Japanese Retailer Muji Coming Downtown!

You may want to sit down for this. Downtown San Jose actually beat out Santana Row for a premier flagship retailer.

Muji is a Japanese home goods store that is known for a minimalist design. Their products are primarily aimed at urban dwellers, especially those with limited space that are living in high-density apartments or condos.

They are planning on building a flagship 7,000 sqft store at the Fairmont Annex, in the space where the preview center for 360 Residences used to be several years ago.

Currently there are only three US stores in existence like this one, and all of them are in Manhattan. They are only planning to build out two stores on the West Coast for now, one in San Francisco and the other is this one.

To say this is a huge win for Downtown San Jose would be an understatement. On Mondays I like to post development news. There are a few new massive apartment and office projects that were just announced, and I completely pushed those aside for this.

No official opening date has been set, but they are shooting for Spring. Godspeed.

Source: SJBJ

Haunt History Park is Not Scary

Sunday, October 28 from noon to 4 p.m.

San José, CA – October 11, 2012 --- What’s scary about Halloween? Have no fear at Haunt History Park, on Sunday, October 28 fron noon to 4 p.m. Children will be able to trick-or-treat throughout San José’s History Park at Kelley Park in a fun, safe, family-friendly environment.

This scare-free annual event has become a tradition, with trick-or-treating, family-friendly events and arts and crafts activities. Trolley and hand car rides, games and crafts, will provide family festivities.

“This year the entire family can celebrate this historic holiday in a fun yet old-fashioned Halloween atmosphere,” said Barbara Johnston, Director of Education at History San José. “There will be plenty of activities for all ages.”

Trick-or-treating stations will be set up at the historic homes in History Park and are sponsored by the History San José Education Department,  History San José docents and History San José’s affiliates.

There will be games around the plaza along with Halloween crafts.  The Costume Parade will be around the Plaza at 2:00 p.m. and the  ‘wrap-a-mummy’ contest will take place on the Plaza at 3 p.m.

Speaking of treats, the tradition of trick-or-treating is very well known for handing out sweets. Dead Dog Hotdogs will be on hand, and popcorn is available for purchase. O’Brien’s Ice Cream Parlor at History Park serves San José’s own Treat ice cream. Treat Ice Cream Company has been in business in San José since 1951 and produces gourmet ice creams, sherbets, and sorbets.

Admission is free for History San José members, and only $5 for members of Happy Hollow Park & Zoo; adults are $8 and seniors are $5, children age 2 and above are $5. For more information, visit historysanjose.org or call 408 918 1047.

Kelley Park is located at 1621 Senter Road, between Phelan & Keyes. For GPS mapping use 135 Phelan Avenue. City parking is available for $6.  For more information visit historysanjose.org or call 408 287 2290.

   # # #

About History San José:
History San José is a non-profit organization that collects, preserves and celebrates the stories of diversity and innovation in San José and 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     1650 Senter Road     San José, CA  95112       408.287.2290

Website:  historysanjose.org
Blog: historysanjose.org/blog
Facebook: /historysanjose
Twitter: @historysanjose

Saturday Stats: Downtown San Jose Office Vacancies Drop 5.6%

For the past several years, office vacancies in Downtown San Jose have been astronomical. I remember the Sobrato tower sitting empty waiting for an owner for what seemed like ages. Even today, one of the River Park Towers is still empty.

The good news is that a huge dent has been made towards reducing these vacancies in the last year. During Q3 2011, the vacancy rate of office space Downtown was an abysmal 27.1%. That has since dropped to 21.5% in Q3 2012, a 5.6% reduction. Still not fantastic, but substantially better than the year before. I think in 2013 we'll finally see this number drop below 20%.

Source: SJBJ

Content Magazine 4.4

It has been a whole year since the inaugural Content Magazine print edition, and it continues to get better and better. The latest issue includes an interview with Vincent Kartheiser from Mad Men, Shea Salinas from the Earthquakes (which are kicking ass by the way), and Matthew Rodriguez from Pops Fabrication bike shop. You can head over to some of the places listed below to pick up your hard copy, but I would recommend subscribing to make sure you don't miss an issue!

CONTENT MAGAZINE’S 4.4 “EDUCATION” ISSUE ON NEWSSTANDS OCTOBER 19

Magazine Celebrating One Year After Successful Kickstarter Campaign;

Featuring Mad Men’s Vincent Kartheiser, SJ Bike Party, SJ Earthquake Shea Salinas, and more

One year after running a successful Kickstarter campaign to launch the magazine, Content Magazine’s fifth printed issue is hitting the newsstands on October 19 and is packed with quality interviews, features, and photography that San Jose has come to expect from the publication.

In Issue 4.4, readers can enjoy interviews with Vincent Kartheiser from AMC’s Mad Men, Shea Salinas of the San Jose Earthquakes, and Matthew Rodriguez, owner of Pops Fabrication, a San Jose custom bike shop. The issue also includes stories on San Jose Bike Party, Opera San Jose’s founder and opera singer Irene Dalis, and a food shopping guide featuring locally sourced and produced treats.

As with every new issue, Content Magazine will hold a Pick Up Party for subscribers to collect the latest issue. Issue 4.4’s Pick Up Party will be held at the San Jose Museum of Art on October 18 and is open to current subscribers as well as anyone interested in buying the latest copy, meeting the staff behind Content Magazine, or meeting the people featured in this issue.

Content Magazine can be found at Zanotto’s in Willow Glen, Saint Clair Newsstand, La Lune Sucree, The Usuals, Satori Tea Company, Art Boutiki, and the San Pedro Square Market Gift Shop. Content Magazine can also be downloaded in electronic form from their website. Annual subscriptions are $42; email sarahg@content-magazine.com to subscribe.

Content Magazine is a bi-monthly publication devoted to the creative and innovative culture of San Jose. Started by fashion photographer Daniel Garcia in 2008, the magazine strives to showcase and promote individuals and businesses that are making San Jose a dynamic and vibrant place to live and play.  

For more information about Content Magazine, Issue 4.4, or to schedule an interview with Daniel Garcia, please email Flora Moreno de Thompson at flora@content-magazine.com or call Flora at 408.643.9975.

Twitter: @contentmag
Instagram: @contentmag
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ContentMag

Silicon Valley Restaurant Week (Oct. 17-24)

One of my favorite food events of the year started yesterday, Silicon Valley Restaurant Week. Almost 50 different restaurants (a dozen of which are Downtown) will be offering fixed price 3-course menus. The prices range from $25 a person all the way up to $65 for the Capital Club. Most are in the $35 a person bracket. For a full list of participating restaurants, just click here.

Wednesday Wishlist: Free Wifi

We live in the middle of Silicon Valley in the year 2012. At this point I would definitely expect the entire city to be blanketed in free Wifi internet access.

Comcast is taking some steps to making a ubiquitous hotspot across Silicon Valley, but you have to be a Comcast customer. The internet is becoming the lifeblood of this region, so we need to make sure our infrastructure is very strong in this area.

TWO BUCK Tuesday Today!

From Phantom Galleries by Cherri Lakey

Foin us at KALEID Gallery for this upcoming TWO BUCK Tuesday, October 16th, 7pm-10pm!
Come enjoy an inspired evening of performances, live painting, $2 art & quirky people get together! It's open to all ages and free!

Here’s some of the great things to see and do this time:

This month's Feature Artist Michael Foley will be on hand to answer any and all of your questions about his current exhibition "Keeping Up with Appearances".
Foley will also be on hand making monster portraits...portraits of people are cool, but turning people into monsters make things much better-so come by and become a monster yourself! If that wasn't enough he will demonstrate the making of fake blood just in time for Halloween.


The monsters of California's Great America's Halloween Haunt will be visiting to give you a good scare and a chance at some scary prizes and giveaways!


Shannon Amidon will be demonstrating how to create preserved waxed leaves
and nature to include in your artwork or Autumn décor. If you would like
to participate please bring fresh leaves from your home.


BYO Camera Phone for a photo shoot with You and Harold the Skeleton! Funny costumes encouraged. :)


Face Painting with Lara Sophia


LIVE ART by:

Al Preciado


Nik Caesar


Miguel Machuca


Alexandria Perez


Mim


John Hageman


Jehoiakim Santos


Live Music by Dream House!

TWO BUCK Tuesday, October 16th, 7pm-10pm!


88 South Fourth Street (@ San Fernando)
San Jose, CA 95112
info@KALEIDGallery.com
408-947-1785
Gallery Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, noon -7pm, free admission

San Jose International Short Film Festival Opens October 18th at CineArts Theatre Santana Row!

If you thought Cinequest was the only film festival in San Jose, think again. Last year the San Jose Short Film Festival really shined with an impressive selection of short films and events spanning several days. It looks like they are raising the bar yet again for their 4th year with the best lineup of features in the event's history. I'm really looking forward to the comedies, which are usually my favorites.

It all starts this Thursday at CineArts Santana Row and continues until Sunday night. For more information either keep on reading or head over to the festival site over here.

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San Jose, August 13, 2012 – Our 4th annual event is back, better than ever with an incredible lineup of short films featuring selected entries from Tribecca, Cannes, Sundance and other top festivals.  With over 70 films cultivated from the hundreds of entries submitted, these World Class productions include performances by Michael Fassbender (Prometheus, X-Men First Class), Liam Cunningham (Game of Thrones), Mary Elizabeth Winstead (The Thing, Scott Pilgrim) and many more.

With over 16 short film screening blocks that feature every genre of film imaginable, there is something for everyone, plus industry guests, filmmaker panels, after-parties and more.

This year the San Jose International Short Film Festival kicks off October 18th with the Red Carpet "Opening Night Screening & After-Party" and continues through October 21st.

The SAN JOSE INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL (SJISFF) distinguishes itself as a festival that caters to filmmakers and their craft. Beginning with the Red Carpet event and "Premiere Selection" screening & Opening Night After-Party at the prestigious Santana Row complex.

Multiple screenings are held each day at CineArts Theatre in Santana Row, with its All Stadium Seating and State of the Art Digital Presentation that include "It's Comedy, Tonight", "The Ink & Paint Club" our tribute to Animation Shorts, "I've Got A Bad Feeling About This" which features Sci-fi and Thrillers that will have you on the edge of your seat, and "Welcome to the Alternative Universe" that captures the essence of Experimental, Cult and the Avant Garde. Also, this year is our NEW screening block “Wish you Were Here”, featuring the best in short foreign film.

Tickets on Sale Now.

Ticket and Screening Information: www.sjsff.com