Jan 22, 2004

Street Scene: Pilar Court

By Miranda Schultz

Pilar Court seems to be a happening place. Complete with stargazing and marshmallow roasting parties around portable fire pits, everyone seems to enjoy living in the quaint cul-de-sac.

Tony and Leslie Mazzucco, with their two children, have lived on Pilar for about seven years, and enjoy the close-knit community feel of the street.

“If we go out of town, there are about four or five families asking me if they should get our mail for us. People watch out for one another here, there are a lot of kids so it’s a good, safe neighborhood feeling.” Said Leslie.
She adds that there are about 11-13 kids living on Pilar, ranging from age 6 to age 13, that get along wonderfully. Her husband adds, “All of the kids around here have great manners, we don’t have to worry about one passing bad habits on to another, they’re really well-behaved.”

Pilar Court residents, and even families living on neighboring streets, get together often for celebrations, any excuse to get outside and have some fun. There is a fall festival block party that involves apple bobbing and face painting for the kids. They have Hawaiian themed luaus, many 40th birthday celebrations, 4th of July celebrations and many other holiday, or not so holiday, gatherings.

On Halloween, the Mazzucco family household is frequented by many neighbors for their neighborhood renowned apple cider to spice up the trick-or-treating.

“Every other year or so, around Christmas, the residents of Pilar Court get together and go out to Bear Creek Road and have a Christmas tree cutting event, and we always supply the cider.”

Wanda Hillsbery lives on Vargas Drive, a street that intersects with Pilar, for 8 ½ years and is considered to be one of the honorary members and is invited to the events on Pilar. She hosts an annual chili cookoff and loves the friendliness of the neighborhood. She has three daughters that have become part of the Pilar Court bunch.

“I think this is a great place to live. It’s the kind of neighborhood where everyone looks out for eachother. All of the kids play together; I like the feeling of always being a part of what is going on. I always feel safe here.” Says Hillsbery.

The residents of Pilar collaborate to make for a grand New Year celebration, rounding up all of the kids at one house with a couple of babysitters so they can gather at another house with other adults.

To say the least, the residents of Pilar like to have a good time. The Mazzucco’s said that many times, the will sit outside and a few neighbors will come over, and it will end up being a little party without planning anything. Tony Mazzucco creates the fliers for the organized parties, but enjoys what he considers, “Neighborhood parties forming without any planning.”

He also laughs about the sharing nature of the kids in the neighborhood after everyone ends up with someone else’s belongings in their garage. It could be considered carelessness on the kids’ part, or just a generosity trait that all of them seem to have.

“Every little while or so, we all just go around and collect our own stuff and give back what isn’t ours.”
Leslie Mazzuco claims that one of her favorite things is getting together for the stargazing parties around the moveable fire pit.

“It’s like being out camping, but at the end of the night we get to go inside to our cozy beds.”

Pilar Court is nestled close to Almaden Expressway and Coleman Avenue. The houses along the street are mostly 3-4 bedrooms, some of which are two-story and most were built in the 1970’s. They sell for about $650,000-$750,000, and according to Tony Mazzucco, the prices have almost doubled since they moved in seven years ago.
“We love Almaden Valley, it’s a little chunk of San Jose that seems to have that old fashioned style of family living. It is such a wholesome place to grow up.”

Most of the time, Pilar Court residents don’t need an excuse to have a good time—it is just a way of life.