October 13, 2005

It took 40 years, but Camelia Drive finally holds a block party

Several San Jose Fire Department members from Station 22 on Bose Lane brought along not only a ladder truck, but a emergency medical services truck, much to the delight of the kids of Camelia Drive.

The neighbors on Camelia Drive decided an appropriate way to celebrate the beginning of the fall season would be gathering together all of their neighbors for a good old fashioned block party.

“To everyone’s knowledge, including some longtime residents, this was the first time since the neighborhood was built in the mid 1960s that an event of this type has been held,” said neighbor Jean Mullinix. “Oh well, better late than never as they say!”

The Oct. 2 event featured a live band, plenty of food and good spirits, which brought out some neighbors who had never had the opportunity to shake hands and meet each other.

Although there were plenty of activities for younger members of the neighborhood from badminton, face painting, hair coloring to basketball, the highlight of the party for both the adults and the kids was a visit by the Mounted Division of the San Jose Police Department as well as the San Jose Fire Department members from Station 22 on Bose Lane, who brought along a ladder truck and an emergency medical services truck.

The organizers of the first Camelia Drive Block Party are, from left, Mia and Dan Burnham, Franco and Renee Vado, Brian and Sandy Baggott and Kristin and Tony Wahl.

The block party was a success, attendees say, thanks to the hard work of a number of neighbors. The organizers of the block party were Mia and Dan Burnham, Franco and Renee Vado, Brian and Sandy Baggott and Kristin and Tony Wahl, who deserve credit for introducing a lot of new friends to their neighbors on Camelia Drive.