July 2010 Downtown Dimension Highlights

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

• High Speed Rail officials have decided that an aerial structure should be used to bring HSR into downtown San Jose (as opposed to an underground option).
• The City Council approved a 4 story parking facility near the HP Pavilion if a Downtown San Jose A's Stadium is approved.
• The State is planning to build a 20-courtroom, 234,000sqft facility across from St. James Park.
• The second Dine Downtown week resulted in at least 4,500 three+ course dinners sold!
• 12 new pieces of art have been installed on utility doors throughout Downtown.  This brings the total to 37 pieces of art from 15 participating high schools.
• Ruffled Feathers Eatery is now open!  They are in the same spot as the former Asqew Grill, right next to Camera 12.
• The Agenda Restaurant is now Bayonne and their basement is a speakeasy-style lounge called Single Barrel.
• A sports bar called Savu is replacing Hawg's Seafood next to The Rep. They signed a 10 year least with 2 additional 5 year options, and are paying market rent.
• San Jose is getting 2 major sporting events in 2012, th US Figure Skating Championships and the US Olympic trials for men's and women's gymnastics.
• Groundwerx is about to initiate their next beautification project at on San Carlos St. between 2nd and 4th St. 

To read the full newsletter, click here!

We're Giving Away 4 Raging Waters Tickets!!!

The San Jose Blog is happy to announce that we're going to have a little contest to cool you off this summer! We're giving away 2 pairs of tickets to Raging Waters exactly one week from today, Wed, Jun 14th!!

This contest will be part skill and part luck.  The skill component will test your knowledge of San Jose with a series of trivia questions. The first 2 people to answer all of the trivia questions correctly win (the winners can't be related to each other or to any of the posters on The San Jose Blog). Sounds simple right? Of course, there's a catch. I won't be giving out the exact time when the trivia questions will be posted on Wednesday, but you'll get a hint or two. AND... there's a second catch, which is a side-contest that may give you an advantage in winning the tickets (the specifics of the side contest will not be revealed until the 14th).

Stay tuned for additional details!

Santana Row Punches Recession in the Face, Adds 3 New Stores

Earlier today, Santana Row announced a handful of new merchants. First off, we have the first Yard House in Northern California, which will occupy the entire retail space in the 300 block of the Row (at the entrance, adjacent to Crate & Barrel). This will be a flagship 10,000sqft restaurant with 130 beers on tap and a scheduled February 2011 opening.

Joining the Yard House we have the first South Bay locations of 100% Pure Cosmetics (Oakland-based) and Jest Jewels (SF-based).  We can also round out the news with a 1,000sqft bar and lounge expansion at Straits, which should be open for business very soon.

San Jose Sharks: Draft and Free Agency Update

What an exciting last couple of weeks this has been! First began the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, where exciting young prospects were selected, and then began the opportunity to sign players with a "free agency" status. While the Sharks still have some decisions to make concerning their 2010-2011 team, as general manager Doug Wilson aims to create a roster rife with playoff success.

Perhaps the largest piece of news, aside from the last update where Evgeni Nabokov's departure and Patrick Marleau/Joe Pavelski's re-signing were announced, the Sharks have signed a new goaltender: Antero Niittymaki of Finland - a two-year contract for $2 million per year. Previously playing for both the Philadelphia Flyers and the Tampa Bay Lightning, he is mostly noted for leading Team Finland to the silver medal during the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy (where he was also voted the tournament MVP). Nabokov, meanwhile, has returned to the KHL (Kontinental Hockey League, in Russia), where he, today, signed a four year contract with the SKA St. Petersburg team. Best of luck to him there!

As far as the draft picks from the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, here are the Sharks' selections (hat tip to sharkspage.com for the names and stats):

1st round (28th overall) – Charlie Coyle
Position: RW/C
Birthplace: Boston, MA
Size: 6-foot-2, 202-pounds
Shoots: Right

3rd round (88th overall) – Max Gaede
Position: RW
Birthplace: Maryland, MN
Size: 6-foot-2, 187-pounds
Shoots: Right

5th round (127th overall) – Cody Ferriero
Position: C
Birthplace: Boston, MA
Size: 5-foot-11, 190-pounds
Shoots: Right

5th round (129th overall) – Freddie Hamilton
Position: C
Birthplace: Toronto, ON
Size: 6-foot-1, 187-pounds
Shoots: Right

5th round (136th overall) – Isaac MacLeod
Position: D
Birthplace: Nelson, BC
Size: 6-foot-4, 205-pounds
Shoots: Left

6th round (163rd overall) – Konrad Abeltshauser
Position: D
Birthplace: Bad Tolz, Germany
Size: 6-foot-5, 190-pounds
Shoots: Left

7th round (188th overall) – Lee Moffie
Position: D
Birthplace: Wallingford, CT
Size: 6-foot-1, 200-pounds
Shoots: Left

7th round (200th overall) – Chris Crane
Position: RW
Birthplace: Virginia Beach, VA
Size: 6-foot-0, 189-pounds
Shoots: Right

Here's hoping the Sharks can utilize both their veterans and new talent this upcoming year. Although I am confident we can make playoffs again, we need to win, plain and simple.

Hopefully the Sharks can make a couple more good moves before the free agency and trading period ends. Currently, there are quite a bit of high-valued trades/signings going on, although mostly rumored. The hottest topics right now in the NHL concerning free agents are Mike Modano (the greatest American player ever, now dropped by the Stars and very likely to sign with the Red Wings), Ilya Kovalchuk (2001 first pick and solid player having issues choosing between the Devils and the Kings; that and his high salary demand), and for San Jose fans, Owen Nolan (arguably one of the best Sharks players who is rumored, albeit somewhat unlikely, to come back to play at the Tank).

Here is to the upcoming season!

Photos from Epic First Friday (SubZERO)

While there wasn't a South First Friday this weekend, I do have a few photos from the phenomenal SubZERO First Friday in June!

Scott's Seafood Expanding in Downtown SJ

It looks like Scott's is the latest of many restaurants that are double downing in San Jose's cultural epicenter. This will make it the 5th Downtown restaurant to expand this year (Morton's, La Vics, Flames, and Diabolos/Azucar are the other four). It's pretty rare to see restaurants expand even in a strong economy, so seeing five expanding today within a few city blocks is a great sign for Downtown.

Scott's will be adding outdoor seating for up to 60 people. Keep in mind that this restaurant is on the top floor of a 6 story building, so a nice view will come along with that al fresco dining experience. In addition, Scott's is planning to upgrade the furniture, lighting, and paint in the interior portion of the 8,500sqft restaurant.

Happy Fourth of July 2010!!!

I hope everyone has an amazing Fourth with family and friends! If you are still deciding what to do tonight, below are 4 different venues providing major fireworks shows in the South Bay tonight. There is also a more extensive list over at SJ Metblogs. Have fun!

Central Park in Santa Clara 
http://santaclaraca.gov/index.aspx?page=41&recordid=2457
July 4th All City Picnic - Breakfast, entertainment, music, carnival games, face painting, swimming, food. Fireworks display at 9:30pm. Sunday, July 4, 2010. (408) 615-3140

San Jose Municipal Stadium 
http://www.sjgiants.com
San Jose July 4th Fireworks Celebration - San Jose July 4th Fireworks Celebration - 95.3 KRTY'S All-American Country Jam - concert featuring Country Music Artist Chris Cagle and a performance by Ash Bowers. Sunday, July 4, 2010. 588 East Alma Avenue, San Jose, CA. 408-297-1435.

Shoreline Amphitheater  
http://www.livenation.com/edp/eventId/422326
The 24th Annual 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular - featuring the San Francisco Symphony and music from Wicked, Rocky, West Side Story, Peter Pan, Titanic, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Star Wars and many more! 4-pack of Reserved Seats are only $79! Tickets at LiveNation.com

Cupertino 
http://www.cupertino.org/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=3418
4th of July Celebration - All Day Sunday July 4, 2010. 7am - 9:30am Breakfast at the Quinlan Community Center, 10am Parade with family concert to follow, 6:45pm musical entertainment at Creekside Park, Hyde Middle School or Sedgwick Elementary. Fireworks begin at 9:30pm. (408) 777-3110, (408) 777-3120

Proposed ordinance threatens San Jose Bike Party

Worth of a read if you enjoy biking or supporting groups and organizations that add value to our community:

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The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors has a proposed Special Event Ordinance on their June 22 agenda for discussion at 10am.
This ordinance threatens the existence of San Jose Bike Party, as well as any rides of more than 50 riders! It’s overreaching and possibly prohibited by the CVC.
The Silicon Valley Bike Coalition has posted its position on this issue, and have setup aFacebook event with information as well. We urge you to read the proposal and SVBC’s position statement, then take action.
Some of the ways you can help:

• Write, e-mail, or call your County Supervisor. SmartVoter.org has their contact information.
• Show up at the Board of Supervisors meeting, June 22 at 10am, Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors Chambers, 70 West Hedding St, San Jose, CA.
• Spread the word! Blog, tweet, Facebook, etc!

Update

At the June 22 Board of Supervisors meeting, the Supervisors voted unanimously to table the matter until August 2010. It will go back to committee for revision. The video from the meeting is available on the SCC Public Portal.A big thanks to all those that attended the meeting, contacted their Supervisors, and spread the word. Hopefully the ordinance will be reasonble and consistent with the CVC when it comes up again in August.

Proposed ordinance threatens San Jose Bike Party