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Posted on May 29, 2026June 2, 2026 by sanjotown

Chinese Room Service Robots

Room service robots in lobby of hotel in the Yuhui district in Shanghai November 2025

Room service robot in another hotel lobby

When I visited Shanghai I was surprised to see room service robots in the hotel I stayed at. I understand these robots deliver food, mail, express packages and items ordered by hotel guests through room service. I saw service robots can take elevators on their own, deliver food to guests, and assist room cleaning staff. The service robots free employees from repetitive and low value-added work that enables employees to focus more on providing higher quality services. In addition, most hotels in China with three stars or more are now equipped with service robots. All Rights Reserved.

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Posted on May 14, 2026 by sanjotown

Red-Tailed Hawk at Mallard Slough San Jose

The red-tailed hawk, or Buteo jamaicensis, is the most common and widespread bird in mostly North America, and there are 2.3 million in population. They usually live between 12 and 21 years and are found in the countryside, woodlands, mountains, plains, and roadsides. The birds are known for effortless soaring and are often seen on roadside poles or sailing over fields and woods. Red-tailed hawks usually have a trademark reddish-brown tail but can also have black, brown, and white plumage. When feeding they usually swoop down on their prey at a top speed of 64 km/h. Their diet includes small mammals, birds, reptiles, rabbits, and ground squirrels. They also control mammals and rodents that eat farmers’ crops. The red-tailed hawks are federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and can’t be hunted or bothered. All Rights Reserved.

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Posted on May 3, 2026 by sanjotown

Street Photo San Jose Japantown March 18, 2025

Photograph from my participation in the San Jose State University photography exhibition April 2025

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Posted on March 17, 2026March 17, 2026 by sanjotown

Cosmos Flower Bed in Matsudo Chiba

Cosmos flower bed in Matsudo, Chiba November 2025

Cosmos flowers are unique blooms that add color and charm to any garden, while attracting pollinators. Their colors are pink, orange, red, yellow, white, and maroon. It is a member of the Asteraceae family and native to Mexico or known as Mexican aster. Their flowerheads may be bowl- or open-cup–shaped. These beautiful plants can reach 6 feet tall. Spanish priests often grew cosmos in their gardens. Because they have evenly placed and orderly petals, they were named by the priests after the Greek word “kosmos,” which means “ordered universe in harmony.” All Rights Reserved

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Posted on March 7, 2026March 9, 2026 by sanjotown

ICE Out of Elmwood

The 46 shoes represent the ICE detainees

On Wednesday, March 4, 2026, a local coalition of community groups, held a spirited rally and march in front of the Elmwood County Jail in Milpitas, California, denouncing ICE. Forty-six people have been detained by ICE for over six months since their release from Elmwood County Jail. ICE immediately re-arrested them when they were released from Elmwood Jail. ICE continues to target immigrants who wish to return home to their families, and law enforcement authorities often cooperate. The Santa Clara County Counsel and County Sheriffs said that rearresting people leaving Elmwood does not violate the community’s sanctuary policy. However a San Jose NAACP spokesperson speculated that the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office probably notified ICE about the release of the 46 detainees. All Rights Reserved

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Posted on February 23, 2026 by sanjotown

The Bund in Shanghai China November 3rd 2025

The Bund is very popular with tourists 11-3-2025

The Bund 外灘 (Outer Beach) is a symbol of Shanghai’s development and growth for more than 100 years. It reflects modern China’s development in politics, economic growth and social culture. It was the city’s central district that was the site of Shanghai’s earliest development, with eye-catching architecture, and densely built historical buildings. The Bund has many styles of buildings including Baroque, Gothic and Ancient Greek . In the Bund historical area, there are four bridges crossing the Suzhou Creek. including Waibaidu Bridge, or the Garden Bridge of Shanghai, Sichuan Road Bridge and Zhapu Road Bridge. All rights reserved.

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Posted on January 27, 2026March 3, 2026 by sanjotown · 3 Comments

Brown is Beautiful

“Brown is Beautiful” is a mural at Backesto Park in San Jose. Analyn Bones, John Garcia, Francisco Ramirez, Mauricio Magdaleno, and Alfonso Salazar are the artists that worked on the mural and was funded by Ramon Castillo. According to Alfonso, “The mural honors the past, present, and future of our Mexican and Chicano culture”.

Among the Chicano individuals painted in the mural are: Luis Valdez of Zoot Suit and Teatro Campesino fame, Sofia Mendoza, a San Jose Chicana activist in the 70’s & 80’s and Rosanna Desoto, a San Jose High graduate and movie actress who appeared in La Bamba and Stand & Deliver. Also featured are Tiburcio Vasquez a legendary folk hero, and Cesar Chavez founder of the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA) that was later changed to United Farm Workers (UFW). The mural also recognizes the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe, the people indigenous to this area.

The mural is near the corner of North 13th Street & Empire Street in San Jose and next to the handball courts.

Click below to access mural timeline

brown is beautiful mural bakesto park sj top half 9-5-2025

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Posted on January 14, 2026 by sanjotown

Amtrak Capitol Corridor #529 Auburn to San Jose 1-13-2026

Taken at the re-opened Alviso Slough Trail at the Don Edwards SF Bay National Wildlife Refuge in the Alviso District of San Jose 1-26-2026

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Posted on January 7, 2026April 20, 2026 by sanjotown

Venezuela Emergency Protest

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