Five Points Cocktail Bar coming to San Pedro Square

Does Downtown San Jose really need another craft cocktail bar? Heck yes it does. Five Points is coming to the San Pedro Square area, nestled between Britannia Arms and AFK Gamer Lounge. There isn't much information on their website besides the following text:

"Honoring the traditions and culture of the old saloons and bars that graced one of the most notorious neighborhoods in America"

Intriguing! For some photos of the interior space head over to the Five Points Facebook page.

Epic list of Downtown San Jose projects

Rosellen Downey from the Silicon Valley Business Journal has compiled a list of major projects in Downtown San Jose. All I can say is wow. If even half of these are developed the Downtown area will look quite differently that it does today.

Source: SVBJ

Enoteca La Storia coming to Little Italy

Little Italy is about to get another flagship restaurant across the street from Henry's Hi-Life. Enoteca La Storia will bring more fresh pastas, pizzas, and paninis to the neighborhood along with Italian cocktails and wines. They already have a very successful and highly rated location in Los Gatos (4.5 stars on Yelp) at 416 North Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos. I can't wait for the San Jose version to open up!

For more info head over to the Enoteca La Storia website.

San Jose's Strike Brewing Co. wins a Silver Medal at the 2016 US Open Beer Championship

Huge congratulations to one of San Jose's first craft beer companies. Strike Brewing Co. scored 2nd place at a national championship among thousands of entries. Their Screaming Hand Imperial Amber Ale took home the Silver in the Imperial Red category. The beer is now sold throughout California, but I would recommend visiting Strike's taproom for the full experience at 2099 S. 10th St. (Wed-Thu 4pm-8pm, Fri 3pm-9pm, Sat 1pm-9pm, Sunday 1pm-7pm).

For more information head over to the Strike website or read the press release below.

SAN JOSE — San Jose craft brewer Strike Brewing Company has won a silver medal for their Screaming Hand Imperial Amber Ale.

Brewmaster and co-founder Drew Ehrlich said, “We’re very proud that Screaming Hand Imperial Amber Ale took Silver in the Imperial Red category of the 2016 U.S. Open Beer Championships. We already thought this beer was special. But it’s great to get the recognition the too.”

Strike co-founder and CEO, Jenny Lewis says “Not only is this great news, it is also perfect timing as we’re helping iconic local skateboarding company Santa Cruz Skateboards celebrate the 30th anniversary of Screaming Hand at their art opening on Friday, August 5th.”

Award winning Screaming Hand Imperial Amber Ale is available throughout the state of California.

For more information, visit StrikeBrewingCo.com/ScreamingHand

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ABOUT STRIKE BREWING COMPANY
Strike Brewing Company was founded in 2014 and was born out of the desire to make great craft beer. With their standard lineup of ales, seasonal rotation of holiday specialties, and experimental Bullpen Series, Strike Brewing Co. is helping make San Jose a craft beer destination. For more information, visit StrikeBrewingCo.com.

ABOUT SANTA CRUZ SKATEBOARDS
Santa Cruz Skateboards, located in Santa Cruz California, was established in 1973 by then owners, Richard Novak, Doug Haut and Jay Shuirman who founded NHS Inc. Santa Cruz Skateboards has long been revered as one of the original skateboard companies that has not only survived over the years but contributed to the innovation and modernization of skateboards and skateboarding. In 2013 NHS celebrated its 40th anniversary. Follow us on Instagram @Santacruzskateboards and @Santacruzskate on Snapchat, Twitter and Periscope.

First renders of a bright residential tower for SJSU students

Last week Nathan Donato-Weinstein wrote an article about "The Graduate @ SoFA," a new 19-story tower that is being proposed where The Tech Shop and McDonalds used to be in Downtown San Jose (area bound by San Carlos, Third Street, and Second street). The new renderings look quite impressive for the area--I love the bright yellow accents that remind me of a highlighter. We may have some very spoiled SJSU students in a few years.

The L-shaped building has 260 units, with most having four bedrooms. Over 1,000 students could be housed in the tower. There is an amenity deck with a swimming pool on the fourth flour and 10,000 SQFT of retail on the ground floor. There are intentionally very few balconies as a "safety feature" (university students can party pretty hard).

A side benefit to SoFA is that it moves students closer to the Downtown core and places them a block away from South First Street. This will help increase activity and vibrancy in the area.

Rents will go for around $1,000/mo for a room, a bargain in Silicon Valley. While the project is targeted to SJSU students, I don't think there is anything legally preventing non-students from moving in. There is still no ETA on when the building could break ground--the developers are still working on design and entitlements.

Source: SVBJ

The Fourth Annual Cafe Stritch RAHSAANATHON: A celebration of the life and music of Rahsaan Roland Kirk

If you enjoy Jazz music, Cafe Stritch has a multitude of events coming up next week as part of their fourth annual RAHSAANATHON. The events honor the life and music of Rahsaan Roland Kirk. For all of the details, please check out the press release below.

San Jose, CA – San Jose’s Cafe Stritch is proud to present its Fourth Annual RAHSAANATHON: A Celebration of the Life and Music of Rahsaan Roland Kirk from Wednesday August 3 through Sunday August 7, 2016

Dorthaan Kirk will be present for all festivities. The RAHSAANATHON’S main event is unique in the entire world. Rahsaan fanatics from around the country will converge on Cafe Stritch for their annual pilgrimage.

For three nights trombonist Steve Turre & The Eulipion All Stars featuring reedman extraordinaire James Carter (tenor sax / clarinet / flute) will create magic at Cafe Stritch. This ensemble will be reprising their three-night stands in 2013, 2014, and 2015. The group will be performing Turre’s arrangements of Kirk’s music Thursday August 4, Friday August 5, and Saturday August 6.  Poet Betty Neals, who co-wrote “Theme for the Eulipions” (the house anthem of Cafe Stritch) with Kirk, will perform the song live. The band includes Charles McNeal (alto sax / soprano sax), Matt Clark (piano), Marcus Shelby (bass), Darrell Green (drums), and Terrie Odabi (vocals). The concerts are from 8:30PM to midnight.

Tickets: $50 available at http://www.brownpapertickets.com

The week’s festivities begin on Wednesday August 3. Cafe Stritch, in partnership with San Jose Jazz (SJZ), will screen Adam Kahan’s feature documentary film The Case of the Three Sided Dream at Camera 3 Theater (located one block from Cafe Stritch at 288 South Second Street, San Jose, CA 95113) at 7:00PM. The Case of the Three Sided Dream is the award-winning documentary about multi-instrumentalist Rahsaan Roland Kirk (1935-1977), who went from blind infant to child prodigy, to adult visionary, to political activist, and finally to paralyzed showman. A seemingly superhuman musical force who played literally until the day he died.  Kirk was a musical force beyond category.  He never let anything stop him from pursuing what he called "The Religion of Dreams”.

Following the film, there will be a question and answer session at Camera 3 with Adam Kahan, the movie’s director. This will be followed by a reception and panel discussion at Cafe Stritch at 9:00PM. Adam Kahan will be the moderator of a panel discussion including Dorthaan Kirk, Betty Neals, Steve Turre, and Sonelius Smith. As part of Cafe Stritch’s weekly all vinyl DJ Night (Wax Wednesday), Cafe Stritch’s Artistic Director Maxwell Borkenhagen will be playing a Rahsaan-themed set including Rahsaan classics and selections by related artists (no cover).

Tickets: $10 for movie tickets only / $20 for movie ticket and reception at Cafe Stritch including hors d’ oeuvres and one alcoholic beverage. Tickets are available at http://boxoffice.printtixusa.com/camera/advance?i=18314

On Sunday August 7 Cafe Stritch will host a birthday celebration for Rahsaan. August 7, 2016 would be Rahsaan’s 81st Birthday.  The evening will include New York based Rahsaan biographer and multi-instrumentalist John Kruth performing Rahsaan-related readings and songs. The evening’s main event is The Sonelius Smith Quartet featuring Claire Daly. The group includes Sonelius Smith (piano), Claire Daly (baritone sax / flute), Howard Wiley (drums), and John Shifflett (bass).  Smith played with Rahsaan on multiple recordings including Rahsaan Rahsaan (1970), Natural Black Inventions (1971), and Blacknuss (1972).  This is a musical homage to Rahsaan Roland Kirk in voice and music featuring tunes by RRK, his friends, and other kindred spirits. The concert will be celebrating Rahsaan, one of the most original jazz artists ever to live. The concert is from 7:00PM to 11:00PM.

Tickets: $15 available at http://www.brownpapertickets.com

Cafe Stritch will be presenting the photographs of house photographer Ron Orlando from August 3 through August 31.  Mr. Orlando is a photographer who is passionate about photography and jazz.  He has been taking photos of jazz musicians since the 1980s. This exhibit is entitled Jazz Exploration. It is composed of photographs of jazz musicians taken at Cafe Stritch since 2014.

Press from past RAHSAANATHONS:
http://jazztimes.com/articles/166119-review-the-26th-annual-san-jose-jazz-summer-fest
http://www.mercurynews.com/music/ci_26260902/cafe-stritch-catches-jazz-lightning-bottle
http://www.metroactive.com/features/columns/Rahsaanathon-Cafe-Stritch-Rahsaan-Roland-Kirk.html

Other Information:
http://www.cafestritch.com/
https://www.facebook.com/cafestritch
Tickets for all concerts are available at www.brownpapertickets.com

Cafe Stritch is located at 374 South First Street, San Jose, CA 95113  (408) 280-6161

SJC upgrading its "International Terminal"

Yes, I realize this is a second post about SJC this week. The airport is on a roll with adding new flights, especially international flights that bring millions of tax dollars, convenience, and recognition to our city. San Jose went from having two international routes a few years ago to eight (Guadalajara, Cabo San Lucas, Tokyo, Beijing, London, Frankfurt, Vancouver, and Shanghai). The airport is doing so well, it's time to expand the international facilities.

Despite flying out of SJC 100 times, I didn't get to got to fly internationally out of San Jose until a few weeks ago. My wife an I took a vacation to Barcelona and got to utilize the direct flight on British Airways from San Jose to London. It was an exceptional experience, far better than flying internationally through SFO or Oakland. On the way back, I finally got to go through San Jose's customs facility. I have gone through customs/immigration dozens of times, and have never had a better experience than San Jose. Even though we were sitting in economy, we were able to go from the plane, through customs/passport control, get suitcases, and be outside waiting for our ride within 15 minutes (!). If you fly a lot, you know this is pretty much impossible... not in San Jose.

The "International Terminal" is somewhere between Terminal A and Terminal B. On a return flight after going through customs, it spits you out in a place I never even knew existed in the airport that feels like it's from the 80s. This is the area currently being upgraded. The 5,600 SQFT project includes a second baggage carousel, an indoor waiting area for family and friends to welcome your arrival, a snack area, comfortable seating, and new restrooms.

The project will cost a total of $8.2 million (coming from unspent bond proceeds) and should be completed Spring 2017.

Source: ETN Global Travel Industry News

Downtown San Jose's One South tower finally gets a tenant

After a whole year, one of the most central and well-trafficked corners in Downtown San Jose has been leased. One South is a high-end apartment tower bound by Santa Clara Street, Market Street, and San Pedro Street. Sadly, its three retail units have sat empty despite residents fillings up the 312 units upstairs. Now, a gourmet coffee shot with some food options is going to nab that prime 1,730 SQFT corner space at the intersection of Santa Clara Street and Market Street.

The tenant is Proper Cup, and they'll fit right in with the other high-end, non-chain coffee shop proliferating Downtown. Their focus will be on artisanal coffees and teas with great customer service. Proper Cup will also be offering sandwiches and soups.

If you happen to be one of the lucky residents of One South, you're about to get one more reason to love where you live. Proper Cup is going to offer room service to residents so they can order coffee and have it delivered without having to go all the way down the elevator.

Construction of the coffee shop will begin at the end of September with a goal to be open in November. One down, two more to go. The remaining retail units are 3,201 SQFT (corner space) and 1,603 SQFT.

Source: SVBJ