Lloyd Alaban
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Advocate of the Oxford comma, although my first, second, and third editors prohibit it. Formerly: @sjspotlight @milpitasbeat @sanjoseinside @metronewspaper
Articles by Lloyd Alaban
Uni Watch News Ticker for Jan. 4, 2023
• None Capitals F Alex Ovechkin scored a hat trick on Saturday. Someone threw a onto the ice in celebration, and Ovechkin wore it briefly. (From Max Weintraub) • None Cross-listed from the football section: The Sabres arrived at warmups last night wearing supporting Buffalo Bills S Damar Hamlin. (From our own Jamie Rathjen) • None for the Hurricanes again on the road last night. Third straight road game they’ve done that. (From Gabe Cornwall)
Uni Watch News Ticker for Dec. 28, 2022
Posted in: Today in the Ticker: Some custom bobbleheads, World Juniors hockey news, and more. NFL The Commanders are revealing their new mascot this weekend. It’s either a dog or a hog. But if it’s a hog, that could lead to a trademark battle with some of the original Hogs players. (From our own Jamie Rathjen) Big number spacing inconsistency in this photo of Chargers QB Johnny Unitas and K Ray Wersching.
Uni Watch News Ticker for Dec. 21, 2022
Skip to content Join Uni Watch Plus! Tired of seeing annoying ads (like this one!) on Uni Watch? There’s a simple solution: Join Uni Watch Plus. You’ll get an ad-free site experience, plus exclusive access to our UW+ discussion forums, push notifications whenever a new blog post has been published, a special UW+ badge accompanying all your comments on the blog, and a 20% discount on our Teespring merchandise.
Uni Watch News Ticker for Dec. 14, 2022
Posted in: In today’s Ticker: Lots of college basketball uni news, a soccer-themed hearse, and more. NHL Boston Globe reporter Matt Porter pointed out a “weird” Bruins logo in the team’s dressing room. It might look normal at first, but the dressing room logo has slight deviations from the team’s official logo (look how far the spokes in the dressing room logo poke out compared to the official logo). NBA Here’s an infographic showing 252 Jazz jersey concepts.
Uni Watch News Ticker for Dec. 7, 2022
Skip to content Search Search for: Posted in: Today in the Ticker: A bit of “What might have been” MLB news, the latest men’s World Cup news, and more. MLB A historical nugget that we may have covered before, but just in case: The A’s were close to moving to Denver in 1978, and the Giants were set to play half of their home games in Oakland. The Giants confirmed they would wear caps without the interlocking “SF” logo for those Oakland games.
Uni Watch News Ticker for Nov. 30, 2022
Posted in: In today’s Ticker: Lots of men’s World Cup updates, another Virginia shooting memorial, and more. More Left over from the weekend: Texas high schools South Oak Cliff and Midlothian Heritage went color vs. color for a state championship playoff game.
Uni Watch News Ticker for Nov. 16, 2022
Skip to content Search Search for: Posted in: Today in the Ticker: Lots of college football tributes to the Virginia shooting victims, and a lot more. College South Carolina and Louisville will wear memorial helmet decals this weekend for the three Virginia players who were shot and killed this week.
Uni Watch News Ticker for Nov. 9, 2022
Posted in: In today’s Ticker: A sneak peek at the Carolina Panthers’ new black helmets, lots of helmet news from college football, and a couple of teasers from some college basketball programs. College Here’s every Tennessee uniform, newest to oldest, since Nike became the team’s outfitter in 2015. (From Chad Fields) Camouflage and flag-desecration helmets last night for Toledo and Ball State, respectively.
Uni Watch News Ticker for Oct. 26, 2022
Skip to content Search Search for: Posted in: Today in the Ticker: Lots of soccer updates, some gamers come up with virtual NFL unis, and more! MLB We reported on this yesterday a bit as well, but here’s another look at the World Series patches that will go on the Astros’ and Phillies’ jerseys and caps. (From our own Phil Hecken) MLB sponsor revenue hit a record high this year.
Uni Watch News Ticker for Oct. 19, 2022
Skip to content Search Search for: Posted in: In today’s Ticker: Uni notes from the NBA’s opening night, and more. MLB Yankees RF Aaron Judge kissed the Yankees logo on his jersey after hitting a home run in yesterday’s ALCS Game 5. Judge said he was inspired to do so after seeing Premier League soccer players kiss the badges on their shirts after scoring a goal. (From multiple readers) Looks like Guardians P Aaron Civalde is another MLBer whose jersey is sewn shut.
Uni Watch News Ticker for Oct. 5, 2022
Posted in: In today’s Ticker: A bare-legged NFL player, a first-ever security uniform release for the World Cup, and an interesting NOB at last night’s record-breaking game for the Yankees’ Aaron Judge. MLB Someone at last night’s Yankees/Rangers game wore an Elton John NOB jersey. John has had several jerseys based on actual MLB jerseys made for his farewell tour. At that same game: NFL’s Dallas Cowboys WR Michael Gallup, QB Dak Prescott, and LB Micah Parsons wore Rangers jackets.
Uni Watch News Ticker for Sept. 21, 2022
Posted in: In Today’s Ticker: The Golden Knights live up to their name, an NFL QB tries to trademark his slogan, and Pearl Jam still has issues with the SuperSonics leaving Seattle. NFL Eagles QB Jalen Hurts has applied for a trademark for the phrase “Hurts so good.” (From Michael Hochman) The Eagles’ team drumline wore caps using the “E” from the team’s new wordmark. (From @SomeMlgKid) College Mono-black this week for Ohio State. Mono-white this week for Virginia.
Uni Watch News Ticker for Sept. 15, 2022
Skip to content Search Search for: Posted in: Today in the ticker: A uni first for the Astros, Hispanic-themed unis for another MLB club, an NFL mural with the wrong number font, and more. MLB As mentioned in Monday’s Ticker, Cardinals C Yadier Molina wore a commemorative mask last night to mark the record-breaking start between him and P Adam Wainwright. Reader Andrew Hermeling says Molina was having trouble with the mask and changed back to his regular mask by the top of the third.
Uni Watch News Ticker for Sept. 7, 2022
Skip to content Search Search for: Posted in: Today in the Ticker: Tomatoes in the Baltimore bullpen, a Premier Lacrosse League playoff uni recap, an Olympics-banned swimming cap for Black hair gets a competitive green light, and you’ll never guess which NFL team UK Instagrammers think has the best unis. MLB The Orioles groundskeepers have been growing beefsteak tomatoes in the bullpen area. (From Andrew Cosentino) NHL A new Sharks uni set has leaked.
Uni Watch News Ticker for August 31, 2022
Posted in: Today on the ticker: FIFA 23‘s leak has shown us some new kits, CEOs in sports uniforms, and a bunch of uni reveals for Week 1 of college football. USA The NWSL’s Washington Spirit are holding a second Pride game Sept. 10 where they will wear rainbow numbers. They didn’t wear the for the first Pride game this season. (From our own Jamie Rathjen)
Uni Watch News Ticker for August 24, 2022
Posted in: Today on the ticker: A Bills alternate logo you probably haven’t seen before, a new (kind of) home uniform for the Hurricanes, and a Phillie finally Gets It™ when it comes to stirrups. MLB Phillies P Ranger Suarez wore his stirrups correctly last night. He had worn them backward for a few appearances last month. (From Bob Sullivan) Phillies RF Bryce Harper wore No. 4 instead of his usual No. 3 in a rehab game last night with the club-affiliated Leigh Valley IronPigs.
Uni Watch News Ticker for August 17, 2022
Posted in: Today in the ticker: Vintage Mexican baseball caps, new NBA leaks, and NASCAR ads manage to get more gross. MLB Royals P Amir Garrett gifted a jersey to a fan he threw a drink at. The Padres have switched out a SS/OF Fernando Tatis Jr. bobblehead night for an OF Juan Soto t-shirt giveaway after Tatis was suspended 80 games last week for violating MLB’s drug policy.
Backbone of Silicon Valley: Hilda Hernandez
San JoseVideo Hilda Hernandez is a McDonald's employee who worked during the COVID-19 pandemic. File photo. Editor’s Note: Backbone of Silicon Valley is a first-of-its-kind video storytelling project. Our reporters spent a year documenting the plight of six essential workers in Silicon Valley—the unsung heroes who clean your house, pack your groceries and prescriptions, cook your food, work in hospitals and deliver your meals. San José Spotlight teamed up with filmmakers to tell their stories.
Lloyd Alaban, Author at San José Spotlight
The omicron variant of the coronavirus has been found in Santa Clara County, prompting health officials to urge residents to get their booster shots. According to the county, the infected individual showed symptoms on Nov. 30 and got tested Dec. 1. The person, who traveled to Florida, is fully vaccinated, but did not receive a...
Backbone of Silicon Valley: Daryush Khodadadi-Mobarakeh
Video Daryush Khodadadi-Mobarakeh is a gig worker who labored during the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo by Lloyd Alaban. Editor’s Note: Backbone of Silicon Valley is a first-of-its-kind video storytelling project. Our reporters spent a year documenting the plight of six essential workers in Silicon Valley—the unsung heroes who clean your house, pack your groceries and prescriptions, cook your food, work in hospitals and deliver your meals.
East San Jose school trustee running for City Council
East San JoseElections Alum Rock Union School Board Trustee Andres Quintero speaks at a news conference advocating for the closure of Reid-Hillview Airport on Aug. 16, 2021. Photo by Lloyd Alaban. The race for a City Council seat in East San Jose is shaping up to be a stacked contest. The latest political heavyweight to declare for the seat is educator Andres Quintero.
COVID-19 variant omicron is in Santa Clara County
CoronavirusSanta Clara County Santa Clara County Public Health Officer Dr. Sara Cody speaks about the first omicron COVID-19 infection discovered in the county. Photo by Lloyd Alaban. The omicron variant of the coronavirus has been found in Santa Clara County, prompting health officials to urge residents to get their booster shots. According to the county, the infected individual showed symptoms on Nov. 30 and got tested Dec. 1.
SJUSD, SJPD outline agreement for on-campus cops
Protesters hold signs opposing SJPD officers on campus. Photo by Lloyd Alaban. Despite activists’ best efforts, San Jose police officers will remain on campuses of the city’s largest school district for special events. The San Jose Unified School District Board of Education unanimously approved an agreement Thursday with the San Jose Police Department that outlines how cops will be used on campuses as security for special events. Its previous agreement, approved in August, expired Friday.
2022 candidates running for San Jose City Council
In less than six months, San Joseans will go to the ballot box to pick their next councilmembers and mayor. Numerous candidates have already pulled papers, including well-known politicians Raul Peralez and Cindy Chavez, who are vying to become San Jose’s next mayor. Here’s a roundup of the candidates who have declared so far in the race by office. Candidates have until March 11 to file to run for political office in San Jose.
San Jose business district dodges residential redevelopment
DevelopmentSan Jose Small business owners and residents at a November rally asking the city to remove Calle Willow from a city residential plan. File photo. Small businesses owners in San Jose’s Calle Willow district can breathe easy, as fears of displacement from residential development won’t become a reality—for now.
Backbone of Silicon Valley: Rena Zagala
San JoseVideo Rena Zagala is a grocery store and retail employee who worked during the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo by Vicente Vera. Editor’s Note: Backbone of Silicon Valley is a first-of-its-kind video storytelling project. Our reporters spent a year documenting the plight of six essential workers in Silicon Valley—the unsung heroes who clean your house, pack your groceries and prescriptions, cook your food, work in hospitals and deliver your meals.
Food delivery apps have free reign in parts of Silicon Valley
Decals from GrubHub and DoorDash adorn the front door of Umai Savory Hot Dogs in San Jose. Photo by Lloyd Alaban. A San Jose measure to limit fees DoorDash and other delivery companies charge businesses expired six months ago—and it’s not coming back, officials say. San Jose capped delivery fees at 15% in December 2020 to help alleviate costs for local businesses, but it expired in June.
Some parts of Silicon Valley not ready to say goodbye to outdoor dining
For San Jose residents who love the outdoors, the city’s appetite for its outside dining program may match their palate. With pre-pandemic indoor dining not expected to return anytime soon, the San Jose City Council will consider another extension to its popular Al Fresco outdoor dining and business program on Tuesday, as the region deals with another COVID variant.
Explosion shakes up San Jose homeless residents
HomelessnessSan Jose The aftermath of a propane tank explosion at Columbus Park. Photo courtesy of Scott Largent. As homeless resident Deborah Santos watched her trailer go up in flames, she and her son wondered where they would stay—a homeless shelter, a motel room or maybe even a temporary tiny home. She was given a two-person tent and a blanket.
Santa Clara mayor blocks councilmember on Facebook
Santa Clara Mayor Lisa Gillmor delivers her State of the City address in this file photo. Blocking people on social media is a no-no for elected officials, no matter how frustrating some trolls can get. But that didn’t stop Santa Clara Mayor Lisa Gillmor from allegedly blocking someone on Facebook. This time, it was one of her colleagues: Councilmember Anthony Becker.
How are Silicon Valley counselors dealing with rise in child abuse calls?
EducationHealth Lincoln High School in San Jose is a part of the San Jose Unified School District. File photo. Schools in the San Jose area are receiving an increasing number of calls for child abuse and neglect, and some counselors say they’re bumping into reporting problems. Parents allegedly have been allowed to sit in on, or flat out refuse, interviews with child protective services pertaining to children who report the abuse.
San Jose commission suggests changes to city rules
Nearly a year after it first convened, the 23-member body in charge of making changes to San Jose’s city charter is finished with its duty. Wednesday’s meeting of the Charter Review Commission unanimously rubber-stamped final recommendations for numerous changes to city laws—including shifting the timing of mayoral elections and adding more council districts. Commissioners voted 16-0, with several absent since the meeting carried over from Monday.
San Jose commissioner announces council run
BlogElections San Jose Planning Commissioner Rolando Bonilla is running for the District 5 seat on the City Council. Photo courtesy of Rolando Bonilla. San Jose Planning Commissioner Rolando Bonilla isn’t a stranger to City Hall—he used to work on its 18th floor for years. This time around, Bonilla wants to have his own council office. Bonilla filed papers Monday to run for the District 5 City Council seat, which covers East San Jose.
San Jose councilman wants to protect Calle Willow
San Jose’s historic Calle Willow business district is facing possible redevelopment and displacement of dozens of small businesses. Vocal residents have pushed back, and a city councilmember hopes to do the same. A potential zoning change on Willow Street near downtown San Jose would allow increased building height limits and encourage residential development in the business area, along with three other parts of the city: North 13th Street, Willow Glen and Taylor Street.
Controversial plan for billboards near San Jose airport faces vote
An electronic billboard at San Jose State University displays upcoming events. Photo by Eugene Luu. San Jose has said no to new billboards for more than 30 years. That could change Tuesday amid heated debate between residents, airport officials and the City Council. The airport is asking the city to allow construction of two billboards by media company Clear Channel. The billboards will measure about 1,000 square feet, and they’re planned to go up just south of Highway 101.
What do San Jose commissioners actually accomplish?
San Jose City Council decisions are almost always final, but they don’t start that way: Most major decisions go through a commission of appointees before they head to the council’s 11-member dais. Before a law or policy is passed, it’s usually first taken up by the relevant commission. After presentations from city officials, public comment and debate, the commission votes in favor or against an item.
Suspicious death stirs San Jose formerly unhoused residents
Second Street Studios residents Raymond Ramsey, Cecilia Martin and Sal. Photo by Lloyd Alaban. Formerly homeless residents are on edge following a suspicious death at a downtown San Jose homeless housing project. A woman who was visiting a tenant died early Monday morning at Second Street Studios, according to residents, the San Jose Police Department and housing provider First Community Housing. A group of residents are pushing the complex’s management for answers.
San Jose airport taxicab drivers, contractor at odds
A group of San Jose taxi drivers protest outside Technology Drive in San Jose, near Mineta San Jose International Airport. Photo courtesy of Kirpal Bajwa. The Mineta San Jose International Airport taxicab dispatch contractor is asking independent drivers to pay increased fees and wear ties. Some drivers aren’t having it. Dozens of independent taxicab drivers are protesting rules from Safer, LLC, the airport’s taxi dispatch contractor. According to drivers, they began a strike on Nov.
Silicon Valley lawmaker Evan Low kicked from key California committee
State Assemblyman Evan Low on the Assembly floor in June. File photo. An Asian American lawmaker from the South Bay has been booted from a key California committee, and LGBTQ and Asian American advocacy groups are crying foul. Speaker Anthony Rendon stripped Assemblymember Evan Low of his chairmanship and membership on the Business and Professions Committee this week without explanation. Rendon appointed Assemblymember Marc Berman of Palo Alto as the new committee chair in Low’s place.
San Jose councilmember keeps campaign and office separate on social media
ElectionsTechnology Councilmember Dev Davis launches her mayoral campaign at Hapa's Brewing Company on Aug. 4. Photo by Lloyd Alaban. San Jose Councilmember Dev Davis drew the ire of campaign watchdogs and local residents regarding her Facebook page in September. But the District 6 rep has since wised up when it comes to social media. Davis was co-mingling her official council Facebook page with her mayoral campaign page based on tips received by San José Spotlight.
San Jose commission recommends forming group for police oversight
A San Jose commission responsible for tweaking city rules suggests studying a policy that allows nonprofits first dibs on buying housing properties, as well as creating commissions on police reform and climate change. The San Jose Charter Review Commission Thursday voted to recommend a series of police and climate change reforms.
San Jose city council votes to preserve Coyote Valley
Hikers take a break to enjoy the views atop Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve June 27. “Amazon-style” warehouses won’t be in the future of Coyote Valley for now, as the city plans to preserve 314 acres of green space, marking a victory for local environmentalists. The San Jose City Council voted unanimously Nov. 16 to rezone portions of the valley south of the city from industrial use to agricultural and open space use for farming and wildlife.
Silicon Valley org gives free undocumented services
San JoseSanta Clara County Paola Mondragon, manager of the Rapid Response Network of Santa Clara County. Photo by Lloyd Alaban. Undocumented immigrants in Silicon Valley have faced disproportionate rates of COVID-19 and fears of possible deportation. Now, a nonprofit group is stepping up to help with free rental and legal services.
Preservationists score win in S.J. council vote to keep Coyote Valley open space
“Amazon-style” warehouses won’t be in the future of San Jose’s Coyote Valley for now, as the city plans to preserve 314 acres of green space, marking a victory for local environmentalists. The San Jose City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to rezone portions of the valley south of the city from industrial use to agricultural and open space use for farming and wildlife.
San Jose commission considers new boundaries for political districts
After dozens of marathon meetings, San Joseans will soon get a clearer picture of which districts they’ll live in next year. The San Jose Redistricting Commission is set to approve a new council district map Wednesday, ending heated debate about which neighborhoods belong in which districts.
San Jose lawmakers could preserve Coyote Valley for open space
North Coyote Valley. Photo courtesy of the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority. Coyote Valley is a sea of green space and wild species along San Jose’s southern border. While dreams of bringing high-tech jobs to the valley floor have died, environmentalists want to guarantee it remains largely untouched.
Central San Jose residents lobby for park rehab
A wide-angle picture of the park. Photo courtesy of Brett Bymaster. After more than three decades fighting for a public park, residents in a struggling San Jose neighborhood got one. But three weeks later, the grass withered and turned brown. The Tamien Park Soccer Field opened in early June in the city’s low-income Guadalupe-Washington neighborhood. Just three weeks later, the park had fallen into a state of disrepair.
San Jose commission OKs Evergreen land-use plan
A view of San Jose from the East-Evergreen side of the city. File photo. A San Jose commission says it has the latest solution to traffic jams in the city’s east side: Stop development in the hills. The San Jose Planning Commission voted 9-1 this week to recommend eliminating an early-2000s era plan that limited homes and businesses in the city’s Evergreen and East Hills neighborhoods. Instead, future development would be based on access to mass transit.
Silicon Valley veteran homelessness reaches new milestone
A formerly unhoused veteran at at the James F. Boccardo Regional Reception Center in San Jose. Photo courtesy of HomeFirst. Flags fly at half-mast each Nov. 11 to honor Veterans Day across the country. In Silicon Valley, fewer veterans will look at those flags while living on the streets. All the Way Home, a campaign launched in 2015 to help end the homeless veterans crisis, has housed 2,201 veterans during the past seven years.
San Jose commissioners grapple with bureaucratic roadblocks
Work on the San Jose Charter Review Commission turns frustrating for three commissioners who question if they’re voices are being heard. The latest round of recommendations pertaining to climate change and police reform has become contentious, as a subcommittee composed of Commissioner Magnolia Segol and fellow progressively-aligned Commissioners Veronica Amador and Maria Fuentes run into roadblocks working with the 23-member group.
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