Latest Posts

  • The Cost of Safe, Clean Water  “What’s in your Wallet?”

    The Cost of Safe, Clean Water 

    “What’s in your Wallet?”

    When the voters approved Measure S – also known as the “Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program” (“Program”) – in November, 2020, they not only renewed an existing, similar parcel tax enacted by the voters in 2012 that was due to expire in 2027, but removed the sunset provision. The current version allows…

  • Beautifying Naglee Park How Neighbors Worked Together

    Beautifying Naglee Park

    How Neighbors Worked Together

    It all started with traffic. In the late 70s traffic here was horrendous: ambulances, fire trucks, and unchecked cars sped through the neighborhood. Adding to traffic problems, there was limited parking available at San Jose State, so students were forced to park in the neighborhood. The Naglee Park community wanted safer, saner streets and requested…

  • Henry M. Naglee – more than a Monument

    Henry M. Naglee

    – more than a Monument

    The recent survey of local public monuments by the SJToday blog is a good one. What do our monuments signify and memorialize? Monuments sometimes have a story far beyond what is presented. The Naglee monument, located in St. James Park at North 2nd and St. John streets, is an example of a monument that now…

  • Reflections on Local Retail

    Reflections on Local Retail

    Diaz Men’s Wear on E. Santa Clara Street…how many times have you walked or driven by? It’s in the beautiful Saratoga Capital building between Second and Third Streets. I have purchased jeans there once or twice, maybe a jacket several years ago. It has survived nearly 40 years, operated by a friendly married couple.  My…

  • Choose to Live in San Jose

    Choose to Live in San Jose

    Note: I originally wrote this document (titled – Living Downtown San Jose) in 2016 when I worked at Netflix for the benefit of my fellow co-workers. I wanted to encourage people relocating to the Bay Area to consider living in San Jose. I am reproducing here with some updates for your enjoyment. Many Netflix employees…

  • Is Homelessness a Crime?

    Is Homelessness a Crime?

    Homelessness is a complex problem that challenges if not defies solutions. In fact, there is some evidence that the problem has grown worse, in spite of the efforts involving declarations of emergency, the commitment of millions of dollars by both government and private sector, and the collective, if not always well coordinated efforts by multiple…

  • Naglee Park – Style and Substance 

    Naglee Park – Style and Substance 

    What style is my house and why is the style important? The Rev. Francis W. Reid (1863-1949) could tell you; he wrote the answer to that question in the San Jose Mercury in 1892. On January 1, 1892 the paper published a special supplement listing the local businesses. The Francis Reid article is the earliest…

  • Where does our Water come from?

    Where does our Water come from?

    According to the World Health Organization, more than 2.1 billion people lack safe drinking water at home.  Here in Santa Clara County, we take it for granted that when we turn on the tap, we’ll get fresh, clean water suitable for drinking, cooking, bathing and watering our gardens. But did you ever wonder how that…

  • Dealing With an Ant Invasion?

    Dealing With an Ant Invasion?

    Here are some of the DIY ant control techniques suggested by our neighbors. Kill Them Strategy This technique involves sprinkling dry Cream of Wheat, right out of the box, on the anthill or as close to it as possible. The theory is that ants eat it and it dehydrates them and kills them. Effectiveness: This…

  • Welcome to the Naglee Park Blog

    Welcome to the Naglee Park Blog

    The Naglee Park neighborhood enjoys a very active and engaged community. Many residents contribute their talent and expertise in various ways. One such way is by sharing their knowledge on certain topics or opinion on something they are passionate about. This blog provides a venue for such content including: I hope the collection of posts…