San Jose officials have narrowed down the list of candidates to temporarily fill the vacant downtown seat on the City Council from 11 to five. Councilmembers will interview Bob Staedler, Jahmal Williams, Danielle Marie Christian, Carl Eugene Salas and Baltazar Lopez on Jan. 28 before appointing one of them to fill the District 3 seat....
Short-lived downtown San Jose eatery, music venue closes
Mama Kin, known for its live music and good eats, is closing after about two years in downtown San Jose. The restaurant, which offered Cajun appetizers and entrees along with craft cocktails named for dead rock and jazz stars, announced the closure in an Instagram post on Monday. The post garnered more than 2,000 likes and...
Here’s who’s running for San Jose City Council District 3
The deadline has passed for candidates to enter the race to replace disgraced former District 3 San Jose Councilmember Omar Torres – and several notable names are on the ballot. Seven people — including past candidates, City Hall employees and well-known community organizers — have qualified to run for the open San Jose City Council...
San Jose candidate catches flak for recent move into district
One prominent community leader’s bid for the open District 3 San Jose City Council seat is raising eyebrows — and questions about her commitment to the neighborhood. Gabby Chavez-Lopez, executive director of Latina Coalition of Silicon Valley, moved back into a family home in the historic downtown Hensley neighborhood on Nov. 16, just 11 days...
San Jose D3 candidates raise funds for special election
Candidates in the upcoming special election to represent San Jose’s downtown core are sharing early fundraising numbers as the deadline to apply for the race comes to a close. Matthew Quevedo, deputy chief of staff for Mayor Matt Mahan, said his campaign raised more than $121,000 by year’s end — the most cash raised by a...
San Jose mayor backs deputy chief of staff for District 3
A high-ranking official in the San Jose mayor’s office has plans to run for City Council — and he’s got his boss’s backing. Mayor Matt Mahan stood in support of Matthew Quevedo, his deputy chief of staff, as he announced his candidacy for the open District 3 seat on Friday at St. James Park. A few dozen supporters...
Google gives San Jose $5M for community benefits
San Jose has received another infusion of cash from Google, adding to the community benefits pot. The San Jose City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a $5 million payment from the tech company as part of its community benefits agreement in the Downtown West project. About $4.25 million will be put into the Community Stabilization...
New luxury apartments could boost downtown San Jose
Business and city leaders are touting the recent opening of a 23-story apartment building as a major win in the effort to bring more people into downtown San Jose. Representatives of Boston-based developer Morro, San Jose Downtown Association leaders and Mayor Matt Mahan earlier this month celebrated the opening of The Fay at 10 E....
Downtown San Jose’s Capital Club is closing
The legendary Capital Club is saying adieu to Silicon Valley. The exclusive club that drew the who’s who of San Jose to network, party and plan the city’s future will close its doors on New Year’s Eve. The 34-year-old club announced the closure on Tuesday in a letter to its members, explaining the decision “reflects...
San Jose holiday tradition needs the spirit of giving to stay afloat
Dozens of people crowd around hundreds of trees wearing Santa hats and reindeer antlers, hanging ornaments and laughing. San Jose’s beloved Christmas in the Park is about to enchant Plaza de Cesar Chavez. This year, the nonprofit that brings the holiday joy is asking people to pull out their wallets to fill a six-figure gap...