S.J. barber hanging up shears after 63 years
After more than 63 years cutting hair, Walt Tosoni will man the chair at his Willow Glen barbershop for the last time on Saturday. It also happens to be his 88th birthday.
He has certainly earned the break. Tosoni started cutting hair in 1953 and has been at his current shop at 1611 Westwood Drive, just off Meridian Avenue, since November 1977. In that time, he’s seen everything from crew cuts to mullets and back again.
Joe Tersini, who was in the chair Thursday morning, was trying to determine just how long Tosoni had been cutting his hair. They figured it was at least 20 years. Another customer, San Jose resident Jack Cole, estimates he’s been getting his ears lowered at Walt’s for nearly twice as long.
“I’ve got a lot of friends,” Tosoni said. “They’re more like friends to me than customers. I really appreciate what people have done.”
Compared to today’s upscale hair salons, Walt’s Barber Shop itself is a throwback. A series of 12 calendars — one for each month — decorates one of the mint-green walls. Above the sink between the two barber chairs, a letter-board sign declares the prices: $16 for a cut (seniors get a $2 discount) and $18 for razorcuts or flat tops, which were all the rage when Tosoni started cutting hair.
He’s had some health issues in recent months, and his legs have been causing him a lot of pain lately. “They’re killing me,” he told me Thursday. “I can’t wait for Saturday to come so I can get off my feet.”
When he leaves Saturday, the barbershop essentially goes with him. One barber chair is going to one of his three daughters, the other to his son in Livermore. Another daughter is getting the barber pole, and a customer has asked for the chairs for waiting customers as a way to remember Walt.
As for his future, Tosoni says he’s just going to relax and take care of Mary, his wife of 64 years. “And I’ll do my gardening if I can,” he said. “I love to garden.”
You know he’s got to be good with the shears. BULLISH ON BULLS: There’s going to be bullfighting at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds on Saturday, but it won’t be the sometimes gory spectacle people think of. This is “bloodless” bullfighting, a simulation that showcases the drama and style of a Corrida de Toros, with the
banderillas sticking to a Velcro patch on the bull’s back.
Both Portuguese and Mexican-style bullfighting will be presented, with a brass band, the traditional bullfighting costumes and the riders on horse. And there will be six live bulls, of course.
Admission to the 3:30 p.m. event is $25 per person, with kids 10 and under free. Tickets can be bought at the door or online at www.ticketriver.com/event/20803. VALLEY SHOWS ITS PRIDE: It’s Silicon Valley Pride weekend, and the South Bay’s LGBTQ community and its allies will be partying for two days in downtown San Jose.
The festivities start with an Electronic Dance Music festival on Saturday night on Almaden Avenue near Park Avenue and continue with the 10 a.m. parade on Market Street with the theme this year of “Diversity, Inclusion, Success.”
The Silicon Valley Pride festival follows at 11 a.m., with a diverse entertainment lineup that includes everything from Santana tribute band Caravanserai and hip-hop artist Inaya Day to all-female dance company Elemental Remix and drag performer Delta Work. Get tickets and more information at www.svpride.com.