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,September 20th, 7-10pm
It's free and open to all ages!


Sandi Billingsley believes all of us can express ourselves with paint. Sometimes we just need a simple place to start. Join her and paint some simple and basic one stroke flowers. Paint, brushes and paper will be provided.



Ward Greunke will allow artists to experiment with a new form of wearable art. Evozip is a system of interchangeable skins for messenger bags that lets people quickly change the appearance of their bag. The skins are cotton canvas and can be decorated with markers or paints and then attached to the bag. Every skin fits every bag. Free skins will be given out on Tuesday night to allow you to experience this new media of self expression. Acrylic paints and markers will be provided!



John Hageman will be hand cutting/finishing shapes out of wood using various tools. Then demonstrating how to assemble them into 3-dimensional wall mounted art.



Canvas Ghosts' Art Party "Beyond the Comic Strip"  is coming up soon.  Stop by our table and make a mask to go with the costume you are wearing to the party!



Jodi Mascarenas will create hair feathers and do another fantasitc sugar skull demo for $2 each!



Scary Craft invites you to "Come Mess with Text!" Pals Courtney and Jo Anne will help you make literature art this month by cutting and drawing on books. What a novel way to transform books that would have otherwise gone into the dumpster or lined a birdcage. As always, it’s all about making art on the cheap! Crappy paperbacks will be provided.



David Mejia our resident sketch artist will draw your portrait while you wait for only $5!



Lisa Mejia will adorn you with lovely henna tattoos for a small fee.



LIVE ARTISTS:
Al Preciado
Emonic

Kimy Martinez 

Force 129 

Steven Reece
Nik Caesar 

EAZ 1

Improvised live ambient/ IDM music by Toaster


Improvisational Belly Dance by Nour El Ain & Setareh, a group of dancers from diverse backgrounds, different dance skills and performance techniques. From budding stars to seasoned performers, this lively group will be sure to get you moving!

As always, $2 art will be on sale throughout the evening!
Tuesday, September 20th, 7-10 pm
free & all ages welcome! 




KALEID Gallery 


 

88 South 4th Street 

Downtown San Jose 
 

http://

www.KALEIDgallery.com
(408) 947 1785 





Would YOU like to get involved with Two Buck Tuesdays? Let us know!

Artist's For Andy's Pet Shop Event

Unfortunately the only pet store downtown is in trouble and it's up to help keep them around and servicing local pet owners. They'll be doing a benefit show at O'Flaherty's this Thursday, full details below:

from Phantom Galleries by Cherri Lakey

Andy's Pet Shop and Adoption Center needs our help or they will not be able to keep their doors open to the community nor to the local animal rescue centers they partner with.

To help raise awareness of their situation, a benefit show will be held at O'Flaherty's Irish Pub.

You're invited to O'Flaherty's Irish Pub on Thursday 9/22 at 9:00 p.m. for a special evening of music, comedy and art to benefit Andy's Pet Shop and Adoption Center. 100% Rescued Animals since 2007 and featured on A&E program "Hoarders".

There's a great line up of very talented artists including NY jam fusion electric guitarist John Ford Winter from the Woodstock Guitar Festival making his West Coast debut in downtown San Jose. Also performing are comedians Dan St. Paul and Mike Meehan. Portraits of animals and a custom painting of the famous building sign will be created by artist Crystal Wade.

A percentage of the bar sales will be generously donated by O'Flaherty's Irish Pub.

Show your support for the animals, the arts, and for downtown businesses!

For more information, please visit the Facebook event page here.

4th Annual Luna Park Chalk Art Festival

I have never attended this event before, but it looks like a blast. Tons of chalk art, vendor booths, music, and dancing. Best of all the proceeds will go to art education to local schools, something desperately needed as budget cuts are killing our art programs. More info below:

DRUM! Magazine Founders Roll Out Industry-Specific Enter Music Network With Leading Percussive Partner Sites

San Jose, Calif., -- Over the last 20 years, Phil Hood and Andy Doerschuk, the founders of Enter Music Publishing have published one of the most well-respected innovative music magazines in the industry, DRUM!. Now, the duo, demonstrating their creativity once again, has launched The Enter Music Network (EMN)www.entermusicnetwork.com, an industry specific ad network comprised of the top sites for drummers and percussionists.

 

EMN’s Reach

The EMN is a group of nine web sites that together offer advertisers the ability to reach the widest market of musicians. It's an ideal venue for advertising drum equipment, recording gear and other music products, as well as musician lifestyle products including shoes, beverages, movies, cars and clothing. The network, additionally allows advertisers to market to more than 100 countries across the world. Overall the EMN reaches more than half a million drummers and more than six million ad impressions monthly.

 

EMN’s Percussive Partner Sites.

The key to The EMN is the group of percussive partner sites. The network includes the top drumming sites in the world, such as drumchannel, drummercafe, drummerconnection, drummerworld, onlinedrummer, musicplayers, sickdrummermagazine, drumlink, and of course drummagazine.

 

The key benefit of the network is its ability to target the drum and percussion industry. Other larger networks exist, such as Doubleclick, but they aren’t niche specific like the EMN. And larger networks offer access to an audience but nothing in terms of services.

"I find there is a real need for targeted networks, and services that go beyond what the big guys offer" says co-founder Phil Hood. "Advertisers need input on campaigns, creative, and how to integrate what they do online with their print and other marketing,"

 

Another key benefit is convenience. Rather than dealing with a variety of sites, an advertiser deals with just one integrated network. And the EMN can also offer benefits such as the creation of ads and marketing counsel.

'Managing a large web campaign is difficult," says Hood, "and we take some of the complexity out of it. We can help if you want to reach a lot of musicians quickly, or if you want a longer-term campaign."

Nate Brown, president of onlinedrummer and a partner site in the EMN believes that the network’s wide reach through all of the participating sites will make it quickly successful. “It’s quite simple. The EMN is the most powerful network of its kind on the planet,” he said. That’s why we joined since this type of network is the future of advertising.

 

More than Web Banners
In addition to web banner campaigns the Enter Music Network also offers email marketing opportunities and video ad insertion on some sites. Interested parties can call Phil Hood(408-971-9794 ext 203) for details. Or they can visit,www.entermusicnetwork.com.

About Enter Music Publishing

Founded in San Jose, CA in 1992, Enter Music Publishing, Inc. is a leading publisher of hip, drum/percussion magazines, with distribution in 20 countries. DRUM! is the flagship publication of Enter Music Publishing, Inc. and continues to set the industry standard for editorial quality and innovation. Enter Music Publishing, Inc. also publishes great content on its website,drummagazine.com. Over the company’s history, Enter Music Publishing has pressed other well-respected publications, such as How To Play Drums, and TRAPS magazine. The company’s mission is to be the best source of drumming news and info on this planet and others as they become populated. The company’s founders, Phil Hood and Andy Doerschuk, are well-respected drum industry veterans with more than 50 years of experience in the field.

The Weekend Map: San Jose

Here's a pretty cool site that I just found out about called "the weekend map."  It let's you see things that are going on in San Jose over the weekend spanning concerts, sports, volunteer events, conventions, etc. The interface is really slick and lets you quickly filter to only see what's relevant to you.

Check it out right over here.

SJMADE with SJEATS @ San Pedro Square Market

If you're reading this right now, you need to step away from the computer, grab the family, and get to this event below. Come see Downtown San Jose's future!

********************

SJMADE with SJEATS

San Jose, California

September 17 & 18, 2011

San Pedro Square Market

PRESS RELEASE

San Jose Made (SJMADE) found its roots in San Jose, CA, where brother and sister, Mike and Marie Millares of The Usuals, ran small trunk shows featuring products from local brands. The small trunk shows have, since, grown into larger-scale vendor shows for locals who are building independent brands, creating collections, or designing goods in the San Francisco South Bay Area. SJMADE events house vendor and artist booths alongside live music performances by local acts. In response to the growing demand for local goods, SJMADE partnered with SJEATS hoping to continue this unique homegrown shopping and food experience in San Jose, CA.

Some of the Bay Area’s best food trucks are coming to San Pedro Square Market for SJMADE with SJEATS, a vendor and food truck festival based in San Jose, CA. Cuisines spanning the globe will be represented, from Filipino street food to chrome karaoke ice cream trucks. SJEATS was founded by husband and wife team, Ryan and Christine Sebastian. The couple operates Moveable Feast, a traveling food truck and live music event. Thousands of people have attended Moveable Feast events to sample local fare from gourmet food trucks with a helping of live music.

SJMADE with SJEATS is scheduled to run 11:00a to 7:00p on Saturday and Sunday, September 17th and 18th at San Pedro Square Market in downtown San Jose. Admission is free. The growing schedule of vendors and food trucks is available online at: http://www.sanjosemade.com.

New Art Show @ Empire Seven Studios

The launch party is tomorrow! 525 N. 7th Street, 7pm - midnight.

SJMADE Pre-Party

Time	Friday, September 16 · 8:30pm - 11:30pm
Location	South First Street Billards.
Created By	Noah Deeakili, San Jose Made
More Info	Join us Friday September 16th 2011 for The Official SJ Made Pre-Party! San Jose Made (SJMADE) is a vendor fair where local San Jose makers, labels, brands, and artists showcase and sell current projects and goods. The Fall event will be at San Pedro Square Market on 9/17-9/18. For more info:www.sanjosemade.com On Friday September 16th we will open the doors of South First Billiards @ 8:30 & celebrate the Fall edition of SJ Made with LIVE performances from some heavy producers & spitters & all around fresh makers! +++ On the beat tip we got... JOOB http://joobkicksnare.bandcamp.com/ http://soundcloud.com/joobkicksnare B.LEWIS & INSIGHTFUL http://eight.bandcamp.com/ http://Blewis.bandcamp.com/ http://insightful.bandcamp.com/ DRANAL http://soundcloud.com/dranal http://dranal.bandcamp.com/ W1SH ONE http://soundcloud.com/w1sh http://w1shone.com/ MARK PLSTK http://mark.plstk.com/ http://www.blindiforthekids.com/2009/12/mark-plstk-influ3nz-mixtape-confessional/ +++ On the spit tip we got... OPSKI CHAN & ODMD http://opskichan.bandcamp.com/album/super-duty-tough-work SEAN BLAK http://www.seanblak.com/ ONESELF DAVINCI http://soundcloud.com/oneself-davinci SOLIS CIN http://soundcloud.com/soliscinmusic ANYA & VIDA KILLZ http://vidakillz.com/ http://ladyanya.com/ PERSIA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1ZojLCS2UM +++ On the 1's & 2's we got... SHEA http://soundcloud.com/djshea MERLIN http://soundcloud.com/djmerlin +++Live painting by... MRLOPEZART http://mrlopezart.blogspot.com/ +++ Hosted by... Rowbot & Noahdeeakili... This event is FREE.99!! With a 99 cent discount! Doors open @ 8:30PM & the party ends @ regular city limit party ending time. MORE Details (as well as the online flyer) to be posted soon. SEE YOU ALL THERE!!! & DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT SJ MADE: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=150255428389872 Saturday, September 17th :: 11a-7p Sunday, September 18th :: 11a-7p For the Fall 2011 installation of SJMADE, we will be at San Pedro Square Market (www.sanpedrosquaremarket.com) in Downtown San Jose. For two days, September 17th and 18th, our SJMADE vendors will be showcasing goods alongside various San Pedro Square Market merchants. SJEATS (Moveable Feast, www.mvbl.org) will be there serving lunch (11:00a-3:00p) with their arsenal of delicious gourmet food trucks. Live music in the market courtyard. Stay tuned for a list of vendors, food trucks, and live music! Admission is FREE.

The Usuals is Coming to The San Pedro Square Market!

From The Usuals Newsletter:

Did you hear we are opening a new location?

It's true. The Usuals is expanding! We are soft opening this weekend, 9/17-9/18, at San Pedro Square Market during the SJMADE X SJEATS event.
Please welcome Showroom San Jose to the list of merchants at this exciting new downtown San Jose project. Because of the growing number of graphic t-shirt enthusiasts who shop at The Usuals, the Showroom is a t-shirt bar that showcases a larger selection of tees, accessories, art, and more! This weekend we're testing-out our spot before our grand opening in October. It's exciting times, friends. Thanks to all of you for the support! Come-by and say hello.

Special thanks to Fernando 'FORCE 129' for designing and installing our new Showroom sign! Check him out at: www.force129.com.

  

 
SJMADE X SJEATS 

Saturday, September 17th :: 11a-7p
Sunday, September 18th :: 11a-7p

San Pedro Square Market
87 N. San Pedro Street
Downtown San Jose

San Jose Made (SJMADE) is a vendor fair where local San Jose makers, labels, brands, and artists showcase and sell current projects and goods.


For the Fall 2011 installation of SJMADE, we will be at San Pedro Square Marketin Downtown San Jose. For two days, September 17th and 18th, our SJMADE vendors will be showcasing goods alongside various San Pedro Square Market merchants.

  

SJEATS  

SJEATS is serving lunch (11:00a-3:00p) with their arsenal of delicious gourmet food trucks. See the list of food trucks!

SATURDAY, 9/17 (11a to 3p)
An the Go
Eat on Monday
MoBowl
MoGo BBQ
O Mi Ninja
Sanguchon
Soulnese
Treatbot

SUNDAY, 9/18 (11a to 3p)
BBQ Kalbi
House of Siam
Le Bon
Louisiana Territory
Iz It
Sam's Chowdermobile
Soulnese

LIVE MUSIC IN THE MARKET COUTYARD

Saturday, 9/17
11:30a-12:30p :: Graywolf
1:00p-2:00p :: Jahirus, Backyard Rastafari Chants
2:30p-3:30p :: Never Right Now
4:00p-5:00p :: Sub Ren
5:30p-7:00p :: Vida Killz, Anya

Sunday, 9/18
2:30p-3:30p :: Pat Parra
4:00p-5:00p :: Never Right Now

LIVE PAINTING

Park Bench Collective
Kori Thompson


Admission is completely FREE!!!!

Thanks, and see you guys there!

THE USUALS

East Side Taco Festival of Innovation

Now this is interesting. 30 trucks serving innovative tacos in the east side. Everything from old school Mexican tacos to modern fusion tacos to ice cream tacos! It's being billed as the largest taco event in America and I can't wait to see how this one turns out. Based on Moveable Feast's track record, I think this is going to be guaranteed good times!

*************************************
Saturday, October 22 · 11:00am - 4:00pm

The largest taco event in America. Up to 30 of the most innovative food trucks selling Mexican tacos, Korean tacos, ice cream tacos, and more! Incredible live music. And a "Food Truck Startup" pavilion with everyone you would need to work with to get your dream going.

TACO TRUCKS (MORE TO COME)
Adam's Grub Truck
Architects Kitchen
BBQ Kalbi - Korean
Big Shrimp'n - Shrimp
House of Siam - Thai
Iz It - Hawaiianese
Louisiana Territory - Cajun
MoBowl - Nori
MoGo BBQ - Korean
No Way Jose - Mexican
Seoul on Wheels - Korean
Tac Gos - Mexican
Tacos Los Altos - Mexican
Tandoori Chicken USA - Indian
Tequila Taco - Mexican
The Wow - Filipino
Treatbot - Ice Cream

TACOLYMPICS (MORE TO COME)
Air Accordion
Jalapeno Eating
Lucha Libre
Urban Dictionary

We are also launching a taco into space.

$10 General Admission
$4 Youth Admission (6-12)
FREE Youth Admission for ages 5 and under


History Park

1650 Senter Road

San Jose, CA

Link to Facebook page.

Silicon Valley Restaurant Week 2011

Silicon Valley Restaurant Week kicks off today and features a substantial number of San Jose restaurants. Each restaurant will offer a discounted 3-course dinner menu with at least 3 options for each course. Also menu items will represent the restaurants typical portion size and quality... just because it is 3 courses doesn't mean the portions will be skimped out on. The feasting continues all the way up until September 21st.

To see the full list of restaurants and menus, click here!

New Street Food Incubator Launches!

Just about all of the incubators in San Jose are focused on technology, so it is refreshing to see something different coming into the mix. Food Social is essentially a street food incubator, helping street food vendors grow a successful business.

Later this week, you'll be able to try out the various food innovations these street vendors have come up with at Motif. Full details below! (You can also check out their site over here).

**********************


What

Food Social, a street food marketplace, features locally produced fare by the
Bay Area food scene’s next big talents. An incubator for up-and-coming street
food vendors, Food Social creates a whole new meaning to “eating local”. Eat
new dishes ranging from $5-$8, mingle with new friends, and enjoy a beautiful
outdoor terrace along with drink specials all night.

Friday, September 16th 2011, 5pm-9pm.
Motif Lounge
389 S. First St.
San Jose, CA

$5 with online registration, $10 for registration at the door.
Visit www.food-social.org to register for the event.
Music by Sketchmoney

Why

Food Social was created to shine the spotlight on a different part of the street
food vending journey…The very beginning. The idea behind Food Social is to
provide a forum that showcases up and coming street food vendors in a way
never before experienced in the South Bay. After personally experiencing the
long, arduous path toward building a successful cart, we wanted to open up a
channel for new food vendors who are working their way up the ladder to build
fans and share their fresh food ideas with their local community. Attend Food
Social and take an exclusive look at the delight that is being cooked up right in
your backyard.

September 2011 Downtown Dimension Highlights

Here are my notes from the latest edition of Downtown Dimension:

• Groundwerx is continuing to do a great job helping to keep Downtown clean and beautify the most trafficked zones.
• In 3 and a half months, 360 Residences has rented almost half of its units. They may be able to fill the tower as soon as November, which would be a huge boon for SoFA. As for the other residential high-rises:
• City Hights: 85% sold
• The 88: 70% sold
• Axis: 55% sold
• The San Pedro Square Market is having their grand opening on Oct. 22nd.  On Sep 17-18 you will be able to get a preview along with SJ Made and SJ Eats.
• Camera 3 will be hosting video feeds of the world's best operas and ballets.
• The Historic District will be plugging some major retail gaps very soon. Have a look at this:
• Zanotto's Express will be opening soon, offering grab-and-go items (which will no doubt be popular with Downtown residents) at 80 S. First.
• Le Duyen Healthy Spa is coming to 74 S. First St.
• Original Gravity Public House, a beer and sausage restaurant is coming to 66 S. First St.
• Cabritos Mexican Bistro is coming to 72 S. First 
• La Lune Sucree is now open in the former A Taste of Paris location (I've already been here twice, it's amazing... well worth a trip)
• Downtown streets are becoming safer thanks to a "Stay Away" program that prevents people arrested for drug violations from stepping foot back in certain zones (such as St. James Park). So far the program has been successful and may be expanded to more zones Downtown.

To read the full newsletter, click here!

San Jose 9/11 Remembrance Photos

Courtesy of Thomas Wohlmut:

SJMADE with SJEATS @ San Pedro Square Market!

Of all the events I have plugged this year so far, I have to say I am the most excited about the one below. It will usher in a new, major permanent attraction in San Jose. At the San Pedro Square Market sign lighting last week, Sam Liccardo said this was the beginning of Downtown's second renaissance. I think he's right, and the event coming next weekend will show you why.

I actually see this event as a combination of 3 main attractions:

1.) SJMADE - They will be showcasing local vendors (including The Usuals), south bay culture, San Jose art, and live music. This is a great way to support our burgeoning arts, fashion, and crafts community.

2.) SJEATS - The best food trucks in the Bay Area will be gathering along St. John Street right in front of the Market. They'll also be providing some entertainment.

3.) San Pedro Square Market Soft Launch - You will be able to try out the wine bar also featuring plates of fine cheeses and cold cuts, enjoy a mojito or craft beer at the San Pedro Square Bar, have a pizza baked in a hand-made brick oven imported from Naples at Pizza Bocca Lupo, or maybe even get a haircut at Crewners. This will give you a good sample of what's coming with an ambiance you just can't beat.

If you're reading this blog right now, then you have to mark your calendar for this event. Bring the whole family!

********************

SJMADE with SJEATS
San Jose, California
September 17 & 18, 2011
San Pedro Square Market

PRESS RELEASE

San Jose Made (SJMADE) found its roots in San Jose, CA, where brother and sister, Mike and Marie Millares of The Usuals, ran small trunk shows featuring products from local brands. The small trunk shows have, since, grown into larger-scale vendor shows for locals who are building independent brands, creating collections, or designing goods in the San Francisco South Bay Area. SJMADE events house vendor and artist booths alongside live music performances by local acts. In response to the growing demand for local goods, SJMADE partnered with SJEATS hoping to continue this unique homegrown shopping and food experience in San Jose, CA.

Some of the Bay Area’s best food trucks are coming to San Pedro Square Market for SJMADE with SJEATS, a vendor and food truck festival based in San Jose, CA. Cuisines spanning the globe will be represented, from Filipino street food to chrome karaoke ice cream trucks. SJEATS was founded by husband and wife team, Ryan and Christine Sebastian. The couple operates Moveable Feast, a traveling food truck and live music event. Thousands of people have attended Moveable Feast events to sample local fare from gourmet food trucks with a helping of live music.

SJMADE with SJEATS is scheduled to run 11:00a to 7:00p on Saturday and Sunday, September 17th and 18th at San Pedro Square Market in downtown San Jose. Admission is free. The growing schedule of vendors and food trucks is available online at: http://www.sanjosemade.com.

9/11 Events Tomorrow

Office of Cultural Affairs - Office of Economic Development

        

San Jose Fire Department 9/11 Patriot Day Tenth Anniversary

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Street Closures:

·        Market Street, from Julian to St. James will be closed from 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM.

·        Market Street, from San Fernando to Santa Clara Street, will be closed from 12 Noon to 1:00 PM.

·        Divine Street, from First Street to San Pedro will be closed from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

Schedule of Events:

11:00 a.m. (recommended arrival time for guests) – The Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph, 80 South Market Street, San José

11:30 a.m. - Memorial Mass celebrated by Bishop Patrick McGrath

12:40 p.m. - Memorial March down Market Street to San José Fire Station 1, 225 North Market Street

1:00 p.m. - Reflections on 9/11 by keynote speaker Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren and “Ringing of the Last Alarm”

1:20 pm - Open House at San José Fire Station 1

If you have any questions please contact Fawna Ferguson, Promotions and Events Officer with the City of San José, Office of Cultural Affairs at (408) 793-4350 or by e-mail at:Fawna.Ferguson@sanjoseca.gov

CONTENT's San Jose Photography Contest

from Phantom Galleries by Cherri Lakey

San Jose Photography Contest
San Jose is a city of vastly diverse communities and cultures. Content Magazine is featuring these communities and celebrating you, our local artists. We invite you to submit your original photographic image(s) that displays and/or reflects your neighborhood–your community. Whether your 'hood is a place or a person, submit your best image(s) which will judged by San Jose creative professionals and, then, winner will be published in Content Magazine Issue 3.4 Nov/Dec. 2011.


Rules:
Contest is open to South Bay resident photographers of 18 years and older of every skill levels. Photos must not be previously published, must be suitable for publishing by Content Magazine. (Entrees must be a current resident of Santa Clara County to qualify.)


Prize:
Photographers of winning photos will receive:
• Photos published in the Neighborhood Issue of Content Magazine.
•Recognition on the Content Magazine Facebook Fan page.
•Images published on Content-Magazine.com.
•Two copies of Content Magazine Issue 3.4 Neighborhood
•Portfolio review by Content Shapers Additional honorable mention photos will be posted on the Content-Magazine.com Webpage.
WINNER NOTIFICATION - Winner will be notified in November 2011.


Deadline:
Contest begins September 9, 2011. All submission must be received by mid-night October 10, 2011.


To enter contest, visit www.content-magazine.com

Alaskan and Hawaiian Airlines Adding More SJC Flights

Alaska Airlines is adding new daily nonstop flights to both Kauai and the Big Island in Hawaii starting March 12th. To add to the Aloha party, Hawaiian Airlines is offering 3 new weekly nonstop flights direct to Maui starting January 10th. (their first service direct from San Jose to Maui). Hawaiian Airlines is also doing an introductory rate of $298.40 for the roundtrip flight if you book within the next 4 days.

I think it's safe to say SJC is pretty much covered with flights to Hawaii. Hopefully they will start adding some some new International flights soon. More details over here and here.

San Pedro Square Market - Sign Lighting Party

It is a special day for Downtown San Jose as the lights are about to go on for the San Pedro Square Market! In addition to a lighting ceremony you will also be able to preview what some of the tenants will have to offer, grab a drink at Vino Vino Wine Bar or the San Pedro Square Market Bar, and enjoy some entertainment. It's been a long road, but the most exciting retail project Downtown is coming to fruition!

Click here for the event's Facebook page.

Time	Friday, September 9 · 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Location	San Pedro Square Market 170 W. St. John St. San Jose, California 95110
Created By	San Pedro Square Market
More Info	Please join us for the ceremonial lighting of our awesome 180-foot neon sign. The San Pedro Square Market Bar, Vino Vino Wine Bar, and perhaps a few other tenants will be open for business. Show up around 6 for light entertainment on the Plaza, stay for the sign lighting soon after the sun sets. Party at the Market! Tell your friends! *Please note that the previously announced event planned for 9/10/11 has been canceled, but our bars will be open that Saturday, feel free to stop by.

@First Restaurants are Open for Business!

At the corner of 237 and First Street in North San Jose 80,000 sqft of retail development in @First is well underway. The area is anchored by a Target, Hotel Sierra, and the Brocade Headquarters, which have been open for a while. In mid August, the restaurants finally started opening up. Three restaurants are already open:

• Five Guys Burgers and Fries (the only one in the immediate area, and they make fantastic burgers)
• Chipotle
• Panda Express

I have already been here three times, and the area is quite a bit nicer than I expected. Between Five Guys and Chipotle, there is an inviting covered patio with heat lamps. There are small palm trees throughout the retail space. Near the Union Bank is what looks like a more upscale restaurant with substantial outdoor seating, an outdoor fireplace, and artistic landscaping (it's not quite clear what this will become). 

For the people that thought this area would only be busy for lunchtime Monday through Friday, guess again. Each of the times I've been was at 8 or 9pm at night and the restaurants were packed. After the rest of the restaurants open, this will likely become another highly trafficked center like Rivermark.

Additional Retail Planned for the center is:

• Sweet Tomatoes (looks like the next to open, almost ready)
• Fresh & Easy (grocery anchor)
• Panera
• Premier Pizza
• Chick-fil-A (first in San Jose)
• The Coffee Bean (first in San Jose)
• Union Bank (looks just about ready to open)
• Courtyard by Marriott
• Dry Cleaner
• Hair Salon
• Dentist

Kitten Season 2011 and why you shouldn’t bring your homeless kitten to the shelter

Guest Post by Melissa Lisbon from San Jose Animal Advocates:


It's kitten season, and our local San Jose shelter is overflowing with tiny felines.  Many people think they are doing the right thing by bringing a litter of kittens they find, or that their cat has to the shelter assuming the shelter will care for these little kittens.  This is not the case.

Many local cat rescue groups try to pull these kittens from the shelter and put them in foster homes, but there just aren't enough foster homes to rescue all of the kittens that need it.  Did you know that more than 3500 pre-wean kittens are euthanized in Santa Clara County shelters every year?  Unfortunately, shelters are not equipped to care for these little ones and do not have staff, volunteers or the money to do this. Unless rescue pulls them and finds experienced bottle-feeding foster homes for them, pre-weans are almost always euthanized.

Itty Bitty Orphan Kitty Rescue (http://ibokrescue.org) created the Pre-Wean Kitten Project in 2007 to encourage community involvement in saving the lives of these tiny kittens.  As part of the Pre-Wean Project, IBOK Rescue provides Starter Packs (which include emergency supplies such as KMR, a nursing bottle, a flea comb, and kitten food; informational literature; discount coupons; and an instructional DVD) to more than 20 Bay Area shelters and to all 40 Pet Food Express stores. These packs are given out FREE to anyone who finds orphaned kittens.  In early 2010 IBOK produced a 30-minute instructional video on how to care for pre-weaned kittens.  The video shows you everything you need to know to hand-raise the kittens until they are old enough to be adopted and is available on DVD and online.  IBOk has also collaborated with HSSV to develop a training class which is held bi-monthly at their facility and are hoping to offer this class in more locations soon.

On Saturday, September 10th San Jose Animal Advocates (http://sjanimaladvocates.org) will be hosting a fundraiser called “Buy a Book, Save a Cat” where the proceeds of the event will be split between Itty Bitty Orphan Kitty (IBOK rescue) (http://ibokrescue.org) and PAWS for SJACS (http://paws4sjacs.org).  The fundraiser will be held on the sidewalk in front of Elefante Blanco Thrift Boutique at 1343 The Alameda from 11am to 4pm.  It will include the sale of books, cds, dvds, cassettes and vhs movies.   Both organizations will apply their funds to support their spay/neuter initiatives.  Buying several books or CDs will pay for spaying one cat which means less kittens ending up in our shelters with little or no chance of survival.

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Sincerely,

Melissa N. Lisbon
San Jose Animal AdvocatesCommitted to helping homeless animals in our community

web:            http://sjanimaladvocates.org

facebook:  facebook.com/sjanimaladvocates

twitter:       sjanimals

cell:             (408) 637-1282

Wednesday Wishlist: Dublin Spire

Over the summer I got to visit one of San Jose's sister cities: Dublin, Ireland. Out of all the cities I visited in Europe, Dublin was actually my favorite. The people were extremely friendly, there is history and character around every corner, great nightlife, amazing food, and it was very easy to get around either by walking or by bus. It also goes to show you don't need height to have a vibrant city (just about all buildings are under 6 stories).

There was one monument that particularly stood out called the Spire of Dublin or Monument of Light. It's a 398ft tall spike right in the middle of the city center that lights up at night and is easily visible from everywhere. It also happens to be the tallest sculpture in the world. People use it as a beacon to get to the city center and also as a meeting place.

I couldn't help but think of how cool it would be to have a sister monument in San Jose, perhaps even in Cesar Chavez park to replace our other "sculpture." We could also put a San Jose spin on it, increase the number of LED lights on the spire and make them either dynamic or interactive like the lighting system on The 88 or one of the Zero1 exhibits last year. It would be way to honor a sister city and also create a permanent landmark in San Jose's skyline!

The Tech After Hours is Happening Tomorrow!

First Wednesday of the month 
NEW Longer Hours!
6:00 p.m. – 11:00 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.

Like our new After Hours Facebook page!   DNA with a Twist
Wednesday, September 7
6:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Get your game face on.

• Test your CSI skills with "Biotech Tool Time", take home a DNA Necklace, or try your hand at Ear Wax Chromatography (Great for First Dates)!
• Enjoy the sunset on our roof while listening to tunes from local live band Sunrunners.
• Enjoy giant games like 4-feet-tall Jenga-style blocks, Over-Sized Chess, Giant Four in a Row. Plus, get tangled up on our behemoth inflated Twister Board!
• Sip on a glow-in-the-dark "Tech-Tini" from our no-host bar.
• Explore the entire museum under moody blue lighting as you decide whether to play a bevy of giant games, move to XBox "Dance Central", or just relax with friends!
• Limited cafe menu available for purchase.

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

Get directions and parking tips.