Hawaiian Airlines / Kristi Yamaguchi Downtown Ice, presented by Sobrato Organization

Open daily Nov. 18, 2016 - Jan. 16, 2017

SAN JOSE – Hawaiian Airlines, Kristi Yamaguchi and her Always Dream Foundation partner with the San Jose Downtown Association to produce the Hawaiian Airlines / Kristi Yamaguchi Downtown Ice, presented by Sobrato Organization rink Nov. 18 through Jan. 16. at the Circle of Palms, 120 S. Market St.

Yamaguchi, the 1992 Olympics figure skating gold medalist, will help with opening celebration at Nov. 23 at 5 p.m. at the rink.

Family and friends, along with fellow ice skaters can enjoy the beautifully lit palm trees  for an unforgettable experience.

“My kids ask me, is that the place with the palm trees? And when I tell them yes, they race to the car,” Yamaguchi said.

The http://downtownicesj.com website posts daily hours.  In general, during November, early December and after the holidays in January, Downtown Ice is open 5-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 5 p.m.-midnight on Friday; noon-midnight on Saturday; and noon-9 p.m. on Sunday.  During the winter break, the rink is open 11 a.m.-midnight daily.  Special hours apply to the holidays.

Admission is $15 for children 10-under and $17 for skaters 11-older. Those who bring their own skates will be admitted for $10.

Discounts and details are at http://downtownicesj.com.  The rink phone number is (408) 291-0525. Parking information is at http://parksj.org.

Downtown Ice is located within steps of Christmas in the Park displays, which occupies Plaza de Cesar Chavez starting Nov. 25. These two downtown San Jose holiday attractions are supported in part by participants in the 5-kilometer TiVo Santa Run Silicon Valley held on Dec. 18.  Dress up in costume and run a 5-kilometer race as lights descend on downtown.  A children’s division will also be participating along with a costume contest with great prizes, some fun mileage markers and surprises along the course.  Sign up at www.santarunsv.com.

Besides skating, the community can support Downtown Ice in another important way:  Make a donation to the Schools on Skates program.  Fifth- and sixth-grade students from areas schools – who may not otherwise have the opportunity to go ice skating –  take a field trip to skate.  Contact Joe Noonan, sponsorship manager, jnoonan@sjdowntown.com.



Hawaiian Airlines / Kristi Yamaguchi Downtown Ice details

When:  Open daily Nov. 18, 2016 – Jan. 16, 2017

Nov. 18 – 25
Friday, Nov. 18: 5 p.m. - midnight
Saturday, Nov. 19: noon - midnight
Sunday, Nov. 20: noon - 9 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 21: 5 - 10 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 22:  5-10 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 23, the day before Thanksgiving: 6:30 p.m. - midnight
Thursday, Nov. 24, Thanksgiving: 2 p.m. - midnight
Friday, Nov. 25, the day after Thanksgiving: 11 a.m. - midnight

Nov. 26 – Dec. 15
Saturday: noon - midnight
Sunday: noon - 9 p.m.
Monday -Thursday: 5 - 10 p.m.
Friday: 5 p.m. – midnight

Dec. 16 – Jan. 7 (Winter Break)
Daily: 11 a.m. - midnight*
*Special Christmas and New Year’s holiday hours
Sunday, Dec. 25, Christmas: 2 p.m. - midnight
Saturday, Dec. 31, New Year’s Eve: 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 1, New Year’s Day:  Noon - midnight

Jan. 8 – Jan. 16*
Sunday: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Monday - Thursday: 5 - 9 p.m.
Friday: 5 p.m. - midnight
Saturday: noon - midnight
*MLK Holiday special hours: 11 a.m. - midnight Sun., Jan. 15 and 11 a.m. – 9 p.m., Mon., Jan. 16

Admission: 
Children 10 years & younger: $15
11 years & older: $17

Cash, Paypal, Visa, Mastercard accepted. Admission includes ice time and rental skates (skate sizes range from toddler 8 to men's 13).

Skate all you want (no in-and-out privileges)/ First-come, first-serve.

Address (starting November 18):  120 S. Market St., San Jose, CA 95113
Phone: (408) 279-1775 (SJDA); (408) 610-4055 (rink starting Nov. 18)


Promotions:

• SEASON PASS:  Unlimited visits throughout the season. $50 before Nov. 22 and $60 after Nov. 22.  Purchase online or at the SJDA office, 28 N. First St. Suite 1000
• Downtown Ice and Hawaiian Airlines have combined on airfare discounts to the islands.  Go to apps.hawaiianairlines.com/Affiliate/Booking.aspx
• Holiday Hat Trick – $28 combination ticket to Downtown Ice, San Jose Museum of Art, and The Tech Museum exhibition (47 percent discount)
• Aloha Fridays $10 ticket to anyone wearing Hawaiian attire. Regsiter for a free trip for two to Hawaii.

Multiple other discounts are available, but cannot be combined, and are available online at www.downtownicesj.com

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The San Jose Downtown Association (SJDA), established 1986, is a non-profit group of business and property owners working to improve the vitality and livability of downtown San Jose. SJDA advocates on issues that affect downtown business and property owners; enhances the image of downtown and attract new visitors through year-round marketing, public relations, and special events; and collaborates with its Property-Based Improvement District (PBID) for ongoing improvements to downtown’s cleanliness, security, aesthetics and delivery of services.

Olympics Skaters Celebrate Reading at Downtown Ice Tomorrow

Photos by Daniel Garcia

SAN JOSE - U.S. Olympic skaters Kristi Yamaguchi and Polina Edmunds join Yamaguchi's Alway’s Dream Foundation, Hicklebee’s Bookstore and Hawaiian Airlines/Kristi Yamaguchi Downtown Ice to promote reading in a unique program combining books and winter dreams.

Polina Edmunds and the San Jose Skaters will kick off the event with a performance of "Skating in Fairytales" on downtown’s outdoor ice rink. After the performance, Yamaguchi will read from the children’s books she’s authored. Hicklebee’s Bookstore will temporarily set up shop at the rink, with shelves of Yamaguchi’s two children’s books, It's a Big World, Little Pig! and Dream Big, Little Pig!, for sale.

When: 11 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 31
Where: Hawaiian Airlines/Kristi Yamaguchi Downtown Ice, 120 S. Market St.,San Jose
Cost: Free to watch the performance and join the reading; regular admission for those wishing to skate after the performance.


About Kristi Yamaguchi: An Olympic Gold Medalist figure skater (1992), Yamaguchi is also the author of two children’s books and a philanthropist who founded the Always Dream Foundation.

About Kristi Yamaguchi’s Always Dream Foundation: Founded in 2012, the Always Dream Foundation’s Always Reading program focuses on early childhood literacy through innovative reading programs designed to support underserved children and encourage families to read together. www.alwaysdream.org/

About Polina Edmunds: Edmunds is the 2015 Four Continents Champion, 2014 U.S. Senior Ladies Silver medalist, a 2014 U.S. Olympic figure skating team member and 2014-2015 World Team Member.

About Hawaiian Airlines/Kristi Yamaguchi Downtown Ice: Operated by the San Jose Downtown Association for 12 years at the Circle of Palms, San Jose’s outdoor ice rink is one of the city’s most beloved winter traditions. The unique circular rink incorporates 32 palms into the skating experience. This year, the rink extends its season to help celebrate Super Bowl 50. It will remain open an extra month, closing Feb. 7. www.downtownicesj.com

About Hicklebee’s Bookstore: San Jose’s favorite children’s bookstore, Hicklebee’s offers extraordinary books for the entire family. www.hicklebees.com

San Jose Downtown Association 2015 Year in Review

The video below is an excellent recap of what has happened in Downtown San Jose this past year, current challenges, and what we have to look forward to in the near future. The speaker is Scott Knies, the Executive Director of the San Jose Downtown Association. There is no question that 2015 was a banner year for Downtown San Jose, and it is just the beginning!

Source: Cardinal2007 from the San Jose Development Forum


Scott Knies - San Jose Downtown Association 2015 in Review from WMS media Inc. on Vimeo.

The San Jose Downtown Association Looks Back at 2014

The SVBJ has a great photo recap of the Downtown Association's annual review of the year's business developments. 2014 was a great year for Downtown. One South Market and Centerra were both topped off and will be available for leasing next year, half a dozen other residential projects are close to moving forward, a new hotel will soon break ground, the new courthouse is moving along nicely, and the San Pedro Square Market continues to thrive and bring people to Downtown. Office vacancy plummeted and more tech companies are moving Downtown month after month.

The Association also took a look forward at 2015, where their key priorities will be St. James Park revitalization, addressing homelessness, and building up San Jose's identity. To have a look at the summary of the presentation, just hit the source link below.

Source: SVBJ

Downtown San Jose - Current Development Projects

The San Jose Downtown Association has released its latest development map showing off the projects in the works today in Downtown San Jose (you will have to click on it to blow it up and get a good look). Blue squares are the four existing Downtown residential high-rises, anything in yellow is currently in development, and purple indicates development sites for future projects.

There are two surprises on here that Robertee points out. The first is a "Mill Creek" project with 194 units and 3,500 SQFT of retail a few doors down from the San Pedro Square Market in what is currently a parking lot. This should be a great infill project to continue accelerating the traction in the San Pedro area. The second is a Park & Almaden 5-story office project, which would be the first major office project in Downtown San Jose in over a decade. This new office would replace a super-ugly abandoned two story building that looks like a jail.

If half of the projects on this map come to fruition, it will already have a dramatic impact to Downtown San Jose.

Source: Robertee from the San Jose Development Forum

Downtown Ice Returns Next Friday! (Nov 14-Jan 11)

Hawaiian Airlines / Kristi Yamaguchi Downtown Ice is returning to The Circle of Palms on November 14th and will be open all the way until January 11th. Over 100,000 skaters and spectators are expected to attend, which contribute $3 million to the Downtown San Jose economy.

Kristi Yamaguchi will star in a grand opening celebration on November 17th at 5pm. Also, keep an eye out for a light show that will play at 6pm and 9pm every day.

For hours, promotions, discounts, and more information, just scroll on down to read the full press release.

Hawaiian Airlines / Kristi Yamaguchi Downtown Ice

Nov. 14, 2014-Jan. 11, 2015

Opening ceremony with Kristi Yamaguchi Nov. 17, 5pm

SAN JOSE – Hawaiian Airlines / Kristi Yamaguchi Downtown Ice returns Nov. 14 to the Circle of Palms in the heart of downtown San Jose’s holiday attractions.

With Hawaiian Airlines as title sponsor, Yamaguchi and her Always Dream Foundation partner with the San Jose Downtown Association to produce the rink.  This three-way partnership has existed now for five years. 

“It brings great joy to see all the families celebrate the holiday season at Downtown Ice, which remains one of the most unique and attractive outdoor skating rinks in the country,” Yamaguchi said.  “I am honored to once again be associated with such a holiday treasure.”

The outdoor rink at 120 S. Market St. has generated holiday season merriment downtown for 19 years at three different locations.  More than 100,000 skaters and spectators are expected to attend Downtown Ice between Nov. 14 and Jan. 11.  The rink generates an estimated $3 million in economic impact to the downtown business community each year.

Skaters glide around 32 glimmering palms from which the circular rink gains its iconic form.  This season, the “Halo” light show reprises for its second year, with LEDs on the palms continuously changing color and patterns.  Choreographed displays to music take place at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. daily.

Yamaguchi, the 1992 Olympic figure skating gold-medal champion, will usher in the new season with an opening celebrationNov. 17 at 5 p.m.

During November and early December, Downtown Ice is open 5-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 5 p.m.-midnight on Friday; noon-midnight on Saturday; and noon-9 p.m. on Sunday.  During the winter break, the rink is open 11 a.m.-midnight daily.  Special holiday hours apply.  The $13-17 admission covers skate rental and one unlimited skating session. 

Discounts and details are at www.sjdowntown.com/downtownice.  The rink phone number is (408) 291-0525.

Downtown Ice is located within steps of Christmas in the Park displays, which occupies Plaza de Cesar Chavez starting Nov. 28.  These two downtown San Jose holiday attractions are supported in part by participants in the 5-kilometer TiVo Santa Run Silicon Valley held on Dec. 14.  Register at www.santarunsv.com.  Check www.sjdowntown.com/holidays for a complete schedule of downtown events.

Parking information is available at www.sjdowntownparking.com.

Hawaiian Airlines / Kristi Yamaguchi Downtown Ice skating details

When:  Open daily Nov. 14 – Jan. 11

Hours:
Nov. 14 – Dec. 19 and Jan. 6 – 11
Monday-Thursday: 5-9 p.m.
Friday: 5 p.m.–midnight
Saturday: noon–midnight
Sunday: noon–9 p.m.

Dec. 20 – Jan. 5Daily: 11 a.m.–midnight

Special holiday hours
Wed. Nov. 26, day before Thanksgiving:  5 p.m. - midnight

Thurs. Nov. 27, Thanksgiving:  2 p.m. – midnight

Fri. Nov. 28, day after Thanksgiving: 11am – midnightWed. Dec. 25, Christmas:  2pm – midnight
Tues. Dec. 31, New Year’s Eve:  11am – 10pm
Wed. Jan. 1, New Year's Day:  2pm – midnight

Opening Ceremony – Monday, Nov. 17, 5 p.m., featuring Kristi Yamaguchi, sponsors, and live music. 

Where:  Circle of Palms, downtown San Jose, 120 South Market Street, across from Plaza de Chavez, between the San Jose Museum of Art and Fairmont San Jose.

Admission:   

Nov. 14 – Dec. 19 and Jan. 6 – 11: Children 10-younger $13; 11-older $15

Dec. 20 – Jan. 5 (Winter Break): Children 10-younger $15; 11-older $17

Admission includes skate rental and ice time

Promotions:

• Downtown Ice and Hawaiian Airlines have combined on airfare discounts to the islands.  Go toapps.hawaiianairlines.com/Affiliate/Booking.aspx

• Holiday Hat Trick – combination $25 ticket to Downtown Ice, San Jose Museum of Art, and The Tech Museum exhibition (33 percent discount)

• Hawaiian Airlines Aloha Fridays – dress in Hawaiian garb for $10 skating Nov 14 and 21; Dec. 5 and 12, and Jan. 2 and 9.

Multiple other discounts are available, but cannot be combined, and are available online atsjdowntown.com/downtownice.

Contact Info:

http://sjdowntown.com/downtownice/

                       

Rink phone: (408) 291-0525 (operational Nov. 14 – Jan. 11)

SJDA’s event line: (408) 279-1775

Sponsors:

Hawaiian Airlines – www.hawaiianair.com

Kristi Yamaguchi’s Always Dream Foundation - www.alwaysdream.org

Wells Fargo Bank – www.wellsfargo.com

PG&E – www.pge.com

Skanska – www.skanska.com Barry Swenson - http://www.barryswensonbuilder.com/ Level 3 - http://www.level3.com/ Huawei - http://www.huawei.com/us/ PayPal – www.paypal.com

Summer in St. James Park

I really have to hand it to the Downtown Association for upping their efforts this summer to activate St. James Park. On top of the world cup viewings, Startlight Cinemas, and Music in the Park, several other regular events are being planned. Every Wednesday in July there will be food trucks from 11am to 1:30pm, pick-up soccer games from 11:30am to 1:30pm, and free drop-in yoga from noon to 1pm.

To see the full list of events just head over to www.sjdowntown.com/summerinstjames.

2014 Downtown Doors Expands to 91 Locations!

Downtown Doors is a fantastic program that allows student art to be featured throughout Downtown San Jose by turning a typically boring object--doors--into thought provoking art. For 2014 the program is undergoing a substantial expansion, both in the number of locations and the scope of the art.

21 additional San Jose high school students are now featured Downtown across 11 brand new locations and 15 sites that have been refreshed. 5 of the locations feature art from students at our sister cities of Dublin (Ireland), Okayama (Japan), Pune (India), San Jose (Costa Rica), and Tainan (Taiwan).

11 of the students have even posted YouTube videos that explain the inspiration for their piece and how they feel about being selected. You can find these videos along with more information about the program at the Downtown Doors website over here.

Below is a handy map that shows where the art is located, which you can click to enlarge and print it out.

Dine Downtown San Jose Starts Today!

A 10 day "restaurant week" in Downtown San Jose kicks off today. This year there are 27 different restaurants including 8 brand new options. You can check out the full list below along with some menu examples. For a restaurant list with links to Opentable reservations, check out this handy SJDA webpage. 

Dine Downtown San Jose – June 20-29
27 downtown restaurants combine value, service and quality

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Foodies have a lot of new choices at the sixth annual Dine Downtown San Jose “restaurant week,” so good it extends to 10 days.

From June 20-29, new and regular customers alike can savor the tastes of 27 different restaurants offering prix-fixed, three-course meals including appetizer or salad, entrée and dessert, starting at $15 per person.

Restaurants new to the Dine Downtown program this year include: Blackbird Tavern, The Blue Mango, Bluefin Sushi, Da Kine Island Grill, The Farmers Union, First to Market, La Pinata and Nomikai Social Food + Drinkery.

First to Market’s (399 S. First St.) $35 per person Dine Downtown San Jose sampling includes grilled watermelon salad, pork belly mac and cheese or grilled ahi for appetizers, grilled elk chops, seared scallops or brown rice-stuffed bell pepper for main course and pie of the day.  Or after trying Nomikai’s arugula salad and corn pizza, save room for fresh strawberry with Nutella coconut cream parfait, all for $20 per person.

The offers also include a six-course meal at 71 Saint Peter for $45 a person and a five-course, $55 offer at Nemea Greek Taverna.

Some of downtown San Jose’s best restaurants will return to support the popular program: 71 Saint Peter Modern European Kitchen; Arcadia – A  Michael Mina Steakhouse; Bella Mia; Billy Berk’s Restaurant; Cafe Stritch; Fahrenheit Restaurant & Lounge; Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant; The Grill on the Alley; Il Fornaio San Jose; Loft Bar and Bistro; Los Gatos Brewing Company; Mezcal Restaurant; Morton’s The Steakhouse; Nemea Greek Taverna; Orchestria Palm Court Restaurant; Paolo’s Restaurant; San Pedro Square Bistro & Wine; Scott’s Seafood San Jose; and Vino Vino.

Since 2009, Dine Downtown showcases the exceptional restaurants offered in the center city.  Based on restaurant surveys, Dine Downtown customers come back again and again, trying new places and returning to familiar favorites.  In 2013, downtown restaurants served thousands of meals

“The San Jose Downtown Association loves to produce Dine Downtown because it promotes some of downtown’s best assets,” said Julie Carlson, SJDA marketing director. “We’re excited to see so many new restaurants and old favorites in the Dine Downtown mix this year.”

Dine Downtown restaurants, menus and additional information are at dinedowntownsj.com.  Dinner starts nightly at 5:30 p.m. and reservations are recommended through each restaurant’s website or OpenTable.com.

Sysco, the global leader in selling, marketing and distributing food products to restaurants, will sponsor Dine Downtown for the second year.  For each meal served, Sysco will donate $1 to San Jose’s Loaves and Fishes Family Kitchen.  Also, OpenTable will again take Dine Downtown reservations.

Meals to tempt the most discriminating of culinary tastes, including vegetarian options, include:

$30 for two people
La Pinata:
First:  Nachos, flautas or quesadilla
Second:  Super famoso burrito, mole enchiladas or enchilada/taco combo
Third:  Flan, cheesecake chimichanga or pastel tres leches

$39 for two people
Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant:
First:  Southwest egg rolls
Second: Baby greens, Caesar salad
Third:  Brewhouse chicken, miso mahi, bourbon chicken & grilled shrimp, and bistro steak medallions
Fourth:  4 mini sampler desserts

$20 per person
Bella Mia:
First:  House side garden salad
Second:  Oven-baked lasagna, ravioli trio or crab & shrinp cannelloni
Third:  Petite season fruit crisp

$30 per person

Blackbird Tavern:
First:  Soup du jour, green Waldorf salad or grilled farmers market peppers
Second:  Bourbon grilled chicken, seasonal risotto, steak frites or rockfish
Third:  Nectarine bruschetta or strawberries and cream ice cream

Da Kine Island Grill:
First:  Ahi poke, tako poke, salmon poke, Kalua nachos or Kalua quesadilla
Second:  Hawaiian plate, mahi loco moco, seared ahi plate, aloha spare ribs, flamin salmon, mango pork chop, Da Kine chicken Ceasar
Third:  Rum bread pudding or pineapple sticky rice

Mezcal:
First:  Oaxacan summer salad, tortilla soup or seared scallops
Second:  Bacon-wrapped filet mignon, sea bass or vegetarian duo
Third:  warm Oaxacan chocolate cake or Don Julio anejo neat, chocolate and sliced orange

$45 per person (six courses)

71 St. Peter Mediterranean Grill
Amuse-Bouche:  Chilled gazpacho
First:  Fresh Dungeness crab salad
Second:  Spring vegetable risotto
Intermezzo: Lime sorbet
Main Course:  Pancetta wrapped petite filet mignon, or sage roasted California sea bass, or roasted butternut squash ravioli
Dessert:  Apricot upside-down cake

$45 per person
Morton’s The Steakhouse
First: Caesar salad, Morton’s salad or baked five-onion soup
Second: 6oz single cut filet mignon (+$10 for 8oz), double cut prime pork chop, honey-chili glazed salmon or chicken bianco
Third:  Chocolate mousse or cheesecake

$50 per person

Arcadia
First:  Heirloom tomato salad or roasted corn soup
Second:  Grilled king salmon steak or petit filet & short rib rillettes
Third:  Chocolate molten cake or mascarpone cheesecake

$60 per person
The Grill on the Alley:
First: Charcuterie board or rustic grilled Ceasar
Second:  Smoked bacon-wrapped filet or sweet pea, lemon & prawn risotto
Third:  Vanilla brandy panna cotta

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San Jose Downtown Association is a non-profit group of business and property owners working to improve the vitality and livability of downtown San Jose.  Check www.sjdowntown.com.

Loaves & Fishes Family Kitchen is a non-profit organization that has served the working poor, families, homeless and seniors living in and around the downtown and East Side of San Jose for over 32 years. What began as a simple first meal of fish and bread for 11 adults and 15 children has grown to nearly 500 meals per day, served with dignity.  Visit www.loavesfishes.org.

Sysco is the global leader in selling, marketing and distributing food products to restaurants. Its family of products also includes equipment and supplies for the foodservice and hospitality industries. The company operates 177 distribution facilities serving approximately 400,000 customers. Visit www.syscosf.com.

New San Jose Downtown Association Summer Event Site!

The Downtown Association is gearing up for a huge summer filled with a large variety of events. This includes 2 Music in the Park Concerts (English Beat 7/17 and Pete Escovedo 8/21); 8 free outdoor movie events (80's themed this year); 10 World Cup Soccer Viewing Events with the SJ Earthquakes partnering; 10 days of pre fixe menus during Dine Downtown Restaurant Week; the weekly Downtown Farmers' Market every Friday through Nov. 21, as well as helping with the SoFA SubZERO festival and South First Friday Street MRKTs.

To keep track of all these great events, please check out http://www.sjdowntown.com/summer. That site will be updated regularly all summer long as new events and updates come up.

Also for live music, you definitely have to bookmark http://www.liveandlocalsj.com.

New Year's Eve Options in Downtown San Jose

The Downtowner Online has a great list of New Year's Eve events in the heart of our city. There are even some free options like an 80s NYE event at the San Pedro Square Market. Also, VTA light rail and buses are free from 8PM to 5AM. Just scroll down to see all of your options, and please be sure to check out the full edition of Downtowner Online right over here.



Noon Year’s Eve – The night may belong to the adults, but the day belongs to the kids! Celebrate the arrival of 2014 with the whole family. Radio Disney will be on site with fun games, cool music, and awesome prizes. Participate in the “countdown to noon across time zones.”  10am-4pm, Children’s Discovery Museum, 180 Woz Way; 298-5437; www.cdm.org

The Back Bar – Live music with punk band Beerijuana, 10pm, 418 S. Market St.

Blackbird Tavern – The Bang and The Jazz residency All-Stars, 9pm, $25 or $45 with dinner.  200 S. First St. (408) 278-1050, $36-$62; Saturday 2:30pm and 7:30pm, Sunday 2:30pm, http://www.theblackbirdtavern.com/

The Blank Club – Black and Red Ball with resident DJ Basura, 8pm, $10-$20 http://www.theblankclub.com/

Britannia Arms – DJ Ready Rock, buffet, party favors, photo booth, 8pm http://www.britanniaarmsdowntown.com/

Café Stritch – Terrie Odabi and Steve Turre, 8:30pm, http://www.cafestritch.com

Fahrenheit Restaurant and Lounge – R&B, Top 40, Hip Hop, Club Hits from Charly Fusion, DJ Melvis, DJ Raymundo, 8pm-2am, $75-$130, includes buffet and/or open bar.  99 E. San Fernando St., www.SANJOSENYE.com and www.fahrenheit.com

Four Points by Sheraton – dinner, fashion show and dance party presented by Society of Single Professionals and Singles Super Club, 7pm, $20-$65 http://www.starwoodhotels.com/fourpoints/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=3510

Hedley Club at Hotel De Anza – Roaring ’20s NYE – Games, music, dancing and cocktail specials.  8:30pm http://www.hoteldeanza.com/

The Improv – Steve Byrne 7pm dinner show, $65   62 S. Second St. 408-280-7475 or http://sanjose.improv.com/showListCalendar.cfm

Pagoda Lounge at the Fairmont – DJ FM Murquia and DJ Fabian, 9pm, $40-$60. http://www.fairmont.com/san-jose/

Poor House Bistro – Drinks and full menu, plus live music by Jay and the Po’ Boys and Lara Price with Velvet Plum, 7pm, $60 http://www.poorhousebistro.com/events.html

San Jose Bar and Grill – With video mixing with DJ Dave, 8pm  http://sanjosebarandgrill.com/

San Jose Stage Co. – Will Durst’s Big Fat Year-End Kiss Off Comedy Show XX – With Will Durst, Johnny Steele, Debi Durst, Michael Bossier, Arthur Gaus and Mari Magaloni. 7pm and 10pm. $40-$50, 490 S. First St.  https://www.vendini.com/ticket-software.html?t=tix&e=b82281afac37f09151cbe705df3d7e7f

San Pedro Square Market – ’80s style party, plus midnight champagne toast, balloon drop, photo booth and more. http://www.sanpedrosquaremarket.com/

Studio 8 – DJs and burlesque show, 9pm http://studio8sj.com/

Ride VTA light-rail and buses to and from your NYE celebration – Free service from 8pm Dec. 31 to 5am Jan. 1.  www.vta.org

50 West And Downtown Property Owners Unveil "The Halo" of Lights at the Circle of Palms!

Brace yourself for a HUGE improvement to Downtown Ice and the Circle of Palms area in Downtown San Jose this year. A state-of-the-art LED lighting system was just installed on the 32 palm trees in the circle. The lights can illuminate in any color, be individually controlled, and can even be synced to music. I love this concept, the SJDA should be really proud of this project! Check out the video below for a demonstration.

This is exactly the type of lighting that we should install throughout Downtown! The best part is that the lighting system will be staying put even after Downtown Ice ends. I think it will complement the San Jose Museum of Art quite nicely.

As for Downtown Ice, it opens today with a special unveiling of "the Halo" at 6pm. Every night from 6pm-9pm there will be a light show synced to music. The rink will be open until 10pm Sunday through Thursday and until Midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

~~~

Downtown Ice outdoor skating rink opens 

FRIDAY, NOV. 15 in Downtown San Jose

What / When:

FRIDAY, NOV. 15, 6 p.m.  -  PHOTO OPPORTUNITY:  The unveiling of “The Halo,” a light show of high-powered state-of-the-art RGB pixel light strings on the 32 palms comprising the Circle of Palms, choreographed to music.

To see a test of the light display conducted last week, click on: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHz0fYeO1ko&feature=em-upload_owner

The lights will be up year-round and were installed to coincide with the opening of Hawaiian Airlines-Kristi Yamaguchi Downtown Ice skating rink at the same location. When not dancing to music, the lights remain on a “screen-saver”-like mode that loops every 40 minutes.

During the skating season, the choreographed light and music shows will take place at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. nightly.                    

Who:            

The San Jose Downtown Association produces Downtown Ice and manages the beautification activities of the downtown PBID. 

CBRE Global Investors, the owner of 50 West, the property on which the Circle of Palms and Downtown Ice rink resides.

Where:        

Circle of Palms located between the San Jose Museum of Art and the Fairmont Hotel, 120 Market St., downtown San Jose.

Visuals:      

The iconic ice rink celebrates its 10th year.  The rink combines two circular ice sheet:  one inside the 32 palms, the other outside the circle of trees.

The palms, which previous shined in white lights, now sport RGB pixel light strings that can produce every color in the spectrum.  The lights can be programmed to form patterns and can change into colors that match a musical soundtrack.

More When:

The annual Hawaiian Airlines / Kristi Yamaguchi Downtown Ice Skating Rink opening celebration is 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29, just before the official opening of Christmas in the Park.

Rink is open 5 p.m.-midnight Friday

Noon-midnight Saturday

Noon- 10 p.m. Sunday

5 p.m.- 10 p.m. Monday-Thursday     

Tons of Discounts Downtown

I have to share a little secret to getting the best deals downtown. The San Jose Downtown Association has an affinity card called "Discover Downtown San Jose." What are the benefits? Show the card to participating restaurants and you can receive free appetizers, desserts, a straight discount up to 20%, or even a buy one entree get one free offer. There are a large number of participants including 19 Market, Arcadia, Bella Mia, The Brit, E&O, Eulipia, Fahrenheit, all Fairmont restaurants and their lounge, Hawgs, Habana Cuba, Maceio, Morton's, Penguin Froyo, PF Chang's, Scott's, Silk Road Bistro, and many more. There are even some non-restaurant offers like 20% off FedEX and UPS, free drinks at Camera Cinemas, and Comedy Sportz discounts. For the full list of benefits click here!

You can pick up a card for free at the SJDA offices at 28 N. First (10th Floor) or at the Friday Farmer's Markets in San Pedro Square.

SJDA 2009 Annual Meeting

About a week and a half ago I attended the San Jose Downtown Association annual meeting at Camera 12, and was pretty impressed by the turnout. An entire movie theater was packed with people interested in what's happening Downtown. The speakers were passionate and entertaining, and the overall energy was surprisingly positive considering the state of the economy. I would highly recommend taking the time to make it out next year as I'm sure you'll be pleased to see the effort and dedication that goes into to running the SJDA.

My only suggestion for next year would be to have the entire meeting recorded and accessible online (I really would want to watch some of those speeches again). Below are a few quick snapshots I took.