Still the #1 Tourist Attraction in San Jose

"A taste of Vegas in Silicon Valley?"

DLO from SJ21 found a great article in the Merc about a major casino development where Garden City would move to a new location less than a mile away from Bay 101. However, the new building would be much more than a casino (or card-club technically). It would be a $100m+ project featuring a 600-room upscale hotel, a theater for live acts, and several restaurants including one tied to a celebrity chef crowning a 15-story glass tower. Definitely an interesting read. Click here for the full article!

Last Chance to Get a Little Italy San Jose Brick!

Want to preserver your family legacy and contribute to one of the most exciting projects in San Jose right now? There is only one week left where you can purchase a Little Italy brick engraved with your information or a message of your choosing. The bricks will be placed in Piazza Piccola Italia, which is the centerpiece of the Little Italy project. Picture a beautiful courtyard trellis featuring olive trees, lemon trees, and a fountain all surrounded by historic Victorian homes. This is the place where musicians, singers, and wine tastings occur according to the Little Italy website.

$100 really is a very reasonable amount to pay for something like this, especially considering where the bricks are going to be located. That amount is also tax deductible, so really you're looking at a net $50-70 cost... that's pretty much what you'll pay for a single dinner for two. To order your brick, click here!

Sante Grill!

I finally got to chance to try out Downtown's newest restaurant (twice actually). Located between Starbucks and what will soon be an expanded La Vic's, Sante Grill fills an important retail gap on Santa Clara Street at the entrance of San Pedro Square.

Sante Grill is a quick food concept focused on healthy eats. There's no fryer in the back as even the French fries are air baked. The first thing I noticed when walking in was a nutritional guide on the wall listing the calorie/fat/sodium content of the entire menu. Many of the numbers were shockingly low. In fact they have an entire set of complete meals under 360 calories. Even more shocking was that the food actually tastes good despite being in the "healthy" category. The wraps and salads we tried were delicious, as were the sides of fries, mashed yams, and crispy string beans (tastes like tempura, but they're baked and something like 130 calories). Next time I think I'll try the portabella sliders.

The icing on the (lowfat) cake is that they are open until midnight on Fri and Sat. While this is their first and only location, there is also a rumor that they are planning to open a second store in Palo Alto. Will this continue the legacy of Downtown San Jose launching new chains? (Togo's, Sonoma Chicken, Iguana's, and I'm sure there are more).

San Jose Sharks: A Short Reflection of the 2010 Season.

As an avid Sharks fan, it is never easy to see their elimination from the Stanley Cup Playoffs, especially since they have shown terrific promise this year. Despite the less-than-desired exit, one cannot say the Sharks “performed badly post-season as usual” or “failed to perform” this year. The team had a fantastic year, finishing first in the Western Conference (second overall in the NHL), and advancing to the Conference Finals of the playoffs, falling short only to another incredibly strong team; one that had been seeded behind the Sharks by only one point. In the process, fans saw some huge wins, and had witnessed some very talented and contributive individuals. We have watched players such as defenseman Dan Boyle, arguably the best offensive defenseman to play today, new star Joe Pavelski, the Sharks’ current top clutch player, and the usual suspects Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, and Dany Heatley lighting up and entertaining the home crowd. Say what you want about Dany Heatley, but his regular season performance was what helped push the Sharks to their top seed in the first place. With some well-needed rest and off-season training, there is no doubt the Sharks will return to the next season ready to go.

In addition, there was veteran captain Rob Blake, rock solid forward Ryane Clowe, star rookie Logan Couture, faceoff and forechecking king Manny Malhotra, goal clincher Devin Setoguchi, and workaholic Scott Nichol – all with amazing seasons. Never have I been so amped to watch the Sharks play hockey, because this year, they were really good.

As many of you know, the Sharks have typically fared well in the regular season the past few years. Now, it is up to the team to find out how to properly play in clutch situations. Besides the obvious conclusion about needing the “want” and the “hunger” to win, here are a few observations I have made concerning the Sharks that could help them in future playoff seasons:

1) The Sharks need more snipers. A sniper is a player that can, quite literally, score at will if they are given the chance to have a decent shot. They have the ability to shoot fast and hard and and put the puck in just about any corner they wish. Unfortunately, the Sharks do not have a player that (specifically) fits this category, although there are a lot of good shooters on the team. Sharks’ goals are mainly scored from wonderful puck handling plays, tip-ins, and close range shots. If the Sharks can get at least one, possibly two players in this category, they can put together lethal scoring lines. It is evident the Sharks lack snipers mainly due to their typical dominance of the “shots on goal” counter but not necessarily the scoreboard.

2) The Sharks need to improve some aspects of their defensive game. This is not to take a jab at the skill level of the Sharks’ current defensive lines. (As a defenseman myself, I idolize players like Dan Boyle.) However, it is important to improve where the Sharks failed to perform well. In particular, and especially when watching other teams with terrific defensive configurations, the Sharks must do a better job of choking up the slot and covering shooters. Most of the goals scored against the Sharks were from lines rushing into the zone, passing the puck in ways to open up shooters, where one would be able to rip a shot either from the high slot or in another lethal shooting zone. I found that the Habs (Montreal Canadiens) did this very well after watching their games so far this series. Being able to play well in this manner will diminish the amount of shots on the Sharks net.

3) The Sharks need more big hitters (enforcers, if you will). Although the Sharks have had some in the past, like current New York Rangers forward Jody Shelley, there is currently no dedicated enforcer, at least one that I know of. Enforcers need not essentially fight all the time, but be the ones to line up players of the opposing team to deliver hits. Players like Joe Thornton may be able to dish out some pretty massive hits, however he is primarily known for his ability to play as a power forward and set up some great plays. What the Sharks need is, more or less, a dedicated enforcer, sent out on the ice to rile the other team up. The Blackhawks, for instance, found their heavy enforcer in forward Ben Eager, who on many occasions would throw his massive frame around to knock some unsuspecting Sharks players off of the puck and on to the ice.

Although I am sure there are more subtle details on how the Sharks could have improved their game, these three stuck out huge. It is one thing to have some fantastic players, but it is another to have the complete package. Especially when faced against an incredibly fast Chicago Blackhawks team, having some players with specific roles are what are needed to have pure competition.

From the spectator’s standpoint, there may have been some players who did not perform up to expectations during the playoffs, however all can change next season. I have the confidence the Sharks will put together a massively powerful team this year to become a top contender for the next year’s Stanley Cup. Although the Sharks may have some work to do, it is up to you, the FANS, to continue your diehard support for your local team, and keep rocking the teal!

Remember, San Jose is not just home to Silicon Valley…it is also the Sharks Territory!

Thank you for all of your support this year! There is a reason opponents loathe playing games at the coveted HP Pavilion: it’s because of you, the fans, showing your support, and making it known that our team, the San Jose Sharks, are a force to be reckoned with!

2010 NHL Playoffs: History in the Making?

It makes me wonder. What if the fans of the Montreal Canadiens gave up on their team when they trailed three games to one? What if the fans of the Philadelphia Flyers gave up on their team when they trailed three games to none? How fitting that the “History Will Be Made” theme is for the NHL Playoffs this year. Some of the best teams have been knocked off and some of the most amazing comebacks in history have been made.

Sharks fans have already watched the first three games versus the Blackhawks: seen the Sharks’ fantastic puck control, backchecking, and getting more shots on net. Everything has been going in favor of the Sharks – except the score sheet, and in some cases, the fans. For instance, many of you gave up on Dan Boyle when he inadvertently shot the puck into his own net in Denver during an overtime of Game Three versus the Colorado Avalanche, yet since then he has demonstrated to be one of the strongest players and contributors on the Sharks, making brilliant defensive plays and tallying points in every game thereafter that series.

As Sharks fans, we must continue to cheer on our team with the same great intensity as we do when the Sharks have momentum when playing at the HP Pavilion, much like Game Five, at home, versus the Detroit Red Wings.

The Sharks know what they need to do. It is not a matter of who is more skilled, but who wants it more. The want to make it all the way, no matter how steep the uphill battle may be. While the Sharks can do it, they cannot do it without your support. Let us start with a win in Chicago to bring the series back home!

What if Sharks fans gave up on their team? History will be made.

San Jose Bike Party + Left Coast Live!

Click here for more details!

Other Retail Openings in San Jose (Non-Downtown)

The Alameda Neighborhood Business District

New Retail Openings:
• The Usuals – 1020 The Alameda
• Elefante Blanco – 1343 The Alameda

Retail Under Construction:
• Beauty Salon – 1345 The Alameda - Opening 3rd Quarter 2010

North 13th Street Neighborhood Business District

Retail Under Construction:
• Apatzingan Mercado – 901 Oakland Road - Opening 2nd Quarter 2010

Story Road Neighborhood Business District

Retail in Permitting Phase:
• Fox’s Pizza Den – 1698 Story Road #40 - Opening 2nd Quarter
• Nubi Yogurt – 1698 Story Road #20 - Opening 2nd Quarter 2010
• Metro PCs – 1698 Story Road #60 - Opening 2nd Quarter 2010
• Bank of America – 1107 S. King Road - Opening 2nd Quarter 2010

West San Carlos St. Neighborhood Business District

Retail Under Construction:
• Moda Italia (expansion) - 350 Bird Avenue - Opening 2nd Quarter 2010

Winchester Business District

Retail Under Construction:
• Pho 24 Restaurant - 747 S. Winchester Blvd. (First Financial Plaza) – Opening 2nd Quarter 2010
• Game Place (retail/service) - 747 S. Winchester Blvd. (First Financial Plaza) – Opening 2nd Quarter 2010

Strong Neighborhoods Initiative Retail

Hoffman/Via Monte SNI Retail Under Construction:
• Whole Foods (Pueblo Plaza at Blossom Hill Road/Almaden Expressway) – Opening 3rd Quarter 2010

West Evergreen SNI New Retail Opening:
• Sonoma Chicken Coop – 1735 E. Capitol Expressway (former Bakers Square at Silver Creek Plaza)