January 25, 2008

Evergreen Times turns 25!

The Times - They are a’ changing

Evergreen Library

In 1982, there were approximately 8,000 homes in Evergreen. The estimate today exceeds 30,000. Silver Creek Country Club, Hillstone, Bel Aire, Tuscan Hills and the Ranch are some of the housing areas developed over the past 25 years.

The 2000 census counted 92,000 people living in Evergreen and that number has surely increased. Its diverse population provides cultural richness to the community.

Eastridge Mall, with its 150 stores, reflected the growth with its major renovation just a few years ago, bringing major retailers, a 15-screen AMC theater and restaurants such as Chili’s and Macaroni Grill to the Evergreen area.

Even though Lunardi’s came and departed, the retail stores and Farmers’ Market are making Evergreen Village Square a gathering place and community center. Canyon Creek Plaza, anchored by Cosentino’s and the very popular Megabyte restaurant, fills its parking lot every day.

Silver Creek Valley Country Club
Evergreen Valley College
Tom Matsumoto Elementary School

Shopping malls, new businesses such as Beshoff Motor Cars and other retail brings the entrepreneurial spirit to the community.

Evergreen Valley College opened its doors in 1975 to 3,000 students and currently hosts over 8,000 students from more than 70 countries. The rich variety of cultures, which both enhances and enriches campus life, comprises one of the most diverse student bodies within the California Community College System.

In recent years, bond measures have allowed us to build much-needed facilities: classrooms and labs for biological sciences and nursing education programs, a robust library, a center to accommodate vibrant student life and the Montgomery Hill Observatory. Plans for our new Visual and Performing Arts Center and for modernizing existing facilities are currently underway.

Improvements in the school systems have been made, plus the addition of new schools attest to Evergreen’s growth since 1982:

The Evergreen and Tully libraries have been renovated, modernized and become community meeting centers. New places of worship in new facilities and services held in community centers have added to the spiritual environment of Evergreen.

The growth has changed the landscape of Evergreen and even more changes will be coming.

The Evergreen Times is proud to have been part of that growth and to bring the news to our readers.