BLOSSOM VALLEY
NEIGHBORHOOD
ASSOCIATION
September 1999 Promoting Friendship, Service and Preparedness in Blossom Valley

Think About "The Family"

-by Beverly Moffitt

Some people think that the family is an endangered species. Being that the family is, and has been since the world began, the basic foundation unit of any society, what does it tell us about our state of affairs to know that it is in such disarray and under attack from all sides?

Where did you learn the values you feel are important and that you try to live by? Many character traits such as honesty, respect, obedience, self control, commitment, work, service, and kindness have seemingly disappeared from the training of children, who then grow into teens and adults without values. The teaching of these qualities was meant to begin in the home. It is the responsibility of parents to teach them to their children and these traits must be taught by example, as well as by precept. Schools cannot instill these values in students. They must be taught in the homes and then supported by our institutions.

How long can a neighborhood or city or state or nation remain free and operative if its citizens are dishonest, disobedient, disrespectful, out of control, uncommitted, lazy, greedy and mean? Think about it and then commit yourself to teach and support the values which hold a society together. There is more to fear from the breakdown of the family than from earthquakes or other physical disasters for which we are also trying to prepare.

NEIGHBORHOOD
MEETING


Thursday, September 23rd
Miner School Cafeteria

7:00 p.m - Cookies & Video of 4th of July parade

7:30 p.m - Back to School Time: Speakers from Miner, Herman, & Oak Grove Schools.

Special note: Pictures taken at the parade on July 5th available free to parents at the meeting.

July 4th (on the 5th) 1999

-by Linda Boman

Thank you to everyone who helped with the July 4th (on the 5th) parade, program and carnival. Approximately 225 people enjoyed this year's festivities.

The parade was led by an ROTC Color Guard from Oak Grove High School followed by a patriotic program then the carnival. The carnival, as the grand finale, included 9 games, 2 craft tables, popcorn, face painting, root beer, lemonade and watermelon. Each child went home with a bag full of game prizes and candy!

This event is only possible with the help of many people. Remember this when volunteers are needed next year - many helpers can give a little time and energy or a few must give a lot.

My heartfelt thanks again to the 15 adults and neighborhood teenagers who made this event possible. Also, a special thanks to Long's Drugstore, who donated three $5.00 gift certificates used as prizes for the parade participants.




Family Radio Service

-by Bruce Mann

Blossom Valley Neighborhood Association's Emergency Preparedness Team has purchased five of the new Family Radio Service radios for use with emergency communications. For those who are not familiar with these radios, they are small, hand held two way radios with a range of up to two miles. They will be used to communicate between the Response Teams in the neighborhood and the Ham Radio operator at our Command Center. We ran some tests with these radios and found them very efficient for local communications. For anyone who is thinking about this type of communications tool, these are much better than CB Radios for short, clear communications. Also, anyone who has these radios already, should contact us as you can be of great use in the event of an emergency. See you all at the next BVNA Meeting.

San Jose Prepared Update

-by Bruce Mann

The latest news from San Jose Prepared is good. We have more funding from the City of San Jose, more people are signing up for training and more classes are starting. Now is the time to sign up for the next series of classes. There seem to have been a few earthquakes in the last few weeks! Maybe we are next? Please join us in being prepared for any emergency situation. Earthquake, flood, hazardous spill, major fire..... Who knows what may happen, lets be prepared. Call 277-4598 for more information, or attend our next Blossom Valley Neighborhood Association meeting.

Attention Gardeners!

Free composting workshops sponsored by the Santa Clara County Home Composting Education Program provide composting basics. Call 299-4147 for more information or to register for October 23rd workshop at Emma Prusch Farm Park, 9:00 a.m.

FYI

Big Bop 1999 Halloween Hop - Saturday, Oct. 30th at Oak Grove High School. $10.00 per person, adults only; for tickets call 225-9339.

For help in parenting, call Parent Resource Line at Parent Education And Resource Link Services (P.E.A.R.L.S.), a city funded program, at 277-5337.

Be FLOODSAFE - Call the Santa Clara Valley Water District at 265-2607 ext 2459 for information about free sandbag pickup locations in our area. Be prepared for winter weather problems.

UNSCC News

United Neighborhoods of Santa Clara County is a coalition of Neighborhood Associations, of which BVNA is a member. UNSCC is currently working with an Advisor to see how they can be more effective in serving the Associations that they represent. There was a General Membership Conference on August 28th to establish goals and objectives for the next five years. There will be a follow-up meeting on September 25, 1999 at the offices at 525 W. Alma Ave. to further finalize plans and institute action goals. If you have any suggestions as to how we can improve our neighborhoods and develop a sense of community, PLEASE email me at Raybatch@aol.com and I will carry your ideas and suggestions to UNSCC.

Blossom Valley Wind Ensemble

Partially sponsored by BVNA, the wind ensemble meets Monday evenings at 7:00 p.m. in the band room at Herman School. Judy Bingman, former band director at Los Gatos High, is the new director. The wind ensemble is open to adults and some high school students who enjoy playing with a group on a regular basis. The fall concert will be November 15th at 8 p.m. For information about joining, call Beverly Moffitt at 281-3070. Especially needed are trumpet and trombone players.

Volunteer Opportunities

Adopt-A-Street welcomes groups or individuals interested in its volunteer projects on a part-time or one-time basis. Call 277-4477 for more information on how you can help keep our community clean and attractive.

Fifth Annual City-Wide Daffodil Planting - Saturday, Nov. 6, 1999, 9:00 a.m. - noon. Call San Jose Beautiful at 277-5208 or www.sjbeautiful.org for information on participating.

We continue to encourage every block to have its own Neighborhood Watch. Call 277-4133 to see about arranging a meeting for your neighbors.

For a variety of volunteer ideas call the Volunteer Exchange at 247-1126.

Our City Forest Volunteer Meeting - September 15th. Pizza served at 6:30 p.m. and meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. Call 998-7337.

Role Model Program needs volunteers. Call 246-0433 for information or e-mail RMProgram@aol.com to offer your help.

Previous BVNA Issues Online

July, 1999
May, 1999