July 8, 2004

STREET SCENENightfall Court

Maybe it’s Bob and Shirley Beyler’s nurturing ways.

Maybe it’s Staci and Matt Tenczar’s neighborly hospitality.

Whatever the reason, Nightfall Court has become a friendly and inviting street whose neighbors have bonded with an unspoken oath of friendship to care for each other and make the street safe and fun for those living there.

Since moving into Nightfall Court five years ago, the Tenczars have opened their 2,250-square-foot, $900,000 Carmel-style home to the neighbors who live in the serene cul-de-sac. Matt said their welcoming nature is just the way it’s supposed to be and how he was taught to treat people while growing up. “When I was a kid we had a park in the middle of the neighborhood and everyone, every year got together,” recalled Matt. “When I had a family I wanted to have a place where my kids would know the other kids and have fun and get together with them. That’s what living in a neighborhood is about. It’s not going into your garage, closing the door and never talking to anybody.”

Of reasons for choosing to buy their home on Nightfall Court, Matt said, “We fell in love with the court and the house. As we drove down and turned into this court, it was immediate. We said, ‘We’re buying it.’ We knew this was our house.”

“Now that we’ve lived here I’ve fallen in love with my house,” said Staci, adding that her neighbors are wonderful and that more than a dozen children play freely on the street games like hockey, kick ball, hide and seek, and football. “It’s a great place. It’s the way it used to be when we were kids. We could play outside and feel safe.”

The Beylers have lived in a single-story Holiday-style 2,100-square foot home on Nightfall Court for 30 years. Their home features a neatly manicured front lawn with an olive tree and junipers and blooming gladiolas and roses in the backyard, which has a large swimming pool. “People are friendly here,” said Bob Beyler, also known as “Mr. Fix It.” The 72-year-old retired IBM engineering manager said he’s seen his old neighbors raise their families and move away and is now seeing younger families move in and raise their children. “It’s a good group of people. In all the years we’ve been here, we’ve had no troubles from anybody.” The Beylers have three children and seven grandchildren.

Shirley likes to bowl, but she’s known for baking delicious peanut butter cookies and banana bread, her selfless nature and crocheting Afghans to donate to women’s shelters.

Betty Besark, 75, a former collectibles dealer, had only praises for her neighbors who help her with almost every chore as she’s a widow and is afflicted with osteoporosis and other ailments. Besark uses a walker to get around.

She calls the Beylers her guardian angels. “They take care of me,” said Betty. “It’s amazing living here. My children would not be able to do what my neighbors (the Beylers) do for me.”

Gloria and Bill Cunningham, a retired 70-something couple, were the first ones to buy their single-story ranch-style home on Nightfall Court in 1969 for $35,000. Today, their 2,180-square-foot, four-bedroom, two-bathroom home is valued around $800,000. “We never thought it would go to $100,000 and here it is at top market value,” said Gloria of the house that sits on a 7,000-square-foot lot.

The Cunninghams smile as they recall paying an extra $250 premium to secure their home on the cul-de-sac 35 years ago to raise their family of three children. “We’ve been here a long time,” said Gloria. “We’re comfortable here. We have no desire to move.”

The Cunninghams lived on Kooser Road and Meridian Avenue when they began looking for a home in Almaden Valley. Gloria is originally from Pacific Grove and worked as a school secretary at Los Alamitos Elementary School. Bill is from Pennsylvania and worked for 37 years as a real estate banker and appraiser with Salinas Valley Savings. He also volunteered at the Foundry School for troubled adolescents for 15 years. They moved to Almaden Valley from San Francisco after Bill graduated from Golden Gate University.

The Cunninghams love their neighbors, the nearby shopping stores, the Shadowbrook Cabana Club and the street. “We really couldn’t ask for more,” said Gloria, sitting on her house’s front porch steps.

The neighborhood celebrates all major holidays, including the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Halloween and Christmas. The neighbors block off the court and bring their barbecue grills to prepare food and party with music. Matt Tenczar, a real estate agent for 13 years, who grew up in Almaden Valley, orchestrates most celebrations.

The Tenczars said the Shadowbrook Cabana Club is the center of activity in the summer because of its pool, Wednesday night socials and daily swimming activities for children.

Shelly and Patrick Smith, who moved into Nightfall Court 10 years ago, said they fell in love with the home they purchased on their fifth wedding anniversary. They were also attracted to the cul-de-sac and the Shadowbrook Cabana Club. “It was a bonus we fully didn’t understand until after we lived here a while,” said Shelly.

The Smiths have two children. “We love it here. We’ll never leave.”

Luann and Gary Ricco also live on Nightfall Court. They moved into the neighborhood 10 years ago because of the quality of Graystone Elementary, Bret Harte Middle and Leland High Schools. “I’ve enjoyed the closeness that we have with the neighbors,” said Luann, adding that over the years they have helped her through difficult times, such as the death of her brother and grandmother. “I don’t have to ask them for help,” said the mother of four children. “They just pop over with meals, take the kids and help out. They find out what our needs are without us having to tell them. They’re thoughtful neighbors. They’re always there. They’re always making us feel good.”

Luann added: “We’re over at each other’s houses sometimes at 11 o’clock at night in our pajamas. That’s how comfortable we are.”

—By Sheila Sanchez