Pretty in Pink

I know that Sacramento is known more as the camellia capital of California but San Jose's camellias aren't too shabby either. You will see quite a magnificent display of camellias if you walk or drive through San Jose's Northside (which is approximately the area between Julian and Hedding and N. 6th and N. 17th). Do it now, in January and February, for the best show.

This One is for the Meat Eaters

The attraction of this place is so powerful that even though I don't eat meat, I still love to go here. I have been buying their garlic sausage for family barbeques for years, starting in 1969. Chiaramonte Delicatessen is 100 years old this year and the proprietor assures me they are still using the original family recipes for their sausage. The store is a little more chic than it was in the sixties but the important parts of the enterprise are unchanged. This is a one-stop shopping place for a delicious Italian dinner.

Tofu Again

I promise this will be my last post about tofu. But really, San Jose Tofu is a San Jose treasure. Located at 175 Jackson Street, this family owned business has been making tofu since 1948. The company does one thing and they do it extremely well. When they had a small fire and had to be shut down for several months, MANY people were left in a tofu lurch. There are no packages of tofu sitting around the tiny store. When you walk in they will simply ask "How many?" meaning how many pounds do you want. Always get at least two. Eat one pound right away with soy sauce, a little sesame oil and green onions and use the other in a stir-fry dish. It has a spongy texture and a slightly fermented taste. To avoid having to take home styrofoam and plastic, bring your own container.

Riding in the Rain and Loving Light Rail

When I first began riding to work I figured I'd be a fair-weather rider. I planned to take the car during rainy or any other weather extreme. But then one day on the way home from work I got caught in the rain and I didn't mind it at all. The key to being comfortable the rest of the day is to wear pants that dry quickly, not jeans. As for cold, the coldest we have in San Jose would be considered balmy in parts of the country where they have real winters. I protect my ears with a windproof, wool lined headband and I'm perfectly comfortable. And now for a plug for Light Rail. If you live anywhere near a light rail station and/or work near one, you should give it a try. Sixty-one dollars a month buys you a pass that allows you to ride any part of the transportation system as much as you want. The light rail trains are clean and punctual and provide special cars and indoor racks for bikes. The bike ride part of my commute is 10 miles a day and the train ride part is 32 minutes a day. I love it.

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!

Green Waffles!

Look weird, taste great!  As far as I know, Century Bakery at Story and McLaughlin is the only place to get hot-off-the-waffle-iron green waffles in San Jose.  Two is about the right serving size so at $1.25 each you can have yourself a fabulous breakfast (of dubious nutritional value) for $2.50.  Aren't you glad I did the math for  you?  These waffles are made fresh to order, they are super moist, sweet and chewy on the inside and a little crisp on the outside.  There is no need for syrup or butter. For a real indulgence, you can get them with ice cream.

Curb Appeal

In most neighborhoods religious icons only come out at Christmas.  Not so in my neighborhood. Here they are year round fixtures.  Most of the shrines have been here the whole time I've lived downtown but every now and then a new one will appear, much to my delight.  Most have Our Lady of Guadelupe as the central figure but there are plenty with Jesus and Mary  figures and even an occasional Buddha.