Happy Hollow Park

Pizarro: CreaTV San Jose shines a spotlight on community programming

CreaTV San Jose, the nonprofit that programs San Jose's growing roster of community channels, bestowed its CreaTiVe Awards in more than a dozen categories to the best in local videomaking.

More than 400 people -- many in gowns and tuxes -- attended the second annual awards ceremony Saturday at San Jose's glamorous California Theatre, where CreaTV also honored state Sen. Joe Simitian and Tom Manheim, recently retired San Jose communications director, as its Community Media Champions.

In 2006, Simitian successfully amended a cable TV bill to ensure funding for PEG programming -- that's public, education and government -- wasn't killed. The Palo Alto legislator is no stranger to community media: He has hosted his own monthly public affairs show, "Capitol Focus," since 2001. Manheim, who retired from the city last month, was honored for helping to make sure San Jose kept a spot on the dial for community programming.

Actor Ed Asner, who I'm told had hoped to make it to San Jose for the ceremony, appeared in a video message, encouraging the audience to support community television. ("If Ed Asner were to provide funding to CreaTV, would that be considered a 'Lou' grant?" joked emcee Brian Adams.) Happy Hollow Park & Zoo mascot Danny the Dragon turned up in black tie to help honor nonprofit videomakers, stealing the spotlight from Focus Business Bank CEO Richard Coniff and Heather Lerner of the Happy Hollow Foundation.

Visit the newly renovated Happy Hollow Park & Zoo in San Jose ...

Pamela Gruba DiBattista submitted her suggestion to SiliconValley365.com for the newly renovated Happy Hollow Park & Zoo in San Jose.   What a great tip because Happy Hollow is a fabulous place to take the whole family!  Original construction began in 1958 when two Jaycees, Alden Campen and Ernie Renzel (former Mayor of San Jose), had a dream and turned that dream into reality.  They started the entire project by purchasing 7.5 acres and over several years oversaw the construction of Happy Hollow–to the tune of millions of dollars.  Happy Hollow has an extensive history which you can read here .

The Park closed its gates after 46 years on July 9, 2008, for a $70 million green renovation and re-opened on March 20, 2010–just last weekend.  There were some significant changes to Happy Hollow, all of which are a lot fun for families. The playgrounds have vastly improved, there are about 4-5 different rides now (1 brand new roller coaster for the small tikes), a new carousel, a much larger petting zoo, and tons of new plants and trees.   All in all, most parents and children alike give this fun place two thumbs up and want to go back for more!

Happy Hollow’s Mission Statement “Happy Hollow Park & Zoo exists to provide an affordable, sustainable, conservation-centered outdoor adventure for families with children.”

Don’t have plans this weekend for your family?  Check out Happy Hollow’s website to plan your visit!  Thanks, again, Pamela, for your contribution!

This blog is courtesy of The Dawn Thomas Team who is an award-winning Real Estate Agent team at Intero Real Estate Services in Los Altos 650-947-4661. We help nice people with selling and buying homes from Palo Alto to West San Jose!