![Sal Pizarro, San Jose metro columnist, ‘Man About Town,” for his Wordpress profile. (Michael Malone/Bay Area News Group)](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Pizarro_Sal_2016.jpg?w=85)
San Jose metro columnist
Sal Pizarro
Sal Pizarro is a Bay Area News Group columnist who has written the Around Town column for The Mercury News since 2005. His column covers the people and events surrounding the cultural scene in Silicon Valley. In addition, he writes Cocktail Chronicles, a feature column on Silicon Valley bars and nightclubs. He attended San Jose State University and is a graduate of UC Santa Barbara with a BA in political science.
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Expertise: Santa Clara County history; Silicon Valley arts; bar culture; movies
All Stories
![San Jose Playhouse postponed its production of Stephen Sondheim's "Assassins" a day after the attempt on former President Donald Trump. San Jose Playhouse postponed its production of Stephen Sondheim's "Assassins" a day after the attempt on former President Donald Trump.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/SJM-L-PIZARRO-COL-0517-01.jpg?w=129)
Real-life drama upends San Jose musical’s opening night
San Jose Playhouse postponed its production of Stephen Sondheim's "Assassins" a day after the attempt on former President Donald Trump.
![John Herschbach got an early holiday gift in gratitude at the nonprofit's annual Christmas in July fundraiser. John Herschbach got an early holiday gift in gratitude at the nonprofit's annual Christmas in July fundraiser.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/SJM-L-PIZARRO-COL-0717-01.jpg?w=117)
Christmas in the Park honors longtime volunteer and board member
John Herschbach got an early holiday gift in gratitude at the nonprofit's annual Christmas in July fundraiser.
![Alfredo Diaz says that his connection to his customers has been just as important to him as selling them hats and jeans. Alfredo Diaz says that his connection to his customers has been just as important to him as selling them hats and jeans.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/SJM-L-PIZARRO-COL-0707-1.jpg?w=127)
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Iconic downtown San Jose retailer closing its doors after 39 years
Alfredo Diaz says that his connection to his customers has been just as important to him as selling them hats and jeans.
![What could be more American than celebrating Independence Day with lowriders, lucha libre, skateboarders and classic cars? What could be more American than celebrating Independence Day with lowriders, lucha libre, skateboarders and classic cars?](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/SJM-L-JULY4THSJ-0705-6.jpg?w=123)
San Jose’s Rose, White and Blue parade returns for July 4
What could be more American than celebrating Independence Day with lowriders, lucha libre, skateboarders and classic cars?
![Artist Rigo 23 was on campus this week doing minor maintenance on "Victory Salute" and reflecting on its impact over two decades. Artist Rigo 23 was on campus this week doing minor maintenance on "Victory Salute" and reflecting on its impact over two decades.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/SJM-L-PIZARRO-COL-0630-05.jpg?w=117)
Iconic San Jose State monument gets a touch-up before the Olympics
Artist Rigo 23 was on campus this week doing minor maintenance on "Victory Salute" and reflecting on its impact over two decades.
![Electrical issues cited as the reason for delay from original June 29 date. Electrical issues cited as the reason for delay from original June 29 date.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/SJM-L-PIZARRO-COL-0515-01.jpg?w=129)
CaliBunga water park pushes back opening to July 4
Electrical issues cited as the reason for delay from original June 29 date.
![The 44,000 square-foot Wade Academic Center is expected to be finished in time for Fall 2025. The 44,000 square-foot Wade Academic Center is expected to be finished in time for Fall 2025.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/SJM-L-PIZARRO-COL-0628-01.jpg?w=132)
History-making milestone for San Jose school’s new building
The 44,000 square-foot Wade Academic Center is expected to be finished in time for Fall 2025.
!["After two departure notes, it’s nice to have an arrival." "After two departure notes, it’s nice to have an arrival."](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/SJM-L-CLOHAKONE-0325-12.jpg?w=132)
Leadership changes at Hakone Estate and Gardens, Computer History Museum and College of Adaptive Arts
"After two departure notes, it’s nice to have an arrival."
![The Montalvo Service Group is hosting another series of Wednesday lunches at the historic villa at the Montalvo Arts Center in Saratoga during July and August. The Montalvo Service Group is hosting another series of Wednesday lunches at the historic villa at the Montalvo Arts Center in Saratoga during July and August.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/SAN-L-MONTALVO-1014-1.jpg?w=140)
Fashion shows and lunches at Montalvo Arts Center in Saratoga
The Montalvo Service Group is hosting another series of Wednesday lunches at the historic villa at the Montalvo Arts Center in Saratoga during July and August.
![New murals are making a name for East Village San Jose, which includes retail shops, eateries and a number of vegan and vegetarian options. New murals are making a name for East Village San Jose, which includes retail shops, eateries and a number of vegan and vegetarian options.](https://www.mercurynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/SJM-L-PIZARRO-COL-0623-02.jpg?w=123)
This San Jose business district embraces a new identity with a new name
New murals are making a name for East Village San Jose, which includes retail shops, eateries and a number of vegan and vegetarian options.