Operation Prom Dress, Saturday April 9th

Since 2008, Operation Prom Dress has given away over 1,500 dresses to young women across San Jose that are unable to afford one on their own. The event is hosted by the City of San Jose and Vice Mayor Madison Nguyen. This is a fantastic way to ensure that everyone has a chance to attend their prom, a once or twice in a lifetime event. If you know anyone that would be interested in attending, please spread the word!

SolFocus is Moving Headquarters from Mountain View to San Jose

SolFocus, a venture-backed manufacturer of solar energy systems, is moving their headquarters from Mountain View to San Jose at the corner of Brokaw and Zanker. This is just another in a series of moves that will help San Jose become the green-tech capital of the world. Source: SJBJ

Sharks Rally From Two Goal Deficit To Trample Stars

The San Jose Sharks’ game last night against the Chicago Blackhawks is now all but forgotten. Exiting Chicago from a disappointing 6-3 loss, with five of the Hawks goals coming from the second period, the Sharks knew they would have to significantly ramp up their focus and intensity if a difficult rival like the Dallas Stars were to be defeated.

And ramp up they did.

Following a scoreless first period, where the Sharks led in shots on net, the second period opened with a Stars two goal lead. The Stars scored a very controversial first goal, which developed after Stars forward Jamie Langenbrunner blatantly boarded Sharks defenseman Niclas Wallin from behind, head first. Adding insult to injury, Langenbrunner’s actions went unpenalized, and the Stars were credited with a goal. (Wallin never returned for the duration of the game, and it is likely the hit caused a concussion.)

After the Stars shortly thereafter scored a shorthanded goal to raise their lead to 2-0, the Sharks unleashed their intensity. Following the disappointing start to the second period, the Sharks considerably increased their takeaways, dominated puck control, and scored two more goals before the second period ended: the first from a Joe Thornton slap shot, and the second by Dany Heatley in front of the net on a five on three power play. If the Sharks’ tying effort wasn’t enough, defenseman Douglas Murray demonstrated his superior fighting skill by controlling a fight versus Stars forward Steve Ott, eventually tackling him to the ice, after Ott attempted to cheap shot him (for a massive hit Murray delivered to Loui Eriksson).

The Sharks’ intensity continued through the rest of the game. Ryane Clowe and Torrey Mitchell each got a tally within the first four minutes of the third period, both set up by Joe Pavelski, the Sharks’ adroit playmaking forward. While the Stars managed a power play goal by Jamie Benn in the middle of the third, the remainder of the game stayed scoreless until the Sharks’ Logan Couture took a penalty and the Stars pulled their goaltender, giving them a six on four advantage with the empty net.

Rather than convert their power play to a goal, Joe Thornton fired a shot from the far blue line to score, making the score 5-3 Sharks. Despite the game’s then predictable outcome, the Stars tried their six on four advantage again, this time with Dany Heatley scoring on the empty net. Given the Sharks’ player disadvantage and the Stars’ pulled goaltender, both Thornton’s and Heatley’s goals were credited as shorthanded, empty net goals.

Heatley and Thornton would each end up with two goals apiece.

Honorable mention goes to the clear first star of the game, Joe Pavelski. Despite not scoring, he managed four assists, and was solely responsible for setting up each goal he assisted on singlehandedly. I additionally would like to credit the fantastic defense, namely Douglas Murray (who rarely fails to disappoint) and “Pickles” Vlasic. Both players proved to be extremely fearless when it came to taking the body and blocking shots. Vlasic, near the end of the game, took a puck to the face, but fortunately managed to shake it off later.

San Jose Metblogs: A Moveable Feast

Well, I was going to post about this awesome event coming up in April featuring 20 food trucks (including San Jose favorites such as Treatbot, Mogo, and Wow)... but Jennifer from San Jose Metblogs beat me to it:

from San Jose Metblogs by Jennifer Bullock

Get your appetites ready because it’s time to FEAST.

The people that put together San Jose Made (SJMADE) Vendor Fair and The Usuals have helped launch a food truck extravaganza for San Jose: SJ Eats!

What: SJ Eats: A Moveable Feast
When: Saturday, April 2nd
Where: Fallon House, W. St. John St. and Terraine St.
When: 11am-9pm; lunch & dinner service (there may be a break between these hours)
Free admission

Follow SJ Eats on Facebook and Twitter for up-to-date information. (They just announced this today, so give ‘em a bit before that Twitter account kicks in.)

Here are two tips from someone who has gone to a few Off the Grids and Edgewood Eats; bring plenty of cash and hungry friends. When you get to the location, scope out the eats and have your friends stand in different lines. Buy something you’ve never had before, gather with your friends and share!

Then go back for seconds.

They’re planning for 20 trucks – here is a list of some of the trucks involved so far:

Treatbot
MoGo BBQ
The WOW
Sam’s ChowderMobile
CurryUpNow

By the way, the second SJ MADE Vendor Fair is happening in conjunction with SJ Eats. Support your local artists and vendors! (SJ MADE is from 12pm to 8pm, San Pedro Square.)

Sharks Fall To Hawks In High Scoring Second Period

A disappointing second period from the San Jose Sharks allowed the Chicago Blackhawks to score five, giving them the decisive lead that would carry through all the way until the end of the game. With the final score of 6-3 Hawks, the Sharks were unable to complete their season sweep, ending with a three games to one record this season against the Hawks.

Tomorrow, the Sharks head to Dallas to play in a tough matchup against the Stars at the American Airlines Center.

The game began well for the Sharks, both with skill and fortune, as the Sharks gained a five on three opportunity with two Hawks players in the penalty box early in the first period. Joe Pavelski scored for the Sharks, giving the Sharks their 1-0 edge. Although Blackhawks forward Viktor Stalberg scored later in the first, the Sharks’ Joe Thornton scored with a minute and a half left in the period, after being set up beautifully by Patrick Marleau. Marleau had first gained the zone, before drawing two Blackhawks players his way and feeding the puck to Thornton, giving him a clear scoring opportunity. With the first period over and the Sharks showing promise, the Sharks entered the second period with a 2-1 scoring edge.

All would change, however, during the second period.

Instead of the recognizably dominant Sharks team from the first period, a visibly weaker Sharks team allowed the Blackhawks to net five goals (two of them on the power play) during the second, bringing their total up to six. High-scoring Blackhawks forward Patrick Sharp managed an incredibly impressive four assists during that period, assisting on goals by Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane (who scored his 100th career goal), and Marian Hossa (both of them).

Logan Couture ended his short goal drought with his 26th of the season late in the second, although it was not enough to lift the Sharks to a lead.

With no scoring in the third period, the Sharks’ fate was sealed with a 6-3 loss.

The Sharks play again tomorrow night with hopes they can turn around their loss and start solidifying their place in the post-season standings as the season winds down.

The SaberCats are Back!

Not only are the SaberCats back, but they still have the goods! After a 2 year hiatus, the 3-time ArenaBowl champions were able to defeat the Spokane Shock (current league champions) 76 to 48. Read all about it and see the upcoming game schedule over here.

International Asian American Film Festival

While Cinequest draws to a close, another film festival is right around the corner. The Center for Asian American media is presenting the International Asian American Film Festival in the Bay Area, and it's coming to San Jose for the 10th time. Camera 12 will host the closing weekend of the festival on March 19th and 20th. For more information on the films and festivities, just click the image below to enlarge or click this link.

The Usuals Spring Release Event Today!

This isn't your every-day generic clothing store. The definitive San Jose clothier is launching their spring line today between 4 and 8pm, and they're doing it in style. You'll have music from 2 of the Bangerz, a performance by local hip hop artist Rey Resurrecction, and culinary delights from MOGO and Treatbot!