MILLPONDERINGS
Millpond Mobilehome Park – 408-267-9790
2320 Canoas Garden Drive. San Jose, CA 95125
Editor: Linda Williams ….408-599-0336
Email Millponderings@gmail.com
Publisher: Mobilehome Park Magazines Mountain View-Alviso Road Sunnyvale, CA 94089
DEADLINE FOR THE MILLPONDERINGS IS THE 8TH OF THE PRECEDING MONTH.
MHB Policy–No discussion of politics or religion shall be printed in Millponderings, and no commercial advertising other than paid display advertising arranged with the publisher of Millponderings shall be included in it. The Publication is not to be used for resident/management disputes by either residents or management.
Brandenburg, Staedler & Moore – Millpond, L. P Brandenburg, Staedler & Moore and their respective partners, managers and employees, individually and collectively assume no responsibility for the content of this publication herein and shall be held harmless against any suit, demands or liability arising therefrom.
April 11 MSC General Meeting
April 17
April 18
May 9
May 16
May 23
July 4
July 11
August 15
August 22
September 5
October 10
October 24
November 7
Fundraiser (Friday)
Drill
Luncheon
4th Event
General Meeting
General Meeting
Cream Social
General Meeting
Event
Boutique
November TBD MSC Board Election
November 15
November 21
November 28
December 19
(Sunday)
Clubhouse for the Holidays
GRIEF SUPPORT
Have you lost a loved one, husband, wife, child, parent, friend etc.?
We are planning to start a Grief Group in the clubhouse every other Thursday afternoon.
Sponsored by Vitas Hospice Service. If interested contact Mary Talanay 408-278-1993
The Millpond Emergency Preparedness Program continues to work toward keeping our community informed, prepared and safe in the event of an emergency and this once-a-year fundraiser helps cover the expenses to keep the program running throughout the year.
SOUPER FUN FUNDRAISER
Homemade Soup Dinner
$15.00 at the door
Enjoy a variety of homemade soups along with salad, bread/crackers and punch and the famous Earthquake cake a-la-mode.
Bring your soup bowl, silverware and beverage container.
Tammy Blair Emergency Coordinator
Millpond Social Club
President, Esther Koker
Aren’t you just really enjoying the longer days that Daylight Savings Time gives us? I know, I knowthere’s still only 24 hours in a day but the longer daylight we have the better. Baby birds are going crazy, fruit trees are blossoming and I think most people’s moods get better. And, we have the longer days until Sunday, November 1. Hooray!!
“Thank You” Manuela Kolpin and Christine Backhouse for putting together the Zentangle Class. This event was well presented and well attended. I am not an artistic person but I found myself absorbed in this class. I believe I will have to start making some time for myself to start practicing and gaining more progress into patterns and techniques. I really enjoyed the experience of this class.
It seemed to me that all those who attended our St. Patrick’s Dinner had a good time. What’s not to like when friends and neighbors get together to celebrate. I don’t have an ounce of Irish in me, never had corned beef and cabbage growing up but I totally have grown to like this meal. Prepping for and preparing this dinner is a two-day process that fills the clubhouse with a wonderful aroma that has people coming by just to see what’s going on. Dinner was served with some soft dining music in the background provided by our KJ Michael Hendrix. Dessert was wonderful again this year. Fortunately, for us, we have our own Master Baker, Kathy Maronde, who again made cupcakes to die for served with vanilla ice cream. For an added touch of green, the ice cream could be topped with a bit of Crème de Menthe. Then, after dessert, we got ready to work our dinner off by dancing to music that appeals to everyone. And we’ve all learned not to be shy about asking Michael to play some of our particular favorites. Partner, or no partner, you can get up on the dance floor and do your own thing. Now, if all this conversation about our St. Patrick’s Dinner/ Dance makes you sorry you weren’t thereremember all about this description next year.
April will be another busy month. Our annual disaster preparedness drill will begin April 17 with the Emergency Drill fundraiser. If you like homemade soups, you do not want to miss this “all you can eat” event. Many, many “thank you” to Tammy Blair and her crew for all the hours and hours they put into providing this program. We live in a little isolated community where if some kind of disaster should strike we need to absolutely be prepared. If the overpass we go under countless times a week were to be damaged and perhaps fall we’re stuck. This program provides a way for us to learn how to be able to sustain ourselves until emergency help can arrive. So, please support this program by going to the Emergency Drill Fundraiser and taking part in the drill process on April 18.
On May 9 we will have our annual Ladies Luncheon. This has always been a well-attended event. Find or create the perfect hat to wear and again get ready for some good horse races. Be ready to place some bets because we will have our own Kentucky Derby. You could go home a real winner again this year. You could win a prize for your hat creation or go home with some winnings from the Derby. Ticket sales for this event will be held on April 25th.
Until next month, be active and be safe. I am always available to listen to your concerns and/or information regarding our Millpond community. AND, continue to read the Millponderings cover to cover.
ODDS & EVENS
When: Thursday, April 16, 2026 11:30 am
Where: Britannia Arms 5027 Almaden Express Way San Jose, CA 408-266-0550
Hostesses: Cynthia Stewart 408-624-0096 Carol Wieler 408-768-3163
RSVP by: Monday, April 13, 2026
Let the hostess know if you need a ride. CASH ONLY PLEASE.
LET’S CELEBRATE
Happy Birthday and Anniversary wishes to our neighbors celebrating this month! If you would like your birthday or anniversary included in future issues, please email Millponderings@gmail.com
SUNSHINE NEWS
report this month
If
Millpond Resident’s Association
President, Alice Orth
Another plea about paying attention to the speed limit here in our community! Residents, family members, delivery personnel, and individuals who work in our community all need to pay attention to the speed limit, and it’s up to you to help make this known!
Millpond is a vibrant community and as residents we all want to create a safe and welcoming environment for everyone who lives, work, and visits here. One of the simplest and most effective ways to promote safety is by slowing down while driving – specifically by adhering to the speed limit of 15 miles per hour and paying attention to stop signs/markings on the payment.
Studies show that driving at lower speeds dramatically reduces the risk of accidents and the severity of injuries if a collision does occur. At 15 miles mph, drivers have more time to react to unexpected situations like a neighbor backing out of their driveway, and residents here who must walk in the street! By slowing down to 15 mph, drivers grant everyone the precious seconds they need to react in a safe manner.
• PRACTICAL WAYS TO ENCOURAGE SAFE SPEEDS
• LEAD BY EXAMPLE: DRIVE AT OR BELOW THE 15 MPH.
• REMIND VISITORS AND GUESTS, DELIVERY DRIVERS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS TO RESPECT THE SPEED LIMIT OF 15 MPH
• SHARE THE MESSAGE: TALK TO YOUR NEIGHBORS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF SLOWING DOWN
Let’s work together to make our neighborhood a safer place for all. Next time you get behind the wheel, remember to slow down for a safer community.
A few new solutions will be coming your way soon to help get this message across!! Keep tuned and reading the Millponderings. Together we can make a difference.
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS PROGRAM
FOR THE FUNDRAISER AND DRILL
Soup makers – you will make your favorite soup or chili recipe for about 40. We have the roastersmake your recipe at the clubhouse on Friday or make it at home & bring it and put it in the roaster You will be reimbursed for the cost (please keep it low budget).
Earthquake bakers – Ingredients and recipe supplied to make the cakes (2). Cakes need to be delivered April 3rd to clubhouse by 3:00pm.
Set up table & chairs – Set up the tables and chairs for the Fundraiser on the morning of April 3rd. At the end of the evening will need to break down and set up for the drill on April 4th .
Kitchen crew – Dress the tables and do pre-setup, prepare salad, bread and crackers trays. Get the earthquake cakes cut and ready to serve. Clean up the kitchen.
Join the program – Choose one or more sections of the program that you would like to be part of. The program only works by the residents stepping up.
Text: 408-515-0904 or email: millpondemergency@gmail.com and please volunteer today.
Thank You
Tammy Blair
Join our Millpond Emergency Program Facebook page as an additional means of communication.
Emergency Preparedness Program
Coordinator, Tammy Blair
The Emergency Drill and Fundraiser will be held as below,
Fundraiser April 17, 2026, at 6:00 PM - $15 for all you can eat
Drill April 18, 2026 – drill starts at 10 AM
Please mark your calendars. We still need volunteers for the fundraiser; cake makers, soup makers, kitchen crew and setup crew –
Please email at millpondemergency@gmail.com, leave a note 369 or call 408-515-0904
In an effort to move the program forward and provide another line of communication, we have started a Facebook page. You can find it under Millpond Emergency Program to join. Please understand this is not to get help or report an emergency, if there is an emergency you should always dial 911 first. Then if it is something you feel the office should know you then need to call them.
This is for the residents of Millpond ONLY; you must be a resident to be approved to join. We want to be able to communicate during emergencies, have a way for residents to ask questions about the program, ask for information to help you be prepared or anything else related to the program. We have had for some time now to receive email notifications. You can send an email to millpondemergcy@gmail.com and you will be added to the group email. We are working on a way to do group texts. We know not everyone likes to get their information & notifications the same way.
Please know that I do not do Facebook personally, but the program needs to come first and have created a Facebook for the program. I do work and will be looking at Facebook in the evenings. So, I want to make sure that everyone understands this is only for communication and not to report emergencies.
~ Memoriam ~
Elfriede Provost
On Saturday, February 21st, the Millpond community suffered a loss in the passing of one of our beloved residents, Elfriede Stahl Provost.
Elfriede loved people, was a very kind person, and well-liked by all who knew her. She was also very social. Over the years, before her health limited her activities, she had been an active participant in the stitchery group, played Bunco monthly, was part of the pool exercise group and would attend all the Millpond Social Club events with her husband John. There used to be a group of residents that met at the clubhouse in the mornings, Monday through Friday, for coffee, cookies and good conversation. Elfriede was part of that group as well. Up until her passing, Elfriede enjoyed the company of friends at her home on the 3rd Wednesday of each month where they played Rummikub.
Elfriede and John had been together for 36 years, nearly 20 of which they lived here in Millpond. She enjoyed time with family and traveling. She and John were fortunate to have been able to go on a few cruises together.
Elfriede would have turned 95 years old on April 9th of this year. Please join John and all the family to honor Elfriede at her Celebration of Life scheduled to take place on Saturday, April 11th at 1:00 at the Millpond Clubhouse. John and the family would be grateful if you would attend and share memories/stories of your time with Elfriede.
submitted by Nancy Stevens
Millpond Neighborhood Watch
Charlene Carter - 408-398-3845 - MillpondWatch@gmail.com
Join our Facebook Group: Millpond Neighborhood Watch
Millpond Neighborhood Watch - Crime Report 2025
Let me first explain how we get our data before going over the numbers.
1. Police reports online (Crimemapping.com)
2. Emails to our email address (millpondwatch@gmail.com)
3. Facebook page (Millpond Neighborhood Watch)
The Online PD reports only describe the type of incident: burglary, disturbance, the block address number and the date and time. We occasionally get emails from our members, which is helpful in understanding what happened. When we introduced our Facebook page, we started getting and sharing events as they happened here at Millpond. Some of our FB members were able to give us helpful feedback on what happened.
Let's look at the numbers. For 2025 we had 40 events here at Millpond. The 2025 breakdown is 4-Burglary, 4-Theft, 6-Assaults, 3-Porch Pirates, 2-Fraud, 11-Disturbances, 2-Suspicious Activity, 3-Vandalism and 5-Trespasser.
Reviewing the reports- Our 2025 Crime Rate by outsiders is 4.7%, which is very low. The 17 events that were committed by outsiders were 5- trespassers, 1- vandalisms, 3-porch pirates, 4-burglary and 4 thefts. 23 events were committed by family conflict, domestic abuse or domestic violence. Domestic events are difficult to review as the victim does not want to talk about it.
How can you help yourself not to be a victim? To start, know your neighbors, let them know when you are going to be away. They could pick up your newspaper, pick up your mail and put out your trash cans even if the cans are empty. Purchase light timers to go on and off at night. It’s best not to advertise on social media (Facebook) that you are away. You can share your adventures when you get back home.
The Dooges (Dave, Kelly and Walt) can install Solar Lights, Wireless Cameras and Ring Doorbells FREE. If you need, we can advise you what to buy.
Join our Facebook Page to see events as they are reported by members.
Our goal is to focus on education to help everyone be safer.
submitted by Walt Mullen
President, Gary Smith
And with necessity, the tyrant’s plea, excused his devilish deeds.
(John Milton 1674)
UPDATE: San Jose Council delays mobile home rent increase proposal – San Jose Spotlight
Under the existing policy, property owners are allowed a 3% to 7% rent increase on each parcel every year. Anything more than that will require city approval, and they can’t increase rent to market rate prices except when the property is abandoned, the resident is evicted or when a sale falls through.
The city has more than 10,000 mobile home spaces across 58 mobile home parks that fall under the rent policy, according to city data.
Dozens of residents spoke against the proposed rent increase at the council meeting of January 29, 2026.
Fred Gomez, a mortgage broker, said the rent increase would price out a significant number of working-class people, since buyers would need to make three times the housing expense including space rent to be approved. He’s already having to turn down about half of the people who come to him looking for a loan, and said if the rent increase goes into effect, about 30% to 50% more people may be unable to afford a mobile home.
The mobile home buyers are the working class. The city needs to protect (mobile homes) because it’s less than 1% of the overall housing within the city of San Jose, Gomez told San Jose Spotlight. Park owners are multimillionaires. They just want to line their profits by making an extra $2 (million) or $3 million.”
When the policy was first made public in November, mobile home residents said there had been no prior outreach. Emails shared with San Jose Spotlight reveal the policy was being drafted with park owners in mind long before the draft policy was published on the commission’s November 13 agenda for commissioners to weigh in.
Other commissioners, including Ali Shapirman and Chair Ruben Navarro, said they didn’t know about the rental increase before the city made the proposed policy. “This raises a lotof transparency issues,” Navarro told San Jose Spotlight. “Solivan could have asked for my input, but he didn’t. He should have let the whole commission know he was working on the proposed language changes to the policy and he should have absolutely invited the mobile home residents’ representative Commissioner Finn to work on the draft as well.”
The next meeting, at City Hall, will be in November. We need to show up in force once again
Millpond "Zentangled" the Sunday afternoon away on February 22, 2026. Alongside friends with a patient teacher, we dipped our toes into Zentangle and experienced something new. Thank you to all who participated.
Manuela Kolpin
COLLECTING
COMMUNITY SAFETY REMINDER
Millpond has many residents walking on the streets during both the day and night. Because sidewalks are not available, pedestrians and drivers must work together to ensure everyone’s safety.
PEDESTRIANS
• Wear bright-colored clothing and/or a safety vest so you are easily visible to drivers.
• At night, carry a flashlight and use reflective gear.
• For your safety avoid using your phone or wearing earbuds so you can hear approaching vehicles.
• DRIVERS:
• The posted speed limit in the park is 15 MPH and applies from the park entrance to your destination.
• Slowing down helps prevent accidents and protects our walking residents.
• Stop means STOP. Stop signs are in place to protect pedestrians, drivers and you.
Working Together – Awareness and courtesy from both pedestrians and drivers are essential to keeping our community safe. Thank you for doing your part to make Millpond a safe and welcoming place for everyone.
submitted by Linda Williams
MILLPOND PET CORNER
Help our pets during an emergency
If you have pets or just love animals, they need you! We need you to join the Pet Rescue part of the emergency program. Pet Rescue has residents at the clubhouse during an emergency to take in lost pets, secure and comfort them, while trying to reunite them with their owner with information we have. If we are unable right at that time, some will foster the pet till we can reunite. We also keep a list of rescued pets for residents looking for beloved pets. Please join the team!
LOOKING FOR A HOME
This sweet, affectionate 3-year-old Maine Coon is looking for her forever home. She loves people and enjoys being a loving, gentle companion. With her friendly nature and calm demeanor, she would make a wonderful addition to a caring household. If you’re looking for a loyal and affectionate cat to share your home, she may be the perfect match.
Text Gloria at 408-966-6054
ROOM FOR RENT
PRIVATE FURNISHED ROOM – BATH
Private Entrance – No Pets
$950 MONTH
Deborah 408-985-3761
PRIVATE ROOM - BATH
Includes: Utilities, Private bathroom, use of Kitchen, Laundry and Parking space
Alcohol/drugs/smoke free environment, no pets
$1000 month
(non-refundable $500 deposit)
Julie 408-429-5000
FOR SALE
MEDLINE WALKER W/SEAT - $75
Storage under seat
Never used
Rose 408-477-2940
FOR SALE
LIGHT COVERS - $20 ea.
I purchased several replacement light covers for kitchen/dining rooms. They came 8 in a box. I have 6 for sale at $20 each. They come 2 ft by 4 ft and I cut one in half and it replaced both of mine. Some are 1 ft by 4 ft. If anyone needs to replace their light covers, I have them for sale.
Ronnie 510-706-1133
MILLPOND ORGANIZATIONS
CLUB
President
MILLPOND RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION - MRA
President
Puzzles and Word Games you
Paul Revere Southern Flower
Adams Belfry
Boston
British
By land
By sea Church
Concord
Dawes
Firing
Grenadiers
Hancock
Horse Lantern Lexington March Midnight North end Patriot Paul Platoon Revere Revolution Ride Signal Silversmith Troops
Warren
Across
1.Computer memory units
5.High school class
8.Need for fishermen
9.Regrets
11.Jason’s ship
12.“Cogito, ___ sum”
13.It isn’t silver or gold
15.Long, long time
16.Some baby toys
21.Cosmetic additive
22.Hokkaido people
24.Poet Angelou
25.___ tide
26.Battle of Britain grp.
27.Opens a door
Down
1.CEO’s degree
2.Make, as money
3.Garbage in, garbage out
4.Unhearing
5.Largest island in the world
6.Circular domed
dwelling
7.Prefix with phone
10.Costa del ___
14.Jersey call
16.Battering device
17.Winged
18.Spanish painter
19.In ___ of
20.A breeze
23.Bull markets
How to solve sudoku puzzles
April Sudoku
No math is required to solve a sudoku. You only need logic and patience.
Simply make sure that each 3x3 square region has only one instance of the numbers 1-9. Similarly, each number can only
appear once in a column or row in the larger grid. The difficulty on this puzzle is easy.
The headline is a clue to the answer in the diagonal.
- LindaP.
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