San Jose Inside

One of the great perks of my job is that I’m invited to many wonderful charitable events. But if you put me on the spot and asked me which one is my favorite, I’d have to say it’s the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame’s annual induction ceremony and dinner. It’ll take place this week on the floor at the lavishly transformed HP Pavilion and, if you’ve never attended, I highly recommend it.

The presence of police downtown is becoming more and more of an issue after the recent shootings.  Most people who live or work in central San Jose consider the presence of police officers in their neighborhoods to be an unmitigated positive. They are disciplined, courteous, respectful, and a deterrent to unpleasant occurrences—all in all, something that law-abiding citizens desire.

Whatever you’d like to discuss.

I have found the perfect place in San Jose for well-dressed, professional, hip people to congregate - a Sharks game!  Ladies, take that money you are paying to Match.com and buy some club-level Sharks tickets instead. For your benefit, here is a breakdown of the gene pool at the Tank:

Limited Time Offer Comes with Two Hours Free Parking

With cruising at an all time high downtown, Conditional Use Permits handed out like penicillin in a whorehouse, and gun battles taking place in front of nightclubs, the downtown business community has responded by implementing an aggressive program that will distribute free Taser stun guns for the defense and safety of those visiting downtown.

For the moment at least, the Norcal documents are being kept under wraps.  Barry Witt reports on the story for the Mercury News, describing how each mayoral candidate voted.  Hint: they weren’t all on the same side.

Last weekend there was a series of shootings downtown. Much of the problem is summed up by the comments of one of the men shot: “It’s part of the bargain,” said bouncer Noel “Jaws” Chavez.  Well, the bargain is now costing far too much.

By Guest Blogger Jerry Estruth

Ross Perot would be surprised to know that the great sucking sound he’s hearing is not being caused by NAFTA but by the Great Power Vacuum that has created what I call the Black Hole of City Hall.

Los Gatos, known for its Range Rovers and boutiques, has become a staple for the Single Gal and her friends. Recently, I went to the 180 Lounge, and when I walked in, I was stunned. Was this actually the old Los Gatos Bar and Grill?  Where were those drunk guys from high school that I used to hide from? Instead, there was smoky glass, bamboo, lounge chairs, dim lighting, and a woman in a box.

Outsourcing to India Will Privatize and Streamline Process

In a surprise email that arrived two days late because of a website blackout during the City Hall grand opening, department heads were informed that the issuing of all city building permits was to be outsourced and moved overseas to India.

Glennda Chui of the Mercury News reminds us that it’s best for cities to stick together to prepared in case of an emergency.  According to the Merc, Dave Pandori may be preparing to enter the Mayor’s race.

In the last election there were 153 congressional and legislative districts on the ballot. The results were 153-0 in favor of the incumbent Democrat or Republican. This was certainly not the system that our founders had in mind. As John McCain has said, “You have more of a chance of being replaced in the Politburo in Havana than the United States Congress.”

By Guest Blogger Rich Robinson

Why do local politicians run for office?  It is a thankless job.  Mediocre pay, high stress, long hours and a seemingly ungrateful constituency combine to make a job at NorCal picking-up garbage seem uncommonly pleasant.

OK, I am sorry!  I take it all back!  What did I mean when I said that downtown has cool places to go and no one to go there?  After the Sharks game on Saturday night, some friends and I decided to go out downtown for some drinks.  One friend said he wanted a place where we could sit down, talk and have a cocktail - not a place with loud music and shouting.  (I swear, he’s not 80).  So we decided to head to The Loft, a new, hip restaurant/bar on Second Street.  But as they say, getting there is half the adventure.  I have never seen more cars on Santa Clara Street in my life.  It was a parking lot. But the question that kept reverberating in my head was “Where are these people going?”

Art, Antiques, and Yu-Gi-Oh Cards Found in Break Room

Just days after councilwoman Nora Campos’ chief of staff turned herself in to authorities in connection with the disappearance of a briefcase, FBI agents made a routine inspection of all city hall offices and found several million dollars worth of stolen booty.