In an attempt to compete culturally with more richly textured areas of California (i.e., San Francisco, Oakland, Los Angeles, Buttonwillow), San Jose is looking to land its first poet laureate. According to the Arts Council Silicon Valley (who knew?), there is "a vibrant poetry scene in Santa Clara County that doesn't get a lot of recognition." (Again, who knew?) Think you know what rhymes with purple? If you're a published poet who has lived in Santa Clara County for at least five years, you can give it a shot. The gig is a two-year term with a $4,000 stipend, which includes community outreach as well as churning out the occasional haiku or sonnet. The deadline is Feb. 17. You can apply at www.artscouncil.org.