The A's May Have Just Moved One Step Closer to San Jose

People leaving the city council meeting tonight

Tonight I attended a city council meeting during which the council voted to certify the environmental impact report concerning a major league baseball stadium in downtown San Jose.  I have been an A's fan for about 28 years, ever since my oldest daughter started earning A's tickets by reading books for the A's reading incentive program.  Tonight the council heard many people speak on concerns about noise, parking, traffic and more.  But the council never lost sight of the immeasurable positive impact a major league baseball team can have on a city.  Go A's! 

What a Difference 7 Years Makes

This weekend marks the 7th anniversary of my move to downtown San Jose.  I remember that weekend 7 years ago well, with all the wonderful friends and family who helped me move and offered words of encouragement (even if forced at times) and tried not show their horror at what I had taken on. Cinco de Mayo celebrations were in full swing and every car, house and person (it seemed) sported a Mexican flag.  There was music and the happy sounds of family gatherings everywhere and the air was filled with wonderful smells of barbeque and home cooking.  My neighbors came over with plates of delicious fresh food to welcome me. Today I spent the day in the Santa Cruz mountains and as I rode back into town I could tell from the helicopters overhead that the immigration reform march must have started.  I headed over to Santa Clara Street and was struck by the different tone and appearance of today's march from the marches in the past.

 Today there were mostly American flags sending a clear message: "We ARE Americans."  The crowd had a focused message "Reform Now!"

This country has shown itself to be capable of great things, enormous generosity, bravery, creativity, ingenuity and resourcefulness.  We are big enough and good enough to tackle this issue and make America work for all its people.

Speed City - Catch it While You Can

Back in the sixties, long before steroid use and high tech training equipment, before high performance footwear or even adequate nutrition, there were these  athletes at San Jose State that were just straight up gifted and talented.  Two of these athletes, Tommie Smith and John Carlos, won the gold and bronze medals (respectively) for the 200m at the '68 Olympics in Mexico City.  When they took the platform and raised theirs fists to the world, many of us were shocked and awestruck and regarded it as an act of unimaginable self-sacrifice and courage.  An exhibit called "Speed City" is now on display in the wing behind the rotunda at San Jose City Hall.  The exhibit pays tribute to the talented minority athletes who trained at San Jose State from the early 50's to the late 60's.  The photos and artifacts tell a story of remarkable athletic feats and political activism in an atmosphere that did not embrace these athletes or give them the recognition they deserved.  I urge you to go see the "Speed City" exhibit on display now.  At the end of the exhibit you will see directions on how to walk over to the sculpture (at nearby San Jose State University) which commemorates Tommie Smith's and John Carlos' black power salute.

Oh Happy Day!

This is not a political blog but I just have to say that when I woke up this morning, inauguration day 2009, it felt like Christmas.  The feeling continued throughout the day. As I was walking my dog I encountered this fabulous Obama display in a neighbor's yard. People honked and hollered when they saw my "Yes we can" messenger bag on my back as I rode to work. People smiled when they saw my inauguration T-shirt and my students sat captivated by the swearing in of their new president.  All day long I saw hope and joy on faces.  The part of Obama's inaugural speech that spoke to me was "the God-given promise that we all are equal, all are free and all deserve to pursue their full measure of happiness."  I interpreted that to mean he intends this to be a government and a people of inclusiveness.  Obama has challenged us to be engaged and involved in  making our community better. Hallelujah, let's do it!