Largest Ramen Event in the US Coming to San Jose!

The largest ramen event in the country is coming to the San Jose Convention Center on October 3rd, 4th, 5th, 10th, 11th, and 12th. Given that we have one of only three remaining Japantowns in the country and a large population that enjoys Japanese cuisines, San Jose is a logical destination for this event.

9-10 Ramen Shops will be participating each day, and the food looks awesome! Have a look at the press release below and a few photos from the participating eateries.

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Ramen Yokocho festivals by the Ramen Yokocho Association (RamenyokochoUS.com) have been hugely popular, attracting over 100,000 ramen lovers throughout the last 5 events in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and San Francisco.

The next Yokocho will take place at the San Jose Convention Center's (www.sanjose.org) South Hall in downtown San Jose on October 3, 4, 5 and 10, 11, 12 (Friday, Saturday and Sunday). This Japanese noodle festival will feature the best ramen from Japan and the US. From America, the original ramen burger creator will unveil a new dish. Two of the best ramen shops from Kyushu, where tonkotsu ramen was born, will present their special bowls. From ramen hot spots, Tokyo and Osaka, renowned ramen chefs will bring both traditional and innovative dishes. 10 ramen shops are scheduled for the first week, and 9 are scheduled for the second week.

Some of the notable ramen shops include: Kohmen from Ikebukuro, Tokyo where many ramen shops are competing to be the best. They are known for its slow cooked tonkotsu and chicken blend soup (they call it “jyukusei soup”). Kohmen has nearly 20 years of history in Ikebukuro. Chanpon-Tei offers ramen noodle soup topped with pork, seafood and vegetables, called “chanpon ramen”. Tonkotsu has been the popular broth in the U.S. Chanpon-Tei’s seafood broth is unique and gives Ramen Yokocho attendees an option to try something different. There’s also beef based Kamitoku Ramen from Ginza, Tokyo. Pioneer in beef based soup, Kamitoku Ramen’s soup is often compared to French oxtail soup. Keizo Shimamoto of ramen burger fame just announced that he’ll be joining Ramen Yokocho, and bringing “Burger Ramen” (a soupless noodle dish, not his usual ramen burger).

For all ramen line ups, please see the attached poster.

Dates: Friday-Sunday; October 3-5 and 10-12, 2014
Time: Fridays: 4PM-9PM; Saturdays and Sundays: 11AM-9PM
Venue: San Jose Convention Center South Hall
Address: 435 South Market Street, San Jose, CA 95113
Price: Admission $5/person (children 12 and under are Free); ramen $8/bowl **Cash Only
VIP ticket $60 (presale on website; includes admission, 2 ramen, souvenir, ramen express lane)

Ramen Yokocho Association was established in Southern California in 2013 to promote the understanding of the delicious Japanese noodle soup, Ramen. “Yokocho” means alleyway in Japanese. When you visit Japan, you will see small alleys filled with a variety of shops. Following that tradition, Ramen Yokocho Association is eager to please ramen enthusiasts and ramen novices alike by bringing different styles of ramen noodles to events. There are many kinds of noodles, toppings, and soups depending on the region. Ramen Yokocho is planning to bring the event nationwide.

Some Details re: AFK Gamer Lounge in Downtown SJ

Last week a friend of mine asked me if I knew what happened to the Los Gatos Brewing Company on Santa Clara Street. If there was any news or gossip about why it abruptly shut down. I actually didn't even know it had shut down, but I was not very surprised. The last time I had been there I was not very impressed with their food, and since there are so many other wonderful options downtown, LGBC never made it back to the top of my list. (But that is just *my* experience.)

So I did a quick search and found out that taking the place of the restaurant will be the AFK Gamer Lounge, a new eSports bar & PC gaming center. One-hundred gaming PC's networked together installed with some of today's most popular online games. 

Gamers will gather, play games, enjoy food and enjoy beverages from the bar. There will be memberships and access for casual guests. 

The whole concept is interesting to me as former (short term) player of World of Warcraft and The Sims, but a much longer term player of video games in general. Most of any recent online game exposure is due to my husband (and friends) playing of Starcraft, EverQuest (back in the day!), World of Warcraft, and League of Legends to name a few. 

A few days ago I exchanged emails with one of the owners, Tyler Peckham, and asked a few questions.

JO: In reference to your press release, will you be open on October 18/19 for the League of Legends tournament being held at the SAP Center?

TP. We will be open for some sort of event - however its unlikely it will be a full grand opening.

JO: What popular games will you have installed? Starcraft? WoW? The Sims?

TP: Users will have access to their own library of games (ie. Steam libraries, games that require an online account: LoL, WoW, SCII and many more).  Full list of games is unknown, but the main concept is to first provide access to the games users are already playing, and then second, provide access to some games they may not already have or play. 

JO: Are users limited to only MMORPGs or can they hop on Facebook and play their favorite casual games as well? 

TP: By no means are they limited to MMORPG's. Web browser access is likely, however not 100% (potential security issues).

JO: Members and guests are encouraged to purchase drinks from the bar, what is your plan of attack for keeping liquids away from the computers? 

TP: We are going to start off with some experimentation on methods to allow everyone to game/drink/eat peacefully without restriction. 

JO: Will you be holding tournaments?

TP: YES YES YES

I inquired about some renderings but they didn't have any updated ones on hand yet. Hopefully I'll be able to update soon with a few. For now, if you're still interested be sure to either sign up for email updates via the AFK Gamer Lounge website or follow them on their Facebook page. 

For a more in-depth read, if you can follow Reddit threads, check out their post and the conversation happening over there.

I'm looking forward to checking this place out with my husband and a few friends. I'd like to see what they think about it!

New BART Trains Will Come Just In Time for San Jose Opening

Now that BART is just a few years away from coming to San Jose, we can talk about some of the improvements that you can expect to the system in addition to just the new stations. BART is spending well over $2 billion to replace its aging fleet of 669 train cars and add 300 extra train cars to support increased ridership and future expansion.

The new trains will be quieter, cooler, more comfortable, bike-friendly, and have digital signage on the inside (which you can see in the video down at the bottom). They will also have 3 doors per car instead of 2 in order to make it easier and faster to get in and out of the train. This is especially important since BART functions not only as a commuter train but as a Metro system in dense areas (SF, Oakland, and eventually Downtown San Jose).

I really hope this will be a system we can be proud of since we will be living with these trains for the next 30 or so years. So far, the plan looks pretty solid. The first 10 "pilot cars" will be delivered in 2015, the first batch of new train cars will do into service in 2017, and the rest of the cars will be delivered over the next four years. .

Sources: BART, SVBJ

Playful People Productions Presents: Disney’s Aladdin Kids and Aladdin Jr

Welcome to Agrabah, the City of Enchantment, and experience the fantastic tale of the street urchin who became a prince! Aladdin, a kind but wily street urchin, falls in love with the beautiful Princess Jasmine. It just so happens that the Sultan has declared that Princess Jasmine must choose a husband by the next day. After she turns down the offers from many wealthy suitors, Aladdin and the evil Jafar battle for Jasmine’s love. With a little help from a wacky genie, Aladdin manages to win Jasmine’s hand in marriage. All of your favorite characters from the hit Disney film – Aladdin, Jasmine, Iago, Jafar, the Genie, and more – are here in Disney’s Aladdin Kids and JR. A musical adventure filled with magic, mayhem, and flying carpet rides, audiences spirits will sore with excitement. This tuneful award-winning score with songs including “A Whole New World” and “Friend Like Me” will have your entire family dancing in their seats.

Our shows often sell out prior to the show weekend so be sure to buy your tickets early, you won’t want to miss out on this fantastic production.

All Shows at the Historic Hoover Theater, 1635 Park Ave  San Jose, CA 95126

Aladdin Kids Show Times:
Friday, October 3rd - 7:00pm
Saturday, October 4th -11:00am, 3:00pm and 7:00pm
Sunday, October 5th - 2:30pm and 6:00pm

Aladdin Jr Show Times:
Friday, October 10th - 7:00pm
Saturday, October 11th - 2:00pm
Sunday, October 12th - 10:00am  

Tickets available at www.playfulpeople.net
$12 attendees 12 and up, $8 children 11 and under,  and $6 Children’s floor seating

Tickets at the door (30 minutes prior to curtain)
$15 attendees 12 and up, $10 children 11 and under, and $6 Children’s floor seating

Playful People Productions provides a quality, caring environment in which children, youth & their families have positive theatre experiences, while being involved in many aspects of on-stage/ back-stage theatre. Our company fills a need of providing beginning through advanced theatre for the whole family to the community. The founders have expanded the program to include classes & summer camps.

Playful People Productions is run by mother-daughter team, Barbara Galiotto & Katie D' Arcey, who between them have approx 50 years experience in the musical theatre world. Both are Positive Discipline trained & worked as early Childhood Educators as well as in theatre. Both have worked as professional directors with children's theatre for many years.

For each production, Playful People Productions employs professional designers, artists, choreographers and directors to guide our students. The company also hires experienced college & high school students to do jobs in the production such as directors, stage managers, lighting, make-up, & set designers, choreographers and assistants. This allows students to gain work experiences in all aspects of theatre. The goals of Playful People Productions are: to provide the community with a variety of performing opportunities for children, youth & families to experience; to challenge young people in the community; provide a safe, caring environment; and to involve parents in a wholesome, well-rounded activity. The founders believe that a good theatre experience will greatly improve the lives of the children.

The San Jose Stage Company Presents: The Rainmaker

N. Richard Nash’s Romantic Comedy

The Rainmaker

Directed by Jessa Brie Moreno

October 1st - 26th, 2014


Previews: October 1st, 2nd, 3rd


San Jose, CA (September 2014) - San Jose Stage Company’s 32nd season launches with a true piece of Americana in N. Richard Nash’s Romantic ComedyThe Rainmaker. A beautiful, timeless tale of what it means to take a leap of faith in desperately hopeless times.

As described by Nash, “The play takes place in a Western state on a summer day...in a time of drought. I tried to tell a simple story about droughts that happen to people and about faith.”

In The Rainmaker Lizzie’s hopes and dreams have run dry when the charismatic Starbuck arrives out of nowhere, selling promises of rain - Lizzie must decide: is he a con man, or does he hold the key to everything she desires?

"The notion of dreams coming true might seem a preposterous conceit in a more cynical era, yet The Rainmaker, N. Richard Nash's unabashedly optimistic 1953 teleplay-turned-Broadway-hit, still has the power to keep disbelief at bay...
After nearly half a century, ‘The Rainmaker’ still makes a handsomely staged case for miracles." - LA Times

The cast includes Randall King* as HC, Johnny Moreno* as Bill Starbuck, Allison F. Rich* as Lizzie Curry, Will Springhorn Jr.* as Noah Curry, Michael Bellino as Sheriff Thomas, Brandon Leland as Jimmy Curry and Joe Estlack as File. [*Actors’ Equity Association]

SHOWS:

Previews: October 1st & 2nd @ 7:30 pm / October 4th @ 8:00 pm

Opening: October 4th @ 8:00 pm

Run Dates: October 1st - 26th, 2014


Wednesday & Thursday @ 7:30 pm

Friday & Saturday @ 8:00 pm

Sunday @ 2:00 pm


WHERE: San Jose Stage Company - 490 South First Street, San Jose, CA

TICKETS: For tickets ($20-$65) or more information, please call the box office at 408.283.7142 or order online www.thestage.org

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“San Jose Stage Company’s 2014-15 season continues to bring bold, diverse and innovative works to The Stage,” said Randall King, Artistic Director and co-founder of the San Jose Stage

“Our 32nd season reflects the climate of today’s of socio-political, economic, emotional and atmospheric turbulence of our times”, said King.

The Rainmaker by N. Richard Nash / Oct 1 - 26, 2014


A Weekend With Pablo Picasso by Herbert Siguenza /Nov 12- Dec 7, 2014

Venus In Fur by David Ives / Feb 4 - Mar 1, 2015


Death Of A Salesman by Arthur Miller / Apr 1 - 26, 2015


New Musical (soon to be announced) / Jun 3 - Jul 26, 2015

“The plays examine the thirst for love, the need for acceptance, our passions, hopes, faiths and fears - a theatrical season framed in tales of romance, art, politics, seduction, and book-ended in la familia. The Stage is set to traverse these provocative landscapes,”added King.

San Jose Stage Company has extended its offer to honor SJ Rep subscriptions. Please call the box office 408 283 7142.

The Stage is located at 490 South First Street at William Street in the SoFA district of downtown San Jose.

Season 2014-15 Subscriptions available at 408 283 7142 or www.thestage.org

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About San Jose Stage Company:

Launching its 32nd season, San Jose Stage Company is recognized as the San Francisco Bay Area’s Premiere Off-Broadway Theatre and is now the South Bay’s only fully professional resident theatre. The Stage is known for its devotion to new and cutting-edge work and for its commitment to showcasing high-quality local talent.

Ranked the 2nd largest theatre and 8th largest performance arts organization in Silicon Valley (Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal), San Jose Stage Company is a vital force in the community. The Stage has earned a reputation for artistic excellence by providing high quality, edgy theatrical experiences that engage, educate and provoke audiences. San Jose Stage Company has produced over 150 productions, including 13 world premieres and 45 regional new works.

Annually, The Stage employs over 150 artists, serves a diverse audience of 25,000, offers five core education and outreach programs and has housed over 300 independent performance groups. Located at the Gateway to the City’s Arts and Entertainment District, San Jose Stage Company, the SoFA Districts first arts anchor organization, continues to promote San Jose’s stature as a burgeoning regional arts center by providing live theatre experiences that enrich the quality of life in the community.

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Saturday Stats: San Jose is the #2 Job Market in the US for Recent Grads

The Atlantic has crunched some numbers to find what the best job markets are for recent college graduates. They took the largest 100 metros in the US and looked at the following five factors:

• The percent change in jobs requiring post-secondary education from 2010 to 2014. 
• The percentage of 25-34 year olds who hold these positions.
• The average wages for these jobs requiring post-secondary education.
• The concentration of these jobs based on their "location quotient," or LQ for short.
• The share of new jobs requiring post-secondary education that can be attributed to local economic conditions or competitiveness.

The San Jose metro crushed it, with a #2 ranking. The SF Metro took the top spot in this one, with New York in 28th. You can see the Top 10 below; head to the source link for the full list.

Source: The Atlantic, hat-tip to Dan De La O

BASIS Independent Now Open in Silicon Valley

BASIS Independent in North San Jose is off to a good start with the largest first-year enrollment recorded by any private school group in the country. BASIS Independent is a private school with a strong emphasis on STEM skills (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) and I'm sure will be a huge asset to the San Jose community. Check out the press release below.

BASIS Independent Schools open flagship schools on both coasts

BASIS Independent Silicon Valley and BASIS Independent Brooklyn welcome founding classes in California and New York; Largest private school opening in history

September 16, 2014 (Silicon Valley, CA) – In an unprecedented move, BASIS Independent Schools announces the opening of not one but two new private schools in the most globally advanced and competitive educational markets in America. BASIS Independent Silicon Valley and BASIS Independent Brooklyn begin classes with the largest first-year enrollment recorded by any private school group in the country.

“The American demand for global quality education has never been greater,” said BASIS Independent Schools CEO Dr. Mark Reford. “Parents on both coasts recognize that an internationally benchmarked curriculum featuring rigorous studies and passionate faculty is critical to our children’s success and happiness.” 

The two new schools are based on the proven education model of the BASIS charter school network led by Michael and Olga Block, deemed by scholars, national rankings and international tests as amongst the best in the world. BASIS.ed schools offer a STEM-focused liberal arts and sciences curriculum benchmarked against the highest international standards and employing the most talented teachers from around the world.

On the west coast, BASIS Independent Silicon Valley, is a stunning redesign of a former IBM office building located in San Jose, the capital of Silicon Valley. The state-of-the-art glass-front, three-story 80,604 square foot building will be completed with the additions of a 7,501 square foot gymnasium and 6,000 square foot cafeteria. The school opened to grades 5-11 with an enrollment of nearly 600 students, a record number for a first-year private school. The 12th grade will be added next year. The school can accommodate 800 students.

The east coast school, BASIS Independent Brooklyn, is completing construction of its brand new modular-constructed 90,000 square foot architectural masterpiece in Red Hook. Built 12 feet above ground level, the new high tech, six-story school will feature abundant indoor and outdoor learning spaces with views of lower Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty and New York Bay. The school opened to grades k-8 with high school grades to be added over the coming years. Various transportation options are available. The school will accommodate 1000 students.

The new schools are founded on the educational leadership of Michael and Olga Block, known for their relentless pursuit of academic excellence and as the founders of BASIS.ed, the management company for the highly successful charter school network of sixteen schools and counting. The new Independent Schools will be the first of a separate network of private schools to open across the country. Michael Block is a Stanford-educated economist and former university professor and Olga is a former vice dean of Charles University in Prague. Their education model marries exemplary world-class standards with the American spirit of creativity.

BASIS Independent Schools CEO, Dr. Q Mark Reford, is an international school leader and educator. Born in Northern Ireland, Reford was educated at Oxford University and later taught there in their Stanford University program. He moved to America in 1993 and has since been a teacher, administrator and Head of School in some of the most outstanding independent schools in the country.

“As President Roosevelt said in his first inaugural address, ‘Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort,’ quoted Dr. Reford. “That describes the essence of BASIS Independent schools and the spirit you feel in our classrooms, hallways and playgrounds.  Our students are taught a love of learning that will serve them a lifetime.”

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BASIS Schools were founded in 1998 by Michael and Olga Block. In 2009, they created BASIS.ed to manage the growing network of BASIS charter schools, with 2014 marking the introduction of their first two private schools. The Washington Post, U.S. News & World Report, and Newsweek consistently rank BASIS.ed schools among the best high schools in America. For more information, visithttp://www.basised.com/ or http://basisindependent.com/.

Real Escape Room San Jose

An interesting new attraction is coming to North First Street. "Escape from the Mysterious Room" is a game where you trapped in a room with 10 other people. Inside are mysterious codes and puzzles that needs to be solved in order to escape from the room. Essentially... it's a real-life video game.

The game being hosted at 777 N. 1st, Suite #740 and runs on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays starting October 3rd (next week). For more info click here.

Santana Row October 2014 Events

Santana Row October 2014 Happenings

And a Look Ahead to November and Beyond

Events, Promotions and Holiday Activities at Silicon Valley’s Premier Destination


San Jose, CA – Autumn traditions are in full swing at Santana Row this month with Halloween fun for children, a Hindu festival and a benefit for a local charity to commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Events include a Halloween family fun fest; Diwali, the Hindu festival of light and “Sip. Strut. Support.” – a fundraiser for Palo Alto-based Breast Cancer Connections. In November, the holidays are ushered in with Santana Row’s annual tree-lighting event, a favorite South Bay tradition for families. Shuttle service continues to all home games at Levi’s Stadium with an added incentive: the price has been lowered to $40 per person!

Diwali  “The Festival of Lights”

Saturday, October 4, noon to 7 p.m., Santana Row Park

Santana Row celebrates Diwali, the ancient Hindu festival celebrated every year on Oct. 4 that
signifies the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil and hope over despair. Presented by WomenNow, Diwali Utsav 2014 will be the first Diwali carnival at Santana Row and will feature Indian cultural
activities for all ages. The entertainment program includes Bollywood dances and dramatic performances depicting the significance of Diwali. Food for purchase will be provided by Amber India restaurant. Festivities will take place in Santana Row Park, located in the center of Santana Row Boulevard, across from Left Bank Brasserie. This event is free and open to the public. For more 
information, visit SantanaRow.com.

Round Trip Shuttle to Levi’s Stadium

Service provided for all San Francisco 49ers home games

Oct. 5 (Kansas City), Nov. 2 (St. Louis), Nov. 23 (Washington), Nov. 27, (Seattle), Dec. 20(San Diego), Dec. 28 (Cardinals)

Take the stress out of driving to the new stadium and finding a parking spot on game days by taking the Santana Row shuttle! Make your individual or group reservation online and you’ll be set to go.

Ticket are $40 per person.

Buses leave Santana Row approximately two hours before game time and depart the stadium one hour after the game ends. Your ticket includes free parking in a special reserved lot for immediate access to the buses and the round trip to and from the game. Also included: Santana Row shopping and dining specials at select restaurants, such as bottomless mimosas, prix fixe menus, private tailgate pre-parties with cash bar and extended happy hour offerings.


Santana Row Pick-Up Location:
When you arrive at Santana Row, park your vehicle in the designated, secured parking lot located off Hatton Street, behind the Levare residential complex. The registration area and buses are in front of CineArts Theatre. Buses will depart at the scheduled time, two hours before kick-off and will not wait for passengers.


Levi’s Stadium Drop-Off Location:
The bus will park at the official shuttle drop-off location at Levi’s Stadium. One hour after the conclusion of the game, the bus will depart from the same location. All passengers not on bus at the specified departure time will not receive transportation back to Santana Row.

For more information, check SantanaRow.com or contact the Santana Row concierge office:408.551.4611.

Sip. Strut. Support.

An Evening to Benefit Breast Cancer Connections

Thursday, Oct. 23, 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., Hotel Valencia Courtyard

Be among the guests at a fashionable evening of shoes, sips and style while supporting a great cause. Breast Cancer Connections is a Palo Alto-based organization that helps support those who have been touched by ovarian and breast cancers. Hotel Valencia is the spot to enjoy live music, light appetizers and special shopping opportunities as well as a raffle—all for a good cause. Complimentary pink-themed beverages, such as sparkling Rose and a specialty cocktail, will be served. Santana Row partners include Kash shoes and Donald J Pliner. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased by calling 408.423.5405.

Cars & Croissants

Fourth Saturday of the month: Oct. 25, Nov. 22 and Dec. 27

9 a.m. to noon

Santana Row partners with 100 OCT to present Cars & Croissants on The Row, a monthly gathering for exotic car owners and car enthusiasts. On the fourth Saturday of the month for the rest of the year, exotic car owners are invited to park on Santana Row Boulevard from Alyssum Lane to Tatum Boulevard, display their cars and mingle with other enthusiasts. The morning meet-up for coffee, croissants and cars drew 400 people and 60 cars during the first event and continues to grow in popularity. This event is free and open to the public.

Mommy & Me and Daddies, Too: “Halloween Family Fun Fest!”

Tuesday, Oct. 28, 10 a.m. to noon

Trick-or-treat around The Row and enjoy pumpkin decorating, live musical performances and other activities during this popular fall event for children.

Details: 10 a.m. to noon at Park Valencia. Mommy & Me and Daddies,Too is a free kids club held on the second Tuesday of every month from May through December. For more information, call408.551.4611 or visit SantanaRow.com.

A look ahead to November and beyond…

Mommy & Me and Daddies, Too: “Give Thanks”

Tuesday, Nov. 11, 10 a.m. to noon

The holidays remind us to pull together and help those less fortunate. November’s program encourages kids to bring a canned food item that will be donated to Second Harvest Food Bank. Holiday fun includes face painting, balloon animals, arts and crafts Kids will be entertained by music and live performances.

Details: 10 a.m. to noon at Park Valencia. Mommy & Me & Daddies, Too is a free kids’ club held on the second Tuesday of every month from May through December. For more information, call408.551.4611 or visit SantanaRow.com.

Santana Row’s Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony

Tuesday, Nov. 18, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Santana Row kicks off the 2014 holiday season with the annual Light Up the Row tree lighting ceremony, a joyous day of celebration for the entire family.

The day of holiday festivities begins at 3 p.m. with photos with performances by dancers from Ballet San Jose. The fun continues throughout the afternoon and evening with live music, costumed characters, special guests and performances by local theater and dance groups.

The highlight of the day takes place at 7 p.m. in Santana Row Park with the lighting of the 40-foot Christmas tree, one of the most anticipated holiday events in Silicon Valley.

Many of the restaurants will offer dining specials, kid-friendly menus and holiday-themed cocktails during the event. In-store parties, hot chocolate sampling, cookies and appetizers will also add to the festivities of the day.

Details: The celebration is scheduled from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., with tree lighting slated for 7 p.m. in Santana Row Park. More details about the entertainment will be available closer to the event atSantanaRow.com.

On Your Mark, Get Set, Let’s Shop! Black Friday events at Santana Row

Friday, Nov. 28

The day-after-Thanksgiving shopping tradition at Santana Row includes discounts, door buster morning specials and treats throughout the day.

Spend $1,000 or more on Black Friday and receive two tickets to the San Francisco performance of Cirque du Soleil’s Kurios. Many stores are offering customers 25 percent to 70 percent off merchandise all weekend with giveaways such as free totes, gift cards with purchase and holiday refreshments throughout the day.

Santana Row hours are 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Black Friday, with many stories extending hours during the Black Friday weekend. For a comprehensive listing of retail and restaurant events and offerings, visit SantanaRow.com.

Santana Row holiday hours:

Christmas Eve: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Christmas: Closed

New Year’s Eve: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

New Year’s Day: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“One Warm Coat” Drop-off with live broadcast by KTVU

Friday, Nov. 28 is the kickoff date; drive continues through Dec. 31

The annual coat drive begins at 6 a.m. on the day after Thanksgiving with KTVU broadcasting live throughout the day from Santana Row Park. Donate a new or gently used coat and it will be given to a needy family this winter. The first 100 people to donate a coat will receive a $10 Santana Row Gift Card. Drop-off locations include CineArts Theatre, Crate & Barrel, Sur La Table and the Santana Row Concierge. The charity coat drive continues through Dec. 31. For more information call408.551.4611 or visit SantanaRow.com.

Rainy Day Rewards, Nov. 1 through March 31, 2015

Here’s hoping the drought ends! Santana Row is optimistic and wants to reward shoppers and diners braving bad weather. When there’s a 70 percent or greater chance for rain, they will be offered discounts that include 15 percent off purchases at participating shops and restaurants, a free signature Santana Row golf umbrella for customers who spend $150 anywhere on The Row and a $20 gift certificate to a participating shop or restaurant for customers who spend $300 on a designated Rainy Day.

No need to get wet: Customers can pick up a complimentary umbrella to use while shopping and dining and then return it before leaving. The yellow umbrellas are conveniently located throughout The Row: outside Concierge, Via between Village California Bistro and Lark Creek Blue and the valet parking lot in the Winchester Parking Garage.

“Shop, Enjoy and Give” Holiday Wine & Dine Around

A Benefit for Second Harvest Food Bank

Dec. 2, 9, 16 and 23

Help those in need while you complete your holiday shopping during Santana Row’s “Shop, Enjoy & Give” event that benefits Second Harvest Food Bank. Purchase a $15 ticket on SantanaRow.com or at the Concierge center and receive complimentary food and wine tastings in Santana Row shops and restaurants between 6 and 8 p.m. on designated Tuesdays. Also included: a signature Santana Row wine glass and exclusive holiday shopping discounts. Bring a donation of canned food when you purchase your ticket and receive $2 off the ticket. (Customers must be 21 years or older.)

Menorah Lighting at Park Valencia

Wednesday, Dec. 17, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Santana Row celebrates the first night of the Jewish Festival of Lights with kosher treats, entertainment and activities that include decorating dreidels, Jewish story time, arts & crafts and the lighting of the Menorah. The evening is co-hosted with the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley and The PJ Library. The celebration will take place from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Park Valencia.

Santa Paws, a Benefit for Humane Society Silicon Valley

Dec. 7, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Bring your canine and feline friends to Santana Row's Park Valencia for a keepsake photo with Santa Claus. Photos are $20 and a portion of the proceeds will benefit Humane Society Silicon Valley. Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. at Park Valencia.

Mommy & Me and Daddies, Too: “Celebrate the Season”

Tuesday, Dec. 9, 10 a.m. to noon

The last Mommy & Me of the year will be held in the lobby of the CineArts Theatre and will include live entertainment from Andy Z, story time with Mrs. Claus, sampling from Happy Baby Brands, mini manicures from Lavande nail salon, a raffle from The Container Store, arts and crafts with Action Day Primary Plus, Balloon Animals and Face Painting and more!

Details: 10 a.m. to noon at CineArts Theatre. Mommy & Me & Daddies, Too is a free kids’ club held on the second Tuesday of every month from May through December. For more information, call408.551.4611 or visit www.SantanaRow.com.

#LifeOnTheRow

Twitter Promotion @SantanaRow invites Tweets and Instagram tags

For a Chance to Win Gift Cards to Restaurants at The Row

Santana Row’s Twitter campaign and photo contest continues through the @SantanaRow Twitter handle. The contest invites anyone at Santana Row to Tweet or Instagram photos of a new outfit, haircut, meal, event or artsy shots and then tag it with the hash tag #LifeonTheRow. Every month, Santana Row will post an album on Facebook with all of the photos with the #LifeonTheRow hash tag. The person who took the best or most original photo will win a gift card to a Santana Row restaurant

About Santana Row

Santana Row, a 647,000 square foot mixed-use development in San Jose, CA, is Silicon Valley’s premier destination for shopping, dining, living and working. Santana Row features over 70 shops, 20 restaurants, a boutique hotel and movie theatre. In addition to the dynamic retail & restaurant collection, Santana Row offers 615 luxury rental homes, 219 privately owned condos and 65,000 square feet of Class A office space. Santana Row is a property of www.federalrealty.com(NYSE:FRT), headquartered in Rockville, Maryland. For more information, please visitwww.santanarow.com.

About Federal Realty

Federal Realty Investment Trust is an equity real estate investment trust specializing in the ownership, management, development, and redevelopment of high quality retail assets. Federal Realty's portfolio (excluding joint venture properties) contains approximately 20 million square feet located primarily in strategically selected metropolitan markets in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and California. In addition, the Trust has an ownership interest in approximately 1.0 million square feet of retail space through a joint venture in which the Trust has a 30% interest. Our operating portfolio (excluding joint venture properties) was 95.3% leased to national, regional, and local retailers as of June 30, 2014, with no single tenant accounting for more than approximately 3.2% of annualized base rent. Federal Realty has paid quarterly dividends to its shareholders continuously since its founding in 1962, and has increased its dividend rate for 47 consecutive years, the longest record in the REIT industry. Federal Realty is an S&P MidCap 400 company and its shares are traded on the NYSE under the symbol FRT.