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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 |
NO MORE RENT The club was on a high point nearly fourteen years after the first social gathering at the Padre Theater, almost eleven years as a chartered organization. Membership ranks swelled the rooms to overflowing, a feeling they had experienced in the past and which, with the exception of the Almaden Avenue fire, had been their reason to move to new quarters. Growth had been fairly smooth, with a few exceptions. President, Herman S., slipped after his wife left him, and was replaced by Harold P. Glenn G.'s term on the board had expired, and his duties were assumed by Joe C. Secretary-Treasurer, Margaret P., was replaced by Jack H. and manager Paul S. fell in love and fell off the wagon. Glenn was in a meeting when one of the board members anxiously called him out, explained the situation, and added that the board, at an emergency meeting, would like him to take on the duties temporarily. Glenn had thought of retiring from the meat business anyway, so he accepted and became the new permanent manager. The members felt more confident of their new status now, and longed for something with a little more stability. Why not own our club rather than rent again? The idea caught on and a new fever spread among the sober alcoholics, so Al E. had plans drawn up for a building with all the right things in exactly the right place. As it turned out, the lot they had in mind on Lincoln Avenue was too low and would have to be filled before a permit could be issued, so that plan was out - too much extra money. A church in the Burbank area was rejected, as well as another on Willow St. with a parsonage in the back. About this time, Jack H. and Burt W., owners of Now Realty on Monterey Rd., saw a listing for an old school house on the Eastside and called Cliff Weaver, non-alcoholic, who had the listing. They took one look at it and went back to the members to tell them they had found the new clubhouse. Even though most of the members were in favor of owning their club, a decision to buy wouldn't be an easy one to come by. Ruth H, one of the earliest women members in AA and a charter member of the first club, had to learn early in her sobriety to fight for her place in the Fellowship, a talent she developed well over the years. There was a saying that if you could convince Ruth, she would convince the others, so Harold took her to the vacant schoolhouse, sat her in a chair in the empty, dirty lobby and began his pitch. Ruth looked and listened, and said "This seems to be the right place for you guys". The battle was won. The school was owned by The Golden Rule Church Association in Bolinas, and with an asking price of $45,000 and about $10,000 in hand, something was going to have to be done. The board met and decided to offer $40,000 for the property. They took the offer to the deacon of the church. He ranted and raved for awhile, then accepted the deal. The next step was to get formal approval: that came with more than a little discussion at the largest general membership meeting held to that date. To raise more money, box lunches were sold, a White Elephant Sale was held and the members really got behind the effort. Barbecues were held, and the one at a Cambrian Park Church, rib-eye steak and a month’s membership were sold at $5 a head. Some of the more well healed members paid ten years dues at $250 to swell the fund. Daily lotteries from $15 to $100 to $300 were run, with 25% going to the fund. In a little more than a month, $6,000 was added to the kitty. The membership was now well over 300, and on August 22, 1962, the papers were signed. The deal was $10,000 down, and the church would carry a $30,000 note at 6 ½%, payment of $261.40 per month due on the 14th, beginning in October. With the extra money raised during the big drive, there'd be almost enough time to get the place ready for the big opening. The old school looked like a beehive, with hammers swinging, brooms pushing fallen sawdust from busy saws and old dirt, getting ready for new paint on the walls. Continue... |