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The Mercury News has taken a turn for the… well that’s for you to decide.

As popularity for The Mercury News takes a dive and newspapers grasp for any rope that can pull them out of the hole that is a dying trend, articles like the recent one on Puberty become a new twist to keep you interested.

“During 2009, the Mercury News will publish
a story each month about the events that make each life extraordinary.
This month: A group of Silicon Valley tweenagers hit puberty, and puberty hits back.“

Maybe the Merc is working the bugs out or maybe this was a perfect ploy but the two most visible headlines being “Mortgage Rates Plummet” and “Puberty” send quite the an interesting signal.  I’m not 100% sure which to read first!  It’s all just so exciting.

However, newspapers are reaching a point where a change has to be made in content and how it is distributed.  Personally, I happen to read articles from the newspaper when presented via my personal circle of internet media sites I follow or happen upon.  Usually this happens by viewing the Yahoo! newspaper consortium articles I see first on my Internet Explorer homepage or when I read Inside San Jose.

But will these “real” issue articles be what brings people back to reading a physical newspaper?  We’ll see! What are your thoughts?

It’s true! Democratic State Assemblyman Tom Ammiano thinks legalizing and taxing the sale of marijuana could be the 1.3 billion dollar answer to California’s economic woes.

“The state of California is in a very, very precipitous economic plight. It’s in the toilet,” says Ammiano. “It looks very, very bleak, with layoffs and foreclosures, and schools closing or trying to operate four days a week. We have one of the highest rates of unemployment we’ve ever had. With any revenue ideas, people say you have to think outside the box, you have to be creative, and I feel that the issue of the decriminalization, regulation and taxation of marijuana fits that bill. It’s not new, the idea has been around, and the political will may in fact be there to make something happen.”

Fun Facts:

• Pot is California’s number 1 cash crop totally $14 billion annually (milk coming in a not so close 2nd place at $7.3 billion)
• In 1996 California became one of the first states in the nation to legalize medical marijuana.
• Currently, $200 million in medical-marijuana sales are subject to sales tax.
• If legislation passes, sale of marijuana will follow rules similar to the sale of alcohol, meaning those under 21 can’t buy marijuana unlike the 18 year old age limit of cigarettes.

Orange County Superior Court Judge James Gray estimates that legalizing marijuana will save $1 billion a year in prosecuting and imprisoning non-violent offenders.  Others like Joel W. Hay, professor of pharmaceutical economics at USC, feel that the legislation will only cause more harm than good.

So what are your thoughts?  Do you feel marijuana should be legalized or not?  Is making marijuana more accessible and taxing its sale worth the the money?

I recently read the blog post of a local writer and blogger named Tricia Chambers.  In her post, titled Small-minded Like Me, Tricia does a great job of interrupting the single track mind of human behavior and injecting a sort of, “HEY YOU! DO YOU SEE THIS?” interruption.

Referencing an Austrian woman that was kept in her basement and abused by her father for 30 years, I was snapped into attention, ready to take action at such an atrocity.  “Nobody stepped in to help her,” typed Tricia.

“We are too busy to concern ourselves with someone else’s problems. We are warm and cozy and all is right with the world.”

So true.  But there isn’t a way to know of every atrocity as they happen and have an active way to keep them from happening.  Does the movie Minority Report starring Scientology buff, Tom Cruise ring any bells?

While I still get harshly offended by the slow driver in front of me and the jack-ass on his cell phone boxing me in, not noticing my turn signal and dire plight of driving so slow.  I do think that I take a valiant effort to being kind and understanding to my fellow human.

If I see a guy that has parked downtown, and it’s obvious while he stands at the meter, he doesn’t have any change.  I don’t hesitate to offer the couple of quarters I have snuggled in my pocket.  But what is it about human nature that is too single-minded to notice or take action against the injustices in the world?

My thoughts are that our animal instincts and primitive minds are at fault.  We don’t have hive minds where we can sense bad things happening (or do we?).  Does a bear in the forest worry that his fellow bear, 100 miles away was killed by a hunter?  Obviously not, right?  Humans are no different.  Out of sight, out of mind ring any bells?

My thought is that the best we can do is work with the information we have.  It’s impossible to know that a woman is locked in her basement against her will.  But what we can do is take active steps towards being kind to those around us and be a little less judgmental.  Not direct enough of a solution?  OK, lets have a weekly inspection of basements, run by the government, and include random drug tests during inspection.  THAT’S THE ANSWER!  Or not.  Anyways…

No one is perfect.  I’m not saying I won’t still be frustrated at the sl0w-mo and jack-ass boxing me in.  But I do feel that if we remain aware of the terrible things that can happen in conjunction with the many good things, we’ll be taking active steps towards evolving beyond senseless violence.  I’d like to think that we’re moving towards a society that doesn’t have the evil desires to torture and do wrong.  Don’t you?

So when is the last time you did something nice for someone else?  Have you gone out of your way to ensure someone’s happiness for the day?  Did you tell your loved one you appreciate them today?  I know I did.

Keep positive and DO GOOD WILL YA?

Andrew out!

My view from Castle Rock

A hop, skip, and a jump from Downtown San Jose is a panoramic viewed perch, fitted for a super hero and sits over looking the South Bay.

Located in Castle Rock State Park, at the top of HWY 9, is a skyline hiking trail that you can either start at the crossing of  HWY 9 and HWY 3 (about a 4.5 mile hike), or you can take a cheat-cheat drive to the half mile trek which takes you directly to Summit Rock.   It’s easy to miss the exit for the shorter route, so look for this exit approx 2 1/2 miles up hwy 35.

All you need to remember once you’re on the trail is just stay to your left.  There are a few different trails as you head up but if you stay to the left you’ll no doubt run right into it.  And when you get there, you’ll know it.  It is quite big.

Check my photos as I hiked up to the big rock at the twitpic photo album.

Headed somewhere cool yourself?  Let us know and right about it!  We’ll throw it into the mix.

Silk Road Bistro Recession Special - Photo by Eric Carter @ Dizzy Pixel

If this isn’t a sign of our economic woes, I don’t know how much clearer it can get.

I commend Silk Road Bistro for this sign.  What a great way to leave a lasting Silk Road Bistro impression in each passer-byer that walks down the San Fernando Street block between 3rd and 2nd.  While a constant reminder of the impending doom effecting our economy isn’t a pleasant thought, the fact that you can get discounts on some great Indian food might help alleviate the painful thought of being let go, fired, squadooshed, canned, or “don’t let the screen door hit ya on the ass on the way out”.

I suppose this sign could be categorized as Sweet and Sour – but in the opposite order maybe?  And when you show them your pink slip in in order to redeem your half off discount, will they say, “Penny for your thoughts”?

Can Silk Road Bistro become a kind of Laid Off Anonymous where the no longer employed can share their story and seek friendship and support during such a rough time known as a “Recession”?  Probably not.  And that is most likely not their end game for the discount offer.  Clever thought none the less right?

Even if you haven’t been given that dreadful pink slip, (do they make it pink to try and keep spirits lifted?  Why not red?)  try to get down to Silk Road Bistro for lunch or dinner sometime.  Great prices, calm environment, and fantastic food.  I personally recommend the combo plate, (called something else) which gives you Salmon, Chicken, Shrimp, and one other thing… I want to say, lamb?… along with rice.  And make sure to get an order of Garlic Naan – oh man is it good.

Good job Silk Road Bistro!  SanJoseCityLiving.com is proud to have you in our neighborhood.  Its that kind of witty sense of humor and good food that helps liven up San Jose.

Photo by: Eric Carter @ Dizzy Pixel

Check out this awesome video recap on Cinequest 19:

If you haven’t been to The Mountain Winery off of hwy 9, I highly recommend it.  While I know there are plenty of other wineries all over the area, the view, the wine, and the ambiance of this place is unlike no other.

When Friday roles around and you’re thinking of something fun to do, think about starting the afternoon off right with a nice drive up hwy9 to The Mountain Winery, a little wine tasting, and ooing and aahing over the view.  It really is beautiful up there.

In case this is the first time you’ve heard of the  Mountain Winery, I felt it would be a good idea to introduce you to the other major appeal of this wine palace.  For starters, The Mountain Winery boasts an incredible outdoor amphitheater where performers such as Styx, Kathy Griffin, Chris Isaak, Los Lonely Boys, The Doobie Brothers, Steely Dan, and many others have performed.  And those were just some of the names from the 2008 Concert Season.

The Mountain Winery Construction

With the 25 million dollar renovation project nearing its end make sure to check out the concert schedule to get more information on upcoming shows and events.

Yes it’s true, Diablo Cody came to The Vault Soiree with Inside Cinequest after her public interview with a Q&A where audience members could ask questions.

The interview was informative but the sad part was the man asking the initial questions talked only about himself.  From what I heard from others attending the Q&A was that he is a film professor from Stanford.

Only 5 or so minutes into the interview the crowed was yelling, “LET HER SPEAK!”  Diablo couldn’t get a word in, nor would Mr. Talksalot even ask her a question.  With more and more people yelling to silence the man, he finally gave in and began asking her questions, which of course, each sent him back into a tizzy of self directed talk.

Some neat things I learned about Diablo Cody, other than the fact she wrote the movie ‘Juno‘ as well as the new hit Showtime series ‘United States of Tara‘, Diablo got discovered by a blog she wrote.  While she didn’t go into exactly what the blog was about, she did mentioned through her writing talents, someone suggested she write a screen play.  Coincidentally her very first screen play was was Juno.

Each night Cinequest hosted an after party.  The night Diablo was here for her Q&A  and to receive the Maverick Award she was given, she came down to spend time with Inside Cinequest at The Vault Soiree.

We had a great time!  Diablo is a down to earth, tell it like it is kind of person.  FYI, she’s looking at getting a new lap dog but secretly wants a big Great Dane.  We took shots of taquila (as some of you may have read about on my Twitter posts) and just relaxed.  It was an honor spending time with her and I’m glad to have met her.

I spent some time with Inside Cinequest during the film festival and had the honor to see, first hand, interviews with producers, directors, and everyone in between.

So far I have had the privilege of meeting with Jeff Lam (Producer) and Timo Chen (Music Producer) from the film Why Am I Doing This, Mary Haverstick (Director/Producer/Writer) and Michele Mercur (Executive Producer) from the film Home, as well as Wayne Lachman (Director) and Scott Macgregor (Executive Producer) from the documentary film Life For A Child. One thing each of these people shared was a personal passion of the art of film making and conveying a message.

Cinequest is a great launching point for many films. While speaking with the Director of Corps Run (John Michael Thomas), he mentioned that just by being a part of Cinequest, his movie was going to gain traction it wouldn’t achieve by any other method. The recognition and prestige of having a film at Cinequest is something in and of itself.

On average there are 3000 independent films made each year – of those, only about 1000 find their way into a festival. Beyond the 1000 in festivals only a 100 get any sort of recognition. Only a few, maybe 1-5 of the top films get distributed to the rest of us once passing the rigorous battery of judging sessions and peer reviews.

Films like Slumdog Millionaire are an example of the top percentile that truly makes headway into the big time blockbusters. However, can we really call films with huge 10+ million dollar budgets, Indies? It’s a tough concept to lock down but some have characterized it by the amount invested to create a film, others have defined it by a film, which isn’t supported by a major studio. The definition isn’t as clear as one might think but one thing we can agree on is that Indie films are becoming more the rave than anything before as the big studios and actors are taking on Indie film roles to gain popularity and grab a piece of the growing audience.

One thing we can be sure of is that Cinequest 19 has been one of the best we’ve seen. To top it off, it was just a few steps from out backyards – or balconies for those of us in high-rises.

Keep in touch, as I’ll be writing more about the experience and the films I’ve seen along with my experience hanging out with the crew of Inside Cinequest.