Sourisseau News: 99 Notre Dame, the Birthplace of the Magnetic Disk Drive

How many people knew that the hard drive was invented in Downtown San Jose about a block away from where the San Pedro Square Market sits today? Check out the great 2-minute video below for a quick history lesson on how IBM developed RAMAC in San Jose, the first system for storing data on magnetic disks.


99 Notre Dame, the birthplace of the magnetic disk drive from WMS media Inc. on Vimeo.

"Today's iPod-toting hipsters have no idea how much they owe to an unremarkable little building in downtown San Jose. It was there, at 99 Notre Dame Ave., nearly 50 years ago, that a small band of IBM engineers developed the RAMAC, the first system for storing data on magnetic disks.

The RAMAC was a big success for IBM. Big Blue made more than 1,000 of the machines over a five-year period, helping establish the company's dominance in mainframe computing. Today, just a few of the original RAMACs are known to exist. One sits outside Hoagland's office on the third floor of the engineering building at Santa Clara University.

The RAMAC's specifications are laughable by today's standards. Some hard drives are as small as a quarter and can store 100 billion bits of data per square inch, 50 million times that of the RAMAC. Hitachi, for example, recently announced the development of "Mikey,'' a one-inch hard drive weighing just 14 grams and able to hold up to 10 gigabytes of data.

The company is also testing a new method of aligning data bits on hard disks vertically instead of horizontally. The new orientation could allow companies to increase hard drive storage capacity tenfold, Munce said. "I think things like micro-drives will change the way we consume digital entertainment,'' he said. Hoagland's goal is to preserve the legacy of the hard-disk innovation in San Jose. As director of the Magnetic Disk Heritage Center, he has been pushing to create a museum at 99 Notre Dame Ave.

He may get his wish. The San Jose City Council recently passed a resolution promising to begin discussions around the idea. And a couple of city council members are due at tonight's ceremony, organized by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. "My dream,'' Hoagland said, "is if you think of the RAMAC, you think of Rey Johnson and you think of 99 Notre Dame Ave."

By Michael Bazeley
San Jose Mercury News

How Aggressive Should we be in Tackling Homelessness Downtown?

Today's post is more of an open discussion. One of our readers (hat-tip to Daniel) submitted an article about urban design tools being used to drive away the homeless in cities around the world such as London, Tokyo, and Montreal. These range from spikes in the ground to prevent the homeless from sleeping in certain locations to uncomfortable seats that discourage loitering beyond a quick rest.

After reading the article (link below), please let us know what you think. Are these cruel or do we need to move in this direction to reduce homelessness Downtown?

Source: The Atlantic

Clandestine Brewing Opens in San Jose

Another local brewery has opened up shop! Clandestine Brewing is located near the The Plant shopping center south of Downtown San Jose. It is also not very far away from Hermitage or Strike (beer district anyone?).

It looks like they have a great selection of craft beers that I am anxious to try out. You can get a preview below, but I would recommend checking out their website for all of the deets. Their address is 1805 Little Orchard St. Suite 124.

Source: I Heart San Jose

Post Tower Renders!

Let's start the week off right with a sneak peak at what a future residential tower in Downtown San Jose could look like. This one is at the corner of Post Street and San Pedro, tucked away near the gold building.

I have to say that I really like the design. It is more unique than most of the high-rises in Downtown right now and has some modern character to it. What do you guys think?

Source: StudioCurrent, Big thanks to Shawn Mathew for sending this in!

Santana Row Summer Events

San Jose, CA (June 30, 2014) – Santana Row welcomes a new shoe boutique to its lineup of stylish stores and introduces Retail Happy Hour, a weekly event that invites guests to shop and sip (responsibly!) on Wednesday evenings. The annual Fourth of July block party and sidewalk sale, a poodle parade for charity and al fresco opera are all part of the July festivities. A wine stroll, a beer walk and the monthly kids club are also planned events that encourage guests to celebrate the season at Silicon Valley’s favorite destination center.

KASH shoe boutique

A bright, light space that feels like a New York City shoe boutique, Kash carries coveted labels such as Schutz, Rebecca Minkoff, Saint & Libertine, Kelsi Dagger and Pour La Victoire.
The shop makes shoe shopping special with perks such as a complimentary espresso bar while browsing and advice from clothing designer Angelina Haole, the store’s founder who is often at the store. Soon to be offered: special memberships, including The Gentleman's Club (it's not what you think) and a monthly subscription service that includes perks such as private members-only sales, complimentary valet parking, invites to exclusive parties and freedom from paying sales tax. The store is kid-friendly with lux floor cushions and toys that are brought out to entertain children while the adults try on shoes. Located at 377 Santana Row, across from Pinkberry.

Retail Happy Hour
Wednesdays, beginning July 2 and every Wednesday through August
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Summer gets a bit hotter at Santana Row with the introduction of Retail Happy Hour, an invitation to shoppers to stop in different stores each week for music by DJs, raffles and exclusive discounts. Each week, Santana Row will create a “passport” that lists the participating retail locations. The first event features retailers C. Wonder, Diesel, Icebreaker Touchlab, Boutique Harajuku, kate spade new york and Scotch & Soda with champagne, wine, cocktails, appetizers, cupcakes and discounts. The passport will be available online at SantanaRow.com, through Facebook, in participating shops and at the Concierge Center. The event is free and open to the public.

Mommy & Me and Daddies, Too: “Summertime Party”
Tuesday, July 8, 10 a.m. to noon
Celebrate summer with a Santana Row style party! The day features Elsa and Olaf from the movie, “Frozen.” Enjoy live entertainment from Andy Z, The San Jose Public Library, Let’s Play in Spanish and Ballet San Jose. Enjoy activities with Children’s Discovery Museum, Let’s Play in Spanish, Club One and more. Free face painting, balloon animals and snacks from Happy Baby Brands!
Details: 10 a.m. to noon at Park Valencia. Mommy & Me is a free kids’ club held on the second Tuesday of every month from May through December. For more information, call 408.551.4611 or visit www.SantanaRow.com.

Opera San Jose presents Opera Al Fresco in Park Valencia
Saturday, July 12, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Opera San Jose will present a spectacular al fresco concert of arias and ensembles at Park Valencia. Please check www.santanarow.com for more information.

Dine in French Style at the Bastille Day celebration at Left Bank Brasserie
Monday, July 14, lunch and dinner
Left Bank Brasserie celebrates French National Day with a la carte menu specials, staff dressed up in festive attire, celebratory decorations, and live accordion music.
Featured specials include chilled pea soup with black pepper mint whipped cream; melon and prosciutto with a port reduction; white wine braised monkfish with young vegetables, rice pilaf and aïoli; braised shoulder rack of lamb with ratatouille, olive and rosemary lamb jus; and almond sponge cake with vanilla cream, crème Chantilly, macerated strawberries and toasted almonds.

The 9th Annual Poodles on Parade
Sunday, July 20, noon
Pooch parents can accompany their star pets on the red carpet for a good cause. LB Steak presents the annual Poodles on Parade to benefit the Hospice of the Valley’s Pet Companion Program. The non-profit program in Santa Clara County recognizes the supportive, comforting love dogs can provide to patients.
Dogs and dog lovers will take to the stage adjacent to the restaurant for their version of a catwalk strut for spectators to enjoy. Pre-registration is $10; registration on day of event is $20. Participants will take home a complimentary portrait with their four-legged friend.
Prizes will be awarded for Best Dressed, Most Talented, and Crowd Favorite. Delicious treats will be available for pets and humans.
Registration begins at 11 a.m. and the competition is at noon. All dog breeds and pets are welcome! To register, go to http://www.hospicevalley.org/calendar/event/poodle-parade1/ before July 17 or call 408.244.1180.

Santana Row Beer Walk
Wednesday, July 30, 6 to 9 p.m.
Stroll the Row, sample 20-plus beers and enjoy shopping and dining incentives at the second annual Beer Walk! Cool off with a stroll around Santana Row while tasting brews from microbreweries. They’ll be stationed in a restaurant or shop for easy sipping and shopping! Tickets are $30 and available at www.thebeerwalk.com.

Cars & Croissants
Fourth Saturday of the month: July 26, Aug. 23, Sept. 27, 9 a.m. to noon
Continues through December
Santana Row partners with 100 OCT to present Cars & Croissants on The Row, a monthly gathering for exotic car owners and car enthusiasts. On the fourth Saturday of the month, exotic car owners are invited to park on Santana Row Boulevard from Alyssum Lane to Tatum Boulevard, display their cars and mingle with other enthusiasts. The morning meet-up for coffee, croissants and cars drew 400 people and 60 cars during the first event and continues to grow in popularity. This event is free and open to the public.

Free Yoga on Saturdays, presented by Lululemon Athletica
Saturdays, through September 27, 8:30 a.m.
Practice your sun salutations under the sunshine at Park Valencia every Saturday morning at 9 a.m. from May through September. The complimentary classes are held outdoors, with registration opening at 8:30 a.m. For more information, contact Lululemon, 408.557.8721.


A look ahead to August and September…

Mommy & Me and Daddies, Too: “Just Dance”
Tuesday, Aug. 12, 10 a.m. to noon
Ballet San Jose School presents “Just Dance,” with a special performance and mini dance classes for kids. Enjoy live entertainment from Andy Z, the San Jose Public Library, free face painting, balloon animals and snacks.
Details: 10 a.m. to noon at Park Valencia. Mommy & Me is a free kids’ club held on the second Tuesday of every month from May through December. For more information, call 408.551.4611 or visit www.SantanaRow.com.

The Tech Walk at Santana Row, presented by The Tech Museum of Innovation
Thursday, Sept. 4, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The first-ever Tech Walk is slated for September, a wine stroll around the center that features exhibits from Silicon Valley’s popular museum. Highlights include, “Your Life in Data,” an exhibit that lets participants experience the latest in wearable data gathering; “Minimasher,” a multiplayer electronic instrument; “3D Printing-The Future of Making,” demonstrations of the wonder of 3D; “Hacker vs. Hacker,” a challenge to break into a safe and win a prize; and “Scribble Scratch,” a modified consumer DJ controller that puts you in control of the DJ rig, the iconic Hip Hop instrument. The evening also includes wine and food tastings, a signature SR wine glass to take home, exclusive discounts to Santana Row shops and restaurants and of course, access to participate in all the exhibits. The event is a benefit for The Tech Museum of Innovation. Tickets are $40 and will be available at santanarow.com.

Save-the-date: Annual Fall Fashion Show
Saturday, Sept. 6, shows at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Santana Row’s annual fall fashion show will feature the best of the coming trends with fall clothes and accessories presented by the center’s stylish shops. Find your look for the season and enjoy the festivities that surround the day. Ticket prices and beneficiary to be announced.

Mommy & Me and Daddies, Too: “Family Safety”
Tuesday, Sept. 9, a.m. to noon
Learn all about family safety from professionals and meet the everyday heroes who keep us safe! Enjoy live entertainment, arts and crafts, face painting, music, balloon art, story time and more.
Details: 10 a.m. to noon at Park Valencia. Mommy & Me is a free kids’ club held on the second Tuesday of every month from May through December. For more information, call 408.551.4611 or visit www.SantanaRow.com.

#LifeOnTheRow
Twitter Promotion @SantanaRow invites Tweets and Instagram tags
For a Chance to Win Gift Cards to Restaurants at The Row
Santana Row’s Twitter campaign and photo contest continues through the @SantanaRow Twitter handle. The contest invites anyone at Santana Row to Tweet or Instagram photos of a new outfit, haircut, meal, event or artsy shots and then tag it 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.



About Santana Row

Santana Row, a 647,000 square foot mixed-use development in San Jose, CA, is Silicon Valley’s premier destination for shopping, dining, living and working. Santana Row features over 70 shops, 20 restaurants, a boutique hotel and movie theatre. In addition to the dynamic retail & restaurant collection, Santana Row offers 615 luxury rental homes, 219 privately owned condos and 65,000 square feet of Class A office space. Santana Row is a property of www.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, 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 95.6% leased to national, regional, and local retailers as of March 31, 2014, with no single tenant accounting for more than approximately 3.3% 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.

Saturday Stats: San Jose is the Happiest City to Work in for 2014!

San Jose just earned another badge for work-related accomplishments. CareerBliss has proclaimed that San Jose is rated the happiest city to work in. This rating came from hundreds of thousands of employee reviews where professionals rated how they felt about where they worked and how it impacted their overall happiness. Key factors such as relationships with bosses, co-workers, job resources, compensation, growth opportunities, company culture, company reputation, and their daily tasks were all factored into the reviews.

San Francisco came in third while New York did not rank in the Top 10. Why do I always bring up these two cities? There are really the two in the US we are competing with the most when in comes to job opportunities. Have a look at the full Top 10 below.

Source: CareerBliss, Hat Tip to Barclay Livker for sending this in!

Downtown San Jose Fireworks Today!!!

Happy 4th of July everyone! This is just a reminder that the Rotary Club of San Jose is celebrating its 100th year Downtown by bringing a fireworks show back to Downtown! Thanks to city budget cuts there has not been a fireworks show for years, but that is changing today.

The fireworks will be launched from the Discovery Meadow Park near the Children's Discovery Museum. You should be able to see them from just multiple places Downtown, but the closer you can get to the Guadalupe River, the better. For more info, click here.

2nd Annual Bacon Festival - July 4th and 5th!

This weekend the San Jose Bacon Festival of America returns for its sophomore event. This time around, the festival will take place in the heart of Downtown San Jose at Plaza de Cesar Chavez. You can expect food trucks, entertainment, and of course... lots and lots of bacon.

Admission is $10-15 depending on whether you want to gorge yourself of bacon for one day or two days. For more info, just head over to the Bacon Festival website over here.