Saturday, April 6, 2013

Cancer Starts With C

Leticia Croft-Holguin has lived in San Jose nearly her whole life, and has decided to publish a book that addresses an incredibly challenging topic for parents. It is a children's book designed to help parents discuss cancer with their kids. The book was written when Leticia was undergoing cancer diagnosis in 2012 and has just been released a few weeks ago. It introduces cancer to kids in a way that is palatable and accessible, so they can grasp the concepts and prepare for changes that will happen as their parents undergo treatment. I can relate to some degree since both of my parents had cancer when I was growing up; albeit when I was older than the target audience for this book.

To learn more about Leticia's story, you can check out her blog over here. You can find the book available for purchase at Amazon.com (can click this link).


Friday, April 5, 2013

South FIRST FRIDAYS Art Walk Tonight!

22 venues are participating tonight in Sourth FIRST FRIDAYS, which happens in the SoFA district of Downtown San Jose. Last month was probably the best First Friday I have ever been to that was not tied into another event like SubZERO, and I'm expecting this event to get even better over time. Unfortunately the map below is not entirely accurate since SLG Art Boutiki has moved to make way for a new apartment project (more on that in a future post), and Cafe Stritch is joining the roster. To see a preview of what's going down tonight, just click here.


Thursday, April 4, 2013

The Tech After Hours Tonight!

If you were ever curious to see what happens in a museum after the sun goes down, check out After Hours at the Tech tonight!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After Hours


Join Us for the Next After Hours

Earth Night

Thursday, April 4

7:00 p.m. — Midnight 

The Tech Museum of Innovation

$10.00 / $8.00 for members
After Hours is the monthly evening event where adults 21 and older enjoy science, technology, entertainment, and cocktails together with their friends. Explore the entire museum with other adults under moody lighting and music. Each month provides an exclusive and fun setting of music, giant games, hands-on exhibits, and more! 
Every month you can discover more about science and technology, or just relax and have fun with friends!
  • Giant games like 4-foot-tall Jenga-style blocks, over-sized chess, and giant Four in a Row.
  • Live music and dancing.
  • Glow-in-the-dark Techtinis from our no-host bar.
  • Limited cafe menu available for purchase.
Join us on April 4 for our pre-Earth Day celebration: Earth Night! Compete with your friends to see who can be the first to answer all of our Energy Quest Scavenger Hunt questions. Learn about how to use light instead of heat to save energy and lower pollution at our Gelatin Fiber Optics activity. Also, find out how you can participate in Earth Hour and help make a real difference in your own community and the world.
When your energy runs low, you can stop by our no-host bar for a refreshing Terra-Tini , or sample some of the goodies from our food tables. After that, it’s time to dance, play games, or just relax in our Atrium Lounge, with tunes by DjKomodo.
Visit our After Hours Photo Booth and share smiles with your friends. 
Enjoy our bar menu, now with tasty appetizers for only $5 per item!
Celebrate your birthday with The Tech! If your birthday falls within the month of the After Hours event, you can get in for free (with a valid ID).
Tickets are $10.00 / $8.00 for members. 
Call for group rate for 10 or more!
For more information or to buy tickets please call (408) 294-8324. 
Service charges may apply. Members’ service charges waived. 

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Hampton Inn Opening Hotel in Downtown San Jose

First the good news. Hampton Inn (part of the Hilton family) has announced plans to build a 162-room hotel at the southeast corner of Santa Clara Street and Highway 87. The building will be about 100,000 SQFT, including 6,000 SQFT of new ground-floor retail.

Now the bad news... it is only six stories tall and looks like a convalescent home. You can see for yourself below. When I first saw the renders I immediately thought of a similar hotel in McCarthy Ranch surrounded by parking lots and big box stores. Fortunately, this design has sparked instant outrage from the City and those that live in and care about Downtown. I would be really surprised if they don't make some serious revisions before this breaks ground (much like the One South Market further down Santa Clara Street). I think that if this design was proposed five years ago, nobody would have thought twice about it. Now that we have built up some pride for our Downtown, people are no longer accepting half-assed generic designs. It's time to take things to the next level!

Source: SVBJ




Tuesday, April 2, 2013

The Farmers Union Updates

The latest flagship restaurant to hit Downtown San Jose is tentatively scheduled to launch in May at the corner of Santa Clara Street and San Pedro. It seems like they are going all out for the 8,000+ SQFT eatery and sports bar. Some of the highlights are:

  • 60 Beers on Tap
  • 200" HD TV (They claim this is the largest in Silicon Valley)
  • 28 additional TVs
  • Woodfire Pizza
  • Mesquite Rotisserie Meats

Below are some photos from their instagram page. You can also sign up for more information right over here. Can't wait, looks like yet another big win for the Downtown restaurant scene!










Monday, April 1, 2013

San Jose's Newest Sister City: Pyongyang, North Korea!

San Jose is about to welcome a new city into a sister city program that includes the likes of Dublin, Ireland; Okayama, Japan; and San Jose, Costa Rica. This city is none other than Pyongyang in sunny North Korea! With a population of 2.5 million, this is the largest city yet to participate in this program. Each city has a lot to gain as the new partnership between each community is designed to foster collaboration in topics ranging from government to education and of course culture. Since Pyongyang is know as the "Silicon Valley of Asia" and is rich with technological innovation, it will be interesting to see where this new sister city will take us.

Below you can find world renowned leader Kim Jong Un riding Pyongyang's new metro system, showing off its newest amusement park, and perhaps most relevant to Silicon Valley... demonstrating their latest technological capabilities.

For more information on Pyongyang, click here!




Kim Jong-un
University students march through Kim Il Sung Square in downtown Pyongyang, North Korea, Friday, March 29, 2013. Tens of thousands of North Koreans turned out for the mass rally at the main square in Pyongyang in support of their leader Kim Jong Un’s call to arms. Placards in the plaza read: “Rifles and bombs,” “Sledgehammers of revenge” and “Do-or-die battle.”


Sunday, March 31, 2013

Persuasion Playing at The Stage

Persuasion






San Jose Stage Company Presents
 
Jane Austen’s World Premiere
 
Persuasion
 
Adapted by Jennifer Le Blanc from the Novel
 
 
San Jose, CA --- March 18, 2013  San Jose Stage Company is producing the World Premiere of Persuasion, Jane Austen’s final novel, adapted by local Bay Area playwright, Jennifer Le Blanc. 
 
The Threepenny Opera, originally slated for this time frame, has been rescheduled to be part of The Stage’s 2013-14 Season.
 
“The Stage Company is excited to embrace the opportunity to produce the world premiere of Jane Austen's final novel Persuasion,” said Randall King, Artistic Director of the San Jose Stage Company. “The intimate setting of The Stage venue is the perfect environment to revel in Miss Austen's characters, who must negotiate a complex code of conduct in order to survive, much less achieve their ends. The story is indicative of Austen's great talent, razor sharp, laced with irony and wit, and remarkably phrased.”
 
Persuasion was Jane Austen’s last finished novel, of only six total, and she is considered the greatest of English women novelists. There are numerous contemporary movies based upon her novels, and she has become a book club staple.  
 
“Miss Austen directed her pen to give voice to a woman finding strength to be persuaded by her own heart. Her final novel is said to be a 'Present to herself,’” added King. “The Stage was founded upon the mission of new works and local talent, and now The Stage offers the gift of Persuasion to the Bay area.”
 
Persuasion was first published posthumously by her family, along with Northanger Abbey, in December 1817. While the characters reflect Austen’s own maturity, the book is filled with satire and is perceptive of people and their relationships, especially love.
 
Persuasion is one of Austen’s lesser-known novels, and the characters are old, more mature and have known heartache,” says Jennifer Le Blanc, the author of this world premiere and Bay Area native. She adds that she was drawn to this works because the main character Anne has “developed her own voice.” Ms. Le Blanc continues, “I admire Anne greatly; she is selfless, intelligent, practical and a strong woman to have around in a crisis.”
 
Persuasion was presented as a staged reading at Portland’s Cerimon House in March of 2012, with Ms. Le Blanc performing the lead role of Anne. This is the twelfth world premiere presented by San Jose Stage Company.
 
Persuasion begins preview on April 3 and opens April 6. Performances are on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm and Sundays at 2:00 pm. Persuasion runs through April 28.
 
Tickets range from $20 – $45 and are available at www.thestage.org or by calling the box office at 408.283.7142. Visa and MasterCard are accepted, and discounts are available for groups, students and seniors. The theatre is handicapped accessible.
 
The Stage is located at 490 South First Street at William Street in downtown San Jose’s South First (SoFA) area.
 
# # # 
 
 

The Cast of Persuasion:
 
Maryssa Wanlass (Anne Elliot) is making her debut at The Stage. She has appeared locally Theatre Rhinoceros, The San Francisco Shakespeare Festival, PlayGround, TheatreFirst and Center REPertory Company.
 
Paul Myrvold* (Sir Walter Elliot, Admiral Crofts) returns to San Jose Stage Company, where he has appeared in Urinetown, The Musical and the World Premiere of Tenders in the Fog. He has appeared on Broadway, Off-Broadway and Off-off Broadway, as well as working as guest artist in colleges and universities across the country.
 
Allison F. Rich* (Elizabeth Elliot, Henrietta Musgrove) returns to The Stage, where she was last seen in the Regional Premiere of Bloody Bloody Andrew JacksonCabaret, Carly in the Regional Premiere of Reasons To Be Pretty and The Great American Trailer Park Musical. She has also appeared at PCPA Theatrefest, Capital Stage Company and 42nd Street Moon. She is an Associate Artist at The Stage.
 
Will Springhorn Jr.* (Frederick Wentworth) returns to The Stage, where he was last seen inReckless, the Regional Premiere of Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, Every Christmas Story Ever Told, Cabaret and the Regional Premiere of Reasons To Be Pretty. He recently appear at Ashby Stage in The Fourth Messenger, an original musical by Tanya Shaffer and Vienna Teng. He has appeared with TheatreWorks, The San Francisco Shakespeare Festival, Magic Theatre, Marin Theatre Company, SF Playhouse and Theatre Rhinoceros.
 
Halsey Varady* (Mary Musgrove, Mrs. Smith) returns to San Jose Stage Company, where she played Rachel in Reckless, Rachel Jackson in the Regional Premiere of Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, Sally Bowles in Cabaret, Kate Monster in Avenue Q and Steph in the Regional Premiere of Reasons To Be Pretty. She has also appeared locally at Bus Barn Stage Company, The Spare Stage Company, Shady Shakespeare Theatre Company, City Lights Theater Company, Palo Alto Players, Foothill College Saratoga Drama Group. In Washington D.C., she appeared at Ford’s Theatre and Spooky Action Theater. She is an Associate Artist at The Stage.
 
William J. Brown III (Charles, Benwick) returns to San Jose Stage Company, where he was seen in On The Waterfront.
 
Donna Federico (Mrs. Musgrove, Lady Diarymaple) is making her debut at The Stage.
 
Susan Gundunas (Lady Russell, Mrs. Crofts) is making her first appearance at San Jose Stage Company. She was recently seen as Elaine Novazio in Last of the Red Hot Lovers at Novato Theatre Company as Helen Hart in the Retro Dome’s Game Show Show.
 
Juliet Heller (Mrs. Clay, Louisa Musgrove) returns to The Stage, where she was seen in Rock ‘n’ Roll. She has appeared locally with Berkeley Playhouse, Willows Theatre Company, Shotgun Players, 42nd Street Moon, Pacific Repertory Theatre and Broadway By the Bay.
 
Paul Stout (Mr. Shepard, Captain Harville, Mr. Elliot) is making his debut at San Jose Stage Company. He has appeared locally with Marin Shakespeare Company, Custom Made Theatre, The Western Stage and Boxcar Theatre.
 
*Member of Actors’ Equity Association
 
Kenneth Kelleher (Director) has directed over twenty performances for The Stage, including John Logan’s Red, Craig Lucas’ Reckless, Sam Shepard’s Buried Child, the Regional Premiere ofOn The Waterfront and Tom Stoppard’s  Rock ‘n’ Roll. He is currently the Artistic Director of Pacific Repertory Theatre and Resident Director of The San Francisco Shakespeare Festival. He has also directed for San Jose Repertory Theatre, TheatreWorks, California Shakespeare Festival, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Sacramento Theatre Company and B Street Theatre.
 
Giulio Perrone (Set Designer) returns to San Jose Stage Company, where his previous set designs include Buried Child and the World Premiere of Lolita Roadtrip.
 
Jean Cardinale (Costume Designer) returns to The Stage, where her designs were seen inRed, RecklessRaceAvenue Q and the Regional Premiere of Reasons To Be Pretty.
 
David Gotlieb (Light Designer) is making his design debut for San Jose Stage Company.
 
John Koss (Sound Designer) returns to The Stage, where he designed the sound for Rd, Reckless and Race.
 
Attn: Media and Calendar Editors:  San Jose Stage Company holds the press opening on Saturday, April 6 at 8:00 PM, with previews beginning Wednesday and Thursday, April 3 and 4 at 7:30 PM and Friday, April 5 at 8:00 PM.
Production photos are available upon request. Visit www.thestage.org
 
   # # # 
 
 

About San Jose Stage Company:
 
Now in its 30th season, San Jose Stage Company is recognized as The Bay Area's Premiere Off-Broadway Theatre. The Stage is known for its devotion to new and cutting-edge work and for its commitment to showcasing high-quality local talent.
 
Ranked 3rd largest theatre and 9th largest performance arts organization in Silicon Valley by the Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal (May 2012), San Jose Stage Company is a vital force in the community. The Stage has earned a reputation for artistic excellence by providing high-quality, edgy theatrical experiences that engage, educate and provoke audiences. The Stage has produced 143 productions, 44 new works and 13 world premieres.
 
The Stage also offers five core educational and outreach programs, including National High School Top Honors Awards, and has housed over 200 independent performance groups in its theatre. The Stage is located at 490 South First Street, San Jose, CA 95113. For more information: www.thestage.org   Box Office: 408.283.7142

Saturday, March 30, 2013

San Jose Metro Ties for No.1 Job Market in the US

According to a new study that Forbes put together, the San Jose area has tied for the No.1 top job market for Spring 2013. This was calculated by looking at the percentage of employers that are planning to add jobs, and subtracting the percentage of employers planning to cut jobs. Forbes is calling this metric the net employment outlook. San Jose came in with a staggering 23%. This means that the market for employees is going to get even tighter this year, unemployment will drop, and salaries will likely rise even higher.

Tied for 1st place is Portland-South Portland-Biddeford, Maine, which needless to say has a much smaller workforce than the San Jose Metro. Third place was another tie between Salt Lake City and Tuscon.

SF was not on the top 10 list, and the NYC metro was actually on the bottom 10 list.

Source: SVBJ, Forbes

The Best Cities for Jobs this Spring