January 1, 2004


2003 Year in Review

January

San Jose Unified prepares for what would eventually be the most severe cuts backs in public education funding since Proposition 13

Sixty-four teams participate in San Jose Unified’s first Lego Robotics League Tournament—California’s largest—with Castillero Middle School taking three of four top honors at state level tournament.

Williams Elementary Girls Scouts learn the value of community service as Family Giving Tree “elves.”

February

Mayor Ron Gonzales names District 10’s Pat Dando as San Jose’s new vice mayor.

Four Almaden-area teachers join elite group of educators honored in National Board of Certified Teachers recognition—three from Simmonds Elementary, one from Bret Harte.

An impassioned community rallies to save historically significant Opry House, part of Casa Grande structure located in New Almaden.

March

“The Spot” Youth Center’s seven advisory board members receive District 10’s Good Neighbor Award at annual State of the City address. The students were instrumental in developing youth-oriented program at The Spot, located at Bret Harte Middle School.

Local kids rally around Jeffrey Fontana Park beautification project

Almaden Ruckus Boys’ U11 soccer squad advances to state cup finals.

April

The war in Iraq hits close to home for the Gentrup family of Almaden Valley as son Eric, a 1st Lt. in the Marines, in stationed in Kuwait.

San Jose Unified Board members announced plans to include a $98 per year parcel on the June 3 ballot. The measure would not garner the needed 2/3 majority vote in the June election.

Almaden Valley’s Fire Station 22 houses new state-of-the-art ambulance. “Star Car” will improve the city’s response time to area emergencies.

May

Almaden’s Christina Clark of “Christina Cares” joins Jared Sowards to launch worldwide “Operation Yellow Ribbon” to aid and support troops based overseas.

“The Almaden Times” continues its profile of Local Heroes serving in Iraq with Marine John Colombero and Army Ranger Peter Gomez.

Greystone Elementary recognizes nationally acclaimed literacy guru and former instructor Doris Dillon with a reflection garden named in her honor

June

San Jose Police face off against San Francisco 49er alumni on their own “Field of Dreams” in the first annual Jeffery Fontana Memorial Softball Classic. Funds from the event supported the Jeffrey Fontana Memorial Scholarship Foundation.

Highly decorated Navy Vietnam veteran Don Stedman of Almaden is inducted into the prestigious Combat Air Crewman “Roll of Honor.”

The Oprah Show inspires St. Timothy student Samantha Randazzo to pitch Heifer Project International, a nonprofit that raised funds to purchase livestock for needy families, to her fifth grade class. The effort raises money for five goats given to families in Uganda and Ghana.

July

Lake Almaden hosts San Jose International Triathlon and attracts more than 1,500 participants.

Local commuters are in the fast lane as 85/87 Interchange opens. During peak driving times the new route will service approximately 1,700 cars per hour.

San Jose Police and Vice Mayor Pat Dando host community information meetings in response to series of home invasion robberies in the Almaden area.

August

Steeped in controversy, the debates continue over the proposed McKean Road Sports Complex. Environmental concerns and improper use of public lands cloud issue.

Leland High School’s Chris Faria, a wheelchair-bound power soccer athlete and avowed sports fanatic, receives a commendation from Mayor Gonzales after winning power soccer competition.

Almaden’s Betty Parsons, a teacher at Dartmouth Middle School, receives Union School District’s Teacher of the Year Award.

September

Jeffrey Fontana Park considered as a site for community dog park

Barnes and Noble’s History Makers event featured local newsmen Harry Farrell, Dave Crosson, Rigo Chacon and Bob Kieve. The group spoke before a standing-room only crowd.

On Sept. 26, “The Almaden Times” officially becomes “The Almaden Times Weekly,” launching the publisher’s first weekly publication

9-11 victim Nicole Miller is remembered in bittersweet ceremony at park bench dedication in Almaden Lake Park

October

Local baseball enthusiast Kevin Burrill documents his quest to catch a game in each of the nation’s 30 major league parks.

Los Alamitos Creek trail is site of fatal dog-on-dog mauling.

Proposed 6.81-acre development in New Almaden threatens small town flavor of community.

Westfield Shoppingtown Oakridge opens its doors after $140 million expansion. Additions include a 20-screen theater, food court and expanded retail offerings. Renovation extends to Oakridge Lanes bowling facility, originally slated for razing.

November

Four candidates announce bids for District 10 City Council seat, as Pat Dando terms out in 2004. Attrition has left Nancy Pyle and Rich De La Rosa as the only contenders for the District 10 post.

Severe flu responsible for a number of deaths in children sparks run on vaccines. Most San Jose area facilities run out by mid December.

Governor-elect Schwarzenegger honors speaking engagement at Chamber of Commerce’s Legends and Leaders event. Speech cites Silicon Valley as integral to state’s economic recovery.

South Hills Community Church sponsors relief effort to aid victims of Southern California fires.

December

Pioneer High School’s Performing Arts Center sustains nearly $2 million in damages after the Dec. 3 arsonist blaze. Faculty member Steve Dini rallies community to help “Bring back the PAC.”

Loyal patrons say “goodbye” to the Almaden Library as it, along with the Community Center, closes for a projected two-year rebuild.

After nearly eight years, father Paul Weisbeck bids his parish at Holy Spirit farewell. Weisbeck, who was instrumental in opening Holy Spirit’s school, will move on to Los Altos in January.

Community activist and firebrand Kitty Monahan’s crusade to preserve La Casa Grande is the latest in her long list of preservation projects.