Thanks for giving info to the newbies about the past of this interesting town called Milpitas…read more(small corn fields:). This review is for the mini-museum on display at the mall. This is the first time in 4 years going to that mall that I realized that was a superb way to spend an hour or 2 just admiring the items on display and the explanations of the history of this town that some consider 'less' than San Jose or somehow a sleepy town where people that cannot afford the 'real Silicon Valley' tend to find cheaper housing. If you are curious, like history and want to know what happened here before you put your feet at Apple, Google or whatever brought you here and decide that Milpitas is that town that stinks...stop next time you go to the mall to admire and think and respect what others left for you and understand how this area evolved (even you -and me-are part of its history now). Thanks for putting this together to all those volunteers out there!

The Milpitas Historical Society was organized by 79 Milpitans in 1980 to discover, preserve, and…read moredisseminate the history of Milpitas. The Society maintains the city's first fire truck, Leapin' Lena that is on display at the Library. It also takes care of a historical display near the food court in the Great Mall. Recently it began a display of historic items in City Hall. The Society is a group of active adults who all share a love of the cultural heritage of Milpitas. They serve the community in many ways: they help businesses interested in historic images; they promote local history to school groups; they conduct an annual community tour of local agriculture and historical sites; they bring interesting speakers to their monthly meetings; they publish an excellent informational newsletter called 'The Milpitas Muse;' they lobby our local city leaders to keep our local history alive. Recently they began cataloging their collection and advocating to build our city's first community museum to be located in a city park near the Public Library. After the museum opens, the Society hopes to operate and staff it. They meet on the second Wednesday of January, March, April, May, September, October, and November at the Library beginning at 7:00 PM. Stop in for an interesting history program and light refreshments. Their meetings are open to all!

Not going to lie - the main cemetery has always given me the creeps. Ever since I was in 4th…read moregrade... the tombstones are crooked, cracked, and well... it's just plain creepy. But kind of awesome. In a creepy way. But most people don't know about/don't go to the other cemeteries. They're a lot greener and look like they've definitely been taken care of. And they can be kind of peaceful... So I'd recommend checking those out of you're into California history. It's not really my thing, but I'm glad I visited. Not sure if I'll be back, but you never know.

The only reason I am giving 3 stars here is to acknowledge Renee for stepping in to help us…read moreotherwise if I base my review on all the staff experiences lately I would have to give 1 star! I understand this is a city program but that should not be in excuse to not do better. The volunteers, the parents, the cast members, director, choreographer and vocal director as well as technical director and set designers work so hard the city must do better to provide them with the support to put on an extraordinary show. Marketing for the upcoming show is not happening. Last post Feb 11th We must do better!

One of the nicest experiences in North San Jose, lately! I was planning some 'Lets check all these…read moreparks in Santa Clara' activity for these Christmas days of forced vacation when I found out about James Lick Mansion. In fact, I thought it was just the house of someone and for some reason appeared on my Google Maps search (not easy to find from the street as you actually need to enter though an apartment complex to find it). I learned about James Lick, an entrepreneur that moved to Santa Clara in the 1800 and started several business, and died at the end of that century being considered the richest man in California. This mansion is registered at the National Register of Historic Places. This type of Victorian mansion style is called Italianate and it seems was popular during those times. The house (24 rooms) was built between 1858 and 1860 next to his flour mill, out of native redwood trees. Not only you will find this pretty house but also the rebuilt granary and mill that was used to create paper that was used on the fruit packaging when the Valley was in full production splendor. It is a pleasant experience to just be there imagining another era, observing the elegant palm trees and having a calm time with yourself. I could not enter inside the house, but took a peek at how the interior is and for around ten minutes I went daydreaming.

The roads may be a bit narrow and it's a bit packed depending on the time you go but I feel it was…read moreworth it!

such a pretty drive. nice views but limited spots to park and look out. roads are nice as wellread more

Taiwanese unite! This cultural center welcomes people with roots in Taiwan and enthusiasts to learn…read moreand immerse in enrichment activities. They host a pretty big library accessible to all ages with media available in Chinese. We were able to visit recently due to a lunar new year festival hosted by the Northern California South Bay Taiwanese as Association every year where various vendors and performers were invited in the celebration. From lion dancers to kung fu performers as well as Chinese yo-yo practitioners, members of the community showcased their talent and skills in celebrating their heritage. The main space is quite large and was able to accommodate quite a number of people. The main stage was high enough for folks in the back to see the performers clearly. Furthermore, the sound system worked fine and speakers at the event were pretty audible. There is a private parking lot as well as street parking nearby so for most events, it's quite reasonable to secure a spot. Overall, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center is a great resource for community members to connect with opportunities available for youth and seniors while also immersing in the Taiwanese culture through art, music, and food. With a large auditorium, it's a great space to host events for medium to large groups.

Look flashy on the outside, extremely inefficient and unnecessary complicated process.read more

Being a Veteran, I feel its still my duty to try attend dedications, or any other veteran function…read morethat the city or state does. When your here, take a moment to read the names on the "wall". Nearly half a century later, an elegant hunk of black granite, etched with local names, might help the public finally honor those soldiers. Unlike today's revered soldiers, Vietnam era warriors were not lauded as heroes and had precious few chances to become revered figures in the public eye. Their sacrifices were shrouded in protests and shame. The location isn't the best. There are several "vagrants" or what I call mutants that wonder the area. Parking next the Shark Tank is best. Remember the 142 "Sons of San Jose" who lost their lives during the Vietnam War. These young men gave the ultimate sacrifice in order for us to continue to live in the land of the free and the home of the brave. Ronald Lee Aleshire Jimmie Marron Alvarez Warren Lester Anderson Joseph Antognini III Alonso Aragon Jr. Stephen Anthony Balters Jr. Jeffrey Thomas Beardsley Robert Eugene Beaumont Leslie Allen Bellrichard Thomas Howard Bergren Raymond Bernal Jr. Thomas George Brocker Kermit Edward Burkey Michael Edward Burns Gary William Butler Charles Byrd George J. Carrillo Jr. Timothy Michael Carroll Jackie Charles Carter Manuel Angel Castillo Gerald Cervantes Armando Chapa Jr. Roberto Cobarrubias James Miles Combs Christopher Corwin Cook William Donald Cook Jr. Richard James Coston Jimmy Douglas Curry Kenneth Alan Dahl David Michael Davison Thomas Joe Dawson Jr. Louis Scott Di Bari Wolf-Dieter Dietz Juan Leon Guerrere Duenas Richard Monroe Dyke Joseph Escamilla Jaime Esquivel Gerald Francis Filippi Edwardo Flores Richard Allan Forbes William Holt Fowler III Bruce Gary Friel Richard Garza Jr. Kenneth Gilbert Gellerman Robert Gonzales Michael John Grecu Scott Craig Griswold Dallas George Grundy Phillip O. Guillen Ernest Lemas Gutierrez Robert Ralph Hammer John Lewis Harley Dean Allen Harris Robert Earl Harris Michael Maxwell Hatzell Dan David Hayes Glenn Elden Heflin James Reeve Heimbold Leroy Hensley Robert Francis Hinkston Melvin Douglas Holcomb Fred Lee Hottinger Howard Eugene Hurst John William Irving Jr. Robert Allen Jans Robert Stevens Jernberg Larry Michael Jordan Theodore C Kappmeyer Daniel Duane Keyes Michael George Kindred Loyd Eugene Kinsworthy John Michael Koenig Walter Koeppe Jr. Russell Walter Krill Jeffery David Kuersten Marion Dominic La Rosa Joseph Ledesma John Edward Lopez Jr. Chester George Lyons Cesar Jabonillo Mamon William A. Mansergh Jr. Ernesto Martinez Robert Susumu Masuda John Albert McGehee William David McGivern Richard Harold McGuire David Phillip Medina Rudolph Melendez Joseph Louis Mendoza Michael Mereno Robert Gail Miller Angelo Raymond Morales Carlos Garcia Munoz Tony Valdez Nastor Kenneth Lawrence Neal Steve Masao Ohara Jack Coleman Owens William Allen Palenske Richard Michael Patrick Raymond Allan Petersen Donald Ray Phipps John Richard Poso Timothy Cole Proudfoot Miguel Angel Puentes Alex Leon Quiroga John Arthur Ramirez Lynn Murray Randall Rudolph Sotelo Renteria Duane Lawrence Richard Jose Anto Rivera-Bermudez William S. Robertson III Floyd Irwin Robinson Joe Ignacio Rodriguez Gilbert Ruiz David Frank Santa-Cruz Gilbert Serrano Samuel Arthur Sharp Jr. David Howard Shoemaker Rosendo Flores Silbas Charles Lenet Smith James Douglas Smith John Calvin Smith Matthew Edward Smith Eusebio Solis Kenneth Lyle Spitzer Daniel Edwin Strobbe Jon Tasch Kenneth Carl Titsworth Grady Thomas Triplett Richard Lee Trisler Homer Urrabazo Patrick John Vasquez Jose Louis Vieras Donald James Wade George Allen Waldron Thomas James Walker Craig Leslie Walton Larry Ellis Williams Donald Ray Williamson Dennis Harold Wright Murray John Wyman Augusto Maria Xavier Thank you for reading.

Sad to say but the U.S Government killed these people for greed…read more They died for profits.

Every time I go to Alviso I try to see if this place is open to public or not. Apparently not, but…read moreapparently some others have told me (open secret) that is a great place to do some bird watching. At the corner of Hope and Elizabeth streets you will see this 2-story building called today Mudflat Refuge but back in the day of the cannery factory in Alviso this was called China Camp. Several hundred worked lived there and worked in the Bay Side canning company across the street. Many San Joseans of today are descendants of these Chinese Americans that came to work in what was one of the most successful canning companies in the US. All gone, but this building is a historical remain to remember the past.