By G. Scott Thomas
updated 5:38 p.m. ET, Thurs., May 14, 2009
San Jose and Stockton, Calif., are just 78 miles from each other, yet they’re worlds apart in high-tech expertise.
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Friday, May 15, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Silicon Alleys Music Matters
By Gary Singh
AS YOU READ this, downtown San Jose is in the throngs of a new enterprise called Left Coast Live. This is, perhaps, the purest example of what happens when a bunch of people, instead of sitting around and complaining, actually stand up and do something.
The entire scenario is exciting for several reasons. The timing rocks, especially since San Jose just passed up the 1 million mark and still doesn't have a reasonable nightlife comparable to other cities with half its population.
Also, because of another enterprise called San Jose Rocks, there is an ever-growing interest in local rock history from the '60s and '70s, and according to local legend Gordon Stevens, there was a serious, equally important, Latin scene out on the East Side during the '60s as well—something hardly anyone talks about or even remembers.
Furthermore, festivals are something San Jose usually does well, especially the Jazz Festival, which just a few years ago began incorporating a club crawl so attendees could check out some live bands in the clubs, as opposed to immediately returning back home after the day's events.
Lastly, many people from my era who grew up driving to San Francisco or the East Bay to see shows, since there was absolutely nothing to do in San Jose for those under 21 until the Cactus Club opened. Remember how bloody fun it was when that club, along with Marsugi's, Ajax and F/X, started a live-music scene on South First Street? You had businessmen in suits hanging out right next to people with Mohawks.
The folks behind Left Coast Live keep using phrases like "Bring live music back to San Jose" or "Rebirth live music in San Jose," so they definitely know that live music at least used to be on a lot of people's radar. With luck, such a mind-set will return, and someday we might actually see club owners who want to contribute to the cultural landscape and/or landlords who actually care about the community rather than knowingly renting to troublesome clubs just to make a quick buck.
But getting back to the concept of a Latin scene in the '60s, last week a press conference was held for the San Jose Mariachi and Mexican Heritage Festival. It took place in the Fairmont. Linda Ronstadt still holds court as the festival's artistic director, and for this year's incarnation, she brought in Carlos Santana, who will perform in a huge tribute gig for Cesar Chavez this coming Sept. 20–27, so he himself actually showed up to the press conference and had quite a bit of inspiring and provocative things to say.
When asked how or why he originally migrated from mariachi to rock music, he said that when attending a picnic in San Jose in 1962, he heard mariachi music coming from one part of the landscape and rock music from another part. "When taking in the aerial view, I just grabbed all of it," he recalled. He added that San Jose has the capacity for being grand central for Latin rock & roll, and that "We should celebrate Cesar Chavez day nationally, not just in California."
And this one: "Everybody is born an angel with wings of imagination and willingness. Some people may even be chickens or turkeys—especially if you wake up automatically thinking someone's going to mess with you. I choose to wake up, and wake everyone up with vibration and sound."
Santana then went on to repeatedly bash Ronald Reagan and Arnold Schwarzenegger, calling them the "exterminators of education, while referring to Ronstadt and himself as the "weapons of mass compassion."
Finally, he philosophized that for musicians, the goal is to be eternally relevant. "Someone can be ahead of his time, but a month later, he could be passé," said Santana. "I invite all musicians to wake up and be eternally relevant."
Contact Gary Singh or send a letter to the editor about this story.
AS YOU READ this, downtown San Jose is in the throngs of a new enterprise called Left Coast Live. This is, perhaps, the purest example of what happens when a bunch of people, instead of sitting around and complaining, actually stand up and do something.
The entire scenario is exciting for several reasons. The timing rocks, especially since San Jose just passed up the 1 million mark and still doesn't have a reasonable nightlife comparable to other cities with half its population.
Also, because of another enterprise called San Jose Rocks, there is an ever-growing interest in local rock history from the '60s and '70s, and according to local legend Gordon Stevens, there was a serious, equally important, Latin scene out on the East Side during the '60s as well—something hardly anyone talks about or even remembers.
Furthermore, festivals are something San Jose usually does well, especially the Jazz Festival, which just a few years ago began incorporating a club crawl so attendees could check out some live bands in the clubs, as opposed to immediately returning back home after the day's events.
Lastly, many people from my era who grew up driving to San Francisco or the East Bay to see shows, since there was absolutely nothing to do in San Jose for those under 21 until the Cactus Club opened. Remember how bloody fun it was when that club, along with Marsugi's, Ajax and F/X, started a live-music scene on South First Street? You had businessmen in suits hanging out right next to people with Mohawks.
The folks behind Left Coast Live keep using phrases like "Bring live music back to San Jose" or "Rebirth live music in San Jose," so they definitely know that live music at least used to be on a lot of people's radar. With luck, such a mind-set will return, and someday we might actually see club owners who want to contribute to the cultural landscape and/or landlords who actually care about the community rather than knowingly renting to troublesome clubs just to make a quick buck.
But getting back to the concept of a Latin scene in the '60s, last week a press conference was held for the San Jose Mariachi and Mexican Heritage Festival. It took place in the Fairmont. Linda Ronstadt still holds court as the festival's artistic director, and for this year's incarnation, she brought in Carlos Santana, who will perform in a huge tribute gig for Cesar Chavez this coming Sept. 20–27, so he himself actually showed up to the press conference and had quite a bit of inspiring and provocative things to say.
When asked how or why he originally migrated from mariachi to rock music, he said that when attending a picnic in San Jose in 1962, he heard mariachi music coming from one part of the landscape and rock music from another part. "When taking in the aerial view, I just grabbed all of it," he recalled. He added that San Jose has the capacity for being grand central for Latin rock & roll, and that "We should celebrate Cesar Chavez day nationally, not just in California."
And this one: "Everybody is born an angel with wings of imagination and willingness. Some people may even be chickens or turkeys—especially if you wake up automatically thinking someone's going to mess with you. I choose to wake up, and wake everyone up with vibration and sound."
Santana then went on to repeatedly bash Ronald Reagan and Arnold Schwarzenegger, calling them the "exterminators of education, while referring to Ronstadt and himself as the "weapons of mass compassion."
Finally, he philosophized that for musicians, the goal is to be eternally relevant. "Someone can be ahead of his time, but a month later, he could be passé," said Santana. "I invite all musicians to wake up and be eternally relevant."
Contact Gary Singh or send a letter to the editor about this story.
PinkSlipMixers.com and Local San Jose Business in Redevelopment Zone Wants to Revitalize Silicon Valley Job Market
PinkSlipMixers and South First Billiards of San Jose will host a series of pink slip parties to help professionals find jobs. The events will be held every second Monday of the month. The pink slip party format will also include a 'career circuit' that will give job seekers tips to improve their job search.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Caravan Lounge (The)
98 South Almaden Avenue
San Jose, CA 95113
phone: +1 408 995 6220
This local dive is frequented by the blue-collar crowd, younger refugees from the club scene, and the occasional stray from the Greyhound station next door. It's not the most chic place you can choose for a drink, but it does have a distinct character all its own. You can play pool or drop a few dollars in the jukebox while you swill drinks from the better-than-average booze selection. You can even buy six packs to go.
San Jose, CA 95113
phone: +1 408 995 6220
This local dive is frequented by the blue-collar crowd, younger refugees from the club scene, and the occasional stray from the Greyhound station next door. It's not the most chic place you can choose for a drink, but it does have a distinct character all its own. You can play pool or drop a few dollars in the jukebox while you swill drinks from the better-than-average booze selection. You can even buy six packs to go.
Agenda Lounge
399 South First Street
San Jose, CA 95113
phone: +1 408 287 3991
email: info@agendalounge.com
This spectacular establishment has an elegant, upscale restaurant at the ground level, a nightclub upstairs, and a subdued retro dance place in the cellar. Located in a refurbished historical landmark, Agenda Lounge caters to many walks of life, from businessmen to jazz hipsters. In the Agenda restaurant, relax amidst the simple decor and go for the House Made Pork Pot stickers or the Chicken Satay. Sample the extensive selection of wines and single-malt scotches. Head up to the lounge and watch live jazz, swing, salsa or roots music.
San Jose, CA 95113
phone: +1 408 287 3991
email: info@agendalounge.com
This spectacular establishment has an elegant, upscale restaurant at the ground level, a nightclub upstairs, and a subdued retro dance place in the cellar. Located in a refurbished historical landmark, Agenda Lounge caters to many walks of life, from businessmen to jazz hipsters. In the Agenda restaurant, relax amidst the simple decor and go for the House Made Pork Pot stickers or the Chicken Satay. Sample the extensive selection of wines and single-malt scotches. Head up to the lounge and watch live jazz, swing, salsa or roots music.
Ambassador's Lounge
175 North San Pedro Street
San Jose, CA 95110
phone: +1 408 298 2529
At Ambassador's Lounge let your hair down at the large dance and party space. Spread over 7,000 sq.ft, this is a very lively and fun-filled venue. It features three bars, up-to-date sound and lighting system, pool tables, outdoor smoking patio and two VIP areas. Weekends are fun with Celebrity Friday and Saucy Saturdays when many celebrities like Young Gunz, Trick Daddy, Golden State Warriors, San Jose Saber Cats and many more, entertain with their performances.
San Jose, CA 95110
phone: +1 408 298 2529
At Ambassador's Lounge let your hair down at the large dance and party space. Spread over 7,000 sq.ft, this is a very lively and fun-filled venue. It features three bars, up-to-date sound and lighting system, pool tables, outdoor smoking patio and two VIP areas. Weekends are fun with Celebrity Friday and Saucy Saturdays when many celebrities like Young Gunz, Trick Daddy, Golden State Warriors, San Jose Saber Cats and many more, entertain with their performances.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Pizarro: San Jose Museum of Art celebrating 40th anniversary
By Sal Pizarro
Mercury News
The San Jose Museum of Art is celebrating its 40th birthday this year and is inviting everyone else to join in on the fun, too.
The museum — which sits at the corner of Market and San Fernando streets downtown — is holding a community day next Sunday with free admission and lots of family-friendly activities including art making, storytelling, gallery tours, face painting and dance performances.
The festivities will continue later this month with a brunch May 31. This event will be more focused on the evolution of the museum, which started as a small civic art gallery in 1969 that was created in part to save the old city library (which now houses a museum gallery and cafe) from destruction.
Marjorie Schwarzer, chair of the department of museum studies at John F. Kennedy University in Berkeley, will be sharing stories of the museum's history.
Tickets to the 10 a.m. May 31 brunch are $75. You can find out more at www.sanjosemuseumofart.org.
Contact Sal Pizarro at spizarro@mercurynews.com or 408-627-0940.
Mercury News
The San Jose Museum of Art is celebrating its 40th birthday this year and is inviting everyone else to join in on the fun, too.
The museum — which sits at the corner of Market and San Fernando streets downtown — is holding a community day next Sunday with free admission and lots of family-friendly activities including art making, storytelling, gallery tours, face painting and dance performances.
The festivities will continue later this month with a brunch May 31. This event will be more focused on the evolution of the museum, which started as a small civic art gallery in 1969 that was created in part to save the old city library (which now houses a museum gallery and cafe) from destruction.
Marjorie Schwarzer, chair of the department of museum studies at John F. Kennedy University in Berkeley, will be sharing stories of the museum's history.
Tickets to the 10 a.m. May 31 brunch are $75. You can find out more at www.sanjosemuseumofart.org.
Contact Sal Pizarro at spizarro@mercurynews.com or 408-627-0940.
Friday, May 1, 2009
San Jose's population hits 1 million; Mayor Reed says 'size does matter'
By Mike Swift
Mercury News
San Jose has hit another major population milestone — becoming the first West Coast city north of Los Angeles to notch its one millionth resident.
Actually, it's 1,006,892 residents, according to figures released Thursday by the California Department of Finance that had city leaders pleased.
"Size does matter," said a proud Mayor Chuck Reed. While not the only important thing, the mayor explained, "it does matter when I'm in Washington or Sacramento trying to get state or national policy changed on a Silicon Valley issue. I don't know if the absolute number counts, but being the 10th largest city in the country and over a million puts us in a category that people will pay attention to, even though they've never been to San Jose."
No longer does it matter that San Jose lacks the skyline of the biggest American cities, and that it continues to be the geek living next door to the Angelina Jolie of urban centers. Long the Bay Area's biggest city, it is now the 10th U.S. city with a seven-digit population, a threshold that may urge it to leave behind its long rivalry with the cultural Parthenon to the north. ....more....
Mercury News
San Jose has hit another major population milestone — becoming the first West Coast city north of Los Angeles to notch its one millionth resident.
Actually, it's 1,006,892 residents, according to figures released Thursday by the California Department of Finance that had city leaders pleased.
"Size does matter," said a proud Mayor Chuck Reed. While not the only important thing, the mayor explained, "it does matter when I'm in Washington or Sacramento trying to get state or national policy changed on a Silicon Valley issue. I don't know if the absolute number counts, but being the 10th largest city in the country and over a million puts us in a category that people will pay attention to, even though they've never been to San Jose."
No longer does it matter that San Jose lacks the skyline of the biggest American cities, and that it continues to be the geek living next door to the Angelina Jolie of urban centers. Long the Bay Area's biggest city, it is now the 10th U.S. city with a seven-digit population, a threshold that may urge it to leave behind its long rivalry with the cultural Parthenon to the north. ....more....
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
Public Street Lighting in San Jose
You may notice when you arrive in San Jose that all of San Jose's public street lighting is yellow. The city was one of the first in the country to convert its lights to energy-efficient, low pressure sodium lamps to save electricity as well as reduce light pollution, which interfered with the nearby Lick Observatory's views of the night sky. In return for the favor, the Lick Observatory christened a newly discovered asteroid 6216 San Jose.
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