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News From Silicon Valley's Neighborhoods Old-Timer Willow Glen--Members of the city's First Congregational Church have every reason to be praising God. Their congregation is now 125 years old, and they'll be whooping it up the week of May 13 to celebrate. They began as a small group downtown in 1875, squeezed out due the encroaching San Jose State University. In 1955, the church moved to the current 10-story-spired spot at Hamilton and Leigh and since that time has fostered a tradition of social activism. Today, student teams travel to Tijuana to build houses, and younger kids participate in Amore Ministries, to assist needy areas worldwide. Air Pains Sunnyvale--In a showdown with the Federal Aviation Administration last week, Sunnyvale and neighboring officials expressed cries of protest at the FAA's plan to reroute San Francisco-bound planes over the South Bay, citing the already deteriorating quality of life in their communities. The FAA, however, stated its case. In bad weather, because runways are too close together, delays are a constant at SFO, and consequently nationwide. The new approach plan calls for 200 planes a day over the San Jose area, which, if passed by the FAA, will commence August 2001. Pedal Power Cupertino--It's time to blow the dust off that trusty old Schwinn and leave the SUV in the garage. At least for a day. May 16 is the California-wide Bike to Work Day and some 300 Cupertinians are expected to oblige. This event will help promote Cycle Commute Cupertino May 14-20, a local effort to get folks to realize the physical and spiritual benefits of biking, not to mention less strain on our smog-infested environment. Lots of people maintain them only for fun and games, but, says organizer Anne Ng, "What we're pushing for is using bicycles for transportation." [ San Jose | Metroactive Central | Archives ]