Check out the VEP!

Image courtesy of the VEP website

I've always loved the fact that my SJ neighborhood has a corner of unspoilt land, part of which is bordered by Branham Lane and Snell Avenue. I recently learned that this parcel is called Martial Cottle Park, and that the VEP (Vistapark Echo Valley Parkview Valley) Community Association has been fighting to preserve it. The VEP does many things for the community, including tree planting, environmental awareness education, and even presents graduating high school seniors with awards for service. Their meetings often feature local service officials, such as those in law enforcement or politics.

If you're interested, you can visit the VEP website at http://www.vepca.net/

Where Star Trek meets home-cooked meals

DeAngelo's Cafe and Catering is nestled away in a little strip mall at the corner of Branham Lane and Pearl Ave--if you blink, you might it miss it. And how could you miss the chance to sit in the red, gold, or blue sections, all of correspond to Star Trek uniform colors. How could your eyes not wander over the action figures, ornaments, posters, and the like festooning the walls and even hovering over the cooking area?
But let's cut to the chase: even if you're not a Roddenberry devotee, you can still dig the deliciousness that is DeAngelo's cooking.

During my last visit, I ordered a fantastic grilled cheese sandwich which came replete with a salad and an iced tea. My salad arrived first: greens, croutons, kidney beans, and bleu cheese dressing. (Let me add that it was freshly mixed bleu cheese, not something out of a bottle). I didn't even think that I would like the kidney beans, yet somehow they worked with the salad. When my sandwich appeared, I found it just to my liking--moist, cheesy goodness. The iced tea clinked down onto the table with a generous chunk of lemon and a tall spoon for stirring. You know when they give you the tall spoon, you're gonna need to add some sweet-n-low 'cause that stuff be strong!
The staff was just stunning. I was there for an early lunch, so I was able to watch many of the regulars shuffle in--friendly septegenarians there to chat it up with the help and inquire about their welfare. Our waitress was in her sixties and so attentive to us. Our food arrived promptly, efficiently, and could not have been better.
Only one word of caution--they are closed on Mondays, and they're only open until about 3pm on weekdays. So you may want to call before you come. I already want to go back...

DeAngelo's is located at 4472 Pearl Ave, San Jose, CA 95136. You can call them at (408) 265-1979.