Articles Published in July, 2010

The gathering of poets and musicians under the full moon is an ancient tradition in Mexico. Event organizer Ruben Barron brought the tradition to San Jose, and the community responded.

In 2006 Nancy Gutierrez faced plenty of challenges as she became principal of Fischer Middle School in East San Jose. She has since drawn upon her own East Side roots to connect with the students, and provide them an educational path to success.

On July 22, 2010, Hyatt Santa Clara workers and community supporters rallied to push for a contract with the hotel as part of a nationwide series of actions. Nearly a dozen workers and community members were arrested in an act of civil disobedience at the rally.

Ishan Shah is the youngest candidate ever to run for Fremont City Council. Still a high school student, Shah hopes to inspire a new generation of civic engagement with his political campaign.

San Jose is quickly getting the reputation of being a hub for new green jobs — solar panel installation, clean technology production, and pollution prevention. Guess that makes Shorty Fatz a sort of pioneer in the industry — he's been doing his "green job" for a long time.

Salvadoran artist Ana Guardado explains her beginnings in San Jose and how her experiences here are represented in one of her paintings.

A memorial concert in honor of the the famed sitarist Nikhil Banerjee will take place on July 31.

Global business guru C.K. Prahalad had long argued that profit and social development should not be seen as oil and water. Today, “social entrepreneurship” has become an important development to help some of the poorest groups in the world like the rickshaw pullers in India.

Artists and activists gathered recently at the Mexican Heritage Plaza to celebrate the Chicano Movement in San Jose and remember their work in connecting culture and community, art and politics, history and the generations.

Guelaguetza is the most important cultural festival of sharing and celebration for immigrants from the Southern Mexican state of Oaxaca. Alianza News profiles a recent "Mini Guelaguetza" and gives us a taste of what to expect at the 2nd Annual Guelaguetza Festival to be held at the National Hispanic University in San Jose on July 25th.

A draining budget crisis has meant that 16 of California's 30 largest school district are slashing the number of days in the academic year.

Classic soul record collecting may seem out of step with the high-tech Valley, but there is something about the vinyl that younger generations are still drawn to. David Madrid profiles one local collector known as The Duke of Soul.

Two views on whether the recent Metro PCS commercial starring two Indian characters, Ranjit and Chad, is harmless fun or racial stereotyping

Future generations will know the cultural and political moment of San Jose through the lens of photographer, Abraham Menor. Having had a wide array of influences from Filipino Veterans organizing to San Jose's graffiti artists, Menor is a documentarian for communities who otherwise would go unseen.

On July 18, 2010 over 2,000 people will gather at Sunnyvale's Baylands Park to walk or run for a range of non-profits that provide needed services for communities across the world. Event organizers ask: who will you walk for?

Commentator Demone Carter reflects on the larger meaning of the Mehserle verdict as it speaks to the history of law enforcement's relationship with communities of color.

A bill introduced by a San Diego Assembly Member would ban the public display of unloaded guns in California. This proposed bill has sparked debates around the state, including the Bay Area. Gun rights advocates are trying to prevent this law from being approved, and at the same time pushing to loosen up concealed arms limitations.

Mixed Martial Arts is one of the fasting growing sports in the country. At the Washington Youth Center in West San Jose, the Norcal Fight Factory has used the sport's appeal as a way to offer at risk youth another choice beyond gangs and the streets.

A not-guilty verdict in the Johannes Merhserle case involving the killing of Oscar Grant by the former BART cop will likely trigger a reponse from youth of color. Commentator Demone Carter explains the combustible context that surrounds the jurors' decision in Los Angeles.

With bhangra dancing, beauty and a local setting, film producer Hassan Zee brings an entertaining story that delves into veils, women's rights, and Muslim culture.

When 19-year-old Steven Powell was shot and killed at the Pink Party in San Francisco during the Gay Pride festivities, there were some unexpected reactions. Commentator Jean Melesaine, who saw a fallen Powell at the event, says the response by some in the gay community reveal underlying tensions around race and class.

Young artists collective livens up San Jose with alternative, indie Latin American music.