Two Buck Tuesday Today!

from Phantom Galleries by Cherri Lakey

Join us for an inspired evening of art demos, performances, live painting, scrumptious tastings,  $2 art & quirky people get together!!

Two Buck Tuesdays at KALEID Gallery
Tuesday, July 19th, 7-10pm
It's free and open to all ages!


Shannon Amidon will be creating and demonstrating her unique hand woven photographs.  http://shannonamidon.com/


David Mejia our resident portrait artist will draw your portrait on the spot for a small fee.


Jodi will teach a free sugar skull demo.  She will provide colored icing to decorate your skull as well as diamonds and other decorations to personalize it. Join in, get creative and make something beautiful! This month there will also be a a cupcake decoration station for you sugar lovers!


This month we have two unique henna tattoo artists, Laurel and Lisa Mejia, who will adorn you will beautiful designs both traditional and contemporary for a small fee.


Michael Denning will be creating art buttons out of his "Zen" drawings as well as helping you to create your very own art buttons out of collage and drawings for Two Bucks. Each button is 2.5" and will cost you Two Bucks to make and take home. Proceeds from his sales will help to benefit non-profit Project Knew Groove, a charity art organization based in Half Moon Bay. He’s also selling copies of his new book for $10. The first 50 copies are autographed and personally numbered. The cover was created on an antique hand-operated tabletop letterpress and all the books are hand stitched.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Michael-Denning-Heart-of-Chaos-Artisan/51790415784


Do you love plants but have very little time to care for them? Are you an apartment dweller with limited space? Never fear! Lara Sophia will help you make your very own terrarium! A miniature environment in a bottle, terrariums require very little attention, take up very little space and look great. She will have everything you need to create your own tiny, living world. Bring your own bottle or jar or use one provided for a small fee.
Lara Sophia will also be collecting lightly used shoes for Soles for Souls. Donate shoes to someone in need!
http://www.soles4souls.org/


Featured KALEID Artist Sean Sczepanik will be on site painting live and available to discuss monsters, cartoons and horror films in relation to Layers of Age in Monster Land- a dual site specific mural and exhibition with Steven Sczepanik (which ends July 19th after Two Buck Tuesday!)
http://shoeboxproduction.net/sean/


Crafting for Cheapskates Brings You: Sody Pop Art!
Can you believe it? We have finally improved on Kick the Can! Cut 'em up and create the perfect starburst frame for your brand new collage that you'll make at 2BT. Stick a pin on the back or hang it on your wall- either way, your friends will kick themselves for not thinking of it first. Don't feel like collaging? We'll take only a little offense to your whining, so it's a good thing that you can use an un-decorated sody can as an ashtray or take it home to insert your own photo. Just make it yours.
Pals Jo Anne and Courtney make art on the cheap by using crap from around the house.
http://craftingforcheapskates.blogspot.com/


Robyn Wilson will bring her handmade custom hula hoops for us to play with!
http://www.RobynsHoops.com


Ruben from The School of Arts and Cultures @ MHP will be sharing information about his art program The Art of Drawing Heros while students live paint.  The Art of Drawing Heroes teaches students more than how to draw people but how to better communicate through the practice of art and culture.


photo by Hannah Arista
A feature performance by Tahira: The Pure | Dance Theatre (PDT), a contemporary modern dance company. PDT produces a wide variety of conscious art and uses dance as an avenue for education and awareness of injustices. Using the universal language of art, we believe dance shatters paradigms, transcends through culture and cuts right to the heart.
http://www.wix.com/imanitahira/pdt


Cipacteo will demonstrate Aztec crafts and may also honor us with another impromptu Aztec Dance performance!


LIVE ARTISTS:

Force 129   http://force129.blogspot.com/

Kori Thompson
Andre Hart   http://www.facebook.com/TheAndreHart

Maria Guerra
Ivan Gonzalez

Kimy Martinez   http://www.kimyart.com
Sean Sczepanik
Kimi Star

EAZ    http://eaz-one.com


Chef David Ramsey will be providing samples of scrumptious food from Myth, a new Mediterranean Fusion restaurant which just opened in downtown SJ http://www.mythsj.com/

Haley Goodlet will be making snow cones for $2!  5 nummy flavors to choose from.                                                                                                                              
Sugar & Spice Amber Rogers and Theresa Dunnavant return to tantalize your taste buds with their sweet and savory treats!

As always, $2 art will be on sale throughout the evening!
Tuesday, July 19th, 7-10 pm - free & all ages welcome!


KALEID Gallery 
88 South 4th Street 


Downtown San Jose
http://

www.KALEIDgallery.com
(408) 947 1785

Italian Night Earthquakes Game this Wednesday

From Little Italy San Jose:

Wednesday July 20th will be "Italian Night" hosted by Little Italy San Jose as the San Jose Earthquakes face off with the Vancouver Whitecaps in Buck Shaw Stadium at Santa Clara University. "Italian Festivities" begin at 5:30pm and the games starts at 7:30pm. Pasquale will sing the Italian, American, and Canadian National Anthem. We will have Italian games, Italian food and wine, and special Little Italy Earthquake jerseys signed by the entire team sold as a fundraiser. Tickets are $18 each and $6 of each ticket sold goes to Little Italy 501c3. Please buy your ticket from us to ensure we get credit.

Follow the Link to buy your Ticket:
http://purchase.tickets.com/buy/TicketPurchase?pid=6965267&agency=MXED_TGS17

or send us an email for tickets jcmelander@yahoo.com

Buy "Italian Night" Tickets here

San Jose Could Get High Speed Rail This Decade

The California High Speed Rail Authority has been getting a lot of flack for the proposed first phase of the HSR system that will one day connect all major cities in California. They are planning on building the least expensive (and least controversial) portion of the track first which would would essentially connect Fresno and Bakersfield, giving it the nickname "the train to nowhere." Now, they are saying that before revenue service begins, they will extend the tracks either to San Jose OR south to Palmdale or San Fernando Valley.

If the San Jose route is chosen, that means that we could have access to the fastest rail system in the country this decade. A 250-mile trip between Downtown San Jose and Bakersfield would take just 1 hour and 49 minutes. There would also be a second Santa Clara County station in Gilroy. For more info, click here.

Global Social Benefit Incubator 2011

I know quite a few entrepreneurs read this blog and I just wanted to quickly plug an event going on next month at Santa Clara University centering around social/philanthropic entrepreneurship. All of the details are below!

Register Today! GSBI 2011!

Please join Santa Clara University's Center for Science, Technology, and Society for a day of business plan summary presentations by the 2011 Global Social Benefit Incubator entrepreneurs from around the world. Products and services developed by the 2011 class include: biogas-powered milk coolers for Ugandan farmers; microfranchise training and employment opportunities for slum youth in Kenya; probiotics to improve health in Mexico; solar-powered chicken and egg production in Haiti; and women-created fashion and furniture from recycled garbage in the Philippines.  Agenda Thursday, August 18, 2011  Mayer Theatre, Performing Arts Complex,  Santa Clara University  Continental Breakfast 7:15 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.   Morning Business Plan Summary Presentations 8:00 a.m. - 12:25 p.m. (Clean Energy sector presentations) Lunch 12:25 p.m. - 1:25 p.m. Afternoon Business Plan Summary Presentations 1:25 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Reception 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Register Today! GSBI Class of 2011 Federico Maria Grati : Agroils SRL – Smart Oil, Ghana, www.agroils.com Lesley Silverthorn : Angaza Design, East Africa, www.angazadesign.com Salinee Tavaranan : Border Green Energy Team, Thailand / Burma, www.bget.org Henry Osadolor : Centre for Community Development - Nutrition On Your Doorstep, Nigeria Hakeem Adebola Lawal : Design Peak - My Cola Light, Nigeria, www.designpeak.dk Ola Abraham : EastWind Laboratories, Nigeria Slavka Macakova : ETP Slovakia – Centre for Sustainable Development, Slovakia, www.etp.sk Shawn Frayne : Haddock Invention LLC, Guatemala, www.haddockinvention.com Guirlaine Celius : Haiti Community Development Inc., Haiti Jeroen Verschelling : Kamworks Ltd. – MoonLight, Cambodia, www.kamworks.com Maria Springer : iSmart Ben Lyon : Kopo Kopo Inc., Global, www.kopokopo.com Julian Cuevas : Kurago Biotek, Mexico, www.kuragobiotek.com Mark Joaquin Ruiz : MicroVentures Inc. – Hapinoy, Philippines, www.hapinoy.com Piyush Jaju : Punam Energy Private Ltd. – ONergy, India, www.onergy.in Therese Clarence Fernandez-Ruiz : Rags2Riches, Inc., Philippines, www.rags2riches.ph Katherine Lucey : Solar Sister, Uganda, www.solarsister.org William Kisaalita : Thermogenn, Uganda Sebastian Ernesto Africano : Trees, Water & People, Haiti, www.treeswaterpeople.org Jessica Mayberry : Video Volunteers, India, www.videovolunteers.org

About the Global Social Benefit Incubator The GSBI empowers socially-minded entrepreneurs to build economically sustainable organizations and to solve problems for people living in poverty around the world. The signature program of the Center for Science, Technology, and Society at Santa Clara University, this capacity and skill-building program combines online and in-residence exercises with training and mentoring from academic leaders and Silicon Valley executives over an intensive eight-month period. Entrepreneurs graduate from the program with practical and strategic business tools to allow their companies to “scale”, meaning they increase revenue faster than expenses.   More Information About the Center for Science, Technology, and Society The mission of the Center for Science, Technology, and Society (CSTS) is to promote the use of science and technology to benefit underserved communities worldwide, primarily by working with socially-minded entrepreneurs.  The CSTS implements its mission through its signature program, the Global Social Benefit Incubator, its partnership with The Tech Museum in The Tech Awards program, Frugal Innovation, social capital services, and its numerous educational and public engagement activities. Through these programs, the Center has worked with nearly 1,000 social enterprises affording the Center unique insights into leading business models and innovations for the developing world and emerging markets. More Information

AXIS Bans Smoking

AXIS residents voted to officially become a NON-SMOKING building. This goes so far as to include even outdoor balconies and patios. I think this is a good move and will create a healthier and more family-friendly environment for residents and guests. Hopefully The 88 and City Heights will follow suit.

Sunflower Coming to San Jose

There has been a lot of retail news lately. It seems like we'll soon be filling up a lot of empty storefronts.

Sunflower Farmers Market is coming to what used to be an OSH in South San Jose (1130 Branham). The store should open in Q3 2012, creating 100 jobs.

Cavium Returns to San Jose

Cavium is a networking company that started in 2000 in three small office rooms in San Jose. As they grew they moved to Santa Clara and then Mountain View. Now they're coming back to San Jose and are taking over 113,831 sqft on North First Street. Forbes recently named this company one of the top 5 fastest growing technology companies in the US. This could be a very big win for the city if they continue to expand and bring more jobs to San Jose.  For more info, check out the print edition of the San Jose business journal (pages 1 and 24).

San Jose Made Event This Weekend!

Come support local vendors and clothiers at the SJMADE event this weekend in San Jose's midtown district! The past couple events were a huge success, so let's keep fueling the flame for quality local products.

Photolog: Nigel Who? Fashion Show

I happened to stumble upon this event and thought this should be a fun night out.  I figured with a brand name such as Nigel Who? the designs must be as interesting.  I’m no male fashionista (I would like to consider myself Geek Chic but that’s probably pushing it.  By the way is there a word for male fashionista?) but I like what I saw.

Ronnie Bogle’s, the designer of Nigel Who?, 2011 Summer Collection made use of cooling colors and fabrics.  Not only that but a lot of the designs had a sense of flow, movement and bounce.  Below are examples of pillowy bouncy dresses.

But the summer isn’t just about showing lots of skin.  There are also wonderful free flowing full dresses that would look great when a warm summer wind went by.

The range of designs is very diverse but they all stuck with the main principles.

 

 The event itself had a great turnout.  Even the kids were enjoying themselves.

To read more about Ronnie Bogle you can head over and read the article on the Content.

To see more designs head over to our Facebook T2L site.

Mad Science Bike Party Tomorrow

The latest Bike Party--which is Science themed--is coming tomorrow between 6pm-10pm.  It kicks off at Cannery Park (401 E. Taylor Street) and features food trucks, a raffle, local clothing vendors, and even a performance by SJ Taiko! More info can be found right over here.

San Pedro Square Market Sign

Courtesy of Karl Schramm:

M8trix Updates

M8trix is a new card room that is being built near Bay 101 and will be replacing Garden City Casino on Saratoga. Last week there was a Merc article with some additional tidbits on this $100 million project:

• Technology will be featured throughout the casino, including a 15ft LED chandelier and indoor lighting that can by changed on the fly.
• High-stakes card games will take place on the penthouse floor of the tower, with panoramic views of the South Bay.
• There will be a new bar in the gaming area, Asian noodle eatery, and a sports bar & grill. In total there will be 210 LCD TVs.
• The second phase of the project with an estimated completion in 2014 will cost over $120 million and feature a 220 foot high luxury hotel with up to 600 rooms and a four star restaurant.

That last tidbit has me particularly excited. San Jose is long overdue for a W or Westin Hotel, which the Merc mentioned. I remember there also being talks of a celebrity chef restaurant on top of the Phase 2 tower, but it was not mentioned in the article. Click here for more.

San Pedro Square Market Updates

From the San Pedro Square Market Blog:

The San Pedro Square Market is getting better and better everyday. Our Market Manager Steve Borkenhagen has leased five new tenants in less than two weeks bringing us up to 80% occupied.

With so much going on, we needed to let everybody know what is on tap in the coming months. First, we will be filling you in on all of our new tenants, concepts andevents. Second, we are planning a fashion show with the help of our newest tenantJoelle Cruz, stay tuned for our upcoming blog post for all of the details on the above items. Now for the good stuff, Our first San Pedro Square Market restaurant spotlight: Pizza Bocca Lupo.

Located in the El Dorado Bakery Building, Pizza Bocca Lupo will be run by a native Neapolitan with a passion for thin crust pizza. Owner-operator Ron DeVries was trained in Naples, Italy by one of the first pizzerias to be VPN (Verace Pizza Napoletana) certified. Pizza Bocca Lupo will be the first Neapolitan pizzeria in the south bay that bakes in a hand-made brick oven imported from Naples (on its way now). The oven cooks the pizza in 1-2 minutes at very high temperatures giving them a distinct taste and texture.

The pizza will be baked using the same ingredients as the best pizzerias in Naples:  very fine Tipo 00 flour, authentic San Marzano Tomatoes grown in the vulcanic soil of Mount Vesuvio, fresh mozzarella, and more. High quality locally-found ingredients will also be available.

Ron is going to be a wonderful addition to our project and I must say I cannot wait to taste his pizzas there is nothing better than a thin crust, wood fired pizza.

Stay tuned for our upcoming blogs:

The El Dorado Bar

Nine.Ten.Eleven.

Vino Vino

Upcoming Events

New Leaf Coming to South San Jose

The former Cosentino's by Silver Creek Country Club will soon become a New Leaf Community Market. This should be a nice spot for them.

Obon Festival Going on Now!

Come enjoy the 76th annual San Jose Obon festival, a time when generations of families and friends come together and enjoy a rich cultural experience in one of the three remaining Japantowns in the United States.

Partake in the traditional dancing and indulge in Japanese favorites: sushi, beef and chicken teriyaki, gyoza, udon, tempura, and festival favorites such as corn on the cob and strawberry shortcake.

Special: Jack Matsuoka, a renowned cartoonist best known for the collection of cartoons that he drew during his imprisonment in the Poston detention camp, designed the Festival shirts as well as banners along Jackson St. in Japantown. He will be signing copies of his book, "Poston: Camp II, Block 211," at the ACCP Bookstore during the Festival.

The public is also invited to learn about Japanese symbols and practices in a brief "Buddhism 101" session at 11:30am and 2pm on Saturday and Sunday in the San Jose Buddhist Temple (640 North Fifth St).

SATURDAY, JULY 9th: 12pm-10pm
12:00 Food Booths Open
12:30 UC Berkley Taiko
1:00 Games/Bookstore Opens
2:00 Buddhism 101
3:00 Bingo Opens
4:00 UC Irvine - Jodaiko
5:30 San Jose Taiko
6:30 Chidori Band
7:30 Chidori 50th
7:45 Odori starts

SUNDAY, JULY 10th: 12pm-8pm
12:00 Food Booths Open
12:30 UC Berkley Taiko
1:00 Games Open
1:30 UC Irvine - Jodaiko
2:00 Buddhism 101/Bingo Opens
4:00 San Jose Taiko
5:00 Chidori Band
6:00 Odori starts
7:00 Raffle

If you are interested in volunteering go to
www.volunteermatch.org

Check out www.sjbetsuin.com for more information.

Hot San Jose Nights @ The Santa Clara Fairgrounds

If you're a classic car enthusiast, then there is a great event for you happening this weekend. This year's Hot San Jose Nights is featuring a classic car show, auction, live music, and even a destruction derby. For more info, check out Steve Natale's blog right over here as well as the video from last year's event below.

Myth Grand Opening!

Downtown San Jose's newest restaurant (and nightclub) is starting their grand opening bash tonight. They'll have free appetizers and modern Greek cuisine to munch on, as well as live music and DJs. For more info, click on the flyer below.

WE ARE ROBOTS by Paco Excel @ Empire Seven Studios

This Saturday between 7pm and midnight, Empire Seven Studio is hosting an artist reception for graffiti artist Paco Excel. His latest work focuses around how people are becoming more connected with technology than humanity (appropriate theme for Silicon Valley, don't you think). This exhibit will also be on display at Empire Seven Studios on 7th Street until August 27th, which is open 6pm-9pm Mon-Fri.

The Big Lebowski is Playing in SoFA Tonight!

Looking for something to do in the middle of a warm summer week in San Jose? Why not grab a lawn chair and come see The Big Lebowski in SoFA tonight. In addition to the movie, there is live music, an impression contest, and several promos (the most appropriate is $3 White Russians at Eulipia). Full details below:

"Always a crowd favorite, The Big Lebowski returns to the SoFA district in Downtown San Jose on July 6th. July 6: "The Big Lebowski" (1998) R South First and William streets (SoFA) Brothers Joel and Ethan Coen write and direct a hilarious tale about "Dude" Lebowski, who gets his friends to recover damages for his ruined rug. It's a case of mistaken identity - Dude is not the millionaire others think he is. Starring Jeff Bridges, John Goodman and Julianne Moore. Pre-Show, 7 pm: Big Lebowski costume and impression contest. Local band Bobby Joe Ebola and the Children MacNuggits. Specials will be offered at nearby SoFA restaurants and bars to those dressed in Big Lebowski themed costumes on the night of the Starlight Cinemas screening of The Big Lebowski. We encourage all to join in on the pre and post movie crawl (more crawl information can be found at this website http://www.achievercon.com/). The movie will run from 8:45 to 10:40pm. Please find some of the nights specials below: Agenda Sports Bar (399 S. First St.) - 2 for 1 drink specials. The Blue Chip Sports Bar and Family Restaurant, ALL AGES (325 S. First St.) - $2 Tecate or DosXX and free fries with purchase of any Cheesesteak. Caffe Trieste, ALL AGES (315 S. First St.) - Happy hour prices all night on food and drink specials. Eulipia Restaurant and Bar, ALL AGES (374 S. First St.) - $3 White Russians and $10 off the entire check for anyone in Lebowski attire... The Dude Abides. South First Billiards (420 South First Street) - $5 The Dude's Beverage (White Russian); $5 Nobody F's With The Jesus (Coconut Rum, Pineapple, Cranberry); $5 Beyond Pacifism (Deep Fried Artichokes).

Take advantage of San Jose's warm, summer nights and enjoy a complimentary movie under the star-studded sky with your friends. To see the full Starlight Cinemas line-up, please visit their website."

The Tech After Hours!

This event sounds like a lot of fun. The Tech is opening their doors after hours for a new 21 and over experience. Tomorrow is their first attempt at this and it will include cocktails, classic Nintendo gaming in the IMAX theater, and giant-sized games. Adding some out-of-the-box ideas like this is a step in the right direction for the museum!

The Tech Museum After Hours

First Wednesday of the month
6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

After Hours is the new monthly themed event where adults only can enjoy science, technology, entertainment and cocktails together with their friends. Each month is new and different.

Game Night

presented by homefrys
Wednesday, July 6
6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Get your game face on

Play old-school Nintendo on a 25-foot screen surrounded by 13,000 watts of wrap-around digital sound in The Hackworth IMAX Dome Theater. Compete for prizes!

Sip on a glow-in-the-dark "Tech-Tini" from our no-host bar.

Try your hand at 4-foot-tall Jenga style blocks, giant Tic Tac Toe, and monster-size foam dominoes.

Explore the entire museum under moody blue lighting and contemporary sounds as you decide whether to play a bevy of board and party games from Apples to Apples to Scrabble to Yahtzee!

Limited cafe menu available for purchase.

Buy Tickets

Tickets are only $10 for museum members; $12 non-members price.

For more information or to buy tickets please call +1 (408) 294-8324. Or buy online now. (service charges may apply).

Umpqua Bank Coming to San Jose

Oregon based Umpqua Bank is planning to open 6-8 locations in Silicon Valley, and the first will be a 3,000+ sqft branch in Downtown San Jose. With $11.5 billion in assets, they are actually much larger than most of the other business-oriented banks in Silicon Valley like Fremont Bank ($2.5B). They also have some unique marketing strategies such as free cappuccinos in their branches and handing out free treats from their own ice cream trucks. The Downtown San Jose branch should be open by early 2012.

For more info, pick up a copy of the San Jose Business Journal and turn to page 5 (sorry no hyperlink for this one).

Happy 4th of July San Jose!

Popeye's Downtown is Now Southern Fried Chicken

It seems that the person that purchased Popeye's downtown lost their franchise license, so they are transitioning to "The Original Southern Fried Chicken."

Rose, White & Blue Parade on the 4th of July!

For those of you who have not attended this event before, it is considered one of the best parades in the United States! Those who have already know what a treasure this parade is for San Jose. This year's Rose, White & Blue Parade begins at 10am at the corner of Shasta Avenue and Martin Avenue (near West San Carlos St.). The parade follows Shasta/Hanchett Park and Rose Gardend neighborhoods and ends on the Alameda near Pershing with a massive picnic!


Click here to see the full brochure.
Click here for information on the Picnic at the end of the parade.
Lastly, click here for their facebook page.