Monthly Archives: December 2021

Hamilton Is Back!

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Hamilton has returned to the stage. 

Hamilton, the musical production has returned to the stage after the 2019 pandemic surfaced. CVID-19 left Broadway as a whole shook as live showings are the key component. 

A recorded version of Hamilton was released on Disney Plus in 2020 with the original cast. Lin Manuel Miranda, the creator and lead role of Alexander Hamilton extended his vision for an at-home experience for all to see. 

Hamilton isn’t the first production to be released as a “movie.” Cats the Musical is one of the more famously known shows that has been recorded for the small screen back in 1998. 

One key aspect of any Broadway show is the set, and it doesn’t change much during a performance. The story works around the stage and part of Hamilton’s stage literally spins clockwise. Nothing compares to watching the show live!

San Jose was more than excited to be hosting the show at the San Jose Center for The Performing Arts. 

Three requirements were needed to get in. A ticket of course. Along with proof of vaccination and ID with the matching information. The lines were quite fast and the staff worked diligently. 

The show doesn’t slow down for latecomers, so be sure to get there on time, plus it/s quite distracting when people are crouching to the seats. 

The Northern American tour casting of Hamilton is currently made up of three different crews. The shows that were featured in the Bay Area were made up by the “ And Peggy” cast named after the third Schuyler sister. 

Julius Thomas III starred as the lead Alexander Hamilton and Donald Weber Junior as Aaron Burr. The cast is diverse and has been prevalent in a mostly POC cast. The casting director, “Bernie Telsey” has spoken to IndieWire on why that is. 

“It was created with the idea that anyone can do anything. . . it’s much more about consciously making a choice to do something, being seen for the color you are”

 Another unique approach, but not unseen, is the dialect. 

The songs are influenced by hip-hop and rap although taking place in 1776. A comparison could be made to the modern adaptation of Romeo and Juliet released in 1996 starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Romeo Montague. The setting is in modern times with the dialect and story being the same.  

While the show is titled Hamilton, the story is told by Aaron Burr as he is the one to open up the show with the famous line;

“How does a bastard, orphan, son of a whore

And a Scotsman dropped in the middle of a forgotten spot

In the Caribbean by providence impoverished

In squalor, grow up to be a hero and a scholar?”

Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton Essentially want the same thing, to be someone important. Their means of achieving success are very different. Where Burr prefers to play by the rules and take the most logical choice, Hamilton is impatient and lets it be known what he wants. 

This becomes both men’s downfall. Hamilton’s pride ends up killing his image, marriage, and his life. Burr was the man to pull the trigger.

“I’m the damn fool who shot him,” Burr’s lyric speaks to his life after killing Hamilton. 

The success of Hamilton boomed in the mid-2010s, and although Lin-Manuel Miranda had already been working in the music and Broadway industry, this opened a door to more opportunities for Miranda. 

Miranda wrote music for the popular film Moana, released in 2016. He even features some of his vocals in the background of some songs. “In the Heights” was another musical that Miranda was able to bring to movie production. Miranda’s Hamilton castmate, Anthony Ramos, starred as the lead in the role that Miranda once played. 

The shows plan to continue well into 2022 so there’s still time to see when Hamilton will return to a city near you. 

2021 Chabot College Campus Break-Ins

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Chabot Campus Security reported a campus auto burglary in March 2021, with a catalytic converter taken out of a vehicle in broad daylight located in parking lot F right across the B1100 building. 

Two incidents followed in the month of July, including a burglary at a construction trailer parked within campus and an attempted burglary/vandalism in an office inside building B2000, was reported. Force was used on both locations, a door and a window was broken into during the nighttime hours, however no loss was recorded. 

The Chabot College fall semester began with continued success of hybrid online and on-campus class meetings. However, unbeknownst to most students and staff, mysterious break-ins have occurred well before the start and have since continued within the college campus during the academic semester

Throughout August to September, at least 11 robberies/attempted robberies were reported to campus security. Almost all incidents targeted buildings designated for the Arts and Theater department, only one being another auto burglary in Lot B during an athletic event. 

There were many reports with locked classrooms and staff only rooms that were forcefully broken into. A locked classroom was pried open in order to gain access to two students’s personal belongings while they were still within campus. Damages to school property and vandalism also occurred. 

While most burglaries are considered B&E’s (breaking and entering), there are reports of theft that used no force. An office in B1100, had a window that was left open and thus was accessible from the outside, and a laptop was stolen. Trespassing took place in a “locked” faculty men’s restroom; yet no force was used to gain entry. Unfortunately, there were a number of  classrooms and facilities that were left unsecured, therefore the burglaries were highly successful. 

The Theater department’s Stage One building was broken into twice. The first robbery involved several electronic equipment, especially laptops, that were stolen which belonged to the department for students to use. They were placed in a locked cabinet, however, the perp(s) had knowledge of an opening or gap underneath in order to reach the devices. The second burglary, there were serious damages and vandalism that took place, yet no loss was found. In several offices and classrooms belonging to the department, a rock was used to break windows and was used as an acces point to loot various media equipment. 

In the event of a motor vehicle theft, engine parts, specifically a catalytic converter, was coveted in those incidents and no other loss was reported. 

Although there were incidents with evidence of no property or petty loss, more often than not, there was a higher rate of successful break-ins and robberbies recorded, with several victims and damagaes done on school property. On that note, it may be taken into consideration that there are items, such as media equipment, that are highlighted as main objectives made by the perpetrator(s) to take and steal.

These datas are collected and recorded under the Clery act; a federal law that requires colleges and universities to disclose certain timely and annual information about campus crime and security policies. All public and private institutions of postsecondary education participating in federal student aid programs are subject to it. 

The Clery Act originated from Howard & Connie Clery and named after their daughter Jeanne, who was raped and murdered at Lehigh University Bethelehem, Pennsylvania in 1986. The bill was enacted by Congress and signed into law by President George Bush in 1990 as the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990. The law was made in order to allow transperancy to the public and for schools to be made liable for the victims that suffer throught the heinous crimes commited within thier campuses. 

Published Annual Security Reports are completed and updated every year by October 1st and must contain 3 years’ worth of campus crime statistics and security policy statements. 

According to the clery reports from 2018-2020, criminal offences totaled to a number of 22 reported incidents, ranging from sexual crimes and burglary. Law violations were also listed, such as weapons possession (1) and drug possessions (5) and liquor possession (3). Less than half ended in actual arrests. 

Notifications can be found within the Chabot College website under Campus Safety and Security– Jeanne Clery Act; Annual Security Reports (ASRs). 

Lastly, a message from President Susan Sperling and Chabot Campus Safety & Security;

“We are increasing Safety and Security patrols across all campus areas and consolidating in person classes to several buildings where possible so that other sites can be locked and secured. We are also expanding administrative presence across campus areas.

Ultimately this is a multi-layered approach that we can all help play a part. Security reports that classroom doors are not always locked as people get used to the new system!  Please make sure when leaving a class, meeting room, or office that you always press the inside button to lock the door.”  

Moreover, please consider the following safety tips:

“See something Say Something” 

* Be aware of your surroundings.

* Always report suspicious behavior.

* Always secure valuables in a safe place.

* Always close and lock all doors and windows to your office, classroom, and vehicle.

* Always take your keys with you, even if you leave for only a short time

* Do not lend your keys to any unauthorized person

* Always hide valuables so they cannot be seen through windows.

It is very troubling that there are staff and students who suffered damage and irreplacable losses in their academic careers. Criminal offences, no matter how big or small- with or without loss, must be reported and under no circumstances be disregarded or ignored. 

 http://www.chabotcollege.edu/safety/safety-prevention.php

Tech Exodus

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Major companies from California’s tech Silicon Valley, depart to Texas for their new global headquarters. Along with Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Tesla, Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Oracle will also be based in Texas.

The Tech exodus from California has been a long time coming as businesses have found it increasingly difficult to turn profits due to regulations and high taxes. According to CNBC metrics, the average income tax rate in California is 53.8% and at 13.3%, California has the top rank in marginal tax across the nation.

Katie Shoolov CNBC reinforces, “Where some see as progressive legislation others see costly for business.”

Not only making it hard for big business to stay but for the workers as well. The cost of living in California has only been rising with job growth decreasing. Leaving Californians an inflated housing market with less of an incentive to stay. 650,000 people left the state in 2019 and another 135,400 the following year; 2020.

A study from Wealthfront, an investment management firm that provides robo-advisor services, found when it surveyed 2,700 bay area resident workers showed, 2 out of every 3 residents said they would move away from the bay area, if they could work from home. This was done with the caveat of the workers facing a possible pay decrease if choosing to work from home.

“Housing is impossible, we are 3 or 4 million units behind…because of the rate of living you [would] have to pay someone $150,000 a year. You don’t need to pay someone that type of salary in Texas.” Larr Getson political analyst San Jose State.

Without the high cost of living and progressive tax legislation, companies are able to create value for shareholders, lower wages, and generate revenue more efficiently in Texas. While Texas measures in the top three of States to do business in by tax structure, California is listed at 50th by the Tax Foundation. From 2008-2019, 18,000 companies have fled the state, mostly to Texas. 1,800 in 2016 alone.

Texas Governor Greg Abott touted his state welcoming the incoming tech giants, “To open in 2022 with lower taxes, high quality life, top notch workforce, and tier one universities creating an environment where companies like HPE can flourish.”

Tech analyst Tim Bajarin says when these companies leave the revenue could be a “bigger blow as here HP represents a pioneer helping to create Silicon Valley.”

Also warned by Lee Ohanian, senior fellow Hoover Institute, Professor of economics at UCLA, “This could change the whole nature of the state, how many tax dollars go into Sacramento.”

As the domino effect continues, one major company may not hurt California’s budget but the fear is a fleet of them just might. California has the 5th largest economy in the world and other tech staples like Apple, Facebook, and Google aren’t going anywhere soon.

Larr Getson “Google, Apple they are doing so well that the last thing they have to think about is moving. It is very much in their interest to stay here and get the latest on what is going on and be promoted by these beautiful minds at Stanford and at Cal.”

Peter Leroe Munoz Tech analyst reminds,“This is not an end to Silicon Valley, this is the move of the global headquarters. Where is the innovation and intellectual power happening.They have not left yet and will continue to employ people, It doesn’t matter where the CEO is.”

HPE, Oracle, and Tesla have said they are keeping the campuses in silicon valley with no layoffs.

The remote success of workers during the pandemic is the catalyst for companies who wanted a move out of California.

“HP and many others are sending the signal… Silicon Valley is wherever you want to be.” Jared Walczak VP state projects Tax Foundation.

Still considering the outcome of the exodus, will California legislation draw back or will they continue on the same agenda?

Barry Boone CEO of The Greater Sac Council pleads, “We are risking Californians’ economic future… legislators need to signal to the companies on the fence.”

Dining in Experiences; San Francisco

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San Francisco requires proof of a COVID-19 vaccine for patrons to dine indoors. As of Aug. 12, businesses have had to adapt to more changes as the pandemic continues. 

The City and County of San Francisco (CCOSF) announced that this health order” [has been] designed to protect against the continued spread of COVID-19, particularly among the unvaccinated, while keeping businesses open and helping to ensure schools remain open.” 

Over 94,000 small businesses (corner stores/restaurants/shops) operate out of the city, according to the CCSOF. Some have had better experiences adjusting to the mandate. The common opinion among several businesses is to do the best they can to keep doors open and employees safe. 

Imperial Tea Court is a famous restaurant that opened in the early 90s located in The Ferry Building on Embarcadero. 

Another location is set in Northern Berkeley where the city requires proof of vaccination before entry. The City of Berkeley emphasizes how restaurant environments hold high risks, “airborne droplets or particles containing the virus spread easily”

One of the employees oF Imperial Tea Court, who wishes to remain unnamed, has worked at the Embarcadero location since its opening in 2005. 

He emphasized that he feels safe in his work environment and will continue to follow any guidelines presented by the city. He stated that he’s always been in favor of a vaccine, whether or not it was required to go to work. 

According to the unnamed employee, there are more residents and businesses who are willing to follow guidelines than those who are not, “I haven’t heard of a business not wanting to comply. In San Francisco, people are very pro-vaccination.”

He also noted that although the business has picked back up again, it is not as busy as it used to be. The employee believes it’s due to the end of summer and there aren’t as many tourists. Johnson said visitors from all around the world come to Embarcadero, and he’s had several patrons who didn’t want to comply. 

“Sometimes I’m kind of fearful that a customer could be an anti-vaxxer and be volatile,” responded the employee when asked about those who don’t want to show vaccination proof. Thankfully nothing worrisome has occurred at the Tea Court. 

Locations with outdoor dining have the advantage, as they’re able to serve those who do not wish to show proof or have yet to get the vaccine. 

A popular location located right above the BART stop on Powell St. is the Westfield Mall. Thousands of people stop here to get to work or to enjoy the 170+ shops. The food court serves desserts, smoothie shops, and various Asian cuisines. However, to dine in, you must present your vaccine proof to a security guard before entering the dining area. 

One factor that some may not be aware of is that the mall has a terrace on the ninth floor where people can eat outdoors if they don’t have proof. There are plenty of tables and chairs, all with a delightful view of the Theater District. 

Jose Hernandez is a security guard for the mall and has worked in this location for about six months. According to Hernandez, for the most part, people are on board and comply with the rules.

“I haven’t had to remove anyone who didn’t want to comply.”

Hernandez has only worked as a security guard and is very used to the changing CDC guidelines. He, like Johnson, does believe the city is very used to the changes and comply. 

“There are a few ways that people can show proof, which makes it easier.” Hernandez refers to the physical vaccine card and apps (depending on where you got the vaccine) with the QR code you can download to your smartphone that holds your information. 

If you don’t have the vaccine card, you can download an online version of the verification through Digital COVID-19 Vaccine Record. (https://myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov/ ) A QR code appears with your name and the dates you received the vaccine(s).