NEW SKATEBOARD PARK OPENS AT LAKE CUNNINGHAM

Opening day at the new skateboard park. Skaters gave it rave reviews. They tell me this puts East San Jose on the map in a big way with pro and amateur skaters from all over the country.

REED'S SPORT SHOP TO CLOSE

If you grew up on the East Side, there was only one place for athletes and sportsman to go if they were taking up a sport or planning a camping or fishing trip: Reed's Sport Shop. But after 60 years in Alum Rock, Reed's is calling it quits. No word yet on the official story, but a clerk confirmed the rumor yesterday, saying Reed's planned to close it's store in July and move the gunshop to its indoor range in Santa Clara. There are no going out of business signs on the outside of the building, but store employees are telling customers informally of the plans. Reed's has been an anchor business and a family-run operation in Alum Rock since 1948

TWO TEENS SHOT IN ALUM ROCK

Two teenagers are suffering from critical injuries after being shot in our Alum Rock neighborhood early Saturday morning.
The double shooting happened at about 1:10 a.m. in an unincorporated neighborhood off Madeline Drive, according to Sgt. Don Morrissey of the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office.
Although the gunshot wounds were serious enough to be life threatening at the time, Morrissey said the victims look like they will pull through.
Morrissey also said homicide investigators are handling the case, but there's no word if anyone has been arrested or if suspects have been identified.
Father Eddie Obero opened mass at nearby St. John Vianney Catholic Church on Sunday morning by asking parishoners to pray for the victims and for peace in the neighborhood.

TEAM UP TO CLEAN UP ALUM ROCK

Clean up kits include an orange vest, gloves, trash bags, a mechanical litter-picker-upper and a voucher that allows you to put out extra trash bags on your curb for pick up.

Let's pitch-in! If you're tired of seeing littered streets, clogged gutters and graffiti tags in the area, here's a chance to do something about it. Cool clean up kits and graffiti-removal kits will be given away to the public on Saturday, April 12th from 8 to 1pm at the Plata Arroyo Park basketball courts at the corner of McKee and Jackson.

The kits are being given away to residents as part of a wider effort to clean up our neighborhoods called "The Great American Litter Pickup," and is being sponsored by the City's Parks and Recreation Department. The event also includes a free lunch from 12 to 1pm for volunteers. Let's all get involved to make Alum Rock a better--and cleaner--place to live!

ALUM ROCK LITTLE LEAGUE KICKS OFF WITH PARADE

Indians coaches Franciso Haro(left) and Joseph Raya led a happy tribe of T-ballers into their first season.(photo by Julie Ramirez)


Play Ball! Hundreds of boys and girls and their families celebrated a great American tradition: Little League!! The streets around Ben Painter Elementary School were filled with Yankees, Giants, Indians, Pirates, Reds and A's as well as White Sox, Red Sox and Mets. There were also Pink Panthers, Crushers, Bruisers, Knock Outs and Icy Hots as the girls kicked off their softball season. San Jose Police cars and fire engines added to the pageantry and let their sirens wail as the ball players entered the school fields. Alum Rock's Little League fields underwent some upgrading over the off season to accommodate disabled access. As Vin Scully might say..."it was a beautiful day for baseball!"

Respect, teamwork and fair play are part of the Little League players motto recited during opening ceremonies.(photo by Len Ramirez)

STARBUCKS GRAND OPENING THIS WEEKEND

Open for Business! James Lick High School student Lizete Carapinha(center) and friends are among the first customers this morning at the new Starbucks at the corner of Alum Rock and White. Manager Farrah Myers says the coffee house had a soft opening Thursday, but is planning a grand opening this weekend with free samples. (photo by Julie Ramirez)

MISS CAFE ON CBS 5

Alum Rock is in the news again. In case you missed it on CBS 5 at 11 last night, here's a report from inside Miss Cafe:

http://cbs5.com/local/sj.cafe.controversy.2.690059.html