San Jose 408K "Race to the Row" takes place this weekend

If you are still burning off some of those holiday calories like I am, one of San Jose's most popular 8k runs takes place this weekend. Now in its 6th year, "Race to the Row" begins in Downtown San Jose at the SAP Center and finishes at Santana Row. Along the way there are special areas highlighting various foundations and San Jose culture, including the Joe Bell Memorial Mile, the Mariachi Mile, a Low-Rider car show, and San Jose's finest. Proceeds from the race benefit the Pat Tillman Foundation.

For more details and to register, head over to the San Jose 408k webpage.

THE SAN JOSE 408K CELEBRATES SIX YEARS OF LOCAL CULTURE
PAT TILLMAN FOUNDATION, MARIACHI MILE, & JOE BELL MEMORIAL RETURN

San Jose, Calif. -- 3/1/17 – The San Jose 408k “Race to the Row” Benefitting the Pat Tillman Foundation celebrates its 6th annual running this Sunday, March 5th.  From start to finish, the 8k run/walk in the 408 area codes has quickly become one of the most authentically local running events.

“Six years ago our wildest dream was to create race a big race that highlighted the culture and lifestyle in San Jose, while also benefiting a community connected cause. Over half a decade later, not only are we doing that in San Jose, but through out the San Francisco Bay Area,” said J.T. Service, San Jose 408k and Represent Running founder.

That guiding mission came from early race staples such as the Mariachi Mile, and using low-rider cars for lead vehicles on course, to the single most memorable moment in the race’s history – WWII Army vet Joe Bell cheering on the runners as they passed by his house which turned into a national story.

Mr. Bell’s passing prior to the 2015 event prompted the event to enact the Joe Bell Memorial Mile, a section of the course dedicated to honoring United States service members and now expanded to include all first responders.

The Memorial Mile will be located during the 4th mile of the 8k run. It will begin at Garden and Emory St. near the San Jose Rose Garden and continue down Emory to Bascom Ave. Residents of the neighborhood within Memorial Mile will be provided with American flags to place along the course. Veterans and active military groups or individuals interested in participating are encouraged to contact race organizers at info@representrunning.com

Another inspiring story includes two San Jose 408k runners will also honor the memories of SGT Scott Lunger (Hayward Police Department) and Officer Jeffery Fontana (San Jose Police Department) by carrying and crossing the finish line with American flags courtesy of the Flags 4 Fallen Foundation.

All participants receive a low-rider themed finishers medal, exclusive Cukui designed participant shirt, Santana Row after party and an outpouring of love from the people of San Jose.  All local companies are encouraged to participant in the Amazon Healthy Co. Challenge.

To register or to receive more information on the Memorial Mile and San Jose 408k “Race to the Row” please visit www.run408k.com.


About the San Jose 408k Race to the Row
The San Jose 408k “Race to the Row” is an 8k run from SAP Center in San Jose to Santana Row. The 6th Annual event expects over 6,000 local runners, celebrates the Pat Tillman Foundation as its Official Charity, and calls San Jose home. On the course runners enjoy a low-rider car show, Joe Bell Memorial Mile, and final Mariachi Mile with live Mariachi bands. The 408k is part of a Bay Area wide series called the Run the Bay Challenge including the Across the Bay 12k and the East Bay 5k & 510k.  More info at www.run408k.com and www.representrunning.com

About the Pat Tillman Foundation 
In 2002, Pat Tillman proudly put his NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals on hold to serve his country. Family and friends established the Pat Tillman Foundation following Pat’s death in April 2004 while serving with the 75th Ranger Regiment in Afghanistan. Created to honor Pat’s legacy of leadership and service, the Pat Tillman Foundation invests in military veterans and their spouses through academic scholarships–building a diverse community of leaders committed to service to others. For more information on the Pat Tillman Foundation and the impact of the Tillman Scholars, visit www.PatTillmanFoundation.org.

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Hapa Brewery opens at Midtown Arts Mercantile

San Jose just welcomed its newest craft brewery, conveniently located at the Midtown Arts Mercantile (460 Lincoln Ave.). Hapas's Brewing Company is kicking things off with three different beers: a blond ale, and IPA, and a mocha porter. You can sample all three in their 1,000 SQFT taproom and outdoor patio. Eventually the selection will grow to eight beers and Hapa's is planning to bring in food trucks on weekends.

The taproom is open Wednesday-Thursday from 4pm-9pm, Friday from 3pm-9pm, Saturday from 11am-9pm, and Sunday from 11am-6pm. While you are there you can also check out Chromatic Coffee, Good Karma Bikes, and Terra Amico Studios. For more details, have a look at the full press release below or visit the Hapa's Brewing Company website.

Hapa’s Brewery, Inc. joins city’s robust brewing community

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Adding to a burgeoning craft beer scene in San José, Hapa’s Brewing Co. will celebrate the official opening on Saturday, Feb. 25 of its brewery and taproom inside Midtown Arts Mercantile – the former cannery turned artisanal “maker space” in the city’s Midtown neighborhood. The opening ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. at the facility, 460 Lincoln Ave.

The 7,500-square-foot facility is the brainchild of childhood friends Derek Tam and Brian Edwards, who started brewing in Edward’s mother’s Los Gatos home a couple of years ago as a hobby. As they worked to hone their craft, it didn’t take long to home in on a business opportunity.

“There were breweries popping up everywhere, and we realized San José is developing an active brewing ecosystem,” Tam said. “We said it would be so cool to come back to the area where we grew up and turn this hobby into an actual business.”

The pair joined up with experienced Sonoma County brewer Peter Burrell, with Edwards leaving his tech job to work full time alongside Burrell. About 18 months ago, the team signed a lease with San José-based SWENSON for space inside Midtown Arts Mercantile. The 40,000-squarefoot facility was designed from the ground up for manufacturers, artists, and creative retailers. Other occupants include Chromatic Coffee, Good Karma Bikes, and Terra Amico Studio.

San José Economic Development staff assisted the developer of Hapa’s Brewing with project review, seeing a chance to preserve a historic industrial building for modern “maker” uses.

"We know there's lots of demand for industrial uses throughout San José, and Hapa's arrival at Midtown Arts Mercantile shows these older buildings can be a perfect fit when creatively retrofitted," said Kim Walesh, Economic Development Director and Deputy City Manager for the City of San Jose. "We're happy to welcome Hapa's Brewing to the midtown neighborhood."

Hapa’s Brewing kicks off with three brews – including a blond ale, an IPA, and a mocha porter - as it ramps up to a planned eight taps. The facility comprises a 1,000 square foot taproom and an outdoor patio, complete with roll-up doors. While it doesn’t offer its own food, Hapa’s plans to bring in food trucks on weekend afternoons. For now, Hapa’s is focused on the taproom experience, and is researching wholesale agreements with local bars, restaurants, and grocers.

“Hapa’s is exactly the kind of tenant we are seeking for Midtown Arts Mercantile: A unique local business that will provide the neighborhood with a fantastic social gathering space,” said Forrest Cerrato, portfolio manager for real estate developer SWENSON.

Hapa’s joins a small but growing ecosystem of craft beer and other craft drink-related businesses in San José. In the last two years, San José’s venerable Gordon Biersch has been joined by Strike Brewing, Hermitage Brewing, Santa Clara Valley Brewing and Coterie Cellars. Last year, GigaYeast – which makes liquid yeast for commercial and home brewers – opened on Qume Drive.

For more information on Hapas Brewing, visit hapasbrewing.com.

About San José Office of Economic Development
The San José Office of Economic Development is committed to a vital, competitive San José
economy that increases prosperity for people and companies. OED guides the city’s economic
strategy, provides assistance for business success, connect employers with trained workers, and
provides art and cultural resources to our community. For more information, go to
sjeconomy.com.

About City of San José
San José, Capital of Silicon Valley, is the largest city in Northern California and the 10th largest
city in the nation, with an ethnically diverse population of more than one million. San José was
founded in 1777, once served as the state capital of California, and encompasses 180 square
miles. The City’s website is sanjoseca.gov.
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San Jose Flood Victim Resources

Our heart goes out to all that were impacted by the flooding last week. Below is a list of resources that might be helpful.

The Silicon Valley Community Foundation has setup a special fund for San Jose flood victims. It just takes 60 seconds to make a donation and I'm sure it will go a long way for neighbors whose lives have been turned upside-down by the unprecedented flood. You can access the San Jose Flood Victims Relief Fund over here.

The City and its partners have provided the resources below for flood victims

Flood debris removal locations
See where dumpsters will be around the city at the maps, which the City provided in three languages:

• English
• Spanish
• Vietnamese

Returning to your flooded home checklistWe request all residents who return home look at the following checklists in three languages:

• English
• Spanish
• Vietnamese

Food safety checklistPlease be careful with any foods that went unrefrigerated, and, when in doubt throw it out. See our infographics for more details in three languages:

• English
• Spanish
• Vietnamese 

Free rides for flood victims
The ride-hailing app Lyft will provide $20 off rides for flood victims who need to go to work, get their medications or engage in other critical-need activities. Please contact Alex Wilson for the codes.

The City will pay for Yellow Cabs for San José flood victims who need transportation to and from the Local Assistance Center. Call 408-777-7777 account #1421. 
Free pumps for flooded housesThe City has 15 pumps for public use. Please contact Paul Pereira for more information and to access the pumps.

Towing and Parking EnforcementThe SJPD will suspend parking enforcement for the duration of the emergency. Vehicle owners will not be charged for any towing related the to Coyote Creek flood. Owners can contact the Police Station Auto Desk by calling 408-277-4263 to determine where their vehicle is located.

Vehicle flood damage
Was your vehicle damaged in the flood? Please contact the San José Police Department's Auto Desk at 408-277-4263.
Donation of goods
Contact Mollie Tobias
(408) 535-3588 or mollie.tobias@sanjoseca.gov
 *Emergency Operations Center is asking people who would like to donate goods to work with the Salvation Army or Goodwill.

Local assistance center
This is a multi-agency support center to provide help and resources to residents and businesses affected by flooding. We'll help you connect with:

• Social services, including food assistance
• Housing services and tenant/landlord questions and concerns
• Replacing DMV documents
• Filing for losses
• And more—agencies including:
  
  • County Department of Eligibility and Benefits Services
  • County Department of Aging and Adult Services
  • San Jose Office of Economic Development
  • San Jose Housing Department
  • State Contractors Licensing Board
  • Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
  • Franchise Tax Board

This is a safe place for affected residents, regardless of immigration status, to receive resources. Read more here.

This information is available as a flyer in:

• English
• Spanish
• Vietnamese

Sunday, February 26	9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Monday, February 27 to Friday, March 3	8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 4	9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Shirakawa/Vietnamese American Community Center
2072 Lucretia Avenue, San José

The City of San José is paying for Yellow Cab service for those affected by the flood needing transportation to/from Local Assistance Center ONLY. Call 408-777-7777, mention account number 1421.

Servicio gratuito: caro de sitio al centro de asistencia local para afectados por inundación #sanjosefloods llame al 408-777-7777 cuenta1421

Temporary storageU-Haul Company of South Bay is offering 30 days of free self-storage to those impacted by the floods.

Here’s a list of the 11 U-Haul locations participating:

U-Haul of Campbell
1266 White Oaks Road
Campbell, CA 95008
(408) 371-5183
U-Haul Moving & Storage of Fremont
44511 S. Grimmer Blvd.
Fremont, CA 94538
(510) 656-2200
U-Haul Moving & Storage of Thornton
4833 Thornton Ave.
Fremont, CA 94536
(510) 796-3151
U-Haul of Mountain View
62 W. El Camino Real
Mountain View, CA 94040
(650) 965-3151
U-Haul Moving & Storage of Redwood City
2200 El Camino Real
Redwood City, CA 94063
(650) 365-6233
U-Haul at Curtner Ave.
705 Curtner Ave.
San Jose, CA 95125
(408) 267-7000
U-Haul at Tully Road
2395 Senter Road
San Jose, CA 95112
(408) 295-9234
U-Haul of Milpitas
2395 Oakland Road
San Jose, CA 95131
(408) 943-9191
U-Haul Moving & Storage at The Alameda
1027 The Alameda
San Jose, CA 95126
(408) 295-4884U-Haul Moving & Storage of Santa Clara
2121 Laurelwood Road
Santa Clara, CA 95054
(408) 660-3108
U-Haul of Sunnyvale
939 E. El Camino Real
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
(408) 735-7060

Disposing household hazardous wasteCall Santa Clara County Household Hazardous Program (408) 299-7300

Property assessment information
Any misfortune or calamity that was not the fault of the property owner or the party responsible for the taxes eligible for property tax relief under Section 170 of the California Revenue and Taxation Code under certain requirements.

Read more at the Santa Clara County Assessor's website.

Rebuilding inspection fees and permits
The City will waive all permit and inspection fees for victims of the flood. Call the Permit Center for more information 408-535-3555.

Map of cleared and evacuated areas
Most recent map of cleared and evacuated areas

• Map of North of 280 to South of 237

• Oakland Road
• Rock Springs

Updated 5:10 p.m. 2/24/2017

Cars towed in flooded areas
Was your car towed during the Coyote Creek Flood? Vehicle owners will not be charged tow fees, and will need to follow these simple steps to collect their vehicle:

Residents can visit the San Jose Police Department Auto Desk (201 West Mission Street) or call at (408) 277-4263.

• Provide the vehicle's license plate number and the registered owners identification.
• The Auto Desk will run the license plate number to determine where the vehicle was towed to: Alongi Tow, Century Tow, or Matos Tow.
• Owner will then be able to make contact with the specific tow company for release of their vehicle.

Medication lost in the flood
Medications exposed to flood water are considered contaminated, and should not be used. To assist the 2017 San Jose flood evacuees with filling their lost medications, the Santa Clara County Pharmacy will make every attempt to provide a one-time fill of their prescriptions.

• English
• Spanish (Reemplazo de medicamentos perdidos en inundaciones) 
• Vietnamese

Exposure to flood waterAccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), outbreaks of infectious diseases after a flood in the U.S. are very unusual. Exposure to flood water alone is not a reason to give tetanus-containing vaccine or any other vaccine. Read more here. 

Click here for the most current information 

Playful People Productions Presents: Fiddler on the Roof

A gem from Broadway's Golden Age of musicals, Fiddler on the Roof  is set in the little village of Anatevka in 1905. The story centers on Tevye, a poor milkman, and his five daughters. We watch as Tevye attempts to preserve his family’s traditions in a changing world. Tevye’s daughter Tzeitel wants to marry a poor tailor instead of the middle-aged butcher her father has chosen for her in the tradition of arranged marriages. Tevye is forced to choose between his daughter’s happiness and his culture’s beloved traditions. With the help of a colorful and tight-knit Jewish community, Tevye tries to protect his daughters and instill them with traditional values in the face of changing social mores and the growing anti-Semitism of Czarist Russia. Rich in historical and ethnic detail, Fiddler on the Roof's universal theme of tradition cuts across barriers of race, class, nationality and religion, leaving audiences crying tears of laughter, joy and sadness.

Fiddler on the Roof first appeared on Broadway in 1964 and swept the Tony's with nine "Best" awards including Best Musical for a score that features "Matchmaker, Matchmaker," "If I were a Rich Man," "Sunrise, Sunset," and "Do You Love Me.”

New York-based theatre artists Gary De Mattei (Director/Choreographer) and Caryn Hartglass (Musical Director) will be recreating the original Jerome Robbins choreography. This show is a full length performance, so most appropriate for kids age 8 and up. The performance will feature live music along with our usual amazing actors on stage.

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 Theater, 1635 Park Ave  San Jose, CA 95126

Show Times: (show will run approx 3 hrs with an intermission)
Thursday, March 2nd - 7:00pm
Friday, March 3rd - 7:00pm
Saturday, March 4th -  1:00pm and 7:00pm
Sunday, March 5th - 1:00pm and 6:00pm


Tickets available at www.playfulpeople.net
$15 attendees 12 and up, and  $10 children 11 and under

Tickets at the door (30 minutes prior to curtain)
$18 attendees 12 and up, and  $12 children 11 and under

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

A look inside the AC Hotel in Downtown San Jose

The AC Hotel at Santa Clara Street and Highway 87 is the first major new hotel Downtown since the Marriott. The European-styled hotel has 210 guest rooms and six suites, all with king beds (including rooms with two beds). It even has a small swimming pool, something I did not expect given the location.

This looks like a terrific addition to Downtown San Jose. On the exterior it may not look like much, but they did a great job on the interior and it will help activate a key block--especially with a tapas restaurant and cocktail lounge on the ground floor.

Vicky Thompson from the SVBJ has a dozen photos for you to check out at the source link below. For another perspective, Nathon Donato-Weinstein also has a blog post about our newest hotel.

Source: SVBJ

Beautiful mural on the Alameda

This is a great example of the public street art we need more of in San Jose. You can find this leading down to the "subway" on the Alameda & Lenzen that lets you cross from one side of the street to the other. While you are in the area, you might as well visit one of the best Mexican restaurants in San Jose: Zona Rosa, and follow it up with a nightcap at Wine Affairs.

Source: Linda Na-guyen from Downtown Dwellers

DASH is on the chopping block

Part of the VTA's plans for their new transit network include cutting DASH, a convenient free shuttle that circles Downtown San Jose. Scott Knies from the San Jose Downtown Association wrote a thoughtful article on how this would impact the area, which you can find below. The proposal is strongly opposed by SJSU, SPUR, and the SJDA.

VTA wants to halt DASH

Blog post by Scott Knies, Executive Director, San Jose Downtown Association 

February 14, 2017 

The free Downtown Area Shuttle (DASH) that averages more than 1,000 riders daily Monday–Friday between Diridon Station and San Jose State University (SJSU) is on the chopping block. 

Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) proposes curbing DASH and substituting a new bus route between Diridon Station and the Berryessa BART station. The new route would traverse downtown on Santa Clara Street and riders would pay regular VTA fares. 

San Jose Downtown Association (SJDA), SJSU and SPUR oppose the end of DASH and are registering concerns about the proposal to the VTA board. 

“Eliminating the DASH shuttle is another counter productive move which will affect SJSU students, senior citizens and our low-income residents who rely on this service to get around downtown,” said Ann Webb, a member of the San Jose Downtown Resident’s Association. 

DASH averaged 1,032 daily riders in 2016. Ridership peaked in September at 1,224 and dipped to 859 in June, corresponding to the SJSU semester calendar. DASH primarily operates on San Fernando Street, a route that will become increasingly important once BART subway construction starts under Santa Clara Street. 

“BART is a five-year construction project with major impacts near Diridon and First Street where stations will be built,” said Chloe Verrey, SJDA Operations Manager. “Now is definitely not the time to end DASH service.” 

SJDA helped initiate DASH in July 1996 when Adobe Systems, Inc. first moved downtown. Adobe was leasing space in Riverpark before its first office tower was completed and the free shuttle connected employees taking Caltrain to the downtown core. 

Adobe, SJDA, City of San Jose Dept. of Transportation, SJSU, VTA and regional air quality grants all contributed to fund DASH, which VTA contracted out to private shuttle vendors until taking it in-house in 2007. 

From July 2005 to January 2008 VTA changed the DASH route to Santa Clara Street, but ridership lagged as the shuttle took longer to negotiate traffic congestion. Since returning to San Fernando Street, ridership has rebounded, peaking at 1,046 average-daily riders in 2015. 

“It’s surprising VTA wants to eliminate DASH and put another bus route on Santa Clara Street again, especially with the BART construction looming,” Verrey said. 

Cutting DASH is just one of the many route and schedule changes proposed by VTA in their NextNetwork plan that aims to improve the agency’s overall fare box receipts and operations. See the plan at nextnetwork.vta.org.

Playful People Productions Presents: Willy Wonka Jr

This delicious musical is guaranteed to delight everyone's sweet tooth! Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka JR follows enigmatic candy manufacturer, Willy Wonka, as he stages a contest by hiding five golden tickets in five scrumptious candy bars.  The lucky winners will get a free tour of the Wonka factory, as well as a lifetime supply of candy. Four of the five winning children are brats: the fifth is a likeable young lad named Charlie, who takes the tour with his equally amiable Grandpa Joe. This scrumdidilyumptious musical is guaranteed to  take the audiences on a fantasy ride into the land of pure imagination!

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 Theater, 1635 Park Ave  San Jose, CA 95126

Show Times:
Friday, February 24th at 7pm
Saturday, February 25th at 11am, 3pm and 7pm
Sunday, February 26th at 11am, and 3pm

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