Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Screening of Marty's Magnificent Day-Glo Dream-a-Thon @ Camera 3 Tomorrow

Tomorrow a feature lengh Sci-Fi / Rock Musical partially shot by SJSU students (as both cast and crew) is premiering at Camera 3. You can check out a trailer right over here: http://vimeo.com/23776687 as well as an animated sequence from the film here: http://vimeo.com/34714726. More info below!




Wednesday Wishlist: Latest Moffett/SJC 2025 Concept

Today's Wednesday Wishlist comes courtesy of Anthony Dominguez. This is actually a revised version of the proposal posted last year regarding moving SJC to Moffett Field. As always, I'm sure there are going to be a lot of comments around this.

The main changes in this version are:

1) New runway is 7,000 ft in length vs. 10,000ft.
2) Hangar One is now envisioned as the iconic airport terminal of a future SJC, vs Hangar's Two and Three.
3) Road access provided via new roadway system and ramps from Ellis Street/101.
4) 40-gates vs 50, which is the maximum now envisioned for current Mineta/SJC.

Click here to read the full proposal!






Tuesday, April 24, 2012

SJ Beerwalk #2 @ Japantown, Apr 28th



SJ Beerwalk - Japantown

Japantown San Jose
San Jose, CA


SJ Beerwalk is back for Round 2
Japantown San Jose

Saturday, April 28th, 1 to 5 pm

Bigger. Better. Bolder.

Whether you attended the first, sold out Beerwalk in February or missed out on all the fun, the upcoming SJ Beerwalk in Japantown should not be missed!

Tucked away minutes from Downtown San Jose, sits the charming Japantown business district. Stoll the streets and discover all the unique boutique shops, art studios, and great restaurants you cannot find anywhere else in San Jose. All while sipping on great beers and enjoying the social enthusiasm of shopkeepers and beer lovers, alike.

SJ Beerwalk was created around more than the idea of sampling great beers, but rather to provide the outlet for our community to come together to explore the neighborhoods and small businesses, which help make San Jose the great city it is today.

Bigger. More local craft beers with IPA offerings like Firehouse, Rock Bottom, Strike, Faultline, and Campbell Brewing. More participating businesses and pourers to thin out and speed up lines and fill your glasses faster.

Better. Consistent pours to ensure everyone experiences every beer. More registration locations with full bars and ticket scanning to speed up the check-in process and provide drinks before, during, and after the event. More bathrooms throughout the walk for your convenience.

Bolder. IPA themed, the majority of the beers will be IPAs with a few Japantown favorites, such as Kirin, Napoli, and Primo mixed in.

Tickets can be purchased in advance for $30 at Jack's Bar & Lounge or online at www.sjbeerwalk.com. In the case the event does not sell out tickets can be purchased day of for $36. Registration begins at noon (12pm). Event runs from 1 to 5pm. Raffle held at 5:20pm.

For more information visit www.sjbeerwalk.com or like us of Facebook at SJ Beerwalk.

To benefit the Japantown Business Association (JBA) and Iwaki-Hisanohama Hanabi Taikai 2012 (Japan Relief, see http://hisanohama.wordpress.com)

Disclaimer: Event is rain or shine. All tastings are 3 ounces. Only one tasting per each style of beer. Drinks must be consumed inside the tasting locations. We do not guarantee that everyone will make it to every tasting location. We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone. Drink Responsibly

Minimum Age: 21


Contact
Who:Jordan Trigg
Phone:408-287-5225
Email:info@jacksbarsanjose.com
Web:http://www.sjbeerwalk.com



Follow
Event Owner:SJ Beerwalk
On BPT Since:March 28, 2012
Twitter:Follow @sjbeerwalk
Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/sjbeerwalk

Monday, April 23, 2012

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.

sj splash

Pipeworks

Sunday, April 22, 2012

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 4th marks the 125th 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 20th 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
   # # # 
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

Saturday, April 21, 2012

SJMADE Happening Right Now!


SJMADE, Spring 2012
Showroom San Jose at San Pedro Square Market

Showroom San JoseToday, 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

SJMADE w SJEATS, SPRING 2012
April 21, 2012, 11am to 8pm
San Pedro Square
SJMADE (11a to 8p)

THREE buildings at San Pedro Square:

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

Friday, April 20, 2012

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!

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




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.

City Heights                                               
175 W. St. James St.

The 88
88 East San Fernando St.

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