De.coded - A Human Atlas of Silicon Valley

De.Coded is a portrait of Silicon Valley’s Diversity and Impact using multimedia by artist Marcus Lyon. De.Coded is an exploration of 101 change makers from Silicon Valley, nominated by local grassroots leaders and activists for their extraordinary contribution to the region and beyond. The project features photographic portraits, app-based image-activated oral history soundtracks, and ancestral DNA mapping to create a deeper understanding of the valley and its communities.

The project aims to honor the exceptional diversity of the valley and tell a deeper narrative about one of the most influential regions on earth. The 101 individuals represent a wide range of backgrounds, professions, passions, and causes. They include entrepreneurs, educators, activists, artists, scientists, engineers, athletes, politicians, and more. 

De.Coded is not only a celebration of Silicon Valley’s human capital, but also a challenge to rethink our assumptions and stereotypes about the region. If you are curious to learn more about De.Coded and the stories behind the portraits, you can visit the official website or download the app on Google Play or iTunes App Store. There will also be a book signing on Oct 29th at Books Inc. in Palo Alto from 11am to 1pm.

The Bernal Scream Haunted House in South San Jose

I've posted about a lot of family-friendly Halloween events this year. If you’re looking for a more thrilling and terrifying way to celebrate Halloween, look no further than the Bernal Scream, a haunted house attraction located at 620 Blossom Hill Road, San Jose, CA 95123. The Bernal Scream is the creation of father and son duo Mike and Abel Barrera, who started it as a free show in their backyard in 2013. Since then, they have grown it into a commercial attraction that has attracted thousands of visitors and rave reviews.

Unfortunately co-founder Abel Barrera passed away from pancreatic cancer as they were working together on their next haunted attraction. Now, seven years later the dream of finishing what was started by the duo all those years ago is coming to fruition.

The Bernal Scream is not your typical haunted house. It is a high-endurance attraction that is intense. The theme for this year is Lucifer’s Wrath, a dark and twisted journey through the underworld. You will encounter demons, zombies, clowns, chainsaws, and more as you try to escape the wrath of the devil himself.

The Bernal Scream is open every day up to October 31 from 7pm to at least 10pm (Midnight on the 27th, 28th, and 31st). Tickets are $25 for general admission and $35 for VIP admission, which includes front-of-the-line access and a souvenir photo. You can buy tickets online at their website or at the door. The attraction is recommended for ages 13 and up, as again it is very intense and scary.

Little Portugal San Jose Mural

San Jose's Little Portugal has been in the news quite a bit lately since it will be one of the four new stops in BART's $12 billion extensions to Downtown San Jose and Santa Clara. I'll have some updates (and criticisms) on a large development project for the area sometime next week. The neighborhood is also known for ADEGA, San Jose's first and only Michelin Star restaurant which is about to convert to a more casual concept to mirror it's sister restaurant in Downtown San Jose, Petiscos. 

Heading into a beautiful weekend, I thought I'd share a mural that I just found out about from a cousin that would like to stay anonymous. This is near Bacalhau Grille, a casual Portuguese and Brazilian restaurant at 1555 Alum Rock. It prominently features Five Wounds Portuguese National Church which has been around for 110 years. You can't miss the church's two red peaks driving along 101, Santa Clara Street, or Alum Rock. 

Towards the top it features the flags of the United States, Portugal, Brazil, and the Azores (autonomous region of Portugal). It's a cute little neighborhood that will get a whole lot busier after the BART station is built.

Signia by Hilton supporting local San Jose artists as part of Dia de los Muertos events

Signia by Hilton (former San Jose Fairmont) is getting into the Dia de los Muertos spirit with a two-week celebration from October 21st to November 4th built around three different events.

On October 21st the party starts at AJI Bar & Robata in the beautiful lounge in the middle of the hotel. Signia partnered with local artists to create a paper altar display, posters, and feature Aztec dancers, musicians, and face painters. There will be tequila and mezcal tastings in the lobby.

From Oct 21 to November 4th, the AJI Bar & Robata will feature a special menu of Mexican shared bites and new tequila and mezcal craft cocktails.

On October 27th they will have a costume party headlined by Chicana artis La Doña.

To learn more about all three of these events, head over to the Signia Dia de los Muertos Celebration site. Oh, and if that wasn't enough Dia de los Muertos for you, then the 26th annual Dia de los Muertos Festival and Procession takes place on October 28th at Plaza de Cesar Chavez.

Pellier Park Grand Opening today in Downtown San Jose

Today, San Jose gets a new park. You might have noticed a large construction area in front of City Heights, Downtown's first high-rise residential tower. This will be Pellier Park, named after a nursery founded and operated by Louis and Pierre Pellier. They planted grape seedlings and became famous for growing prunes. By 1870 more than 19,000 prune trees were planted.

Pellier Park is 0.54-acres and has a central area in the shape of a plum with a community grove in the very center. It features a variety of flowering trees, sloped lawns, lounge seating, a storytelling wall, and a flowering tree drift. There is also a walkway beside a new set of townhomes that were built at the corner of the block.

The park is immediately accessible by anyone at City Heights, is across the street from the 188 West St. James residential towers (formerly Silvery towers) and two blocks away from the San Pedro Square Market.

The grand opening takes place today at 5pm.

San Jose's Evergreen area is getting a Chick-Fil-A 🐔

Normally this wouldn't be news, but one of the most popular posts of all time of this blog was about a Chick-Fil-A opening in North San Jose. Soon, Evergreen residents won't have to go far for their controversial chicken sandwich fix.

Chick-Fil-A paid $4.5 million dollars for a parcel that is currently a parking lot in front of the Target on E. Capitol Expressway and Silver Creek Road. It's in the same shopping center as a Chevron, The Boiling Crab and Pho Papa (or for any San Jose OGs, where Beef Noodle #1 used to be).

The land is about 3/4 of an acre and it's unclear whether it will be a traditional single story building or one of the fancier designs that Chick-Fil-A is building starting in 2024. One variant even has the drive-through going through the middle of the building with in-restaurant dining on a 2nd floor.

The new Chick-Fil-A could be open as soon as next year, but there doesn't appear to be an official ETA yet.

Source: The Merc

New hotel proposed across the street from Santana Row

KT Urban has submitted new renderings and an environment review for a hotel that is right across Winchester Boulevard from Santana Row. And by right across, I mean it's facing Maggiano's and Olin Avenue. This is perhaps the single best spot for quickly getting to the center of Santana Row without actually being inside of Santana Row.

The new renderings show a blue brick facade, metal panels, and textured cement. It's 85-feet tall, 7-stories, with an underground floor for parking. There will be 176 guest rooms total, a 4,270 SQFT pool deck and fitness center, and parking for 45 cars and storage for 20 bikes.

On the parcel today is an anachronistic-looking gas station. With most people switching to EVs and 200+ charging stations at Santana Row, I don't think it will be missed.

Construction is expected to last 21 months, and they are hoping to open the project in 2026.

This is a great improvement for this key corner. My complaints are that it could have been much taller, they should have pushed for the maximum height allowable by the FAA. Also the amenity deck with the pool could have been on the roof as opposed to the podium on the 2nd floor. I'm sure this will be a very expensive hotel with a premium brand. Having the pool on the roof with a view of Santana Row or the Santa Cruz mountain would have helped justify the price for weekend guests.

Source: SF YIMBY

San Jose author explores the dark side of love in poetry book "My Heart is a Ghetto"

One of my favorite things about this blog is getting to promote local artists. I don't come across a lot of poetry that is centered around events taking place in San Jose, let alone written by one of our locals. 

San Jose native Little Tank has always been fascinated by the complexities of human relationships. In “My Heart is a Ghetto” he explores the dark side of love, sex, and betrayal through the eyes of a young man who struggles to find his place in the world.

The novel follows the protagonist, who goes by the nickname Tank, as he navigates his way through a series of dysfunctional and abusive relationships with women who use him, cheat on him, and manipulate him. Along the way, he also deals with his own issues of low self-esteem, addiction, and depression. The novel is based on Little Tank’s own experiences and observations of the dating scene in San Jose and beyond.

Little Tank says he wrote the novel as a way of coping with his own trauma and healing from his past. He hopes that his novel will resonate with readers who have gone through similar situations or who are curious about the darker aspects of love.

“My Heart is a Ghetto” is available for purchase on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Bookshop. The full press release is also below.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Local Poet Little Tank Releases Groundbreaking Poetry Collection: "My Heart is a Ghetto"

San Jose, California - [October 13th 2023] - Local resident and acclaimed poet, Little Tank, is set to take the literary world by storm with the release of his powerful collection of poetry, "My Heart is a Ghetto." This thought-provoking anthology delves deep into the themes of abstaining from destructive vices, dreaming big, and the courage to pursue one's loftiest aspirations. It is a celebration of transformation, resilience, and the power of the human spirit to rise above life's darkest moments.

At the heart of "My Heart is a Ghetto" is the poem "RAFI 21," which masterfully encapsulates the collection's core themes. In "RAFI 21," Little Tank paints a vivid picture of life in the slums, juxtaposing the desolation of abandoned buildings and the chaos of a race riot with the yearning for a better life. Through his words, he explores the depths of longing, the struggle for escape, and the ultimate hope for redemption. The poem serves as a poignant and evocative introduction to a collection that grapples with the complexities of existence and the quest for self-improvement.

Little Tank's poetry is a raw, unfiltered reflection of the human experience. He invites readers to join him on a journey of self-discovery, where the heart serves as a battleground for liberation, and the soul is set free. "My Heart is a Ghetto" encourages readers to break free from the shackles of routine and embrace the courage to believe that their most significant aspirations can indeed become a reality.

What sets "My Heart is a Ghetto" apart is not only the compelling content but also its unique origin. Hailing from the vibrant and diverse city of San Jose, California, Little Tank brings a fresh and authentic perspective to the world of poetry. His work is a testament to the creative talent and unique voices that emerge from San Jose, a city known for its cutting-edge and innovative contributions to the arts.

This collection is an anthem for those who have faced adversity, demonstrating that hope can rise from the depths of despair, and a brighter future is possible, even in the most challenging circumstances. "My Heart is a Ghetto" is more than just poetry; it is a testament to the indomitable human spirit and the power of words to inspire and uplift.

About Little Tank:

Little Tank is a local poet hailing from San Jose, California. His poetry is a reflection of life's raw and emotional moments, exploring themes of transformation, resilience, and the pursuit of dreams. "My Heart is a Ghetto" is his latest poetry collection, an evocative journey into the depths of the human experience. He has been published in several online magazines, from Metazen, Housefire, and The Scrambler, to Elizabeth Ellen's Hobart. You can follow him on Twitter: @xlittletankx and find more of his work at his personal website: www.heavyathletics.us