Wednesday, October 19, 2011

SunWize Moves Headquarters to San Jose

Yet another company is moving to San Jose! SunWize specializes in solar energy solutions for various applications and fits in nicely with San Jose's long term "green vision." They primarily do residential, commercial, and industrial solar installations.

SunWize is moving from Kingston, NY and is a subsidiary of Mitsui.

For more information click here.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Tom McEnery: A brash young Jobs wrote his own epitaph

Tom McEnery's post from San Jose Inside and the San Pedro Square Market Blog:
Steve Jobs, san jose, downtown san jose, san jose downtown, san pedro square market blog

In his famous challenge to John Sculley, Steve Jobs asked if he wanted to spend his life selling sugared water to kids, or did he want to change the world?

Jobs was quite a salesman. About a year after that famous quote, I saw much of that legendary asset when I met him to discuss the new Apple headquarters that he wanted to build in the southern reaches of San Jose. He had I.M. Pei to design it, bundles of cash, more cachet, and a plan that was "awesome." And he made me an offer that was tough to refuse: He'd make San Jose a great city. Jobs even talked about living in a loft downtown.

Wow. You could really see that glimmer of greatness.
But within a year, the man he seduced to lead Apple would send Jobs on his way, and with him went much of the spark that so enlivened that company.

Gone but not forgotten. Like many other parents, I made sure a Mac was on my daughters' desks, part of their kit like a pencil.

There was a sign in my grammar school library at old St. Joseph's -- now under the Adobe Towers -- that said, "you can travel the world over in your library." Now it was possible in your own room. It was a gift to education and a boon to Luddites like me as well.

The word "great" is nowadays used in the most casual way. I prefer it for those who have transcending ideas or real courage. Jobs surely did.

Some of the reason for his unique cult status was his straight talk.
It was as legendary as his ability to turn the inventions of others into cash. As the "Woz" has noted, "he sells all the stuff I made."

In my conversation with Jobs about the "insanely great" headquarters that he would build, he disparaged a prominent Silicon Valley developer and philanthropist as a "sleaze ball" and ranted about how Jacob Rothschild had changed a deal at the last minute to buy a New York apartment.

He only savaged the important and dropped only the best names. He was brash and a bit annoying. And remember, he was still in his mid-20s.

Others have written how he changed the world, and I will let others more qualified expand on it.

But I do know this, because I have seen it clearly in my children and grandchildren, and in classrooms from

Costa Rica to Ireland. Steve Jobs helped us all to dream a little more and to make those dreams easier to see. He may have been the supreme visionary in this special valley.

Perhaps most remarkable was that as a young man, he wrote his own epitaph when he said to another: "Do you want to change the world?"

Steve Jobs surely did and we are all the better for it.

The San Jose Short Film Festival is This Weekend!

San Jose is continuing to grow its presence in the film-making universe. We're already becoming very well known for Cinequest, but there is another local festival that is rapidly gaining traction. Now in it's 3rd year, the San Jose Short Film Festival has grown to 8 sets of screenings (up from 2 last year) and has attracted filmmakers both local and from afar! It all starts this Thursday at CineArts and continues through Sunday.

For more information, continue reading the press release below or visit the San Jose Short Film Festival website!

SJ Shortfest Program


San Jose Short Film Festival Opens October 20th at CineArts Theatre Santana Row


San Jose, October 10th, 2011 – The festival kicks off October 20th with the Red Carpet "Opening Night Screening & After-Party" and continues through October 23rd with 8 different genre screenings. From hundreds of entries we will be screening some of the best short films from around the globe.  Whether it’s comedy, drama, sci-fi, animation or documentaries there is something for everyone.

This year we are proud to bring the San Jose Short Film Festival to Santana Row, the premier shopping and dining destination in Silicon Valley. An ideal environment with over 12 million visitors each year, Santana Row has a natural attraction to its fabulous shops, upscale restaurants, and Mediterranean-styled residential units.

As part of the Santana Row complex, CineMark's CineArt Theatre, with its All Stadium Seating, State of the Art Digital Presentation in both 2D & 3D, and Lobby Cafe, will become our host venue on October 20th, 21st, 22nd, and 23rd.

After our screenings, be sure to join us for our Red Carpet Receptions which will include the Opening Night After-Party, the 3 Day Film Challenge Awards, and the Closing Night After-Party.

The SAN JOSE SHORT FILM FESTIVAL (SJSFF) offers filmmakers from around the world, an opportunity to present their films in the best possible HD clarity before exuberant audiences in the heart of Silicon Valley.

Ticket and Screening Information: www.sjshortfest.com
Buy Tickets online now at www.sjshortfest.com  or beginning Thursday October 20th at the SJSFF Ticket office at CineArts Theatre
Thursday October 20th 7:30pm:  “Opening Night – Premiere Selections”
Friday October 21st 7pm: “It’s Comedy Tonight” (Comedy Shorts Block)
Friday October 21st 9pm: “Welcome to the Alternate Universe” (Drama, Dark Comedy)
Saturday October 22nd 12 pm: “The Best of the 2010 San Jose Short Film Festival”
Saturday October 22nd 2pm: “Welcome to the Ink & Paint Club” (Animation and Documentries)
Saturday October 22nd 4pm: “Another Slice of Life” (Drama)
Saturday October 22nd 7pm: “3 Day Film Challenge”
Sunday October 23rd 2pm: “The Bay Area Presents...” (Local Filmmakers)
Sunday October 23rd 4pm:  “I’ve Got a Bad Feeling About This” (Sci-fi, Thriller)
Sunday October 23rd 6pm: “Awards Winners and Closing Night” 

Monday, October 17, 2011

TWO BUCK Tuesday _ Oct. 18th!

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, October 18th, 7-10pm 

It's free and open to all ages!



Sean Boyles and Roan Victor will answer questions about San Jose's new artist-run art supply store, The Arsenal.


This month at the sketch table, come draw Harold the articulated skeleton who will be posing all night for your drawing pleasure! Bring your own art supplies or use the paper and pencils provided.


Frankenstien’s monster, The Werewolf and The Mummy, have been haunting generations of Americans, and what better way to pay homage to the classics and the greats during one of the spookiest time of the year, than a with a monster head key cover. Join Leeonnista and for $2 you’ll find Dracula, The Mummy, Frankenstien’s monster, The Bride of Frankenstien, The Werewolf and Jason. Don’t see your favorite ghoul? Feel free to make your own for $3!


Need some good fortune, abundance, love, romance or joy in your life??
Come and learn how to make your own personal juju doll with Tere Barbella! Juju dolls are the talisman for good, white magic. Learn how to make your very own and personalize it to bring forth all the good things in life.
$2.00 will cover materials. Feel free to bring personal items like lucky charms, jewelry, beads, to make your doll extra special!


Jodi Mascarenas will give a sugar skull workshop and create hair feathers!


San Jose Creatives invites you to stop by their table to learn more about the SJC blog project and even participate in an interview if you want.  San Jose Creative’s is a blog that interviews the extremely talented creative community of San Jose. We feature artists, designers, musicians, makers, art supporters and anyone who lives a creative life. We ask everyone the same 13 questions to gain insight into and find out what makes these individuals unique.


Who says you have to color in the lines? Pals Courtney and Jo Anne
will offer everything you need to add to, re-draw, cut + paste and mix
+ match your favorite coloring book characters. Free!


Michael Denning will unveil the 2nd Volume of his book series Sacred Geometrix. 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.


David Mejia our resident portrait artist will draw you while you wait for a small fee!


LIVE ARTISTS:

Andre Hart & Al Preciado
Migel Machuca

Michelle Waters

Force 129
Jehoiakim Santos
Lisa Mejia


Sugar & Spice Theresa & Amber will delight you with their sweet & savory treats!
J
Jehoiakim Santos will be selling his homemade vegan oatmeal cluster for $2 each!


As always, $2 art will be on sale throughout the evening! 






Tuesday, October 18th, 7-10 pm
free & all ages welcome! 




KALEID Gallery 


 

88 South 4th Street 

Downtown San Jose 
 
 

www.KALEIDgallery.com
(408) 947 1785 



 



Sunday, October 16, 2011

Ubiquiti IPOs

Ubiquiti is a San Jose based company--HQ is on Tasman--that has just completed it's Initial Public Offering (IPO) on Friday. It will be traded on the NASDAQ with the ticker UBNT and is the first IPO in 8 weeks for the United States. Ubiquiti raised about $100M dollars, and this also gives company shareholders a chance to cash out and spend some money in San Jose =).

For more info on the IPO click here.

Not related to Ubiquiti, I'm planning to put together a list of consumer-oriented San Jose companies for those of us that want to support local companies as much as possible. Examples are Netgear for consumer networking products, Switch lighting (about to release LED light bulbs that will change the world), and Super Talent for USB drives.
Ubiquiti Networks

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Arsenal Grand Opening



The Arsenal Art Supply Store's Grand Opening
Saturday, October 15 · 3:00pm - 8:00pm

Demonstrations:
Daniel Smith Watercolors by Rob Sato
Williamsburg Oil Paints by Ryan Reynolds
Speedball Block Printing by Sean Boyles
Montana Spray Paint by King157

Music by DJ Coco and Cutso

And of course Food Trucks!

The Arsenal
1202 The Alameda
San Jose, California

“Las Cadre” at Black Bean Ceramic Art Center Today



“Las Cadre” Opening Reception Saturday, October 15. 6 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Twelve artists of the “Las Cadre” critique group celebrate their first five years with a show at Black Bean Ceramic Art Center.

Meet the artists, enjoy the art and explore the centers gallery and studio. Participating artists; Noelle Nakama, Tomoko Nakazato, Saadi Shapiro, Tom Michelson, Tiffany Schmierer, Elaine Toland, Susannah Israel, Shalene Valenzuela, Jennifer Brazelton, Michelle Gregor Sterling Israel and Christopher Kanyusik.

Art works available for purchase. Wine and refreshments served.

Exhibit dates: October 7–October 28, 2011

Open to the public Monday through Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Black Bean Ceramic Art Center
561 Emory Street
San Jose, Ca, 95110
(408)642-5757
Blackbeanclay.com

Saturday Stats: San Jose is the Happiest City for Working Dads

Here's a nice statistic that was released earlier this year. A company that analyzes happiness across one's career has released the best ten cities for men that want to balance work and family. At the top of the list... San Jose! Fore more info click here.


RankMetro AreaBliss Score
1San Jose7.404
2San Francisco7.398
3Brooklyn7.301
4Miami7.290
5Charlotte7.244
6Washington D.C7.236
7San Diego7.213
8Dallas7.156
9Atlanta7.135
10Los Angeles7.128