November 2011 Downtown Dimension Highlights

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

• SPUR (the SF Planning & Urban Research Association) is coming to SoFA. They will help in advocacy, education, and research related to urban policies.
• Downtown Ice is being extended to Jan. 29th, giving everyone more time to enjoy the rink this year!
• Several historic trolleys will be circling Downtown San Jose during the holidays this year, some of which were used in the Santa Clara Valley in the 1920s and 30s! Rides will be free for most of December.
• Te city is launching a Shop San Jose campaign to promote purchasing goods and services in the community [TSJB: great idea]. Currently, $1.9 billion is spent by San Joseans outside of our community.
• The San Pedro Square Market now has 7 open businesses: B2 Coffee, Pizza Bocca Lupo, Vino Vino, Ay.Dios.Mio!, Crewner's, The Showroom, and The San Pedro Square Market Bar.
• Cabritos Mexican Bistro at 72 S. First is now open and serving home-style Mexican. Mariachi on weekends.
• Another greentech energy company moves downtown: Directnu Energy.

To read the full newsletter, click here!

Upcoming events at the San Pedro Sqaure Market

from feed/http://www.sanpedrosquaremarket.com/CMS/UI/Modules/BizBlogger/rss.aspx?tabid=211291&moduleid=341923&maxcount=25 by Michael Maida

The San Pedro Square Market has started November out with a bang. Last night the Arclight Theater of San Jose, collaborating with New York’s Tectonic Theatre Company, debuted a play titled "Standing on Ceremony: The Gay Marriage Plays". It was a smashing success. Half of the proceeds were donated to the Billy DeFrank LGBTQ Community Center to support their education and outreach efforts. There was also a great crowd at theSan Pedro Square Market Bar cheering on the San Jose Sharks as they defeated the Los Angeles Kings 4-2 .

Calling all ladies! Wednesday November 9^th, Kinzie Balfour, the author of Strike Two, a steamy little romance novel, will be at the San Pedro Square Market for a book signing. Come down, bring your girlfriends, and “chick chat” over our custom cocktail called Romance Beckons, specially created for this event. The party starts at 7pm. Come dressed in whatever you like, but Kinzie will be going all out, so feel free to rock your highest heels and slinkiest dress. Why not? It’s ladies night!


Interested in learning the art of Tamale making? Well, San Pedro Square Market is the place to be. We will be hosting a hands-on Tamale Making Workshop Saturday November 12^th and Saturday the 19^th, both from 12pm-4pm, in the Perrazo Building, located at 170 W. Saint John Street. The cover is $65, which includes chefs demo, hands-on workshop, recipe book and a delicious tamale dinner. This is perfect skill to have for the upcoming holiday season to share with family and friends. For more information call Casa Q: (408) 280-1065


Come dig into San Jose’s history at the heart of the San Pedro Square Market’sPeralta Adobe. Archeology students from Stanford University will be leading a mock archaeological dig for kids. If your are an aspiring archaeologist, eager to learn about San Jose’s history or just want to get your hands dirty, come Sunday, November 13^th from 12pm-4pm, admission is free!

We are thrilled to have Peter Yarrow from Peter, Paul and Mary, here, at the San Pedro Square Market for a mini concert and book signing. Grab a bite to eat, enjoy live music, and come meet this legendary artist on Tuesday, November 15^th from 7pm-9pm. Free validated parking across the street will be available.

Celebrate “San Jose’s Birthday” on November 20^th from 12pm-4pm hosted by History San Jose, where they will have music and cake to celebrate the founding of the Pueblo.

There will be many more exciting upcoming events, join our mailing list and let us keep you updated on everything happening at the San Pedro Square Market.

Greater San Jose Video from 1951

Chefs of Compassion: Cooking for a Cause

A mini-Iron Chef battle is brewing for November 19th. Four Silicon Valley chefs will be preparing a four-course dinner using ingredients found solely in the West Valley Community Services pantry. The chefs include Chris Schloss (Cin-Cin), Calros Sanchez (Parcel 104), Nanci Wokas (Cooking with Class). On the judging panel is Tracy Lee (Founder of San-Jose based Dishcrawl!), Carolyn Jung (FoodGal.com), Sheila Himmel (former food critic), Linda Zavoral (Travel Editor at the Merk), and Abby Schwartz (from Yelp.com).

The proceeds will go to fighting hunger in Silicon Valley. For more information, just click the image below or register by clicking here.

October 2011 Downtown Dimension Highlights

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

• The SJDA just celebrated their 25 year anniversary.
• 1stACT Silicon Valley and ZER01 each secured $500k grants. 
• 1stACT will use the money to transform Gore Park in SoFA into an outdoor living room for the arts.
• ZER01 will use the money to build the ZER01 Garage in SoFA, which will be a think tank for creatives and host various events and activities.
• Canada just launched an Environmental Business Cluster on 10 S. Third St., adding to a long list of national business incubators Downtown (Ireland, Finland, Spain, and Japan also launched similar projects over the last 2 years here)
• Yogurtland is open at 125 E. San Carlos.
• Beso Nightclub & Sports Bar is an expansion of Miami Beach Club.
• Groudwerx is sprucing up the area around the San Pedro Square Market:
• Long mural on the wall of the former Rosicrucian Press building
• Planters and flower boxes have been added around the area
• 8 stained-glass San Pedro Square signs have been put up
• LED "festoon" light sets have been strung from various poles

To read the full newsletter, click here!

History San José Celebrates Founders Month with Special Sundays at San Pedro Square during this Thanksgiving Season

This month San Jose celebrates its 243rd Birthday! There are multiple events being thrown by History San Jose, three of which will be happening at the San Pedro Square Market. This is a great chance to learn more about the Peralta Adobe (oldest building in San Jose) and Fallon House (first Victorian), as well as check up on how the San Pedro Square Market is coming along.

 

Happy 243^rd Birthday to San Jose!

San Jose CA – November 1, 2011 ---

Sunday, November 6 from noon to 4 PM is the Adobe Days’ Childrens Fiesta: features activities for children and tours for adults.  Children can make corn husk action figures, adobe bricks, dip wax for candle-making, and practice roping. Visitors can see a horse whose ancestry can be traced back to the horses brought to the new world centuries ago by the Spanish settlers. Her name is Stone Shield, and she is a paint mare --- 18 years old with 2 blue eyes.

As early as 1492 Spain planned the expansion of their power, including into North America. It was the Spanish horses that carried the DeAnza party to settle Alta California and today provides the framework for thoroughbreds, standardbreds, and the Morgan and quarterhorse. Only 2,000 of the Colonial Spanish horses remain and is critically endangered.

A real vaquero, cowboy, will offer roping demonstrations. Tours of the Peralta Adobe and the Fallon House will be at 12:30 PM, 1:30 PM and 2:30 PM.

Sunday, November 13 from noon 4 PM is Adobe Days: Dig into San José’s Past - Kids Archaeology Day: Stanford Archaeology Center students will be at the Peralta site conducting a dig. Tours of the Peralta Adobe and the Fallon House will be offered at 12:30 PM, 1:30 PM and 2:30 PM.

Sunday, November 20 from noon to 4 PM is Happy 243^rd Birthday, San José!: the traditional birthday party for the founding of El Pueblo de San José de Guadalupe. There will be a candle-lighting ceremony and visitors can share birthday cake with San José’s founding family members. ‘Happy Birthday, San Jose!’-a –little-early-party---the real birthday is November 29. Music will be provided by Los Arrebeños de San Francisco, led by Lance Beeson, a member of the Californios.

Tours of the Peralta Adobe and the Fallon House will be offered at 12:30 PM, 1:30 PM and 2:30 PM.

   # # # 

The Fallon House was built in 1855 by one of San José’s earliest mayors. The Victorian mansion showcases 15 fully-furnished rooms typical of the Victorian period. Thomas Fallon was a frontiersman in the John C. Fremont expedition, and Carmel Fallon was the daughter of one of the most prominent Mexican landowners in California.

The Peralta Adobe is San José’s oldest address. Built in 1797, the Peralta Adobe is the last remaining structure from El Pueblo de San José de Guadalupe. See the Adobe’s horno, an outside working oven or venture inside the home and see two rooms furnished as they might have been when they were occupied by the Gonzales and Peralta families. It is now surrounded by the new San Pedro Square Market.

Dishcrawl Offers Some Unique Dining Experiences in Downtown San Jose

from Downtown San Jose Real Estate by Eric

If you’ve never partaken in a Dishcrawl, now is the perfect opportunity. Dishcrawl is a social dining experience through four restaurants in one night with a group of awesome food lovers. Try a taste of everything while meeting your neighbors, the local chefs and owners. And while the following Dishcrawls are in one location instead of the typical four, they offer unique experiences in dining.


Exotic Meat Extravaganza at Morocco’s – Monday, November 7 at 6:30 pm
Broaden your culinary palate and discover 150 year old Moroccan preparations with a twist. Some of the dishes will be kept a secret, but here are some highlights to tease your imagination: exotic wild rabbit tagine, slowly braised with caramelized onions and raisins; custom tapas prepared by Chef Jay with housemade Moroccan bread; sweet mint tea and crisp, golden honey briwatts filled with smooth almond paste.
Morocco’s is located at 86 N. Market Street in downtown San Jose between Santa Clara and W. St. John Streets.


A Wine Affair – Tuesday, November 8 at 6:00 pm
Chic, fun, and captivating! Swing by Wine Affairs as they are hosting a wine pairing with some delicious treats. If you’ve never been, come and check out their amazing HUGE selection of wine and beers, modern and sleek decor, and cool ambiance. So chat it up with new friends, meet the sweet owner, treat your palate with good wine, or bring a date- you’ll find a great experience at A Wine Affair!
Wine Affairs is located at 1435 The Alameda in the Rosegarden neighborhood of downtown San Jose


Tequila Education Oaxacan Style! Mezcal – Thursday, November 10 at 6:30 pm
It’s tequila time! Whether you are a tequila connoisseur or know that you just like it, check out the buzz behind tequila with Mezcal’s owner Adolfo. Have a seat with fellow tequila mates, learn about the art of tequila, and enjoy this special pairing with Oaxacan small plates.
Mezcal is located at 25 W. San Fernando St. between 1st and Market, across from the Fairmont Hotel indowntown San Jose


Take A Trip To Thailand! House of Siam – Sunday, November 13 at 7:00 pm
Craving the mouth watering flavors of Southeast Asia? Enjoy a Thai feast at the House of Siam as they guide you through your very own Thai food adventure in downtown San Jose.
House of Siam is located at 151 S. 2nd Street in the shadow of The 88 high rise residential complex
For more information or to make reservations, visit http://www.dishcrawl.com/bayarea/

New Public Art! "Portal"

Later tonight a well known video artist, JD Beltran, will be speaking about her latest work here in San Jose called Portal. The video art will be projected on the ATT building downtown every night and will slowly change over time. Check out this link for more information on both the artist's presentation at the Children's Discovery Museum and the piece itself which will be live until at least the end of the year.

This is exactly what I need to start getting excited about Zer01 in 2012! I would love to see much more public art at this scale throughout Downtown.


Portal from JD Beltran on Vimeo.

South First Fridays Art Walk Tonight!

19 venues will be open for tonight's art walk, rain or "shine!" Looking at the walking map over here, it's interesting to see how things have changed over the past year. I remember when SLG was the only place open on Market Street. Now the Art Glass Center, Higher Fire Clay, and Works are all on Market. The Tech Shop and Pho69 are also new additions not around last year. Looking forward, I'm sure the new Zer01 Garage will be participating in future First Fridays as soon as they get up and running.

For more details on tonight's event, the highlights are down below:

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from Phantom Galleries by Cherri Lakey

Join us this Friday for the South FIRST FRIDAYS Art Walk in downtown San Jose! 7-11pm, FREE & Open to the public.
Lots of new exhibitions with artists' receptions, special performances and on site demos!

Opening Reception for featured artists Gianfranco Paolozzi and John Eric Paulson
KALEID Gallery, 88 South Fourth St.


A Box Is A Box Is A Box by Gianfranco Paolozzi
In search of new surfaces to apply my marks, to write my journals, the everyday boxes used as packaging for products that we consume, are becoming my canvasses. the box is a canvas when it is disassembled or not.


Photographs from Italy and Greece by John Eric Paulson
Each day I wonder what photographic surprises await me. When I focus on an area, I look for what I would like to see if it were a perfect world, creating the ideal, capturing the basic beauty and enhancing its drama.


Kanji Garden by Shannon Amidon
Phantom Galleries 95 South Market St.
Kanji Garden was created using hundreds of cut, hand dyed, and folded books that were destined for a landfill. The reused books that received a new life were titled “Understanding Kanji Characters” by Ping-gam Go.


Milk and Bones new paintings by Izer the Mizer
Good Karma Vegan Café, 37 South First St.
An amalgamation of images from children’s book illustrations and horror films, the teachings of Rush Limbaugh and Friedrich Nietzsche, a humanity that Gandhi would have eaten for, the end of the world, the birth of a child, the death of your mother, true love, true fate, true hate, true blood, a three headed hound with no legs, a drunk on a roll.


…..of light & shadows (de la luz y de las sombras) by Robertino Ragazza
Pho69, 321 South First St.
A new collection of new works by Robertino Ragazza mainly focusing the usage of high and low key lighting on his subjects or within the framing of his poetic photographs. All photographs are hand-printed Selenium-toned Silver Gelatin.
Pho69 also features live contemporary music on First Fridays. Come check out local bands performing favorite covers and original music.

There's 19 lively art / performance venues to peruse this Friday night, visit www.SouthFIRSTFRIDAYS.comfor full exhibition lineup and join us!

Heroes Golf Tournament II to Raise Funds for Fort Ord Veterans Cemetery

WHO:

The Central Coast State Veterans Cemetery Foundation will hold its second annual Heroes Golf Tournament November 12, 2011, at the famed Fort Ord Bayonet Course. KSBW personalities Dan Green and Dennis Lehnen will share emcee and auctioneer duties. The Heroes Open II is proud to announce the first Presenting Sponsor, Choice Home Health Care, and is honored to have the support of KSBW, Stahl Motor Company and others.

WHAT:

The scramble format tournament, at $150 per player, is the centerpiece of the day complemented by The Heroes Tea and Silent Auction, $25 per guest, and The Santa Maria Barbecue at $75 per guest.  Those who cannot attend the tournament are asked to sponsor a veteran’s entry fee.

WHEN:

November 12, 2011.  Registration 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. cannon start. 

WHERE:

Bayonet Course, Fort Ord.

WHY:     

Proceeds will go toward creating a final resting place for veterans and their spouses on 178 acres of the former Fort Ord.  Players, guests & volunteers are invited to bring non-perishable items for the Food Bank

For information, register to play golf, donate or sponsor go to www.ccvcf.com or call (831) 679-2610.  Their rest depends on you.