Zillow Ranks San Jose the #4 Best City to Trick-or-Treat in the US

Taking in statistical factors such as crime, population density, walk-ability, and home values, Zillow has ranked the 20 best cities for Trick-or-Treating in the US and San Jose came in at a respectable 4th place! Click here for more info. Thanks Jon for the tip.

Happy Halloween!!!

Halloween Art Show @ Works in SoFA

Nightmares Group Show Opens on Halloween

from Phantom Galleries by Cherri Lakey

My Favorite Nightmares An Art Show curated By Lacey Bryant


Nightmares. As creepy or repulsive as they may be, they fascinate us. They linger in our minds long after we've woken, leaving us distracted by thoughts of otherworldly fears. It is often the strange things that play in our heads at night that inspire us to create upon waking. Sometimes these unsettling dreams are rearranged from the events of our daily lives; our brains putting them into a senseless order, helping us to see our thoughts from an inside out perspective. Other dreams seem to make no sense at all and yet perhaps it is this “otherness” that causes us to dwell, at times giving rise to an almost a manic need to recreate the scenes that dance across our sleeping eyes, if only to have some relief once the images have been transferred to the canvas.
When we celebrate the bizarre terrors which overtake us in our sleep we are able to see what base fears we share. This will be a show of real and imagined nightmares, monsters, things that go bump in the night or cause us to gasp awake. The reoccurring night terrors that we just can't get enough of. An admission that we kind of like to be scared.


Receptions on Halloween, October 31 7-11pm & November 5 8-11pm
Exhibit dates: October 31-November 25.


WORKS San Jose
451 South First Street, San Jose, CA 95113
Gallery: 408-286-6800
Voicemail:408-300-6405
gallery@workssanjose.org


Music By:
Deathat, J Swizza, and Dax Tran Caffee


Featuring Artwork By:
Alda Mendoza, Andrew Goldfarb, Barbara Weiss, Bee Adams, Ben Shuts, Christine Benjamin, Dax Tran-Caffee, Deb Barba, Donna Eck, Elaine Baculi, Erikka Hugger, Freddie Vega, Glenn Domingo, Helen Laishley, Jaclyn Alderete, Jasper Thomas, Jen Renzel, Jena Hosking, John Kurtyka, John Renzel, Joshua Marcotte, Julie Bilyeu, Karen Carlo Salinger, Kate Saturday, Keith Bunnell, Kevin Deaton, Kimberly Gebert, Kimy Martinez, Kurtis Rykovich, Lacey Bryant, Lily Mae Martin, Lydia Rae Black, Matthew Seigel, Mary Coleman, Michael Buscemi, Michael Foley, Michelle Waters, Mike Borja, Natacha Est Gauchere, Nicolas Caesar, Patti Garcia, Peg Grady, Pinelopi Vassilaki, Reiji Hirayama, Shannon Amidon, Steevn Reece, Stefan Thompson, Steve Belmarsh, Steven Rubalcaba, Timothy Tsun, Victoria Q Legg, Yumico

Halloween in San Jose 2010! (UPDATED

Here is a revised list of places to visit this weekend for Halloween:

World's Largest Haunted House - San Jose

A massive haunted maze that is easily the longest single Halloween "scare" attraction in the Bay Area this year. This is a haunt that actually started in San Jose (at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, same place where they are today) and has spent the last few years in Gilroy and Morgan Hill. Hopefully they're back for good as this is the scariest Halloween attraction in the Bay Area. The cost is $18 per person ($16 if you get the coupon off their website here).

Halloween Haunt @ California's Great America - Santa Clara

The largest Halloween event in Northern California by a mile. Knott's Berry Farm was the first amusement park to throw special events for Halloween, and now that Great America is owned by the same parent company (Cedar Fair Parks) we get to share in the action. The third annual Halloween Haunt is on par with last year. They claim to have the exact same 6 haunted mazes from last year, but Carnevil (the clown one) is 90% new and vastly improved. The also have a haunted ride called Black Widow's Cavern (Logger's Run) which is completely new this year (it used to be Camp Gonnagetcha).  There are also 4 Halloween shows, 3 are unchanged from last year but unfortunately the musical "Fangs" replaces a very entertaining Ed Alonzo Show (his magic show got moved to Knott's Berry Farm). I hate to say it, but Fangs is definitely worth skipping to focus on the other attractions. An added bonus is that all rides worth going on are still open and the roller coasters are being run with all the lights turned off. The cost is between $25-40 per person, but it's a lot of bang for your buck. Also for 2010, Halloween Haunt has been expanded to be open on Sundays in addition to Fridays and Saturdays.

Pirates of Emerson - Pleasanton 

The preeminent Bay Area Halloween event for almost 2 decades is returning this year with an expanded event. There are 5 haunted mazes this year, a Halloween Carnival (perfect idea for Halloween in the Park), and several other attractions such as a 3 story mobile home from Burning Man. This is MUCH MORE intense than Great America, so don't bring your young children to this one. You'll get scares from every angle, including above and below you. The haunts are extraordinarily well done, and they only let in small groups... so you'll get what you pay for. The cost is $20 per person, but this year they are also selling "Monions" while let you access the carnival games and some of the special attractions. Expect to drop $25-30 for a full experience. If anyone from Pirates is reading this, please have a look at the SJ Convention Center or one of the many empty parking lots in Downtown San Jose next year ;)

Swank Farms - Hollister

This actually features 2 different main attractions. The first is a massive cornfield maze + treasure hunt, that could easily be a multiple hour excursion. The second is a very long haunted maze that is supposed to be quite good this year. Last year they actually had 2 different mazes, but they've been combined into one mega attraction for 2010.

The cost is $25 per person.

The Scotts Valley High Haunted House - Scotts Valley

A high school production may seem out of place on this list, but I assure you that this one is 100% worthwhile. I've attended this the past two years and each year it has been my single favorite haunt. As opposed to your typical maze where you have people randomly popping out at you, each year there is a unique story with hundreds of actors, making you truly feel like you're immersed in a horror movie. You can also forget the saying "don't touch the actors and they won't touch you." Last year's hospital theme included surprises like receiving fake shots and other miscellaneous medical experiences. There was also a part where they separated EACH person in your party and sat you in a small dark room by yourself. Insanely scary and much more interactive than any of the major venues. Plus the money connected is donated to charity. One caveat, due to how awesome this haunt is there may be a 2-3 hour wait. At least you'll have the high school dance team dressed up as zombies entertaining you while you wait (and performing Thriller in its entirety every 15min).

The cost is ~$10 per person. Oct 21-23 only, starting at 7pm. 555 Glenwood Dr., Scotts Valley.

ON HIATUS FOR 2010:

Gyro's 4D Fear Factory - San Jose

Ballet San Jose - Starting Again (Part 2 of 5)

Part 2 of Ballet San Jose's documentary shows us how the ballet company actually got started thanks to a big kick-off from a very famous ballet artist. Just click the link below to watch the video!

Part 2: http://blip.tv/file/4303425

Older Parts
Part 1: http://blip.tv/file/4262451

Nissan's Drive Electric Tour Comes to San Jose

If you're wondering what it would be like to drive a 100% electric car, you can put your assumptions to the test this weekend. Nissan is showing off their Leaf electric vehicle in Downtown San Jose, which is already well equipped to handle "EVs" thanks to multiple charging stations. You can register for a test drive by clicking right over here. Press release below:

NISSAN DRIVE ELECTRIC TOUR

All-electric Nissan LEAF brings

23-city consumer test-drive tour to San Jose

WHAT:         The “Drive Electric Tour…sponsored by the 100-percent electric Nissan LEAF” gives consumers a first-ever chance to experience all-electric driving. In addition to the first public test-drives, the tour also provides information about the car, its technology and its features.

The public will have the opportunity to drive the LEAF in San Jose starting on October 29 at the Dean Karnazes Silicon Valley Marathon.

WHEN:        Friday, October 29: 9am-6pm

         Saturday, October 30: 8am-6pm

         Sunday, October 31: 8am-5pm

WHERE:        Dean Karnazes Silicon Valley Marathon

                         Almaden/Woz Parking Lot

                   232 Woz Way

                         *The drive electric tour will be located at the Almaden / Woz Parking Lot, corner of S Almaden & Woz Way.

           

PHOTO/VIDEO:       

·         Consumer reaction to first-ever test-drive of an all-electric vehicle

·         Displays and interactive kiosks about alternative technology

·         Nissan spokesperson on opportunity and advantage of all-electric vehicles

MORE:          Interested drivers can learn more about the tour, and register to drive the Nissan LEAF at www.drivenissanleaf.com.

Sales of the Nissan LEAF begin in December in California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona and Tennessee. In January 2011, sales begin in Texas and Hawaii. The Nissan LEAF will be available nationwide by the end of 2011.

Singlebarrel - Coolest Bar in Town

While I'm not a big drinker, over the course of my life I think I've been to at least 90% of all the bars in Downtown San Jose and a good portion of the top places in the greater bay area. Singlebarrel is far and away the coolest bar I've ever been to.

It's easy to miss since it's in the basement below Agenda/Bayonne and a barrel is the only signage adorning the exterior. Depending on the time you go, there may be a line wrapping around the corner helping you find your way. However, it is worth both the search and/or wait. By the time you get to the bottom of the steps, you find yourself in a different time--you've just entered a prohibition-style speakeasy! The ambiance is dark and relaxed, with old-school music playing in the background. The bartenders are even dressed in era-appropriate attire.

Now on to the best part... the drinks! Most of the menu is inspired from classic recipes and they are made primarily the original way. Everything is made from scratch. If a drink uses fruit, they're going to cut up fresh sample before infusing it into your drink. I was also surprised to see the bartenders crack raw eggs to extract fresh egg-whites for some of their cocktails. Speaking of the bartenders, the service is phenomenal. They are extremely knowledgeable regarding the full history of all their drinks: how they were invented, who drank them, how they became popular, etc. In addition to the history, the service is outstanding in general. 

2 of my favorite drinks:

- Ramos Gin Fizz: ONLY SERVED BETWEEN 5-6PM (and worth coming early for), takes a solid 10 minutes to make, tastes amazing, and you get a refill when you're halfway done.

- The Old Fashioned: The original cocktail. Aged whiskey, sugar, bitters, lemon, and the magic Singlebarrel touch... a giant spherical Japanese ice cube (it keeps the drink cold for longer without diluting it).

Singlebarrel is the type of unique attraction that we need more of Downtown and in San Jose in general. Definitely worth visiting, and I recommend going early for the full drink selection and extra-exceptional service.

A Peek at Brocade's New San Jose Headquarters

Below is a quick 6min video talking about the Brocade campus that now anchor's San Jose's @First development. It's always nice to see another world class HQ open up here. Brocade will join Cisco, eBay, Adobe, Cadence, and many others with flagship offices in San Jose.

Southwest Adding Flights to Austin

It looks like Southwest is kicking off 2 new daily nonstops between San Jose and Austin. The new "nerd bird" flights kick off November 7th.

World's Largest Haunted House

Well, I was fairly confident that there were no Halloween Haunts in San Jose proper this year thanks to Gyro's "hiatus," but it looks like there is one at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds billed as the World's Largest. Click here for more information and click here for a $2 per person coupon. I'll try to check this out soon and let you know if it's worthwhile!



UPDATE: Made it there yesterday, and it's worthwhile. It's the scariest one that I've been to in the Bay Area this year and is 2-3 times longer than your typical maze.

Zillow Crowns the Winchester Mystery House as the #1 Haunted Home in the US

From "Top 10 Haunted Homes in the U.S.":

(Flickr photo: harshlight)

1. Winchester House (above)
Location: San Jose, CA
Notable ghost: Sarah Winchester

As one of two homes in California sanctioned by the U.S. Commerce Department as being haunted (the other is the Whaley House, below), the magnificent Winchester Housestands alone as perhaps the most bizarre haunted home in the U.S. It was inspired and designed by Sarah Winchester (photo), widow of William Winchester, founder of Winchester rifles. Legend goes that Sarah was deeply affected by the deaths of her daughter, Annie, in 1866 and then her husband, William, in 1881. Sarah consulted a medium who instructed her to build a house to ward off evil spirits. Construction on the Winchester House started in 1884 and continued for 38 years — until Sarah’s death in 1922.

Sarah reportedly held nightly seances to gain guidance from spirits and her dead husband for the home’s design. What resulted was a maze-like residence full of twisting and turning hallways, dead-ends, secret panels, a window built into a floor, staircases leading to nowhere, doors that open to walls, upside-down columns, and rooms built, then intentionally closed off  — all to ward off and confuse evil spirits. Read more about Sarah and the fascinating Winchester House. (Photo of Sarah Winchester: freewebs.com)
> See more San Jose, CA real estate
> See San Jose, CA home values

Art Show @ The Usuals Tonight!

Time	Friday, October 29 · 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Location	The Usuals 1020 The Alameda
Created By	The Usuals
More Info	A group art show celebrating life & death. Featuring Local Artists: Force 129 Christine Benjamin Patricia Black Lacey Bryant Michael Buscemi Michael Foley Joel Ruiz Garcia Josh Marcotte (Lost San Jose) Frances Marin David Nelson Anabella Pinon Tea Shack Project Kate Stewart Sara Tomasello Kristine Taormino Kori Thomson Wadl Wadl Jessie Jane Walden Jesus Villegas ....and more Deathly Beats By: Nate LeBlanc Squareweezy (Bangerz) Vida Treats by: La Senora Nava STREETBOT!! If you attend this opening night in costume or with a Dia De Los Muertos painted face, you'll get 10% off of your purchase (artwork excluded). "Dia De La Vida" will be on view through Nov. 18th. During store hours: Sunday - Thursday 11am - 7pm Friday - Saturday 11am - 8pm

Ballet San Jose - Beginnings (Part 1 of 5)

Ballet San Jose is just kicking off their 2010-2011 Season, so what better way to start things off than a really interesting documentary about their history! Click the link below for part one of their five part documentary series... and if you didn't think a ballet documentary could end with a cliffhanger, guess again =)

Part 1: http://blip.tv/file/4262451

October 2010 Downtown Dimension Highlights

Here are my notes from the latest edition of Downtown Dimension:

• Vote yes on V & W to help put San Jose's finances back on track (neither affects current employees, only future hires)
• More retail is coming in than going out, empty spaces are filling up throughout Downtown
• Camera 3's Lease has been renewed for 10 years
• Clubhouse Restaurant and Lounge is now open in the former Hawg's space
• Broadway San Jose is brining 7 productions for the 2010-11 season, up from 5 the previous season
• The former auto repair garage at 27 E. William St. is being converted into Orchestra Palm Court Cafe, opening in 2011
• The Civic Auditorium upgrades are about to kick into high gear, including new seating and expanded concessions
• The City, RDA, and 1stACT are continuing to develop 10 projects to accelerate Downtown becoming "Silicon Valley's City Center." Music in the Park and the Jazz Festival experienced double-digit growth in attendance and work will continue to improve the live music scene and art scene Downtown. Some active initiatives:
• Creating a plaza along First St. between Reed and William
• Providing a joint-use building for arts organizations to share
• Turn Guadalupe River Park into San Jose's Central Park
• Redesign the plaza in front of the Rep as a gathering and performance space
• The city has installed 80 new bike racks Downtown (now how about starting the bike sharing program!)
• Groundwerx has added high quality LED lighting to 31 trees in San Pedro Square (saw these last weekend and they look amazing)

To read the full newsletter, click here!

SJDA October Board Meeting

I had a chance to attend the October SJDA Meeting and just wanted to share the list of new/re-elected directors as well as a few photos. Here's the list:

• Nancy Avila - Owner of Maceio Brazillian Steakhouse and SJSU alum
• Steve Borkenhagen - Market Manager of San Pedro Square Market, 35 year downtown resident
• Kymberli Brady - Photographer, owner of sanjosestock.com
• Chris Cabrera - CEO of Xactly Corporation, SCU alum
• Jay Essadki - Owner and Chef of Morocco's
• Paul Higgens - President of the SJDRA and SJSU alum
• Randy Knox - Senior Director at Adobe
• Pete Kolstad - Downtown Resident
• Kent Mather - Former Executive Director of the American Institute of Architects Santa Clara Valley
• Chris Neale - VP of Core Homes LLC
• Win Roney - President of ReelGrobman architecture and interior design
• Tore Saso - VP at Merrill Lynch, 4th generation SJ resident and SJSU alum
• Janis Schneider - Owner of R&J Jewelry and Loan
• Roger Springall - Owner of Caffe Trieste

TWO BUCK Tuesday ($2 Art @ Kaleid)

TWO BUCK Tuesday October 19th

from Phantom Galleries by Cherri Lakey

The awesome $2 art sale and quirky speaker series is this Tuesday, October 19th, curated by artist Keith Bunnell!


Jodi Mascarenas will be doing a sugar skull workshop. There will be small medium and large blank sugar skulls. She will provide colored icing to decorate your skull as well as diamonds and other decorations to personalize it. Join in, get creative and make something beautiful!


Clayton Lawrence
Scenic and Theme Designer - California's Great America Halloween Haunt

From decorating his front yard starting at age 5, to designing multiple Haunted Attractions at California's Great America Halloween Haunt at age 22, Clayton has been able to take a passion and hobby and turn it into a career.
Clayton has learned a lot over the years and has consulted with many industry leaders including Knott's Scary Farm, to learn techniques and philosophies that go into pulling off a successful Haunted House. Come join him as he shares many tips and insight to scaring unsuspecting victims!


Artist Mariya Milovidova will be doing face painting and temporary tattoos as well as painting live on canvas.


Kyle Ames is a professional caricature artist at Great America and will be on hand to draw a fun caricature of YOU for only $5/ea.!

TWO BUCK Tuesday October 19th, 7-10pm FREE and open to the public.
KALEID Gallery
88 South 4th Street
San Jose, CA 95112
http://www.KALEIDgallery.com
(408) 947-1785

History of San Jose's Treatbot

From...



To...



For more info (and to locate where the truck is stationed today), check out the Treatbot website right over here.

Bill Clinton will be in Downtown San Jose Today

Bill Clinton is making a single stop in the Bay Area today as part of the campaigns for Jerry Brown and Gavin Newsom. That stop happens to be at San Jose State University. Why San Jose? In the SFGate article, Newsom's former chief political strategist says: "If you are going to do one stop in the Bay Area, it makes sense to choose the largest city." Shabam. Click here for the full article, (oh and thanks DLO for the tip).

Does anyone else find it interesting that politicians/leaders from all 3 core Bay Area cities are making a run for State office? Brown was former mayor of Oakland, Newsom is the current mayor of San Francisco, and Meg Whitman was CEO of San Jose's eBay, growing it to an $8 billion company. Hopefully the election winner(s) will keep the Bay Area in mind from their Sacramento perch.

Baseball San Jose: What would a downtown ballpark do for San Jose?

The San Pedro Square Market's Steve Borkenhagen tells us how a downtown ballpark would positively impact San Jose:

Halloween in San Jose 2010!

I'm a huge Halloween fan--as you can probably gather from my Halloween in the Park initiative--and have been going to most of the local Halloween events for the past several years. I thought I would share some of my top picks of places to visit. So far I have only visited Halloween Haunt and Pirates of Emerson. I also hear the Swank Farms Cornfield Maze is really good this year.

Halloween Haunt @ California's Great America - Santa Clara
The largest Halloween event in Northern California by a mile. Knott's Berry Farm was the first amusement park to throw special events for Halloween, and now that Great America is owned by the same parent company (Cedar Fair Parks) we get to share in the action. The third annual Halloween Haunt is on par with last year. They claim to have the exact same 6 haunted mazes from last year, but Carnevil (the clown one) is 90% new and vastly improved. The also have a haunted ride called Black Widow's Cavern (Logger's Run) which is completely new this year (it used to be Camp Gonnagetcha).  There are also 4 Halloween shows, 3 are unchanged from last year but unfortunately the musical "Fangs" replaces a very entertaining Ed Alonzo Show (his magic show got moved to Knott's Berry Farm). I hate to say it, but Fangs is definitely worth skipping to focus on the other attractions. An added bonus is that all rides worth going on are still open and the roller coasters are being run with all the lights turned off. The cost is between $25-40 per person, but it's a lot of bang for your buck. Also for 2010, Halloween Haunt has been expanded to be open on Sundays in addition to Fridays and Saturdays.

Pirates of Emerson - Pleasanton 
The preeminent Bay Area Halloween event for almost 2 decades is returning this year with an expanded event. There are 5 haunted mazes this year, a Halloween Carnival (perfect idea for Halloween in the Park), and several other attractions such as a 3 story mobile home from Burning Man. This is MUCH MORE intense than Great America, so don't bring your young children to this one. You'll get scares from every angle, including above and below you. The haunts are extraordinarily well done, and they only let in small groups... so you'll get what you pay for. The cost is $20 per person, but this year they are also selling "Monions" while let you access the carnival games and some of the special attractions. Expect to drop $25-30 for a full experience. If anyone from Pirates is reading this, please have a look at the SJ Convention Center or one of the many empty parking lots in Downtown San Jose next year ;)

Swank Farms - Hollister
This actually features 2 different main attractions. The first is a massive cornfield maze + treasure hunt, that could easily be a multiple hour excursion. The second is a very long haunted maze that is supposed to be quite good this year. Last year they actually had 2 different mazes, but they've been combined into one mega attraction for 2010.

The cost is $25 per person.

The Scotts Valley High Haunted House - Scotts Valley
A high school production may seem out of place on this list, but I assure you that this one is 100% worthwhile. I've attended this the past two years and each year it has been my single favorite haunt. As opposed to your typical maze where you have people randomly popping out at you, each year there is a unique story with hundreds of actors, making you truly feel like you're immersed in a horror movie. You can also forget the saying "don't touch the actors and they won't touch you." Last year's hospital theme included surprises like receiving fake shots and other miscellaneous medical experiences. There was also a part where they separated EACH person in your party and sat you in a small dark room by yourself. Insanely scary and much more interactive than any of the major venues. Plus the money connected is donated to charity. One caveat, due to how awesome this haunt is there may be a 2-3 hour wait. At least you'll have the high school dance team dressed up as zombies entertaining you while you wait (and performing Thriller in its entirety every 15min).

The cost is ~$10 per person. Oct 21-23 only, starting at 7pm. 555 Glenwood Dr., Scotts Valley.

ON HIATUS FOR 2010:

Gyro's 4D Fear Factory - San Jose

SJDA: Discounted Sharks Tickets!

Downtowner Online – Special Edition A service of the San Jose Downtown Association
An exclusive offer from our friends at the San Jose Sharks:
It’s time to FEEL THE TEAL.  Time to experience the one-of-a-kind, electrifying atmosphere that is San Jose Sharks Hockey.  The Sharks are back and are ready for another deep run into the playoffs!

We can help you FEEL THE TEAL and see new captain Joe Thornton and recent arrival Antti Niemi with this special San Jose Downtown Association offer.

Tuesday, October 19 vs. the Carolina Hurricanes
$60* Lower Bowl Tickets (normally priced at $83* – a discount of almost 30%)
$40* Sideline Upper Bowl Tickets (normally priced at $58* – a discount of over 30%)
*Price does not include service fees or shipping. 
For tickets, click the following link and in the “Promotions and Special Offers” box use the following password: SJDA.  Be sure to select the $83 or $58 price level.  The discount will be reflected once you select the number of seats and price level you want.

http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/1C00451F9C294068?artistid=806018&majorcatid=10004&minorcatid=9 <http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/1C00451F9C294068?artistid=806018&majorcatid=10004&minorcatid=9> 
Enjoy the game!
Rick Jensen

Walk to Fight Childhood Cancer!

 

Event: 2010 Give thanks. Walk. - San Jose, CA
Location: San Jose, CA
Date: 2010-11-20

Join us on Saturday, November 20, as St. Jude supporters in the San Jose, CA community, and more than 60 other cities nationwide, come together to participate in the Give thanks. Walk. to raise money for the children of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

• Event Venue: Great Mall
• Address: 447 Great Mall Dr, Milpitas, CA 95035
• Registration Starts: 7:00 AM
• Walk Starts: 8:00 AM

Registration for this family-friendly event is FREE. Simply click "Register" from the links above to sign up and create your own personal or team fundraising Web page. From there, you will be able to send e-mails to your friends and family to ask them to join your walk team and make a donation to support the lifesaving work done at St. Jude.

Walkers who reach the following fundraising totals will receive exciting Give thanks. Walk. prizes.

• Walkers raising $35 will receive a 2010 Give thanks. Walk. t-shirt
• Walkers raising $100 will receive a t-shirt and a Give thanks. Walk. water bottle.
• Walkers raising $250 will receive a t-shirt, water bottle and a St. Jude tote bag.

To donate on behalf of a walk team or participant, select "Sponsor a Participant" from the links above and search for the person or team you would like to sponsor. Your generous donation will help St. Jude fight childhood cancer.

A special thank you to the Give thanks. Walk. National Platinum Sponsors:

Also, thank you to our local sponsors and supporters:

Questions about our local event? Interested in volunteering or getting more involved in the event planning? Please contact your local St. Jude representative:

- Laura Cuellar
- (510) 595-2100
- laura.cuellar@stjude.org

PRESS RELEASE:

San Jose residents are encouraged to register for national Give thanks. Walk. to be held November 20.

San Jose walk will be one of more than 60 events nationwide to benefit St. Jude.

ALSAC/St. Jude Contact:

Laura Cuellar

510.595.2100

Laura.cuellar@stjude.org

SAN JOSE, CA (10/05/10) – San Jose residents can join walkers across the country in taking

steps in the fight against childhood cancer by participating in the national Give thanks. Walk.™ to

be held Saturday, November 20 at the Great Mall starting at 8:00 a.m. The San Jose event is one of

more than 60 Give thanks. Walk. events held on the Saturday before Thanksgiving benefiting St.

Jude Children’s Research Hospital®.

While registration is free, participants are encouraged to ask friends and families to sponsor

them with a donation to St. Jude. All registrants who raise a minimum of $35 will receive an

official Give thanks. Walk. T-shirt. Those who register to walk by October 23 will be entered to

win a $100 gift card.

“The Give thanks. Walk. is a great opportunity for San Jose to start off the Thanksgiving

holiday healthy by participating in our event that benefits St. Jude and thousands of children who

are battling cancer and other deadly diseases,” said Laura Cuellar, St. Jude Representative.

This national event helps kick off the seventh annual St. Jude Thanks and Giving® campaign,

which encourages consumers to “Give thanks for the healthy kids in your life, and give to those

who are not.” National sponsors for the Give thanks. Walk. are New York & Company, Brooks

Brothers, Window World, AutoTrader.com and Breitling. Local sponsors for the event include La

Kalle FM, Recuerdo FM, Estereo Sol FM, El Avisador Magazine, and Great Mall.

For more information about the Give thanks. Walk. and to register, visit

www.givethankswalk.org.