SoFA Market now validates parking

Just like I was a proponent of the San Pedro Square Market, I am huge fan of the SoFA Market on the other side of Downtown San Jose. It is a lot smaller than the SPSM, but is also more intimate and less crowded. Inside you'll find craft cocktails and beers, ramen, poke, gilled burgers, gelato-pops, coffee, smoothies, and soon thin-crust pizza. The SoFA Market is also addressing the biggest detractor to visiting.. parking. You can now get validated parking from all of the vendors in the SoFA Market.

If you have never visited this market or haven't visited in a while, now is a great time to check it out. The SoFA Market is located at 387 S. 1st street, across from another great place--Cafe Stritch.

LUZIA by Cirque du Soleil Contest

I have attended every major Cirque du Soleil show that has come to San Jose since Varekai and have yet to be disappointed. Their shows are a creative mix of acrobatics, storytelling, and comedy. LUZIA, the latest touring show to come to San Jose, is an ode to the rich and vibrant culture of Mexico. Here is the official description: "LUZIA takes you to an imaginary Mexico, where light quenches the spirit and rain soothes the soul."

San Jose shows will begin on February 9th at the Taylor Street Bridge and continue until March 19th. It may sound like there is plenty of time to get tickets, but weekends sell out far in advance and I would recommend booking your seats as soon as possible. If you can afford it, the VIP "Tapis Rouge" tickets take the experience to the next level with a stellar assortment of food and wine before the show and during intermission, along with the best seats in the house. There are also backstage tours that I have yet to try, but sound quite interesting. You can see all of the options and available seats over here.

My tickets have already been purchased months ago, but the good news for you is that Cirque du Soleil has offered us a pair of tickets to give away!

The contest is open right now and the only requirement is that you are at least 18 years old. Just follow the instructions in the widget below to participate. Good luck!

UPDATE: Congratulations to Norman from San Jose for winning the tickets!

LUZIA by Cirque du Soleil Contest

Christmas in the Park

Downtown's top tourist attraction is in full swing and seems better than ever. New to Christmas in the Park this year is a 40ft miniature version of San Jose's Electric Light Tower outfitted with a mesmerizing LED light show. Several of the displays have also been repaired and upgraded thanks to generous donations. Another thing I noticed is that there are many more street vendors than in previous years, and the bacon-wrapped hot dog stands smell amazing.

Chirstmas in the Park is open every day from 9am to midnight. I recommend parking in the Safeway lot to avoid traffic--it's only two blocks away. For more info, head over to the Christmas in the Park website.

December 2016 Downtown Dimension Highlights

Here are my notes from the latest edition of Downtown Dimension:

• The San Jose MarketCenter is expanding by 8,000 SQFT. New tenants include Blaze Pizza and Wells Fargo. There is still one 2,369 SQFT space remaining to be leased. The expansion will also include some much-needed additional parking.
• Several political measures will impact Downtown San Jose:
• Measure A will help reduce the homeless population.
• Measure B provides funding for bringing BART to Downtown and repairing roads.
• Measure F will help recruit more police officers and improve security.
• Cubamex Sandwiches is now open at 325 S. First Street.
• Rookies Sports Lodge will open this month in the former Billy Berk's location at 99 S. First.
• Divine Wineries has moved into the space at 40 Post formerly occupies by Sherman Cellars and Red Light Wine Room.
• TechShop San Jose has raised the $1 million needed to rehabilitate the former Zanotto's space on Second Street for TechShop machinery and is on track for a Spring 2017 opening.
• SJDA offers funding for creative ideas that activate public spaces--if you have one email sjda@sjdowntown.com.
• On Dec. 18, up to 5,000 runners will participate in the TiVO Santa Run Silicon Valley, which benefits both Downtown Ice and Christmas in the Park.

To read the newsletter, click here!

Content Magazine 9.0 Pick-up Party and 5th Anniversary next week

My favorite San Jose magazine is celebrating its fifth year with a free event next Tuesday, December 13th at Art Object Gallery (592 N. 5th St., San Jose).

Music will be provided by Wax Moon, Cado Dos Santos, Mardi Morillo, April Gee, and Steely Nash. Snacks and light bites will be provided by Michi Sushi, The Cookie Boys, Manresa Bread, and the Mount Hamilton GrandView Restaurant.

Content Magazine subscribers will get a complimentary beverage and holiday gift bag along with their issue. If you are still not a subscriber, head over here.

They are also partnering with Toys for Tots on this event. It is encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy for a child in need (age range is 0-16).

The event will run from 7pm-10pm and street parking is available as well as a city lot on 6th and Jackson.

Photo of the San Jose City Hall Rotunda

Check out this great photo of one of our most significant landmarks from Paul. The photo is entitled Citadel San Jose 02.

Source: cardinal2007 from the San Jose Development Forum

San Jose BART Station - latest updates

San Jose is just one year away from finally being connected to BART. Below is the latest update from the VTA, which is responsible for the extension to Silicon Valley. Both the Milpitas and San Jose stations should be open in late 2017. Watch the short video below for construction photos and details.

Inside San Jose's BriteLab

First off, let me say that I have really missed Nathan Donato-Weinstein's articles in the SVBJ. I am thrilled to see him writing again in the SJ Economy blog.

He recently visited BriteLab, a high-tech South San Jose manufacturing company that makes everything from 3D printers to electric skateboards. The 55,000 SQFT space is a startup incubator that helps new companies bring their products to market. BriteLab provides product-development, design, engineering, manufacturing, and support services. Currently BriteLab employs 75 people, but they are planning to grow to 150.

For all the details, check out Nathan's article over here.

Source: SJ Economy