The Roots of XVI - February 15 @ 6 PM at Harry's Hofbrau in San Jose

One of the most prevalent venues in the South Bay beer scene is hosting a Firestone Walker Brewing Company event today. No tickets or pre-purchase required, all you have to do is show up and you can purchase as many samples as you would like a la carte. Sounds like a great way to celebrate beer-week in a classic San Jose watering hole. Harry's Hofbrau is located on 390 Saratoga Avenue and the event starts at 6pm.

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THE ROOTS OF XVI – FEBRUARY 15 @ 6 P.M. AT HARRY’S HOFBRAU IN SAN JOSE

One of California’s most acclaimed barrel-aged beers is set to be deconstructed as Firestone Walker Brewing Company and Harry’s Hofbrau in San Jose present “The Roots of XVI,” a one-of-a-kind tasting of the rare component beers that were blended to create Firestone Walker’s XVI Anniversary Ale. 

The doors open at 6 p.m. No tickets or reservations are required. Guests can simply come and purchase samples as they wish.

This SF Beer Week event will be hosted by Jeffers Richardson, director of Firestone Walker’s new Barrelworks facility, which is dedicated to barrel-aged wild beers and strong ales.

The Chop on XVI…

XVI is the seventh release in Firestone Walker’s anniversary series, dating back to the release of the inaugural anniversary release called “Ten” in 2006.

Every year, local Paso Robles winemakers gather with the brewing team to taste through a variety of strong ales and determine the final blend. This year, the result was XVI, which was composed of 226 barrels spanning eight diverse components.

“Dozens of notebooks, hundreds of questions and countless beers have refined our approach to creating the best flavors possible through barrel aging,” says Brewmaster Brynildson. “Then we step back and let our winemaker friends help us put the final puzzle together. This year, the result is XVI—our finest achievement to date.”

At “The Roots of XVI,” the puzzle will be pulled back apart, and guests will savor these rare component pieces and learn about the art of blending. The featured component ales are:

Velvet Merkin / Aged in Bourbon Barrels     

-Traditional Oatmeal Stout

Double DBA / Aged in retired Firestone Union Barrels

-Double strength English Pale Ale

Parabola / Aged in Bourbon Barrels

-Russian Imperial Oatmeal Stout                                                                  

Helldorado / Aged in Bourbon and Brandy Barrels

-Blonde Barley Wine

Bravo / Aged in Bourbon and Brandy Barrels

-Imperial Brown Ale

Wookey Jack / 100% Stainless Steel

-Black Rye India Pale Ale

Happy Valentine's Day San Jose!

This Valentine's Day, I have to plug a chocolate store that I just found out about recently. Schurra's has been making fine confections since 1912, and they have been based in San Jose since the early 1930s. They make their candy and chocolates from scratch each day on-site at their historic San Jose location (840 The Alameda). Everything is made by hand, they have no machines to automate the process. I had a chance to try some of their chocolate a couple days ago and it blew me away. You have to try the salted dark chocolate caramels!

So instead of stocking up on Godiva or Ghiradelli this Valentine's Day, why not go hyperlocal and try something made right here in San Jose!

To visit Schurra's website click here.

Schurra's, creating a tradition of Fine Confections since 1912.  Albert and Justin Schurra started their confectionery business with retail stores in Stockton and Modesto California.  They soon expanded their candy business to include wholesale accounts throughout Northern California.  In the early 1930's they closed their stores in Stockton and Modesto and moved to The Alameda in San Jose.  The Alameda, also known as the beautiful way, was San Jose's premier neighborhood.  The mansions of successful doctors, lawyers and architects lined the street as they do today.  However, today they have been converted to offices for doctors, lawyers and architects.  A street car system ran down the center of the street carrying passengers from Alum Rock Park through downtown and out towards the town of Santa Clara.  The Alameda was and is also known as Hwy 82.  It was the most modern route to San Francisco at the time.   In the mid 1930's Albert Schurra purchased the building at 848 The Alameda.  He designed a "Sunshine Candy Kitchen"  where customers could watch candy being made through the windows.  Skilled women would sit in the front windows that faced The Alameda and artistically dip chocolates by hand.  Many of the chocolate dippers worked for Schurra's well into their 90's and two, Gladys Neisonger and Myrtle Bay, lived to be over 100 years old. While we have since located next door to the old Sunshine Candy Kitchen, we proudly carry on Albert and Justin's time-honored traditions and adhere to their standards of quality by making everything from scratch everyday.

Visit our Historic Shop at

840 The Alameda

San Jose, CA 95126

ph. 408.289.1562

fax. 408.289.9222

Store Hours:  Monday - Friday 10am - 6:30pm

Saturdays 10am - 5:30pm

Closed Sundays except for the Sunday before Christmas, Valentine's and Easter.  We are open those 3 Sundays from 11:30am - 4:00pm

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Phantom Galleries + Cinequest "Art Unleashed"

from Phantom Galleries by PG

Phantom Galleries is proud to be partnering with Cinequest again this year for their Cinequest 23 Film Festival! This is the 4th year that PG & CQ has worked together to bring this live painting event to the amazing audiences of this maverick film festival.


This year's artists are: André Hart, Melanie Sharr and Jeff Hemming. All three artists are highly imaginative in their concepts and excellent in their painting practice. We look forward to their interpretations of the festival's theme "UNLEASH."

Festival attendees will have the ability to observe each artist put their talent to work and thereafter vote for their favorite artist via Facebook. All sponsors, artists and paintings will be presented at the closing ceremony before announcing the winner of the "Live Art Contest!"

Stop by often to see our artists' progress. Artists will be on view in the Camera Cinemas 12 windows along the Paseo de San Antonio walk between S. 1st and S. 2nd streets during the festival February 26–March 29, 2013.

Cinequest schedule & ticket information available at www.cinequest.org

New Downtown San Jose Walking Tours!

One more step has been taken towards making Downtown a legitimate tourist destination. A group of students have come together under the guidance of Greg Adler--a high school teacher at Santa Teresa--to provide walking tours of Downtown San Jose. The group is called San Jose Walks & Talks and we should do everything we can to support them.

Their signature tour is aptly named Adobe to Adobe. It starts at the Peralta Adobe in the San Pedro Square Market and then goes all the way to the Adobe headquarters and back. The tour takes about an hour and the suggested donation is only $5. The next walk is Saturday, February 16th at 11:30am.

Downtown San Jose is filled with such a rich history that I think you will be surprised at how much you'll learn on these tours.

For more information, check out their website over here or email contact@sanjosewalksandtalks.org.

Virgin America Coming to San Jose!

You have probably heard it by now, but Virgin will by flying out of SJC starting May 1st. This is a huge win for San Jose, especially after the unfortunate grounding of ANA's Tokyo flight thanks to a poor battery design in the Boeing 787.

Virgin is one of, if not the hottest airline in the US right now. Prices are similar to Southwest, yet the experience blows away just about every other national airline. I also have to toss in that Virgin America branding and design feels very "Silicon Valleyish."

They are only starting off with four daily flights to LAX, but if those do well they will expand their presence in San Jose and offer long-haul routes as well. The flights leave SJC at 6:35am, 8:55am, 2:50pm, and 6:50pm. Oh, and the best part... they start at $49 each way.

Not enough airline news for the day? Delta has decided to add four daily flights of its own to LAX. Unlike Virgin, these will be serviced by a regional jet instead of a large plane.

Source: SVBJ here, here, and here

Fedex Business Center to Open at the Fairmont San Jose

Just in time for the convention center expansion, FedEx is setting up a new business center at The Fairmont Hotel. All the details are below:

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SAN JOSE – Experience convenience with a new downtown FedEx Office located in The Fairmont San Jose. In this fast-paced world, business never stops, especially in Silicon Valley.  Guests of the hotel, meeting attendees and local businesses will have convenient access to everything they need to get the job done. Shipping, faxing, copying and office equipment rentals will be right at hand.

Guests will never have to leave the hotel to take care of their documentation needs, no matter the size because the FedEx Office will offer large document reproduction, offset printing and bindery services.  For last-minute changes or projects, the Business Center at FedEx Office will offer guests of The Fairmont San Jose 24-hour self-service printing and copying. The FedEx Office will also offer full parcel handling services for guests of the hotel.

Business Center at FedEx Office

Hours of Operations:

Full Service Staffed Operation

·   Monday -Friday 8:00 am to 5:30 pm, Saturday & Sunday Closed

·   24/7 Hotel Guest Access for Internet & Copying Capabilities

·   Print directly from USB thumb drives or smart phones via the Cloud

About The Fairmont San Jose

The Fairmont San Jose located in the heart of Silicon Valley, combines high-tech excitement with the elegance of Fairmont style.  The hotel offers 805 deluxe guest rooms, including 77 luxurious suites, and 65,000 square feet of state-of-the-art meeting space, presented with the perfect balance of contemporary and traditional designs.  The 20th floor is devoted to a collection of grand penthouse suites, with its own private boardroom and spectacular city views. The 4th floor (Cabana Level) features lavish -style rooms framing a 58’ swimming pool, sun deck, men’s and women’s saunas, steam rooms, health club and spa.

About FedEx Business Centers
We're Here and Ready to Help

In premier hotels and conventions centers around the country, on-site FedEx Office® Print & Ship Center locations offer the critical business services you need to make your meeting or event a success. Whether you need posters and banners, copying, printing, packing and shipping, direct mail or last-minute office supplies, we have you covered.you covered.

Feather's of Fury Tomorrow

What better way to celebrate Valentine's Weekend than to smack hundreds of strangers with pillows? In the 3rd annual Feathers of Fury pillow fight, you get to do just that. The location will be somewhere Downtown, but it stays a secret until the day of the event. For all of the rules and info, head over to their Facebook page over here.

Santana Row February 2013 Happenings

San Jose, CA (Jan. 29, 2013) – Santana Row celebrates the Super Bowl, romance and a healthy heart in February with football viewing specials, Valentine’s Day dinners and treats, a fundraiser for the American Heart Association and a bridal fair. The destination center ushers in the Year of Snake with its annual Lunar New Year celebration in March and welcomes spring with new store openings and renovations.

Super Bowl Sunday at Santana Row

Feb. 3

Cheer on the Niners (or the Ravens) in Super Bowl XLVII at El Jardin, Thea Mediterranean, Rosie McCann’s or Left Bank. The restaurants offer game viewing on their televisions along with specialty appetizer, menu items and drink specials on Super Bowl Sunday.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day With Dinner on The Row

Feb. 14

Citrus in Hotel Valencia

Indulge in a special five-course, prix fixe menu with a complimentary champagne toast.

Reservations are available from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Price is $160 per couple, not including tax or gratuity. For reservations, call 408.423.5400.

Consuelo’s Mexican Bistro

Enjoy a one-of-a-kind menu that starts with delectable hors d'oeuvres and ends with the grand finale: Pastille Crème Anglaise, a dessert shaped into to a beautiful heart. For reservations, call 408.260.7082.

El Jardin Tequila Bar & Restaurant

Live flamenco music by Gypsy Tribe from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., complimentary champagne, special couples menu and “Love Potion” cocktails. For reservations, call 408.246.1744.

Hot Tamales

Not into romance? Hot Tamales offers the Anti-Valentine’s Day from 11:30 a.m. to midnight with drink specials all day. A DJ plays music from 8 p.m. to midnight.

LB Steak

Enjoy a four-course prix fixe dinner menu for $75 with entrée choices of “Love Me Tender” prime beef tenderloin, goat cheese soufflé, brandy and tarragon Glace de Viande; “Strip Tease,” a slow roasted New York strip loin, polenta with Robiola cheese and wild mushroom fricassee and more. A limited dinner menu will also be available. Women receive a complimentary rose. For reservations, call 408.244.1180. 

Left Bank

Enjoy a three-course prix fixe dinner menu for $45 with entrée choices of butter poached Maine lobster tail with sweet potato orzo or pan roasted filet mignon with goat cheese and Yukon Gold potato purée (add a lobster tail for an additional $15). A limited dinner menu will also be available. For reservations, call408.984.3500.

Maggiano’s Little Italy

Delight in a Valentine’s Day feature menu for two for $79 that includes main entrée choices of lobster ravioli, beef medallions or Chicken Francese. For reservations, call 408.423.8973.

Rosie McCann’s Irish Pub & Restaurant

Treat yourself and your guest to bubbly specials and “surf & turf,” Rosie’s style. Delight in grass-fed beef and lobster tails, followed by dancing. For reservations, call 408.247.1706.

Other Valentine’s Day specials on the Row

Hotel Valencia St. Valentine’s — A Perfect Escape, Feb. 8-9 and 15-16

Start your Valentine’s Day early or extend the romance another day with the Perfect Escape package at Santana Row’s luxury hotel. Includes overnight accommodations for two, a bottle of sparkling wine and continental breakfast-in-bed the next morning. Rates start at $249. For reservations, call the hotel at408.551.0010.

Let Santana Row help you with a special gift package for your special someone!

“Date Night” package for two: dinner at Left Bank, movie tickets plus a large popcorn at Cine Arts Theatre, dessert at Kara’s Cupcakes and complimentary valet parking, $160.

“Wine & Dine” package for two: tickets to the Wine & Dine benefit for the American Heart Association on Feb. 16 (worth $30 each), signature Santana Row wine glasses, dinner at Lark Creek Blue, complimentary valet parking, $180.

“Just for Him” package: 60 minute Elemental Nature Essential Facial at Atelier Aveda Salonspa, appetizers and cocktails at V-Bar in Hotel Valencia, complimentary valet parking, $175.

Just for Her” package: blowout at Drybar, $100 Santana Row gift card, complimentary valet parking, $155.

The packages are available at the Santana Row concierge office. For more information, call408.551.4611 or email concierge@santanarow.com.

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Lavazza Espression Special Drink for Valentine’s Day and Tin Giveaway

Through Feb. 14

Treat yourself or someone special to the Valentine-pink Strawberry Espessone, a fresh and velvety strawberry foam layered over Italian drinking chocolate or a smooth espresso shot.

Coffee lovers who buy a pound of Lavazza coffee beans will receive a gift with purchase: the “Falling In Love” tin.

The offer is good through Valentine’s Day.

Wine & Dine Around Benefit for the American Heart Association

Feb. 16

More than a dozen Santana Row shops and restaurants will host exclusive in-store events with complimentary wine and food pairings and incredible one-time discounts available only to ticketholders - all to benefit the American Heart Association. The Wine Stroll begins from 2 to 3 p.m. on Olin Avenue and moves to the rest of The Row from 3 to 5 p.m.

Tickets are $30 and include access to all in-store events, a Heart Card shopping pass, wine bottle tote bag and a signature Santana Row wine glass. Tickets are available in person at the Santana Row Concierge or online at santanarow.com.

Hotel Valencia Bridal Showcase

February 24

Brides-to-be can plan their dream wedding while enjoying champagne and appetizers, tasting cakes, browsing bridal gowns and registries and meeting other wedding vendors. Prizes up for grabs include a free wedding ceremony.

The event is 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and admission is $10 but free to brides and grooms.

For reservations or more information, call 408.423.5435.

A Look Ahead to March…

Rainy Day Rewards, through March 31, 2013

When there’s a 70 percent or greater chance for rain, shoppers and diners braving bad weather will be rewarded with discounts that include 15 percent off purchases at participating shops and restaurants. Customers who spend $150 anywhere on The Row will receive a free signature Santana Row golf umbrella. For those spending $300 or more, there’s a $20 gift certificate to a participating shop or restaurant.

No need to get wet: On all rainy days, customers can pick up a complimentary umbrella to use while shopping and dining and then return it before leaving. The yellow umbrellas are conveniently located throughout The Row: outside Concierge, Via between Village California Bistro and Lark Creek Blue and the valet parking lot in the Winchester Parking

Garage.  

Chinese New Year Celebration Year of the Snake

March 2

Kung Hei Fat Choi! Santana Row welcomes the Year of the Snake with Tony Chen, award-winning music producer and radio host of the “Sound of Hope” variety show and “Morning Concert” on KSJO 92.3 FM. It’s an afternoon of Lunar New Year festivities, including exciting drumbeats and crashing cymbals of the Chinese dragon and lion dance and other ethnic performances, martial arts, traditional fashion shows and more. Program lineup and entertainment specifics will be available closer to the event date.

408K Race to the Row, a Benefit for the Pat Tillman Foundation

March 10 

The eight-kilometer road race that benefits the Pat Tillman Foundation and its Team Tillman initiative is winding through the streets of San Jose for the second year. It starts at HP Pavilion in downtown San Jose and ends at Santana Row. The inaugural event last year sold out with more than 3,000 runners, the country’s largest 8K run.

More information: www.run408k.com.

Sponsors and volunteer groups can make inquiries at sponsors@the408k.com.

A Look Ahead to April…

sjDANCEco Festival at Santana Row

April 28

The sjDANCEco Festival (formerly Dancin’ Downtown) celebrates National Dance Week at Santana Row from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Park Valencia.

The annual festival, coming to Santana Row for the third time, is intended to showcase the wealth and diversity of South Bay dance artists.

New stores opening this spring

Madewell, an iconic American retailer as well as a brand coveted by fashion conscious women and men, is scheduled to open this spring. The 3,500 square-foot shop will occupy a portion of the space that was the former H&M store before its recent move to a larger building. Madewell, established in 1937 as a dry goods emporium, will offer a wide range of effortless pieces. Chic yet comfy apparel includes soft chambray shirts, broken-in tees, leather boots, accessories and bags.

Splendid, another label noted for its informal stylishness, is slated to open a 2,000 square-foot boutique next to Madewell in late spring. Known for its luxuriously soft tops and T-shirts, the richly casual offerings for men, women and children are a perfect fit for Silicon Valley.

Renovations on The Row

Gucci, the Italian luxury brand, will undergo a complete interior remodel along with façade enhancement beginning in the summer 2013. The work will be completed in time for the 2013 holiday season.

Also undergoing a renovation this year is Tommy Bahama, purveyor of island lifestyles and maker of clothing and accessories that reflect vacation ambiance.

About Santana Row

Santana Row a 1.5 million square foot mixed used development in the heart of San Jose, California, is Silicon Valley's premier destination for shopping,

dining, living and nightlife. Surrounded by landscaped gardens, parks and plazas, Santana Row features over 70 retail shops, more than 20 acclaimed restaurants, a 212-room boutique hotel and six-screen movie theatre. In addition to the dynamic retail collection, Santana Row offers 622 residential units featuring a fitness center, rooftop pool and resort-living accommodations, and 65,000 square feet of office space at 300 Santana Row, its newest office address. Santana Row is a property ofwww.federalrealty.com (NYSE:FRT), headquartered in Rockville, Maryland. For more information, please visit www.santanarow.com.

About Federal Realty

Federal Realty Investment Trust is an equity real estate investment trust specializing in the ownership, management, and redevelopment of high quality retail real estate in the country’s best markets.  As of September 30, 2012, Federal Realty's portfolio (excluding joint venture properties) contained approximately 19.1 million square feet located primarily in strategically selected metropolitan markets in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States, and California. In addition, the Trust has an ownership interest in approximately 1.0 million square feet of retail space through a joint venture in which the Trust has a 30% interest. Our operating portfolio (excluding joint venture properties) was 95.1% leased to national, regional, and local retailers as of September 30, 2012, with no single tenant accounting for more than approximately 3.1% of annualized base rent. Federal Realty has paid quarterly dividends to its shareholders continuously since its founding in 1962, and has increased its dividend rate for 45 consecutive years, the longest record in the REIT industry. Federal Realty is an S&P MidCap 400 company and its shares are traded on the NYSE under the symbol FRT.  For more information, please visit www.federalrealty.com.