Wednesday Wishlist: Light-rail Expansion

I think it's time to start pushing expanding our rail infrastructure, especially with several factors that are going to increase ridership substantially over the next four years such as:

• Increased density and new housing and jobs being built near transit lines
• BART extension to San Jose
• The new 49ers Stadium
• Increased traffic on our freeways as the economy grows

However, I'm not sure if the proposed Los Gatos extension is the way to go. It would cost $175 million to add two stations extending from Campbell to the Netflix Offices in Los Gatos. The estimated increase in ridership is about 200 people. Even though this number seems too low to be true, the actual number probably won't be dramatically higher. I think we should focus on improving service where there is already some density such as Downtown, First Street, Japantown, Midtown, etc. The ultimate light-rail line would be along Stevens Creek connecting Downtown to Santana Row, Valley Fair, DeAnza College, Valco Mall, and the new Apple HQ. Unfortunately, that will probably cost the same amount as building the BART subway or even more, so I don't have high hopes for that.

What likely makes the most sense is to start working on the extension to Eastridge mall, where there is a huge bus hub along with future planned BRT. That is expected to cost $310 million and get around 1,000 new riders a day. Still quite expensive but the larger the network becomes, the more riders it will attract system-wide. 

Where would you like to see the next Light-rail extension?

Source: The Merc

George Gund III, 1936 - 2013

The San Jose Sharks just announced the passing of the team's original owner and Bay Area hockey ambassador, George Gund III.  He succumbed to cancer at the age of 75.

The Sharks have also posted a memorialized image of the famed owner on their website, sharks.nhl.com.

The Sharks are arguably one of the most successful sports franchises, due to the contrast between the team's immense popularity today, and the time when the Sharks were granted their expansion team in the early 1990s, when ice hockey was virtually unheard of in the Bay Area.  Although the California Golden Seals existed as a Bay Area professional hockey team in the 1960s and 1970s, the team never maintained the massive popularity the Sharks do today.  Mr. Gund was an investor in the Seals at the time, and knew that if given another chance, professional hockey could have an opportunity to thrive in the Bay Area.

Sharks fans have Mr. Gund to thank for taking a chance on what would become one of the most popular and successful hockey franchises in the NHL, especially since the prospects of a successful professional hockey team in San Jose were bleak at the time.

Rest in peace, Mr .Gund, and thank you for bringing the Sharks to us!

It is noted from a few sources that the Sharks will be wearing jersey patches and helmet sticker decals emblazoned with "GG III" for the current season, in memory of their late, great owner.

TWO BUCK Tuesday Jan. 15th!

from Phantom Galleries by Cherri Lakey

Join us at KALEID Gallery for this upcoming TWO BUCK Tuesday, January 15th, 7pm-10pm!
Come enjoy an inspired evening of performances, live painting, $2 art, drop-in sketching table & quirky people get together! It’s open to all ages and free!

While you’re here, you can enjoy our annual HARK! exhibit of over 50 regional artists with small, affordable works.

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


Bring your sketchbook and pencils and come drop in at the sketching table and enjoy a Life drawing session with Lara Sophia’s costumed models. (To volunteer to pose yourself: contact Lara4art at yahoo dot com)


Drew will read your fortune!

LIVE ART BY:

Lydia Rae Black


James Pollard


Joe Perea


Al Preciado & friends


David Mejia


Nik Caesar


John Hageman


Enjoy live music by RebelsKamp!

TWO BUCK Tuesday is January 15th, 7pm-10pm!
Free & open to all ages.


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

Ken Brenner at Pho69

from Phantom Galleries by Cherri Lakey

Phantom Galleries is pleased to present "Color" by painter Ken Brenner at Pho69 Restaurant.
Artist's Reception: Friday, February 1, 7-11pm
Free and open to the public, part of the South FIRST FRIDAYS Art Walk

Ken started painting in his early 20’s experimenting with acrylics and watercolors. At that time, he was teaching young children in Berkeley. With marriage and a growing family, his occupation changed directions. He entered the banking industry and has successfully developed his career over the past 35 years. He is currently President of Avidbank in Palo Alto. Only recently was he encouraged to take up art again. Ken has found the medium of oil painting an inspiring way to stimulate the mind and bring the beauty of the world around us to life. Painting has allowed him to develop a passion for creative expression.

In our world, color embodies a wide spectrum of feelings and emotions. It is used to convey power, joy, intellect, royalty, and purity among others. Each color represents its own purpose and meaning. In nature, color has evolved to communicate different messages. Poison-arrow frogs have bright, flamboyant colors to stand out as a warning signal to predators. The male peacock has extravagant colors in its eye-spotted tail, which are used for courtship. Other animals like the chameleon use color for camouflage, which enables them to remain hidden from potential threats. For Ken, color is an intense underlying theme throughout his work that allows him to truly express himself. The colors in his work give dimension, depth, and most importantly life to the canvas. It is Ken’s unparalleled eye for color that brings a unique quality and distinctive feel to each piece.

"Color" by Ken Brenner at Pho69
321 S 1st St
San Jose, CA 95113
Ken Brenner website
Pho69 website

How Silicon Valley Can Get its Groove Back

There was a great article that I have been meaning to post about entitled "How Silicon Valley can get its groove back, part 2." It's written by Greg Baumann, the new Editor in Chief at the Silicon Valley Business Journal.

It starts off by implying that we are basically losing our edge against San Francisco and there has been a flight of young talent because Silicon Valley just isn't cool. I will say that I agree this is the perception, but when you look at actual numbers there really isn't much of a flight at all. If anything Silicon Valley is growing faster than San Francisco in terms of office development, employment, salaries, and number of tech startups. However, there is definitely a stigma that is floating around.

Greg's solution... Downtown San Jose. Young workers want to live in urban environments where they don't need a car, there are quality restaurants and cafes in walking distance, there is easy access to transit, and cultural facilities are nearby. Of all locations in Silicon Valley, San Jose has all of the raw materials needed to cater towards this demographic. Now it's all about execution of improving these ingredients and mixing them together into a cohesive experience that will attract young talent.

I'm going to toss in a few other benefits Downtown San Jose has that you won't find in SF: 1.) Great weather 2.) 5min access to an international airport 3.) Easy access to freeways and parking for those that do want to drive.

Check out the article over here and let us know what your thoughts are!

Source: SVBJ

Photos of Inaugural ANA Flight From San Jose to Tokyo

Our good friend from WMS Media -- which also happens to live in AXIS -- managed to get some great shots of the first Boeing 787 in the Bay Area. We wish this route much success, and it's off to a great start with the initial flight selling every seat. Also, as as sidenote look for the new 49ers stadium under construction in the last photo... had no idea it would be that visible from the airport.

Oplink Setting Up Shop in North San Jose

Late last year Oplink Communications purchased 86,000 sqft of R&D space in North San Jose. The Fremont-based company designs and manufactures optical networking components and products which they sell to other technology companies. Their new building is at 1710 Fortune Drive. The main drivers for the purchase were the site's location, signage opportunities, and build quality. They are expected to be increasing headcount as they occupy the space.

Source: SVBJ

Saturday Stats: San Jose has the Highest % of College Grads in the State

Here is a nice stat for you. The San Jose metro has the highest percentage of residents who hold at least a bachelor's degree in California. 86.9% of the population here has a high school degree or higher, and 45.1% of the population holds a Bachelor's or higher. We are still a bit behind nationally... the leader in the US is Boulder, Colorado where 59.1% of residents hold a Bachelor's. At least we are headed in the right direction and are leading the state.

Source: SVBJ