Finally...the sweet scents of rain-washed pavements and wood smoke curling from chimneys (on approved days).  A stronger wind, and a slight chill in the air.  And the hunt is on for the best soup in the city.

For my money, and for the strongest dose of nostalgia going, stop by the San Jose Original Joe's on the corner of First and San Carlos.  Sit at the counter and order a big bowl of minestrone with hot bread (also the best in the city) and butter...inhale the warmth of that old-school Italian comfort food - it's so chock-full of veggies, only-Mom-really-knows spices, and feel-good you may find yourself wanting another serving...except that you're so full you really can't move off the stool and have to spend a little time talking to your fellow soup afficionados to either side.  And all for a price that might keep you OFF the soup lines for a while.

I've been an Original Joe's junkie since I came to San Jose in 1978 - it's a fixture and I guess I am too.  The scene of many spirited discussions by students and politicians, families bringing their children to see a ballet or a musical show, and the celebrities they've just been to see, out-of-towners and locals.  Believe me...it's the soup!

What a wonderful night of music-making!  On Monday evening, Nov. 17th at the Petit Trianon, three youth orchestras played their hearts out on strings that touched the heartstrings of every person in the jam-packed audience.  From the littlest musician, whose bow probably measured 12 inches, to the most accomplished and mature young cellist, each played with focus, dedication, and musicality.

I am thrilled to live in a city where an orchestra like the SJCO is actually given funding by the City of San Jose to provide opportunities to our children like no other activity in their lives.  What they learn by participating in an orchestra goes far beyond the immense soul-satisfying musical piece.  They also learn how to collaborate, how to get along with others in an extremely diverse ethnic environment, how to concentrate effectively for long periods of time, how to react well in front of 300 people, how to follow a leader consistently and for the greater good of the group.  Some will go on to stellar musical careers, and some will go on to other endeavors, but all will be better for the experience they are receiving.

All children are funded in part or in whole by scholarship funds, donations, grants, etc.  The Santa Clara Association of Realtors Foundation recently gave the Youth Orchestra Programs a donation of $2,000...just another indication of support even in tough times from a growing group of donors to this terrific orchestra program.

Now, if we could all write a little note to the San Jose Mercury News to re-institute Richard Scheinin's regular critiques for all the various performing organizations in our community, we might have the makings of a grown-up city.

Thanksgiving Day is tomorrow, and it signals the season for sugarplums dancing in many little heads.  If you have young ones, or you are young at heart like I am, be sure to set aside time to attend Ballet San Jose's "The Nutcracker" at the Center for the Performing Arts, opening December 11th.  The music is live, provided by Symphony Silicon Valley.  The Mouse King, the Tin Soldiers, the Nutcracker, and Maria all await to whisk you away into the fabulous world of fantasy and Tchaikovsky, choreographed by the Ballet's Artistic Director, Dennis Nahat.

And an extra attraction...on Dec. 13th and 23rd, following the matinees, the Ballet San Jose operating Board will hold "Nutcracker High Teas...Especially For The Little Ones" at the Sainte Claire Hotel just two blocks from the Center for the Performing Arts.  If you would like to have this wonderful experience, call 408-288-2820, ext. 204 and speak with Marge Hand.  There is nothing more special during the holidays than a high tea, when you are dressed in your best and enjoying the sights, sounds, and smells of the "most wonderful time of the year" !!

Seems to me that with the current economic climate, and traditional home prices lower than some "affordable housing" houses, the SJ City Council might want to shelve their quest for 20% city-wide inclusionary zoning.  We're perfectly fine with the zoning we have now in the Redevelopment areas of the city, and when things turn around and we actually have lots of downtown core residents, so the developers and builders are all happy again, we might consider an inclusionary policy that's a tad less overbearing.  Let's deck the halls, all be jolly, and celebrate the season with no grinches in sight.

Speaking of downtown, celebrations, and such, Destination Downtown on the evening of December 5th in San Jose was sparking and spectacular.  The city never looked lovelier.  If you're looking for interesting things to do with a unique perspective, or interested in becoming one of those new high-rise downtown denizens, we provide free MLS searches on our website, www.nickandbarbara.com .

In every facet of life these days, I feel a collective sense of community and concern.  It showed up over the holidays, certainly, with more donations coming in for the needy, hungry and homeless in our city even when many are feeling the pinch in their own lives.  It showed up in the courtesy and laughter of grocery store cart lines that stretched far down the aisles on New Year's Eve day, as many prepared for evenings at home with friends and family instead of the traditional night out.

I am a Realtor (surviving still), and my trade association, the Santa Clara County Association of Realtors, has chosen a specific theme for 2009:  "The Realtor Family Lives On".  Our entire focus this year is going to be a sense of family, of sharing, support, encouragement, education, and social community, to give our members a sense of belonging.  We may even start a Weight Watchers and Exercise club...a pumping heart promotes a positive attitude, and who doesn't benefit from that?

I know that many organizations, companies, associations, small businesses, and family-run operations in the greater San Jose and Silicon Valley area will also work to keep their workers, keep their health insurance, keep a core sense of helping each other through these uncertain financial times.  With some creativity, integrity, and kindness, we will all make it together!

Okay, this post is aimed squarely at women over 50.

You know, there is an incredible amount of new, beautifully appointed high rise housing available downtown San Jose in safe and secure buildings that offer all the amenities we have come to expect in our homes.  My two favorites are The 88 and 360 Residences.

And living there puts you right in the middle of everything...walking distance to great restaurants, clubs, theater, music, festivals, concerts in the park, bicycle races, Opera San Jose, San Jose Rep, Ballet San Jose, HP Pavilion...well, you get the idea.

And many of the floorplans are ideal for two non-related people to live in...large bedrooms each with their own bathroom, plenty of entertainment space, great kitchens to cook in, spectacular views of the city.

But you're probably nervous about purchasing on your own, and you probably don't want to sink ALL your assets into a home, but you really don't want to continue to rent...and you may not know anyone who is actually able to purchase too that you wouldn't mind owning and living with, because you have to feel like you can be friends even though you may not know each other...or even if you do...it's really a challenge, isn't it? 

I'm working on the solution.  Stay tuned.

YES WE CAN !!! 

I was fortunate enough to have been invited to last evening's "100 Most Influential Women in Silicon Valley" event at the Fairmont Hotel.  Hosted each year by the San Jose Business Journal, it celebrates our fabulous women leaders, and gives each an opportunity to pass on 10 words of wisdom to the attendees.  That's 1000 words of wisdom in one night - what a treasure trove !!  And that doesn't even count the uber-networking going on.

I saw many women that I know...including Dolores Carr, Santa Clara County D.A., Connie Martinez of 1stAct Silicon Valley, Kristy Rogers of eWomen's Network, Brenna Bolger of PRx, Mahnaz Khazen of Coldwell Banker Commercial Bay, Therese Coutermarsh from FireEye, and my fabulous inviter, honoree Donna Michaels of the Loughlin Michaels Group.

Best quote of the night:  "Don't learn to sew or type...it will hold you back!"

We recently moved back into the Willow Glen neighborhood, our favorite haunt.  We're living on Creek Drive, backing right up to the Guadalupe River, which at our point IS really more of a creek.  The trees that grow in a tangle all along the banks present a beautiful, constantly in motion curtain of green, filled with all kinds of birds and squirrels, butterflies, and sunlight.  The mallard ducks that visit infrequently fill the morning air with their distinctive quacking, and a solitary hawk flies in at dusk, causing quite a stir among the other inhabitants.  At least 3 feral kitties pass back and forth along the chain-link fence each day on their habitual travels.

In the back yard, our own kitties play hide and seek under the branches of three large natural Christmas trees...presenting a great temptation to buy miles of white sparkling lights to dress them up for the holidays this year.  The trees, not the kitties.   

It's an oasis, all the more precious given the world-shaking events mesmerizing all of us these past few days.  When the last rays of the sun fade and the quiet night takes over, bringing a sense of calm and serenity, I am very grateful for the smallest things in life, and the friends and loved ones who continue to have a presence in mine. 

The big tree in front of our house was trimmed yesterday...great for us, not so comfortable for the tree. There were two workers up in the far reaches of the branches for what seemed like hours, and a constant rain of leaves, pollen, and branches. Even the cats were sneezing! All of a sudden the front of our house was brighter...the sun found its way across the yard, through the picture window, and into a conversation I was having with a good friend. The hummingbirds dancing around the feeder hanging from the porch awning were surrounded by sparkling dust motes. We turned off the lamp. Free "electricity"! Now the tree is adjusting to its new, much less clothed, state...still shedding a few teary leaves but by and large stretching up and happy to also be more bathed in sunlight as well. We'll all get healthier together as our little patch of Creek Drive soaks up the vitamin D.