Neon sign park could brighten Santa Clara County Fairgrounds

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There’s been a great effort in recent years to preserve some of the visual history represented by the classic lighted signs that once dotted the Santa Clara Valley. As businesses such as Orchard Supply Hardware, Mel Cotton’s and Wing’s Chinese have gone out of business, History San Jose and the Preservation Action Council have worked to make sure those signs don’t end up on the scrap heap.

The only problem is that these historical gems often wind up in a warehouse instead of being available for the public to view and enjoy them. There’s a Museum of Neon Art in Glendale and a famous Neon Museum in Las Vegas that’s quite a tourist attraction, so why not here?

A new proposal from Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez could bring those signs back to life at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds. It’s a ways off from being reality, but providing a home where those signs could be restored, re-lit and put on display would be a great way to preserve the valley’s heritage and give residents and visitors alike a good reason to visit the Fairgrounds.

As it stands, the Stephen’s Meat Co. “Dancing Pig” sign has been fabulously restored and is once again delighting passersby on Autumn St., and though it stands in the Google transit village footprint, the search giant has committed to keeping the sign around. There also are plans underway to restore the Orchard Supply arrow sign and display it next to the historic OSH rail car at History Park. And Federal Realty has announced plans to move the Century dome theaters tower — the portion with the Century 21, 22 and 23 signs, not the attached movie marquee — next to the Century 21 dome, which is being preserved as part of the Santana West development.

But others like the signs from Mel Cotton, the old Greyhound Bus Station, Manny’s Cellar and the giant “E” from the Emporium at Almaden Fashion Plaza don’t have a home. And a neon park would provide hope for others like the dilapidated Firato’s Ravioli sign in downtown San Jose, which may not be considered essential to upcoming development plans.

Some people have advocated for a more public-facing alternative, like creating a neon boulevard along West San Carlos Street, but this may be a more realistic opportunity.

Ken Middlebrook, curator of collections at History San Jose, said they would be on board if adequate resources are available to restore, install and maintain the signs. “We think it is a great opportunity to permanently showcase these disappearing community landmarks while becoming a new attraction at the fairgrounds,” he said.

He’s right. Without sufficient funding to make these signs shine brightly again, it would just be a graveyard. And who wants that?

PRETTY PENNY FOR MARCH OF DIMES: Maybe the 49ers’ winning ways are rubbing off. Former 49ers great Guy McIntyre — who played in three Super Bowls and currently works in the team’s front office — was a special guest at the March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction last week, and it was definitely a win.

Nearly 200 guests raised $200,000 for the nonprofit — which fights for the health of moms and babies — at the dinner and auction held Oct. 10 at the Triton Museum in Santa Clara. The evening included courses by some of the region’s top chefs including Reylon Agustin of Madera at the Rosewood Sand Hill, Enoteca La Storia’s Cory Dillard, Cori Goudge-Ayer of Persephone in Aptos, Peter Amellino of Saratoga’s Plumed Horse and Aubree Arndt of Loma Brewing Co. in Los Gatos.

PART OF THE PROCESSION: Chris Boyd, senior vice president and area manager for Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara, had a great — and unexpected — vantage point for the inauguration of new Santa Clara University President Kevin O’Brien last week. Boyd was invited to participate in the academic procession representing his alma mater, St. John’s University, when that school’s president was unable to attend.

Universities enter in order of their founding dates, so Boyd, dressed in academic regalia, was No. 22 in line for St. John’s (founded 1857), behind Harvard (1636) and Yale (1701), but right next to San Jose State (also 1857).

“Participating in the Inauguration was a terrific experience, but those of you who know me, can understand that I couldn’t help feeling a little unworthy being around such impressive academicians,” Boyd said on Facebook. “The only hiccup was trying to remember how to wear the cap, gown, and hood.”

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