6AM City In-house

Tick tock, it’s our new Maker Minute ⏱️

Maker Minute: Meet San Jose artist Carlos Rodriguez
CarlosRodriguez_SJtoday_NOV2022
“Art should be healing and uplifting.” | Photo provided by Helene Rodriguez
Any local could tell you that San Jose is one of the most vibrant, diverse, and creative cities in the US. Our new Maker Minute series will introduce many of the artists + small business owners that make our city so special.

Today, we’re highlighting local artist Carlos Rodriguez. At the age of eight, Carlos immigrated to San Jose from Mexico and expressed himself through street art + murals in his neighborhood. This would later inspire him to create youth art programs at MACLA and the Alum Rock Counseling Center.

Most recently, Carlos’ work was featured in San Jose’s 1Culture gallery — and he repped the great 408 at the first-ever Bed Stuy Walls Mural Festival.

Two men look at a large painting/altar of the Virgin Mary.

At a recent 1Culture show, Carlos’ painting + altar explored an indigenous interpretation of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Photo by SJtoday staff


Q: Tell us about your art.
A: My art is a reflection of my soul, my being. It is influenced by my culture and inspired by the great Mexican Muralist murals I saw growing up. It expands past murals to jewelry and clothing design.

Q: What do you love about San Jose?
A: It’s where my Dad brought us. It’s my home and close to the ocean and my loved ones.

Q: Describe San Jose’s art scene in three words.
A: Competitive, developing, grassroots.

Q: What’s a life lesson that you’ve learned through your art that you’d like to share?
A: Art should be healing and uplifting. It should be an expression of self. It should capture your essence and most importantly, spark a conversation.

An indigenous Mother Earth figure holding a growing plant.

“Ancestors Mother” — Carlos’ recent Bed Stuy mural pays homage to Mother Earth + his Mexican heritage.

Photo provided by Helene Rodriguez


Q: What past or upcoming projects are you most proud about?
A: Anytime I can do a mural for a community that can heal from it, are projects I take pride in. Upcoming, I’m heading to Art Basel, and I’m excited about it! The last project I had in NY was also very motivating and it showed me that I can push myself and broaden my horizons independently.

Know another local artist or small business owner we should feature? Nominate them here.
6AM City In-house

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Friday, Nov. 11
  • Into the Woods | Friday, Nov. 11-Sunday, Nov. 20 | 7:30 p.m. | Hammer Theatre Center, 101 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose | $20 | Every wish has an unexpected consequence in this Sondheim classic.
  • Veterans Day Parade 2022 | Friday, Nov. 11 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Downtown San Jose, Santa Clara St. + Highway 87, San Jose | Free | Show your support for the troops.
Saturday, Nov. 12
  • Alum Rock Trail Crew | Saturday, Nov. 12 | 8:45 a.m.-12 p.m. | Alum Rock Park, 15350 Penitencia Creek Rd., San Jose | Free | Help keep one of San Jose’s top trail systems clear and safe for the public.
  • Cinderella | Saturday, Nov. 12-Sunday, Nov. 13 | 7:30 p.m. | California Theatre, 345 S. 1st St., San Jose | $55-$195 | This family-friendly production features Cinderella as a lowly copyist at an opera company run by a scheming stepmother.
  • Fall Wreathmaking Workshop | Saturday, Nov. 12 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Splunk Plaza, 500 Santana Row, San Jose | $60 | ‘Tis the season for holiday crafts.
  • Makers Market | Saturday, Nov. 12 | 11 a.m.-6 p.m. | Santana Row, 377 Santana Row, San Jose | Free | 60+ local artisans share wares ranging from jewelry to CBD products.
  • rAdolescents, The Hajj, Hot Laundry, The Backstabbers, Terminally Ill | Saturday, Nov. 12 | 8 p.m. | The Ritz, 400 S. First St., San Jose | $12 | Bang your heads to these punk and rock bands.
  • Sesame Street Live! Make Your Magic | Saturday, Nov. 12-Sunday, Nov. 13 | 2 p.m. | San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, 255 S. Almaden Blvd., San Jose | $20-$95 | In this family show, Elmo looks for magic + learns to believe in himself.
  • Whiskey Myers | Saturday, Nov. 12 | 8 p.m. | San Jose Civic, 135 W. San Carlos St., San Jose | $25-$182 | This Southern rock/country band was featured in Kevin Costner’s series “Yellowstone.”
Sunday, Nov. 13
  • Oakridge Farmers Market | Sunday, Nov. 13 | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | Westfield Oakridge, 5420 Thornwood Dr., San Jose | Free | Get fresh produce, live entertainment, and more at this year-round market.

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
100+ MORE EVENTS

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Weather
  • 62º | Partly cloudy | 6% chance of rain
Today Is
  • Veterans Day, a federal holiday commemorating people who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Expect various closures related to the holiday, and possible traffic around Downtown’s parade, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. 🪖
Community
Civic
  • This week, State Senator Dan Cortese formally requested an audit of San Jose’s use of state funds to address homelessness. San Jose has received at least $135 million in state funds for temporary housing projects. Cortese cited conditions at the Columbus Park encampment as motivation for this audit. (San José Spotlight)
Plan Ahead
  • Small business promoter, San Jose Makers, has announced its November lineup of events — including pop-ups at LVL Uproar and Original Gravity. Pro tip: these three markets might be a great spot to pick up an early holiday gift... 🛍️
Health
Biz
  • And liftoff... San Jose-based company Archer Aviation announced its first air taxi route, with service between Newark Airport + Manhattan scheduled to launch in 2025. This is the first definitive air taxi route from any company. Not commuting to the Big Apple? By then, there may be a local alternative. 🛩️ (Silicon Valley Business Journal)
Asked
  • Earlier this week, we asked you what makes you grateful about living in San Jose. So far, your answers have warmed our hearts. Keep ‘em coming for a chance to be included in a future newsletter. ❤️
Travel
  • Two words: Pineapple cottage. This Hakalau, Hawaii Vrbo has sweeping ocean views, an outdoor hanging bed for lounging, and is on a fruit farm (think: lemons, oranges, lychee and pineapple at your fingertips). Book as a January getaway or as the best holiday gift ever for only $175 avg/night. 🍍*

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What’s in a name?

The history of the Berryessa name
A Berryessa sign at the BART station, with North San Jose and the hills in the background.
You’ll see the “Berryessa” name all around the North San Jose district. (And, don’t forget Napa’s “Lake Berryessa.”) | Photo by SJtoday staff
Hey San Jose — City Editor Nicole here. I grew up in the Berryessa area and never thought twice about the district’s name... until now. 👀

Recently, I’ve learned that the name “Berryessa” actually comes from one of the most prominent families in San Jose’s history.

The Berryessa family — whose name was also spelled “Berrelleza” — was originally from the Basque region of Spain and settled in California as members of the De Anza expedition.

🔎 Quick facts
  • The family owned much of the Bay Area — including the New Almaden quicksilver mine (which produced today’s equivalent of $449 million in mercury by 1880). 💰
  • Despite their influence, they lost most of their land (and several lives) after the Bear Flag Revolt.
Wanna learn more? Local author Jenny Clendenen’s Berryessa biography captures the full story of murder, betrayal, and theft. 📖

What other historic San Jose placenames should we explore next?
6AM City In-house
THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Nicole.

Editor’s pick: Last night, I threw it down at another Visual Philsophy class — working with clay was messier than expected, but loads of fun. Tonight, I have tickets to see Yosimar Reyes’ one-man-show “Prieto” at MACLA. (Pssst... they still have tickets for next weekend.) What upcoming SJ events are you excited for? Let me know.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? See what happened in San Jose’s roaring 1920s.
Connect with us.

Editorial: Alyson Chuyang, Nicole Calande, Trevor Peters, Britt Thorson, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Allie Wetteland | Advertise with us.

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