the City allocated $50K to determine the project’s cost and held two neighborhood meetings to review the improvements, costs, and assessment district procedures. Meanwhile, SOFNA conducted extensive research to assess the merit of the City’s guiding principle for an assessment district and to prepare its case for 100% City funding.
Members of SOFNA’s Board of Directors and Government Relations Committee met with City staff, Council members, and with the neighborhood. At the May 15, 2007 City Council meeting, SOFNA presented its request for 100% City funding to bring the streets and sidewalks in the SOFNA area to City standards. On June 5, 2007, SOFNA presented its response, which reiterated the original request for 100% City funding, to the City staff’s recommendation of 50% City funding.
Next Steps: SOFNA’s Government Relations Committee will work with City staff to ensure the street and sidewalk improvements are implemented in a timely manner and will assist staff with neighborhood communications In addition, there has been progress on two other issues: Santa Clara Mailing Address; Santa Clara School District.
If you have questions about the Government Relations Committee’s activities and/or would like to get involved, please contact Michelle Purviance, Government Relations Chair.
Spread the Word!
SOFNA News provides a great opportunity for businesses to reach the neighborhood community located within the boundaries of Winchester, Stevens Creek, San Tomas, BAREC, and Forest Avenue. Approximately 450 newsletters are hand-delivered quarterly to the doorsteps of residents, businesses, and city representatives of this area. If you know a plumber, gardener, housekeeper, hairstylist, etc., who might be interested in placing an ad, have them contact Royanna Gazlay for more information.
Several SOFNA members have indicated interest in pursuing a school district boundary change for the neighborhood.
Background: The neighborhood lies within the Campbell Union School District (K-8) and Campbell Union High School District (9-12) boundaries. Parkway Park at the west end of Forest Avenue was formerly the location of the local elementary school. Currently, the closest elementary school is Lynhaven, located on the south side of 280. Monroe Middle School and Del Mar High School, also located on the south side of 280, are the middle and high schools that serve the neighborhood.
Next Steps: Contact Joanne Anderson for more information and to get involved.
June–Sept. 2007
July 4: Independence Day, City Picnic in Central Park.
August 3: Street Dance at Franklin Square, 7 p.m.- 9:30 p.m.
August 7: National Night Out, from 6- 9 p.m.
August 7: H.E.A.T. Training begins. Call 615-4940 to register.
September 4: H.E.A.T. Training begins. Call 615-4940 to register.
September 16: Free Disposal Day. Call 727-5365 for appointment.
Mid September: Ice Cream Social & SOFNA Board Election.
Joanne Anderson
Royanna Gazlay
Joy Haas
Tracie Johnson
Elena Morera
Arline Norsworthy
Michael O’Halloran
Michelle Purviance
John Shores
Webmaster's Note: Because the web issues of the
SOFNA Newsletter can be read worldwide, I have
made an effort to remove any personal identifying
information such as telephone numbers and e-mail
addresses. Please contact any Board Member if you need
more information about SOFNA and our neighborhood.
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