Growing up in San Jose, Councilmember Raul Peralez found himself sitting on a curb while police searched his car — dozens of times. His crime? Driving slowly in his forest green 1965 Impala Super Sport lowrider as a person of color. “I was often told (by officers) that because of the car I drove, the...
New report paints grim picture of downtown San Jose
A new analysis shows downtown San Jose is reeling economically from the pandemic – more than its neighboring suburbs. According to the report, presented at a council committee Monday, the downtown’s recovery has been grim and economically lagging because many of its driving forces, including commercial projects and events, have not returned to pre-pandemic levels....
San Jose native opens doors for immigrant entrepreneurs
Yacanex Posadas grew up mostly on the north side of San Jose. He worked multiple jobs at a young age to help his family, who told him everyone can use a hand. “My dad always taught me about standing up for the little guy,” Posadas said. “My grandma always used to say, be the voice...
San Jose Vietnamese service center gets infusion of funding
Santa Clara County has renewed its commitment to address the health care gap among its Vietnamese residents. The Board of Supervisors last week unanimously voted to dole out nearly $1 million to hire more Vietnamese American Service Center workers and help a nonprofit implement a mental health program targeting Vietnamese seniors in East San Jose. The majority...
San Jose nonprofit makes offer to buy Cesar Chavez’s house
The home of one of San Jose’s greatest activists may become open to the public, depending on a pending purchase. Nonprofit Amigos de Guadalupe, with the city’s help, put in an offer this week to purchase the family home of Cesar Chavez, a historical landmark in East San Jose at 53 Scharff Ave. The city...
The Biz Beat: San Jose’s Holy Cannoli is a heavenly experience
The name “Holy Cannoli” is more than apt for a café and bakery in downtown San Jose: the eatery’s cream is as light as a cloud in Heaven. The thin, crisp shell gives the dessert some crunch, but the ethereal cream is a miracle of sweetness with a smooth rich texture. With two sizes, nine...
Downtown San Jose residents renew special property district
Property owners in downtown San Jose are saying yes to more taxes over the next 10 years. Nearly 89% of residents and businesses in a special district have voted in favor of renewing the downtown property-based improvement district (PBID) tax. Collected funds contribute to services such as cleaning, security and business development. The tax ranges...
Hot classroom sign of bigger issue in East San Jose
An East San Jose classroom reaching nearly 90 degrees—and a deafening silence from administrators to keep it in working order—is the latest example of underinvestment and inequities in one of the city’s most vulnerable neighborhoods. A classroom at Renaissance Academy at Fischer Middle School, located at 1720 Hopkins Drive in San Jose, became unbearable this past...
A new high school is coming to downtown San Jose
A Los Gatos high school is expanding into downtown San Jose, breathing new life into two historic buildings. Hillbrook School, an 87-year-old private school, is leasing the Moir Building, located at 227 N. First Street, and San Jose Armory, located at 240 N. Second Street, for at least 25 years. The move allows the Junior...
San Jose’s Breeze installation may change locations
For more than a year, San Jose residents have awaited news on a proposed downtown landmark on public park land. The latest update has the location shifting to a more urban environment. In a presentation to the city’s Neighborhood Services and Education Committee last week, Nicolle Burnham, deputy director of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services,...