South First Fridays Returns November 6 with Free Galleries and Live Performances Across SoFA

The November 6 edition of South First Fridays runs from 5 to 9 p.m. through the SoFA District and nearby blocks of Downtown San Jose. Galleries and museums stay open late with free admission for all ages. Street parking becomes free after 6 p.m., and city garages at South Third and San Carlos offer the standard 90-minute free window.

Anno Domini at 366 South First Street opens a tribute exhibition for Joseph Loughborough titled An Empire of the Lost. The London-based artist, who showed at the gallery multiple times over 13 years, died in June 2025. The works on view reflect his rapid charcoal process and interest in human figures drawn from expressionist and existential sources. KALEID Gallery at 320 South First hosts a reception for David Mejia’s solo show The Winter Solstice, a series of narrative pieces that draw on Northern European myths, shamanism, and a proto-Santa legend set in a mythic Stone Age.

MACLA at 510 South First presents Poetic Utterances by Viviana Paredes, using glass, light, sound, and organic materials to explore Indigenous and Latinx traditions alongside climate themes. Venezuelan dance group Dulce Tricolor performs during the evening. At the California Theatre, Opera San José stages free Opera on First from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., with live singing, the historic Wurlitzer organ, and a preview of the company’s upcoming Fiddler on the Roof. San Jose Jazz at 310 South First runs the SJZ Break Room Jazz Jam, opening with the U19s and Michael Webster Group before an all-ages open jam.

The San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art at 560 South First shows Greg Ito’s To Give and Take and closes its silent auction with snacks, drinks, and music from 6 to 9 p.m. The San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles at 520 South First exhibits Soft Structures: The Female Body as Labor and Resistance. In the Historic District, Chopsticks Alley Gallery and Works/San Jose share space at 38 South Second Street with exhibitions on food, migration, and housing insecurity, plus a 7 p.m. cooking-and-light presentation. Phantom Galleries at The Pierce features Eddie Ramirez’s Points of Perspective with live music by Mike Huguenor. Additional shows continue in the Martha Gardens District.

Full venue list and maps appear at southfirstfridays.com.

San Jose Leads Nation in Share of Jobs Exposed to AI Automation

A Business Journals analysis places the San Jose metro area at the top of a national ranking of cities where AI automation could affect the largest share of local workers. Nearly 29 percent of the total workforce in the area falls into occupations the study identifies as most vulnerable. That figure exceeds Washington, D.C. at 27.7 percent, Durham at 26.7 percent, Seattle at 26.6 percent, and Austin at 25.4 percent.

The ranking draws on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for occupation counts and wages, then filters those numbers against U.S. Census figures for total workers and for Gen Z workers ages 18 to 27. Occupations are weighted according to the Eloundou study scores that estimate how many tasks within a job AI can perform. Metros with heavy concentrations of professional services, technology, business, finance, computing, and information roles score highest. Those categories include software engineers, credit analysts, financial managers, database administrators, and writers. Cities built more around physical, service, or hospitality work rank lower because those jobs require in-person interaction that current generative AI tools do not readily replace.

San Jose’s position reflects its long concentration of knowledge-work roles rather than a sudden shift. The same analysis notes that Gen Z workers across the top 100 metros tend, on average, to hold positions less exposed to automation, often because many are still in retail, food service, personal care, or construction roles. New York-New Jersey shows the highest Gen Z exposure at 18.1 percent. Washington, D.C., San Francisco, and Salt Lake City appear in the top ten for both overall workers and Gen Z workers.

Observers quoted in the coverage point out that the most exposed tasks tend to be repeatable, digital, and low-context work such as basic writing, simple research, scheduling, and routine administrative follow-up. Those duties once formed common entry points into office careers. Critical thinking, interpersonal skills, and the ability to identify questions others have not asked remain harder for current systems to replicate. Separate surveys of executives have found widespread AI adoption alongside limited measured effects on productivity or employment in the past three years. Local governments in other regions have begun placing limits on new data-center projects amid broader concerns, though San Jose’s economy continues to generate demand for both technical and support roles.

The ranking underscores how tightly the local job mix is tied to the industries building and deploying AI tools. Workers and employers in the area will continue to adjust task boundaries and skill requirements as the technology evolves. For now, the data show San Jose with the highest measured exposure among large U.S. metros.

Source: SVBJ

Fountain Restaurant at Signia by Hilton Hosts Thanksgiving Feast in Downtown San Jose

Families looking for a holiday meal without the full kitchen production can head to Fountain Restaurant inside Signia by Hilton San Jose for a Thanksgiving buffet on November 26. The hotel at 170 South Market Street is offering a spread that mixes classic holiday dishes with California ingredients. Adults pay $125, children ages 5–12 pay $62.50, and children under 5 dine free. Prices exclude tax, gratuity, and alcoholic beverages.

The buffet centers on citrus-brined roasted turkey served with California citrus-cranberry confit and herb and fennel stuffing. Slow-roasted bone-in prime rib arrives with Yorkshire pudding. Other savory options include pumpkin gnocchi with turkey sausage in a creamy pumpkin sauce, plus chef stations for sushi, sashimi, and a chilled seafood bar. A farmer’s market table holds artisanal salads, grilled vegetables, cheeses, and charcuterie. Desserts feature an assortment of holiday pies, cherry jubilee, bananas foster, and a chocolate fountain with fruits and treats.

Seatings run from 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The hotel is also offering a special valet parking rate of $15 for the first three hours, then $2 per additional hour. Reservations are available through OpenTable.

The restaurant sits in the heart of Downtown San Jose, across from Plaza de San Jose and within walking distance of the San Jose Convention Center.

Apni Mandi Plans 24-Hour Grocery Store for Campbell’s Wing Center

Shoppers in the South Bay who already know Apni Mandi from its locations in Milpitas, Fremont, and Sunnyvale can look ahead to a larger presence in Campbell. The Indian grocery chain has advanced plans for a roughly 26,000-square-foot store at Wing Center on West Campbell Avenue, a space previously occupied by Big Lots. Campbell’s Planning Commission approved the conditional use permit in September 2026, clearing the way for 24-hour operations, off-site alcohol sales, a bakery, and an on-site butcher.

The project calls for a modest interior mezzanine of about 920 square feet along with exterior facade updates and parking lot adjustments. Once open, the store would join a growing cluster of specialty grocers serving South Asian communities across the region. Apni Mandi’s existing Bay Area locations already emphasize fresh produce, prepared foods such as chaat and curries, and round-the-clock access at some sites. The Campbell version is described as one of the chain’s more upscale formats.

A separate Apni Mandi opened in Dublin in late October 2026 at Fallon Gateway Center and also runs 24 hours. That opening brought the chain’s Bay Area count to four stores before the Campbell addition, which reports indicate could arrive as early as spring 2027. The Dublin store has drawn crowds for its combination of groceries and a prepared-food counter, a model the Campbell location is expected to expand.

The move fills a vacant anchor space in a multi-tenant shopping center near the intersection of West Campbell Avenue and South Bascom Avenue. For residents who currently drive to Milpitas or Sunnyvale for specific ingredients, the new store would shorten those trips while adding another late-night option in an area that has seen steady retail turnover. Campbell’s recent activity has included other food and retail proposals along Hamilton Avenue and in the Pruneyard, so the Apni Mandi project fits a broader pattern of filling empty retail pads with destination businesses.

Details on exact opening timing and final tenant improvements remain subject to construction schedules. In the meantime, the chain’s website lists its current addresses and notes 24-hour service at the Dublin location for anyone wanting to sample the concept before the Campbell store arrives.

Source: SVBJ

San Jose Rolls Out Speed Cameras With Citations Starting in Early 2027

Drivers across San Jose will soon encounter a new layer of enforcement on local streets. The city is installing 33 speed safety camera systems under a five-year pilot authorized by state law AB 645. Warning notices for vehicles traveling at least 11 miles per hour over the posted limit begin December 14, 2026. Citations follow in early 2027 after a minimum 60-day warning period at each site, with fines ranging from $50 for 11-15 mph over to $500 for extreme speeds.

The cameras sit at locations chosen for crash history, proximity to schools, hospitals, and senior centers, and distribution across all ten council districts. Each unit photographs only the rear license plate and flashes when triggered. No video is recorded, and images do not capture drivers or passengers. A Department of Transportation staff member reviews every potential citation before it goes out. Data stays confidential under city privacy policies and is not shared with other agencies except by court order.

From 2021 through 2025, speeding was the primary cause of 5,313 crashes in San Jose, resulting in 265 severe injuries and 41 deaths. City officials have pointed to results from San Francisco, where excessive speeding near cameras dropped roughly 85 percent within 18 months, as one reason for moving ahead. San Jose is the last of the six California cities allowed to pilot the technology. The program was delayed after an expected $8.5 million federal grant did not arrive, so the city has used local funds for installation and operations. Any citation revenue must be reinvested in the system or other street safety projects.

Mayor Matt Mahan and Vice Mayor Pam Foley have framed the cameras as one tool alongside existing Vision Zero efforts. The five-year pilot must conclude and report results by early 2032 at the latest. Locations continue to come online through early 2027, so drivers who regularly use corridors such as Saratoga Avenue, Alum Rock Avenue, or Capitol Avenue may want to check the city’s transportation department map for exact placements as installation finishes.

The shift places a measurable cost on speeding before more serious consequences occur. How the pilot performs will determine whether the city expands the approach or adjusts it based on the data collected.

Source: San Jose Inside

Happy Halloween 2026! 🎃🦇👻

Hope you all have a fun and safe Halloween tonight! If you have a favorite neighborhood for trick-or-treating please post it in the comments here or on X. The amazing house below is in Willow Glen on Lupton Ave.

Construction Advances on 195-Unit Affordable Housing Next to Berryessa BART

Crews have begun foundation work on a 10-story affordable apartment building at 825 Berryessa Station Way, immediately adjacent to the Berryessa BART station. Affirmed Housing is developing the project, which is expected to deliver roughly 195 units of housing restricted to low-, very-low-, and extremely low-income households, plus two manager units. Construction started in mid-2026 after the team secured $38.5 million from the state’s Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program. A crane is now on site, and completion is targeted as early as spring 2028.

The building will contain about 217,500 square feet overall, with the majority devoted to residences. Plans also include a modest ground-level commercial space, community rooms, and a small garage. More than 100 of the units will have two or three bedrooms. The project sits on VTA-controlled land next to the elevated BART tracks and the existing VTA parking garage. It is designed to meet Green Point Rated Gold standards with a net-zero energy goal and will include indoor and outdoor community spaces, a computer lab, children’s play areas, and bike storage.

This is the first phase of a larger transit-oriented development on a multi-acre VTA site at the Berryessa Transit Center. Nearby, the broader Berryessa Urban Village plan envisions thousands of additional homes and supporting infrastructure on adjacent parcels, including property owned by the Bumb family that has city approval for dense mixed-use development. A separate project at 1655 Berryessa Road is also advancing with a mix of affordable and market-rate housing within walking distance of the station.

Residents of the new building will have direct access to BART, VTA bus service, and planned street improvements funded through the same state program, including safer crossings, bus lanes, bikeways, and additional sidewalks. The location places new housing next to existing transit rather than on the urban fringe. For households that qualify under the income restrictions, the building will add a substantial number of family-sized units within a short walk of rail service in Northeast San Jose.

Source: SF YIMBY

Trick or Treat Along Lincoln Avenue Returns to Willow Glen on October 30

Families looking for a daytime Halloween outing can head to Downtown Willow Glen on Friday, October 30, when local businesses along Lincoln Avenue open their doors for Trick or Treat Along Lincoln Avenue. The event runs in two sessions along the stretch from Minnesota Avenue to Willow Street. Toddlers take the route from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., while school-aged children follow from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Organizers ask participants to move clockwise for smoother traffic and safer sidewalks.

Participating shops plan to hand out candy and other goodies during both windows. The setup keeps the activity on the main commercial stretch rather than residential blocks, which suits families who prefer a contained, supervised walk. The Willow Glen Business Association coordinates the gathering and has put out a call for volunteer crossing guards and sidewalk monitors to keep the sessions orderly.

Books for Treats, a nonprofit that has paired free books with Halloween since 2001, will set up again at the Garden Theater at 1165 Lincoln Avenue. Volunteers will help each child pick one free book. The morning slot covers kindergarten-aged children and younger, while the afternoon slot covers first through sixth grade. Rebecca Morgan, the organization’s founder, has noted that Halloween already carries excitement and imagination, making it a natural moment to add a lasting item to the treat bag.

The event stays open to the public with no tickets required. After collecting candy and a book, families can continue exploring the independent shops, cafes, and boutiques that line Lincoln Avenue.

7 Brew Eyes First San Jose Spot at East Side Shopping Center

Residents who frequent the Sprouts-anchored center at 375 Capitol Square could soon have a new drive-thru option for custom drinks. Arkansas-based 7 Brew has submitted plans to convert a parking area there into a 1,500-square-foot coffee shop with three lanes and room to queue 18 cars. Pennsylvania-based Core States Group prepared the documents, which seek a conditional-use permit for drive-thru service plus walk-up access. The shopping center already hosts Burlington, Five Below, and Crunch Fitness near the I-680 and McKee Road interchange.

Initial hours would run from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., with later expansion toward 24-hour operations. Projections call for an average of 400 customers daily and staffing of 10 to 15 people per shift. Planning files list no construction cost, though the chain previously published franchise investment ranges of $275,000 to $525,000 before it stopped accepting new franchise agreements.

Founded in 2017, 7 Brew has grown to more than 700 locations across nearly 40 states. Its menu supports more than 20,000 drink combinations spanning coffee, energy drinks, sodas, smoothies, and teas. California still lacks any operating stands, yet the company has filed proposals in Livermore, Concord, Sacramento, and parts of Los Angeles County. The closest existing location sits in St. George, Utah.

The proposal arrives as other out-of-market brands continue to target San Jose. Raising Cane’s opened its first city location in April 2025 at 2398 Evergreen Place and followed with a second site at 450 N. Capitol Ave. Dutch Bros has proposed shops at 2624 S. Bascom Ave. and 2170 Monterey Road. Levain Bakery is preparing its first Northern California outpost at Santana Row.

A three-lane drive-thru focused on high-volume beverage service would add another quick option for East San Jose shoppers and nearby commuters. Approval and construction timelines remain open, yet the filing signals continued interest from national chains in filling gaps across the city’s retail landscape.

Source: SVBJ

Affordable Housing Tower Proposed for South Fourth Street Near SJSU

A half-acre parcel at 439-451 South Fourth Street has drawn fresh interest from American Housing Co., a subsidiary of the Oakland-based firm oWow. The new ownership seeks to advance a roughly 25-story, 261-foot residential tower on the site between East San Salvador Street and East William Street. Previous plans approved in 2024 under Nelly Amas called for 210 units aimed largely at San Jose State University students and faculty. Those designs, prepared by Salvatore Caruso Design Corp., never advanced to construction.

The updated concept expands the unit count substantially. Developers estimate 368 apartments set aside as affordable below-market-rate homes, plus four manager residences, for a total of 372 units. Exact floor plans and architectural details remain under wraps, though oWow could revise the earlier Caruso renderings with its in-house design team. Project costs have been pegged near $159.6 million, including about $94.8 million for construction and $6.4 million for land and acquisition, according to a California Debt Limit Allocation Committee staff report from early September.

Location advantages helped keep the parcel in play despite earlier stalls. The site sits a short walk from the SJSU campus, within easy reach of Downtown San Jose’s business core and nearby transit options. High-density housing here could serve students, faculty, and other residents seeking proximity to campus life without long commutes. Existing low-rise buildings on the property, including the Metro Station apartments, would need to come down to make way for the tower.

San Jose has seen multiple proposals cycle through this address over recent years, with city approvals secured yet construction still pending. The pattern reflects broader challenges facing affordable projects across Santa Clara County, where funding gaps have delayed hundreds of units. Advocates for additional housing will watch whether American Housing Co. can secure financing and move this denser version forward where earlier efforts paused.

Adding hundreds of income-restricted apartments on a compact urban lot would expand options close to one of the city’s major educational anchors. Progress on South Fourth Street could contribute to the steady growth of residential capacity that supports Downtown San Jose’s ongoing evolution.

Source: SFYIMBY