Groundbreaking for San Jose City College Career Education Center

San Jose City College just broke ground on a futuristic looking building that will centralize student programs and services as well as providing a community space. It's a four-story net-zero building with 90,000 SQFT of space.

This has to be one of the nicest buildings I've seen at a community college--outdoor terraces, biophilic gardens, and a rooftop deck. The $112 million building is being paid for from San Jose/Evergreen Community College Measure X funds.

Construction should wrap up by October 2024.

Source: SF YIMBY

De.coded - A Human Atlas of Silicon Valley

De.Coded is a portrait of Silicon Valley’s Diversity and Impact using multimedia by artist Marcus Lyon. De.Coded is an exploration of 101 change makers from Silicon Valley, nominated by local grassroots leaders and activists for their extraordinary contribution to the region and beyond. The project features photographic portraits, app-based image-activated oral history soundtracks, and ancestral DNA mapping to create a deeper understanding of the valley and its communities.

The project aims to honor the exceptional diversity of the valley and tell a deeper narrative about one of the most influential regions on earth. The 101 individuals represent a wide range of backgrounds, professions, passions, and causes. They include entrepreneurs, educators, activists, artists, scientists, engineers, athletes, politicians, and more. 

De.Coded is not only a celebration of Silicon Valley’s human capital, but also a challenge to rethink our assumptions and stereotypes about the region. If you are curious to learn more about De.Coded and the stories behind the portraits, you can visit the official website or download the app on Google Play or iTunes App Store. There will also be a book signing on Oct 29th at Books Inc. in Palo Alto from 11am to 1pm.

The Bernal Scream Haunted House in South San Jose

I've posted about a lot of family-friendly Halloween events this year. If you’re looking for a more thrilling and terrifying way to celebrate Halloween, look no further than the Bernal Scream, a haunted house attraction located at 620 Blossom Hill Road, San Jose, CA 95123. The Bernal Scream is the creation of father and son duo Mike and Abel Barrera, who started it as a free show in their backyard in 2013. Since then, they have grown it into a commercial attraction that has attracted thousands of visitors and rave reviews.

Unfortunately co-founder Abel Barrera passed away from pancreatic cancer as they were working together on their next haunted attraction. Now, seven years later the dream of finishing what was started by the duo all those years ago is coming to fruition.

The Bernal Scream is not your typical haunted house. It is a high-endurance attraction that is intense. The theme for this year is Lucifer’s Wrath, a dark and twisted journey through the underworld. You will encounter demons, zombies, clowns, chainsaws, and more as you try to escape the wrath of the devil himself.

The Bernal Scream is open every day up to October 31 from 7pm to at least 10pm (Midnight on the 27th, 28th, and 31st). Tickets are $25 for general admission and $35 for VIP admission, which includes front-of-the-line access and a souvenir photo. You can buy tickets online at their website or at the door. The attraction is recommended for ages 13 and up, as again it is very intense and scary.

Little Portugal San Jose Mural

San Jose's Little Portugal has been in the news quite a bit lately since it will be one of the four new stops in BART's $12 billion extensions to Downtown San Jose and Santa Clara. I'll have some updates (and criticisms) on a large development project for the area sometime next week. The neighborhood is also known for ADEGA, San Jose's first and only Michelin Star restaurant which is about to convert to a more casual concept to mirror it's sister restaurant in Downtown San Jose, Petiscos. 

Heading into a beautiful weekend, I thought I'd share a mural that I just found out about from a cousin that would like to stay anonymous. This is near Bacalhau Grille, a casual Portuguese and Brazilian restaurant at 1555 Alum Rock. It prominently features Five Wounds Portuguese National Church which has been around for 110 years. You can't miss the church's two red peaks driving along 101, Santa Clara Street, or Alum Rock. 

Towards the top it features the flags of the United States, Portugal, Brazil, and the Azores (autonomous region of Portugal). It's a cute little neighborhood that will get a whole lot busier after the BART station is built.

Signia by Hilton supporting local San Jose artists as part of Dia de los Muertos events

Signia by Hilton (former San Jose Fairmont) is getting into the Dia de los Muertos spirit with a two-week celebration from October 21st to November 4th built around three different events.

On October 21st the party starts at AJI Bar & Robata in the beautiful lounge in the middle of the hotel. Signia partnered with local artists to create a paper altar display, posters, and feature Aztec dancers, musicians, and face painters. There will be tequila and mezcal tastings in the lobby.

From Oct 21 to November 4th, the AJI Bar & Robata will feature a special menu of Mexican shared bites and new tequila and mezcal craft cocktails.

On October 27th they will have a costume party headlined by Chicana artis La Doña.

To learn more about all three of these events, head over to the Signia Dia de los Muertos Celebration site. Oh, and if that wasn't enough Dia de los Muertos for you, then the 26th annual Dia de los Muertos Festival and Procession takes place on October 28th at Plaza de Cesar Chavez.

Pellier Park Grand Opening today in Downtown San Jose

Today, San Jose gets a new park. You might have noticed a large construction area in front of City Heights, Downtown's first high-rise residential tower. This will be Pellier Park, named after a nursery founded and operated by Louis and Pierre Pellier. They planted grape seedlings and became famous for growing prunes. By 1870 more than 19,000 prune trees were planted.

Pellier Park is 0.54-acres and has a central area in the shape of a plum with a community grove in the very center. It features a variety of flowering trees, sloped lawns, lounge seating, a storytelling wall, and a flowering tree drift. There is also a walkway beside a new set of townhomes that were built at the corner of the block.

The park is immediately accessible by anyone at City Heights, is across the street from the 188 West St. James residential towers (formerly Silvery towers) and two blocks away from the San Pedro Square Market.

The grand opening takes place today at 5pm.

San Jose's Evergreen area is getting a Chick-Fil-A 🐔

Normally this wouldn't be news, but one of the most popular posts of all time of this blog was about a Chick-Fil-A opening in North San Jose. Soon, Evergreen residents won't have to go far for their controversial chicken sandwich fix.

Chick-Fil-A paid $4.5 million dollars for a parcel that is currently a parking lot in front of the Target on E. Capitol Expressway and Silver Creek Road. It's in the same shopping center as a Chevron, The Boiling Crab and Pho Papa (or for any San Jose OGs, where Beef Noodle #1 used to be).

The land is about 3/4 of an acre and it's unclear whether it will be a traditional single story building or one of the fancier designs that Chick-Fil-A is building starting in 2024. One variant even has the drive-through going through the middle of the building with in-restaurant dining on a 2nd floor.

The new Chick-Fil-A could be open as soon as next year, but there doesn't appear to be an official ETA yet.

Source: The Merc

New hotel proposed across the street from Santana Row

KT Urban has submitted new renderings and an environment review for a hotel that is right across Winchester Boulevard from Santana Row. And by right across, I mean it's facing Maggiano's and Olin Avenue. This is perhaps the single best spot for quickly getting to the center of Santana Row without actually being inside of Santana Row.

The new renderings show a blue brick facade, metal panels, and textured cement. It's 85-feet tall, 7-stories, with an underground floor for parking. There will be 176 guest rooms total, a 4,270 SQFT pool deck and fitness center, and parking for 45 cars and storage for 20 bikes.

On the parcel today is an anachronistic-looking gas station. With most people switching to EVs and 200+ charging stations at Santana Row, I don't think it will be missed.

Construction is expected to last 21 months, and they are hoping to open the project in 2026.

This is a great improvement for this key corner. My complaints are that it could have been much taller, they should have pushed for the maximum height allowable by the FAA. Also the amenity deck with the pool could have been on the roof as opposed to the podium on the 2nd floor. I'm sure this will be a very expensive hotel with a premium brand. Having the pool on the roof with a view of Santana Row or the Santa Cruz mountain would have helped justify the price for weekend guests.

Source: SF YIMBY

San Jose author explores the dark side of love in poetry book "My Heart is a Ghetto"

One of my favorite things about this blog is getting to promote local artists. I don't come across a lot of poetry that is centered around events taking place in San Jose, let alone written by one of our locals. 

San Jose native Little Tank has always been fascinated by the complexities of human relationships. In “My Heart is a Ghetto” he explores the dark side of love, sex, and betrayal through the eyes of a young man who struggles to find his place in the world.

The novel follows the protagonist, who goes by the nickname Tank, as he navigates his way through a series of dysfunctional and abusive relationships with women who use him, cheat on him, and manipulate him. Along the way, he also deals with his own issues of low self-esteem, addiction, and depression. The novel is based on Little Tank’s own experiences and observations of the dating scene in San Jose and beyond.

Little Tank says he wrote the novel as a way of coping with his own trauma and healing from his past. He hopes that his novel will resonate with readers who have gone through similar situations or who are curious about the darker aspects of love.

“My Heart is a Ghetto” is available for purchase on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Bookshop. The full press release is also below.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Local Poet Little Tank Releases Groundbreaking Poetry Collection: "My Heart is a Ghetto"

San Jose, California - [October 13th 2023] - Local resident and acclaimed poet, Little Tank, is set to take the literary world by storm with the release of his powerful collection of poetry, "My Heart is a Ghetto." This thought-provoking anthology delves deep into the themes of abstaining from destructive vices, dreaming big, and the courage to pursue one's loftiest aspirations. It is a celebration of transformation, resilience, and the power of the human spirit to rise above life's darkest moments.

At the heart of "My Heart is a Ghetto" is the poem "RAFI 21," which masterfully encapsulates the collection's core themes. In "RAFI 21," Little Tank paints a vivid picture of life in the slums, juxtaposing the desolation of abandoned buildings and the chaos of a race riot with the yearning for a better life. Through his words, he explores the depths of longing, the struggle for escape, and the ultimate hope for redemption. The poem serves as a poignant and evocative introduction to a collection that grapples with the complexities of existence and the quest for self-improvement.

Little Tank's poetry is a raw, unfiltered reflection of the human experience. He invites readers to join him on a journey of self-discovery, where the heart serves as a battleground for liberation, and the soul is set free. "My Heart is a Ghetto" encourages readers to break free from the shackles of routine and embrace the courage to believe that their most significant aspirations can indeed become a reality.

What sets "My Heart is a Ghetto" apart is not only the compelling content but also its unique origin. Hailing from the vibrant and diverse city of San Jose, California, Little Tank brings a fresh and authentic perspective to the world of poetry. His work is a testament to the creative talent and unique voices that emerge from San Jose, a city known for its cutting-edge and innovative contributions to the arts.

This collection is an anthem for those who have faced adversity, demonstrating that hope can rise from the depths of despair, and a brighter future is possible, even in the most challenging circumstances. "My Heart is a Ghetto" is more than just poetry; it is a testament to the indomitable human spirit and the power of words to inspire and uplift.

About Little Tank:

Little Tank is a local poet hailing from San Jose, California. His poetry is a reflection of life's raw and emotional moments, exploring themes of transformation, resilience, and the pursuit of dreams. "My Heart is a Ghetto" is his latest poetry collection, an evocative journey into the depths of the human experience. He has been published in several online magazines, from Metazen, Housefire, and The Scrambler, to Elizabeth Ellen's Hobart. You can follow him on Twitter: @xlittletankx and find more of his work at his personal website: www.heavyathletics.us

27th Annual Pumpkins in the Park in Downtown San Jose

Are you looking for a fun and family-friendly way to celebrate the fall season in San Jose? If so, you won’t want to miss the 27th annual Pumpkins in the Park festival, hosted by the Guadalupe River Park Conservancy. This event is a family-friendly harvest festival that brings thousands of visitors to enjoy a variety of activities and entertainment, while also raising awareness about one of our region’s unique natural resources, the Guadalupe River Park.

Pumpkins in the Park is a free event that takes place on today from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Discovery Meadow in downtown San Jose. The festival features a giant pumpkin patch, where you can pick your own pumpkin and decorate it with paints and stickers. You can also enjoy live music, dance performances, puppet shows, and storytelling on two stages. There are also plenty of games and crafts for kids of all ages, such as pumpkin bowling, ring toss, bean bag toss, and face painting. You can also bounce around in inflatable slides and obstacle courses, or take a ride on a trackless train. If you get hungry, you can visit the food trucks and vendors that offer a variety of delicious options, such as pizza, tacos, burgers, ice cream, and more.

The festival aims to promote the Guadalupe River Park Conservancy, which is a nonprofit organization that manages and advocates for the Guadalupe River Park and Gardens. The Guadalupe River Park is a three-mile ribbon of parkland that runs along the banks of the Guadalupe River in the heart of downtown San Jose. It offers scenic views, recreational opportunities, environmental education, and cultural attractions for the community. The Guadalupe River Park Conservancy works to preserve and enhance this natural resource, as well as to engage people in its stewardship and enjoyment.

For more information head over here.

Día de los Muertos at the Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose

Día de los Muertos honors the lives of departed ancestors and loved ones. The Children's Discovery Museum is throwing a special event on October 28th for visitors to learn more about Día de los Muertos. Attendees will also be able to make sand paintings with stencils, build cardboard skulls, and watch a parade with massive skeleton puppets led by Teatro Familia Aztlán.

Visitors can also write down the names of loved ones who have passed and bring personal mementos to share on a community altar. The event takes place between 9:30am to 12:30pm and 1:30pm to 4:30pm on Saturday, October 28th.

Source: The Merc

San Jose Downtown Association Annual Meeting

The San Jose Downtown Association is having their annual meeting this Friday from 8-9:30am at the Hammer Theater, 101 Paseo de San Antonio.

The agenda includes SJDA CEO Alex Stettinski's Downtown Address, financial reports, committee reports, and election of new board members. It's always a interesting meeting discussing the biggest news impacting Downtown San Jose (plus they have delicious muffins).

You can register for free over here.

Student Housing tower at 100 North 4th Street moving forward to environmental review

Another Downtown San Jose high-rise is getting closer to becoming reality. A 23-story tower designed for student housing near San Jose State University has published its initial environmental study. 

The tower would have 1,424 beds, which means another 1,424 people in Downtown San Jose right behind MIRO and City Hall. Units are split between 147 two-bedrooms, 105 three-bedrooms, and 78 four-bedrooms. Each apartment has one bathroom for every bedroom.

100 North 4th is 270 feet tall and comes in at 703,360 SQFT. There is a retail component, but it is just a single 8,420 SQFT space, which is quite large for an undivided unit. It would accommodate a restaurant the size of Rollati, but I imagine it would be something student-focused.

There is also 21,900 SQFT of common open space (including homework rooms every other floor), and a four-story podium parking garage for 287 cars and 426 bicycles.

While targeted towards students, they cannot restrict who occupies the building similar to The Grad. This type of project can be a really great value for young people that are just starting out in their careers. The apartments are furnished and include most utilities. You can also likely get by without a car in Downtown San Jose. 

These co-living upscale dorm projects are rare in San Jose but I hope we see more of them. It's one possible solution for adding large amounts of low-cost(ish) housing in our urban core and it happens to be a couple blocks away from a future BART station.

Source: SF YIMBY

Downtown San Jose getting not one, but two new underground Speakeasy's

Little Italy San Jose is about to open the Italian Cellar, an underground Speakeasy-style bar that is part of the brand new Italian Museum & Cultural Center. The bar will specialize in cocktails such as the Aperol Spritz, Old Fashioned, and Espresso Martini as well as Italian beers and wines. The soft opening is on Thursday, October 12th.

Downtown San Jose's newest neighborhood has expanded quite a bit recently, and also include a relocated Poor House Bistro and Littlest Little Italy collection of eateries and market. However, this won't be the only Speakeasy coming to Downtown San Jose.

An empty corner at 2 W. Santa Clara street will be getting an underground bar partially inside of an old bank vault. Not a lot of details on this yet, but there is a permit application on the window.

Safeway next to Valley Fair Mall finally closing, perhaps opening up expansion opportunities

After 67 years, the anachronistic-looking Safeway next to Valley Fair mall is finally closing. It was only a matter of time given how valuable this land is and how unusual it is to have a Safeway right next to the most successful mall in California.

This opens a pretty significant expansion opportunity for the mall, which has been on a roll with both retail stores and experiences for visitors such as a high-end cinema, bowling, escape games, and foodie destinations like Eataly, Din Tai Fung, and Baekjeong. Perhaps the location could be used to push out Macy's Men's and extend the newest wing. This area is filled with premium outdoor dining, luxury retailers like Lucid Motors and new flagship stores (Apple, Burberry). While most malls are struggling, Valley Fair and Santana Row are both thriving, so now would be a great time to continue to invest.

As for the Safeway employees, they will all be given options to move to other stores in the area.

Source: SFGATE

Santana Row Halloween Family Fest - Oct 24th

Halloween Family Fest is a kid-friendly event featuring trick-or-treating, pumpkin decorating, live music, stilt walkers, and arts & crafts at Santana Row. Families should bring their Trick-or-Treat bags and costumes. As an added bonus, kids will eat for free at LB Steak and Left Bank.

Santana Row Halloween Family Fest takes place Tuesday, October 24th from 10am to noon.

VeggieFest 2023 in Downtown San Jose Today 🥕

Today from 11am to 5pm in Plaza de Cesar Chavez you can experience a celebration of healthy and sustainable living. There is a lot going on including live music, arts & crafts, and of course fresh veggies to eat. I've posted all of the details below. 

Tickets are free and available here.

🌿 San Jose VeggieFest 2023: A Celebration of Healthy and Sustainable Living 🌿

Join us for a day filled with joy, flavor, and community at San Jose VeggieFest! With an inclusive theme that embraces healthy living, sustainability, community engagement, local economic support, and cultural celebration, we are thrilled to host a day that brings people together for a common cause.

🎶 Featuring Las Cafeteras: Join us for a soul-stirring performance by Las Cafeteras, a band renowned for their infectious blend of Afro-Mexican beats, rhythms, and rhymes. Las Cafeteras' meaningful lyrics tell stories of social justice, community, and celebration, resonating with the core values of VeggieFest. Their music creates connections across cultures and generations, promising an inspiring and unforgettable experience at San Jose VeggieFest 2023!

🥦 What to Expect

Promoting Healthy Living: Explore a variety of mouthwatering plant-based foods and beverages that encourage healthier dietary choices.

Community Engagement: Enjoy live entertainment and connect with individuals from all backgrounds.

Economic Support for Local Businesses: Discover local small businesses that share the event's values.

Cultural Celebration: Engage in multicultural performances and diverse culinary offerings.

🎉 Confirmed Participants:

Food & Beverage : Azalea's Creations, Açaí do Amazonas, Casita Vegana SF, Churros El Guero, Green Flour Bakery, Green Wolf Foods, Jaguar Baker, The Giving Pies, The Lemonade Bar, Souley Vegan Food, Juice Alize, and many more!

Education & Community Services: Evergreen Valley College, Fresh Approach, CAL FIRE, California Highway Patrol, SCC Public Health, Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters, Elected Representatives, and more!

Art & Crafts: Art Pocket SJ, Beaux Nails, Bethinketh LLC, Eminence Candle, Harji Naturals LLC, Ivy Indigo, Jellybee Jewelry, Luna Glow, Sacred Source, SuccsLife, The Source Zero, and more!

🎟️ Tickets: FREE ENTRY!! Please register through Eventbrite, will be scanning tickets at entrance.

Free entry for all ages!

📢 Join Us:

Be part of this joyful and meaningful event that brings together our community for a day of fun, learning, and connection. Whether you're a vegan food lover, an environmental enthusiast, or simply someone who enjoys a great gathering, San Jose VeggieFest is the place to be.

For more information, please contact Juan Rodriguez at Juan.Rodriguez@asm.ca.gov

South FIRST FRIDAY (+ STREET MRKT) Oct 6th, 2023 in Downtown San Jose

South FIRST FRIDAYS is back today and it's going to be a big one. Multiple galleries in three different districts are open from at least 5-10pm. Participating venues include ANNO DOMINI, the Institute of Contemporary Art, KALEID Gallery, Works San Jose, the San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles, the SoFA Market, MACLA, Art Ark Gallery, MACHU PICCHU, Natural Do Salon, 1Culture, and Chopsticks Alley Gallery. 

You can also swing by the San Jose Museum of Art to watch ballet. It'll be an art & culture filled day with many options to try out the newest restaurants in the Downtown area. I have to mention Goodtime Bar and the Club on Post, two excellent additions to the San Jose food scene that are in the Fountain Alley section of South FIRST FRIDAYS.

In addition to FIRST FRIDAYS it is also a STREET MRKT featuring over 50 artists a beer/fermentation garden, live music, and food trucks.

It all goes down today, October 6th. As usual admission is free and all ages are welcome. Click here for a preview of featured art! Below is a map with all of the galleries to check out across three different districts. Keep scrolling for a list of artists and food trucks.

South FIRST FRIDAYS presents:

STREET MRKT an indie urban art faire 
5–10pm, free admission (spend it with the Artists!).
So. 1st St. between San Carlos & William streets

Join us for the LAST OUTDOOR STREET MRKT of the year! Featuring 50+ talented artists gather together out on So. 1st St. transforming the SoFA District into a lively outdoor gallery for the evening. We’ll have stunning paintings, unique sculptures,, chic fashion, live performances and even on the spot experiences like custom poems and the Deep Legends Bus with DJ Dirty Beats . Support our amazing artists and help our local art scene thrive!

PARTICIPATING ARTISTS
Soloman Acosta
Rebecca Anguian 
Bay Area Glass Institute  (BAGI)
Purl Bailey (aka Marilyn Roaf)
The Blunt Letters
Bolo Vintage
Julianne Bonnet 
Budding Art Foundation
Bungalow Glow Candle Co.
Emmanuel Cervantes-Mejía + Michael Rogan 
Crossroads Trading Co.
Curious Shapes / Brian Corbin
Current Tattooing
Jhovany De Ala
Jennifer DeChenne
Mario Dimas
Designs by Maureen 
Enchant Christmas
Faded Visualz 
Flow State Sound Healing & Arts 
Force129 & Betty Proper 
Cynthia Gonzalez
Hand in Hand Henna
Sydney Hessel 
Higher Fire Clay Space & Gallery
Jodi408
Land and Sky Fine Art / Joe Mandrick
Frankie McFly 
Julianne McKay
La Madre Bruja 
Mattea Muzzy
Tania Okay + Lotte Van De Walle 
OaxaCali Studios
Tania Okay 
Jean -Luc Pedanou
Ragavon
Francisco Ramirez
Art of Joseph Richardson 
Mason Roberts 
Rene Schilling Sears
Radhika Sinha
South Bay Ceramics
Suha Suha
Sujata Tibrewala
Eric Vasquez
Heylu Wheat

Performances:
S 1st St and San Salvador intersection
6:00pm: SPR Strings Violin & Viola Studio
7:00pm: Huethuetl Tezka Aztec Dance
5pm–10pm DJ Dirty Beats & the Deep Legends Bus

Flipside Crew DJs in the beer garden, plus delicious food trucks!

BEER GARDEN & FOOD TRUCKS

On Tap…
Clandestine Brewing
Fox Tale Fermentation

plus…

Delicious Food Trucks…
3 Brothers Kitchen
3 Hermanos Mexican Grill
Akita Gourmet Sushi
Chickn Bros.

The South FIRST FRIDAYS Art Walk + STREET MRKT is produced by CURATUS in collaboration with the participating art venues, local artists, musicians, performers and independent businesses.

STREET MRKT is supported in part by a Cultural Affairs grant from the City of San Jose.

Live at the CODAsummit San Jose

Over the next two days I'll be live at CODAsummit 2023 which celebrates the culmination of art, technology, and place. It happens to be in San Jose this year and I'll be heavily posting on social media today and tomorrow.

To see updates as they're happening, just follow The San Jose Blog on any of the following:

• X (Twitter)
• Facebook
• Instagram

I recommend X though since there will be some bonus updates just for that platform.

Today was a half day. The highlights for me were seeing Sonic Runway linked to a live DJ, learning that the Adobe Semaphores spin based on plane noise every time a plane flies over Adobe (in addition to delivering secret messages that give you free Adobe software if you crack the code), and meeting a lot of really cool people working on interesting projects.