San Jose Inside

Let’s get back to the man in charge of change—A.P. “Dutch” Hamann.  He graduated from the University of Santa Clara during the early stages of the great depression.  Although his name was Anthony P. Hamann, everyone I’ve ever known called him “Dutch,” a nickname derived from his German heritage.  Dutch was the alumni director of the University when I first knew him prior to World War II.  When the war broke out, Santa Clara became practically deserted as the priests, students, faculty and administrators were called to military duty.  Dutch joined the Navy where he rose to the rank of Lt. Commander.  After the war he returned to Santa Clara as business manager, but after a few years he left to join General Motors as division manager in Oakland. 

Like the city planning document in “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Universe” that was kept in a locked basement and guarded by a leopard, some monuments in San Jose are hard to get at—or find. Within a half-mile radius of Plaza de Cesar E. Chavez Park is a giant bronze rendition of Tony Ridder’s running shoes, a statue of William McKinley, a memorial forum honoring Robert F. Kennedy, the actual cornerstone of the 1887 San Jose City Hall, and a Brobdingnagian statue of Thomas Fallon and the horse he rode in on.

Did you ever buy a lopsided donut, one with a handle on it, and discover that it was the best donut you ever ate in your life?  If you bought your sinker at Lou’s Living Donut Museum, you are in for a real treat.  Lou’s is one of those hidden gems of old San Jose—not the kind you find in every shopping center, but a place where quality, friendliness and patriotism prevail.  How many donut shops can you name where the employees raise the American flag and sing the Star Spangled Banner every morning?  How many donut emporiums have their own little theatre where touring school children can see a video on donut making?  How many donut shops have displays of World War II aircraft, pictures and displays of American Independence, such as a copy of the Declaration of Independence, pictures of George Washington and memorabilia of the area?

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.

According to the Fly in Metro, things sometimes aren’t so great either downtown or at Santana Row.  Some downtown club owners feel like they’re the victims of over-zealous enforcement by police.  And Santana Row seems to have been a poor choice for the Italian Family Festa.

By Guest Blogger Carl Guardino

Humility is not a word often associated with Silicon Valley.

But it is a vital word to add to our vocabulary, if we are to revitalize our region.

OK, technically it isn’t a guest blog, but several readers forwarded us an e-mail that he sent out a few weeks back and we thought we’d share it with you.  Enjoy!