VTA's Holly Trolley Video

Happy Christmas Eve everyone! Check out a quick two minute video below on the Holly Trolley that circles Downtown San Jose. The historic Trolley runs from 2:30 PM to 10 PM on weekends and 6 PM to 10 PM on Friday. This is the last weekend that this program will be running for 2013, so catch it while you can!  I rode the trolley last year and it was really neat!

Shop San Jose: My Kind of Mustard

Every now and then I run into a new San Jose vendor that really gets me excited. I love discovering locals that are passionate about what they do and are proud to do it in San Jose. Just recently I found out about Irene Painter who is the proprietor behind "My Kind of Mustard."

Irene claims to officially be the only mustard lady in San Jose. She learned the trade from her family, who has been making homemade mustards and jams in Canada for over 20 years. Here is San Jose, Irene has been making craft mustards with flavors like Red Pepper Curry and Beer (yes, Beer) for a little over a year. She participates in three different farmers markets and several specialty food and ma & pa shops in the Bay Area now carry her products (list of the local ones below).

Since April 2013, Irene has become a member of the San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce, which she calls the best investment she's ever made. Thanks to the Chamber she sealed a contract to be the preferred mustard vendor for the San Jose Giants Stadium and is also working on a deal with SJSU's Spartan Shops. Meeting other local businesses through the Chamber has built a foundation for Irene as a local San Jose business. One other acquaintance she made that I have to mention is Dan Gordon from San Jose's own Gordon Biersch Brewing company. In 2014 she'll be pairing her beer mustard with Gordon Biersch's Czech Pilsner Beer. Local mustard with local beer, awesome!

When asked, "why mustard?" here is Irene's answer:

"Simple. The flavor has an experience. Most people are surprised when they try my mustards. There is interest, inspiration to work with the mustard beyond traditional uses (BBQ and sandwiches). I like to say it is my Ukrainian coming out. The mustards are more on the sweeter side and we tend to be drawn to sweeter foods. The catch is that mustard has a nutritional value that sores above most other condiments, dressings and sauces. A health advantage that we crave to improve in our diets.

The flavor speaks for itself!

I am excited. This is a great opportunity to provide a genuine product, with much purpose. My mission with this business is to help people realize the full potential of using the mustard plant in many food dishes and medicinal treatments. Mustard has been forgotten. What people think of it now is the 'yellow stuff.' I want to make mustard rich in flavor again by developing my father's recipes of many delicious mustards."

Well, I'm sold. As you wrap up your holiday shopping, please keep in mind local companies such as "My Kind of Mustard." You can find a list of local vendors both large and small over here.

For more details on Irene's company or to order online, check out the My Kind of Mustard website.  You can also find "My Kind of Mustard" at the following local stores:

• Neto's Market and Grill, Santa Clara, CA
• Fancy Euro Foods, Campbell, CA
• Old MacDonald Farmer's Market, San Jose, CA
• Cinnabar Wine Shop, Saratoga, CA
• Zanotto's Family Market, San Jose, CA
• Joseph George Wine Shop, San Jose, CA
• Gene's Fine Foods, Saratoga, CA
• All The Buzz Gifts & Gift Baskets, San Jose, CA
• Wildwood Market, Saratoga, CA
• Los Gatos Meats and Smoke House, Los Gatos, CA
• Summit Store, Los Gatos, CA

More Live Music Coming to SoFA

David Nevin, proprietor of The Rock Shop in Downtown San Jose, is about to help perpetuate live music in Downtown San Jose in a big way. His latest project is called the Back Bar, and it will occupy part of what used to be the Cactus Club back in the day. Unlike the Cactus Club; however, the Back Bar will only be 21 and over.

The live music will range from rock, punk, metal, new wave, and 80s and will be open every day of the week. They will have a DJ, but the focus will be on live music. Total capacity for the venue is 130.

I think this will go very well with Cafe Stritch and the other live music venues popping up throughout Downtown!

Source: Metroactive

New San Jose Denny's Opens Tomorrow on Saratoga Ave

The newest San Jose Denny's officially opens its doors tomorrow at 10pm, and will keep those doors open all throughout Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. In fact, it will stay open 365 days a year. The new Denny's will be located right off of Highway 280 at 910 Saratoga Avenue. I believe this space was formerly occupied by a Carrow's. Full release is below.

DENNY’S COMES TO SAN JOSE

SAN JOSE, Calif. (Dec. 23, 2013) – As America’s diner, Denny’s is always open – open 24/7, open to good food and great value, and now Denny’s is open to San Jose. Located at 910 Saratoga Ave., the new diner will officially open its doors on Monday, Dec. 23, at 10 p.m.

Opening just in time for the holidays, Denny’s will be ready to serve guests on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The new diner will have a significant impact on the San Jose community by creating more than 80 new jobs for local residents.

“We are extremely excited to welcome San Jose residents and visitors to Denny’s,” said Denny’s franchisee Paul Dhaliwal. “We look forward to becoming a local gathering place where our guests can always count on good service, a great atmosphere and, most importantly, delicious food.”

The new diner is conveniently situated just off Highway 280, near the Saratoga and Manzanita bus stop. As a full-service diner, the San Jose Denny’s is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night items in a relaxed, friendly environment.

Denny’s is also known for providing its customers with tremendous value, including these great deals:

• $2 $4 $6 $8 Value Menu® – Denny’s all day, every day value menu lets guests choose from 16 dishes at affordable prices, including traditional favorites as well as several new a la carte items.

• Kids Eat Free – Guests can receive up to two free kids meal for children ages 10 and under with the purchase of each adult entrée. The offer is good from 4 to 10 p.m. on Tuesdays only, and menu items and prices may vary.

• “Fit Fare” – Delicious choices that are good for you, too.  Denny’s “Fit Fare” options feature healthy choices like egg whites and hearty wheat breads that can be substituted into any meal for no extra charge. Using the expansive Build Your Own Grand Slam® menu, diners have more than 250 ways to build a meal with 550 calories or less, and 32 ways to build a meal of 400 calories or less. With plenty of simple substitutions and healthy “Fit Fare” entrees found throughout the lunch and dinner menu, Denny’s makes it easy for you to eat well on the go.

• Free Birthday Grand Slam®– Celebrate your special day with a free Original Grand Slam® meal at participating Denny’s restaurants. The Original Grand Slam® offer is free for the birthday guy or gal who can show proof that it’s their birthday, and is good for dine-in only.

• AARP Members Save 15 Percent – Show your AARP membership card at participating Denny’s restaurants and save 15 percent off your total check, 24/7.

About Denny's Corp.

Denny's is one of America's largest full-service family restaurant chains, currently operating more than 1,680 franchised, licensed and company-owned restaurants across the United States, Canada, Costa Rica, Mexico, Honduras, Guam, Puerto Rico and New Zealand. For further information on Denny's, including news releases, please visit the Denny's website at www.dennys.com.

Connect with Denny’s

For news and updates on Denny’s please visit the brand’s social channels viaFacebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Pinterest or Youtube.

Saturday Stats: San Jose Ranks #4 Best Performing City in the US

Last year San Jose was Ranked as the #1 best performing city in the US by the Milken Institute. This primarily looks at growth of jobs, wages, and GDP (Gross Domestic Product, a good measure of what companies are actually producing and selling). For 2013, San Jose came in 4th place. Austin took #1, Provo was #2, and San Francisco was #3.

Just for fun I did a direct comparison on the stats between San Jose and San Francisco. 5-year and 1-year job growth was stronger in San Francisco, but 5-year and 1-year wages/salary growth was stronger in San Jose. High-tech GDP growth was slightly stronger in SF but San Jose took the cake in the entire study for total High-Tech GDP (it is double San Francisco's current Tech GDP).

Source: SVBJ, Best-Performing Cities

California Pizza Kitchen Completes a Total Makeover at Valley Fair

It looks like the CPK at Valley Fair has completely transformed. The interior has been redesigned with new green elements like LED lighting, there is a new 35-person patio (which likely will not be getting much use in this weather), new food and drink options, and a more "interactive" pizza counter. Check out the release below for more details.

VALLEY FAIR CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN UNVEILS RECIPE FOR REIMAGINATION WITH COMPLETE REMODEL AND ENHANCED MENU OFFERINGS

A reimagined California Pizza Kitchen is reflected in every detail, from décor and design to new hand-tossed California-style pizzas, innovative cocktails and wine flights

California Pizza Kitchen (CPK), the authority on California-style pizza and an industry leader in creative dining, today announced the completion of its newly reimagined Santa Clara, Calif. location at Westfield Valley Fair.  California Pizza Kitchen’s Recipe for Reimagination features a complete interior redesign, new hand-tossed California-style pizzas and innovative, California-themed cocktail and wine selections.

“We have been anxiously waiting to introduce our reimagined restaurant at the Valley Fair mall in Santa Clara, and we hope that it will inspire guests and remind them about what made them fall in love with California Pizza Kitchen in the first place. We are going back to our California roots to provide an authentic, elevated-yet-relaxed atmosphere for casual diners, families and foodies alike,” said California Pizza Kitchen CEO, G.J. Hart.

The 4,758 square foot Valley Fair restaurant now seats 171 guests in a redesigned communal space that has been developed with sustainability in mind. California’s environmental roots are evident in the use of unfinished, reclaimed wood both inside and outside of the restaurant, offering a casual but refined feel that is very warm in color. LED lighting is used throughout the space.

The updated 538 square foot patio now seats 35 people. California Pizza Kitchen’s traditional pizza counter, which seats 12, has been redesigned to make the hearth an even bigger focal point, giving guests the opportunity to interact with the Pizza Chefs and watch them as they hand-stretch and toss California Pizza Kitchen’s new hand-tossed pizza dough.

The reimagined menu features a wide selection of signature flatbreads with new ingredients and flavor combinations, including a new spicy fennel sausage, two different types of pepperoni, fresh mozzarella, hand crumbled wild Greek oregano, freshly torn basil and more. New appetizers and small plates include Spicy Chicken Tinga Quesadilla, White Corn Guacamole + Chips and Asparagus & Arugula Salad.

Guests can also enjoy an extensive selection of cocktails, including new signature drinks such as the “Coconut Kaffir Cooler,” made with Hangar 1 Mandarin Blossom Vodka, Perfect Purée Coconut and Kaffir Lime Leaves; and a “Strawberry Basil Martini” made with VeeV Acaí Spirit, Perfect Purée Strawberry and fresh agave sour. There are also three wine flight options, each with three, three-ounce glasses from the menu.

About California Pizza Kitchen

Born in Beverly Hills in 1985, California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) is a leader in authentic California-style cuisine and is widely known for its innovative menu items. California Pizza Kitchen provides a range of California-inspired dishes, from signature hand-tossed and hearth-baked pizzas, to imaginative salads, pastas, entrées, soups, sandwiches and cocktails. A Southern California classic, CPK incites international cravings in more than 11 different countries. For more information on California Pizza Kitchen visit cpk.com.

Follow us on Twitter @calpizzakitchen, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/californiapizzakitchen and stay connected through http://instagram.com/californiapizzakitchen (#cpknextchapter).

Avnet Moving to North San Jose

Avnet is a huge Fortune 500 company that distributes technology components to businesses. The company is headquartered in Phoenex and during its last fiscal year it had revenues of $25.5 billion. Their current Silicon Valley diggs are in Milpitas, but they have decided to move to 52,685 SQFT at the Montague Corporate Center in San Jose's Golden Triangle.

Source: SVBJ

Santana Row December 2013 Happenings

Below is this month's news and events at Santana Row. One big item to note is the Blue Illusions opening. This is a brand with multiple locations in Australia and New Zealand, and they have just opened their first location in the United States at Santana Row.

Santana Row December 2013 Happenings

 and A Look Ahead to 2014

Events, Promotions, New Openings at Silicon Valley’s Premier Destination


San Jose, CA – Happy holidays from Santana Row! The Row is bright and cheery, celebrating the season with traditional festivities. Join us in our community charity drives, including “One Warm Coat” and benefit events for Humane Society Silicon Valley and Second Harvest Food Bank.

Blue Illusion Opens in Time for the Holidays

The new women’s clothing boutique opened in late November featuring a popular selection of French-inspired fashion. Launched in Australia more than 15 years ago by Donna and Danny Guest, Blue Illusion is committed to maintain its charming formula of a local & personal boutique feel. Its first U.S. location is at 355 Santana Row, next to Urban Outfitters.

“One Warm Coat” Drive Continues through Dec. 31

The annual coat drive began on the day after Thanksgiving and continues through the year. Donate a new or gently used coat and it will be given to a needy family this winter. Drop-off locations includeCineArts Theatre, Crate & Barrel, Sur La Table and the Santana Row Concierge. The charity coat drive continues through Dec. 31.

For more information: call 408.551.4611 or visitwww.santanarow.com.

Santana Row holiday hours:

Christmas Eve: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Christmas: Closed

New Year’s Eve: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

New Year’s Day: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“Shop, Enjoy and Give” Holiday Wine & Dine Around: A Benefit for Second Harvest Food Bank

Dec. 3, 10 and 17, Tuesdays

Help those in need while you complete your holiday shopping during Santana Row’s “Shop, Enjoy & Give” event that benefits Second Harvest Food Bank. Purchase a $10 ticket on SantanaRow.com or at the Concierge center and receive complimentary food and wine tastings in Santana Row shops and restaurants between 6 and 8 p.m.on designated Tuesdays. Also included: a signature Santana Row wine glass and exclusive holiday shopping discounts. Bring a donation of canned food when you purchase your ticket and receive $2 off the ticket. (Customers must be 21 years or older.)

Mommy & Me & Daddies, Too: “Celebrate the Season”

Dec. 10 and every second Tuesday of the month, through December

The last Mommy & Me & Daddies, Too for the year includes live entertainment from Andy Z, story time with Mrs. Claus, sampling from Happy Baby Brands, mini manicures from Lavande nail salon, a raffle from The Container Store, arts and crafts with Action Day Primary Plus, Balloon Animals and Face Painting and more!

When: 10 a.m. to noon, weather permitting, at Park Valencia. The rainy day/cold weather location is the lobby of CineArts theater. Mommy & Me & Daddies, Too is a free kids’ club held on the secondTuesday of every month from May through December. For more information, call 408.551.4611 or visit www.SantanaRow.com.

Left Bank Brassiere, New Year’s Eve Dining

Tuesday, Dec. 31

Left Bank Brasserie opens at 11:30 a.m. with the last seating at 11:00 p.m. on New Year’s Eve to celebrate the late day of 2013. The restaurant is serving a limited regular a la carte dinner menu plus a $64.50 four-course prix fixe menu with main course choices of Rosemary Crusted Wild Boar Tenderloin with balsamic vinegar braised red cabbage and creamy parmesan polenta or Surf and Turf with pan roasted filet mignon, Béarnaise sauce, garlic butter roasted Maine lobster tail, star anise carrot purée and braised escarole. The restaurant's regular lunch menu will be served and there will not be Happy Hour service that day. Prix fixe menu items will be offered on an a la carte basis. Decorations will include balloons and streamers and guests for the evening's last seating will receive a complimentary sparkling wine toast and party favors at midnight.

LB Steak, New Year's Eve Dining

Tuesday, Dec. 31

LB Steak opens at 11:30 a.m. with the last seating at 10:00 p.m. and will serve a limited regular a la carte dinner menu plus a $71.50 four-course prix fixe menu with main course choices of Seared Liberty Duck Breast with Anson Mills rice grit cake, caramelized endive and kumquat balsamic gastrique; fennel and orange poached lobster with uova di ravioli, lobster butter, Bloomsdale Farms spinach and shaved truffles; or Darling Downs A7 wagyu rib eye with celery root purée, braised salsify, crispy brussels sprouts leaves and tempura maitake mushrooms. The restaurant's regular lunch menu will be served and there will not be Happy Hour service that day. Prix fixe menu items will be offered on an a la carte basis. Decorations will include balloons and streamers and guests for the evening's last seating will receive a complimentary sparkling wine toast and party favors at midnight.

Rainy Day Rewards, now through March 31, 2014

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, a free signature Santana Row golf umbrella for customers who spend $150 anywhere on The Row and a $20 gift certificate to a participating shop or restaurant for customers who spend $300 on a designated Rainy Day.

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.

Twitter Promotion @SantanaRow Invites Tweets #LifeOnTheRow

For a Chance to Win Gift Cards to Restaurants at The Row

Join Santana Row’s Twitter campaign and photo contest through the @SantanaRow Twitter handle. The contest invites anyone at Santana Row to Tweet photos of a new outfit, haircut, meal, event or artsy shots and then Tweet it to Santana Row with the hash tag #LifeonTheRow. Every month, Santana Row will post an album on Facebook with all of the photos with the #LifeonTheRow hash tag. The person who took the best or most original photo will win a gift card to a Santana Row restaurant.

A look ahead to the New Year…

Wine & Dine Around Benefit for the American Heart Association, Feb. 8, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

More than a dozen Santana Row shops and restaurants 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 on Olin Avenue at 2 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 available in person at Concierge or online at santanarow.com.

Chinese New Year Celebration, Saturday, Feb. 22

Kung Hei Fat Choi! Santana Row celebrates the Year of the Horse with an afternoon of Chinese New Year festivities, including the exciting drumbeats and crashing cymbals of the Dragon and Lion dances and other traditional live performances celebrating the start of a new year.

Third Annual 408K Race to the Row, Sunday, March 2 

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 third year in a row. It starts at HP Pavilion and ends at Santana Row. The 8K event last year drew more than 4,000 runners.

For information and registration, go to: www.run408k.com

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 of www.federalrealty.com (NYSE:FRT), headquartered in Rockville, Maryland. For more information, please visitwww.santanarow.com.

About Federal Realty

Federal Realty Investment Trust is an equity real estate investment trust specializing in the ownership, management, development, and redevelopment of high quality retail assets. Federal Realty's portfolio (excluding joint venture properties) contains approximately 20 million square feet located primarily in strategically selected metropolitan markets in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic 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 95.3% leased to national, regional, and local retailers as of September 30, 2013, with no single tenant accounting for more than approximately 3.4% 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 46 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.