July 1, 2004

STREET SCENEWhitbourne Drive

Western Almaden’s Whitbourne Drive is the perfect blend of Californian innovation. First erected better than 20 years ago in 1983, the street butts up against, perhaps, the last remaining cow ranch within city limits. To the south, it feeds into Leyland Park Drive, home of Castillero Middle School and the southernmost tip of Meridian Avenue. Picture the Wild West meeting Silicon Valley, with a neck breaking extreme scene for a hobby.

“We share much in common with other Almaden neighborhoods,” said Whitbourne resident Nancy Lichtle. “We have friendly, open neighbors, kids of all ages growing up together, attending the same schools, riding their bikes and playing together in the front yards.”

The only difference is bikes go a whole lot faster, kids play a whole lot harder and parents are quick to join in.
Lichtle, an enthusiastic marketing specialist for Sun Microsystems, Inc. exemplifies that very characteristic, separating Whitbourne habitants from other groups in Almaden. Some call that psychosis. “My husband [Mark] and I are active skydiving participants,” explained Lichtle. Between the two, a human being has thrown their body, indeed recklessly, out of an airplane just under 4,000 times, garnering both professional classifications and several world record attempts.

Apparently, the Lichtles lead by example on Whitbourne, toting the banner for a plethora of extreme talent, young and old alike. “We have several wake boarders, jet skiers, swimmers, sailors and runners,” said an enthused Lichtle. It appears that the Lichtle’s 3-year old daughter will have friends outside the family to challenge in her extreme pursuits. “We have people who race motorcycles and four more residents that have tried sky diving [at least once],” she continued.

Around Whitbourne, it’s become tough to even walk out the door without first exercising a pump of adrenaline. In 2002, at the first annual summer months, Whitbourne block party, a helicopter landed, picking up several residents, who subsequently ascended some 3,000 feet into the sky, before jumping out and floating back to the safety of tarred asphalt. Of course, a safe jump was enjoyed by all. Only one jumper suffered any injury, a sprained ankle, mere spider bites in skydive lore.

Wisely, the Lichtles, along with Bill and Kelley Robertson, who collaborated in co-founding the block party extravaganza, reach out to local branches of San Jose Police and Fire forces, celebrating their services with invitations to the gatherings.

“Our neighborhood block party has been the best resource for meeting and greeting familiar faces, as well as the new ones, and really getting to know who my family and I live with,” said Kelley Robertson. “I’m sure we are not the only wonderful place to live, but I feel that I have found the perfect neighborhood in which to live. It’s the total package.”

Yet, in Whitbourne-speak, risking your life is personal business, faulted only when somebody else mettles in that arena. Neighbors are quick to encourage taking risks but faster in preventing those unaccounted for.

Surrounded by the wildlife and open space extending into Quicksilver Park, residents have collaborated on several safety measures, perceiving threats from human prowlers and vermin, alike. “We have really rallied around each other with the neighborhood watch list,” explained Mrs. Lichtle. The list assists neighbors in identifying current and potential predators. Currently, coyotes and bats are the most threatening culprits.

As for the cows out back, the Whitbourne was originally a parcel of land within Pierce Ranch. At one time the ranch was a working dairy but remains in use, providing a secluded homestead for aging livestock. Unofficially, the ranch serves as home to interloping deer, as well. Apparently, the deer find a simpler racket, competing for food versus a senior group of cows, in comparison to wily bobcats, and friends, in Quicksilver.

One perk in Whitbourne residency came as a result of those cows. Early residents enjoyed complimentary lawn maintenance throughout the 80s. Then, truly backed up to homes, cows would sneak over and graze lawns through the fences.

However, few current residents would recall those times. According to homeowner Pam Lynds, original trailblazers moved on, giving way to the next generation of up-and-coming families. “It’s a great place to live,” said Lynd, who has inhabited Whitbourne since its conception. “We’ve seen people move in and out. First we moved in with a group of young families. Now they’ve all grown up and there is a new group of young families. It’s turning over again, and that’s good.”
Asked if the street would be suitable as a retirement dwelling, Lynd assumed not, however, the Whitbourne house is also not one she plans to sell. Not too soon, anyhow. Houses on Whitbourne generally hover around the $1,000,000 mark, and rising.

Summed Mrs. Lichtle: “Our neighbors are terrific. Everyone looks out for one another. We get together socially. We share in our lives and always look out for one another’s property and pets. We’re ready to loan the cup of sugar to a neighbor who has run out.”

Considering, courage, camaraderie and cows, Whitbourne sounds a lot like the Wild West—the Wild West with no fear.

—By Justin Petersen