2008
Microsoft makes $44 billion bid for Yahoo – 11 millionth player subscribes to World of Warcraft – Laid-off worker Jing Wu shoots two of his former bosses at SiPort in Santa Clara – Former Brocade CEO Greg Reyes jailed and fined for options backdating – San Jose businessman William ‘Boots’ DelBaggio indicted for fraud – Former Fry’s executive Ummar Siddiqui indicted for a kickback scheme – Downtown’s 22-story high-rise Axis residential tower opens – American Musical Theatre of San Jose closes
Rebuild This Civic on Rock & Roll
A couple of years ago, Live Nation, one of the world’s largest concert promoters, came knocking on the door of the San Jose Civic Auditorium in hopes of adding the venue to its roster. Team San Jose, the organization contracted by the city to run its venues, turned them away. When Lee Smith, chairman of Live Nation San Francisco and Denver, talks about it now, it’s clear from his tone that negotiations over the civic left a bitter taste in his mouth. “It wasn’t a pleasurable experience,” he says. Mike Connor, March 12, 2008
The Best Defense
Accused City Hall hacker Eric Hernandez showed up for his arraignment on Friday, represented by one of the valley’s most expensive criminal attorneys. Attorney Benjamin Williams appeared and dropped the bombshell that Hernandez had retained his boss, superstar lawyer Steve Manchester, to handle the case. “He’s the best guy to hire if I was accused of first degree murder,” one of our legal experts opined. “He handles the biggest guys who are in the deepest shit.” Another member of the bar offered similar praise for Manchester’s acumen. “His shit’s better than Alan’s these days”—a reference to Alan Ruby, the lawyer who handles Barry Bonds and got Ron Gonzales’ bribery charges waxed. (We doubt either of these testimonials will wind up on Manchester’s website.) No clues about how the teenage intern from one of San Jose’s poorest neighborhoods got Manchester’s business card or is paying the defense costs. Let’s just say our calls to South Bay Labor Council executive Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins went unreturned. The Fly, March 5, 2008
Little Saigon: The First Dining Guide
Both sides of the Little Saigon controversy agree that that the area’s culinary appeal could help it grow into a tourist attraction. Who knows, once a name for the area is decided, Madison Nguyen and her critics can debate who makes the best bun bo hue and leave the political battles behind. For newcomers to Vietnamese food, the trick is knowing where to eat and what to order. Most people are familiar with pho, and you can definitely get a bowl of beef noodle soup here, but I sought out some of the other dishes the area has to offer. Stett Holbrook, July 2, 2008
Solar Powerplay
Mayor Chuck Reed’s stated plan to make San Jose into California’s green-tech capital has largely involved a bunch of inspirational speeches and feel good proclamations. Now, the idea may be growing some teeth…If there is anything that makes developers cringe, it’s the prospect of government mandates. These new mandates are perhaps more unwelcome because of their timing—San Jose is already pushing new policies that will force residential developers to build more affordable housing citywide. Erin Sherbert, April 16, 2008
