San Jose will be first major California city to get High Speed Rail!

San Jose has just scored a major infrastructure win that should provide a nice economic boost next decade. California High Speed Rail officials have decided to build the first segment of its 220 mph rail line between the Central Valley and San Jose.

The original plan going back to 2012 was to initiate high-speed service between the Central Valley and Burbank. However, that southern segment requires expensive tunneling through mountains and drew major opposition from a small number of NIMBY cattle farmers. LA's loss is our gain, as the plan is now to bring High Speed Rail to Downtown San Jose by 2025.

The new service will put some serious pressure on increasing jobs in Downtown San Jose as it will dramatically open up our job market. Madera will now only be 40 minutes away by train from Downtown, previously a two to three hour drive. That is a feasible commute to the tech job capital of the world, while not clogging up our freeways. A home in Madera costs about $250k, which also opens up new affordable housing options for those that want to work in San Jose but can't afford to live here. This is a big win for local companies that are hungry for talent and contribute more to the local economy (financially) than most residents. Considering it is much more likely that people will be commuting in for jobs than the other way around, this will help correct the jobs and housing imbalance that San Jose currently faces and negatively impacts the city's financial position.

BART is also scheduled to come Downtown around 2025, making Diridon in Downtown San Jose the most connected transit station on the West Coast. Over 600 trains could be stopping at the station each day after all of these projects are completed.

Construction has already started on California High Speed Rail last summer in Fresno. Ridership is expected to be between 2.2 million and 4.1 million riders when the San Jose service begins in 2025.

Source: SVBJ

Playful People presents: Disney's Mulan Jr. and Cinderella Kids

Playful People Productions Presents:
Disney Mulan JR

Disney Mulan JR will take you back to the legendary, storytelling days of ancient China with the action-packed, stage adaptation of Disney’s film.

The Huns have invaded, and it is up to the misfit Mulan and her mischievous sidekick Mushu to save the Emperor! Disney’s Mulan Jr. is a heartwarming celebration of culture, honor, and the fighting spirit. Mulan, a young woman who breaks tradition and pretends to be a man, learns a valuable lesson against all odds while teaching her family the importance of determination and balance. It’s a show that features music and dancing that will captivate audience members with a message that will inspire children of all ages!

Our shows often sell out prior to the show weekend. Be sure to buy your tickets early, you won’t want to miss out on this fantastic production.

All Shows at the Historic Hoover Theatre, 1635 Park Ave  San Jose, CA 95126

Show Times:
Friday, February 26th - 7:00pm
Saturday, February 27th - 11:00am. 3:00pm and 7:00pm
Sunday, February 28th - 11:00am, and 3:00pm


Tickets available at www.playfulpeople.net
$12 attendees 12 and up, $8 children 11 and under,  and $6 Children’s floor seating

Tickets at the door (30 minutes prior to curtain)
$15 attendees 12 and up, $10 children 11 and under, and $6 Children’s floor seating

For questions: barb@galiotto.com

Playful People Productions Presents:
Disney Cinderella KIDS

The timeless fairy tale of Cinderella meets the magic of Disney in this adaptation of the treasured animated film.  Poor Cinderella is endlessly mistreated by her wicked Stepmother and Stepsisters, and denied the chance to go to the Royal Ball.  With a little help from her mice friends, and a lot of help from her Fairy Godmother, Cinderella goes to the ball, and discovers that dreams really can come true!

Our shows often sell out prior to the show weekend. Be sure to buy your tickets early, you won’t want to miss out on this fantastic production.

All Shows at the Historic Hoover Theatre, 1635 Park Ave  San Jose, CA 95126

Show Times:
Friday, March 4th - 7:00pm
Saturday, March 5th - 11:00am, 3:00pm and 7:00pm
Sunday, March 6th - 11:00am, and 3:00pm


Tickets available at www.playfulpeople.net
$12 attendees 12 and up, $8 children 11 and under,  and $6 Children’s floor seating

Tickets at the door (30 minutes prior to curtain)
$15 attendees 12 and up, $10 children 11 and under, and $6 Children’s floor seating

For questions: barb@galiotto.com

Founded in 2010, Playful People Production’s mission is to provide a quality, caring environment where children, teens and their families can have positive theater experiences. We strive to involve all family members in the many aspects of on stage and backstage theater in a safe and fun environment and offer participation in theatrical productions, classes, summer stock and camps for ages 3-93.

Playful People Productions is run by a mother-daughter team, Barbara Galiotto and Katie D’ Arcey, who between them have approximately 50 years of experience in the musical theater world. Both are Positive Discipline trained and worked as early Childhood Educators as well as in the theater.

Josh Marcotte featured in the latest issue of Content Magazine

Lost San Jose creator Josh Marcotte has a great feature in the latest edition of San Jose's best magazine, Content. The article focuses on his Monterey Highway project, showcasing a grittier side of our city. To subscribe to Content and access this article along with many others, just head over here.

San Jose Getaway

Mark Haney from Think Bigger San Jose found a great article that highlights San Jose as a nice getaway destination. You don't see too many of these unfortunately. The Press Democrat article highlights various areas of Downtown San Jose, local museums, cultural institutions, and Santana Row. Read it over here and then forward it to any visitors coming into town!

Cellista performs Messiaen's "The End of Time" at Anno Domini Gallery on Feb 20, March 12, 13

San Jose cellist and musical entrepreneur Freya Seeburger, also known as Cellista, will be performing Olivier Messiaen's "Quartet For the End of Time," on February 20, March 12 and March 13 at Anno Domini Gallery in San Jose. This unique musical presentation is part of an installation she created with visual artist Barron Storey, illustrator of Neil Gaiman's Sandman Chronicles, that will be on display at Anno Domini starting February 5. 

Storey's artwork was created in response to Messiaen's famous quartet, which was composed and performed in a Nazi prisoner of war camp in 1941. Cellista and the Juxtapositions Chamber Ensemble will be performing the quartet nearly 75 years to the day of its premiere in Germany. Tickets to the February 20, March 12 and March 13 shows are available online at artful.ly/theendoftime. The February 5 art opening is free to the public; Cellista will be reading an introduction to "The End of Time" that explains its historical significance and relevance to San Jose. 

San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce announces unprecedented partnership with SJSU Career Center

San Jose State University's Career Center has been able to offer more job opportunities to SJSU students thanks to a new partnership with The San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber is playing matchmaker and helping local companies access the newest talent coming into the Silicon Valley labor pool. The benefits work both ways as 300 new organizations have been attracted to the Chamber of Commerce over the past three months because of the new partnership. It's a win-win situation that will benefit both students and employers in the Valley. For all the details check out the press release below.

San Jose, Calif.—In a continued effort to grow the local and regional economy, the San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce has partnered with San Jose State University’s Career Center to create an opportunity for employers to find qualified candidates for open positions.

The partnership, a first of its kind, offers Silicon Valley businesses direct access to industry/academic partnerships, recruitment opportunities, and affordable talent acquisition services to help develop their first internship program or to fill open employment opportunities. SJSV Chamber members also gain discounted access to staffing and recruiting services by the SJSU Career Center via the only known university staffing agency in the U.S.: SJSU Spartan Staffing.

The SJSV Chamber and SJSU deploy a cross referral process upon registering with each organization, connecting businesses, non-profits, and government entities directly to each institution.


“As the region’s largest business organization, it is vital that we provide our members and the greater business community with the connections, information, resources and tools they need to be successful.  The San Jose State Career Center is the perfect partnership for us creating a direct pipeline between the business community and the talent pool that keeps our economy thriving.”
- Matthew R. Mahood, San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce President & CEO


After the first three months, this partnership has attracted and referred more than 300 organizations to the Chamber, allowing members the opportunity to sustain and grow their business by hiring an intern, part-time or full-time candidate through SJSU.

As a result of the partnership, SJSU has connected approximately 250 Silicon Valley organizations to services and resources to assist them in filling internships and jobs in technology, business, government, education, architecture and design, nonprofit, and various other sectors.


“As the leading supplier of talent to Silicon Valley, and a global access point for companies around the world, we understand the importance of industry collaboration. Our students and alumni provide the practical intelligence and entrepreneurial attitude that continues to make Silicon Valley a global hub of innovation. We are proud of our partnership with the San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce; it’s a natural fit for us. Providing organization cross-referrals, recruitment and staffing solutions, while collaborating with local community initiatives are creative systems that will serve our student, employer, and community needs.” 
-        Dr. Reginald S. Blaylock, Vice President for Student Affairs, San José State University


SJSU refers jobs and internships to the SJSV Chamber for the Opportunity Youth Partnership and San Jose Works Initiatives; SJSU has referred 10,000+ jobs and internships in the past six months.

About the San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce
The San Jose Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit business association representing nearly 1,500 employers and 250,000 employees throughout the greater Silicon Valley. Its mission is to create a strong local economy, provide premier business connections and visibility, represent the interests of business to government, promote the community and initiate political and community action.

About San Jose State University
The founding campus of the 23-campus California State University system, San Jose State provides a comprehensive university education, granting bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in 134 areas of study with 110 concentrations – offered through its eight colleges.

With more than 33,000 students and nearly 4,370 employees, San Jose State continues to be an essential partner in the economic, cultural and social development of Silicon Valley and the state, annually contributing more than 7,000 graduates to the workforce.

The university is immensely proud of the accomplishments of its more than 220,000 alumni, 60 percent of whom live and work in the Bay Area.

El Camino Hospital nabs land in South San Jose

El Camino Hospital just paid $23.4 million for a 16-acre lot on Santa Teresa Boulevard. The speculation for a lot that size is that El Camino might be interested in building their third hospital on this site (they already have full-service hospitals in Mountain View and Los Gatos). The amount of land is far more than what is needed for just medical offices, and South San Jose has enough population to support another hospital in the area--especially with more housing going up at the old IBM campus.

El Camino has been hesitant to announce any concrete plans and has indicated that we shouldn't expect anything to happen soon. I'm hoping they don't sit on the land for too long. If built the project would not bring in any new tax dollars since it would be exempt, but a hospital in the area would improve services for local residents, bring more jobs, and likely increase housing values in the area.

Source: SVBJ

Sourisseau News: February 2016

The latest edition of Sourisseau News discusses San Jose fires. In addition to some pretty spectacular photos, learn about early San Jose fire protection, firefighters, and fire houses. There is even a plug at the end for the San Jose Fire Museum that is coming soon to Downtown San Jose. It is only a two minute video and is well worth your time!


Sourisseau News February2016 from WMS media Inc. on Vimeo.