People often think of historic preservation as being about saving buildings or other structures, but saving some artifact can also keep alive a story connected to it. That happened when Jim Salata of Garden City Construction unveiled a restored neon sign last week that once hung in front at Castro Shoe Repair in San Jose.
The newest addition to his “Neon Alley” in the outdoor courtyard of Camino Brewing on South First Street was lovingly restored by sign painter Tom Colla and glass artist Kevin Chong. And the crowd that turned out to see the blinking sign switched on for the first time included Carol Vejvoda Castro, whose late husband’s father had owned the shoe repair shop. She married into the family later in life, however, and had never seen the sign in its original use.
But she had another equally interesting connection to San Jose history. Back in the late 1960s, she was the first female meter-reader working for the San Jose Water Co. and was featured in a newspaper story in 1970. She also led a bit of a rebellion against the utility that was perfectly in line with the growing feminist movement at the time. Back in those days, she said, San Jose Water had a practice of providing free water service to its employees — but only for the men.
“They didn’t give free water to the women,” Castro said, “so I talked to the CEO and said we either get free water, too, or I’m going to the San Jose Mercury and tell them you discriminate against women.” Did they get their water? You bet they did.
Now, that has nothing to do with a neon sign, but I’ll never look at it without thinking about that story.
AUCTIONING HISTORY: Every now and then, History San Jose has to thin out its collection — it’s called deaccession — and usually it’s a bit like an interesting estate sale with a lot of little items donated by people that aren’t necessarily historical in nature. But this Saturday, History San Jose is having a deaccession auction that’s much different because these are larger artifacts, including some rare and unusual items.
We’re talking about the ornate sides of aisle seats and Art Deco water fountains from the Jose Theatre, vintage radios, wagon wheels, an organ and speaker that was once at the California Theatre, a Wurlitzer player piano, a Chevron/76 gas pump and some horse-drawn carriages (horses not included, unfortunately).
It’s all taking place at 566 Cinnabar Street, with a preview beginning at 8:30 a.m. and the auction starting at 10:30 a.m. You can get more information at www.historysanjose.org.
CHAVEZ’S MUSICAL CONNECTIONS: “A Song for Cesar,” a documentary tribute to labor leader Cesar Chavez is getting a free screening on April 29 at the Smithwick Theatre in Los Altos Hills, followed by a half-hour panel discussion. The film — produced and directed by Andres Alegria and Abel Sánchez — has its roots in a song written by Sánchez and Jorge Santana and not only explores Chavez’s life but highlights the artists and musicians like Maya Angelou, Joan Baez and Carlos Santana who worked with him.
The 6 p.m. screening is sponsored by the Los Altos History Museum, Foothill College and Hidden Villa — a 1,600-acre farm and wildness preserve with its own connections to Chavez’s legacy. Founders Frank and Josephine Duveneck supported Chavez and Dolores Huerta when they were organizing what was then the National Farm Workers Movement. And Lynn Rivas, who was part of Chavez’s public relations and road management team, today serves as an associate director at Hidden Villa and will be on the panel with Alegria and Sánchez.
To reserve a ticket, go to hiddenvilla.org/songforcesar.
Source: www.mercurynews.com