Willow Glen Life

What do Julie Andrews, Jamie Lee Curtis, Amy Tan and Rhea Perlman have in common?  What if I added JK Rowling into the mix?  They have all been to Hicklebee’s Children’s Book Store in Willow Glen. JK Rowling did a book signing there for her first book way back when no one new anything about her or Harry Potter.  Monica Holmes co-owner of Hicklebee’s told me in a brief interview that they had to beg people to show up and even then, only about 20 or so actually did. The next time JK Rowling came was for a signing of her third book and the venue had to be moved to Willow Glen High School because of huge interest.

I always thought of Hicklebee’s as that pretty neat children’s book store down the street and even bought a book or two there as gift for children I know. What I didn’t realize is that Hicklebee’s is the book store for children and is considered by authors, editors, and book publishers as one of the few elite stores in the country. You might say that Hicklebee’s is considered to be instrumental as stopping point for authors to promote their books. 

If you look at the parade of authors coming over the next few months, you will get the picture, Hicklebee’s is famous in the children’s book world. Co-owner Valerie Lewis along with a few other ladies that are no longer involved, started the store in 1979,  Monica Holmes became a co-owner and partner with Valerie a few years later and the book shop quickly developed into the Willow Glen fixture that it is today.

Drop by and visit the store sometime and you will be as impressed as I was.  And if you have young children, do yourself a favor and take them to some of the readings. Your kids will love the stories and the environment and who knows they may get bitten by the Hicklebee and start a lifelong passion of reading. 

Hicklebee’s 1378 Lincoln Ave, San Jose, CA 95125 (408) 292-8880

View Larger Map

Big things in store for Vin Santo.  New owner Umberto Pala was trained in Italy at S. Pellegrino’s Culinary Institute.  With over 10 years of working in great kitchens in Italy and California, he most recently left a 6+ year stint at Il Fornaio in downtown San Jose to buy his own restaurant.

Menus change daily and the ambiance is wonderful. Call ahead for front patio seating in the summer. Best of all, in my book, is the wonderful wine bar. You can sit at the counter and meet and chat with some of your neighbors while enjoying a plate of mussels and a glass of chardonnay.

It used to be that if you wanted to have a great meal at Vin Santo, you had to dine from Tuesday though Saturday evenings only.  Starting in November the restaurant will be open for lunch Wed though Friday and will feature an amazing Sunday Brunch.

Look for great things in the future and join Umberto as he celebrates his grand opening Nov 2 at 11:30 AM and again Nov 4 at Brunch starting at 9:00 AM.

Located Downtown Willow Glen at 1346 Lincoln Ave. Reservations are recommended for dinner (408) 920-2508.

It had to happen, I have been working so hard to provide a forum for our community to share information and provide a community service for Willow Glen. First, let me just say that I am not a big company, I don’t sell advertising on this site, I don’t take compensation from local businesses or others and if you read a review here that I wrote, you can be assured that it is an honest opinion and not a paid one.

I will do my best to get great information on here, including talking to our local schools, businesses, restaurants, and event planners to make sure that they have a voice. I am happy to allow guest authors write for this site and of course, your comments are always welcome as long as they are relevant, made with good intentions and tasteful. – Steve

Facts are stubborn things, but statistics are more pliable. -Mark Twain