Santa Clara County Neighborhoods Articles



Image caption: The Burbank Theater, built in 1949, is for sale again after restoration plans stalled. A neighborhood coalition is seeking city landmark status to prevent its demolition.
Still Standing ... for Now

Each year, the Preservation Action Council of San Jose sends out a warning to architectural history buffs, identifying the Endangered 8—those structures most likely to be lost to rot and redevelopment.

San Jose Inside logo LOCAL NEWS
San Jose Will Target Junk, Weeds, Graffiti in Aggressive Cleanup Program

San Jose will no longer wait for citizen complaints to remove graffiti, junk cars and trash from city streets in downtown and other selected areas.

Image caption: Zoning laws tell you what you can and can't build on the property you own. How does government get away with that?
How Zoning Laws Shape California and Society

Zoning laws determine what can be built and where. These laws have shaped California, but are they really just tools for social engineering? The history of zoning is closely tied to racial segregation, as well as the state's shortage of …

Image caption: In what appears to be a power play that worked, a developer proposed building 14 residential highrises with a combined 4,260 units in Santa Monica.
How California Developers Twist Affordable Housing Laws

A new interpretation of an old law gives homebuilders leverage over California cities and their zoning codes. They’re using it to push through thousands of new apartments around the state.

Gilroy Dispatch logo LOCAL NEWS
More than 9,000 in South County lose power due to storm

Thousands of PG&E customers throughout South County were without power Tuesday afternoon due to strong winds and extreme weather from the latest atmospheric river storm that struck the region. As of 2:45pm March 14, more than 9,000 electricity customers in …

Image caption: Caltrans has received $680,000 in federal funding to explore alternatives for reconnecting communities along the I-980 in Oakland.
Rerouting Past Wrongs

California lawmakers are exploring ways to reconnect urban neighborhoods torn asunder during the interstate highway construction boom of the 1950s and ’60s.

Metro Silicon Valley logo LOCAL NEWS
Houyee Chow-Jiménez and Nick Ybarra’s Mural of Pride

Two summers ago, artist Houyee Chow-Jiménez responded to an open call on Instagram. Project MORE—a nonprofit serving LGBTQ+ people in Northern California—sought muralists to brighten a downtown San Jose alleyway.  Funded by the city of San Jose and private business …

Metro Silicon Valley logo LOCAL NEWS
Lacey Bryant Presents Her New 9,450-Square-foot Mural

While walking north on 1st or 2nd Street from downtown San Jose, it’s hard to miss the city’s newest—and likely longest—street mural spanning the entire block on the exterior wall of the Ryland Mews apartment building. The 9,450-square-foot mural by …

Metro Silicon Valley logo LOCAL NEWS
Breath of Life

Only in San Jose would a photo of South First Street from the downtrodden ’70s trigger my enthusiasm for the live music festivals currently on the horizon. Plus, sometimes one just needs to revisit the despair of the past in …

Metro Silicon Valley logo LOCAL NEWS
East Side Dreams

The voice that opens East Side San Jose, the new album by Ivan Flores & Discos Resaca Collective, glows with a warmth as familiar as the sun rising over the Diablo Range. “Hot day, hot day South Bay,” chimes Chuy …

Los Gatan logo LOCAL NEWS
LGS Recreation Receives ‘Key to the Community’

LGS Recreation honored for efforts On May 5, at the California Park and Recreation Society (CPRS) District 4 Awards & Volunteer Recognition Dinner, LGS Recreation received the Key to the Community Award for the contributions of the 55 Plus Program …

Los Gatan logo LOCAL NEWS
ID Checks, Wristbands, Other Changes Coming to Downtown Promenades

The Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce has been busy planning this summer’s downtown Promenades, with the first two scheduled for June 16 and 23 from 5-9pm. As was the case last summer, the town will close Santa Cruz Avenue to …

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Rite Aid to close Los Gatos location

Pharmacy and discount grocery store Rite Aid is closing its Los Gatos Boulevard location. A spokesperson for the corporation told the Los Gatan the last day it will be open to the public will be May 4. “A decision to …

Los Gatan logo LOCAL NEWS
The ‘Sounds of Summer’ return to Los Gatos

Plans are underway for this summer’s return of Music in the Park, the downtown Promenades and the 20th annual Jazz on the Plazz concert series. Los Gatans are so eager for summer fun that Jazz founder Teri Hope has been …

Morgan Hill Times logo LOCAL NEWS
Work starts next week on Depot/Church realignment

Construction work is set to begin next week on the realignment of Depot Street at Dunne Avenue, which is part of a larger mixed-use project on tap at the former site of Hale Lumber. During the construction in the street …

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Los Gatos Little League, town celebrate a glorious Opening Day

One could feel the excitement as families and players started to filter into Baggerly Field on March 12 to celebrate Los Gatos Little League’s first Opening Day since 2019. The ceremony was canceled in March 2020 due to the pandemic …

Gilroy Dispatch logo LOCAL NEWS
Nominations sought for Architectural Awards

The Gilroy Historical Society wants to honor those who have invested in the preservation and beautification of their historic home or building. The public is invited to nominate a building for the 2022 Architectural Awards. Include your name, the street …

Gilroy Dispatch logo LOCAL NEWS
City gets $3.9M to enhance alleyways

Gilroy officials say a major grant the city received from the state will go a long way toward bringing downtown’s alleyways to life. On March 4, the City of Gilroy announced that it had received a $3.9 million grant from …

Los Gatan logo LOCAL NEWS
Bar’s rebirth stirs Los Gatos

The Houserockers brought a packed house down as they belted out their rendition of “Shout” by Otis Day and the Knights, along with plenty of other classics, Feb. 26. Venue owner Alex Hult couldn’t have hoped for anything more for …

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Online marketplace connects residents to free services, items

A Los Gatos mother-son duo have created an online marketplace they hope will encourage residents to give to people in need. The Giving Porch, founded by Los Gatos High School senior Arjun Seshadri and his mother Sruba, is designed to …

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