2nd Annual Lil' Easy Backyard Party on September 6th

This weekend, Poor House Bistro is hosting a huge New Orleans-style party for the benefit of the Stroke Awareness Foundation. There will be 9 bands playing on 2 different stages. Of course, there will be lots of traditional Cajun dishes and New Orleans craft brews.

The event runs from 10am to 8pm on Saturday and reservations are required. You can secure access by calling (408) 292-5837 or emailing manager@poorhousebistro.com.

Santana Row September 2014 Happenings

San Jose, CA – Fall is around the corner and Santana Row is stepping into the new season with exciting events, traditional celebrations and special offers.

In September, the Tech Museum of Innovation and Santana Row partners on a first ever “tech walk,” a benefit event that pairs tech with good eats and great shopping. Next up, the annual fall fashion shows changes it up by adding a sophisticated twist: an afternoon high tea and an evening nightclub theme. Fall cultural celebrations coming to The Row include the Mehregan Persian festival and Diwali, the Hindu festival of light.

November brings Santana Row’s annual tree-lighting event, a favorite South Bay tradition for families.

Tech + Tastings at Santana Row, presented by The Tech Museum of Innovation
Thursday, Sept. 4, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Join us for the first-ever tech walk, an only-in-Silicon Valley event that brings together two of San Jose’s favorite destinations.

The evening’s highlight is a wine stroll around Santana Row with shop stops that will feature exhibits from The Tech.

 Ticket holders will be given:
•       Access to hands-on tech exhibits
•       Wine & food pairings
•       Exclusive discounts to Santana Row shops and restaurants
•       Signature Santana Row wine glass

Exhibits include, “Your Life in Data” which 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.

Participating Santana Row merchants and restaurants include Left Bank Brasserie, Icebreaker Touchlab, KASH footwear, Orvis, Jest Jewels, Beau Bijou, Pasta Pomodoro, Flying Lizard Design, lululemon athletica, Diesel, Tommy Bahama, Donald J. Pliner, Gallery 85 and Hotel Valencia.

Registration begins at 5:50 p.m. in Santana Row Park. The event is a benefit for The Tech Museum of Innovation. Tickets are $40 and available at SantanaRow.com.

A Stylish Saturday at Santana Row
High Tea at 3 p.m. and Fashion on The Rocks at 6 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 6

Whether you like your fashion presented with a cup of tea or would rather sip a bold cocktail, Santana Row has a show to fit your style.

Join the fashion flock for the annual fall fashion shows at Santana Row Park. The afternoon show features the hottest trends for fall served with high tea while the evening catwalk showcases fall looks amid a nightclub theme.

High Tea at 3 p.m.: Love the tradition of high tea in a garden? This is the show for you. The afternoon event includes a tea-inspired cocktail and boxed tea sandwiches with .show featuring fall’s best stylish looks. After the show, head into the stores where you can shop while enjoying DJs, raffles and exclusive retail discounts. Tickets are $35.

Fashion on the Rocks at 6 p.m.: For those who want a walk on the wild side, the evening show channels the vibe of a nightclub with a live DJ and a few surprises. Guests will be treated to seat-side service from the model waiters. Offerings include a signature cocktail or champagne, a bite box and a passport to the hottest after-parties. Our DJs will take you from the runways into the store where champagne, light bites and exclusive retail discounts await. Tickets are $35 for the afternoon show and $50 for the evening show. Both shows are a benefit for the Silicon Valley Community Foundation.

Tickets can be purchased online at SantanaRow.com or for cash-only at the Santana Row concierge office.

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 and Daddies, Too 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 SantanaRow.com.

Yoga on The Row
Sunday, September 14, 9 a.m.
Yogis take over Santana Row Boulevard for the second annual Yoga on The Row! The free class will be centered in Santana Row Park, and participants are invited to line both sides of the main boulevard from Olsen Drive to Olin Avenue, an area closed off to traffic. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and class begins at 9:00 a.m. There’s an after-party in Park Valencia and special brunch and shopping offers will be distributed to all attendees. Last year, more than 450 yoga enthusiasts attended and the goal this year is having 800 yogis put down their mats at Santana Row. For more information, contact Lululemon Santana Row at 408.557.8721.

Round Trip Shuttle to Levi’s Stadium for San Francisco 49ers home games
Service begins Sunday, Sept. 14
Take the stress out of driving to the new stadium and finding a parking spot on game days by taking the Santana Row shuttle! Make your individual or group reservation online and you’ll be set to go.
Buses leave Santana Row approximately 90 minutes before game time and depart the stadium one hour after the game ends. Your ticket includes free parking in a special reserved lot for immediate access to the buses and the round trip to and from the game. Also included are Santana Row shopping and dining specials at select restaurants, such as bottomless mimosas, prix fixe menus, private tailgate pre-parties with cash bar and extended happy hour offerings.
Ticket are $50 per person.


Santana Row Pick-Up Location:

When you arrive at Santana Row, park your vehicle in the designated, secured parking lot on Winchester Boulevard in the former Century 21 Theatre parking lot.  Then walk across Winchester Blvd on to Olsen Drive and registration and bus will be waiting to load in front of CineArts Theatre. The bus will depart at the scheduled time, and will not wait for passengers.


Levi’s Stadium Drop-Off Location:

The bus will park at the official shuttle drop-off location at Levi’s Stadium. One hour after the conclusion of the game, the bus will depart from the same location. All passengers not on bus at the specified departure time will not receive transportation back to Santana Row.
For more information, check SantanaRow.com or contact the Santana Row concierge office: 408.551.4611.

Mehregan Persian Fall Festival in Park Valencia
Tuesday, September 23, 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Santana Row celebrates the arrival of fall with Mehregan, a Persian fall festival that has been celebrated for more than 3,000 years. In partnership with the Iranian Federated Women’s Club, the event will feature live music and cultural celebrations marking the first day of fall. Festivities will take place on the stage in Park Valencia. This event is free and open to the 
public. For more information, visit SantanaRow.com.

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. through September. The complimentary classes are held outdoors, with registration opening at 8:30 a.m. For more information, contact Lululemon, 408.557.8721. Please note that Lululemon is in a temporary location near Santana Row Park while the store undergoes a renovation.

Cars & Croissants
Fourth Saturday of the month: Sept. 27, Oct. 25, Nov. 22 and Dec. 27
9 a.m. to noon
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 for the rest of the year, 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.

A Gift Card Bonus!
A special offer in September
Spend $250 or more on a Santana Row gift card in September and receive a complimentary pair of tickets to see the band, Kings of Leon, at The Concord Pavilion on Friday, Oct. 1. The offer is limited to one pair of tickets per person, while supplies last.

A look ahead to October and beyond…

Diwali  “The Festival of Lights”
Saturday, October 4, noon to 7 p.m., Santana Row Park
Santana Row celebrates Diwali, the ancient Hindu festival celebrated every year on Oct. 4 that
signifies the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil and hope over despair. Presented by WomenNow, Diwali Utsav 2014 will be the first Diwali carnival at Santana Row and will feature Indian cultural
activities for all ages. The entertainment program includes chef demonstrations by Amber India, Bollywood dances and dramatic performances depicting the significance of Diwali. Festivities will take place in Santana Row Park. This event is free and open to the public. For more 
information, visit SantanaRow.com.

Mommy & Me and Daddies, Too: “Halloween Family Fun Fest!”
Tuesday, Oct. 28, 10 a.m. to noon
Trick-or-treat around The Row and enjoy pumpkin decorating, live musical performances and other activities during this popular fall event for children.
Details: 10 a.m. to noon at Park Valencia. Mommy & Me and Daddies,Too 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 SantanaRow.com.

Mommy & Me and Daddies, Too: “Give Thanks”
Tuesday, Nov. 11, 10 a.m. to noon
The holidays remind us to pull together and help those less fortunate. November’s program encourages kids to bring a canned food item that will be donated to Second Harvest Food Bank. Holiday fun includes face painting, balloon animals, arts and crafts Kids will be entertained by music and live performances.

Details: 10 a.m. to noon at Park Valencia. Mommy & Me & Daddies, Too 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 SantanaRow.com.

Santana Row’s Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony
Tuesday, Nov. 18, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Santana Row kicks off the 2014 holiday season with the annual Light Up the Row tree lighting ceremony, a joyous day of celebration for the entire family.

The day of holiday festivities begins at 3 p.m. with photos with performances by dancers from Ballet San Jose. The fun continues throughout the afternoon and evening with live music, costumed characters, special guests and performances by local theater and dance groups.

The highlight of the day takes place at 7 p.m. in Santana Row Park with the lighting of the 40-foot Christmas tree, one of the most anticipated holiday events in Silicon Valley.

Many of the restaurants will offer dining specials, kid-friendly menus and holiday-themed cocktails during the event. In-store parties, hot chocolate sampling, cookies and appetizers will also add to the festivities of the day.

Details: The celebration is scheduled from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., with tree lighting slated for 7 p.m. in Santana Row Park. More details about the entertainment will be available closer to the event at SantanaRow.com.

On Your Mark, Get Set, Let’s Shop! Black Friday events at Santana Row
Friday, Nov. 28
The day-after-Thanksgiving shopping tradition at Santana Row includes discounts, door buster morning specials and treats throughout the day.

Spend $1,000 or more on Black Friday and receive two tickets to the San Francisco performance of Cirque du Soleil’s Kurios. Many stores are offering customers 25 percent to 70 percent off merchandise all weekend with giveaways such as free totes, gift cards with purchase and holiday refreshments throughout the day.

Santana Row hours are 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Black Friday, with many stories extending hours during the Black Friday weekend. For a comprehensive listing of retail and restaurant events and offerings, visit SantanaRow.com.

“One Warm Coat” Drop-off with live broadcast by KTVU
Friday, Nov. 28 is the kickoff date; drive continues through Dec. 31
The annual coat drive begins at 6 a.m. on the day after Thanksgiving with KTVU broadcasting live throughout the day from Santana Row Park. Donate a new or gently used coat and it will be given to a needy family this winter. The first 100 people to donate a coat will receive a $10 Santana Row Gift Card. Drop-off locations include CineArts 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 visit 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.

Rainy Day Rewards, Nov. 1 through March 31, 2015
Here’s hoping the drought ends! Santana Row is optimistic and wants to reward shoppers and diners braving bad weather. When there’s a 70 percent or greater chance for rain, they will be offered 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: 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.

“Shop, Enjoy and Give” Holiday Wine & Dine Around
A Benefit for Second Harvest Food Bank
Dec. 2, 9 and 16
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 $15 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.)

Menorah Lighting at Park Valencia
Wednesday, Dec. 17, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Santana Row celebrates the first night of the Jewish Festival of Lights with kosher treats, entertainment and activities that include decorating dreidels, Jewish story time, arts & crafts and the lighting of the Menorah. The evening is co-hosted with the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley and The PJ Library. The celebration will take place from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Park Valencia.

Santa Paws, a Benefit for Humane Society Silicon Valley
Dec. 7, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Bring your canine and feline friends to Santana Row's Park Valencia for a keepsake photo with Santa Claus. Photos are $20 and a portion of the proceeds will benefit Humane Society Silicon Valley. Registration begins at 10:30 a.m. at Park Valencia.

Mommy & Me and Daddies, Too: “Celebrate the Season”
Tuesday, Dec. 9, 10 a.m. to noon
The last Mommy & Me of the year will be held in the lobby of the CineArts Theatre and will include 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!
Details: 10 a.m. to noon at CineArts Theatre. Mommy & Me & Daddies, Too 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 95.3% leased to national, regional, and local retailers as of June 30, 2014, with no single tenant accounting for more than approximately 3.2% 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 47 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.

The SoFA Market is Open!

A second urban market is currently in "soft-opening" mode in Downtown San Jose, and hopefully it will have the same transformative impact as the San Pedro Square Market on the opposite side of Downtown. The SoFA Market utilizes 7,500 SQFT at the ground floor of the Aedis building (owned by Thang Do, an architect, urban planner, and real estate developer). The goal is to have around 10 tenants, similar in size to what you would find at the San Pedro Square Market. Four have already been lined up:

• The Fountainhead - Flagship craft cocktail bar where the drinks are inspired by architecture and you can learn about the designers that shaped our environment [Josh: this sounds really awesome and unique]
• Falafel Bar (Open Now) - Serving what they claim to be the third best falafel in the world, all of their ingredients are all-natural and locally sourced
• Vero's Coffee - Artisanal espresso and espresso-based drinks
• An un-named Ramen Restaurant 

I'm obviously an optimist, but I have to say it anyway... this screams potential! Given what a catalyst the SPSM was for the San Pedro Area and Downtown as a whole, I can't wait to see how this will impact SoFA. As a foodie, I'm also looking forward to seeing which additional eateries this will bring Downtown. The icing on the cake is that the new market will likely be an anchor contributor to South First Fridays and other art-oriented events in SoFA.

The SoFA Market is located at 387 S. First St. and the grand opening is planned for early October. You can also learn more by visiting the SoFA Market website.

Source: SVBJ

Serious Crime Dropped by 9.1% in the First Half of the Year

This Labor Day, I think I'll post some good news about crime in San Jose. If you compare total serious crimes between January and June of this year and the same period in 2013, there is a notable 9.1% decline. You can find other positive stats in the letter from Chuck Reed below.

Also, SJPD is starting to add Community Service Officers (CSOs) to assist sworn police officers with lower priority calls for service (traffic collisions, vandalism, etc.). This makes perfect sense, why waste an officer's valuable time with incidents that can be handled without a badge or gun. The CSOs will also cost the city less money, which can free up more budget for additional officers and perhaps higher compensation to help retain/recruit officers.

Dear Neighbors,

Good news rarely makes headlines, which is why I'm writing to you today.

San Jose has experienced a significant decrease in serious crime since 2012.

The San Jose Police Department has just posted data for the first half of 2014, and the data shows:

• Total serious crimes dropped by 9.1% from January to June of 2014 (over the same period in 2013). That decline builds on a 10.3% decrease for calendar year 2013.
• Homicides dropped by 20.8% in the first six months of 2014. In 2013, homicides declined by 15.6% over 2012.
• Violent crimes in San Jose in 2013 were at the second-lowest level in a decade.

These crime statistics and more can be found on the SJPD website.


I want to thank the men and women of the San Jose Police Department for their continued efforts to reduce crime in San Jose. With the leadership of Chief Larry Esquivel, they have responded to problems creatively and redeployed resources effectively.

We are also adding new resources to the department. Last week, our first Community Service Officers graduated from the academy and are in field training. CSOs will assist sworn police officers in investigating and completing police reports on lower priority calls for service, such as property crimes, non-injury traffic collisions, vehicle theft, vandalism, and other non-emergency circumstances. This will allow sworn SJPD officers to focus on responding to high priority emergency calls for service and have more time for more proactive enforcement.

Community Service Officers will be stationed out of the South San Jose Substation. You can learn more in SJPD's press release.

Thank you also to you, your neighborhood associations, and community organizations, for your work with our police department to make our city safer. The positive relationship our police department has with our community is critical to preventing and solving crimes.

Thank you,

Mayor Chuck Reed

Future of Caltrain Video

Here is a quick look at some of the benefits that electrified Caltrain will bring. In addition to obviously polluting less, service would be faster and more trains would be able to be deployed each hour. Check out the three minute video below to get the details.

Source: SkyscraperCity

Saturday Stats: San Jose Ranks in Top 20 US Cities for Culture

One of the areas people often give San Jose flak for is lack of culture. I have been arguing for years that this is not the case, and now there is a report by PropertyShark that puts San Jose in the Top 20 list for US Cities with the highest cultural venue density by population.

San Jose came in 19th on the list with one cultural location for every 6,873 people. This is not bad at all considering Chicago was 20th with one location for every 7,438 people, San Francisco was 16th with one per 5,130, and New York was 13th with one cultural location for every 3,096 people. Seattle took the top stop with a total of 1,890 cultural venues, or one location for every 354 people.

Source: PropertyShark, Hat-tip to Barclay Livker

VTA Express Bus Service to Levi's Stadium

As you all probably have heard, parking at Levi's Stadium can be both an expensive and time consuming proposition. Light Rail may seem like the next best option, but VTA is experiencing the highest volume of passengers it has had in a long time--perhaps ever--during games. Waits could easily exceed an hour to get on a train after the game. So what other options are there? VTA has a ton of express buses from all around Silicon Valley that will travel to Levi's Stadium and back with minimal stoppage. Check out the map below to find the stop closest to you. While I'm at it, I also included a couple videos about the express bus service, a map showing the epic Light Rail service on stadium days (with rare triple trains), and a link to the VTA Webpage for Levi's Stadium Service.

Construction Starting on LINQ at Berryessa

The first market-rate apartments near the Berryessa BART station are about to break ground! Called LINQ at Berryessa, the project will have 230-units and is sitting on land that used to be zoned as industrial. Two affordable projects have already been built in the area and another 140-unit market-rate project is going to be built a kitty corner from LINQ.

In addition to being a short walk away from BART, LINQ will also have 12,000 SQFT of retail space which will likely be used for restaurants. For more info, hit the source link below.

Source: SVBJ