tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190537932024-03-13T03:16:16.113-07:00THE NEIGHBORHOOD VIEWSome of what's happening in San Jose's beautiful Alum Rock and East Foothills neighborhoodsLen Ramirezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10273486717730386834noreply@blogger.comBlogger151125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19053793.post-37564673562876981382010-02-04T09:22:00.001-08:002010-02-04T09:22:58.381-08:00EASTRIDGE LITTLE LEAGUERS GET FIELD OF DREAMSOn January 19, 2010, KNBR 680/1050 AM Radio and O.C. Jones & Sons, Inc. announced the winner of the TLC for Kids Ballparks Contest as the Eastridge Little League Field in San Jose.Berkeley, California, February 2, 2010 ? San Jose children will have a brand new ballfield this season, thanks to a local construction company with a long history and a big heart. O.C. Jones & Sons, Inc., a Berkeley-based construction firm, partnered with KNBR 680/1050 Am Radio to select a local ballfield to be renovated, and the lucky winner is the Eastridge Little League Field in San Jose.Jerry N. Soriano, Eastridge Little League President for the 2010 Season, is amazed that Eastridge was selected as the winner. He feels ??a sense of real pride and appreciation underscored by a sense of disbelief and surprise.?O.C. Jones will renovate a currently substandard field that will allow Eastridge to field softball teams and younger boys? teams. The work will consist of complete removal and reconstruction of the existing field, new irrigation, sod, infield, and associated work. O.C. Jones will also address the needs of the dugouts, fences, bleachers, backstop, etc. and regrade an adjacent unused lot to create a warm-up and practice area.This effort began in October, when it was announced that O.C. Jones would sponsor the TLC for Kids Ballparks contest through KNBR as a demonstration of its commitment to local neighborhoods and an interest in improving the area where its employees work and live.Entrants submitted an essay and photos to nominate their community ballpark or field. Each month, finalists were selected and announced. On January 19, 2010, KNBR and O.C. Jones announced the winner of the TLC for Kids Ballparks Contest as the Eastridge Little League Field in San Jose.Kelly Kolander, President and CEO of O.C. Jones, is eager for the work to begin. ?Sponsoring the TLC for Kids Ballparks has been a way for all of us at O.C. Jones to give back. Our employees are also getting involved with the project, recognizing that there is always a way to help others in our local community.?Eastridge Little League is comprised of both girls softball and boys baseball, from T-Ball through Majors. Participants, which range in age from 4 to 18, are primarily from working class Hispanic-American families. More than 240 children are expected to play in Eastridge Little League this year.Eastridge is self sufficient for its seasonal needs and raises funds through registration fees, concessions, fund raisers, sponsorships, donations, and grants. Their projected revenue and expense for this year is over $30,000, but field access and maintenance is always a challenge. Eastridge must apply to reserve use of city parks and elementary and high school fields for baseball practice, as well as secure local fields for scheduled games during the season.T-Ball and little league girls softball players will benefit the most because they get exclusive use of the field, before other league participants. The children will be playing on a safer infield, reducing the potential for injury. The children will also have a renewed sense of pride playing on their new field, knowing that someone took the time to give them something and see them succeed. Also, the league will have its own softball field, reducing the need to rent city parks and elementary and high school fields.Frank Navarro, Eastridge Little League Secretary/Information Officer, shares his reaction, "To see the league get such a great opportunity is something that really strikes close to home. My family has been involved in Eastridge Little League for over 30 years. My stepfather and his two brothers played here. My brother and all of my cousins have played here. My stepfather, his father, one of his brothers, a cousin of mine and I either are coaching or have coached in the league. Eastridge Little League has many families that have been with our league for decades. Ninety percent of our board has been with Eastridge for at least 20 years."Weather permitting, O.C. Jones will begin work within the next couple of weeks, and plan to be finished by mid-March so Eastridge will be able to use the field for Opening Day. More details will be forthcoming regarding the Opening Day Celebration.To see the announcement and photos of the field, visit the radio station's website, <a href="https://webmail.cbs.com/owa/redir.aspx?C=c28e4c44b4f2405598f75fb9cd41a4c7&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.knbr.com" target="_blank">www.knbr.com</a>, then scroll down and click on the TLC for Ballparks tab. To hear recordings of the actual radio spots, go to <a href="https://webmail.cbs.com/owa/redir.aspx?C=c28e4c44b4f2405598f75fb9cd41a4c7&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.ocjones.com" target="_blank">www.ocjones.com</a> and click on ?Contest Winner Eastridge Little League Field?.ABOUT O.C. Jones & Sons, Inc. - O. C. Jones & Sons, Inc. traces its start to 1924, when Olin Clement Jones founded a small concrete placing firm in Berkeley, California. Olin specialized in transporting and placing a new product, later to be known as ready-mixed concrete. Following WW II, Olin was joined by his sons, Harold and Robert, and the company expanded into new work disciplines and increased its geographical reach. Today, O.C. Jones specializes in public and private heavy civil work, focusing on paving, grading, and underground. Satellite offices encircle the greater Bay Area in Santa Clara, Santa Rosa, Vallejo, and Oakland, enabling us to build major highways, airport runways, athletic fields, and large-scale site developments.O.C. Jones has successfully completed numerous athletic field projects, including San Jose State University Spartan Stadium, Santa Rosa Junior College, Foothill College, DeAnza College, Crocker Amazon Fields (San Francisco), Stanford University, Tak Fudenna Memorial Stadium, Palo Alto and Gunn High Schools, and many other high schools and middle schools.Len Ramirezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10273486717730386834noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19053793.post-40129159171708533992010-01-23T12:50:00.000-08:002010-01-23T16:58:04.558-08:00CELL PHONE SURVIVES STORMS, WILD RIDE ON NEWSVAN<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRXMNg_CWXhXMmq7VXODkkiTighyphenhyphenillIEiWTzsCAYxB61yb7IKL5Siv1dzomDKH1go7XehUFMzf6XCURadjrI39ejKfhM08eYm6RUvMGR5BvdUdlYAnSOB6tatC3XepmDcA2mb/s1600-h/P1000317.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430098610305556546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRXMNg_CWXhXMmq7VXODkkiTighyphenhyphenillIEiWTzsCAYxB61yb7IKL5Siv1dzomDKH1go7XehUFMzf6XCURadjrI39ejKfhM08eYm6RUvMGR5BvdUdlYAnSOB6tatC3XepmDcA2mb/s400/P1000317.JPG" /></a> <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPB_1i6FaOSCNgpmMqfnokCZmG3EFspZoJTR0qU2jY42kmL2ZAgLq0318CCxce3qxUvcDM_hdNSLI8n2gNtoL-nfhEUjXaDe2F4X4MncYWKvKzcAHEM_LYcNTzVAi3Csvqpu7/s1600-h/IMAGE_666.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDChUmrCs5bQGYN7CsEJir1Xe6bOZLn92ZY2wdSOuNrFvn4nhiLhzOlveJho9fh5uNJ5XbJeU18u25fpVVzYERlDPYjetcwENZY0KLxQBmqvEdAn9P-Zg_TDtfrJ_kqxT0HJEx/s1600-h/P1000317.JPG"></a>Sometimes we take things for granted with our technology gadgets, especially after they've given us years of reliable service. Such was the case with my nearly 3 year old T-Mobile Wing, which I bought in May of 2007. The phone has been flat out fantastic with contacts, maps, and even as a backup live TV monitor with my Slingbox. It has been reliable and durable, but I forgot how good it was until I almost lost it recently.<br />I am a TV News Reporter for CBS 5 covering San Jose/Silicon Valley and for the last week, we've been covering the powerful storms that have been hitting our area. Thursday night, I was about to do a live shot in a rainy downtown San Jose for the 6pm news. A few minutes before air (I was the lead story) my cameraman, Bob, noticed that my phone was causing interference with my wireless mic. I unhooked it from my belt and and placed it on the hood of our live van near the windshield to do my report. It was still in its holster (which does not cover the device completely since it's built with several large openings for the USB and whatever). You know of course where this is heading. As soon as my liveshot was over, I went home, tired and happy to be finished for the night, but leaving my device on the hood of the news van. </div><div>The next morning, Bob called. "You missing something?" were the first words he said and I instantly knew that my phone was gone. Bob explained that when he went out for work that morning, the phone was still on his hood. It had somehow stayed in place during the ride from downtown San Jose to Bob's home in Fremont. "I'll give it an A for grippiness." It was the only thing I could say, feeling stupid and irresponsible. While I was amazed the phone had stayed in place, I just knew it had to be dead. If swerving, curving 65 mile-per-hour speeds didn't kill it, raindrops, freeway muck, and a freezing night of drizzle surely would. Bob said it was soaked and the screen was black. It seemed to confirm my worst fears and I began to think of which new device I would be getting to replace it: Touch Pro 2 or wait for the HD2 with Windows Mobile 7? I admit I was a little thrilled at the thought of getting something new, but I was also sad that I let my reliable workhorse die a undignified, senseless death.<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-T4QaiIjfsu0w7iGl0qGDDzqmc2EOn_-jLBhSjbXnjG32zUejwXyptT9ZSQDE5MpRrWx1aCg_208KlXwOLn0wA9vc4l7H1ma0wQqBKai_6CG0qGm-nzk2icVV8xia0CZHOfw/s1600-h/IMAGE_666.jpg"></a><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 225px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430096703681023506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHtQfV-7qiMdUmf7jhNUoomrGOMkJ5mZHuz_H7MpjFedoFKHjEBMcQGXrDH-ZNnPQ-Nql7LAkKdNkC9izyVtyVSTL7nq5LSgZ2auiThJUPcWmt56gTg4XViFubclGqC7gBWte_/s400/IMAGE_666-2.jpg" /> <span style="font-size:78%;">True story about what can happen when we put a phone down on the hood of a vehicle. We've all done it, but this phone came back from a near certain death to snap it's own survival photo.</span><br /><br />Bob said he would hand the phone off to another cameraman, Don, who was headed to the South Bay that day and could drop it off. At about 6pm on Friday, my phone arrived, still feeling damp to the touch. Another cameraman Vince and I were working on a story about Tesla in Menlo Park. There in the parking lot of a company that builds cars that are powered by lithium ion batteries, I cautiously turned my Wing on, hoping its own power system would some how work a miracle.<br />And it did!<br />The phone fired up immediately, and still had 28% of it's battery left. First the T-Mobile screen, then Windows Mobile booted. I smiled and showed it around to Don and Vince, who were also amazed, asking again "You left this on the hood?" "Yeah, and it spent the night in the rain" I added, still unsure of how it all happened. I quickly opened the camera app and snapped a re-enactment photo of where I left the camera and case the previous night. Everything on the phone worked perfectly. Vince said "I don't think an iPhone would have made it" and he's probably right. The Wing has a rubberized coating that I'm sure helped keep the water out. Even though the outside of the phone was wet, the battery compartment was completely dry.<br />I've recently updated the phone with the SPB Mobile Shell interface so this phone feels and acts like a cool, modern device. But not wimpy cool. This phone has proven to be very tough and it seems to have a will to survive whatever its sometimes absent-minded owner throws at it.<br /><div></div>Len Ramirezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10273486717730386834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19053793.post-79411679933156362892009-12-23T12:36:00.000-08:002009-12-23T20:04:13.864-08:00ADVENTURES IN THE SAN JOSE ALPS<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSBHMrPwm0MJHoKwzxEyFJ8_YlIf_pH6WDJ77AwoT6Yo39JgngYVNvVhnaHYWg5bmM1tQInQSVi_QV3OkBySC3NM_v7c_FeYPI1EHAq0wFxA7EOvugrANooEBTX9guqUtbt1jg/s1600-h/IMAGE_632.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418537232024679794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSBHMrPwm0MJHoKwzxEyFJ8_YlIf_pH6WDJ77AwoT6Yo39JgngYVNvVhnaHYWg5bmM1tQInQSVi_QV3OkBySC3NM_v7c_FeYPI1EHAq0wFxA7EOvugrANooEBTX9guqUtbt1jg/s400/IMAGE_632.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ6h5M-vyoA8x5FWhaH8lWnVP20dKYn6qxoz7d6iNeHr4105J-9_DdhC2bc1pdlyeVzTaADCHYxpIUo5RIMMcqLBb7z5-QGSfvie9nV-E-B3waPSfN-PEev9eGS9TAfaqEMXvw/s1600-h/IMAGE_623.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418537074434390114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ6h5M-vyoA8x5FWhaH8lWnVP20dKYn6qxoz7d6iNeHr4105J-9_DdhC2bc1pdlyeVzTaADCHYxpIUo5RIMMcqLBb7z5-QGSfvie9nV-E-B3waPSfN-PEev9eGS9TAfaqEMXvw/s400/IMAGE_623.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_DZIPNPcI3x-4tF9OXP3vEuyoy65xUzenWk6kl8braC_rLKzb7J4WQc7AxbgukFubXGhnX7VYxMBw7XRrqlI94upQxIYuqy60UNgDBsmMzcOHKr1RFHd9823k668L7pA9MDSs/s1600-h/IMAGE_635.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 225px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418536980519290450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_DZIPNPcI3x-4tF9OXP3vEuyoy65xUzenWk6kl8braC_rLKzb7J4WQc7AxbgukFubXGhnX7VYxMBw7XRrqlI94upQxIYuqy60UNgDBsmMzcOHKr1RFHd9823k668L7pA9MDSs/s400/IMAGE_635.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPppcdnQnlQV66d3WWwPT0L2WgT_apKU9NqLL-4SeqryMw7G5FZT-tb2JSFH8mwX_RtJ4xOmEPUzminCvXJzJFQqKhguQFQKQoHu-SB5xiKYz9gczg-5qwTUjc51zCfSFnXsc5/s1600-h/IMAGE_631.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418536893624025346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPppcdnQnlQV66d3WWwPT0L2WgT_apKU9NqLL-4SeqryMw7G5FZT-tb2JSFH8mwX_RtJ4xOmEPUzminCvXJzJFQqKhguQFQKQoHu-SB5xiKYz9gczg-5qwTUjc51zCfSFnXsc5/s400/IMAGE_631.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ocOTRO6ggzWZSV576NaEhB1uurCJOX4ILAdyl36mRpgFIx-TqjeTbh_0lURk9AN2HDWFkPBOsICNg_TKhnGcS4OgLyqI8iZtBpe9j-UczCyvKOVjsNOGntm7mGN2vnqlaD8v/s1600-h/IMAGE_622.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418536776627329842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ocOTRO6ggzWZSV576NaEhB1uurCJOX4ILAdyl36mRpgFIx-TqjeTbh_0lURk9AN2HDWFkPBOsICNg_TKhnGcS4OgLyqI8iZtBpe9j-UczCyvKOVjsNOGntm7mGN2vnqlaD8v/s400/IMAGE_622.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg159I-IOrHo0Io6GmTSxc03qn3vOmuw3Gv8ypHOU3sEBjWBfan5aX4cxUGa3qPW8vwcNRwpPD4AXwKpDoFYSlpOPVgnaFDaT2owMUQM4HDGriH1Ak_dpf6TbQZjI68HhQ-74QU/s1600-h/IMAGE_625.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418536590872929954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg159I-IOrHo0Io6GmTSxc03qn3vOmuw3Gv8ypHOU3sEBjWBfan5aX4cxUGa3qPW8vwcNRwpPD4AXwKpDoFYSlpOPVgnaFDaT2owMUQM4HDGriH1Ak_dpf6TbQZjI68HhQ-74QU/s400/IMAGE_625.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy23pEhSLYIxhJQAYLMui47L2JkVNpG5JJ-Dx6LNcfGwJsgVen3r1MD81toXr_EgRKJ_vFPDUNZdkQi-9Yu-PBTLavP1nVwhYzFFRsFteypYlrgJyl0TFWN1bRw-vWS5NiQwYn/s1600-h/IMAGE_621.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418536500047277330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy23pEhSLYIxhJQAYLMui47L2JkVNpG5JJ-Dx6LNcfGwJsgVen3r1MD81toXr_EgRKJ_vFPDUNZdkQi-9Yu-PBTLavP1nVwhYzFFRsFteypYlrgJyl0TFWN1bRw-vWS5NiQwYn/s400/IMAGE_621.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">It dawned</span> bright and clear the morning after a big storm in San Jose, so we decided to take a hike in Alum Rock Park. We parked near the Youth Science Institute and wandered up the North Rim trail. It was still quite cold and windy in the shady areas of the park, so the added warmth of the sun on that side of the canyon was a welcome bonus. We hiked up to Eagle Rock, enjoying the views of the city as we went. We also got to see a little of the park's wildlife: several hawks silently gliding, rising and falling as they were swept along by the updrafts. We also saw numerous deer including two large bucks. The trails were very quiet but there were a few other hikers and runners around. The kids are finally old enough to climb on Eagle Rock itself. It was a very nice moment, being at the top with the family, enjoying some solitude in a hectic week. This is one of the main reasons we have chosen to live in the East Foothills: the natural beauty of the surrounding hills. So close to the city, yet seemingly so far away. What a treasure.Len Ramirezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10273486717730386834noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19053793.post-69103352191706334332009-11-06T23:54:00.000-08:002009-11-09T14:50:56.744-08:00JAMES LICK HOMECOMING UNDER THE LIGHTS<object width="400" height="225"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=7484284&server=vimeo.com&show_title=0&show_byline=0&show_portrait=0&color=00adef&fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=7484284&server=vimeo.com&show_title=0&show_byline=0&show_portrait=0&color=00adef&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="225"></embed></object><br />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<br />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 <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT0RZEGajv1j4HGBb9tYvXPVkzeFqAt0Nc5oXX1OVhfPBg2aTGzNAatPPQHXocY0LixZeXXCazIxBTfZlBviMIKXtt46UhyphenhyphenQWwRXlwCQ0O7kWmz15AFoiwjdrrT8KbEjK2uYua/s1600-h/P1000075.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 213px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401269519671473410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT0RZEGajv1j4HGBb9tYvXPVkzeFqAt0Nc5oXX1OVhfPBg2aTGzNAatPPQHXocY0LixZeXXCazIxBTfZlBviMIKXtt46UhyphenhyphenQWwRXlwCQ0O7kWmz15AFoiwjdrrT8KbEjK2uYua/s320/P1000075.JPG" /></a>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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401273782117847858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZa9U0A9a-o3evGI3OVUPhm_DGYhR4qsbrv0Mw6D94t2EqyTz6yhrqf7sKIOQAUuOmaYE9cMv3F9lcylDACmjSKLdli2nvGzgVMOu5pf_5tOCyXhNzsYoZYzBFqX1QTZp-QOP3/s400/P1000069.JPG" />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.Len Ramirezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10273486717730386834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19053793.post-61965093293236622362009-11-06T00:04:00.000-08:002009-11-06T00:11:51.932-08:00CANDLELIGHT VIGIL CALLS FOR PEACE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT<p>About 100 people gathered at Story and King....watch the video.</p><p><object width="400" height="225"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=7467430&server=vimeo.com&show_title=0&show_byline=0&show_portrait=0&color=00adef&fullscreen=1"><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=7467430&server=vimeo.com&show_title=0&show_byline=0&show_portrait=0&color=00adef&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="225"></embed></object></p>Len Ramirezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10273486717730386834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19053793.post-28484938863709293262009-11-05T09:37:00.000-08:002009-11-05T09:43:38.240-08:00CITY REACTS TO SURGE IN GANG VIOLENCEThere have been 3 major incidents of gang violence in San Jose over the past week, with two of them happening on the East Side. <br />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.<br />A woman was shot while driving at Hwy 87 and 280.<br />And a 20 year old man was shot and killed on White Road at Warm Springs.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />For more on what's been happening, including my own video coverage on CBS 5 click on the link:<br /><br />http://cbs5.com/local/sj.halloween.attack.2.1292949.htmlLen Ramirezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10273486717730386834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19053793.post-48509199882075662252009-09-23T09:22:00.000-07:002009-09-23T09:36:53.992-07:00JAMES LICK HS FOOTBALL IN THE NEWSJimmy Lick is undefeated in football at 2-0 for the first time since forever...and the team is getting some great recognition from the San Jose Mercury News. JL is on the upswing academically too. As a JL alumnus, it is great to see!<br /><br />http://www.mercurynews.com/sports/ci_13397946Len Ramirezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10273486717730386834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19053793.post-80824211883125382912009-09-11T23:33:00.000-07:002009-09-13T20:34:27.153-07:00GROUND IS BROKEN ON FLEMING AVENUE PARK<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380465824853144850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAo4jl4XexojVvdGL1Cjsf3jAt7wMr8RCYXpwzuVig9LHdfMwOxbOcY7N6nT-ogFCD56x4RuRxRDlxsJt3nK19bsO38D9pXszqwxINmk0uZrDfHswg-ZA12jJ4t-CpcFimyuJi/s400/DSC_0095.JPG" /> <div> Ground was officially broken for the East Foothill's first new park in decades. San Jose City Councilmember Nora Campos and her staff joined neighbors, parks officials and firefighters to celebrate this milestone at the corner of Fleming Avenue and Waterstone Court. The 1/2 acre "pocket" park was approved in 2006 and will be completed in the spring of 2010. The park will feature a children's play area, a par course, a trellised picnic area and open space. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381160882203427666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcLWvclg8NL4t5v4XsZEjUNfeUvDkjKKYup-1wdFsZX0m0xroTdfocX2tcmaF8lkAIzVwmRnqMJvTn1uiBZFN-l7CzzA_6JEyQi3Q4__gAD3FrpcX_lt7T-LdB2rQJVSt7npmd/s400/DSC_0100.JPG" /><br /><br /><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/dRevJjY92Lc&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/dRevJjY92Lc&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div>Len Ramirezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10273486717730386834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19053793.post-23309518259972214982009-09-04T09:09:00.000-07:002009-09-04T09:10:43.639-07:00JAMES LICK HIGH OFFERS FIRE SCIENCE CONCENTRATIONSee it on CBS5.<br /><br /><a href="http://cbs5.com/video/?id=54925@kpix.dayport.com">http://cbs5.com/video/?id=54925@kpix.dayport.com</a>Len Ramirezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10273486717730386834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19053793.post-64403238014116225682009-05-06T22:31:00.000-07:002009-05-06T22:41:42.606-07:00PLAN TO SAVE EAST SIDE HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS SUPPORTEDEast Side Union High School District Trustee and James Lick grad Eddie Garcia has proposed a three point plan to save interscholastic sports in the district. His plan just got a major boost by the San Jose Mercury News Editorial Board, which is endorsing it:<br /><br />**************************************************************<br />Editorial: A credible plan to restore athletics to East Side high schools<br />Mercury News Editorial<br />Posted: 05/06/2009 08:00:00 PM PDT<br /><br />Parents and friends of East Side Union High School District made an impressive down payment last weekend on the restoration of school sports. The next move is for the school board to assure them that their efforts won't be wasted. The board should build interscholastic athletics back into next year's budget.<br /><br />On Sunday, about 2,000 runners and walkers at a 5K race at Mount Pleasant High raised about $120,000. That's not yet close to the $2.3 million that athletics cost for the 11-high school district, but voluntary fees of $200 per athlete and other fundraising efforts could bring in an additional $500,000 or more. And the district has some additional options.<br /><br />Trustee Eddie Garcia is proposing a three-pronged strategy to restore athletics, which the school board cut to help erase an $11 million deficit from next year's $240 million budget.<br />First, the board would guarantee that athletics would be reinstated. That's important, Garcia reasons, to persuade parents to raise money. Without knowing that there will be baseball and track in the spring, parents won't hit the bricks for money in the fall.<br /><br />Second, the district would take advantage of the Legislature's option for school districts to lower reserves — from 2 percent down to 1 percent in large districts like East Side Union. As a one-year fix, Garcia would use the extra $2.4 million to save sports as well as restore some of the 80 teaching jobs that have been eliminated.<br /><br />Finally, the trustees would put a parcel tax on the ballot in 2010, with the money dedicated to funding athletics, rehiring librarians and preserving other vital programs that will be under siege for at least several years. Assuming that elderly homeowners are exempted, a $100 tax, for instance, would bring in approximately $11 million.<br /><br />It's a reasonable approach, and trustees should adopt it at their May 21 meeting. However, we'd add one stipulation. Parents should pledge not to let up in their fundraising or, for those who can afford it, not shirk to paying the voluntary sports fee. That's important, because the more money they raise privately, the more money from the reserve could be used to preserve other programs.<br /><br />This plan will become more complicated if the state propositions on the May 19 ballot are defeated. This would put billions more dollars for K-12 schools in jeopardy, including millions for East Side Union schools, over the next two to three years. Many more teaching positions and programs could face elimination.<br /><br />But it will be months before the Legislature works its way through the next budget crisis. Parents need to know the status of sports now, so they can start raising money. And if the worst does happen May 19, passing a parcel tax will become even more important, and the support of thousands of sports boosters will be critical. Killing sports even for one year could doom the tax.<br /><br />Trustees should reinstate sports for a year but do so with their eyes wide open. They are likely to face more ugly choices.<br />.AOLWebSuite .AOLPicturesFullSizeLink { height: 1px; width: 1px; overflow: hidden; } .AOLWebSuite a {color:blue; text-decoration: underline; cursor: pointer} .AOLWebSuite a.hsSig {cursor: default}Len Ramirezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10273486717730386834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19053793.post-57882321145566019662009-05-06T17:34:00.000-07:002009-05-06T17:47:08.783-07:00STATE OF THE ART FIRE STATION DESIGNED FOR ALUM ROCK<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkVATzZMd611rvAYezARI0JgTR0I189n6e0MdFoM5JRvJWIflLRbDAC8-o0jZvLpgy_TEmfw3krgci-42o_9-FFWPxLYoFSbDa41QV0Ll5kCxLe-ncoBCwGNhFKkd2d7GjP2PD/s1600-h/fire+station+two.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332874558773038034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 219px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkVATzZMd611rvAYezARI0JgTR0I189n6e0MdFoM5JRvJWIflLRbDAC8-o0jZvLpgy_TEmfw3krgci-42o_9-FFWPxLYoFSbDa41QV0Ll5kCxLe-ncoBCwGNhFKkd2d7GjP2PD/s400/fire+station+two.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfmpwfxNpqzXFf_K6NVkWkApiDXfRYY6wxdqLRBzbIVbCwA2VTRDxQsrIXZTxVrnsyiK2sjFE_Zrabx7I2T_PrJltQTF5ylR0_lZDylQ7EkBrHrWozSwEaoJ_b55oLqlg4MAeA/s1600-h/fire+station.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332874449386356146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 219px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfmpwfxNpqzXFf_K6NVkWkApiDXfRYY6wxdqLRBzbIVbCwA2VTRDxQsrIXZTxVrnsyiK2sjFE_Zrabx7I2T_PrJltQTF5ylR0_lZDylQ7EkBrHrWozSwEaoJ_b55oLqlg4MAeA/s400/fire+station.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Check out the stylish designs for the new SJ Fire Station number 2 under construction now on Alum Rock Avenue. Neighbors demanded a new station for the area, not a remodel of the old station. This is what the city gets for it's 9.5 million dollar investment.</div><div> </div><div>Local fire safety guru Frank Crane wrote in a recent ARNNE posting: "If any of us ever visited the old station we were quickly aware of how outdated the old place was. Additionally, we are reminded that the new facility is not like your neighbor's house. This is an up-to-date, technically equipped, fire station, emergency response, and residential facility. And it removes any fear that the Alum Rock Area will be left without a nearby emergency crew on hand 24/7."<br /><div></div></div>Len Ramirezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10273486717730386834noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19053793.post-75445858245708182172009-04-10T09:00:00.000-07:002009-04-10T23:19:38.411-07:00NEW ALUM ROCK FIRE STATION BREAKS GROUND<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHvXGnBx4skW8JfjrC3TyMyE5QwF44SWtuPvv8j8-ucmFjLXP9EcpSzm3iMb6vt2SwnltzcneLNwqVlHVyi7oOHoirZeEKHwLQwb15TaefEmwFNsVytnQyTAmNhoTQQSJG5pN3/s1600-h/station+2+gb.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323093666422655058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHvXGnBx4skW8JfjrC3TyMyE5QwF44SWtuPvv8j8-ucmFjLXP9EcpSzm3iMb6vt2SwnltzcneLNwqVlHVyi7oOHoirZeEKHwLQwb15TaefEmwFNsVytnQyTAmNhoTQQSJG5pN3/s400/station+2+gb.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">East San Jose City <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Council member</span></span> Nora Campos(center) is joined by Mayor Chuck Reed, City Manager Debra <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Figone</span></span>(left) and others for the ground breaking of a new state of the art fire station on Alum Rock Avenue.</span><br /><br /><br /><div></div><div>When shovels hit the ground for San Jose's new fire station #2, it was more than just another groundbreaking for a big city project, it was a symbolic victory for the residents of Alum Rock. The old Station 2, known by firefighters as "The Rock" was growing weary after decades of service and was in need of repair and seismic upgrade. It was a significant safety issue because Station 2 was also the busiest fire station in San Jose, with more calls for service than any other location. </div><div>But city leaders differed on how to upgrade the station. Mayor Chuck Reed favored a less costly "retrofit" while District 5 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Council member</span> Nora Campos argued for an entirely new modern <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">station house</span>. That's when the neighborhood got involved. People wrote letters, lobbied the city council and showed up in force at council meetings whenever the issue was discussed. The community's efforts paid off when the council was <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">persuaded</span> to support the building of a new station. The 60-plus year old firehouse was demolished, firefighters and equipment were relocated to a temporary firehouse up Alum Rock near St. John <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Vianney.</span></span> New construction is now underway. The new station will add to the redevelopment of the Alum Rock corridor and ensure a safe environment for the dedicated men and women of the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">SJFD</span></span>, plus provide reliable, upgraded fire protection for the residents of Alum Rock.</div>Len Ramirezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10273486717730386834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19053793.post-57678416192796717292009-04-04T12:26:00.001-07:002009-04-04T13:22:51.979-07:00EAST VALLEY SPRING SOCCER OFF TO FLYING START<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3zC6LCYRENetLNkbrRv9SAiPD5j7vaDYEauiu5qj4Ti7RpVTGhmLchLBA4VfvQTGorgdMYwtvJqH4jYO_iRrXbfc7f23R0J16ZnxbxkVYRmJ41gCbZsAkzt_mYZYenmyz07Ar/s1600-h/DSC_0154-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320926666101635298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3zC6LCYRENetLNkbrRv9SAiPD5j7vaDYEauiu5qj4Ti7RpVTGhmLchLBA4VfvQTGorgdMYwtvJqH4jYO_iRrXbfc7f23R0J16ZnxbxkVYRmJ41gCbZsAkzt_mYZYenmyz07Ar/s400/DSC_0154-1.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">photo by Len Ramirez</span><br />Fresh cut grass, sunshine and soccer! Those are the ingredients to a perfect Saturday morning in San Jose. My son's team the sharks did not end up winning this game, but the team played well despite some giants on the other team (under 8? c'mon!) The games were played on the nicely tended fields of Rancho Middle School in Milpitas. Great times.Len Ramirezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10273486717730386834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19053793.post-24379739828603074382009-04-03T16:48:00.000-07:002009-04-03T17:05:49.201-07:00ALUM ROCK PRINCIPAL WINS TOP AWARD<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiqRErUBOV6oRRiAznvMaypfox71YXUUEm8pDDe5B3nHL1SodQ0MXhzaNdpTCaRG_fifAE4rq9Uw2MVe8LZrKwjvah9_9C7FLjPxapj75Pfdl7IKV16ldZ7CJrwrCpgpeAWf4q/s1600-h/PRINCIPAL.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320616798564795730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 224px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 168px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiqRErUBOV6oRRiAznvMaypfox71YXUUEm8pDDe5B3nHL1SodQ0MXhzaNdpTCaRG_fifAE4rq9Uw2MVe8LZrKwjvah9_9C7FLjPxapj75Pfdl7IKV16ldZ7CJrwrCpgpeAWf4q/s400/PRINCIPAL.bmp" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">Norma Rodriguez of Dorsa Elementary wins 2009 Elementary Principal of the Year for Santa Clara County.</span><br /><div></div><br />By Aurora Quevedo<br /><br />SAN JOSE, CA – The Association of California School Administrators recently announced Norma Rodriguez, Dorsa Elementary Principal, as 2009 Elementary Principal of the Year. In May of this year, Ms. Rodriguez will be recognized by her peers for her county-wide recognition at the Annual Awards Dinner sponsored by ACSA Region 8. Ms. Rodriguez will also receive her state-wide award at the annual ACSA State Leadership Summit which will be held in Sacramento November 5-7, 2009. "Norma is a shining example of what is possible in public schools when the right person is in the position to lead," said José L. Manzo, Interim Superintendent of Alum Rock Union Elementary School District. "She is a model leader, a fierce advocate for education equity, and an inspiration for educators." During Ms. Rodriguez’s four years of leadership at Dorsa, the school has experienced a positive increase in student achievement, boasting an Academic Performance Index (API) growth score of 715 which represents a total gain of 123 points. Norma has led the school transformation through a systematic and complex program. The Response to Instruction and Intervention (RTI2) strategy embraced by Ms. Rodriguez and her entire school community requires knowledgeable leadership and a strong commitment by all involved. Now in its third year of implementation, RTI2 encompasses high-quality instruction, early intervention and prevention, and behavioral strategies. By using culturally relevant, research-based instruction, and with continuous assessment of student learning and increased parental involvement, student learning is accelerated. The RTI2 program integrates resources from general education, categorical programs, and special education into a comprehensive system of instruction and intervention that best fits the needs of the students. Therefore, the focus of the program is on the individual student and what will best help him or her learn. Through her strong leadership, Ms. Rodriguez has motivated the total school community and harnessed its energy and dedication to make this an effective instructional method, resulting in significant student academic growth. In a recent interview, Ms. Rodriguez appeared humbled and honored by the recognition. She gave kudos to her dedicated staff, supportive parents, and district resource professionals. “Even though ACSA is giving me this award, I feel like it has been a team effort,” said Ms. Rodriguez, acknowledging a student’s education involves teachers, support staff, and parent participation. Dorsa Elementary serves approximately 574 students in grades K-5; its demographics include a high Hispanic/Latino community (92.7%) and a high English learner population (66.9 %). The efforts at Dorsa have significantly narrowed the achievement gap.Len Ramirezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10273486717730386834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19053793.post-24697228209663119602009-03-31T22:51:00.000-07:002009-03-31T22:52:06.808-07:00SAN JOSE APPROVES CESAR CHAVEZ WALKING TRAILSee it here on CBS 5:<br /><br /><a href="http://cbs5.com/local/cesar.chavez.walk.2.972839.html">http://cbs5.com/local/cesar.chavez.walk.2.972839.html</a>Len Ramirezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10273486717730386834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19053793.post-27576687079053936242009-01-27T09:42:00.000-08:002009-01-27T09:43:01.139-08:00CESAR CHAVEZ MEMORIAL WALKWAY PROPOSEDSAN JOSE - Mayor Chuck Reed invites residents to attend a community discussion regarding a proposal to establish the César Chávez Memorial Walkway in San José. The meeting will take place on Thursday, January 29 at the Mexican Heritage Plaza Pavilion from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.<br /><br />“With the recent addition of the César Chávez Arch of Dignity, Equality, and Justice on the campus of San José State University, Downtown and Alum Rock have many landmarks related to César Chávez that reflect his great contribution to our City,” said Mayor Reed. “Many people have approached me with the idea of tying these locations together. This meeting will bring the community together to get feedback and ideas for a walkway commemorating the life and legacy of César Chávez.”<br /><br />The outreach meetings will elicit the community’s opinion on topics such as the proposed route, sign design, landmarks to include, and overall thoughts on the project. Proposed plans for the Memorial Walkway consist of street signs attached to existing poles and will connect various landmarks being considered include Plaza de César Chávez, César Chávez Arch of Dignity, Equality, and Justice, Mexican Heritage Plaza, Chávez’s former home, and Our Lady of Guadalupe Church.<br /><br />The project has received the blessing of the family of César Chávez to move forward. “I convened a family meeting… their response was overwhelmingly positive and everyone agree[d] to endorse the project,” said Rudy Chávez-Medina as President of the Chávez Family Vision, Inc. in a letter to Mayor Reed. “We believe that the plans need to move forward and we are committed to working with you on this endeavor.”<br /><br />In October of 2007, Mayor Reed established the Mayor’s Committee to Honor César E. Chávez in order to help expand on the civil rights leader’s legacy in San José. The volunteer, community advisory panel consists of Reverend Deacon Sal Alvarez, Monsignor Eugene Boyle, Monsignor John Sandersfield, Rudy Chávez-Medina, and former Mayor Susan Hammer. The César Chávez Memorial Walkway was expressed as a committee priority through a letter to Mayor Reed in October 2008.<br /><br />“This walkway will be able to unite relevant landmarks in San José while recognizing the connection and influence that César Chávez had in our community,” wrote committee chair Sal Alvarez in his letter to Mayor Reed. “We believe that it is vital for citizens to remember the contributions of César Chávez and recognize his profound impact in protecting the exploitation of the underserved community.”<br /><br />The Mayor’s Office will be planning two additional outreach meetings on the project. Those unable to attend are encouraged to submit their thoughts electronically by emailing <a href="mailto:mayoremail@sanjoseca.gov" target="_blank">mayoremail@sanjoseca.gov</a>.Len Ramirezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10273486717730386834noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19053793.post-53218962311280363812009-01-22T09:11:00.000-08:002009-01-22T09:18:49.718-08:00OBAMA INAUGURATION VIDEO<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJNmuSG9XwuDqhheysbUF4pKjZX9Bb2RUx8sa1bDXM-VRpVgXp6d-pC7HASahkw49vn_ky1VIjOc9gqPvjEG5KLKmCeZAML9_vFo1Bx3ephtfRbOaaYDkUOz4fIH8aPG9Vlqw2/s1600-h/DSC_0180.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294168648052420146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJNmuSG9XwuDqhheysbUF4pKjZX9Bb2RUx8sa1bDXM-VRpVgXp6d-pC7HASahkw49vn_ky1VIjOc9gqPvjEG5KLKmCeZAML9_vFo1Bx3ephtfRbOaaYDkUOz4fIH8aPG9Vlqw2/s400/DSC_0180.JPG" border="0" /></a> <div>Just back from Washington DC. My flight landed at 1:00 am Thursday morning after a whirlwind trip. What an amazing experience it was. I will update this post but for now, this is what it was like to be in the crowd on that historic day:<br /><br /><a href="http://vimeo.com/2901400">http://vimeo.com/2901400</a></div>Len Ramirezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10273486717730386834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19053793.post-80718834861011877602009-01-19T06:40:00.000-08:002009-01-19T07:02:19.270-08:00LEN RAMIREZ COVERS DC INAUGURALHi everybody back home in the good ol' East Foothills. I am writing this to you in a luxurious home in suburban Virginia where the temperature outside is about 20 degrees. I'm staying with National Hispanic University President Dr. David Lopez and his family and friends. What a time!<br />I left sunny California yesterday for a trip to witness history: the inauguration of Barack Obama as our nation's 44th President. I took off from SFO after hugs and kisses from my wife Julie and our three kids. My flight on United was packed. I changed planes in Chicago, and made the hop, skip and jump to DC aboard what seemed like the Obama Express: lots of people heading to the inaugural. The plane was packed with excited people: ladies in Obama sweatshirts, guys in Obama caps and everyone ready for a party! Arriving in DC at 9:30 local time, it was a madhouse at Dulles Airport. The place was packed with people very dressed up for the occasion. I saw many ladies in fur coats and men in suits and topcoats. I also saw one man being helped into his outerwear while sitting in a wheelchair. The man was wearing a cap signifying him as a member of an elite and dwindling group of pilots: The Tuskeegee Airmen. This was a group of African American World War II pilots who overcame severe racism and silenced doubters in their struggle to get their wings. They not only flew, but several became aces in dogfights against enemy pilots over Germany. I interviewed one of them last year at an event in Morgan Hill. One thing that will always stick with me is a statement the pilot made about what happened to him when he got shot down. He said the Germans treated him better as a prisoner of war than his fellow countrymen on the streets of Tuskeegee. Something to think about as we head into this historic week.Len Ramirezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10273486717730386834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19053793.post-66038252990662007942008-12-20T14:28:00.000-08:002008-12-20T14:37:41.935-08:00SMALL SCHOOLS: WAVE OF THE FUTURE?Alum Rock has been doing it for years with <a href="http://www.arusd.org/schools/adelante">Adelante Dual Language Academy</a><br /><a href="http://www.arusd.org/schools/lucha">L.U.C.H.A. School</a> and <a href="http://www.arusd.org/schools/renaissancea">Renaissance Academy</a>.<br />Now the idea of small schools (a school which occupies the same campus as a large school, but operates independently) is catching on everywhere. Check out this article from the New York Times:<br /><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/21/education/21shared.html?_r=1&hp">http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/21/education/21shared.html?_r=1&hp</a>Len Ramirezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10273486717730386834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19053793.post-22170677267935754802008-12-19T20:05:00.000-08:002008-12-19T20:31:19.443-08:00CURETON KIDS GET CHRISTMAS JOYS, TOYS<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD7iGdlJ4584-sFLfpOanb9mfMSFUSziP0nvSwPpVnvssRKKaur4Crv9GNS8mlh1iBdh1cL7s8PRcWNwKFeYfGJw-xa8l6vtV9I9j99owN15FMK_VRx4ygUjtdUuT6-8zbFz5g/s1600-h/3122086116_fa197a5656.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281719076881961794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 302px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD7iGdlJ4584-sFLfpOanb9mfMSFUSziP0nvSwPpVnvssRKKaur4Crv9GNS8mlh1iBdh1cL7s8PRcWNwKFeYfGJw-xa8l6vtV9I9j99owN15FMK_VRx4ygUjtdUuT6-8zbFz5g/s400/3122086116_fa197a5656.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"> San Jose City Councilmember Nora Campos helps Santa pass out toys to waiting kids. Photo by Len Ramirez</span><br /><p><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></p><p>Horace Cureton Elementary students excitedly lined up in their school cafeteria for a special treat on Friday. The day before Christmas break was exciting enough, but other joys awaited them: SANTA! PRESENTS! </p><p>Each of the 570 students at Cureton received a new, wrapped toy to play with courtesy of Jolly Ol' Saint Nick, City Councilmember Nora Campos, her staff, Toys for Tots and corporate sponsors BAE Systems and Target Stores, which contributed toys, cash and gift cards. Rolando Bonilla, Campos' press aide, explained that the entire District 5 staff came up with the idea after a recent brainstorming session on ways to give back to the community. Cureton was chosen because it is a school where there is a critical need this year. About 80% of the student body qualifies for the state's free school lunch program.</p>Len Ramirezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10273486717730386834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19053793.post-91564333399757395572008-12-19T00:26:00.000-08:002008-12-19T01:03:49.298-08:00NEW LAWYERS TO EXAMINE MARTINEZ DEAL<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDWkMaOC6-NTbjiLjyXTBleCxRCM4ExZmdCbQU3AFLK3WoDTwu23bHLNGjmnM7XtosrbWFhQmyL0jXldqmq84Wx5xBZzmmsyA9sykD4Bs45VOF7wFb2GS-0T85ISAI1EWBdjej/s1600-h/DSC_0088.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281415518869046818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDWkMaOC6-NTbjiLjyXTBleCxRCM4ExZmdCbQU3AFLK3WoDTwu23bHLNGjmnM7XtosrbWFhQmyL0jXldqmq84Wx5xBZzmmsyA9sykD4Bs45VOF7wFb2GS-0T85ISAI1EWBdjej/s400/DSC_0088.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"> Another large audience attended Thursday's Alum Rock School Board meeting. Photo by Julie Ramirez</span><br /><p><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></p><p>In a meeting that lasted until the midnight hour, Alum Rock trustees convened into a closed session with their newly hired lawyers to examine the severance deal previously granted to Superintendent Norma Martinez. </p><p>The trustees hired the law firm of Burke, Williams and Sorensen of Menlo Park to review, assess and analyze the severance agreement to see if it was legal and proper.</p><p>Earlier in the night, the school board faced criticism from members of the public still angry over the deal to give Martinez a $300, 000 "golden parachute" after she resigned.</p><p>"That's like winning the lottery," said community member Beth Johnson, "You don't deserve our trust."</p><p>Others demanded answeres, and resignations from trustees Frank Chavez and Patricia Potter, who are the only two trustees still on the board which approved the severance package. Trustee Gustavo Gonzales, who was elected board president tonight, voted against the December 2nd deal. Newly elected trustees Esau Herrera and Dolores Marquez were not on the board at the time when the package was approved 3 to 1.</p><p>"Chavez, you lost the respect of this community, Potter, you have no judgement," said neighbor AJ Sen, before demanding the two step down. Chavez and Potter did not immediately respond, and gave no indication that they would quit.</p><p>The board did approve the formation of a 16-member citizens advisory committee to assist in the search and hiring of a new superintendent. Interim Superintendent Jose Manzo will continue to serve until a new superintendent is hired, a process that could take four to five months.</p>Len Ramirezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10273486717730386834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19053793.post-45490818072277625592008-12-12T08:46:00.000-08:002008-12-12T09:15:41.463-08:00ALUM ROCK SCHOOLS SHINE IN PERFORMING ARTS<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEmWUbjq31N3CaJRE0EOmND1qCcHY8rlwSB5H3-5mRjP3fp-KQ9KwCJI_L-fWQ03qvDSye9dPrrYT4gI9op0V22GES1Zmn_X6LGJd1d1GlkjaZ9dgx1vl3IEDAnuqi6XXTtNQx/s1600-h/IMAGE_546.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278946220111398722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEmWUbjq31N3CaJRE0EOmND1qCcHY8rlwSB5H3-5mRjP3fp-KQ9KwCJI_L-fWQ03qvDSye9dPrrYT4gI9op0V22GES1Zmn_X6LGJd1d1GlkjaZ9dgx1vl3IEDAnuqi6XXTtNQx/s400/IMAGE_546.jpg" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">First graders sing and dance onstage at Joseph George.</span><br /><br /><br />On the same night parents and teachers were telling the Board of Trustees what was wrong with the Alum Rock School District, hundreds of other community members were celebrating what's going right.<br />150 students showcased their talents in front of an audience of about 500 people in a first of its kind Visual and Performing Arts Showcase. Students from Linda Vista Elementary School joined Joseph George Middle School students on the George campus for a night of singing, dancing and instrumental performances.<br />Two stages (one outdoor) were in busy rotation to handle a wide variety of acts including a first-grade choir, a fourth and fifth-grade choir, elementary and middle school orchestras, a middle school mariachi group, an elementary bell choir and Hawaiian, line dance and hip hop dancing groups. The George library also showcased student art and photography walls. Parent volunteers also handed out free hot chocolate and cookies to the kids.<br />Ealier this year, Linda Vista and Joseph George became VAPA (visual and performing arts) campuses which strive to integrate art and music with traditional classroom subjects for a more well-rounded educational experience.Len Ramirezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10273486717730386834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19053793.post-1640302153690898962008-12-10T23:28:00.000-08:002008-12-11T08:32:46.812-08:00ALUM ROCK TRUSTEE QUESTIONS VALIDITY OF MARTINEZ DEALDeal or no deal? That's the question more than one hundred residents, parents and teachers wanted answered at a special school board meeting Wednesday night at the Alum Rock Youth Center gymnasium. The meeting was called late last week as a response to the public outcry over a recent board decision to give a $300,000 "golden parachute" severance package to superintendent Norma Martinez, who resigned.<br />"There is no severance agreement," said newly elected Trustee Esau Herrera as he held up an audio recording of the meeting. According to Herrera, who is an attorney, the previous board which approved the severance deal in a hastily called closed session meeting did not follow board policy or state law. "Nothing exists that is enforceable," he said of the severance package, "let someone else try to enforce it."<br />Dozens of speakers repeatedly asked Board President Frank Chavez to justify the agreement with Martinez but he provided no details. "It's not like we gave her a hundred million dollars," Chavez recently remarked to CBS 5 News. He also said people who criticized the deal were "way off base."<br />The board was not legally required to give Martinez any severance pay because she asked to step down for "personal reasons."<br />The severance package, which amounts to 18 month's salary for Martinez to walk away, was approved in a 3 to 1 vote on December 2nd, the last day before two newly elected trustees (Hererra and Dolores Marquez) were to take office. Trustees Chavez, Patricia Potter and outgoing member Lalo Morales voted in favor of it, while Trustee Gustavo Gonzales voted against it. Outgoing Trustee Tanya Freudenberger was absent due to illness.<br />Dozens of residents lined up to speak on the issue to the board. Some speakers called on Chavez and Potter to resign. Others noted how the severance package, which includes health care benefits to Martinez and her husband until age 65, comes at the worse possible time with state budget cuts to education looming. "If she wants to walk away, let her stand in the unemployment line with the rest of the people who got laid off," said one neighborhood activist.<br />"The people who are here tonight, don't represent the entire community," said board member Potter, a comment which drew astonishment, boos and hisses.<br />At the end of the four hour meeting, the Martinez severance was re-agendized until December 18th, when the board will seek advice from lawyers as to whether or not the deal is legal and proper.<br />Martinez did not attend the meeting because of illness but she was represented by Pat Souza, of the Association of California School Administrators. Souza told the board and community that Martinez believes the separation agreement with the Alum Rock School District was properly put together and valid. Souza also said Martinez asked the association's attorneys to review the agreement.<br />The board also voted unanimously to designate Deputy Superintendent Jose Manzo Interim Superintendent for the Alum Rock Union School District.Len Ramirezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10273486717730386834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19053793.post-14791493284367343572008-12-04T09:34:00.000-08:002008-12-04T09:54:41.450-08:00ALUM ROCK SUPERINTENDENT QUITS THEN GETS A RAISEIt appears the Alum Rock school board gave Superintendent Norma Martinez the mother of all golden parachutes. Moments after Martinez asked to step down in a closed board session, a lame duck school board went into open session and voted 3-1(with one member absent) to give her a raise that boosted her severance package to almost 300 thousand dollars plus medical, etc. until she is 65. Parents are outraged that money is being wasted during these times with budget cuts looming. Word is Martinez wanted to step down because the current board has a majority that favors her. The new board coming in after November's election would be at odds with her and she read the writing on the wall.<br /><br />FULL DISCLOSURE: I'm a parent in the district, and my wife is a PTA officer and sits on the Superintendent's Resource Council as a parent adviser/volunteer.<br /><br />MERCURY NEWS ARTICLE:<br /><a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_11132593">http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_11132593</a>Len Ramirezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10273486717730386834noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19053793.post-54081422730536862382008-12-02T16:42:00.001-08:002008-12-02T16:43:51.705-08:00LIGHT UP ALUM ROCK FOR THE HOLIDAYS<em>By Judy Thompson</em><br /><br />Another first is taking place in Alum Rock Village! This coming Saturday, December 6th, Santa Claus is taking up residence in his own house in what is newly designated as the “East Pole”! His presence is part of the Alum Rock Village Business Association’s (ARVBA) third annual Light Up the Village holiday celebration from 12:00 Noon to 6:00 PM.<br /><br />Around 1:00 PM, Santa will arrive at his house at 4300 Alum Rock Avenue in an antique car convoy after a mini-parade through the neighborhood. Neighbor Ray Fontaine has signed on as Santa’s chauffeur in his 1925 Model T touring car – top down. (Please keep your fingers crossed for a nice day!) East Foothill old car enthusiasts Rick Willson, Bob Sletten and Doug Moore will all be accompanying Santa and Ray in their own precious collector cars.<br /><br />At “Santa’s House in the Village” Santa will see children from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. His house is at the east edge of the Village at the corner of Alum Rock Avenue and Millar Avenue. Don’t let its 4300 Alum Rock address fool you – it’s just one house removed from the 3100 block which is “the Village.”<br /><br />Santa’s participation is just a small part of an all-afternoon community holiday celebration. Entertainment will be non-stop at the stage area on the sidewalks of the Village near the Planned Parenthood Clinic. Look for neighbor (and Channel 5 news personality) Len Ramirez to emcee a program of caroling, a hand bell choir, school bands, a youth choir and Mr. Andres Faz, a fabulous long-time professional classical guitarist.<br /><br />The sidewalks will be festive with booths including Regional Medical Center’s ornament-making project for kids, various supportive neighborhood entrepreneurs and vendors. The trees will be beribboned, the shop windows will be lighted – it will be a lighthearted afternoon! Free refreshments will be served to kids.<br /><br />Attendees of all ages will be invited to take part in the third annual free “bingo raffle” where they will take a bingo-type card to participating Village businesses to be stamped. The stamped cards become part of a drawing for numerous prizes donated by local businesses. The raffle will end around 3:00 PM with the drawing not long after.<br /><br />The icing on the cake will be a lighting ceremony at the corner of Alum Rock and White Road. Folks will gather in the vicinity of Starbucks at around 4:45 PM. They will be serenaded by carolers from the James Lick choir, meet local dignitaries and enjoy a carol sing-along. James Lick’s huge pines behind the marquee will come to life with hundreds of colored lights. It will be an occasion which little kids will long remember.<br /><br />Please come for the afternoon. Make a point of getting acquainted with our local businesses. Meet your neighbors and celebrate community! The Dr. Roberto Cruz – Alum Rock Library will also welcome visits during its concurrent holiday event. Look for parking at the James Lick High School lot and the City lot behind YSI and Planned Parenthood.Len Ramirezhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10273486717730386834noreply@blogger.com0