According to a new list compiled by Forbes, San Jose ranks #1 in the list of greediest cities. I’m not sure what criteria was used to rank each city. To be fair, Forbes identified Silicon Valley as a city, which includes the cities of San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara.

Personally, it doesn’t suprise me one bit. Living in San Jose most of my life, I’ve definitely noticed a change in both the city and its people… in a not so positive light. A few of my friends and co-works have commented on what we figured was a sense of self-entitlement with people in the area… ironically, we all work in technology — whose generalized affluence helped give San Jose the not-so-flattering title.

Read Forbes Americas Greediest Cities for a complete list.

Iranian New Year - Norouz means “New Day” and is a celebration of life festival at the beginning of spring.

Iranian-American community activities include Spring cleaning, buying new clothes, painting eggs, giving presents, being with family, friends and neighbors.

* The 1st Annual Iranian New Year Parade of Northern California:

Sunday March 30th - 10am to 4pm
Downtown San Jose – Intersection of Market Street and Park Ave.
The parade will be followed with singing and dancing in the park.
(Admission is free)

* The 5th Annual Norouz Festival and Concert:

Saturday April 5 and Sunday April 6 - 10am to 7pm
Vasona Park in Los Gatos
Entrance from Blossom Hill Road or University Ave.
Persian foods, dance groups, family entertainment.
And someone to get excited about: Rushid - is confirmed.
(Admission is free)

Eggs, representing fertility, are boiled and painted with colorful images then placed on the Norouz table.
Photo credit goes to Alireza Najafian. Please look at his beautiful work on flickr.

Norouz Festival

Brace yourself, for the Democrats have converged on our city. The San Jose McEnery Convention Center will be closed to the general public today through Sunday as the pitches are being made. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who remains uncommitted, will speak this evening. Keynote speakers on Saturday will include U.S. Rep Zoe Lofgren D-San Jose (pictured in red) who is an Obama supporter. During a private meeting with superdelegates Bill Clinton will be doing his best to persuade votes for Hillary. He will then address the convention on Sunday morning.

A live webcast is set for Saturday at 9am.

I called Spartan Stadium and asked about a rumor that the Disney Channel would be filming an episode of “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody” in the Bay Area. No rumor - it’s the real deal. Extras are indeed needed. Bring the whole family out to Spartan Stadium for the tryouts.

TV Shoot “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody”

Extras needed
Saturday, March 29
12Noon - 2pm

Spartan Stadium
West Side: 7th St between Humbolt and Alma
South Side: Alma St between 10th and 7th Sts
East Side: 10th St between Humbolt and Alma

Ludwig van Beethoven, (1770 – 1827) was a German composer and one of the most famous and influential composers of all time.

The Ninth Symphony is one of Beethoven most famous symphonies and his last. He was totally deaf when he began composing the symphony in1818; his hearing gradually deteriorated beginning in his twenties. Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125 Choral was completed early in 1824 and then premiered on May 7, 1824 in Vienna.

This Thursday through Sunday at the California Theatre Brazilian-born Fabio Mechetti conducts Symphony Silicon Valley and the hundred-voice Chorale in performances of Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 in D minor Choral proceeded by Johannes Brahms’ Schicksalslied (Song of Destiny).

You will be humming Ode to Joy for weeks.

Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony
The California Theatre
345 South First Street, San Jose

Thursday 7:30 pm, March 27
Friday 8:00 pm, March 28
Saturday 8:00 pm, March 29
Sunday 2:30 pm, March 30

For more information including tickets, check here.

Center for Beethoven Studies at San Jose State University

Caltrain will be doing routine maintenance on its train tracks from South San Francisco down through the South Bay this week.

Monday through Friday crews will be doing various tasks along the tracks between Atherton and San Jose. The work will take place from 10:00 pm to 7:00 am when the rains are not running. There may be delays in these areas along with some construction noise.

Friday evening at 8:00 pm the railroad grade crossing at Rengstorff Avenue in Mountain View, between the Central Expressway and California Street, will be closed to allow crews to reconstruct the crossing and adjacent track, as well as resurface the street. The temporary closure will take place until Monday morning (March 31) when the track will be reopened for regular weekday train service. Drivers will have to detour around the construction by using Shoreline Boulevard or the San Antonio Road overpass. A free shuttle will be available for pedestrians on Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

For more information check here.

(Target on Coleman Ave.)

The 26th San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival is currently underway in San Francisco and Berkeley. This weekend the festival returns to San Jose for its 8th year with 17 screenings at Camera 12 Cinemas.

The San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival is the nation’s largest showcase for new Asian American and Asian films. This year some of the films are from Japan, South Korea, Philippines, Thailand, and India.

If you missed Glory Boy Days at Cinequest, you will have another opportunity this Saturday. Glory Boy Days was filmed in San Jose. Also of interest Saturday is Happiness from South Korea.

Check the schedule for show times and get your tickets early before they sellout.

Camera 12 Cinemas
201 South Second, San Jose
Friday – Sunday, March 21-23

The city of Campbell was once known for fruit orchards, drying yards, and canneries. It even claims to be the birthplace of fruit cocktail. Canning pioneer John Ainsley’s home was located at the corner of Hamilton and Bascom Avenues which is now home to eBay.

From the Campbell Chamber of Commerce site we learn that “Campbell is the ‘Heart” in the “Valley of Heart’s Delight’.” And, that the city has been able to retain a small town feeling…

On any weekday a stream of eBay employees can be seen jaywalking across Hamilton Ave. on their way to the wholesome Whole Foods. This spring will the stream flow in a more risqué direction when Hooters comes to town?

From the Hooters site: ‘ Hooters characterizes itself as a neighborhood place, not a typical family restaurant.’

I wonder if a city wanting to keep that ’small town feeling’ will be able to do so with this type of so-called neighborhood place?

Hooters