Culture
Parks’ Value Seen in Economy, Wellness
Feb 20, 2013 by James P. Reber Politics, Business, Culture Comments (0)
Local kids take part in warm-up aerobics for the 2012 Recreation Games. Studies show that proximity to parks improves health in young people. (Photo by James P. Reber)
The neighborhood park is often taken for granted as part of the everyday American urban and suburban landscape. The primary value of our parks is economic, but there are also very important health benefits to citizens of all age groups.
Councilmembers Want to Ban Sale of Menthol Cigarettes in San Jose
Feb 19, 2013 by Jennifer Wadsworth Politics, Business, Culture Comments (5)
A few councilmembers in San Jose want the city to institute a ban on the sale of menthol cigarettes. (Photo by Raul Lieberwirth, via Flickr)
First came a ban on smoking in public places; now local lawmakers are targeting a particular style of cigarettes. Seeing that menthol smokes are so popular with youngsters, especially minorities, several city officials want to support a Food and Drug Administration resolution that proposes banning the sale of menthol cigarettes. The motion brought by councilmembers Kansen Chu, Ash Kalra and Xavier Campos goes before the Rules and Open Government Committee Wednesday.
Making Politics Work for Public Education
Feb 19, 2013 by Joseph DiSalvo Politics, Business, Culture Comments (0)
Studies show that reaching kids at an early age pays big dividends in performance later in school. (Photo by j.sanna, via Flickr)
Someone asked me last week if there are underreported stories about public education in the Bay Area. Absolutely there are. People and ideas are converging in Silicon Valley, and they have the potential to alter the landscape of schools and learning.
San Jose Unified School District Votes to Sue County Office of Education
Feb 18, 2013 by Jennifer Wadsworth Politics, Culture Comments (4)
This property located near the Tamien Caltrain station is the source of a lawsuit that San Jose Unified School District trustees unanimously voted to file against the Santa Clara County Office of Education.
San Jose’s largest school district will sue the Santa Clara County Office of Education over an allegedly illegal land-use exemption to pave the way for a private charter school. The San Jose Unified School District Board of Trustees last week unanimously voted to sue the county office because it granted a zoning exemption to build the eighth Rocketship charter in the region.
Enjoy Presidents’ Day, Even if You Have to Work on George Washington’s Birthday
Feb 18, 2013 by Silicon Valley Newsroom Politics, Culture Comments (0)
The “Apotheosis of Washington” can be found in the eye of the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol. Washington’s birthday is recognized as a federal holiday but many now refer to it as Presidents’ Day. (Photo by Architect of the Capitol, via Wikimedia Commons)
Once again it’s Presidents’ Day, or George Washington’s birthday if you yet again want to be that guy. Most city, county, state and federal workers have the day off from work, but we’ll still have a couple stories before calling it a holiday.—Editor
Yes, Don Rocha is Still a Male Model
Feb 15, 2013 by Josh Koehn Politics, Business, Culture Comments (6)
Before Don Rocha became a San Jose councilman, the District 9 rep did a little modeling on the side. We assumed those days were done. We were wrong.
Mayor Reed Not Interested in Yeager’s ‘Deal’ on Healthy Kids Funding
Feb 15, 2013 by Josh Koehn Politics, Business, Culture Comments (6)
Mayor Chuck Reed said he supports the Santa Clara Healthy Kids Program, but it’s time to cut the cord on funding now that the county has more money through Measure A.
Call it a preemptive strike but Ken Yeager deserves a little credit for trying to get something while knowing he’d probably get nothing. Last week, the president of the county Board of Supervisors sent a letter to San Jose Mayor, Vice Mayor Madison Nguyen and the City Council proposing a deal on how to continue funding the Santa Clara Healthy Kids Program. There’s just one problem. San Jose is broke and has no interest in giving another dime now that the county got Measure A passed.
Leaders of the New School: Local Hip-Hop Figures Offer Alternatives to Gangs, Drugs
Feb 14, 2013 by Jennifer Wadsworth Culture Comments (0)
Local hip-hop figures Demone Carter and Bobbi Vie founded Future Arts Now as a way to engage youth in creative ways so teens make an active choice to avoid gangs and drugs. The pair have also organized a breakdancing competition Saturday night at the Edenvale Community Center.
The ground: an unavoidable, unforgiving medium in the art of breakdancing. It bruises and cuts a dancer’s hands. Experience forms callouses. So, when world-renowned breaker and San Jose native Raymond “NastyRay” Mora set out to photograph some of the world’s top breakdancers (B-boys), he focused on their hands. The resulting gallery goes on display Friday night in San Jose, and a corresponding breakdancing competition will take place Saturday at Edenvale Community Center.
Councilmember Khamis Says Illness Stopped Him from Voting on Prop 8 Brief
Feb 13, 2013 by Jennifer Wadsworth Politics, Culture Comments (14)
Councilmember Johnny Khamis says he missed Tuesday’s City Council vote on a brief supporting same-sex marriage because he was ill.
Johnny Khamis’ sudden exit before a City Council vote that will include the city of San Jose in an amicus brief supporting same-sex marriage had nothing to do with his conservative views, the councilmember insists.
POA Wants What’s Best for Members; Helps Facilitate SJPD Exodus
Feb 13, 2013 by The Fly Politics, Business, Culture, The Fly Comments (143)
The Austin Police Department sent recruiters to the headquarters of San Jose’s police union on Tuesday.
San Jose’s police union leadership says it wants what’s best for its members. But how many members will be left if the Police Officer Association keeps on hosting other departments’ recruiters in its headquarters? In an ad in Sunday’s Mercury News, the Austin Police Department announced it was hosting two recruiting sessions in San Jose. After stopping by The National Hispanic University on Tuesday morning, the Texans moseyed over to the POA shop to hold court for three afternoon hours.
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