A new mural sprang up on a fence near San Jose State last weekend that is a picture perfect message of gratitude to the doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers battling the coronavirus. The images of a white-coated doctor and two people in scrubs surround Winston Churchill’s famous World War II quote, “Never was so much owed by so many to so few.”
And, yes, if you look closely, the doctor has “Dr. Fauci” on his coat.
The mural was created by artist Denise M. Olenak with assistance from her friend, Alexanna Alvarado, who recently graduated from nursing school and on Monday signed up to be part of California’s Healthcorps. The fence along San Carlos Street belongs to Salas O’Brien Engineers on South 11th Street. Olenak painted the Victorian home that houses the business a few years back and told Carl and Marianne Salas — the building’s owners — she would throw in a mural.
“Coronavirus came, and there seemed like no better time,” Olenak said. “We were originally going to do the tried and true classic, ‘Keep Calm and Carry On,’ but decided we wanted something more personal.”
STILL RUNNING STRONG: Both the second annual Shamrock Run, slated for March 14, and the Silicon Valley Half-Marathon, which was supposed to happen this Sunday, had to be canceled because of the coronavirus shutdown, but Run Local CEO JT Service had some good news to report. With the partnership of the Excite Credit Union, the half-marathon’s presenting sponsor, Run Local will still donate $15,000 to the event’s official charity, the Silicon Valley Education Foundation, to provide immediate support to its virtual education programs.
Service says Run Local is working with the city in hopes of finding a new date for the half-marathon but is still trying to keep people engaged and exercising in the meantime. Beginning April 1, Run Local is launching a month-long free Workout Wednesday Virtual Edition class on its YouTube channel led Katie Gott. The 30-minute class starts at 9 a.m. You can get more information at www.runlocalevents.com.
NO FOOLIN’, FOODIES: If you’re getting tired of cooking at home, the roster of Bay Area restaurants offering takeout or delivery service continues to evolve — including a couple of new additions this week. The Table in Willow Glen and Cafe Stritch in downtown San Jose are now offering modified versions of their menus to go. In the case of the Table, the modifications include offering takeout cocktails batched for two or four people, including a Milk Punch made with Remy Martin cognac, Buffalo Trace bourbon for $20.
When it comes to deals, though, don’t count out Pino Spatola, executive chef of Paesano Ristorante in San Jose’s Little Italy. He’s throwing in a free cannolo (that’s the singular version of cannoli, if anyone ever ate just one) with every entree or pasta dish.
THAT DISEMBODIED VOICE: If you’ve watched the Winchester Mystery House’s virtual tour — available online while the San Jose landmark attraction is closed — you might have wondered who narrated the entertaining and occasionally spooky video. The voice you hear belongs to TV and radio personality and retired drama teacher Steve Dini, who wrote the script and produced the show with Mike Hanlon, a video director friend of his.
“I tried to give a both a visual tour and also show the viewer what was happening in the world as ‘Sarah kept building,’ ” said Dini, who’s been “on house arrest” in his Morgan Hill home with his wife, Sue.
