Saturday Stats: San Jose is the 2nd healthiest region in the US

Great news, we just ranked as the second most "healthy" metro in the country. The study looked at two dozen measures of health factors and health outcomes (such as average lifespan).

San Jose has a very low premature death rate at 0.2%, an adult obesity rate of only 19.6%, and only 7.1% adults do not have health insurance. Only 9.1% of San Joseans smoke, the fourth smallest share of any US city. The best part is we ranked highest on the metric that is most important, life expectancy. Our average lifespan is comes in at an impressive 82.7 years.

Source: 24/7 Wall St., Thanks to Barclay Livker for sending this in!

Silicon Valley Beer Week kicks off tomorrow

If you love beer, you are likely going to enjoy the next 9 days. Dozens of beer-centric events will take place throughout Silicon Valley from July 22nd to the end of the months. These range from tastings, beer food-pairings, brewery tours, beer walks, and sessions with brewers. Given how quickly our beer scene is growing, I wouldn't be surprised if this ranks as the most impressive beer week to date for our region. For the complete list of events, head over to the Silicon Valley Beer Week events page!

Silicon Valley Comic Con is returning in 2017 bigger and better

Steve Wozniak's comic con has announced dates for its sophomore debut next year. The expanded event will run from April 21-23 at the San Jose Convention Center as well as neighboring Downtown San Jose venues (South Hall, The City National Civic, and the California Theatre).

Silicon Valley Comic Con 2017 features sessions with celebrities, tech innovators, scientists, comics, artists, video games, virtual reality, and consumer electronics. The inaugural 2016 event drew 60,000 attendees, making it the largest fan expo in Northern California and it generated $12.5 million in revenue for San Jose and local businesses. Next year's event will very likely exceed those metrics.

For more info check out the press release below or the Silicon Valley Comic Con website over here. VIP Platinum and Gold ticket packages are already available.

SILICON VALLEY COMIC CON REVEALS DATES FOR 2017 AND EXPANSION INTO ADDITIONAL DOWNTOWN SAN JOSE VENUES
VIP Tickets on Sale Now for Steve Wozniak’s Pop Culture and Technology Expo

San Jose, Calif. - July 13, 2016 - Silicon Valley Comic Con (SVCC), Steve Wozniak’s popular expo celebrating the Age of the Geek will return to downtown San Jose the weekend of April 21-23, 2017. Over the course of the three-day show, the 2016 event welcomed 60,000 attendees who enjoyed a sold-out show floor of 350+ exhibitors and dozens of packed panels and fan Q&As. The largest fan expo in Northern California, Silicon Valley Comic Con generated $12.5 million of revenue for the city and surrounding businesses, making it one of San Jose’s largest revenue generating events. Pairing science with fiction, Silicon Valley Comic Con aims to inspire and entertain with celebrity appearances, science/tech discussions, film / TV screenings, panels with award-winning authors and artists, displays with comicbook artists, cosplay contests and more.

“Where else can you participate in Q&As with a renowned quantum physicist and the cast of ‘Back to the Future’ in one day? What an amazing time to be a geek!” said Steve Wozniak. “The first SVCC went well beyond everyone’s expectations, and we walked away from the event absolutely brimming with ideas for 2017. As technology and pop culture continue to drive each other, SVCC will showcase the best of Silicon Valley.”

After its successful inaugural year, SVCC has already outgrown the San Jose McEnery Convention Center. Three new surrounding locations will host SVCC events and exhibits: South Hall, The City National Civic, and The California Theatre, with more venue expansion plans in the works. In addition, Silicon Valley Comic Con is working closely with Team San Jose and the City of San Jose to increase public parking and public transportation options.

“Nearly 90% of SVCC’s 2016 attendees said they would recommend the show to their friends, and the most common feedback was that they wanted even more great content across exhibits, panels and opportunities to meet or hear from their favorite celebrity and tech icons,” said Trip Hunter, CEO of Silicon Valley Comic Con. “Expanding into a variety of new venues will allow us to bring even more compelling content our fans and partners are seeking.”

VIP Platinum and Gold ticket packages can be purchased today at www.svcomiccon.com. VIP ticket package perks include early entrance to the show, priority panel entry, access to a private VIP lounge, private autograph signings and more.

To inquire about custom sponsorship and exhibitor packages or media partnerships, contact marketing@svcomiccon.com. The exhibitor application is also available online now. For more information about SVCC, visit www.svcomiccon.com.

ABOUT SILICON VALLEY COMIC CON
With Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak at the helm, Silicon Valley Comic Con celebrates the Age of the Geek by bringing together America’s two greatest superheroes: pop culture and technology. Featuring top celebrities, tech innovators, comics, scientists, independent artists, cosplay, video games, virtual reality, consumer electronics, music, apps and more, Silicon Valley Comic Con is where the entertainment and technology worlds intersect. Silicon Valley Comic Con 2017 will take place April 21-23, 2017 at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center and surrounding downtown San Jose locations.

San Jose Bus Rapid Transit overview video

VTA's first Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line is getting closer to reality. Despite several delays, the line connecting East San Jose and Downtown should be fully operational in 2017. The blue hybrid "accordian" buses are already being used on the route. These are the nicest buses in the VTA fleet with comfortable seating, free WiFi, and bike racks both inside and outside the bus.

When the BRT line is complete, each stop on the route will get stations similar to Light Rail. These will have real time information for arrival times, local artwork, bright lighting, and 24/7 security cameras.

The other major improvement that BRT will bring besides the stations is faster travel times. This will be accomplished using dedicated bus lands in the median of Alum Rock Avenue as well as transit signal priority (green lights will stay on longer if a bus is present). You also won't have to worry much about catching a specific bus since they are only 10 minutes apart during peak hours.

Have a look at the 3 minute video below for a quick overview of the new system.

New boutique hotel proposed on North Fourth Street

An aging 10-room motel at 1036 N. Fourth Street (first photo below) may be transformed in slick boutique hotel. The proposed project would have 60 rooms across four floors, underground parking, and an impressive rooftop terrace with a living wall of plants, a bar, and BBQ area. Speaking of BBQ, one of my favorite restaurants and one of San Jose's few Michelin-ranked restaurants is located down the block: Smoking Pig BBQ.

The proposed hotel is near the bulk of San Jose's tech jobs, making it a near guaranteed success during the workweek. The big question would be how well it could do on the weekends in this location. I hope they can make it work since it would be a big improvement over what is standing there now.

Source: SVBJ

Playful People Productions Presents: Dear Edwina Jr.

This lively family friendly musical, chronicles the adventures of plucky Edwina Spoonapple, advice-giver extraordinaire, who wows her neighbors in Paw Paw, Michigan, via original musical extravaganzas performed in the Spoonapple Family garage  Edwina directs the neighborhood kids in her latest edition of her weekly "Advice-a-Palooza.” where Edwina and her friends will share wisdom on everything from trying new foods to making new friends through clever, catchy songs.  Dear Edwina JR is a show that unfolds into a virtual block party and will delight children, teens and adults alike.

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, July 22nd - 7:00pm
Saturday, July 23rd - 11:00am, 3:00pm and 7:00pm


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 3-103

Searchlight San Jose: A bet, a beating, and a basket

Losing is never easy, especially when the prize is the Stanley Cup you and have to send the mayor of the winning city a basket of gifts. Long story short, Mayor Sam Liccardo had a friendly bet with Pittsburg Mayor, Bill Peduto. The mayor of the losing team would have to send over a basket of treats representing his city.

So what was in San Jose's basket? Schurra's Fine Confections, La Vic's Orange Sause, Greenlee's Bakery Best Cinnamon Bread, Gordon Biersch beer, Fruit cocktail (invented in San Jose), J. Lohr wine, and Chiaramonte's Sausage. These are all items made locally here in San Jose with the exception of the fruit cocktail. To see a full breakdown of each item, head over to Searchlight San Jose.

What do you think? Is there anything missing from the basket that would better represent San Jose?

San Jose hosts "The Swings"

Starting on August 4th, you will be able to enjoy "musical swings" in Plaza de Cesar Chavez. The swings are an award-winning interactive art project that combines both exercise and music. As you swing, you will trigger musical notes. When multiple people coordinate their swings, they can generate melodies.

Musical Swings will be in Plaza de Cesar Chavez for the next two months and are available from 10am to 10pm daily. There is no fee to use the swings.

This project was sponsored by the Knight Foundation, the City of San Jose Office of Cultural Affairs, the City of San Jose Parks, Recreation & Neighborhood Services, the San Jose Downtown Association, San Jose Jazz, The Tech Museum of Innovation, ZERO1, Team San Jose, Adobe, Applied Materials, and City View Plaza.

Source: SJ Economy News