Skytree Grabs $1.5M in First Funding Round

Skytree is a San Jose company that officially launched last month after 2.5 years in stealth mode. It's a small company, but is developing a very interesting product... a platform for machine learning (or artificial intelligence). The technology is going to be used to analyze and find patterns in massive amounts of data. One example of this type of number crunching is how Netflix uses your ratings and watch history to select which movies to recommend to you. Skytree's platform could greatly enhance the accuracy of these recommendations by using machine learning to look for patterns and correlations that people would not even think to look for.

In addition to coming out of stealth, they grabbed $1.5M in a series A funding round. For more info you can check out their website over here.

Source: SJBJ

Wednesday Wishlist: BART to San Jose

I think this topic has been a Wednesday Wishlist item 3 or 4 times already, but it looks like it is all finally coming together. A couple weeks ago $900M in federal funds was officially committed to the first phase of the project. This portion will involve a $2.1B, 10-mile extension that will add a station in Milpitas and another in North San Jose (Berryessa). Construction is expected next month with completion as soon as 2016.

The next phase will be twice as expensive and involve 4 additional stations: Alum Rock, Downtown San Jose, Diridon, and Santa Clara. This would also mark the start of a subway system in San Jose.

Source: SJBJ

March 2012 Downtown Dimension Highlights

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

• Great article on one of Downtown San Jose's flagship galleries, Kaleid on 88 S. Fourth. The works of over 60 emerging artists are featured here and they have monthly events for South First Fridays and Two Buck Tuesday (where you can buy hand-made art for $2), as well as interactive art programs. [Josh: sometimes they have great live music as well, like the last SFF]
• They Hyatt Place hotel opened downtown.
• Le Duyen II Health Spa opened at 74 S. First St., offering steam baths, sauna, and massages.
• Downtown will be a pilot location for new remotely dimmable LED streetlights that will be brighter and more energy efficient.
• The San Jose Library has developed 3 different smartphone led walking tours. You can download them on your phone at scanjose.org. 
• Groundwerx has begun converting an additional 11 utility boxes into art projects or "hiding" them my wrapping them in vinyl photos of the surrounding area.

To read the full newsletter, click here!

TWO BUCK Tuesday Tomorrow!

from Phantom Galleries by Cherri Lakey

Join us at KALEID Gallery for this upcoming Two Buck Tuesday! Come enjoy an inspired evening of art demos, performances, live painting, $2 art & quirky people get together!


Lots of $2 ART! (art by Michael Borja pictured above)


And here are just some of the interesting artists and crafters you will meet!

Michele Guieu invites you to participate in a messy paper collage workshop and to experiment with colors and transparency. Tear the paper or use scissors and compose a one of a kind image. Paper (different types and colors), glue and brushes are provided. Size of the collage: 8x5.5”.


Laura Callin Bennett will help us make Pysanky (Ukrainian Dyed Easter Eggs). These are not your typical pastel dyed eggs! You will be able to draw intricate designs in wax and use brilliant dyes to create one-of-a-kind egg artwork.



David Mejia will paint your portrait on the spot for a small fee.

Brande Barrett will demonstrate how to make art into glass pendants.
Aaron will draw your name in Graffiti for a small fee.


LIVE ART By:

Jared Konopitski
Erikka Hugger
Nik Caesar
John Hageman
Leeonnista
Al Preciado


Also featuring live, improvisational Belly Dance by Nour El Ain!

Tuesday, March 20th, 7-10pm
It's free and open to all ages!


88 South Fourth Street (@ San Fernando)
San Jose, CA
info@KALEIDGallery.com
408-947-1785
Gallery Hours: Tuesday - Saturday, noon -7pm, free admission

SJC is Getting a Lounge Again

This may seem like a small thing, but if you have business travelers paying thousands of dollars for premium seats or frequent travelers that have achieved ultra platinum quadruple black diamond status, access to a business-class lounge is pretty much assumed at any international airport. San Jose and Oakland are probably two of the largest airports in the US without a single lounge. SJC used to have an American Airlines Admirals Club, but it closed in 2009 not too long after the discontinuation of their international flights.

Now that ANA is bringing nonstop flights between Tokyo and San Jose (sweet!), the lounge is coming back. This time it will be on the third floor of the International terminal, which is between Terminal A and C. The 5,300 sqft lounge will have workstations, a conference room, "quiet" seating, TVs, express spa services, food, a full-service bar, and private restrooms. The total cost is $1.3M and it will be ready before flights to Tokyo kick off in early 2013.

Source: SJBJ

The Siren Show March 18th

from Phantom Galleries by Cherri Lakey

The Pennywell presents The Siren Show
featuring art work by: Allen Vu, Jo Anne Yada, April Gee, Ale Germann , Herlinda Lozano, Thinh Le, David Meijia, Melody Lu, Murphy Adams, Nicolas Caesar, Chris Mengarelli, Sonia Orban, Kelly Greenwalt, Kari Olandese, Jaycee, Vi Dang, Courtney Thiesen, John Hademan, Anthony Barbaria, and David Canavese

Sunday, March 18th 11am-6pm
LIve music by Containher
food & beverages provided
The Pennywell
205 Jackson Street @ No. 5th Street
San Jose

St. Patrick's Day Litter & Illegal Sign Clean Up

To balance out today's debaucheries, why not participate in a good cause--the Great American Litter & Illegal Sign Clean Up. For all of the info, just continue reading below.

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It's St. Patty’s Day – Be Green with Me and Clean

Don't forget this Saturday, March 17th, is the Great American Litter & Illegal Sign Clean Up at John Mise Park. Come celebrate your St. Patrick’s Day with me and other members of the community. Registration will begin at 8:00 a.m. followed by a brief orientation from City Staff.

We will be picking up litter in and around parks, schools, sidewalks and neighborhoods in District 1 as well as removing illegal signs posted on utility poles, street signs and park strips. We will then meet back up to have a FREE pizza lunch prepared by The Pasta Market and enjoy music from our DJ Rich McCoy.  

Please spread the word to all of your friends and family members. This event will be held rain or shine, so don't let a little rain stop you from coming out to help clean up the District 1 community!

You can sign up at the event or by registering at: http://2012greatamericanlitterpickup.eventbrite.com. Contact my office at (408) 535-4901 if you have any further questions. See you all out there!  

Neither snow, nor rain, nor thunderstorms, nor hail, will prevent the Great American Litter Pick up from happening!

Your Neighbor,

Pete Constant
San Jose City Councilmember, District 1
San Jose City Hall | 200 E. Santa Clara St., 18th Floor | San Jose, CA 95113
408-535-4901 | pete.constant@sanjoseca.gov | www.sjdistrict1.com

San Pedro Square Market Updates

I have always been bullish on The San Pedro Square Market, even after numerous delays and the loss of a few promising tenants. However, I'm going to make a really bold statement and say not only will the Market be a tremendous success... but it will be the inflection point that will change people's negative perceptions of Downtown San Jose and will likely be one of the most successful markets of it's kind in the US.

Some people are going to cringe when I say this, but it does have a lot of similarities to Santana Row. The attention to detail in the Market is impeccable, from the hummingbirds hanging from the ceiling to the flower selection in the courtyard. It has great open-air dining options, including the incredible courtyard with the Peralta Adobe. There is live music and entertainment. And, it is being progressively elaborated. Santana Row wasn't built in a day, in fact it is still being built. With SR, I always enjoyed going there and discovering what is coming next. There were always new surprises to discover, and now the same is happening with the Market.

Before I get into the updates, let me tell you where The Market and Santana Row are different. 1.) Instead of national anchors and restaurants, every tenant in The Market is a local small business where the owners are incredibly passionate about what they do and are striving to deliver the best possible product possible. SR venues go for consistency, the Market is going for excellence and innovation (can give you examples of innovative concepts from every food vendor). 2.) Price. The Market has the best value proposition imaginable for dinner. Pay "lunch" prices all day long, mix and match foods from vendors, no reservations needed, and it's both kid and adult friendly (three bars by summer).  3.) History. There is actual historical value in the venue itself. It is more than retail in a box. The Market will actually help preserve some San Jose history and make it more accessible to the public.

Okay, now for the good stuff.  Here are the updates since the last time I posted about the Market:

• On a Roll is now open right at the front of the Market. They serve Vietnamese sandwiches, noodle plates, spring rolls, tofu, and several other items. I've tried it already... the noodle plate with the pork is fantastic. Great addition!
• New seating has been added outside the Market and adjacent to On a Roll.
• The Crepe place (Crepe-Paris) is about 2 weeks away from opening. They'll have both savory and sweet crepes and be right between Vino Vino and On a Roll.  Also, they will likely stay open late to provide food for the post 10pm bar crowd.
• A new awning has been added in the courtyard, as well as some new festoon lighting.
• A new sign has been added for Blush, which also looks like it's getting a roll-up door on the side of the building.
• Building #2 (Lusardi) is 4-6 weeks away from opening. Unlike Building #1 (El Dorado), it's likely going to open mostly full with the following vendors:
• Treatbot Karaoke Ice Cream Truck
• Veggiebox - fresh, local veggies and prepared dishes
• Blush - Sushi, oysters, and a really unique bar
• Showroom - Boutique apparel, including I<3SJ shirts
• Ay Dios Mio - Mexican  
• The Little Cheese Shop - Cheese, Charcuterie, and Gourmet Foods
• San Pedro Square Seafood
• Loteria Taco Bar will be coming to the original building later this year.
• New Saturday San Pedro Farmers Market which will wrap around the Market and kick off April 7th!