Touchstone Climbing & Fitness is Open in SoFA

This post is long overdue, but better late than never. Touchstone Climbing & Fitness is back in San Jose and this time they actually have some height (their previous spot near Camera 12 only had a 13 or 14 foot wall). Their new space in SoFA was originally a theater, then it became a 3-story nightclub, and now it's been gutted and turned into a cavernous rock climbing gym. This is a perfect example of how eclectic Downtown is becoming. On the same street you have art galleries, the California Theater, The Stage, First St. Billiards, night clubs, multiple restaurants, Singlebarrel, offices, apartments, and now this. I can't wait to see how things continue to develop.

San Jose's Touchstone is at 396 South 1st Street and it's open Mon-Fri 6am-10pm and Sat-Sun 9am-6pm. For more info check out their website over here.

Archaeology Days are coming to History Park

Dig into San José’s Past – Archaeology Days at History Park On Sunday, April 29 and Sunday, May 20 from 11 AM to 4 PM

San José, CA – April 4, 2012 – Dig Into  San José’s Past with Stanford Archaeology Center students at History Park. The students will assist visitors by conducting a mock excavation, screening,  artifact identification and artifact reconstruction on Sunday, April 29 and Sunday, May 20, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

On Sunday, April 29 at History Park, this family educational program will allow individuals to collect stickers for each activity to place in Archaeology Passports and become ‘certified’ as a Junior Archaeologist. The trolley will be available for a ride around the park, as well as handcar rides. Other activities will include visits to the Print Shop and live music by Fiddle Road throughout the afternoon.

Making fish kites will help celebrate Japanese Children’s Day, and Chinese dragon hats will coincide with the reading of Chinese folk tales, such as Tales of a Chinese Grandmother.

Rae Chang and Adam Tow will be available to present their movie documentary on China’s first feminist, Autumn Gem, which will screened at 2 PM in the first floor conference room inside the Pacific Hotel.  Autumn Gem is a film about Qui Jim (1875-1907 a radical women's rights activist who defied tradition to become the leader of a revolutionary army.  She attempted an armed uprising against the Quing Dynasty and became the first female martyr for China's 1911 Revolution.

Then on Sunday, May 4 History San Jose and Happy Hollow Park and Zoo will celebrate with Kelley Park neighbor, the Japanese Friendship Garden.

Coincidentally, this year on May 4^th marks the 125^th anniversary of the fire that destroyed downtown San José’s Chinatown, where today’s Fairmont Hotel stands on Market Street.John Heinlen, a local businessman, braved death threats to lease property to the displaced Chinese people at Taylor and Sixth Streets. It then became known as Heinlenville, in what is today’s Japantown in San Jose.

Besides ‘Digging Up San José’s Past’ at the Sunday, May 20^th Archaeology Day, History San José will recognize the month of May as Asian American Heritage Month.

To celebrate Asian American Heritage, there also will be Samarai hat-making, Vietnamese lanterns, Chinese drums and more.

As  afiliates of History San José, the Ng Ching Gung of the Chinese Heritage Cultural Project (CHCP) and the Immigrant Resettlement & Cultural Center (IRCC), the Museum of the Boat People & Republic of Vietnam , located inside History Park, will be open.

For more information call 408 918-1047 or visit www.historysanjose.org

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About History San José: 

History San José is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and sharing the continuing history of the Santa Clara Valley.  HSJ manages one of the largest and most comprehensive regional history collections in the State of California, from 1784 Spanish governmental records to twenty-first century Silicon Valley technology.  History San José aspires to provide innovative national leadership in preserving and sharing regional history by engaging diverse audiences in exploring the varieties of human experience that contributes to the continuing history of San José and the Santa Clara Valley. 

History San José     1650 Senter Road     San José, CA  95112       408.287.2290

www.historysanjose.org

SJMADE Happening Right Now!

Showroom San Jose at San Pedro Square Market Today, April 21st The Usuals will be closed. We are "all hands on deck"  at San Pedro Square Market for the opening of our new t-shirt bar, Showroom San Jose! Join us for our grand opening from 11a-8p today! Lusardi Building 87 North San Pedro Street San Jose, CA 95126 The bi-annual San Jose Made (SJMADE) with SJEats vendor and food truck event is happening at the same time throughout San Pedro Square. SJMADE w SJEATS, SPRING 2012 April 21, 2012, 11am to 8pm San Pedro Square SJMADE (11a to 8p) THREE buildings at San Pedro Square: 151 W. Santa Clara Street (previously Spiedo Ristorante) The Perazzo building at 87 N. San Pedro Street (San Pedro Square Market) The Lusardi building at 87 N. San Pedro Street (San Pedro Square Market) FARMERS MARKET (10a to 2p) Introducing the NEW urban San Pedro Square Farmers Market on West St. John Street. SJ EATS San Jose's landmark food event, is back with surprises. Enjoy the day's festivities at the new San Pedro Square Market with eleven independent restaurants, a new urban Farmers Market and food trucks from Moveable Feast! Find SJEATS along W. St. John Street atSan Pedro Square Market AFTER the Farmers Market. FOOD TRUCKS (5 pm to 8 pm) Eat on Monday KoJa Kitchen Pollo Fritto Project Cupcake Soulnese Tandoori Chicken USA  RESTAURANTS at San Pedro Square Market (11 am to late) B2 Coffee Blush Raw Bar & Lounge Crepe-Paris Little Chef Counter On a Roll Pizza Bocca Lupo Robee's Falafel San Pedro Square Market Bar Treatbot Veggie Box Vino Vino   FREE ADMISSION * OPEN TO THE PUBLIC * RAIN OR SHINE For more information about SJMADE, send us an email at:sanjosemade@gmail.com. For more information about SJEATS, contact us atinfo@mvblfeast.com or visit www.mvblfeast.com.

Saturday Stats: San Jose Records 3rd Highest Increase in Office Rent in the US

Despite having double digit vacancies in many areas (::cough:: Downtown ::cough::), the average office rents in the San Jose area somehow still found a way to rise. They climbed a surprising 4.1%, which puts us 3rd on the list of office rent increases nationwide. We were only bested by SF (6.8%) and New York (4.8%). I'm not sure if this is a stat to be very proud of, as higher office rents will reduce demand for companies to locate here and in turn put negative pressure on the job market. However, it does show strength in the overall market, so it is at the very least a positive short term sign.

Source: SJBJ

Downtown Condo Crawl Tomorrow

If you're interested in Downtown living, tomorrow is going to be a great time to sample each of the high-rise condo towers. They are also giving away all sorts of prizes including an iPad. While you're at it, don't forget to check out some of the other festivities going on tomorrow Downtown!

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San Jose’s high-rise condominiums host springtime Downtown Condo Crawl Open House

Tours of Axis, City Heights and The 88 showcase urban living as high tech boom carries into downtown real estate market

SAN JOSE, Calif. (April 10, 2012) – While the high-tech boom in Silicon Valley is fueling increased demand for new home sales in the region, downtown San Jose’s three new high-rise condominiums – Axis, The 88 and City Heights – are offering a springtime glimpse into urban living at the Downtown Condo Crawl Open House.

The Downtown Condo Crawl runs from noon - 4 p.m., Saturday, April 21, 2012 and features model home and penthouse view tours at each condominium, ongoing pedicab rides connecting each destination courtesy of Eco City Cycles, raffle prizes (including a new iPad), music, refreshments and more.

According to Paul Zeger, president of Pacific Marketing Associates, the firm who handles the sales and marketing for all three downtown condominiums, for potential homebuyers, “now may be the best time to buy before heightened demand begins to drive prices up.”

 “The Condo Crawl is a chance for prospective buyers to experience three great downtown communities in one fun afternoon,” said Zeger. “Downtown San Jose offers a great lifestyle and with today’s prices and low mortgage rates, the monthly cost of ownership hasn’t been this affordable in more than 30 years.”

Visitors can begin the Condo Crawl at any of three downtown high-riselocations:

Axis                                                           

38 N. Almaden Blvd.

(408) 297-9888

www.axissanjose.com

City Heights                                               

175 W. St. James St.

(408) 286-2489

www.cityheightssanjose.com

The 88

88 East San Fernando St.

(408) 279-8882

www.the88sj.com

If tour-goers visit all three properties and get their Downtown San Jose Passport Postcardstamped at each location during the event, they are eligible for prizes courtesy of downtown San Jose merchants.

On-site sales centers will make it easy to check out each development, including tours of model homes, penthouses and amenities. Each condominium is more than 65 percent sold; however, a wide-variety of homes and floor plans remain. Each location will have lenders on hand to help potential buyers with financing questions, as well. 

The Downtown San Jose Condo Crawl Open House is part of a unique public-private initiative to promote the features and benefits of living downtown in the heart of San Jose. The effort is endorsed by the San Jose Downtown Association and other civic and business leaders, as well as each high-rise’s developer:  Wilson, Meany Sullivan (The 88), Barry Swenson Builders (City Heights) and KT Properties (Axis). Downtown restaurants and businesses have jumped in to support the effort, providing raffle prizes.

“With the arrival of even more resident-friendly businesses in downtown San Jose, such as the  new San Pedro Square Market, now is the perfect time to make a home in our vibrant community,” said Scott Knies, executive director, San Jose Downtown Association. “This Condo Crawl is a convenient opportunity for people to discover the advantages of urban living.”

For more information, visit www.sjdowntown.com/Find_Your_Home.html

About the SJDA

San JoseDowntown Association (SJDA) is a non-profit membership-based organization founded in 1986.  SJDA represent business and property owners working to enhance the vitality and livability of downtown San Jose.  For more information, call (408) 279-1775 or visitwww.sjdowntown.com

About Axis

Downtown San Jose’s award-winning luxury condominium tower, Axis opened in 2008 and now has nearly 400 happy residents enjoying the perks of urban living. Neighbor to historic Hotel De Anza at the apex of majestic Almaden Boulevard, Axis commands San Jose’s premier location, offering all the advantages of urban living, including access to the popular new attractions at the San Pedro Square Market. The dramatic 22-story, 228 ft. tall glass and granite high-rise designed bynoted architects Ankrom Moisan features 329 spacious homes with luxury services and amenities, including floor-to-ceiling windows with breathtaking views of Silicon Valley. Downtown’s best-selling development, Axis was named “Residential Development of the Year” for 2007 by the Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal. For more information about Axis, marketed exclusively by Pacific Marketing Associates, stop by the sales center, open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 38 N. Almaden Blvd. in San Jose; call (408) 297-9888; or, visit online at www.axissanjose.com

About City Heights

City Heights is a modern 15-story high-rise in Downtown San Jose, offering residents dramatic skyline views.  Built in 2008 by developer Barry Swenson, City Heights features 124 lofts, one- and two- bedroom homes, and penthouses, priced affordably from the high $200,000s. More than 100 people already call City Heights home. City Heights is an easy stroll to great restaurants, shopping, parks and cultural destinations, such as art galleries, museums and HP Pavilion, home of the San Jose Sharks and ongoing concerts and events. There’s also convenient access to San Jose International Airport, public transit and major freeways.  For more information or to see our models, stop by the City Heights Sales Gallery, open daily 10 a.m. -5 p.m., at 175 W. Saint James, just off Market Street; call (408) 286-2489; or, visit online at www.CityHeightsSanJose.com

About The 88

At just under 88-meters in height, The 88 is the tallest residential building between San Francisco and Los Angeles and offers stunning, unobstructed views. The best-selling downtown high-rise as of summer 2009, The 88 has 197 well-appointed 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom homes, most with floor-to-ceiling glass; has been designed with superior appliances, finishes and floor plans; and offers technology-readiness to attract the most discriminating buyers. Safeway’s innovative urban-format store, The Market, opened in August 2010 on the property’s ground floor. Voted Best Architectural Design by the Business Journal in 2008, The 88 is a joint venture of Wilson Meany Sullivan, Stockbridge Real Estate Funds, CIM Group and the San Jose Redevelopment Agency.  For more information, contact The 88 at 408-279-8882 or visit the website, www.the88sj.com

Review: Dishcrawl's Foie Battle - 'Duck Pork Foie'

Last week I attended Dishcrawl's "Duck Pork Foie" as part of their Bay Area "Foie Battle"; this one located at Myth Taverna & Lounge (and Greek restaurant) in Downtown San Jose.

For $90 (prices vary per event), hungry participants were treated to a five-course meal prepared by chef David Ramsey of Myth.

For those that enjoy foie gras* and are sad that they soon won't be able to order it in their favorite restaurants, this was quite the meal to enjoy and say farewell to the rich dish.

It has been awhile since I had foie gras, 2008 to be exact, while visiting friends living in Paris, France. What a place to have it, right? I remembered devouring it, along with the various yummy cheeses and other tasty treats our friends introduced us to.

That said... I was eager to taste these dishes! Keep in mind I am not a professional food critic; I like to think of myself as a general food enthusiast!

Course #1
Riesling Poached Foie & Cognac Tourchon with Mache, Brioche, & Marmalade Gastrique
(Paired with Chateau St. Michelle Riesling '10)


-- The marmalade made each bite really sweet with a little tart aftertaste. I'm not a huge fan of marmalade (usually because it's just too sweet); this dish was pretty much what we had in Paris so it brought back some fun memories. The pairing with the Riesling helped to mellow the sweetness of the marmalade.

Course #2
Crispy Fingerlings with Foie & Rosemary Cream Pudding and Fleur de Sel
(Paired with Elderflower & Rosemary Champagne Cocktail)


-- I wish the "pudding" had been a smidge thicker; the flavor, thanks to the rosemary, was pretty good. Kind of bummed the fingerlings were cold. I'm not sure if they were supposed to be or not. The cocktail paired with this course was interesting. I had to sip it slowly throughout the next course as well (I can't have carbonated drinks, but I can sip slowly.) It tasted fantastic however. And when you moved the sprig of rosemary around it'd cause more fizzies around the sprig.. I was amused OK?

Course #3
Pan Seared Foie & Slow Roasted Pork Belly with Bing Cherries, Frisee, & Pain au Lait
(Paired with Late Harvest Tokaji '09)


-- Favorite course! My mouth is watering just a little bit while I relive eating this dish. The mix of a little crispy bite of pork belly, bing cherries, and a bite of the pan seared foie, oh my. So delicious. More please!

Course #4
Duck 3 Ways: Leg Confit, Pan Seared Breast, & Foie Demi Glace with Potato Mousse & English Peas
(Paired with Echelon Pinot Noir '06)


-- This dish felt like homemade comfort food; you know with duck confit and foie gras - just how mom used to make! I have to admit, the presentation could have used a different flare to it - the squeezed-tube look of the potato mousse wasn't too appealing, but the taste was all that mattered (delicious!)

Course #5
"Ice Cream Cone" Blueberry Mousse with Brandied Foie Gras "Sprinkles"
(Paired with Heated Grand Marnier)


A tasty dessert - the "cone" was crispy and chewy (like a toffee) and the overall mix of flavors was great. The foie gras "sprinkles" were… eh? I tasted them by themselves before the rest of the dessert and couldn't taste anything. It didn't add to the dessert in my opinion.

Overall - TASTY DELICIOUS!

Want to join others before it's too late? Here's some upcoming Foie Battles:

(The list below has tickets available as of publishing of this blog post.)

Tues April 24th, 8:00pm: Proud to be An American… Foie Dinner (SF) // $110
Wed May 2nd, 6:30pm: Bataille de Chefs - Foie Gras (SF) // $180
Thurs May 10th, 7:00pm: For the Love of Foie (Saratoga) // $180
Mon May 14th, 7:00pm: Foie-some, Four-some (Downtown SJ) // $110
Thurs May 24th, 6:30pm: Filipino Foie-Down (San Mateo) // $180

(http://www.dishcrawl.com/foiebattle/ for more information and to buy tickets)

*For those that have other opinions about foie gras, please note that 5% of the proceeds will go to CHEFS, the Coalition for Humane and Ethical Farming.

ZipCar Finally Comes Downtown!

I've been waiting for this for quite some time. ZipCar is finally coming to Downtown San Jose. This gives Downtown San Jose residents an alternative to owning a car. For those that can get by with mostly public transit or biking, this is the perfect solution. Why deal with all the hassles of car ownership (car payments, insurance, registration, parking, gas, etc.) if you can walk down the street and rent a car whenever you need for $8/hr. It's a brilliant idea and has already been very successful in cities all across the US.

They are starting off with 12 cars in 6 Downtown areas, but I'm sure this will grow very quickly. Fore more information, check out the source link below or click here for the ZipCar website.


ZipCar Locations:

• East Santa Clara Street/North 4th Street (Chevron)
• South Market Street/West San Carlos Street
• South 2nd Street between East San Fernando Street and East San Carlos Street
• South 2nd Street between East Santa Clara Street and East San Fernando Street
• South 4th Street/Paseo de San Antonio (Colonnade garage)
• South 3rd Street between East San Carlos and East San Salvador

Source: SJBJ

Wednesday Wishlist: I Want VTA to use THESE Buses

Several months ago I caught a glimpse a bus on 101 that I could have sworn was a double-decker. I thought I was perhaps sleep deprived since I had never seen a two-story bus in Silicon Valley up until that point. The following week, I saw another one. The past couple weeks, I have seen 6 or 7 of them every day going home. I finally snapped a picture to prove I'm not crazy. Now that I've confirmed these exist in the Bay Area, how do we get VTA some of these? =)

Also, for those of you that work at Google, Facebook, or Apple... can anyone confirm which company is using the double-deckers?