Morning News Round-Up -- 10.21.09: A John Denver Morning...

It was a busy day in San Jose.

• Continuing with sunshine songs: Sunshine on the Mayor's (and 5 others Councilmembers') shoulders did not make them happy... Sunshine, in their eyes, can make them cry... Mayor Reed complained they were asked to “sail into uncharted waters” while Mercury News Managing Editor/ Sunshine Task Force member Bert Robinson pointed to similar rules in other cities.
• Councilmembers made it easier to send (current) City jobs to private contractors (sort of).
• In 2011, San Jose candidates get to ask for more money from supporters, City Attorney Rick Doyle called the increases “…a need to be constitutional in our limits.”
• Fearing San Jose might lose its gambling revenue ($13.5 million), Councilmembers set about streamlining cardclub regulations.
• And, the City accepted a $200,000 spanking on behalf of firefighters who can’t keep their dirty magazines at home.
  

Senator Barbara Boxer took time out of the healthcare debate to pen an OpEd for the Merc on cleaning up Mt Umunhum. Boxer wants her Congressional colleagues to join her in cleaning Mt Um of decades old Air Force toxics to give Silicon Valley its own Mt Tam.

The Merc’s Sal Pizarro issues an invite to join American Leadership Forum CEO Chris Block at the San Jose Rep for a provocative South African play and discussion on race.

A tragic case of domestic violence in Palo Alto led to the death of Jennifer Schipsi. The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s office hasn’t (yet) filed charges against Schipsi’s boyfriend/(alleged) killer Bulos Zumot.

Palo Alto’s City Council considers garbage-eating bugs to help get rid of compostables. The debate was characterized by Vice Mayor Jack Morton as taking an “impossible situation” and spinning – and we don’t think he means exercise. Morton accused colleagues of not being able to “face up to some realities.” Palo Alto is fun...

In Mountain View, bridges and a tunnel will help Googlers get to work by bike or Segway.

Adobe Founder’s John Warnock and Chuck Geschke made their way to Washington, D.C. for a little confab with the President. Warnock and Geschke were awarded the nation's highest honor for scientists, engineers, and inventors: the National Medal of Technology and Innovation.

San Jose Insider/Santa Clara County Board of Education Trustee Joseph DiSalvo sends props to San Jose’s Downtown College Prep while questioning East Side Union High Schools rejection of DCP Alum Rock on a technicality…