Great Cities Speaker Series Presents Dr. Glenna Matthews Discussing "The New Majority-Minority City"

SAN JOSE, CA, Jul 31 (MARKET WIRE) --
Dr. Glenna Matthews, historian, will be featured at the "2008 Great
Cities Speakers Series," 6-7 p.m., Monday, August 18, at the San Jose
Repertory Theatre, 101 Paseo De San Antonio. A reception will follow at 7
p.m. to encourage further discussion. This presentation and reception are
free to the public. However due to capacity limitations, reservations are
strongly recommended and can be made by email to info@1stACT.org or at
http://tickets.commonwealthclub.org/auto_choose_ga.asp?area=77.

The evening presentation will look at how understanding a city's past is
key to predicting its future. Matthews, a historian who has been studying
San Jose for nearly 35 years, will trace the city's roots to show us how
post-war public policy decisions have helped to make San Jose the model of
a truly multicultural city. She will pay particular attention to the
rebirth of downtown San Jose, the new vitality of East San Jose, and the
exciting possibilities that lay ahead.

"The history of the region has set the tone for today's multi-cultural
landscape. In the 19th Century, immigrants were often able to find
opportunities denied to them elsewhere. Thus the city's first rise to
regional prominence as a fruit-industry capital was built on the
contributions of many immigrants -- as is the high-tech industry of
today," said Matthews. "Public policy decisions of the postwar period
have helped position San Jose to be the physical embodiment of what a
truly multi-cultural city will look like."

A graduate of San Jose State University (SJSU), Matthews holds a doctorate
in American History from Stanford University. Dr. Matthews is the author
of "Silicon Valley Women and the California Dream" and several other
books and articles, many about our region.

Dr. Terry Christensen, professor of political science at SJSU, will
facilitate questions and answers following Dr. Matthews's talk.
Christensen, who is a specialist on state and local politics, has written
nine books, the latest of which are "Local Politics: Governing at the
Grassroots" and "Recall! California's Political Earthquake and California
Government and Politics." At SJSU, he teaches courses on local politics,
urban and regional planning, public administration and power and politics
in Silicon Valley.

"As we look to San Jose and Silicon Valley's future, it's crucial to have
a comprehensive understanding of the journey that has taken us from the
'Valley of Heart's Delight' to the 'Capital of Silicon Valley.' It is of
particular importance to understand how shifting demographics and the
public sector response have been a key part of this history and how they
may hinder or enhance San Jose's progress in the 21st Century," said
Christensen.

Produced by the San Jose's Office of Cultural Affairs, 1stACT Silicon
Valley and the Commonwealth Club of California, the "Great Cities Speakers
Series" engages residents, and business and civic leaders as well as those
who will be directly impacted by the evolution of the "Envision San Jose
General Plan 2040" -- the key planning document that will guide San Jose's
growth, character, and service ambitions over the next 10-30 years. This
series of monthly public lectures is designed to provoke thought,
discussion and imagination about the city of the future and to bring
important outside perspectives to local and regional efforts on civic
planning, culture, art and design. The lectures are free.

The "Great Cities Speaker Series" is also supported by the American
Institute of Architects-Santa Clara Valley Chapter, the American Planning
Association (APA) California Chapter -- Northern Section, the Fairmont
Hotel San Jose, the San Jose Repertory Theater and the San Jose State
University Department of Urban and Regional Planning.

ABOUT THE SAN JOSE OFFICE OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS

The Office of Cultural Affairs is part of the City's Office of Economic
Development. Together, they foster cultural and economic development as
related strategies for building San Jose as the creative center of Silicon
Valley. The Office of Cultural Affairs coordinates services for outdoor
events and festivals, offers financial support for arts and culture
providers, supports arts education, and leads the development of public
art works throughout the city. For more information, please visit
www.sanjoseculture.org

ABOUT THE CITY OF SAN JOSE

From its founding in 1777 as California's first city, San Jose has been a
leader, driven by its spirit of innovation. Today, San Jose stands as the
largest city in Northern California and the Capital of Silicon Valley --
the world's leading center of innovation. The city, the 10th largest in
the U.S., is committed to remaining a top-ranked place to do business,
work, live, play and learn. For more information, visit www.sanjoseca.gov

ABOUT 1STACT SILICON VALLEY

1stACT Silicon Valley is a broad network of regional civic, cultural, and
business leaders working to catalyze participation and investment at the
intersection of art, creativity, and technology. 1stACT strives to create
an authentic sense of place in Silicon Valley that fuels community pride,
broad participation, and philanthropic investment. Please visit
www.1stact.org

ABOUT THE COMMONWEALTH CLUB OF CALIFORNIA

The Commonwealth Club of California is the nation's oldest and largest
public affairs forum, bringing together its more than 18,000 members for
over 400 annual events on topics ranging across politics, culture, society
and the economy. The Club has offices in San Francisco and San Jose, with
regular events in both cities, as well as programs in the East and North
Bay. Please visit www.commonwealthclub.org

Contact
Steven Brewster
(415) 577-8851
San Jose Office of Economic Development
Email Contact

Brendan Rawson
1stACT Silicon Valley
(408) 200-2020 ext. 105
Email Contact

Copyright 2008, Market Wire, All rights reserved.

-0-