New Asian Strip Mall Coming to North San Jose

The Silicon Valley International Plaza is coming to the corner of Brokaw and Old Oakland road (next to Costco) and will feature over 100,000sqft of Asian-themed retail. The main anchors will be an Asian supermarket and a dim sum/seafood restaurant, but based on the photo below I'm expecting a lot of restaurants. Thanks to xThomasTroublex from the San Jose Development forum for the info. You can find more details on this project right over here.

Wednesday Wishlist: Seeking Ideas for New Bar/Restaurant

Alright guys, I need your help today! Let's throw out a hypothetical situation and say a new bar is coming to a key corner in Downtown San Jose. Let's also say it will serve some food, but will be more bar than restaurant. What do you think would make it a key attraction Downtown? Here are some ideas to help you get the gears turning:

• Interactive art (ability to write on the walls, etc.)
• Video games
• Live music
• Unique drinks from all around the world

What would you like to see? Please post your ideas in the comments!

Downtown San Jose Twilight Open House - Thursday @ 5-8pm

Another high-rise open house is coming to Downtown San Jose in just 2 days. There will be plenty of food from The Mmoon, Loft Bar and Bistro, and Mezcal! In addition, there will be pedicabs that will transport you for free from high-rise to high-rise. If you make it to all 3 venues, then you'll be entered into a raffle to win gift certificates for Ballet San Jose, Tova Day Spa, La Pastaia, Zanotto's, Lost Gatos Brewing Company, Satori Tea, and Andy's Pet Shop. You can register for the event right over here.

Born to be Wild is Coming to The Tech's IMAX Dome

Based on the trailer and press release below, this looks like one of the more interesting IMAX movies to come to The Tech in quite some time. I'm looking forward to this one.

For Immediate Release

March 22, 2011

BORN TO BE WILD Journeys into The Hackworth IMAX Dome Theater

Documentary narrated by Morgan Freeman premieres April 8

SAN JOSE, SILICON VALLEY, CA. – Join IMAX and Warner Bros. Pictures on a miraculous journey of second chances when Born to be Wild opens April 8 in The Hackworth IMAX Dome Theater at The Tech Museum. Follow young orphaned elephants and orangutans on the trip of a lifetime, from birth to rebirth, on the vivid screen of the nation’s second largest dome theater.

This family friendly documentary transports moviegoers to the far stretches of Kenya and Borneo and inspires them to take action to save Earth’s precious creatures. Narrated by Academy-Award winner Morgan Freeman, Born to be Wild is an inspiring story of love, dedication and the remarkable bond between humans and animals. Stunningly captured in The Hackworth IMAX Dome Theater - with its crystal clear images up to eight stories high and 13,000 watts of wrap-around digital surround sound - Born to be Wild is a heartwarming adventure that takes moviegoers into the lush rainforests of Borneo with world-renowned primatologist Dr. Biruté Mary Galdikas, and across the rugged Kenyan savannah with celebrated elephant authority Dame Daphne M. Sheldrick.

“Spending so much time among the orphaned elephants and orangutans in this film was a life- changing experience,” said Producer/Writer Drew Fellman. “And IMAX makes it possible to share that wonder with the audience in a very profound way that takes us directly into the lives and struggles of these amazing animals.” 

INSERT TRAILER HERE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDc3KSgCU1Q

For information on tickets and show times, call (408) 294-TECH (8324) or visit the website at http://tickets.thetech.org/production/imax.asp.

About The Tech Museum

The Tech Museum is a hands-on technology and science museum for people of all ages and backgrounds. The museum - located in the Capital of Silicon Valley - is a non-profit learning resource established to engage people in exploring and experiencing technologies affecting their lives. Through programs such as The Tech Challenge, our annual team design competition for youth, and internationally renowned programs such as The Tech Awards, presented by Applied Materials, Inc., The Tech Museum celebrates the Spirit 

Downtown San Jose Restaurant List Updates!

Here's the latest round of updates:

• We'll start off with the bad news. The following restaurants have closed:
• E&O Trading Company
• Ruffled Feathers
• Penguin Froyo
• Added the following restaurants:
• CJ's Cafe & Catering at 303 Almaden
• Supreme Dog at 284 S. 11th St.
• House of Bagels at 505 E. San Carlos St.

If you haven't bookmarked it yet, here's the link to the spreadsheet! There is also a permanent link over to the right entitled Downtown San Jose Restaurants.

Saturday Stats - San Jose Home Values

It looks like San Jose is the #1 city for expected increase in home values for 2011 based on a Forbes article. I like how they used a photo of Rivermark in Santa Clara for the article... close but no cigar. Here's the link. Thanks to DLo for the tip.

The Usuals: Works by Frances Marin Tonight

This Never Happened
New Works by Frances Marin
Friday, March 25, 2011
7:00p - 10:00p

Friday, March 25th
7:00p – 10:00p
On view thru April 18th

Performances by:
The Oddly Even (8p)
Fare Station (9p)

Storefront DJs:
James Vidal
Hells Bells

Check-out the new limited edition Frances Marin tee (20 pieces printed)!

Have some drinks and goodies in the back room!

 

Bike Party Survey

Interesting survey results from San Jose Bike Party participates. As soon as a bike sharing program comes to San Jose, I'm going to join the next run!

Survey Results

Bike Party’s goal is to build community through bicycling.  In order to determine if we are achieving our goal, we surveyed our riders and participants.

Over 500 participants responded to a self selection survey. (We posted in on the website and sent it out to the facebook group).

These are the results (with 585 completed).

34% of particiapants have attended 1-2 rides

28% have attended 3-4

13.6% have attended 4-6

15.3%  have attended more than 6 rides

After Riding with Bike Party,

30.3%  have purchased a bicycle

78.6% have purchased bicycle accessories

39.6% have paid for bicycle repairs

76% of riders have made friends because of Bike Party.

Because of Bike Party,

57.9% ride their bicycle more often for transportation

77.3% ride their bicycle more often for recreation

79.8% feel more confident riding solo or with a small group of friends

75% have learned more about local bicycle routes

79.8% have learned more about the local community

75.8% have learned more about safe riding

22.7% have participated with other groups