February 2011 Downtown Dimension Highlights

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

• Redevelopment agencies are under fire by our new Governor and SJ is fighting (along with many other cities across the state) to keep the redevelopment agencies alive. Many projects including the HP Pavilion, Convention Center, Fairmont, and Adobe HQ would not have been possible without the RDA.
• Police, VTA, and city officials are cracking down on drug dealing around Fountain Alley. Stakeholders are also discussing improving lighting and adding more police patrols.
• The San Jose Cultural Plan for 2011-2020 strengthens downtown as the creative and cultural center of Silicon Valley. 1stAct, zer01, California Theater renovation, and Artsopolis all came from previous Culture Plans. The 2011 plan suggests:
• Nurturing small-scale performing arts venues
• Creating a fund to support small art organizations
• Locating a dedicated festival site such as the Arena Green or Discovery Meadow
• Celebrating diversity through arts and culture
• Including big public art projects
• Promoting economic development through the arts
• The City Parks Alliance gave national recognition to the Guadalupe River Park as being a leading example of an urban park.
• This summer, San Carlos Street between Market and Fourth will receive a $4 million renovation that will:
• Widen sidewalks
• Add planters, benches, garbage cans, and bike racks
• Improve lighting
• "The city received an $80k grant that will allow an interactive public art display to be added to San Carlos Street, connecting the university to SoFA and the Convention Center." Street poles will be lit with LED lights that will change and react based on movement on the street. [Josh: I love this idea, the more interactive/dynamic art the better!]
• Downtown Ice brought in 41,926 skaters and despite rainy days, broke the previous single day attendance record 4 times.
• 44 utility boxes will magically disappear. Groundwerx crews have taken pictures of what's behind each cabinet and will wrap each utility box with vinyl decals of the pictures, creating an optical illusion. 22 others (most in SoFA) will be hand painted or wrapped in local art. [Josh: Very, very cool]
• La Pinata is now open on San Pedro Square.
• The remodeled and expanded La Vics is also now open.
• Brixton Hue Salon and Style Studio has moved into what used to be Chic Chateau at 96 S. 3rd. They are also planning to sell handbags, jewelry, and fashion accessories.
• Motif has been remodeled by one of the designers of the Hard Rock Cafe and Palms Hotel in Vegas.
• The San Jose Sabercats are returning to the HP Pavilion for a 9 game season starting in March. 
• Downtown hotel occupancy rose from 50% in 2009 to 59% in 2010. Total revenue increased by almost $9M.

To read the full newsletter, click here!

Tesla is Coming to Santana Row!

Tesla may not have been able to relocate their offices and factory to North San Jose as originally planned, but they will have a presence here. The word just got out that they are planning to build a "store" at Santana Row! Instead of using dealers and 3rd parties, they are planning to sell cars directly to consumers much like an Apple store. They already have 30 of these worldwide that are either open already or near opening, and the closest one right now is the original in Menlo Park.

I imagine the first car they will sell at the store will be the Model S (pictured below), a $56k all electric vehicle with up to a 300 mile battery, 0-60 of 5.6 seconds, a 17 inch LCD touchscreen, and seating for up to 7 people. These will start shipping in late 2012.

This year Tesla will also announce the Model X, which is a crossover version built on the same platform as the Model S. Eventually they will also release a Model C (~$30k compact or midsize electric car) and a new roadster to replace their current $100k+ speed demon--which may transform into a 4-seat convertible in it's second life. While I'm a huge advocate of Downtown San Jose, I think Tesla made the right choice with Santana Row. Now please excuse me while I check my couch for some spare change.

Niemi Shuts Out Bruins In Sharks' 2-0 Victory

The San Jose Sharks extend their current road victory to 2-0 with a victory over the strong Boston Bruins with a score of 2-0. Logan Couture's power play goal just seven and a half minutes into the first period was all the team needed to win, especially with the strong, stepped up defensive play that allowed goaltender Antti Niemi to earn his third shutout of the season. Forward Devin Setoguchi increased the score to 2-0 with three seconds left in the game on an open net, as the Bruins pulled their goaltender Tim Thomas in an attempt to tie the game late in the third. Although the Sharks' 18 total shots on net were the lowest of the season, it was enough to earn their much-deserved two points.

The Sharks' defense was continually impressive all game, defending the net and keeping the Bruins scoreless for their four power plays. Even during the Bruins' fourth power play in the third period from a Joe Thornton tripping call, the Bruins failed to register a single shot on net for the entire two minutes. It became clear, to those of us either watching the game on television or listening to the game on the radio, that the fans in Boston's TD Garden were disappointed and began booing their team in disgust.

Although the Bruins played a decent game, almost scoring from a Milan Lucic shot that hit the post, and their many almost-successful attempts to capitalize on the several large rebounds given by Niemi, the Sharks' defense today was too strong. In addition, the Bruins failed to win the puck battles in the corners (something the Sharks have been great at all season, with the likes of Ryane Clowe and Scott Nichol), giving the Sharks more control over the puck's movement.

Couture's goal (after missing two straight games from the flu) puts his tally to 23, giving him a comfortable lead thus far in the rookie goal scoring race (five ahead of the Hurricanes' Jeff Skinner).

With the win, the Sharks are now tied with the Anaheim Ducks in the Western Conference standings at 62 points (taking up the 4th and 5th place spots), although the Ducks have played in one more game.

The Sharks continue their road trip next Tuesday (the 8th) against a powerful Washington Capitals team in D.C.

WIGGLERAMA at Trieste

from Phantom Galleries by Cherri Lakey

WIGGLERAMA - A DJ Night w/ DJ Coco and Boboso!
Saturday, Feb.5th 8pm - 11pm
at Caffe Trieste
315 1st St.
San Jose, CA 95113
Free. All Ages but there are some adults beverage for sale at the cafe.

One More First Friday Plug, Because it's Worth It!

Phantom Galleries:

Join us for South FIRST FRIDAYS Art Walk February 4th!
An eclectic evening of arts and culture in downtown San Jose's SoFA District (& beyond)!
Venues are open 7pm-11pm & are free of charge

HIghlights include:

Phantom Galleries in the windows of 386 South First Street:
Two exhibitions featuring Yumiko & Reiko Miyagawa and Mike Park
Miyagawa sisters' first collaboration photo show. The sisters came up with themes that have contrastive ideas, and each one took photos with "our weirdo heads' imagination!"

Mike Park exhibits the different colors of VINYL.


Phantom Galleries at Caffé Trieste - 315 South First Street
Opening Reception - Around the World in 30,000 Photographs by Frances Freyberg
In 2008, emerging photographer Frances Freyberg left her job in high-tech communications to travel the world for a year, taking photos and writing about her experiences. Over the course of the year, she took more than 30,000 photographs across 41 different countries. This exhibit includes some of her favorite photos from Asia, India, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and North and South America.
First Fridays are Opera Night! at Caffé Trieste with some of the Bay Area’s best opera singers performing your favorite arias and duets.


Phantom Galleries at Good Karma Vegan Café - 37 South First Street
Opening Reception: Art Alive by Trina Merry A rich collaboration with a variety of talented Bay Area photographers- wet plate, fine art, fashion, and maternity photography.
Trina Merry has been exploring and focusing on bodypainting solely since her installation "The Television Totem Pole" at the SubZERO Festival 2010. This exhibit showcases her explorations that have spawned and informed her other bodypaint series, music videos, and current work.


Phantom Galleries at Pho69 - 321 South First Street
Opening Reception- Just In Time: Abstracts by Jane Peterman. The series of paintings is a meditation on time and space beginning March 2009 and ongoing.
Join us for a Vietnamese New Year celebration with Lion Dancers, traditional New Years food tastings, and lucky red envelopes fortunes.


Anno Domini // the second coming of Art & Design - 366 South First Street
Artist's Reception- Auroral Dreaming new sculptures by Derek Weisberg
Derek Weisberg returns to Anno Domini for his second solo exhibition with a brand new body of ambitious and courageous work. Weisberg continues to examine his own life and the world around him, attempting to answer questions, which have plagued humans since the beginning of time.
Live music by Suzanne Vallie


The Education of Hopey Glass: Day by Day with Hopey, Jaime Hernandez, ink on paper, 2010
MACLA - 510 South First Street
Join MACLA for an extraordinary evening of art: In MACLA’s Gallery: Novelas, Love and Other Adventures Featuring: Jaime Hernandez, Favianna Rodriguez, Rio Yañez and Mayra Ramirez.
Please join us for our Opening Reception & Artist Talk: at 7:00pm Join Jaime Hernandez of famed comic book series Love & Rockets and Bay Area Artist Rio Yañez for an engaging conversation about their work.


Higher Fire Clayspace & Gallery - 499 Market Street
Artist's Reception- Joy Imai: Soda-Fired Porcelain
Botanical elements dot the surface of Joy Imai's soda-glazed pottery, but her work is pure pyromaniac in origin! Joy sprays baking soda & water into a 2300 degree kiln causing the solution to break down into sodium vapor glaze. The vapors flash her pots with color - all surprising, unique, and a tangible record of what pieces endured in the kiln.
Reception for the featured artist will be held in conjunction with South First Friday festivities on Feb 4 from 7pm 'til late... plus an evening of pottery wheel demonstrations, kids' clay table, and light refreshments too.


SLG Art Boutiki & Gallery - 577 South Market Street
SLG Art Boutiki presents the art of Vesha Valentine by Des Taylor. Celebrating the release of the new storybook by Taylor, SLG will be showing unseen art from the book. Live music and of course all the things that make The Art Boutiki the best comics art gallery in town!


Targets by Myrrh, acrylic on wood
Works San José - 451 South First Street
Opening Reception- Better Luck Next Time
Have you ever heard these words? It is defined as “an expression that comforts someone for a minor disappointment.” Whether it’s a matter of the heart, life experiences, work or leisure, there is almost always a time when this applies. It might be that piece of art that is loved but just didn’t fit the bill. Engaging in a conversation, examining social or political issues, creating humor, capturing history or chronicling a new work—this exhibition will reveal the artistic expression for the meaning behind the phrase. These artists are making the choice to be lucky this year, presenting some great art that will empower time and again discovering hilarity in Better Luck Next time. Presented by Works in collaboration with South Bay Area Women’s Caucus for Art.


METRO Photo Exhibit - 550 South First Street
Come join us in the Metro building for Pulp Female, photography by Jen Anderson and Ian Healy


Blue Boy by Jay Ruland
KALEID Gallery - 88 South Fourth Street (at San Fernando)
Surgery.Art presents Dark Matter a group study of the dark and immeasurable.
Featuring dark analytical work by: Matthew Pugh, Marie Dvorkin, Alla Viksne, Jay Ruland, Alex Yanushkevich, Kelly Nelson, Emily Feucht, Haley Goodlett, J. Marie Valdivia, Centa Schumacher, Mike Dvorkin, Genevieve Hastings, Shauna Mork + more. Fashion study by Mike Kemling. Auditory guidance by Audrey Stats, Kevorkian/Dvorkin, Geoffrey Smith. Curated by: Marie Dvorkin, Dora Lee


Patty, John Renzel, acrylic on canvas
Psycho Donuts - 288 South Second Street
On view: Local Characters - Crazy, quirky and colorful characters populate this favorite donut shop art gallery! San Jose's Psycho Donuts has new original art by local artists: John Renzel, Lacey Bryant, Michael Foley, Christine Benjamin, Laura Callin Bennett, Valery Milovic, John Hageman, Murphy Adams and Michael Borja.


South First Billiards Club & Lounge - 420 South First Street
The Prophecy - A night of music, art, and good energy with Audiopharmacy
Hip-Hop, Reggae, Funk, Soul, World, Latin featuring Kaotic Souls and Special guests. Beats By Teao N Offerings. Live Acrylics by- Nice Onem, Mia Ante, Jaiv1. Art Works by- Deth Brain, Nice One, Jaiv1, Dee Jae Pa'este, Mia Ante, Majick, Soil
5-9pm ALL AGES. 9pm-close 21+


San Jose Jazz at Eulipia Restaurant - 374 South First Street
8pm- Joe Bagale
A San Francisco based singer songwriter/composer, multi-instrumentalist, and producer; he is pushing the envelope of what we know as pop music. His compositions are a blend of old-school funk/R&B mixed with the sounds of late 60's/70's rock and topped off with a jazz/avant-garde influence, coming together to create a style entirely all his own.

For full listing of events and information: please visit www.SouthFirstFridays.com or call 408-271-5155

Media Sponsor: Metro Newspapers
Enjoy FREE PEDICAB RIDES between art venues courtesy of South First Fridays and Eco City Cycles!

This event is produced by Two Fish Design with additional support provided by the San Jose Downtown Association, the San Jose Redevelopment Agency and 1st ACT Silicon Valley.

South FIRST FRIDAYS Art Walk Tonight!

One of my favorite Downtown events is having their 2011 premier around 8pm tonight and it'll go well into the night! This month's South First Friday is bigger and badder than ever with 20 venues, including 2 new ones: Pho 69 and Eulipia (partnering with San Jose Jazz). For an almost complete list of participants, keep travelling down the page or click here!

Participating Venues

• Anno Domini
• Art Ark
• Art Glass Center of San Jose
• Caffé Trieste
• Downtown Yoga Shala
• Good Karma
• Higher Fire Clayspace & Gallery
• KALEID Gallery
• MACLA
• Metro Photo Exhibit
• Phantom Galleries
• Pho69
• Psycho Donuts
• San Jose Jazz
• San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles
• SLG Art Boutiki & Gallery
• South First Billiards & Lounge
• Works/San Jose

Vietnamese New Year Celebration at Pho 69!

My favorite Pho restaurant is having specials for Vietnamese New Year starting tonight and running all the way through Saturday! As icing on the cake, they're kicking off their first month of participation in South First Fridays with a dragon dance and opening reception at 8pm tomorrow. More info below:

Come join us bring in the New Year.

Starting at 5:00 pm Thursday, Friday, and Saturday
Beers $3, Wine $4, Starters $4, Pho $6

Come join the Vietnamese traditions of testing your luck with:
- Blackjack
- Tien Len
- Binh
- Bau, Cua, Tom, Ca
- Poker Tournament (Proceeds to Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth Group)

Poker Tournament $35 buy in
Starts at 5:00 pm, 7:30 pm, and 10:00 pm
16 seats per session
Payout
1st: $250
2nd: $75
3rd: $50
4th: $35

Sign-up by calling 408-289-8521
Hours 11 am - 8 pm

**Friday Night - Dragon Dancing at 8:30pm, SoFA Art Walk Opening Reception at 8:00pm

-- 
Thank you,
Darren & Teresa
Pho 69 Noodle, LLC

321 South First Street

San Jose, CA 95113

408-289-8521

www.pho69noodle.com

Join us on Facebook | www.facebook.com/pho69noodle

Sharks Defeat Rival Ducks In Fierce Battle

The San Jose Sharks may have played a phenomenal game against the Phoenix Coyotes, but already less than a day later, they suited up to battle the Anaheim Ducks in their very own Honda Center.

With a big win, the Sharks emerged triumphant in a fierce battle with the Ducks in Anaheim. After the first puck drop, it did not take long for the Sharks to strike first, with Dany Heatley scoring his 19th goal of the season just fourteen seconds into the first period. Only seven short minutes later, Ben Eager ripped a beautiful top right corner wrist shot to score his first goal as a Shark on Anaheim's netminder Jonas Hiller. Eager's shot almost made it seem like he was recruited to the Sharks for his sniping ability. Following Eager's goal, Jason Demers fired the puck into the net from the blue line, increasing the Sharks lead to 3-0. Only half of the first period had elapsed, and Hiller already was pulled from his post in the net. Definitely a bad night for the goaltender who had enjoyed an NHL-best 25 wins (tied with Tim Thomas of the Boston Bruins). This lead continued to the end of the first period.

As all Sharks fans understand from yesterday's match, a three-goal lead never guarantees a winning effort, especially with forty minutes of regulation time left in the game, and with the fast paced anything-can-happen speed of professional ice hockey.

Anaheim began to chip in their goals early in the second period, with the Ducks' Joffrey Lupul decreasing the Sharks' lead to 3-1. Up until the Ducks' even strength goal, the Sharks had been able to kill two of what would come to be many penalties against them. Ryane Clowe increased the Sharks' lead back to three goals with a nice power play opportunity, although the Ducks' Cam Fowler answered right back with a power play goal, as he had been in a fortunate position to the right side of Niemi when the puck bounced over to his stick. The second period ended with a 4-2 Sharks edge.

The Ducks again contributed to their late surge early in the third period, increasing the score to 4-3, which then turned the game into a highly defensive battle, as the Sharks kept their defenseman strong in front of the net and the forwards not taking any risky chances to enter the offensive zone. After Ben Eager's Delay of Game penalty by shooting the puck over the glass, the Ducks emerged with a powerful offensive strategy, effectively keeping the puck in the Sharks' zone and unleashing a barrage of shots on Antti Niemi, who fortunately played very well to keep the shots out.

By the end of the third period, the Sharks managed to hold their 4-3 lead, beating the Ducks at their home and placing them in a more comfortable playoff position. Although the standings still remain the same, a continued momentum by the Sharks can help solidify their position in the Western Conference standings with more big wins like the last two games.

Although it seemed the Sharks would break down and succumb to the large Ducks offensive effort near the end of the third period, the team earned their two points and overall played a solid game, playing well to kill the many penalties they had in the Ducks' favor.

Honorable mention goes to Ryane Clowe, who not only scored the game winning goal, but played the corners very effectively, setting up his linemates with great opportunities to score.

The Sharks continue their road trip against the Boston Bruins on Saturday, February 5th in Boston.