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History Sections: Nothing happens without a purpose The first club house Moving, growing, moving Sobriety in a winery Settling in and disaster Hard times get better Here we go again No more rent Ready or not, here we come Troubled waters Wham, bam A new beginning Kitchen Menu Informational Brochure Application The 2008 Alano Classic The Alano Club of San Jose 1122 Fair Ave. San Jose, CA. 95122 Tel: 408.297.1878 Fax: 408.297.4100 Directions

A NEW BEGINNING October became a traditional month of celebration, the first charter received October 23, 1951, the Fair Avenue opening on October 20, 1962. October 1976 was also significant, but in a different way. Alano West opened it's doors, Al B. had been apprehended in Los Angeles and Tony B. was just beginning in his new role as manager. The embezzlement, theft or whatever you called it, had drained the club financially, and an Anonymous Donor had come through with a $2,000 no interest loan to be repaid when things got better. The members of the board had volunteered their services at the counter to defray the costs of hired help. Rough going, but life goes on. On December 21st, club attorney, Dan O'. brought a check for $4,500 from Security Savings to cover losses, another attorney was handling the other losses for the bonding company that protected the club. $2,100 in recovered checks had been turned over, and arrangements were being made for Al to make restitution. The anonymous loan was repaid, the balance put into savings. On January 18th, money from the bonding company was received, the new board elected and officers selected: Dick P., President, Charlie F., Vice President, Grautzie F., Secretary, Kathy O., Treasurer, all supported by Dave O., Willie K., Buzz S, Katie W. and Manuel M. Later, Katie resigned, replaced by Andre L. On April 20, Andre made a motion to dismiss the manager, Tony, seconded by Manuel. Kathy, Dick and Willie agreed: Buzz, Grautzie and Charlie voted no. Dave had resigned earlier. Reasons given were 1. Tony did not move the piano back on the stage, and 2. Tony did not fire a bar worker that served someone without a badge. The piano had been an on-again, off-again subject at board meetings, and membership rules had been a bone of contention for several years. Shock waves went through the club, and a special membership meeting was called for May 3rd. At the meeting, eight reasons were given, only one matching the two given Tony, but all were rebuked as Grautzie took the floor. She authoritatively summarized the facts in each case, including that only one board member had followed through on the commitment to help behind the counter. 82 voted to remove the five board members, 26 voted to retain - a clear majority. New board members were elected and Tony was unanimously reinstated with no loss in pay. The years that followed saw steady improvements in the club, albeit membership fluctuations continued. The parking lot was paved, the front lobby tiled, the inside painted several times, improvements in the kitchen and more often than not, enough money was available for hired help. Volunteer effort then, as now and undoubtedly for all time to come, helped smooth over rough spots, but when membership in anything combines involvement with being there, those who become involved benefit to a greater degree whether or not they realize it at the time. Being a part of seems a common lacking for most alcoholics. Becoming involved in and being a part of was a missing element for some time in my own past. Being allowed the opportunity to research the Heritage of the Alano Club of San Jose has given me many hours of pleasure, at times almost a feeling of having been there when these memories of today were in the making. Duncan Hall, Goble Hall, the basement, the pool room, the back room, lobby - every part of the club stirs a feeling that more than just the memory of the past is alive. The struggles and triumphs, the sorrows and joys, the heartaches and accomplishments all meld into one overwhelming sense of pride in belonging. Regardless of anything else, this clubs and clubs like it throughout the world, hold a very special place in the hearts of many a sober alcoholic. I'm grateful that mine is one of them.