sjDance presents the Spring DANCE Festival this weekend at Eastridge Center

WHEN: Saturday, April 27 and Sunday, April 28, 2024 from 12 Noon to 5:00pm. “Professional Programming” segments are 15-minutes each on the half-hour (1:30pm, 2:30pm, etc.), and free 15-minute dance classes are held every hour, on-the-hour (both days).

WHERE: Eastridge Center Mall, 2200 Eastridge Loop, San Jose, CA 95122, off Capitol Expressway and Tully Road. The festival stage is located on the main level of the mall.

WHY: Celebrating National Dance Week - and a cornerstone of Bay Area Dance Week.  The festival is also the kickoff to sjDANCEco’s 21st Season. Everything is free.

Over 60 choreographers and Bay Area dance organizations (from young children to professional companies and everything in between) present many styles of dance on the Eastridge festival stage during a free non-stop 5-hour program each day. The professional dance portions of the show are at 12:30pm, 1:30pm and on the half-hour all day long. Free dance classes will be offered at 1:00pm, 2:00pm, and on-the-hour throughout the day. The celebration is part of Bay Area Dance Week and National Dance Week (April 26- May 5, 2024) and showcases the diversity of the Bay Area dance community. 

Professional Dance Groups:

·      sjDANCEco   Contemporary

·      Rosangela Silvestre (from Brazil)  Afro-Brazilian

·      N'fungola Dance Company (New Orleans)  West African

·      Abhinaya Dance Company (San Jose)  Indian Classical Dance

·      Tachiria Flamenco (San Francisco)  Flamenco

·      Diablo Ballet (Walnut Creek)  Ballet

·      Monsoon Dance Company (Palo Alto)  Contemporary Indian

·      Magnetic Pole Fit (San Jose)  Contemporary Pole

·      Hermosura Dance Productions (Fremont)  Social Latin

·      Aboriginals (Manteca, CA)  Hip Hop/Breakdance

·      Kyleigh Brine (Arcata, CA)  Contemporary

·      Agua Doce Dance (Santa Cruz) African-Brazilian Contemporary

·      Los Lupeños de San José    Mexican Folk Dance

·      Jenni Hong Dance (Palo Alto)  Contemporary

·      Noorani Dance (Menlo Park)   Kathak

Other Dance Groups Include:

·      Calpulli Tonalehqueh of San Jose   Ancient Aztec Dance

·      Flying Colors Dance & Fitness (Hollister)  Jazz

·      Los Gatos Ballet (Los Gatos)  Ballet

·      New Ballet (San Jose)  Ballet

·      Monsoon Dance  (Palo Alto)  Contemporary Indian

·      Yerba Buena High School (San Jose)   Jazz

·      San Jose State University    Modern

·      Los Lupeños Juvenil   (San Jose)  Mexican Folk Dance

·      Cal Poly Humboldt (Arcata)  Contemporary

·      Lin HH School of Dance (San Jose)  Contemporary

·      SBCC Dance Company (Santa Barbara)  Modern

·       Lara Jean Choreography (Los Gatos)  Contemporary

·      Concept o4 (San Francisco)    Contemporary

·      Latizmo Hi Hop Productions (San Jose)  Modern

·      DBDC (Capitola)  Hip Hop/Breakdance

·       Veksler Academy  (Sunnyvale) Hip Hop/Breakdance

·      NDS Nijikko Dance School (San Jose) Hip Hop/Breakdance

·      IndepenDance (San Jose) Contemporary

·      Dance Academy USA (Cupertino) Jazz

·      The Ruby Slippers (Santa Clara) Kpop

·      Dance Expressions (Sunnyvale) Pom

·      East West Music and Dance (San Jose) Lyrical

·      Ace Dance (Sunnyvale) Jazz

·      Ako Ballet Dance School (Cupertino)  Ballet and Lyrical

Free Classes offered in various styles:

• West African
• Flamenco
• Classical
• KPop
• Salsa
• Symbology of the Orixas
• Hip Hop

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE OPENING CEREMONIES:

Calpulli Tonalehqueh of San Jose will be presenting the Art of Ancient Aztec Dance to open the festival on Saturday from 12:00 noon to 12:30pm. The opening ceremony is a ritual with drums which calls the four elements (wind, water, fire, earth) and the four cardinal directions...North (Tezcatlipoca), East (Quetzalcoatl), South (Huitzilopochtli), and West (Xipe Totec) along with the Great Cosmos, Mother Earth, and the Center - Our Hearts. Traditionally, dancers carry the elements in the form of the atecocolli (a conch shell) which is played to call in the winds, popoxcommi (which carries fire), and copal (a sacred incense) is burnt which carries scented prayers on white smoke to the ancestors. The ritual is a ceremonial way to ask permission to be present and to call the gods of the directions to help guide and protect the space.  

This ritual is in deep respect of Mother Earth and the Cosmos, recognizing that we walk the Red Road (living life with purpose) and are of the elements. It is profoundly deep and important work in reconnecting us to our home - this planet.

ABOUT US: sjDANCEco is a year-round contemporary dance company based in San Jose, California that produces world premieres by its core and guest choreographers, and presents the very best of Contemporary and Classic Modern Dance and Masterpieces of the American Modern Dance Repertory. In addition to a full season of dance concerts, sjDANCEco also is a major participant each Spring in free outdoor dance presentations during National Dance Week, international dance festivals, and has a full schedule of contemporary dance classes for the advanced and professional dancer.   sjDANCEco ignites the spirit of dance.

sjDANCEco is a registered 501(c)(3)

San Jose's Raging Waters is coming back better than ever

After a lot of drama, Raging Waters will reopen this summer after all. San Jose has approved California Dreamin' Entertainment as the operator of the Lake Cunningham water park. 

Raging waters opened in 1985 as the largest water park in Northern California and has a 350,000-gallon wave pool and 14 water slides. The previous operator (Palace Entertainment) suddenly breached its lease two years before expiring in 2025.

California Dreamin' will put in millions of dollars in capital improvements and plans to have the park open by Memorial Day weekend. It also happens to be the same company that is redeveloping the former Raging Waters park in Sacramento. Plans for Sacramento include more attractions, a lazy river with a swim-up bar, a year-round restaurant, 2-acre venue with wine garden and live music, and a Chuck E. Cheese-themed children's area with family-friendly water rides. Hopefully they will do something similar to help revitalize the San Jose landmark.

Some of the specific opportunities mentioned for Raging Waters in San Jose are an expansion of the park to include the marina, lake, Action Sports Park, or underdeveloped areas. 

As a side benefit, by getting the park open this summer San Jose will collect around $5 million in tax revenue.

Source: SVBJ

Thousands of homes proposed at site of the former Pleasant Hills Golf Course

There are 114 acres of prime real estate that have been idly sitting around for the past twenty years in East San Jose. The former site of Pleasant Hills Golf Course at the corner of South White Road and Tully Road could become up to 3,991 residences.

Lakeside Community real estate ventures are proposing rezoning and redeveloping the land. They received positive support from the local community for the project, which would provide significant benefits to the local economy in the area.

Given the massive size, hopefully it will be designed as a mixed-use development with a mix of restaurants, retail, and entertainment. However, even if it is pure housing it would help address our supply problems--especially considering that some form of affordable housing is a given in a project this large in San Jose.

Source: The Mercury News

Massive new Tesla sales and service center proposed for Evergreen in San Jose

A whopping 49,600 SQFT Tesla store and service center is being proposed near Eastridge Mall and the Costco Business Center at the border of Evergreen and East San Jose. San Jose is Tesla's top market per capita in the US (30% of all San Jose car sales are EVs), so any expansion of service and delivery centers would be very welcome. I already know several people on their 2nd or 3rd Tesla.

The new location would be built on 3.6 acres of empty land close to the corner of East Capitol Expressway and Evergreen Palace. If you look at the site on Google Maps, you'll notice quite a bit of vacant land. Arcadia Development made the proposal to build the Tesla center, but that wasn't the full scope of the project. Next to Tesla would be 250 new homes, sports fields, retail, restaurants, parks, and a medical office.

Source: The Mercury News

Project for 900 homes moves forward near Little Portugal and San Jose's next BART station

The city of San Jose just completed the environmental review for a mixed-use project close to Little Portugal at 1325 East Julian St. The project would have four 10-story buildings with 633 apartments, 127 reserved for affordable housing, an 11,500 SQFT of ground-floor retail. There would be a six-story building with 49 affordable homes and 2,500 SQFT of ground-floor retail. Lastly there is a six-story apartment building with 235 homes, all affordable housing plus 820 SQFT of ground-floor commercial space.

This is certainly a huge improvement over what is in the area now (see 2nd image below). However...

...this is a huge lost opportunity to build interesting buildings that tie into the Little Portugal neighborhood and BART station. This does not have to be expensive. Simple changing the color scheme and adding a little mosaic tile will add character and give San Jose a much needed dose of vibrancy.

You can find Portugese-influenced architecture interviewed all around the world. This is Senado Square in Macao (China):

Again, something is better than nothing but there are not many empty parcels left in San Jose. We'll be looking at these buildings for the next 50+ years, so we should make sure the design reflects the direction San Jose is headed as opposed to being another beige box.

Source: SVBJ

New San Jose winery open for tastings 🍷

Yes, you read that correctly. A winery--not a wine bar or wine store--is open in San Jose. Now while we were never Napa, our region has been know to produce some quality grapes. J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines is actually based in San Jose but most if not all of the wine production is now done elsewhere. Like the orchards and farmland, real estate values make it highly impractical to have wineries in San Jose these days. However, there are still some rebels out there that are going to try.

In Evergreen if you keep following Quimby Road you will eventually fine a vineyard on the hillside called Bella Montagna. The owner, Victor Klee, sold his Vino Vino wine bars to focus on the new winery (I still miss the original San Pedro Square Market Vino Vino).

The land Bella Montagna sits on was once owned by the Mirassou family which were pioneers in the US winemaking industry. The 12-acre property was also once owned by the Bay Area Girl Scouts, who put it up for sale in 2001 after plans to turn it into a retreat didn't materialize. Now it's an actual vineyard and winery, in San Jose, in the year 2023.

Bella Montagna winery is currently making Sauvignon Blanc, Merlots, and an award winning Cabernet Sauvignon which you can buy on their website over here. They also have a wine club and you can schedule weekend tastings by emailing info@bellamontagna.net.

I should also mention that the vineyard looks gorgeous. Up on a hill it has amazing view of Silicon Valley. Hopefully they will do tastings and events more regularly. For now you have to make a reservation via email. 

Source: The Merc

Culture Night Market at Hillview Park in East San Jose, Sep 23

Another Culture Night Market is coming to San Jose, except this time on the East Side. This is an opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate San Jose culture through food, art, and music. 

A key goal of the event is to empower small businesses, artists, and local entrepreneurs in the area--especially those that are still recovering from the impact COVID had on our economy.

The event takes place Saturday, September 23rd from 4-10pm at Hillview Park (2255 Ocala Ave, San Jose).

Viva CalleSJ: Calle >> Matsuri (San Jose's Japantown, Kelley Park, and Tamien Park)

Viva CalleSJ is back for it's 3rd event of the year! Miles of city streets will be completely shut down to let people walk, run, dance, bike, unicycle, skateboard, or hoverboard down the streets of San Jose. 

Calle >> Matsuri features three activity hubs which are festivals-within-a-festival that highlight the local area. This time the activity hubs will be at Japantown, Kelley Park, and Tamien Park. You can expect live music, vendors, food, activities, bike parking, and good times at all of the hubs. In between the activity hubs you will still find all sorts of interesting stops, hydration stations, and stores. Watch the video below to get a feel for the event if you've never done one.

As an added bonus, Happy Hollow Park and Zoo will be providing free admission for anyone participating in the Viva CalleSJ. This is the first time I remember this happening, so it's worth taking advantage of--especially if you're going with your family.

The event takes place on Sunday, September 10th from 10am to 3pm (streets are closed until 4pm). There is no beginning or end and the traffic flows in both directions. It's completely free and you can use the handy map below to locate the routes and festivities. For more info, head over here.

New mural in East San Jose

It's great to see that even giant national chains adding some local flair to their restaurants. Local artist Hector Covarrubias painted "Patterns of Nature" on the side of a McDonald's on Story Road. Even cooler, there is a QR code inside the restaurant that lets you bring the artwork to life on your phone. I'd love to see more of this throughout San Jose.

Source: SJ Today

 

ADEGA, first and only Michelin Star restaurant in San Jose is shutting down 😢

Ouch, this one hits me pretty hard. If you draw a Venn diagram for people that love Michelin Star restaurants, are San Jose advocates, and members of the Portuguese community--I would be right in the center. ADEGA was not just the first and only Michelin Star restaurant in San Jose, it was the only Portuguese Michelin Star restaurant ever west of New York. They also had the largest Portuguese wine collection of any restaurant outside of Portugal. Hearing that they are shutting down is a major bummer, especially just as their sister restaurant Petiscos won a Bib Gourmand award from the Michelin Guide (a step just below a star).

It's not all bad news. The space at 1614 Alum Rock Ave. in East San Jose / Little Portugal will be converted to a second Petiscos restaurant. This will be a format that is much more accessible to the local community, and... well, everyone else. Portuguese food is not traditionally fancy or expensive, it's down-to-earth cuisine best shared with family and friends tapas-style. That is why in many ways Petiscos is a more accurate representation of true Portuguese food, although I love what ADEGA did to elevate traditional dishes.

It also appears that they will try to open additional California Petiscos locations. Thankfully Pasteleria Adega and NOITE, two other projects by the same team are also staying open.

If you want to try ADEGA one last time (or for the first and last time) get your reservations before December 16th.

Source: SVBJ

Viva CalleSJ - Downtown Westbound

Viva Calle SJ is back for it's 2nd event of 2023! Miles of city streets will be completely shut down to let people walk, run, bike, unicycle, or skateboard down the streets of San Jose. 

Viva Calle Downtown Westbound features three activity hubs which are basically festivals-within-a-festival that highlight the local area. This time the activity hubs will be at San Carlos, Roosevelt Park, and SoFA. You can expect live music, vendors, food, activities, bike parking, and good times at all four hubs. In between the activity hubs you will still find all sorts of interesting stops, hydration stations, and stores. Up to 100,000 people attend this event, but it never feels crowded given how spread out it is.

Viva CalleSJ 2022 takes place on Sunday, June 11th from 10am to 3pm (streets are closed until 4pm). There is no beginning or end and the traffic flows in both directions. It's completely free and you can use the handy map below to locate the routes and festivities. For more info, head over here.

Eastridge remodel is complete

Last week Eastridge unveiled their latest refresh. This was my neighborhood mall back in the day and I'm glad to see it's still alive and well unlike some other malls in the area (Vallco, Sunnyvale Town Center, etc.).

The $15 million renovation adds grassy lawns with play areas, a new food court, upgraded finishes, beautiful murals celebrating San Jose, and new programming to make the mall more of a destination. New events include food struck popups, a weekly art experience, and even a dog-friendly social events called "Yappy Hour Forth Fridays."

They also have a few new stores like a 8,400 SQFT Toni & Guy salon, H&M, and an eatery called Trifecta Cooks which landed a free retail space by wining a cooking contest.

For more info and a full event list, head over to the Eastridge FB page.

Source: SJ Economy Blog

East San Jose mixed-use development

The eastside is finally getting some development love. A 10.6-acre property at 641 Capital was sold to a developer earlier this month for $30 million. The land is already entitled for 188 condos, a medical office building, a commercial/retail building, and a mini-storage building. 30 of those units would be "E-homes" or "environmentally friendly homes" and include solar panels and electric car charging stations.

The homes would be 3-story townhomes, probably not the density we would hope for it would be an improvement for the area. Retail would clock in at 10,000 SQFT in a two-story building at the corner of the project and there would also be a 28,000 SQFT medical office building right next to it with an art plaza between them. A four-story 70,000 SQFT storage building would be placed on the opposite end of the project and provide some extra buffer from 680 noise. A one-acre park with a playground, orchard, and community garden would round out the project.

It is nice to see a mixed-use development of this size being planned for East San Jose. Downtown and North San Jose are getting most of the attention right now, but other San Jose districts are going to evolve as well.

Source: SVBJ (subscription required)

The Insider's Guide to Little Portugal in San Jose

As I am hopping on a plane later today to visit family in the Azores, I thought it might be a great day to link to a great guide to San Jose's Little Portugal neighborhood just east of Downtown.

While not very large, the area has a rich history and is well worth a visit. Little Portugal is located on Santa Clara Street/Alum Rock Avenue between 28th and 34th street. Five Wounds National Church is the primary landmark for the area, but ADEGA--San Jose's first and only Michelin Star restaurant--is quickly becoming the top attraction.

You also have some really nice bakeries, cafes, and grocers that offer Portuguese treats throughout Little Portugal. Bacalhau Grill is another staple of the area that is part grocery store and part restaurant. You can try a number of Portuguese and Brazilian specialties here without breaking the bank.

To check out the guide and see a map of the attractions, head over here.

San Jose's ADEGA is one of America's 100 Best Wine Restaurants

As a San Josean of Portuguese descent, ADEGA is a very special restaurant for me. Not only is it the very first restaurant in San Jose to earn a Michelin Star, but it is one of only two Portuguese restaurants in the United States to earn that honor. ADEGA has just won a second major award, a spot on Wine Enthusiast Magazine's prestigious "America's 100 Best Wine Restaurants of 2017."

One of ADEGA's owners is actually a wine importer, and he has amassed the largest collection of Portuguese wines outside of Portugal. This includes a large selection of ''green wines" which come from one of two varietals that only grow in Portugal.

The list was announced earlier this month and includes restaurants that the editors feel reflect the "best, brightest and most progressive wine and food experiences available today." The issue will hit newsstands in July and you can read the initial announcement over here.

Valley Palms Neighborhood Association's "La Caminata" walking event

Tomorrow the Valley Palms Neighborhood Association in collaboration with Project Access (local nonprofit) are hosting a walking school bus event to raise awareness of pedestrian safety issues in East San Jose. As we slowly move to a future when cars are not the only way to get around San Jose, pedestrian access will only become more critical. All of the details from the press release are below.

MEDIA ALERT
                                                                                                                               
Valley Palms Neighborhood Association’s “La Caminata” Walking School Bus Event Sheds Light on Pedestrian Safety in East San Jose

Beginning Wednesday, April 26, 2017 at 7:00 AM
Ends Wednesday April 26, 2017 at 7:30 AM

WHAT:              The Valley Palms Neighborhood Association is hosting a walking school bus event from Valley Palms Apartments to Katherine Smith Elementary School in order to demonstrate the need for improved pedestrian safety in the King/Tully neighborhood of San Jose.

                        An anticipated 150 community residents and their children will form a walking school bus and walk from Valley Palms Apartments to Katherine Smith Elementary School, where council member Tam Nguyen and community leaders will speak on the important issue of pedestrian safety.

WHO:               The Valley Palms Neighborhood Association, the County of Santa Clara Probation Department’s Neighborhood Services Unit, Project Access, Katherine Smith Elementary School, and Overfelt High School have partnered to rally the community and host the “La Caminata” Walking School Bus event. Interview opportunities with Project Access CEO Kathy McCarrell and Santa Clara County Probation Department officials.

WHEN:             Beginning Wednesday, April 26th at 7:00 AM

WHY:                To demonstrate the need for improved pedestrian safety in the King/Tully neighborhood of San Jose.

WHERE:           Begin walk in front of Valley Palms Apartments at 7:00 AM
                        2155 Lanai Avenue, San Jose, Calif., 95122
Meet in front of main gate

End walking school bus at Katherine Smith Elementary School, where presentations will take place at 7:30 AM.
2025 Clarice Drive, San Jose, Calif., 95122

HOW:               Meet in front of main gate of Valley Palms Apartments to participate in the walking school bus.

Eastridge Shopping Center launches Holiday Season with safe Halloween fun and dazzling tree lighting display

San Jose, Calif. (October, 2016) – Eastridge Center, (http://www.eastridgecenter.com) located in eastern San Jose, is kicking off the holiday season with safe mall-wide trick-or-treating on Oct. 31 from 4 to 6 p.m. Then, on Friday, Nov. 11 at 6 p.m., shoppers can join in the celebration of the grand arrival of Santa Claus to San Jose with a spectacular tree lighting display.

“Eastridge has been hosting friends and families for 45 years as they make holiday memories and find the perfect gifts for loved ones,” said Eastridge Center’s General Manager John Petersen. “We look forward to these annual holiday events and the chance to give back to the community through Halloween activities, the magical tree display and visits with Jolly Ol’ St. Nick.”

Halloween Activities

On Oct. 31, the fun begins at 4 p.m. as free gift bags are distributed to the first 1,000 kids, ages 2-12, who are wearing a costume.

• Throughout the entire mall, stores displaying a pumpkin in the front window will be offering treats to families.
• Halloween fun is offered online for kids with a Halloween Interactive Coloring Book (eastridgecenter.com/event/trick-or-treat-at-eastridge). The site offers 24 coloring designs, enough to keep kids busy for hours in between seasonal activities!
• Worried about too many sugary treats? Eastridge Center offers a “Candy Buy Back” event Nov. 1-5 from 4 to 6 p.m. Bring your candy to Center Court and receive $1 per pound up to $5 per person. The candy will be donated to troops.
• The Safe Trick-or-Treat and Candy Buy Back is sponsored by the dentists from Manila Dental Center & Orthodontics IV and South Bay Dental Center & Orthodontics.

Tree Lighting Ceremony

On Friday, Nov. 11 from 6 to 7 p.m., Eastridge Center guests will countdown with Santa to light a 36-foot holiday tree in Center Court. The tree stands more than 36 feet tall in center court and is wrapped with a giant ribbon spiraling around its surface and the base of the tree enclosed in an exploding gift box. Adorned with a collection of 1,000 festive ornaments featuring a modernized traditional palette and more than 300 lights, it has become a community holiday tradition.

The celebration begins at 6 p.m. with a Holiday DJ spinning music and holding holiday raffles. At 6:50 p.m., the parade starts, with a drum corps and about 100 cheerleaders cheering up and down the route. At the end of the parade, Santa and his special guest will lead the countdown to the tree lighting, followed by Santa tossing candy into the audience amidst magic falling snow. Even more importantly, Santa will stick around to hear Christmas wishes from young and old and pause for photos with those who still believe.

Celebration begins: 6 p.m.
Santa Arrival:  7 p.m.
Tree Lighting Countdown: 7:15 p.m.
Holiday Celebration and Photos with Santa:  7:15 p.m. – close

Eastridge is a major regional destination with more than 150 shops, restaurants and entertainment venues in the thriving Silicon Valley market. Set on 113 acres in eastern San Jose bounded by Tully Road, East Capitol Expressway and Quimby Road, Eastridge is a two-story, enclosed super regional mall. Among the center’s distinctive mix of retail, restaurant and entertainment destinations are a 15-screen AMC Theaters, Round 1 Bowling and Amusement, Barnes & Noble, JCPenney, Macy’s, Sears, Forever 21, Tilly’s, Bath & Body Works, Victoria’s Secret, Chili’s, Red Robin and Olive Garden.

To learn more visit http://www.eastridgecenter.com or its social media accounts
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EastridgeCenter
Twitter: https://twitter.com/eastridgecenter
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eastridgecenter/

BREAKING NEWS: Adega became the first restaurant ever in San Jose to get a Michelin Star!!!

This is epic news for San Jose foodies! My favorite San Jose restaurant just got the international recognition it deserves. Adega in Little Portugal has become the first and only restaurant in San Jose to win a Michelin Star!

The Michelin guide represents the highest level of recognition restaurants can achieve. Each year, I highlight the lack of Michelin restaurants in San Jose with an annual post analyzing the guide and listing all Bay Area winners. I am completely thrilled that on my 8th annual post we will finally have a restaurant representing San Jose and it could not be a more appropriate one at that.

For my full review on Adega and its stunning interpretation of authentic Portuguese cuisine, head over here.

Better yet, head to the Adega website to make a reservation before the word gets out and it gets booked out for months.

Well done Adega, well done.

San Jose Bus Rapid Transit overview video

VTA's first Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line is getting closer to reality. Despite several delays, the line connecting East San Jose and Downtown should be fully operational in 2017. The blue hybrid "accordian" buses are already being used on the route. These are the nicest buses in the VTA fleet with comfortable seating, free WiFi, and bike racks both inside and outside the bus.

When the BRT line is complete, each stop on the route will get stations similar to Light Rail. These will have real time information for arrival times, local artwork, bright lighting, and 24/7 security cameras.

The other major improvement that BRT will bring besides the stations is faster travel times. This will be accomplished using dedicated bus lands in the median of Alum Rock Avenue as well as transit signal priority (green lights will stay on longer if a bus is present). You also won't have to worry much about catching a specific bus since they are only 10 minutes apart during peak hours.

Have a look at the 3 minute video below for a quick overview of the new system.

Sun Basket is San Jose's answer to on-demand food delivery

Blue Apron, EatClub, and Caviar have all been gaining in popularity for on-demand food service, but we have a local San Jose company that has thrown its hat in the ring. Sun Basket is a subscription-based meal service that specializes in healthy, organic, paleo, and gluten-free options. They deliver the raw ingredients in the right proportions along with instructions on how to prepare the meals. It is a fantastic option for people that want to cook wholesome meals but do not want to waste time shopping for ingredients or hunting new recipes.

My wife and I currently use Blue Apron which has a similar business model, but are planning to try out Sun Basket very soon. So far we have had great experiences with Blue Apron meals. I really think these services are a great compromise between getting take out and traditional cooking. 90% of the meals I've had are restaurant-grade and half the price.

Sun Basket already has 20,000 subscribers. The company has 225 full-time employees and is planning to grow to 300 in the near future. They are based in a 65,000 SQFT warehouse on Olinder Court in East San Jose (formerly Race Street Foods).

Check out the Sun Basket website over here, and make sure to read SJ Economy's post using the source link below.

Source: SJ Economy Blog