December 29, 2005

StreetTalk

by Carol Rosen

What were the best and worst things (nationally, Bay Area, citywide or locally in Almaden) that happened
in 2005?
(Asked at Almaden Center)

“The best thing was finding out that my sister is pregnant. The worst is that my uncle and cousin are both fighting in Iraq.”

Kim Estrella, 19
Almaden
West Valley College student


“The best thing is that the new Oakridge Mall has gotten much better, and we don’t have to go to Valley Fair all the time now. The worst is all the natural disasters this year—Hurricane Katrina, the tsunami [from late last year] and the earthquake in Pakistan.”

Sean Costella, 19
Almaden
West Valley College student


“The worst thing, hands down, was Hurricane Katrina. We’re still feeling the effects of it. I get foam for couches and pillows from that area and they are definitely months behind. The best and most exciting thing is that it’s nearly time for the Almaden Community Center to open. We expect it to open in February or March and it will have government-run, low-cost holiday and summer camps—that’s important when you have four children—and a wonderful new library.”

Amanda Laugesen, 42
Almaden
Interior designer


“The worst thing was all the hurricanes and the damage they did, especially Katrina. The best thing was the advancements in cancer treatments that researchers have made this year. We have several family members that were successfully treated for cancer this year.”

Christy Barrese, 37
Almaden
Homemaker


“The worst thing was Hurricane Katrina and the best thing is that my children are in a new school and they are doing well and adjusting to the school and they are taking a school bus.”

Suzanne Salcido, 39
Los Gatos
Sells pharmaceuticals


“The worst thing is that our soldiers couldn’t come home this year. The best thing is living in Almaden. We just love it here. We’re happy with our neighborhood, our schools and our friends. We discussed relocating, but decided to stay because it’s such a family-oriented community.”

Laurie Musci, 41
Almaden
Homemaker


“The worst thing was Hurricane Katrina. The best thing, even though it’s not completely finished, is the construction of the new community center. It’s going to open up a lot of opportunities for people in this area to meet each other and to find new things to do. I’m going to take some classes there.”

Alison Daniel, 45
Almaden
Clerk at OSH


“The worst thing was that we had to tent our house for termites [after living in it for 32 years]. The best was a 15-day cruise to Hawaii that I really enjoyed.”

Val Koetmaa, 75
Almaden
Retired