Saturday, January 13, 2024
Sonic Runway
Friday, January 12, 2024
Content 16.2
Here are some of the people featured in the upcoming issue:
Thursday, January 4, 2024
Iconic San Jose tower will be converting offices to homes
Saturday, December 30, 2023
Breeze of Innovation Updates
Dear Friend,
Creating a dynamic city center involves lots of blood, sweat, and tears. In 2023, we’ve worked hard to collaborate with our fellow Plaza de Cesar Chavez stakeholders on plans to dramatically improve the most historic piece of property in San Jose. In 2024, we want to take the next step.
Great parks are the secret sauce for successful downtowns around the world. For more than two centuries, Plaza de Cesar Chavez has been waiting for us. This is our chance to finally take Downtown San Jose to the next level by working together with our city's diverse and amazing citizens for the greater good.
Along with many others who are deeply committed to Plaza de Cesar Chavez, we will reveal our shared vision for the park in the next six months. This vision will include Breeze of Innovation, elements to dramatically honor Cesar Chavez, and vastly improved park infrastructure that will amp up and elevate events of all kinds -- including Christmas in the Park and the San Jose Jazz Festival.
The mission for 2024 is tightly focused; we plan to join with the family of Cesar Chavez, concerned citizens, park event producers, and neighbors to begin to dynamically improve Plaza de Cesar Chavez and maximize the joy experienced by all park visitors.
Downtown leader Gary Dillabough says: “Sometimes to create an exceptional place, you need a catalytic event or a catalytic project. Our belief is that the Breeze of Innovation is that project.”
Will you please continue to support our game-changing project for downtown San Jose?
Your donations will help us create this inspirational vision for Plaza de Cesar Chavez. Please donate HERE or by mailing a check to Urban Confluence Silicon Valley, P.O. Box 720813, San Jose, CA 95172.
Your financial support is deeply appreciated.
Please call Steve Borkenhagen any time with questions and comments.
Happy New Year!
Urban Confluence Silicon Valley
Executive Director Steve Borkenhagen
Steve@
Please take a moment to watch this video of Mayor Matt Mahan as he discusses Breeze of Innovation.
Friday, December 29, 2023
Last chance to see the holiday projections at St. Joseph's Basilica this season
Thursday, December 28, 2023
New Years Eve options in Downtown San Jose
Friday, December 22, 2023
The story behind San Jose's oldest building
Thursday, December 21, 2023
11-story building coming to San Jose's "Downtown West"
Source: SVBJ
Thursday, December 14, 2023
More details emerge about "San Jose's Downtown Food Hall" on Santa Clara Street
- Forza Italia Kitchen
- Y-Linh Sandwiches
- Sophia's Sweets
- Silk Road Kitchen
- Cosmic Cuisine Halal,
- Mercy Mediterranean
- Monosushi
- TeaZeer
- Sam & Curry
- Azuma San Jose
- SLOBSTER
- Cinco Milpas
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
New updates on Downtown San Jose's Urban Putt, the coolest miniature golf concept I've ever seen ⛳
Monday, December 11, 2023
Six projects changing the face of Downtown San Jose
Sunday, December 10, 2023
New Taiwanese restaurant will replace Flames in Downtown San Jose
Source: The Mercury News
Sunday, November 26, 2023
Spend $125 at San Jose Downtown Businesses and get a $25 gift card
Saturday, November 25, 2023
Winter Wonderland is officially open in Downtown San Jose 🎡🎄
Monday, November 20, 2023
Silicon Valley Turkey Trot 2023, a San Jose Thanksgiving tradition
Friday, November 17, 2023
SJSU is officially taking over the Signia (former Fairmont) South Tower
Wednesday, November 15, 2023
Eight-story apartment building proposed near future San Jose Google campus
Sunday, November 12, 2023
San Jose Downtown Ice prepares for busy skating season starting Nov 17
SAN JOSE – San Jose Downtown Ice opens Nov. 17 for families from throughout the Bay Area who have made ice skating at the iconic rink a holiday tradition.
“This is Downtown Ice’s 26th season since its debut in 1994,” said Alex Stettinski, CEO of event partner San Jose Downtown Association. “Children whose parents took them to skate downtown years ago are now moms and dads bringing their kids to enjoy our rink and all that downtown San Jose has to offer during the holidays.”
The circular rink located in and around the Circle of Palms plaza at 120 S Market St. will be open daily through Jan. 15. Ninety-minute sessions will occur every two hours. Tickets can be purchased online at sjdowntownice.com.
Special Ice, the largest operator of seasonal outdoor rinks in California, will produce this year’s skating experience.
“Downtown Ice is an iconic event that leaves a lasting impression,” said Emery Lykins, president of Special Ice. “We’re excited to be a part of the rink’s history, to contribute to this amazing city and hopefully usher in a revitalized future for the rink.”
Downtown Ice organizers hope for a second consecutive season of local and out-of-town guests surpassing pre-pandemic levels of 2019. A recent report shows that the period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day is downtown San Jose’s busiest, with almost 20 percent of last year’s 2.8 million visitors to the center city spending several hours within a three-block radius of the ice rink.
Downtown Ice is nestled in the Circle of Palms plaza between the San Jose Museum of Art and the Signia by Hilton San Jose hotel. The rink will join the rejuvenated Christmas in the Park displays as well as the popular Winter Wonderland amusement rides in the center of downtown’s major seasonal attractions.
Adding to downtown San Jose’s vibrancy and appeal as a weekend destination during the season are stage performances including two versions of The Nutcracker, concerts, Sharks hockey, museums and galleries, restaurants and shopping. Visit sjdowntown.com for events and downtown details, and parksj.org for parking information.
Downtown Ice has exciting skating promotions planned this season including:
Sunday Show Tunes, presented by Broadway San Jose, where skaters can vote for their favorite Broadway songs;
Learn-to-Skate sessions;
Family Skate packages;
The Grinch will be at the rink from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Nov. 25 to greet skaters and promote Broadway San Jose’s Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas - The Musical in town Nov. 28-Dec. 3;
The Ice Queens will entertain skaters Dec. 8 with a performance, meet-and-greet and photo opportunity;
Signia by Hilton offers a Shopping and Champagne package for stays between Nov. 17 and Dec. 31 that includes two tickets to Downtown Ice; round-trip transportation with Lyft to Westfield Valley Fair; and a Bottle of Veuve Clicquot Champagne.
In addition, check sjdowntownice.com for a limited number of special $10 tickets for Opening Day Nov. 17 and the Grand Opening Celebration Nov. 20. On both days, skaters are encouraged to look their best or be in costume for possible social media and television news coverage. The Opening Celebration at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 20 features emcees Sandra Cervantes from Telemundo 48 and NBC Bay Area's Mike Inouye.
San Jose Downtown Ice sponsors include Jay Paul Co., Kaiser Permanente, Creekside Socials, Adobe, Broadway San Jose, City of San Jose Environmental Services Department, San Jose Earthquakes, LS Power Grid, NBC Bay Area and Telemundo 48. The City of San Jose funds the event as well.
“It takes a lot of support and work behind the scenes to build and operate this rink, but it’s so worth it when you see the laughter of the kids and the joyful moments and memories shared by all the families,” said Lykens, whose business also has Northern California rinks this winter in Walnut Creek, San Ramon and Folsom .
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Event Snapshot
San Jose Downtown Ice - Nov. 17, 2023-Jan. 15, 2024
Downtown Ice is a traditional seasonal event for families and friends who twirl and skate amid concentric circles of 32 palms, under a canopy of stars on an iconic skating rink in the heart of downtown San Jose’s biggest attractions.
Information and tickets : sjdowntownice.com.
Direct ticket link: sanjose.ticketspice.com/san-
Instagram: instagram.com/sjdowntownice
Hours: 90-minute sessions start every 2 hours: 11 a.m.; 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m., 7 p.m.
Open 11 am - 9 pm from November 17 - December 15
Open 11 am -11 pm from December 16 - January 1 (9 p.m. session added)
Open 11 am - 9 pm from January 2 - January 15
Location: 120 S. Market St., Downtown San Jose – between the San Jose Museum of Art and Signia by Hilton San Jose
Opening Celebration: Monday, November 20; 5:30 p.m.
Co-Emcees: Sandra Cervantes from Telemundo 48 and NBC Bay Area's Mike Inouye