Do the survivors trust the rescuers, or do they heed Charlie’s warning?

‘Lost’ is back: ABC 7 tonight from 8:00p - 9:00p and 9:00p - 10:02p
(Note the 2 minutes it will run past 10p)

Last year while covering Cinequest interviews, one of my favorites was ‘A conversation with J.J. Abrams.’

Mr. Abrams shared the surprising way in which ‘Lost’ came about. His love for his craft was apparent, as was his genius. ABC had called on J.J. to take the premise of a plane going down; stranding the passengers on an island. He was then unbelievably asked to come back in just a couple of days to present his scenario for a two-hour pilot. In twelve weeks he was able to pull the story, the characters, and the crew together-’Lost’ was a two-hour pilot, and the rest is history.

The Cinequest Film Festival promises to be even more exciting this year. To be revealed in future posts!

Clear your calendar from February 27 - March 9, 2008

Tickets are available

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton will be speaking at the McEnery Convention Center this Friday.

The event is open to the public, South Hall at 435 South Market Street, beginning at 4pm.

I expect that traffic in or around town will be a mess, so I suggest planning ahead.

We know about the Tesco efforts to open a ‘Fresh and Easy’ grocery store at Bird and Minnesota. Although I heard that there was a problem with the liquor license (the city doing their best to encourage new business?) things must be moving forward. This morning Tesco announced the opening of yet another ‘Fresh and Easy’ in San Jose. The second grocery, not far from Bird and Minnesota, will take over the soon to close Safeway at Almaden and Curtner.

It is interesting that both ‘Fresh and Easy’ stores will be located in the Willow Glen neighborhood.

Cirque du Soleil, the famed entertainment group is moving into San Jose with Kooza! After completing their acts at San Francisco, they begin their show here from January 31. They are going to be around for a while — till March 16 to be precise. Kooza could be a good outing in this wet and cold time of the year.

Tickets start at $55. But you’re probably better of buying the $90 ones for a good view. If you would like to check out a review first, read this piece on San Jose Mercury News.

I know we need the rain, but today was miserable! The forecast calls for an 80% chance of precipitation for this weekend. Ugh! In the need of a warm getaway, but unable to leave town, I’m planning to visit the enticingly mysterious (dry) Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum.

In addition to the collection of artifacts, this Sunday kicks off an exhibition relevant to the disappearance of honeybees. A phenomenon I have been following for sometime now.

‘Vanishing Pollinators’ in the Museum Lecture Gallery.
Opening reception: Sunday, January 27 @ 3:00pm.

Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum
1342 Naglee Ave
San Jose, CA 95191

Monday - Friday: 10:00am - 5:00pm
Saturday - Sunday: 11:00am - 6:00pm

$9.00 general admission*
$7.00 seniors 55 and older and students with I.D.
$5.00 children ages 5 - 10
free children under 5
* $1.00 discount on general admission for members of AAA, AAM, KQED, and Military

Please note: Visitors 17 and under will not be admitted without a parent or chaperone at least 18 years of age.

Only Non-flash photography is allowed inside the museum.

The California Highway Patrol, San Jose Area, will soon be packing a new usually non-lethal weapon. In speaking with the CHP, I learned that officers are now being trained in the use of new Taser Guns. The weapons are sure to be controversial, but being shot with something that will most likely not cause any long-term damage is way better than a bullet in the gut. Right?

CHP Traffic Incident Information Page

Bruce Springsteen “The Boss” and the E Street Band will perform for San Jose.

April 5th. HP Pavilion at 7:30pm!

Tickets go on sale Monday Jan. 28 at 10 a.m
San Jose’s HP Pavilion
Tickets - $65-$95

* Live Nation
* Ticketmaster
* (408) 998-TIXS.

Free tickets? 98.5 KFOX will most likely have a contest

This past week I dog sat my friend’s Australian Shepherd (pictured). I have known her since she was a puppy and we get along very well; however, she is not a very sociable dog.

I looked on the American Kennel Club Web site about Australian Shepherds to read that the Australian Shepherd is an intelligent, active dog with an even disposition. The Australian Shepherd is in the Herding Group; true, you should see her herd up the squirrels in the backyard.

While on the AKC site I noticed they have a list of the Top 10 Most Popular Breeds in the 50 Largest U.S. Cities — 2007 AKC Registration Figures.

The top 10 list for San Jose:

1. Labrador Retriever
2. Yorkshire Terrier
3. German Shepherd
4. Golden Retriever
5. Bulldog
6. Boxer
7. Chihuahua
8. Doberman Pinscher**
9. Maltese
10. Shih Tzu***

** Tied with #7
*** Tied #9

More about the list here.

If you are planning to vote in the Feb. 5 presidential primary and you have never registered before or you need to re-register must do so by midnight today.

You will need to re-register if you have moved, changed your name or wish to change the political party from your previous registration.

You can download and print a form from the Registrar of Voters Web site here. Look for the Register to Vote link on the left.

You can also pick up the registration forms at post offices, libraries, fire stations, city halls, and most local government offices and at the registrar’s office, 1555 Berger Drive, Building 2, San Jose.

Mailed registration forms that are postmarked no later than today will be accepted. Voters may also return the forms to the registrar’s office no later than today.

Check the Registrar of Voters Web site for more information here.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.” I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slaveowners will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood. I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a desert state, sweltering with the heat of injustice and oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice. I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today.

– Martin Luther King Jr. (1929 - 1968)
civil rights leader & clergyman

The quotation by Martin Luther King, Jr. that puts a smile on my face: “We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.”

Freedom Train To Run On Martin Luther King Holiday - Jan. 21

Santa Clara Valley - 2008 Celebration

The Martin Luther King, Jr., Encyclopedia.