Mixue Ice Cream and Tea Debuts First Bay Area Outpost in Sunnyvale

Mixue Ice Cream and Tea just opened its first Bay Area location in Sunnyvale. The Chinese chain, which operates more than 53,000 stores worldwide and ranks as the planet’s largest fast food operation by unit count, chose a compact space inside the Shoppes at Homestead shopping center. Service began in late June, with grand opening celebrations running through this weekend.

The brand traces its roots to a single shaved ice stand founded in Zhengzhou in 1997. It grew through company-owned factories that control ingredient costs and a small-store format that keeps overhead low. Every item on the menu stays under five dollars, a notable contrast to typical Bay Area pricing for similar drinks and desserts.

Inside the Sunnyvale shop, a life-size Snow King statue anchors the space while walls display branded merchandise. Three touchscreen kiosks handle orders, and the chain’s signature jingle loops in the background. Staff focus on rapid preparation behind the counter, keeping lines moving even during peak times.

Soft serve options include vanilla at $1.59 and matcha at $1.99. Pearl milk tea and other drinks run around four dollars, with full control over sweetness and ice levels. Toppings such as boba pearls, taro balls, coconut jelly, or pudding cost just 49 cents each. The vanilla soft serve leans lighter and less sweet than many American versions, while the matcha delivers a clear grassy note.

You can visit Mixue at 1641 Hollenbeck Ave in Sunnyvale between the hours of 11am and 7pm, seven days a week. The shop is already very popular and has a four star rating on Yelp.

Source: SFGATE

SJC Prepares to Transform 15 Acres into Thriving Aviation Hub

San José Mineta International Airport stands ready to turn a quiet corner of its property into a vibrant center for general aviation services. The 15-acre site at the corner of Martin Avenue and De La Cruz Boulevard once handled long-term passenger and employee parking. Now largely unused, the land will soon invite developers through a formal request for proposals that aims to deliver fresh facilities while generating solid new revenue for the airport.

Airport leaders remain flexible about what takes shape there. A fixed-base operator, specialized aviation service operator, or even aviation manufacturing could all fit. The ground lease will run a minimum of 20 years and a maximum of 50 years, with an extension option available. Proposals must include at least $2.75 million in annual ground rent plus a share of tenant revenue. If FAA approvals come through, the site could expand to 20 acres and open even more possibilities.

Anyone may submit a bid, and partnerships among multiple parties are welcome. The airport wants partners who strengthen the local general aviation community and deliver benefits that reach beyond the runway into surrounding neighborhoods. An industry outreach day already took place in June to gather feedback and share early details. The request for proposals is expected to launch in the coming months, with a final selection targeted for the end of the year and San Jose City Council approval anticipated in January.

Keep an eye on flysanjose.com for the official request for proposals once it appears. The opportunity will move quickly, and the right development could set a new standard for how our airport serves private and specialized aviation. Personally I'm hoping for a boutique operator like JSX, which already has operations in Oakland.

Source: SVBJ

Prologis Advances Major Data Center Plans in South San Jose

The company Prologis has set its sights on 5977 Silver Creek Valley Road for a substantial data center project. The vacant site in South San Jose offers strong access to utilities and a skilled local workforce ready for such developments.

Plans call for a multi-level building exceeding 500,000 square feet in total interior space. At least 30,000 square feet would serve as office space while the remainder houses the servers and equipment essential for data processing and storage.

The facility would draw up to 99 megawatts of power. Developers intend to build an on-site substation near the existing PG&E one just three miles away, plus backup generation systems. Water needs would match those of roughly 40 households, with commitments to limit effects on nearby areas.

Early designs show a functional, blocky three-story structure in grey and white tones. Landscaping and facade details aim to soften the overall appearance despite the emphasis on practicality. Construction could wrap up within about two years if approvals come through.

This project underscores San Jose's ongoing appeal to major tech investors. It promises to expand the region's capacity for advanced computing while creating opportunities in construction and operations.

Source: SF YIMBY

Music in the Glen Marks 25 Years of Free Summer Concerts in Willow Glen

Willow Glen has hosted Music in the Glen for a full quarter century in 2026, with the Kiwanis Club of Willow Glen continuing its sponsorship of these Sunday afternoon gatherings at Frank Bramhall Park. The series runs through the summer on Willow Street, drawing residents who arrive early to claim spots on the grass.

Attendees spread blankets and chairs across the open grounds while local bands perform from 4-6pm each evening. Children dart between the trees, adults chat in small groups, and the park atmosphere stays relaxed even as the music builds momentum from one set to the next.

Performers such as Big Mike and the Hartbeats or The Iconics deliver sets that mix rock, pop, and soulful classics, appealing to listeners across generations without any admission fee required. Different acts appear each week, keeping the lineup fresh while honoring the neighborhood tradition of accessible live entertainment.

Today's performance will be by Cisco Kid. For more information on the Kiwanis Club of Willow Glen head over here.

Lasers and Bad Bunny Beats Create Magic at The Tech Interactive

San Jose delivers an electrifying summer highlight through the Dome Series at The Tech Interactive. This July, the Global Beats theme brings a laser light show set to the music of Bad Bunny right into the heart of Downtown San Jose.

The IMAX Dome Theater becomes a vibrant 360-degree spectacle where pulsing lights sync perfectly with reggaeton rhythms and hits from the Puerto Rican artist. Attendees enjoy surround sound that immerses everyone in the energy of tracks like Callaita and I Like It, turning a regular evening into an unforgettable visual and auditory adventure.

The event forms part of a broader lineup that combines technology and entertainment in creative ways. Visitors combine a museum visit with the show for a full day of discovery, then settle into the dome for the main event. Easy access via transit and parking validation at nearby garages makes attendance convenient.

Purchase tickets at https://tickets.thetech.org/events/019bbec2-853f-d728-371f-ebc8007bd3c8

Silicon Valley International Invention Festival Invites Global Creators to the Heart of Innovation

Inventors, entrepreneurs, and curious minds from more than 30 countries will gather in Santa Clara this August for the Silicon Valley International Invention Festival. The three-day showcase at the Santa Clara Convention Center highlights groundbreaking ideas and transformative technologies from around the world while offering direct access to the people behind them.

Free visitor admission removes barriers and opens the event to students, professionals, investors, and anyone interested in what comes next. Attendees can wander through exhibits, engage with creators, and explore emerging solutions in an environment built for discovery and conversation. The format encourages both casual exploration and purposeful networking across borders and disciplines.

Santa Clara sits at the core of a region long defined by its capacity to turn bold concepts into reality. This festival extends that tradition by welcoming international perspectives and creating space for collaboration that might otherwise happen far from home. It reinforces the area’s role as a place where ideas from every corner of the globe find fertile ground.

Organized by the International Federation of Inventors Associations, the program spans multiple days with hours designed for broad participation. Programming suits all ages and includes opportunities to see practical inventions alongside forward-looking concepts. It stands as a clear reminder that the drive to invent and improve remains a powerful force here, drawing talent and attention that continue to shape the future.

The festival runs August 14 through 16 with free parking and doors open at 10am each morning.

Dine Downtown Restaurant Week is Live!

It's one of my favorite times of year. Dine Downtown is in full swing until July 19th. I'm going to break the traditional format a bit and highlight some of my favorite menus on the list. 

Let's start with a pre-dinner libation at Alter Ego, one of the best bars in the entire Bay Area. If you're feeling fancy, they have a unique liquid special of a martini and caviar for $20. I do wish there were some food items on here as well as their kitchen is the best of any bar I have been to.

Poppy and Claro has a $29 lunch 3-course prix fixe as well as a very reasonably $39 dinner option. You can pair that with a $19 cocktail flight ($9 for mocktails).

At the other end of the pricing spectrum you have Adega, San Jose's first and only restaurant ever to earn a Michelin Star. They have a 4-course $99 menu, which is the least expensive menu you are likely to find there all year. If that is too rich for your blood and you're craving Portuguese food, their sister restaurant Petiscos has a $55 3-course menu available.

For some traditional American steaks, Morton's has a great deal for a 3-course meal featuring a Filet Mignon. 

Last but not least, La Peñita is featuring four specials for Restaurant Week, all smothered in delicious mole sauce. This is one of the more affordable options on the list for a full service restaurant.

Bon Appetit! 🧑‍🍳

Cancer CAREpoint Finds a New Home in Willow Glen for Expanded Cancer Support

Bay Area families navigating cancer treatment and recovery will experience greater access to free, personalized support following Cancer CAREpoint’s recent relocation to a larger headquarters in the Willow Glen neighborhood. The nonprofit completed its move on June 30 into the Garden Theater Building at 1165 Lincoln Avenue, where increased space now allows for more clients and broader in-person programming.

The expanded facility strengthens the organization’s ability to deliver counseling, support groups, nutrition education, wellness classes, and practical assistance such as wigs and emergency bridge funding. After more than 14 years of service from its previous San Jose location, Cancer CAREpoint has already supported over 12,000 individuals and families across the region with care available both in person and virtually.

This new base in Willow Glen’s vibrant, walkable community provides a peaceful and inviting setting designed to foster connection and hope during challenging times. The move enhances visibility for the nonprofit amid the neighborhood’s local shops and gathering spots, helping more residents discover these essential resources.

With services rooted in compassion and practicality, the organization continues its mission to ease the burdens of cancer for patients, survivors, caregivers, and loved ones throughout the Bay Area. The relocation positions Cancer CAREpoint for sustained growth as it prepares for community events like its annual Garden Party fundraiser.

Source: SVBJ

H2 Gallery at Hammer Theatre Celebrates Local Artists with Reflections and Upcoming Texturescape

Those exploring the Hammer Theatre Center in Downtown San Jose will discover the H2 Gallery, a dedicated space that rotates exhibitions of work by local artists and San José State University alumni. The current show, Reflections, wraps up on July 16 after featuring pieces by nine creators who work across painting, printmaking, and drawing. Their subjects range from the fleeting and intimate to larger-scale reflections on environment and personal vision, with select works available for purchase.

The artists in Reflections bring distinct perspectives that together create a rich dialogue within the gallery walls. Dianna Masciarelli, Sue La Fetra, Vera Fainshtein, Megan Huddlestun, Clayton Moraga, Guna Leikind, Imara Osorno, Fe Villanueva, and Alessandra Aquino each contribute pieces that invite close looking and thoughtful response. The exhibition marks the fourth in the space and underscores a commitment to elevating voices connected to the university and the broader San Jose community.

Because the gallery sits inside the Hammer Theatre Center, visitors attending performances often find themselves drawn into the artwork as a natural extension of the evening. This integration turns a simple night out into a fuller encounter with the creative energy that flows through Downtown San Jose. The focus on alumni and local makers keeps the programming rooted in the region while offering fresh perspectives each time the walls change.

An upcoming exhibition titled Texturescape will open on July 18 and continue the gallery’s mission of showcasing thoughtful, varied work. A free reception on August 4 at 6 p.m. will give the public a chance to meet the artists and experience the new show firsthand.

Mrs. Roper Romp Brings Playful Energy to Downtown Willow Glen Once Again

Friends and neighbors seeking a lighthearted summer afternoon in Willow Glen will have the perfect reason to dust off the caftans and wigs this coming weekend. The third annual Mrs. Roper Romp turns the neighborhood into a stage for colorful fun inspired by the Three's Company television character known for her bold fashion and larger-than-life personality.

The gathering takes place on Saturday, July 11 from 1 to 5 PM throughout Downtown Willow Glen. Participants need no tickets or advance sign-ups. They simply choose an outfit that captures the spirit, then spend the hours shopping at local boutiques, enjoying meals at neighborhood restaurants, and strolling the sidewalks in full flamboyant style.

Willow Glen has always carried a village atmosphere with its blend of specialty stores, casual dining spots, and pedestrian-friendly blocks. This is a pretty unique event that I have never seen take place in another part of Silicon Valley. I certainly plan to sit outside at one of Willow Glen's many great restaurants and enjoy the show--watching both those participating and the confused looks from people that stumbled upon the event and have no clue what's going on.