San Jose Inside

Where would our South Bay community be without the philanthropy of David Packard, son of the late Silicon Valley giant? I asked myself that question yet again last Sunday after attending a screening of the 1920 silent film, “The Mark of Zorro,” with expertly assembled and performed live organ accompaniment by Dennis James (always great) at the California Theatre. The film was preserved and the showing was supported by the Packard Humanities Institute; the theater was completed and the vintage Wurlitzer organ rebuilt with funds from the same foundation. Indeed, it is doubtful whether the restoration of the California Theatre, home to Symphony Silicon Valley and the San Jose Opera, would have happened at all without Packard.

Between Andrew Bales and Single Gal, it seems that the subject of the week is “whither San Jose’s cultural scene.”  But, before that, the swearing in of our new mayor deserves a big mention.  Chuck Reed’s big event was just what you would expect of it: solid, dignified, hopeful.  From the casual and friendly manner of Mayor Reed, his wife Paula and his staff, to the impressive administration of the oath by a genuine hero—his daughter, Air Force Major Kim Campbell—it was just the antidote to a dismal recent municipal history. A good time was had by all.

Yesterday’s excellent guest column by Andrew Bales reminded me of when I was having lunch with my uncle the other day and how we got onto the topic of culture in San Jose.  We talked about the theatre, opera, symphony and ballet, and how all of these various local arts groups have had a difficult time sustaining themselves in San Jose.

This week, a speaker at the Rotary Club noted that we all have to be prepared to do everything differently.  The world is moving on and everything we thought right once is likely to be passed over by other advances.  Long ago, there was a musical entitled “Stop the World, I Want to Get Off.”  The title seems apt now. 

Millions Flock to “Charlotte’s Web” to See Supernatural Occurrence

San Jose was hit with a much-needed Christmas miracle this season that has sent millions of visitors, tourists, and skeptical gawkers into downtown with their spin-off dollars landing in happy restaurants and welcoming hotels.

Like just about everyone else, I am glad that we have a new regime at City Hall in the mayor’s office and on the council. However, in the euphoria of the demise of the old and arrival of the new, we shouldn’t forget one of the biggest accomplishments of the past few years: the Dr, Martin Luther King, Jr. Library joint venture between the city and San Jose State University and the process that is creating the new and vastly improved San Jose library system. This is a legacy worth celebrating.

If our new mayor brings his efforts to bear on three areas of municipal government in the New Year—ethics, development and the budget, and our downtown—the citizens of our city will be very well served. 

In honor of the New Year, I thought I would come up with New Year’s resolutions for other people since setting them for myself has proven to be as successful as the Pavilion Shops. So, here is what I envision that a few select people should vow to change in 2007.

We are taking a few days off to enjoy ourselves with family and friends and hope you are doing the same. In the meantime, we are inviting you to participate in a weeklong, year-end roundup of your favorite, best, worst and most important events, people and places of 2006. Scroll down and you will find an assortment of subjects to blog on. Or, use this thread to write about anything you like or tell us what you think about San Jose Inside. But, by all means, have fun with it!

Single Gal will return from her holiday party circuit on January 2, followed by the rest of us on our usual days—maybe a little red-eyed and worse for wear, but raring to go for the New Year.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Single Gal, Tom McEnery, Jack Van Zandt, John McEnery IV, Riya Reynolds, and the staff of San Jose Inside.

OK, we all agree that the 2006 local election was the most important political event of the year. But after that, none of us can agree on anything in the “top,” “best” or “worst” categories. We even asked our larger-than-life friend and bar buddy Bill Brasky what he thought, but we can’t print anything he said.

We thought it would be nice to remember those who passed away in 2006. There is also room here to remember personas, places and things, including the politically dead. We have open minds, so use this space as you see fit, but with respect.

Oh, this is really going to be fun. You get to name your own category and winner. What could be better than that?

With all the local sports action this year, it’s hard to pick a favorite event or most important story. Even after a few pints at O’Flaherty’s, our merry little group of writers couldn’t agree on a single thing (nothing new there), so we put the following short list together to get the ball rolling. We have told you ours, now you tell us yours.

“If I Misappropriated Public Funds”—A Hypothetical Conspiracy Confession

The embattled former book publisher, Judith Regan, has been rehired by Harper Collins to publish outgoing mayor Ron Gonzales’s hypothetical conspiracy confession, “If I Misappropriated Public Funds.”