Italian American Family Festa Photos

SJ21: A Sneak Peek Inside San Jose Little Italy

San Jose / Twenty-One has a great post about the new Little Italy project in San Jose, along with a few photos. I'll also post my several of my own photos on Monday. It's still not too late to catch the Italian American Family Festa that is going on today at Guadalupe River Park next to what will soon become Little Italy!

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A Sneak Peek Inside San Jose Little Italy

from S a n J o s e / T W E N T Y - O N E by DLo

"It's not about developing, it's about restoring." That's what developer Joshua DeVincenzi Melander says is the true intent of city's new Italian-American community, Little Italy San Jose.

An Italian wine bar will soon be in place at the main piazza.

Anchored in the River Street neighborhood, once a bustling Italian immigrant enclave, this new Little Italy will, in a sense, be an amalgamation of several of San Jose's oldest Italian communities (e.g. Goosetown, Luna Park) which the city either destroyed or neglected over the years. At one time, Italians were the city's largest ethnic group, so this new effort is more about bringing back what the city had (and lost) than creating something from scratch.

An archway on Julian will soon welcome visitors.

Like nearby San Pedro Square Market, Little Italy is ambitious in its scope. And yet, when completed, San Jose's Little Italy will feel very personable. Unlike the expansive Little Italys of New York City or Chicago, San Jose's occupies a relatively small space, primarily between River Street and The Guadalupe River Park. When completed, Little Italy will feel like an intimate Italian community. The intent here is here to create an authentic neighborhood experience with a string Italian-themed businesses, such as restaurants, gelaterias, and wine bars, as well as piazzas, archways, and bocce courts.

Future Italian-themes businesses.

One important milestone for both Little Italy San Jose and The Italian American Heritage Foundation of San Jose comes this weekend with theItalian American Family Festa (Saturday, August 28, 11 AM - 8 PM and Sunday, August 29, 11 AM - 6 PM; admission is free). This year the festival moves to its new home, adjacent to Little Italy, in the Guadalupe River Park. It is also its 30th anniversary, and will include the unveiling of the Piazza Piccola Italia. For the piazza, Little Italy solicited donations from the city's Italian-American community, who, in return, had personalized bricks placed into the design of the courtyard.

The Piazza Piccola Italia will be dedicated this weekend.

Little Italy is definitely a project to keep an eye on. It certainly has its work cut out for it, but the project certainly seems to be in loving hands. Speaking to Joshua DeVincenzi Melander, you quickly get a sense of the cultural pride that runs deeply through the project. They clearly intend to do this thing right. And they're off to a great start.

Buona fortuna.

Italian American Family Festa

Want to get a sneak preview of Little Italy? Why not head on down to the Italian American Family Festa, going on now in Guadalupe River Park! I was down there for a little bit this morning and there is tons of authentic Italian food, arts & crafts shops, bocce ball, and entertainment. Downtown San Jose wins big by netting great annual event, right next to the future Little Italy San Jose. I couldn't think of a better place in Silicon Valley to host this event ;)

WHEN:	Saturday, August 28, 11 am - 8 pm Sunday, August 29, 11 am - 6 pmPlease join us for the first event: Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony (12:30pm, Saturday, August 28th)
WHERE:	The Festa's new home in Guadelupe River Park, downtown San Jose

A Room With a View

Interested in getting a taste of what it would be like to live on the 21st floor of a high-rise right in the middle of Downtown San Jose? Tomorrow is your chance at The 88, just register using the link below!

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		CELEBRATE SUMMER WITH US! cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, music and tours!  Summer has finally descended upon the Bay Area and we are excited to celebrate its arrival!  Join us next Thursday on our Skyline Observation Terrace to savor a cocktail and the best views in Silicon Valley. Date:   Thursday, August 26th Time:   5:007:30pmLocation: 21st Floor Skyline Observation Terrace REGISTER: http://the88penthouse.eventbrite.com

Zombie-O-Rama 2010

Brace yourself for the second annual Zombie-O-Rama in Downtown San Jose! If you thought staggering around Downtown San Jose dressed up as a zombie was reserved only for Halloween, guess again. Tomorrow hundreds, if not thousands, will gather up in SLG Art Boutiki at the tail end of SoFA and march throughout downtown starting at 5pm. Dress up and enjoy discounted libations in bars highlighted below.

Also, what better way to cap out the night than with a zombie fashion show (8:30pm) and outdoor screening of Zombieland (9pm)? For a full overview of tomorrow's debaucheries, feast your eyes on the map below:

Baseball San Jose has NEW A's STADIUM RENDERS!

Our friends over at Baseball San Jose have a killer treat for you today... more stadium renders! My favorites are the first and fourth ones--if you click on them to enlarge, you can get a good feel for the view inside the proposed ballpark. To help make this dream a reality, head on over to Baseball San Jose to find out how you can contribute!

Famous Dave's BBQ Opens First San Jose Location Sep 20th

Yet another famous national chain comes to San Jose! Full details below:

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FAMOUS DAVE’S DEBUTS IN SAN JOSE

Southern California Business Owner Continues Expansion Throughout California

(San Jose, Calif.)—Famous Dave’s, the award-winning Bar-B-Que restaurant known for its barbequed and grilled meats, sandwiches, side items, salads and unique desserts, is opening its first location at 61 Curtner Ave. in San Jose on September 20. The opening will be under the direction of Anand Gala, president and CEO of Gala Corporation, one of the leading privately-owned hospitality and food services companies in the United States, widely recognized as a first-class developer and operator of hospitality and food service assets. Gala Corp operates 27 existing restaurants including Applebee’s and Famous Dave’s BBQ restaurants throughout California.

            “Consumers love the authenticity of Famous Dave’s BBQ. I am excited to bring award-winning flavors and a family-friendly atmosphere to area-residents,” said Gala. “We have some great events planned for the September grand opening; it’s the perfect way to introduce Famous Dave’s into the community.”

In 1994, Famous Dave’s Bar-B-Que opened its first restaurant in Hayward, Wisc. and introduced its cuisine to the world. Fifteen years later, the award-winning chain has grown to more than 175 locations. Gala Corporation has plans to continue this trend and expects to open additional restaurants in the next several years with growth coming from its existing brand portfolio and/or other concepts. This will be Gala’s sixth Famous Dave’s location in the California market.

Fresh & Easy Comes to San Jose (Willow Glen)

The first Fresh & Easy Grocery Store in the South Bay is coming early next year to a former Albertsons on the corner of Bird and Minnesota and will be between 13,000 and 14,000sqft. Fresh & Easy Markets focus on fresh and organic foods. Click here for more details.

Our 300th Post!

After 15 months, we're still alive and kicking and on our 300th post! Thank you to all of the SJ enthusiasts out there that make updating this blog worthwhile.

I would also like to extend an invitation out there to anyone that is interested in putting up their own San Jose-related blog posts here OR syndicating their posts from other blogs. If you look to the left or right, you'll notice no ads. This blog's primary goal is advancing San Jose's many attractions, culture, and international visibility--all are welcome to contribute to that goal. Just shoot me an email at josh@thesanjoseblog.com and I'll get you all set up!

San Jose Jazz Festival Breaks Attendance Records, Releases Cool Video

Thanks to Thomas Wohlmut for the tip!

Veggielution Now Part of the Downtown San Jose Farmer's Market!

JoAnn Freda just posted some good news on San Jose Metblogs... Veggielution is now part of the Downtown Farmer's Market! This should hold over fans of San Jose-grown produce until the San Pedro Square Market opens up.

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Produce Doesn’t Get Much More Local than This

By JoAnn Freda

August 19th, 2010 @ 6:17 PM Downtown, Farmer's Market

Veggielution Community Farm is now selling at the Downtown Farmers Market every Friday from 10-2 until December 14 (closed the day after Thanksgiving). This means we now have access to the most local and sustainable produce in San Jose. For two dollars you can buy a beautiful bunch of basil that was picked just two hours before you bought it.

In addition to heirloom tomatoes, Veggielution has a variety of unusual and heritage vegetables which means you may find something you’ve never seen or tried before.

The proceeds from Veggielution’s farmers market stand go to support programs such as Veggie Youth and Family Day. So look for their colorful display of approximately 100 pounds of freshly picked produce that has travelled a total of 3.5 miles to the market.

These satisfied customers are walking away with a Sugar Baby watermelon.

Nice Blog Post RE: The 88

I recently ran into this article on The 88. Interesting read, especially since it is written by a former San Franciscan. Here's my favorite quote: "San Francisco isn’t the only urban option for the Bay Area. San Jose downtown is a newer, cleaner, safer urban option for the Bay Area." Click here for the full post.

Satori Tea - Ribbon Cutting Ceremony!

My new favorite tea shop announced that they are having their ribbon cutting ceremony on Aug 20th at 10:30am! Swing on by to celebrate their opening and enjoy some Free Masala Chai and a 10% discount off tea & teawares.

Two Buck Tuesdays ($2 Art!)

Here's a great event I haven't promoted in a while, Two Buck Tuesdays at KALEID Gallery (next to Flames in the 4th St. Garage). Live art demonstrations, live music, and of course... quality art for $2 a piece. It's going down today, just scroll for all the info.

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TWO BUCK Tuesdays is an inspired event hosted by a crew of very dedicated artists at KALEID Gallery on the Third Tuesday of the month. This August session is curated by Michael Foley.
The Two Buck Tuesday Crew organizes artistic, creative speakers, live demos, performances and live music jammed into three hours for a hyper shot of inspiration that you'll carry with you all month long until the next one.
Artists and audience alike are invited to attend, contribute and share in this unique event all free of charge.
On August 17th from 7-10pm the public can see and speak with many amazing artists, performers and musicians and purchase $2 art (starting at noon.)
Featured Speakers:

Michael Denning. 
Bay Area Collage artist and teacher in Heart of Chaos's Juvenile Hall art program sponsored by Catalyst for Youth. Michael will discuss his passion for art, its healing power and how he is using art to rehabilitate the incarcerated youth at risk.


Jeff Bramschreiber
Bay area artist currently teaching at the Rosicrutian and Triton museum. Jeff will demonstrate how to re-create art in the same forms of ancient Egypt using a variety of media.


Professor Seigel from the onibatsu school of the performing arts.
Ever wonder what it takes to start an Art Collection? What should you buy? How do you know if it is good? How to make investment grade purchases. Now that you brought it home, what do you do with it? Matthew Bailey Seigel will answer these questions and more. Bring $10 and you will leave with your very own curated starter collection.

MUSIC by AIVAR
LIVE HULA-HOOPING by Alyssa Carlsen
LIVE ART by:
BasicLee
Miguel Machuca
Mike 3.5
Mike Borja
Emonic
Christine Benjamin
SKETCH ARTISTS:
Jaclyn Alderete
Kimi Star
Murphy Adams
Ivy Atoms
+MORE

TWO BUCK Tuesday- August 17th, 7-10pm FREE and open to the public.
KALEID Gallery 
88 South 4th Street
San Jose, CA 95112
http://www.KALEIDgallery.com
(408) 947-1785

About KALEID Gallery: Borne out of the Phantom Galleries project (art exhibitions in vacant storefronts), KALEID Gallery exhibits and sells the work of over 60 artists in a 6000 sq ft raw space with regular gallery hours and special monthly events. A catalyst for emerging artists and collectors, nowhere else in San Jose can you see so many talented artists in one venue.

August 2010 Downtown Dimension Highlights

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

• 1stACT evaluated philanthropic giving in San Jose that stays local and found it to be very low compared to other cities. 90% of giving coming from local foundations leaves San Jose, of of the remaining 10% only 9% are invested in arts & culture. To help raise this percentage and increase awareness of art programs in San Jose, 1stACT is introducing several big ideas:
• Creating a Creative Center for Arts, where SJ art organizations can share production and back office resources to reduce overhead and increase synergy between organizations
• Reviving live music with Left Coast Live
• Region-wide marketing campaign
• Re-visioning Guadalupe River Park as San Jose's central park
• Creating destination art, especially via permanent ZERO1 installments
• Nurturing youth arts program
• 2,000 soccer fans came downtown to watch the world cup championship match.
• New initiative for Groundwerx ambassadors to improve relations with ground-floor establishments and identify and report on safety issues.
• Nice chronology of Downtown attractions, from the Jose Theater in 1904 to KALEID Gallery in 2006.
• The Tech IMAX will increase programming by showing more 1st rate Hollywood movies.
• 2 new Downtown food options:
• The Mmoon Empanadas is launching soon at 177 W. Santa Clara St.
• Polar Ice (gelato, yogurt, smoothies... wow another yogurt shop Downtown) at 96 E. San Salvador

To read the full newsletter, click here!

One More San Jose A's Stadium Render!

11 Best Cities to Find a Job in the US - San Jose Ranks #2

With only 1.23 people competing for every advertised job (as opposed to 8 in Miami), we managed to rank as the second best city in the US to find a job! For the full top 11 list, head on over to this article.

Thanks to DLO for the tip!

Baseball San Jose is at the Jazz Festival!

AND, Check out the new render of the proposed stadium below!

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from Baseball San Jose by noreply@blogger.com (DLo)

Friday evening, Baseball San Jose took in day one theAT&T San Jose Jazz Festival. It was great to get out and meet the community. We encountered a tremendous amount of enthusiasm to bring the A's to a new home here in Silicon Valley.
















If you are attending the festival, be sure to stop by the booth. You can see just released renders of the stunning proposed stadium (images coming to this site soon). In addition, we will be raffling A's tickets all weekend. Hope to see you there.   

  



You're up to bat, San Jose!