Saturday, October 20, 2012

Saturday Stats: Downtown San Jose Office Vacancies Drop 5.6%

For the past several years, office vacancies in Downtown San Jose have been astronomical. I remember the Sobrato tower sitting empty waiting for an owner for what seemed like ages. Even today, one of the River Park Towers is still empty.

The good news is that a huge dent has been made towards reducing these vacancies in the last year. During Q3 2011, the vacancy rate of office space Downtown was an abysmal 27.1%. That has since dropped to 21.5% in Q3 2012, a 5.6% reduction. Still not fantastic, but substantially better than the year before. I think in 2013 we'll finally see this number drop below 20%.

Source: SJBJ

Friday, October 19, 2012

Content Magazine 4.4

It has been a whole year since the inaugural Content Magazine print edition, and it continues to get better and better. The latest issue includes an interview with Vincent Kartheiser from Mad Men, Shea Salinas from the Earthquakes (which are kicking ass by the way), and Matthew Rodriguez from Pops Fabrication bike shop. You can head over to some of the places listed below to pick up your hard copy, but I would recommend subscribing to make sure you don't miss an issue!


CONTENT MAGAZINE’S 4.4 “EDUCATION” ISSUE ON NEWSSTANDS OCTOBER 19
Magazine Celebrating One Year After Successful Kickstarter Campaign;
Featuring Mad Men’s Vincent Kartheiser, SJ Bike Party, SJ Earthquake Shea Salinas, and more

One year after running a successful Kickstarter campaign to launch the magazine, Content Magazine’s fifth printed issue is hitting the newsstands on October 19 and is packed with quality interviews, features, and photography that San Jose has come to expect from the publication.

In Issue 4.4, readers can enjoy interviews with Vincent Kartheiser from AMC’s Mad Men, Shea Salinas of the San Jose Earthquakes, and Matthew Rodriguez, owner of Pops Fabrication, a San Jose custom bike shop. The issue also includes stories on San Jose Bike Party, Opera San Jose’s founder and opera singer Irene Dalis, and a food shopping guide featuring locally sourced and produced treats.

As with every new issue, Content Magazine will hold a Pick Up Party for subscribers to collect the latest issue. Issue 4.4’s Pick Up Party will be held at the San Jose Museum of Art on October 18 and is open to current subscribers as well as anyone interested in buying the latest copy, meeting the staff behind Content Magazine, or meeting the people featured in this issue.

Content Magazine can be found at Zanotto’s in Willow Glen, Saint Clair Newsstand, La Lune Sucree, The Usuals, Satori Tea Company, Art Boutiki, and the San Pedro Square Market Gift Shop. Content Magazine can also be downloaded in electronic form from their website. Annual subscriptions are $42; email sarahg@content-magazine.com to subscribe.

Content Magazine is a bi-monthly publication devoted to the creative and innovative culture of San Jose. Started by fashion photographer Daniel Garcia in 2008, the magazine strives to showcase and promote individuals and businesses that are making San Jose a dynamic and vibrant place to live and play.  

For more information about Content Magazine, Issue 4.4, or to schedule an interview with Daniel Garcia, please email Flora Moreno de Thompson at flora@content-magazine.com or call Flora at 408.643.9975.

Twitter: @contentmag
Instagram: @contentmag
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ContentMag



Thursday, October 18, 2012

Silicon Valley Restaurant Week (Oct. 17-24)

One of my favorite food events of the year started yesterday, Silicon Valley Restaurant Week. Almost 50 different restaurants (a dozen of which are Downtown) will be offering fixed price 3-course menus. The prices range from $25 a person all the way up to $65 for the Capital Club. Most are in the $35 a person bracket. For a full list of participating restaurants, just click here.




Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Wednesday Wishlist: Free Wifi

We live in the middle of Silicon Valley in the year 2012. At this point I would definitely expect the entire city to be blanketed in free Wifi internet access.

Comcast is taking some steps to making a ubiquitous hotspot across Silicon Valley, but you have to be a Comcast customer. The internet is becoming the lifeblood of this region, so we need to make sure our infrastructure is very strong in this area.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

TWO BUCK Tuesday Today!

From Phantom Galleries 

Foin us at KALEID Gallery for this upcoming TWO BUCK Tuesday, October 16th, 7pm-10pm!
Come enjoy an inspired evening of performances, live painting, $2 art & quirky people get together! It's open to all ages and free!

Here’s some of the great things to see and do this time:

This month's Feature Artist Michael Foley will be on hand to answer any and all of your questions about his current exhibition "Keeping Up with Appearances".
Foley will also be on hand making monster portraits...portraits of people are cool, but turning people into monsters make things much better-so come by and become a monster yourself! If that wasn't enough he will demonstrate the making of fake blood just in time for Halloween.


The monsters of California's Great America's Halloween Haunt will be visiting to give you a good scare and a chance at some scary prizes and giveaways!

Waxed%20Leaves.jpg
Shannon Amidon will be demonstrating how to create preserved waxed leaves
and nature to include in your artwork or Autumn décor. If you would like
to participate please bring fresh leaves from your home.


BYO Camera Phone for a photo shoot with You and Harold the Skeleton! Funny costumes encouraged. :)


Face Painting with Lara Sophia


LIVE ART by:


Al Preciado


Nik Caesar


Miguel Machuca


Alexandria Perez


Mim


John Hageman


Jehoiakim Santos


Live Music by Dream House!

TWO BUCK Tuesday, October 16th, 7pm-10pm!


88 South Fourth Street (@ San Fernando)
San Jose, CA 95112
info@KALEIDGallery.com
408-947-1785
Gallery Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, noon -7pm, free admission

Monday, October 15, 2012

San Jose International Short Film Festival Opens October 18th at CineArts Theatre Santana Row!

If you thought Cinequest was the only film festival in San Jose, think again. Last year the San Jose Short Film Festival really shined with an impressive selection of short films and events spanning several days. It looks like they are raising the bar yet again for their 4th year with the best lineup of features in the event's history. I'm really looking forward to the comedies, which are usually my favorites.

It all starts this Thursday at CineArts Santana Row and continues until Sunday night. For more information either keep on reading or head over to the festival site over here.




PictureSan Jose, August 13, 2012 – Our 4th annual event is back, better than ever with an incredible lineup of short films featuring selected entries from Tribecca, Cannes, Sundance and other top festivals.  With over 70 films cultivated from the hundreds of entries submitted, these World Class productions include performances by Michael Fassbender (Prometheus, X-Men First Class), Liam Cunningham (Game of Thrones), Mary Elizabeth Winstead (The Thing, Scott Pilgrim) and many more.

With over 16 short film screening blocks that feature every genre of film imaginable, there is something for everyone, plus industry guests, filmmaker panels, after-parties and more.

This year the San Jose International Short Film Festival kicks off October 18th with the Red Carpet "Opening Night Screening & After-Party" and continues through October 21st.

The SAN JOSE INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM FESTIVAL (SJISFF) distinguishes itself as a festival that caters to filmmakers and their craft. Beginning with the Red Carpet event and "Premiere Selection" screening & Opening Night After-Party at the prestigious Santana Row complex.

Multiple screenings are held each day at CineArts Theatre in Santana Row, with its All Stadium Seating and State of the Art Digital Presentation that include "It's Comedy, Tonight", "The Ink & Paint Club" our tribute to Animation Shorts, "I've Got A Bad Feeling About This" which features Sci-fi and Thrillers that will have you on the edge of your seat, and "Welcome to the Alternative Universe" that captures the essence of Experimental, Cult and the Avant Garde. Also, this year is our NEW screening block “Wish you Were Here”, featuring the best in short foreign film.

Tickets on Sale Now.

Ticket and Screening Information: www.sjsff.com

Sunday, October 14, 2012

September 2012 Downtown Dimension Highlights


Here are my notes from the latest edition of Downtown Dimension:
  • The SJDA is implying it is against Measure D (the minimum wage hike) since it will result in businesses reducing hours, cutting jobs, raising prices, and/or relocating outside of San Jose.
  • Scott's Seafood, which is on the top floor a 6-story parking structure, now has an outdoor patio with fireplace offering views of the city. They also expanded their indoor bar and lounge.
  • The Chevron on Fourth and Santa Clara has added an Extra Miles convenience store.
  • Grocery Outlet and Bargain Market is now open at the former Albertsons space.
  • Devine Grind Coffee Shop is open at 27 Devine St.
  • The Little Cheese Shoppe at San Pedro Square Market is now open.
  • Dark Hours Gym is open at 97 N. Almaden with classes for martial arts and fitness.
  • Charles Le Photography has moved into 42A S. First St.
  • Downtown's music scene has grown steadily: in June there were an average of 40 live music events per week, by July that number was over 50, and in August it exceeded 60.
  • After 8 years without a medical center, the Gardner Downtown Health Care Center opened Aug 9th at 725 E. Santa Clara. A $50m three story building is also opening in 2015.
  • Dec 16th will be the inaugural Santa Run Silicon Valley benefiting Downtown for the Holidays events like Christmas in the Park.
To read the full newsletter, click here!


Saturday, October 13, 2012

The Fairmont Celebrates 25 Years

The flagship luxury hotel in Downtown San Jose is celebrating its 25th Anniversary this month. They took a huge gamble coming Downtown back in 1987 when it was a much different environment than it is today, but I think it paid off very well for them. The Fairmont consistently have some of the highest occupancy and average room rates Downtown and have even pulled off a substantial expansion. The relationship also works both ways as the hotel has brought thousands of events Downtown and has helped sponsor dozens of community endeavors like Christmas in the Park. Today, it is hard to imagine the San Jose skyline without the Fairmont Hotel.

To celebrate the Anniversary, they have a variety of promotions going on which you can read all about in the press release below.





SAN JOSE, CA (October, 2012) Twenty-five years ago, the site of a prestigious hotel was proposed for construction to meet the demand of a quickly, developing city core.  Opening its doors in 1987, The Fairmont San Jose was the first luxury hotel of its kind in downtown San Jose. Serving as a hub of creativity, connection and discovery, the hotel has served as a backdrop for the brilliant inventions and events in Silicon Valley.

The hotel has also become a favorite venue for generations of families, from holiday celebrations to wedding receptions and special occasions. As a way to give back to the community and our loyal guests, The Fairmont San Jose is delighted to celebrate 25 wonderful years of hospitality and offer the community the following promotions:

Pizza and Pinot at The Lobby Lounge
Every day, Offered throughout the month of October 2012
The Fairmont San Jose’s Lobby Lounge will feature selections of Greg Norman Pinot Noir with a selection of freshly baked gourmet pizza. $25 for two glasses of wine and one pizza plus tax & service

Silver Afternoon Tea
Every day, Offered throughout the month of October 2012
Afternoon Tea includes assortment of finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones with Devonshire cream, lemon curd and fruit preserves, and a wonderful array of French pastries. The Fairmont San Jose’s famed afternoon tea service may be booked for $25 per person. $12 for children under 12 (All prices plus tax & service).

Please call 408-998-1900 or visit www.fairmont.com/sanjose for reservation details

$25 Local Wines
Every day, Offered throughout the month of October 2012
A selection of local favorite wines, offered at $25 per bottle.

About The Fairmont San Jose
The Fairmont San Jose located in the heart of Silicon Valley, combines high-tech excitement with the elegance of Fairmont style.  The hotel offers 805 deluxe guest rooms, including 77 luxurious suites, and 65,000 square feet of state-of-the-art meeting space, presented with the perfect balance of contemporary and traditional designs.  The 20th floor is devoted to a collection of grand penthouse suites, with its own private boardroom and spectacular city views. The 4th floor (Cabana Level) features lavish -style rooms framing a 58’ swimming pool, sun deck, men’s and women’s saunas, steam rooms, health club and spa.