Rock Climbing is Coming to SoFA!

Let's start off the week with some good news. The remnants of Club WET in SoFA will soon become a 14,000 sqft Rock Climbing Gym called Touchtone. WET was frequently wrought with issues--such as fights and a few stabbings--that I think created a negative perception of the area. I'm pretty confident this will be a better use for the space and hopefully they can incorporate a little artsy SoFA character into it.

By the way, there used to be a Touchtone in Downtown San Jose. It was right next to Camera 12 and had what might have been the smallest rock wall in existence. No, seriously it was maybe 10 feet tall. I had to chuckle at it every time I walked by. The new SoFA Touchtone won't have that same problem as the climbing walls will be at least 35 feet tall.

March 2011 Downtown Dimension Highlights

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

• Christmas in The Park is being planned for 2011, but the organizer needs to replace $370,000 of funding that used to come from the city.
• The city has developed a master plan for the area around Diridon Station incorporating  5 million sqft of office space, 420,000 sqft of retail, 2,600 residential units, 900 hotel rooms, and an underground train station.
• MACLA (a center for Latin American arts) in SoFA has received a $100k Ford Foundation grant and is looking to expand its presence Downtown. There were only 12 organization to receive the grant from the 700 applicants
• CJ's Cafe and Catering at 303 Almaden is under new ownership.
• Us Studio Hair Salon is now open at 54 W. Santa Clara and also features vintage and custom designed clothing.
• Team San Jose and Groundwerx have come to the rescue of two downtown Heritage clocks that stopped working. They are now operational again.

To read the full newsletter, click here!

San Jose Metblogs: SJ Dishcrawl #3

Dishcrawl San Jose: Exotic San Pedro Square

from San Jose Metblogs by Jennifer Bullock

Want the scoop on next week’s San Jose Dishcrawl?

On March 23rd food lovers will gather once again to roam about downtown tasting food with exotic twists.


For just $26 (or $27 for ‘latebirds’) you will get to try delicious food from:

Tikka Bytes Food Truck – known for their authentic Indian street food dishes like pani purr. – I saw them at Edgewood Eats the other day but only glanced at their menu since I knew they’d be at Dishcrawl. I can’t wait to try their food, it looked and smelled so good.
Tikka Bytes Web // Facebook // @TikkaBytesTruck

Satori Tea – Who knew there was a tea bar in San Pedro square? It is totally hidden. Looking forward to trying something new. I’m not a big tea drinker but that’s only because I don’t know what I’d like! Anyone else feel the same way? This is yet another great reason for an event like Dishcrawl.
Satori Tea: Web // Facebook // @SatoriTea

And now announcing two other stops!

Morocco’s Restaurant – fresh culinary delights of Moroccan cuisine.
Morocco’s Restataurant: Web // Facebook // @Moroccos

LilPuffs.com – Gourmet marshmallows! They come in six flavors: Strawberry Raspberry, Mango, Passion Fruit, Pineapple and Chocolate. I’m crossing my fingers that we get to try the pineapple one. Someone from LP will be handing out fluffy delicious marshmallows to the Dishcrawl crowd.
LilPuffs: Web // Facebook // @Lil_Puffs

If you were at one of the previous Dishcrawls the crowd started at one of location. Food and/or drinks are served as the crowd mingles with each other. The owners of the establishment (or chefs) talk to the crowd about the culture of the food. It’s a really great experience for people who want to learn just a little bit more about different cuisines (or uniquely crafted food.) After the first location, it’s time to move on to the next!

There’s a twist to next week’s Dishcrawl that will change it up a bit.

“We’re making one big change this month.” says Dishcrawl Founder Tracy Lee. “Our last two Dishcrawls have been massive, but this time Dishcrawlers can expect more intimate groups for a more relaxed time. Besides that, folks can expect just as great of a time and the same fabulous food experience!”

So there you go San Jose – what are you waiting for? Go get your tickets now before it’s too late!

What: Dishcrawl San Jose: Discovering San Pedro Square’s Exotic Food Side
When: March 23rd, 7pm-9:45pm
Where: Misc locations, San Pedro Square area

Dishcrawl: Web // Facebook // @Dishcrawl // Tickets

The Future of St. James Park Meeting: Wed 3/23

Francis Enriquez Penrose sent a message to the members of San Jose: Downtown Dwellers

IMPORTANT MEETING ON THE FUTURE OF ST. JAMES PARK! 

It’s time to talk about “next steps” and other issues at St. James Park! Council member Liccardo and a PRNS representative will be present to hear comments, concerns and suggestions regarding the future of St. James Park. Please spread the word.

WHEN: Wednesday, March 23 @ 7:00pm
WHERE: San Jose Athletic Club, 196 N. 3rd Street
CONTACT: Fred Buzo at 535-4931 or fred.buzo@ http://www.facebook.com/l/b42b0g59udyjhnVKpW24H_XpXUA/sanjoseca.gov

A Taste of Paris Video + Special Offer

WhiteRoadFilms:

SPECIAL OFFER: Throughout March, mention White Road Films or sjdowntown.com to receive a free cup of coffee with the purchase of two pastries.

We personally believe in this boulangerie.

http://atasteofparis.net

Lionel comes from a region in France called Alsace. His
father was a baker and the fifth generation to run the Haeberle
Bakery in a city in Alsace named Colmar.

Now, Lionel Haeberle becomes the sixth generation of
authentic French Chefs to offer bakery items of the highest
quality to his customers.

Ann is a 5th generation Californian with a family history that
goes back to early settlements on the East Coast. And though
Ann was not born in San Jose, her great-great-grandparents
married and raised a family there, developing strong roots in
the community where her mother was also born and raised.

Generations of Ann's family members also attended and
graduated from San Jose State University, to which the shop is
closely located. Her family has long standing ties to the San
Jose Bay Area

Ann and Lionel Haeberle are excited to welcome you to their
first bakery here in the heart of the Silicon Valley!

Stop by and ask for a sample of their quality French menu
items. And bring a friend!

Participate in the Downtown Version of the Great American Litter Pick Up

Francis Enriquez PenroseMarch 17, 2011 at 12:06am

Subject: NOT TO LATE FOR THIS SATURDAY! VOLUNTEER AT...

THE GREAT AMERICAN LITTER PICK UP
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Register 8:00-8:30am /Clean-up: 8:30 – 11:30 AM • Celebration: 12:00 – 1:00 PM

Help us clean up litter in San José. To participate in this year’s Litter Pick Up…

Step 1: Call (408) 277-3208 and sign up for one of the meeting locations listed below.

Step 2: On the day of the event, register at your meeting location and receive litter clean-up supplies*.

Step 3: Following the event, join us for a Celebration Lunch at your Council District’s Event Kickoff Location. Lunch is free for volunteers.

Where?: For District 3
-Roosevelt Center, 901 E. Santa Clara St.
-Washington United Youth Center, 921 S. First St.

If you are interested in participating please follow directions above…Of course you can choose either of the location because this is for DOWNTOWN!

* Donated supplies are limited. Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own pick-up stick and gloves.

Of course you can choose either of the location because this is for OUR DOWNTOWN!

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