Sunday, October 9, 2011

Empty our Shelters Campaign

Guest post by Melissa Lisbon:

Starting October 1 through October 16, 6 area shelters have coordinated a plan to get the hundreds of dogs and cats overflowing in their shelters adopted.  The campaign is called "Empty our Shelters" and the following shelters are participating:


Of the above six shelters, the San Jose Animal Care Center takes in the most strays, as they provide animal control services for the city of San Jose, Saratoga, Milpitas, Cupertino and Los Gatos (over 1.4 million residents).  The San Jose Animal Care Center, like the other participants in this program are offering VERY reduced adoption fees - all of their animals will be offered at a $10 adoption fee!  Each shelter has it's own promotional adoption fee during this 2 week special program.

One example of the perfect pet waiting for you is Peanut (pictured below), a 7 year old torbi female kitty at San Jose Animal Care Center.  Peanut has been patiently waiting for her special someone for over 2 months and has become a favorite of shelter volunteers. She enjoys pets and sunshine.  At 7 years old, she is the perfect middle-aged companion who will always listen to how your day went!

Now is the time to visit your local animal shelter and give them your support.  If you are not looking to adopt a pet at this time, they are always looking for volunteers and donations of supplies (newspapers, toys, towels, linens, etc).


Melissa N. Lisbon
San Jose Animal Advocates
Committed to helping homeless animals in our community

web:            http://sjanimaladvocates.org
twitter:       sjanimals
cell:             (408) 637-1282





Saturday, October 8, 2011

Left Coast Live Music Festival in Downtown San Jose (Starts Today)

from Downtown San Jose Real Estate 
lcl-2011.jpgThe grass-roots music festival Left Coast Livereturns to downtown San Jose Saturday, October 8, 2011. In its 3rd year, Left Coast Live is an annual, all-ages music festival which showcases national and local acts in the downtown San Jose area, establishing Silicon Valley as a regional destination for live music. Now in a new home on Post Street between 1st and Market Streets, Left Coast Live will feature 25+ bands performing on three outdoor stages and partner venues.

Left Coast Live is again on the cutting edge of the local music industry. Headliners The Limousines are an indietronica band out of the East Bay. Made up of multi-instramentalist/producer Giovanni Giusti and songwriter/vocalist Eric Victorino, the duo has gained international fame, thanks in part to the release of their singles Very Busy People and Internet Killed the Video Star. Their first full-length album, Get Sharp, was released in July 2010, to critical acclaim. They recently completed a nation-wide tour opening for Neon Trees (another Left Coast Live alum) and have appeared at several major festivals this summer including SXSW, The Bamboozle, Sunset Strip Music Festival, and Outside Lands. Other headliners include the Postelles, a band Rolling Stones hailed as a “band to watch”; funk band Orgōne; Latin freestylist Chico Mann; and sultry songstress Mara Hruby.

Left Coast Live is also bringing back the fan favorite Silent Disco. Picture a giant disco ball hung in the middle of the street complete with lights and fog machine. Then imagine not being able to hear a thing; all you see are hundreds of people dancing in complete silence. All you have to do is pick up the Silent Events personal wireless headset and join in on the fun!

The Urban Food Zone will feature many of San Jose’s favorite food trucks – O’Mi Ninja will be serving up Vietnamese street food; Bigg Shimp’n features shrimp done every which way – friend, boiled, in tacos and bahn mi; and Hiyaaa Roll serves sandwiches, salads, and rice bowls. These are just a few of the tasty treats you’ll find at Left Coast Live. The Beer Garden, courtesy of Good Kharma Vegan Cafe, will be serving up your favorite craft brews from some of the most inventive brew masters around. This year’s offerings include: Lagunitas IPA, Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA, Flying Dog-Raging Bitch Belgian Style IPA, North Coast Pranqster, Lost Coast Tangerine Wheat, Trumer Pils, Allagash White, Humbolt Brewing Company Hemp Ale, Firestone Walker Brewing Company California Pale Ale, Deschutes Brewery Black Butte Porter, North Coast Scrimshaw Pilsner. We will also be serving some Belgian bottled beers, including Tripel Karmeliet, Duchesse De Bourgogne, Chimay Red, and Delirium Tremens.

Be sure to stop by the Left Coast Live Record Swap presented by Streetlight Records. The swap will be located on the corner of Lightson and Post Streets. Several different vendors will be selling LPs, 45s, DVDs, CDs, comics, graphic novels and more

Your paid wristband ($15 presale/$20 at gate) is good for entrance into the Saturday night outdoor concert with 3 stages and Silent Disco, and exclusive Left Coast Live downtown venues. CASH ONLY will be accepted at the gate on Saturday night. Visit www.leftcoastlive.com to purchase tickets online.
silent-disco.jpg

What: Left Coast Live Music Festival

When: Saturday, October 8, 2011. Gates open at 3:00 pm, with performances starting at 4:00.

Where: Post and Lightson Streets between 1st and Market in downtown Sa

Friday, October 7, 2011

South FIRST FRIDAYS Art Walk Oct. 7th!


Join us this Friday, October 7th for the downtown art walk! All venues are open 7-11pm and are free and open to the public!

Phantom Galleries and KALEID Gallery has great exhibits on view for the art walk!

NextSpace Coworking + Innovation San Jose, 97 S. 2nd St, Suite 100

Correspondences and Elevation, Michele Guieu
NextSpace San Jose is pleased to feature the work of Phantom Galleries artists Michele Guieu with her installation Correspondences and ElevationThe Strip; Encaustic images by Katie Guiterrez; and Jeanne Yee’s intricate collage works.
Join us for the First Friday art walk and meet the artists, see what’s happening at NextSpace San Jose and enjoy Hors d’oeuvres, refreshments and the sweet sounds of El Jefe.

Good Karma Vegan Café, 37 South First St

The Peculiar Pageant new paintings and installation by Lacey Bryant
Theatrically posed and surrounded by lush, illusory environments, the subjects of Lacey’s newest works are like pictures in a storybook written in an unknown language. The images are somewhat familiar but certain elements remains foreign. Like a hazy dream of an imagined childhood long forgotten, the images strive to make you feel as if you just might have been there once, maybe. As is common in Bryant’s work, there is a subtle tension between beautiful and unsettling elements. This contrast creates a sense of mystery and invites the viewer to construct their own interpretation of the scenes. In the safety of a world poised between reality and imagination where common symbols mingle with strange ones, her characters expose their fears, doubts, despairs and longings.

95 South Market St (at San Fernando)

Folie à Deux Family Tree Monotypes and Glass Statues by Curt Schauer

KALEID Gallery, 88 South Fourth St.

Fictitious Portraits by John Renzel
A series of traditional style character portraits but with a colorful and slightly demented edge.


Rights–Rituals–Regards new work by Troy Sims
Why do I form judgments of others to validate myself? In this series of mixed media paintings, and sculptures constructed of handmade paper and wire, artist Troy Sims touches on personal issues such as: civil rights, honoring our ancestors, and how we perceive beauty.
This body of work explores the subjective world we live in, and the sea of opinions we deal with on a daily basis.

Other highlights include BLOODWORK: BODIES at Anno Domini, Naked! at Higher Fire Clayspace, Adam Everett Quartet for San Jose Jazz and Movin’ on Up! the 2011 members’ exhibition at WORKS.
For full exhibition info on all 19 venues, please visit www.SouthFIRSTFRIDAYS.com
All venues are free and open til 11pm!

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Canvas Ghost Fall Exhbition _ Beyond the Comic Strip

from Phantom Galleries 



Comics bring a sense of adventure, a sense of escape.  They are larger than life and far more exciting that the existence we endure.  Come experience the excitement, adventure, escape.

Exhibition Dates:
October 8th 7–10pm
October 9th 12–5pm

Particiapting Artists:
Anthony Barbaria, Christine Benjamin, David Hartman, David Mejia, Denny North, Diana Hartman, Eddie, Gianfranco, Glenn Domingo, Gonzalo Luna, Jared Konopitski, Jaya King, John Cloud, J.B. Kelly, Kathy Blackburn, katrina marie loera, Kimy Martinez, Omar Barba, Lacey Bryant, Laura Callin Bennett, Matthew Bailey Seigel, Michael Foley, Rajiv Nair, Sonja Caldwell, Tommy Demeuth, Deborah Barba

Musicians:
O'Craven
Gianfranco and Friends
Chi + the Cool Cats Cellie
Nagual Trio

The Canvas Ghost Gallery
992 S. 8th Street
San Jose, California

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Rest in Peace Steve Jobs


(From Engadget)

Wednesday Wishlist: Halloween in the Park! (Part IV)

I'm a huge fan of Halloween and this has become one of my favorite wishlist items for San Jose. To sum it up, think Christmas in the Park... for Halloween! There have been several additions and revisions to this concept over the last two years, so please have a look and provide your feedback and suggestions in the comments. Thanks!


The largest draw to downtown San Jose for many years now has been Christmas in the Park. It has continued to grow year after year and brings in visitors from all over the Bay. It's economic impact I'm sure is substantial and helps keep many downtown businesses afloat.

What would you think about a similar event for Halloween? Picture downtown lit up in orange and purple with elaborate Halloween displays assembled by talented local artists. Perhaps a lot of the infrastructure could even be shared with Christmas in the Park (e.g. retail booths). A strong event in October would help maintain traffic between the Music in the Park months and Christmas in the Park. 
Here are the ideas we have so far:
  • Animated Halloween Displays
    • Halloween Jack O pumkin lantern
    • Assembled by talented local artists
    • Analogous to the Christmas displays that attract many families during Christmas in the Park (almost half a million visitors)
    • Family friendly so that everyone can enjoy it (PG/PG13, perhaps around the same level as Great America Halloween Haunt)
    • Halloween Lighting
      • Orange, purple, and green LED lighting on trees
      • May be possible to use new controllable lighting that can go from Halloween colors to Christmas colors with the push of a button, allowing the lights to stay up for Christmas in the Park as well and reducing setup/takedown effort.
      • Food Booths with candied apples, chocolates, candy, pumpkin seeds, etc.
      • Retail Booths selling Halloween items, for example:
        • Artwork (paintings, glass pumpkins, etc.)
        • Home decor/crafts like candles
        • Light-up hats/necklaces/bracelets
        • Costumes
        • Zombie/Halloween make-up station 
      • Halloween-themed Carnival Games
      • Pumpkins
        • Instead of the sponsored Christmas trees in Christmas in the Park, how about decorated Pumpkins (can even be Styrofoam so there is no mess/decay)?
        • Pumpkin carving station for families. Perhaps a pumpkin carving contest.
      • Costumed Entertainers
        • Walking around the area, not necessarily scaring people but adding to the ambiance and providing photo opportunities for families
      • Haunts
        • Would be ideal if these were nearby, perhaps in vacant retails spaces, surface parking lots, the convention center, or at SJSU.
      • Potential Events
        • Zombie-O-Rama can be used to kick off Halloween in the Park (late Sep. / early Oct. timeframe)
        • Zombie Crawl
        • Dia De Los Muertes Bike Party
        • Horror Movie Trivia Contest
        • Weekly horror movie screening (perhaps in the Circle of Palms area?)
        As before, please post your suggestions below!


        Tuesday, October 4, 2011

        The Tech Museum After Hours Tomorrow!

        I was able to make it out to this event last month and can say it's a very welcome addition Downtown! Out of all the things to do at After Hours, my favorite was actually the live band on the roof. You're not able to access this area during normal operating hours and it features a gorgeous sweeping view of Downtown San Jose. It also helped that they had a great band playing that night and a bar with glow-in-the-dark drinks.

        ************************************

        The Tech Museum After Hours
        First Wednesday of the month
        NEW Longer Hours!
        6:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
        After Hours is the new monthly themed event where adults only can enjoy science, technology, entertainment and cocktails together with their friends. Each month is new and different.

        Like our new After Hours Facebook page!   Super-Powered Pajama Party
        Wednesday, October 5
        6:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.


        Get your game face on.

        • Wear your favorite Super Character costume or pajamas to fool your arch-enemies (costumes are optional, clothing is not)!
        • Enhance your Super Powers with nifty tools like lasers, electromagnets, electrons, and air!
        • Let the Spidey in you try and tackle the giant "Super Sticky Obstacle Challenge".
        • Take a photo of you and your trusty sidekick scaling the wall of a city skyscraper.
        • Engage in a Super-Powered tug of war!
        • Enjoy GIANT GAMES like 4 Foot Tall Jenga-Style Blocks, Over-Sized Chess, Giant Four in a Row.
        • Sip on a glow-in-the-dark "Krypto-Tini" from our no-host bar.
        • Explore the entire museum under comic book inspired lighting and music as you decide whether to play a bevy of giant games, move to XBox "Wipeout", or just relax with friends!
        • Limited cafe menu available for purchase.
        For more information or to buy tickets please call (408) 294-8324. Or buy online now. (Service charges may apply. Members service charges waived.)

        Get directions and parking tips.

        Monday, October 3, 2011

        Skyline at Tamien Station Grand Open House with Treatbot!

        Skyline at Tamien Station is promoting their high-rise apartment community this weekend by offering the first 100 people to tour a voucher for FREE Treatbot. This voucher will even be applicable at the new "Treatbot Golden Master" store at the San Pedro Square Market starting Oct. 22nd. More info below!

        **************************


        FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

        Get the Scoop on Lick Ave: Skyline at Tamien Station Serves Up Some SWEET DEALS and Gives Away 100 FREE Treatbot Scoops Oct 8-9th Weekend

        San Jose, Ca. (PRESS RELEASE) September 28, 2011 – Skyline at Tamien Station is inviting those interested in luxury San Jose high-rise apartment living to join them for a Grand Open House: Tours-n-Treats on Saturday 10/8 and Sunday 10/9. The first 100 to tour Skyline at Tamien Station this weekend will receive a voucher for a FREE scoop at Treatbot, San Jose’s gourmet ice cream truck from the future. Treatbot will make a special onsite appearance on Sunday, 10/9 from 12-3pm at 1375 Lick Avenue and will give us the dish on their Grand Opening Oct 22 in San Pedro Square Market, where over 20 local purveyors of gastronomic delights and independent retailers will join Treatbot as part of this exciting downtown San Jose project. The new “Treatbot Golden Master” store will be open from 10am - 7pm, located on W. St. John Street and San Pedro St. in downtown San Jose.

        The Treatbot gourmet ice cream and karaoke truck will be serving their new custom-made artisan Fall flavors, which include Pumpkin and Tiger Upper Cut, orange ice-cream with fudge swirl, on Sunday 10/9 from 12-3pm. Attendees will tour the community and apartment models, enjoy the amazing city skyline views and learn about some sweet apartment deals and Limited Time Move-in Gifts, such as a 1-Year Membership to our nearby San Jose Club One or an iPad 2!* The public is invited to attend this free weekend event.

        About Skyline at Tamien Station Apartment Homes

        Skyline at Tamien Station is the solution to stress-free luxury San Jose living. Some of the great features you will receive as a valued Skyline Resident: Our Gorgeous 11 story building offers an expansive outdoor deck with tables, seating and barbecue grills, complimentary Wi-Fi and coffee in our lobby, great selection of movie rentals, fax and copier services at no charge, packages delivered to door, valet dry cleaning, Grand lobby with controlled access entry, gated subterranean parking, Smoke-Free community, beautiful landscaping, pet friendly environment and a fitness center with state-of-the-art equipment available 365 days per year. You’ll find Skyline perfectly situated close to several major commute routes (Hwy 87, 101, 280). The community is adjacent to the Tamien Station with light speed access to CalTrain, VTA Light Rail & Bus Line.

        Skyline at Tamien Station offers 1 and 2 bedroom apartment homes in addition to 2 and 3 bedroom townhomes. The rental rates start from $1840 per month.* To learn more about Skyline at Tamien Station: SkylineSanJose.com or call 855.607.1554. *Restrictions apply. Prices subject to change. Limit: 1 voucher per person, while supplies last. 1 Move-in gift per household for limited time.