January 20, 2005

STREET SCENEMonteval Court

Life on Monteval Court is peaceful and quiet.

On tree-lined Monteval Court, located just off Camden Avenue, lives a tightly-knit circle of neighbors who became friends and ended up more like family.

For Linda Lindt, who holds cherished memories of playing with friends here as a child, this neighborhood is a perfect fit. “I knew how well the houses were built, and how great the neighborhood was,” she says. “I grew up in this area.”

Lindt also enjoys the natural beauty of her surroundings, as well as the wildlife which frequent her own backyard, including deer, skunks, raccoons and even the controversial coyotes. “When you’re coming up Camden, it feels like you’re out in the country,” she comments. An added bonus is the sweeping vista of Almaden Valley by day, as well as the twinkling lights by night afforded by Camden Avenue’s curvaceous incline.

“From the first week we were in the house, I could tell that it was going to be a very welcoming and helpful neighborhood,” says Lindt. On the court, neighbors help each other out with everything from moving patio furniture, to hanging Christmas lights. “We’re always there for each other,” attests Lindt. “It’s a very supportive neighborhood.” The closeness of Monteval Court’s families also provides a safe haven for the children, as well as security for the adults. “The neighborhood is fantastic,” says Lindt, “my children can play outside, and I don’t have to worry about them. There’s always somebody home keeping an eye on them.”

The neighbors socialize on a regular basis; whenever a new family moves in, they throw them a welcoming party, and a going-away party for those leaving. They also have parties to celebrate new babies, Christmas, and the Fourth of July, and attend Christmas in the Park together, as well as baseball games, and concerts. “Everybody’s always including everyone,” notes Lindt. “We extend it to the whole neighborhood.”

As part of the Montevideo Neighborhood Association and members of the cabana club, the Lindts have a lot of friends who they describe as “one big, happy family”. They not only participate in the Montevideo Neigh-borhood’s annual Fourth of July parade, but also conclude the evening with a block party and barbecue. The neighbors are so caught up in the festivities in fact, that they often build a float for the parade, and court resident Karen Proud was chosen twice as the parades’ Grand Marshal. Starting a new annual tradition, this year for Christmas, the residents all bought Charlie Brown trees and decorated them on their lawns, much like Willow Glen does.

Besides families, this is also a neighborhood of teachers, including Guadalupe Elementary School physical education teacher Karen Proud, and Alum Rock Elementary School teacher Jackie Dunnett.

For Dunnett, moving here was a dream come true. “I knew I wanted to live in the Union School District,” she says, “and we wanted to live on a court, and we wanted this model, so we were so happy when the lot opened up. It was wonderful!” Dunnett, who is an original homeowner, and has lived on the court since 1968, has seen the neighborhood change over the years. For instance, Coleman used to be a gravel road bounded by horses and cows, and at the corner of Camden and Coleman stood a fruit stand known for their cherries and Fourth of July fireworks. Grape orchards stood where her house stands today. Back then, Camden Avenue ended at the top of the hill, forming the dividing line between the San Jose Unified and Union School Districts. “It was a great neighborhood for my kids to grow up in,” says Dunnett, whose children attended Guadalupe Elementary School, and walked to school along with their neighborhood friends.

Dunnett still appreciates life on Monteval Court, where everyone knows each other’s name. “We’re all friendly,” she says. Lindt agrees. “It’s very nice. I really like it here,” she declares.

Neighbors on Monteval Court share in its history. Besides keeping a neighborhood directory, the residents also maintain a family tree of the court from its very beginning, including the ‘parrot man,’ who strolled about his patio with a parrot on his shoulder. “You can get a hold of anyone on this court at any time. It’s just a family,” says Proud. “When anything serious happens, everyone rallies around. If you need something, there are ten people you can call. You have to think twice before moving away from here, because nothing can compare.”

—By Lorraine Gabbert