Summer Bill Relief Arrives for PG&E Customers in San Jose

I bet you weren't expecting a 2nd PG&E story in the same day. This is one you'll want to read if they are your utility provider.

Residential PG&E customers across San Jose and the wider service area will see two California Climate Credits appear on their upcoming electric bills. Each credit totals $36.18, applied automatically to the August and September statements for a combined $72.36 in relief during the highest-usage months of the year.

The timing change came after the California Legislature and Public Utilities Commission moved the electric credits to summer, when cooling demand typically drives higher bills. Eligible small-business accounts already received their first credit in April and will see the second in October. Since the program began in 2014, PG&E households have collected nearly $1,200 in cumulative Climate Credits.

These funds come from the state’s Cap-and-Invest Program and represent the public’s share of proceeds from efforts to reduce carbon emissions. For many local households the extra credit arrives just as air-conditioning use climbs, helping offset seasonal spikes without any action required on the customer’s part.

PG&E has also lowered residential electric rates five times since early 2024. Combined with the summer credits, typical monthly bills now sit roughly $25 lower than two years earlier for standard customers and about $30 lower for those on the CARE discount. Additional tools such as rate-plan comparisons, home energy checkups, and efficiency financing remain available for anyone looking to stretch the savings further.

PG&E Brings Hands-On Electrification Hub to Downtown San Jose

Pacific Gas and Electric will soon open a public electrification demonstration center right in the heart of Downtown San Jose. The utility plans to convert 8,445 square feet of ground-floor space at 160 West Santa Clara Street into a hands-on learning space that opens this fall. Residents, businesses and students will finally get a clear look at the tools that make the shift to cleaner energy simpler and more practical.

Inside the new hub, visitors can explore working exhibits of smart home controls, advanced EV charging concepts, smart electrical panels, heat pump water heaters and induction cooktops. Classroom and training areas will host community groups, local schools, apprenticeship programs and workforce organizations. The goal is straightforward: show people exactly how these technologies work in real homes and buildings so more San Joseans feel ready to make the switch.

This center deepens an already active partnership between PG&E and the City of San José. Both sides have spent recent years building stronger collaboration around reliable power delivery, especially as the city positions itself as a major destination for data center investment and broader economic growth. Locating the facility just a few blocks from City Hall puts the utility in a highly visible spot at a time when Downtown office space continues to seek new, productive uses.

The timing feels right for a city that wants residents and businesses to move confidently toward electrification. By placing working examples of heat pumps, induction ranges and smart systems in an easy-to-reach Downtown location, PG&E creates a practical resource that supports both individual households and the larger clean-energy goals of San José. When the doors open this fall, anyone curious about the next step in home or business energy upgrades will have a place to see the future in action.

Source: SVBJ

Vacant Building Near Downtown Gains New Life as Artist Studios

A long-empty structure at 255 West Julian Street is set to become a working home for local artists. Local Color, the San Jose arts nonprofit, is converting the Davidson Building’s ground floor into the Big Arts Building, with roughly a dozen below-market-rate studios, office space, a gallery focused on muralism, and areas for public programming.

Artists are expected to start moving in as early as August 1. The nonprofit selected participants after contacting hundreds of creators and hosting preview tours; more than 40 expressed interest following a recent walkthrough. The space includes natural light, air conditioning, secure storage for materials, and a Creative Outlet that redistributes unused art supplies to artists, educators, and youth programs.

A dedicated mural gallery marks a first for the city. The setup will give some artists their initial chance to work at mural scale while offering the public a place to experience that work up close. Local Color already has a track record with large collaborative projects, including the 100 Block mural effort downtown, and this new location expands that capacity closer to the core of Downtown San Jose.

The project grew out of a partnership with developer Westbank and arrives at a moment when affordable creative space remains hard to find. For muralists and studio artists who have worked in less comfortable conditions, the building’s practical features matter as much as the walls themselves.

Source: San Jose Spotlight

Midweek Fresh Finds Await at the Downtown San Jose Farmers Market

Every Wednesday morning, the Paseo de San Antonio in Downtown San Jose fills with stalls of just-picked produce, baked goods, and ready-to-eat meals from local makers. The Downtown Farmers Market operates from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 101 Paseo de San Antonio, giving residents and workers a reliable midweek stop for seasonal fruits, vegetables, and prepared foods.

Shoppers will find Asian vegetables from Xiong Farms, conventional fruits from Lopez Family Farm, organic greens and eggs from Green Mix Ranch, and strawberries from Bay Fresh. Packaged options include artisanal cookies and empanadas from California Bakeshop, honey from Mango Blossom Apiary, and specialty teas from Leafory. Hot food vendors rotate through dumplings, tamales, Thai street plates, and Filipino dishes, while a handful of craft tables offer jewelry, soaps, and handmade clothing.

The market accepts EBT benefits at the information booth, and visitors receive 90 minutes of complimentary parking in nearby ParkSJ garages. The setup keeps the focus on small local producers rather than large commercial suppliers, making it a practical way to support nearby farms and food businesses while stocking the kitchen.

World Cup Fever Filled Downtown San Jose with Record Crowds

Over six weeks of World Cup matches, Downtown San Jose recorded more than 900,000 visits, far surpassing the original projection of 350,000. San Pedro Square became the clear center of the action, transformed by the San Jose Earthquakes and city partners into a continuous outdoor festival with jumbo screens, food, and fans packed along the pedestrian mall.

High-demand games pushed the numbers even higher. Mexico’s matches drew the largest turnouts, with nearly 40,000 people across Downtown for the Round of 16 clash against England and more than 37,000 for an earlier group-stage game. Organizers responded by adding screens and, when needed, shifting the biggest crowds to Discovery Meadow and SAP Center. Restaurants and bars in the square reported steady waves of customers that many owners described as stronger than multiple Super Bowls combined.

The success built on San Jose’s deep soccer roots and deliberate planning. City leaders had set aside funding two years earlier for major-event coordination, a decision that paid off once the tournament arrived. Light-rail trains filled, sidewalks stayed busy, and the usual quiet of post-pandemic office hours gave way to an energetic, multi-week celebration that felt closer to a music festival than a typical Downtown evening.

Safety challenges appeared at the edges of the official zones, yet the overall experience remained manageable as organizers refined operations match after match. The stretch offered a clear demonstration of what Downtown can deliver when people have a compelling reason to show up.

With the final behind us, the calendar already includes the CrossFit World Championships at SAP Center and the convention center, plus upcoming tech gatherings, concerts, and street festivals. The infrastructure, partnerships, and recent practice are in place. Sustaining the energy will depend on creating more reasons for residents and visitors to return, night after night.

Source: The Mercury News

SJC Terminal B Welcomes Vietnamese Flavors and New Nonstop Routes

Travelers through San José Mineta International Airport now have two strong new reasons to arrive early. Asian Box and Bad Egg Breakfast Bar have both opened near Gate 19 in Terminal B, giving passengers real choices that feel connected to the Bay Area rather than generic airport fare.

Asian Box, a local Vietnamese concept with deep Bay Area roots, serves made-to-order rice and noodle boxes, banh mi sandwiches, fresh salads and a full lineup of boba drinks. Breakfast options include a fried-egg banh mi on a gluten-free roll and a lemongrass pork brunch box. Orders move quickly through either a touchscreen kiosk or a friendly counter. Right next door, Bad Egg Breakfast Bar spreads out across 135 seats with all-day comfort food: chicken and waffles topped with a runny cage-free egg, breakfast grilled cheese loaded with smoked ham and Swiss, and a solid grab-and-go case for pastries and coffee. A full bar pours specialty cocktails while the bright, mural-filled space invites lingering.

The dining upgrades arrive alongside real growth in the flight schedule. Southwest Airlines will begin seasonal nonstop service to Orlando in November, aimed squarely at families headed for theme parks. Delta Air Lines adds daily nonstop flights to Austin starting in early October, expanding premium options for both business and leisure travelers. These routes join an already busy network that continues to make SJC one of the most convenient gateways in Silicon Valley.

Next time the itinerary starts or ends at SJC, give yourself a few extra minutes near Gate 19. A proper meal or a cold boba before boarding has never been easier to find.

Source: SVBJ

Where Locals Head for Brunch in Willow Glen

Saturday mornings in Willow Glen often begin with a choice along the tree-lined stretch of Lincoln Avenue. The neighborhood’s compact downtown offers several reliable spots for brunch, each with its own pace and outdoor seating, and all within a short walk of one another.

The Table, at the corner of Willow and Lincoln, continues to draw the longest lines for its seasonal American plates. Chilaquiles, fresh juices, and rotating egg dishes fill the menu, and the back patio becomes especially inviting once the morning fog lifts. Weekend service starts at 9 a.m., with walk-ins only on Saturday and Sunday. Arriving right at opening or after 12:30 usually shortens the wait.

Just down the street, Bill’s Cafe has served stuffed omelets and oversized pancakes since 1977. The heated patio stays dog-friendly, making it a practical stop for families who prefer to skip reservations altogether. STACKS, also on Lincoln Avenue, opens earlier and typically moves faster for those who want stacked pancakes without the crowd.

Copita adds another option later in the morning. Its weekend brunch runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. across the dining room, patio, and rooftop, and reservations are accepted. The setting works well for groups that prefer to plan ahead rather than wait.

After brunch on Saturdays, the farmers market at Willow Glen Elementary sits only a few blocks away, Free two-hour street parking lines Lincoln Avenue, with a larger lot behind the Bank of America at 1245 Lincoln for those who need a little more time.

Source: Downtown Willow Glen

Alexander's Steakhouse Cupertino Returns After Renovation

San Jose diners who make the short trip over to Cupertino finally have a favorite steakhouse back. After a temporary closure that began in late June, Alexander's Steakhouse at 19379 Stevens Creek Boulevard reopened its doors following a full interior renovation, restoring one of the South Bay's most reliable fine-dining destinations.

The space that first welcomed guests in 2005 now features updated finishes and modern design touches while keeping the same sense of warmth that built its reputation. Intimate tables, larger gatherings for celebrations or business, and private events all fit comfortably inside the refreshed room. Plentiful free parking remains right outside, a practical detail that continues to matter on busy nights.

What has not changed is the kitchen's approach. Premium steaks still share the menu with seasonal tasting options, carefully prepared seafood, and a wine list that has earned steady regional praise. The blend of classic American steakhouse technique with subtle Japanese influences remains the signature, supported by ingredients sourced from nearby farms and artisan producers. Service stays attentive without becoming stiff.

General Manager Radim Vlcek and the team designed the update to feel elevated yet familiar, a balance that has defined the restaurant for more than two decades. Regulars and first-time visitors alike can expect the same focus on quality that earned Alexander's its long list of local awards (including a Michelin Star at one point).

Dinner service runs nightly from 5 to 9 p.m., with limited lunch hours on certain days. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 408-446-2222.

San Jose Tops the West as the Premier Technology Market

A fresh CommercialCafe study just confirmed what locals have long known: the San Jose metro area stands as the clear number-one technology market across the entire Western United States. Scoring 73 out of 100 points, the region finished nearly 20 points ahead of second-place San Francisco and left every other Western metro well behind.

The numbers tell a powerful story of concentration and compensation. Roughly 15 percent of all jobs here fall into computer and mathematical occupations, the only market in the study where tech employment topped 10 percent of the workforce. Median annual tech wages reached $196,595, the highest in the West and comfortably ahead of San Francisco and Seattle. Organizations based in San Jose secured 67,002 patents between 2020 and 2024, nearly double San Francisco’s total and more than triple Seattle’s.

Density of tech companies further locked in the lead. San Jose recorded 76.6 technology establishments for every 1,000 businesses, far outpacing Boulder and San Francisco. The metro also delivered 155 tech jobs for every 1,000 occupations, underscoring the sheer volume of talent still clustered in Silicon Valley even as smaller markets in Colorado, Utah, Nevada and Idaho posted faster percentage growth.

While places like Reno, Las Vegas and Provo showed impressive workforce expansion, none came close to matching the absolute scale, wages or patent output that define San Jose. The study evaluated more than 70 Western metros on employment, pay, business density, patents and quality-of-life factors, and the South Bay simply dominated the categories that matter most for a mature tech ecosystem.

These results reinforce San Jose’s position as the engine room of Western innovation. When companies look for the densest talent pool, the highest-paying tech jobs and the most prolific patent generators, they keep finding their way back to the same place. That advantage continues to shape the region’s future and keeps the City of San Jose at the center of the conversation.

Source: SVBJ

Glen Fest Returns to Willow Glen for a Day of Music, Food, and Family Fun

The third annual Glen Fest will turn the Bank of America lot on Lincoln Avenue into Willow Glen’s biggest community celebration of the year on September 26. From 11 in the morning until 6 in the evening, local food vendors, beer and wine stands, live bands, and a full Kids Court will draw neighbors together for a full day of outdoor enjoyment.

Two bands will keep the soundtrack going from early afternoon onward. The Wanderers will deliver classic rock and pop hits spanning the 1960s through today between noon and 2:30. Livewire will follow with high-energy dance covers from the 1970s and 1980s plus current favorites, taking over from 3 until 5:30 and inviting everyone to move.

A dedicated Kids Court will offer bouncy houses, face painting, appearances by local sports teams, and additional activities designed for younger visitors. The mix of live music, food, and play creates an easy setting where families can spend hours wandering the lot and nearby tree-lined streets.

Organized by the Willow Glen Business Association, the free event supports independent merchants while giving the neighborhood a signature gathering point. It transforms a central parking area into a vibrant space for eating, dancing, and connecting with people who live and work nearby.