JAMES LICK HOMECOMING UNDER THE LIGHTS

Nice cool autumn evening, a sprinkle of rain and friends all around celebrating the Green and White on the football field. James Lick High School's homecoming football
game against San Jose High was a well attended, fun community event. Lick has been through a lot of changes over the years, but it's still good ol' Jimmy Lick to many of us. I took my three kids to the game tonight and we had a great time hanging out with friends and watching some very good and competitive football. Despite the Comets losing the game, James Lick has a very good team this year and they are fun to watch. I left in the fourth quarter to get my 7 year old home and in bed to rest him up for soccer Saturday morning.

The Homecoming festivities were fun to watch, including the crowning of the homecoming queen, Melody Gonzales. I got a chance to talk to Melody and her mom (also a former Comet). Coincidentally, Melody wishes to pursue studies in Journalism upon graduation. I invited her to be a student correspondent for The Neighborhood View. I hope she takes me up on that. It would be a good training ground for her or anyone since traditional journalism jobs are converging into digital media.

Halftime also included a chance for all JL alums to get together for a group photo. That was a fun moment. Here we were, a lot of middle age men and women rubbing elbows next to cheerleaders from the class of 2007. It was cool, we all had something in common, the James Lick connection. We are all still true to our school. After the tragic events of the past week here on the East Side, it was nice to be able to get out and enjoy a nice event with the family.

CANDLELIGHT VIGIL CALLS FOR PEACE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

About 100 people gathered at Story and King....watch the video.

CITY REACTS TO SURGE IN GANG VIOLENCE

There have been 3 major incidents of gang violence in San Jose over the past week, with two of them happening on the East Side.
Two boys, ages 12 and 13 were shot and stabbed while trick or treating near Story and Hopkins on Halloween night. Four suspects have been arrested.
A woman was shot while driving at Hwy 87 and 280.
And a 20 year old man was shot and killed on White Road at Warm Springs.

Thursday night, there will be a candlelight vigil for the victims of gang violence at Story and King with a march to the intersection of Hopkins. Police are planning for what may be a spike in violence due to retaliation.

For more on what's been happening, including my own video coverage on CBS 5 click on the link:

http://cbs5.com/local/sj.halloween.attack.2.1292949.html