Posts Tagged ‘SCCAOR’

27 Jan

Saturday’s Volunteer Rose Pruning was a BIG SUCCESS!

Posted by Martin-Fontana Parks Association in Adopt-a-Park, City of San Jose, Jeffrey Fontana Park, MFPA, Park Maintenance, Patrick Pizzo, PRNS, SCCAOR. Tagged: , , , , , , .

On Saturday the 25th of Jan, with the help of over thirty volunteers and a their hard work, the Jeffrey Fontana Memorial Rose Garden was pruned and weeded. Members of the Santa Clara County Association of Realtors (SCCAOR) provided most of the muscle along with other volunteers.  Now the roses are all set for some beautiful blooms this coming season.

Linda Wilson, the President of the Martin-Fontana Parks Association, provided 10 bags of mulch and some rose food.  MFPA member, Rosy Bowring brought along 2 dozen assorted doughnuts to feed the troops.  Adopt-a-Park’s Sue Bowling was there with the Adopt-a-Park trailer and work supplies.  Thanks also to Mollie Tobias, City of San Jose’s Program Manager for Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services for setting this all up.

Let us not forget who wasn’t there, Patrick Pizzo.

Pat was always there to show everybody how the trimming was done.  We will miss seeing his smiling face and having him show us how to trim a rose bush  Things just weren’t the same with out him being there.

A photo display of Pat was provided by MFPA member, Sunny Wagstaff, showing his many years of service and dedication in making our parks more beautiful with native plants.

 

 

8 Jan

We have lost Pat Pizzo

Posted by Martin-Fontana Parks Association in Butterflys, CA Native Plants, History, Jeffrey Fontana Park, MFPA, Our City Forest, Park Maintenance, PRNS, SCCAOR. Tagged: , , , , , , .

SCCAOR Sept 2014 work-party

Patrick Pizzo, a long time member and guiding light of the Martin-Fontana Parks Association passed away on the 2nd of January 2020 at the age of 75.  If you look around our two parks, you will see many examples of his handy work.  Pat was the brains & brawn behind all the native plant islands located in Jeffrey Fontana Park.  His most extensive creation was the 5 Islands Project near Meridian Ave.

Here is a link to a 2017 article on Pat and his many accomplishments by Our City Forest:  http://www.ourcityforest.org/blog/2017/1/4/the-remarkable-pat-pizzo?fbclid=IwAR0FxrzleTYiHR_K8EacOjotqX71Vqwz0FL73QNzDkcOXa7bj6GjCKz1pU8

To view a larger image please click on any photo below:

 

Island A Oct 2011
Native Plant Island C Construction Oct 2011
Restoration Committee Jan 2012
Bench Dedication Aug 2012
Earthday April 2013
Island A fence installation June 2013
Beautiful Day – May 17, 2014
Heart of the Park Sept 2014
Butterfly Garden planting Dec 2015
Island C fence installation Dec 2015
On Feb. 8th 2018, Patrick was awarded the status of “Park Heroes” at the State of the City address.
5 Islands Dedication May 2018
SCCAOR Jan 2019
SCCAOR May 2019

31 May

Jeffrey Fontana Memorial Garden Shines Again

Posted by Martin-Fontana Parks Association in City of San Jose, Jeffrey Fontana Park, MFPA, Park Maintenance, PRNS, SCCAOR. Tagged: , , , , , .

Six years ago, Officer Fontana’s Memorial Rose Garden was adopted by the Santa Clara County Association of Realtors .  They  stepped up with grants to fund the upkeep of the garden on McAbee Road, and volunteered to work in the garden twice a year to help keep it maintained.

Saturday, May 25, the Realtors joined Martin Fontana Parks Association volunteers and two employees of San Jose’s Adopt-a-Park program, to weed, trim trees, remove plum tree suckers, and spread rose fertilizer and mulch over Jeffrey’s garden.

Linda Wilson signing folks in
Matt Mahan is digging it
Linda Opp feeding the roses
Pat Pizzo trys to move the boulder
Weeding & trimming

MFPA extends a big ‘THANKS” and job well done to Realtors Scott Raley, Doug Goss, Frank Cancilla and Neil Collins, assisted by MFPA members Linda Opp, Linda Wilson, Patrick Pizzo, Matt Mahan, and Chris Chen.

Thanks also to San Jose’s Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services for providing all the equipment needed.

*Wayne Opp, our new official MFPA photographer, aptly recorded the action. 

Wayne Opp

Don’t forget, as you pass by Fontana Park on McAbee Road, to stop and smell the roses and appreciate the beauty of the garden.

 

27 Feb

PRNS Deputy Director reveals new plan for our Parks at MFPA General Meeting

Posted by Martin-Fontana Parks Association in Adopt-a-Park, CA Native Plants, City of San Jose, Heart of the Park, Jeffrey Fontana Park, MFPA, Park Maintenance, PRNS, Public Art, SCCAOR, TJ Martin Park. Tagged: , , , , , , , , .

Members of the Board
Attendees
Attendees

President Rod Carpenter called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm last Wednesday, Feb. 13, addressing an overflow audience of members and guests.

Parks, Recreation & Neighborhood Services Deputy Director, Justin Long, summarized some of the changes that are being made to improve the efficiency of park maintenance.  A new “Activate San Jose” plan will be the new parks’ guiding document and should be in available to the public in June for community review.  MFPA will alert our members when it is presented.

Mr. Long and Dan Greeley, our Maintenance District Supervisor, spoke about the rodent problem affecting many San Jose parks, including ours.  They outlined the action that PRNS will be taking to alleviate the problem, and then answered questions from the floor.

Outgoing President, Rod Carpenter highlighted the achievements of MFPA during his two-year tenure:

  • Completion of the native plant Five Islands Project
  • Construction of the “Surf Shack” tool shed
  • Repair of the Meridian fence at TJ Martin Park
  • The Planting of over fifty new trees in both parks
  • Completion of the “Beautility” Water Vault Painting project
  • Partnership with PRNS Adopt-a-Park Program and Santa Clara County Association of Realtors, (SCCAOR), to maintain existing projects like the Jeffrey Fontana Memorial Rose Garden

Perhaps the most significant achievement of Rod’s term was the completion of the “Right of Entry” agreement with PRNS allowing MFPA to hire qualified contractors to work in the parks on MFPA projects!

Outgoing Secretary, Rich Grialou was honored with the “President’s Award” and received a plaque in appreciation of his contributions to MFPA.

President Rod Carpenter was presented with a plaque honoring his dedication and determination to oversee the accomplishments of the last two years.

The new Board of Directors goals for the next year include:

  • Ongoing maintenance projects with PRNS Adopt-a-Park and SCCAOR
  • The annual Heart of the Park Celebration on May 18, 2019
  • Continued collaboration with PRNS and the City to improve our parks

22 Sep

Everybody had a great time at the Volunteer Appreciation Celebration

Posted by Martin-Fontana Parks Association in Adopt-a-Park, City of San Jose, Events, Johnny Khamis, MFPA, Park Maintenance, PRNS, SCCAOR. Tagged: , , , , , .

MARTIN-FONTANA PARKS ASSOCIATION’S

Held at The Villas Clubhouse, light hors d’oeuvres were served along with wine and other beverages .

 

Volunteer bartenders Robert Braunstein & Greg Caillat

Awards were presented along with MFPA pins to the 55 volunteers attending  

 

The MFPA Board of Directors all received Elephants from MFPA President Rod Carpenter.  In case you were wondering, Rod’s favorite saying is “You can eat an elephant if you take a bite at a time“.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

*Thanks to our wonderful photographer, Susan Mosher, for such great photos!

21 May

Jeffrey Fontana Rose Garden gets a clean up

Posted by Martin-Fontana Parks Association in Events, Jeffrey Fontana Park, MFPA, Park Maintenance, PRNS, SCCAOR. Tagged: , , , , .

Jeffrey Fontana Memorial Rose Garden clean up Crew

Thanks to the Santa Clara County Association of Realtors (SCCAOR), who came out in force last Saturday on May 20th, the Memorial Garden looks better than ever.  They were assisted by five members of the Pioneer High School Key Club, who are mentored by the Kiwanis, and members of the Martin-Fontana Parks Association.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

It’s been five years since the SCCAOR Foundation adopted the Memorial Garden and pledged more than $4000 toward its upkeep, besides volunteering their time and hard work each spring and fall to maintain the beautiful red and white theme.  Chairman of the group is Frank Cancilla

The Martin-Fontana Parks Association greatly appreciates SCCAOR’s funding and volunteerism for the last five years. We salute their members who contribute so much to the lasting beauty of the garden that was planted to memorialize Officer Jeffrey Fontana.  Officer Fontana was killed in the line of duty while patrolling our neighborhoods.

*Photos provided by Nancy Kalashian.  Thanks, Nancy.

 

 

10 Feb

February 2017 Newsletter

Posted by Martin-Fontana Parks Association in Adopt-a-Park, Butterflys, City of San Jose, Heart of the Park, Jeffrey Fontana Park, MFPA, PG&E, PRNS, SCCAOR, Scouting, TJ Martin Park, Tree Data. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , .

newsletter-feb-2017

Just click on the photo to download the Newsletter or click here

« Older Entries