On Dec. 4, the City of San Jose will unveil a commemorative bronze plaque at City Hall above the footprint of a house which once stood on South Fifth Street where band members played their very first notes as the Grateful Dead.

Last month’s retirement by longtime Mercury News columnist Scott Herhold marked yet another departure for the daily paper of record.

More local media cuts occurred last week, as the Mercury News not only eliminated its copy desk but also bought out several veteran journalists.

Santa Clara Mayor Jamie L. Matthews announced his retirement—only a day after his city played host to Super Bowl 50.

Hard to believe that the Mercury News would provide space on its front page (let alone any page) to cover the annual spectacle that is the Nathan’s hot-dog eating contest.  Why would anyone have even the slightest interest in such an exhibition of gluttony?  Unfortunately for us, San Jose gets its name attached to the madness, as the “winner” of the event, Joey “Jaws” Chestnut, lives in San Jose.  Why would anyone celebrate this guy?  Is there any way that we can distance ourselves from Mr. Chestnut?