AR and Human Anatomy Tango at The Tech Museum

An unprecedented new AR experience is coming to San Jose!

The Tech Museum of Innovation is proud to present Body Worlds Decoded – putting a Silicon Valley twist on the world-renowned plastinated human bodies exhibit through Gunther von Hagens’ Institute for Plastination.

In partnership with the Institute for the Future, The Tech created the Iris AR system, which allows visitors to view and interact with 3D models and virtual objects including a heart, eyeball, digestive tract and skull. Imagine walking all the way around a beating heart floating in front of you through the AR lens, or, wandering around an eyeball and optical nerve, and then being able to step inside for an internal view.

Funded by Ann and John Doerr, Body Worlds Decoded opens October 15, 2017.

For more information on Body Worlds Decoded, visit thetech.org/bodyworldsdecoded.

-Noe Sacoco

The Tech Museum of Innovation reinvents Body Worlds exhibit with unprecedented augmented reality experience

The Tech will premiere Iris, a custom AR experience that allows visitors to examine anatomy like never before, in Body Worlds Decoded, opening Oct. 15.

SAN JOSE, CA – October 10, 2017 – The Tech Museum of Innovation will open a new exhibition, Body Worlds Decoded, on Sunday, Oct. 15. This groundbreaking experience uses augmented reality (AR) and other emerging tech to put a Silicon Valley spin on Body Worlds, the display of plastinated human bodies that have sparked curiosity and awe around the world. The Tech will also debut Iris, its custom AR system that allows visitors to examine organs and body systems through immersive graphics.

“Body Worlds Decoded is an experience like no other, and it is only fitting that this blending of nature and technology should be celebrated in Silicon Valley,” said John Doerr, the chairman of Kleiner Perkins who with his wife Ann is contributing $5 million to The Tech to make the exhibit possible. “Ann and I are thrilled to help bring this experience to life, and it is our dream that it will inspire youth and contribute to a greater understanding of the life sciences.”

In partnership with the Institute for the Future, The Tech created the Iris AR system, which allows visitors to view and interact with 3D models and virtual objects including a heart, eyeball, digestive tract and skull. Iris uses ARtifactor — content authoring and management software developed by IFTF — and runs on the Lenovo Phab 2 Pro, a Google Tango-enabled mobile device. The Tech will add new 3D models, animations and other content to the 5,000-square-foot exhibition, so visitors will always have something new to discover.

“This is the future of museums —  AR is about to transform how we interpret our world and how we approach education,” said Toshi Anders Hoo, lead AR consultant and director of the Institute for the Future’s Emerging Media Lab. “The Tech has emerged as a leader in the exciting AR movement, offering a whole new world of immersive technology that will influence museums and exhibitions globally.”

The Tech aims for Body Worlds Decoded to become Northern California’s premiere public anatomy lab as well as an AR testbed. Teachers and professors will be able to take biology lessons out of the classroom, and doctors can recommend a visit for patient education. The AR industry will also be invited to use the exhibition to prototype advances in software and hardware with the community.

“Body Worlds Decoded is one of the most ambitious and exciting anatomy experiences ever created,” said Tim Ritchie, president and CEO of The Tech Museum of Innovation. “The human body contains so many mysteries, and the implementation of AR and all of its capabilities stands to provide valuable clues in unlocking those secrets and inspiring the next generation of advances in medicine and physiology.”

In Body Worlds Decoded, displays of real human bodies — eight full-body plastinates and more than 60 individual specimens — will help visitors explore the smallest organs to the most complex systems, including nervous, respiratory, cardiovascular, urinary, reproductive, digestive and locomotive. They can participate in live demonstrations of Anatomage, a 3D virtual dissection used at the nation’s top medical schools. Body Worlds Decoded also explores the artistic side of anatomy with installations of art inspired by the wonder and mystery of the human body. Pieces by local artist Lauren A. Toomer will be displayed, and visitors will be invited to create their own artwork.

“The human form has intrigued artists throughout history,” said Lisa Incatasciato, Exhibit Content Developer at The Tech. “Despite technology giving us a more accurate look, there’s still something mysterious and inspiring about creating your own visual interpretation of the body. You don’t have to love anatomy to enjoy this exhibit, but we bet you’ll appreciate it before you leave.”

Body Worlds Decoded opens Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017, and is set for an unprecedented 10-year run at The Tech. The bodies and specimens were preserved by Dr. Gunther von Hagens’ Institute for Plastination, which created BODY WORLDS exhibitions to help people better understand the human body and its functions.

For more information on Body Worlds Decoded, visit thetech.org/bodyworldsdecoded.

About The Tech Museum of Innovation
The Tech is a hands-on technology and science museum for people of all ages and backgrounds. The museum — located in the Capital of Silicon Valley — is a non-profit experiential learning resource established to engage people in exploring and experiencing applied technologies affecting their lives. Through programs such as The Tech Challenge, our annual team-design competition for youth, and internationally renowned programs such as The Tech for Global Good, The Tech endeavors to inspire the innovator in everyone.

Microsoft looking to build a 1M SQFT campus in San Jose

The latest big tech company to take a serious look at San Jose is none other than the 800lb gorilla from Seattle. Microsoft has purchased close to 65 acres of "farmland" in North San Jose bound by 237, Zanker Road, and the Coyote Creek. They want to use the space to build either 1.2 million SQFT of light industrial space or a 436,880 SQFT data center and 728,000 SQFT of light industrial space.

Either of the options on the table would not bring as many jobs and tax dollars to the city as a traditional office complex, but it would be a great foot in the door as Microsoft currently has zero presence in San Jose proper. Microsoft has 1,600 employees in the area, but most are in Mountain View. With a grand total of 71,000 employees, San Jose could provide a viable opportunity to move more of their workforce into the tech capital of the world. They would be in good company as both Google and Apple and considering significant operations in San Jose.

Source: SVBJ (Subscription Required)

Mom's Gift

Who: The Tabard Theatre Company presents

What: The Northern California Premiere of Mom’s Gift

   Written by Phil Olson

When: Friday, October 27 through Sunday November 19, 2017 (See schedule below)

Where: Theatre on San Pedro Square, 29 N. San Pedro Street, San Jose, CA 95110  (Parking is validated for most performances at the San Pedro Square Garage directly across the street)

Why: Everyone deserves a do-over. In this comedy with a heart, Mom has been dead for eleven months and shows up at her husband’s birthday party as a ghost with a mission. Like Clarence in It’s a Wonderful Life, she has to accomplish a task to earn her wings.

Box Office: 408.679.2330 or www.tabardtheatre.org/tickets

Tickets: $32 - $44

Cabaret Seating: $42 - $44  

* Tiered Seating: $30 - $32 

* (Discounts available for seniors and students)

Performance Schedule:

Friday, Oct 27 @ 8:00pm (Opening Performance)

Saturday, Oct 28 (1:30pm to 2:00pm. Free hands-on presentation for visually impaired patrons. Everyone is welcome.)

Saturday, Oct 28 @ 3:00pm

Sunday, Oct 29 @ 2:00pm

Friday, Nov 3 @8pm

Saturday, Nov 4 @ 3:00pm and 8:00pm

Sunday, Nov 5 @ 2:00pm

Thursday, Nov 9 @ 8pm

Friday, Nov 10 @ 8:00pm

Saturday, Nov 11 @ 3:00pm

Sunday, Nov 12 @ 2:00pm

Thursday, Nov 16 @ 8:00pm

Friday, Nov 17 @ 8:00pm

Saturday, Nov 18 @ 8:00pm

Sunday, Nov 19 @ 2:00pm (Closing Performance)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Director: Doug Baird

Cast: Rebecca Brownson Ray D’Ambrosio, Christian Hosler, Elizabeth McClelland, Heather Skelley, Amanda Vogel, and Charlotte Jacobs as Mom.

In this comedy with a heart, Mom has been dead for 11 months and shows up at her husband’s birthday party as a ghost with a mission. Like Clarence in It’s A Wonderful Life, she has to accomplish a task to earn her wings. Only what the task actually is, is a mystery. There are so many things to fix. The problem is complicated by the fact that the only person who can hear or see Mom is her daughter who has been ordered by the court to spend Dad’s birthday with him as part of her Anger Management Program. One by one the family's secrets are peeled away revealing a shocking truth that surprises even our ghost.     

Mom's Gift was first produced at the Lonny Chapman Group Repertory Theatre in Los Angeles, California, in December, 2013. It has won accolades from numerous competitions and festivals across the United States. Playwright Phil Olson is well known for his hilarious “Don’t Hug Me” play series.                

“An audience pleaser! …an always engaging, funny evening of love and laughter.” — Stage Happenings

“A crowd pleaser! …Mom’s Gift demonstrates playwright Olson’s gift at creating the kind of old-fashioned feel-good comedy that hardly gets written anymore…”  — Stage Scene LA

"If you love the comedy “It’s a Wonderful Life” this modern variant by playwright Phil Olson is just for you!” — Theatre Spoken Here

Theatre on San Pedro Square (The Destination for Arts Discovery) is located in the heart of historic San Pedro Square in downtown San Jose amid a bustling restaurant district. This intimate and unique venue brings a touch of Manhattan to the South Bay with its rustic yet edgy feel. Old brick walls, plush leather seats, antique wood plank floors, sweeping red velvet drapes and a 35-foot mahogany bar create a casual cabaret atmosphere. The full bar also offer a variety of food choices that may be enjoyed while watching the show.

For every production, The Tabard designates a local non-profit, that is in some way related to the theme of the show, to receive a portion of its concession proceeds. The designated non-profit for MOMS GIFT is Girls @ The Tech, a program of The Tech Museum which provides a pipeline of opportunities for girls that nurtures their interest, builds their skills and solidifies their confidence in STEM with the ultimate goal to dramatically increase the participation of girls in STEM activities and women in STEM careers. https://www.thetech.org/generationtech/girls

The Tabard’s mission is to provide live entertainment experiences that are enlightening, appropriate and affordable for audiences of all ages. We champion new works, innovative interpretations, and unique plays rarely staged. Tabard is an inclusive environment where the community can participate in every aspect of the plays, musicals, educational programs and music concerts we produce. With altruistic attention to the underserved, Tabard reaches out to communities such as the visually impaired and children in low-income areas, and donates a portion of each production's concessions proceeds to a designated local charity. 

The Tabard Theatre Company is a 501(c)(3) California Corporation. 

October 2017 Downtown Dimension Highlights

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

• BART construction in Downtown is expected to start in 2019 and finish in 2026. The big debate is between using a double-bore tunnel (like every other subway in the US) or a single-bore tunnel that would greatly minimize disruption to Downtown but has only been used overseas.
• KT Urban proposed two towers:
• a 27-story, 285-unit tower with 6,105 SQFT of retail at 600 S. First in SoFA
• an 18-story, 302-unit tower in North San Pedro with 10,000 SQFT of retail
• Equus Capital Partners wants to build a 24-story, 260 unit tower with 1,500 SQFT of retail in CityView Plaza.
• ECI2 North Third wants to build a 26-story, 400-unit tower for student housing near City Hall.
• Taco Annex is now open at 287 S. First inside the SoFA Market.
• Earl of Sandwich opened their first Norther California location at the corner of Market and Santa Clara.
• Crewners Barber Shop moved out of the San Pedro Square Market and is now across the street at Community Towers, 111 St. John St., Suite 140. They also offer free beer in their larger space.
• The SJDA Annual Meeting is Oct. 13 at the San Jose First United Methodist Church (24 N. Fifth St.) from 8-9:30am.

To read the newsletter, click here!

Content 9.5 Pick-up Party at Forager Tasting Room

Content Magazine is hosting a party to celebrate their latest issues on Thursday, October 19th at Forager in SoFA (420 South First Street). Forager is a really interesting venue to begin with and this is the perfect opportunity to explore it.

The latest issue is entitled "profiles" and features:  Ryan Baird; Pilar Argüero-Esparza; Jimmy Fonseca; Robinson Wood; Danielle Rahe Fox of Give Me Cashmere; Viviane Ly; Gross Magazine; The Dancer of Peace, Khalilah Ramirez; Gemma Morgan; Ron P. Muriera; Lauren Baines; Cayce Hill at Veggielution; Joey and Gwen Reyes; Nate LeBlanc; Hive & Hum; Veronica Ruckman, co-owner of Social Policy; Voltaire Coffee House; Raul Peralez; Apis Floral; Alyssa Kompelien; Demone Carter; Nuria Feradez at VTA; Limon Salon; Carolina Villafane; Vero's Coffee Bar; Tim Lin; Chromatic Coffee; Umunhum Brewing; John Beaver; Liz Ruiz; Lorenz Mazon Dumuk; Moses Kinnah; Lake Stovall Music; Claudia Saenz, founder of Chulita Vinyl Club; Courtney Smith Kramer of Purematter; and more.

The event goes from 7pm-9pm and includes live music, refreshments, and signature beverages. You are welcome to attend even if you are not a subscriber. For more information, head over to the event's Facebook page.

Brand new Bay 101 Casino is now open for business

M8trix finally has some decent competition with the first phase of Bay 101's complex officially open. Of course, the casinos really don't see one another as competition--but as a part of complementary offerings that draw gamblers and entertainment-seekers to the area. Bay 101 even strategically located themselves on North First Street just blocks away from M8trix.

The new Bay 101 looks really sleek and is filled with modern touches like dynamic lighting, open spaces, and abstract art. The building spans 68,000 SQFT and has 49 gaming tables. Bay 101 also features a flagship Asian fusion restaurant called The Province, which is owned by the same people as Sino, Straits, and Roots & Rye at Santana Row. The restaurant will be higher-end than anything at M8trix (or the immediate area for that matter) and bring with it some nightlife and one of the most impressive outdoor patios in San Jose.

Future phases of the Bay 101 project include two hotels and a 237,000 SQFT tech campus. The first hotel is an Embassy Suites with 174 rooms in a seven-story building. For the development enthusiasts out there, yes that is a huge missed opportunity for one of the few parcels in San Jose where a 35-story building is not only economically viable but allowed by airport regulations. Perhaps they will think bigger for the second hotel. One thing is for sure, Bay 101 is going to help make North San Jose a lot more interesting.

Source: The Merc, hat tip to Arnold Kwok for sending this in!

Playful People Productions Presents: Snow White and the Seven Little People

San Jose, CA - Join us for an original twist on Snow White with such classic hits as Mack the Knife, Working in a Coal Mine, I Put a Spell on You and Killer Queen, Snow White and the Seven Little People sets out on a journey to find out … How will Snow White and Prince William Reisling find each other? Will Queen Evanora get her revenge as Granny Smith? Can Robin and the Bluejays defeat Raven and the Magpies? How will the Forest Animals lead Snow White to the Little People for shelter? The answers to these and many other questions will be answered in stunning musical theatre technicolor in Playful People Productions Fall Mashup show, Snow White and the Seven Little People.

Our shows often sell out prior to the show weekend. Be sure to buy your tickets early, you won’t want to miss out on this fantastic production. 

All Shows at the Historic Hoover Theatre, 1635 Park Ave  San Jose, CA 95126

 

Show Times:

Friday, October 27th - 7pm

Saturday, October 28th - 11am

Sunday, October 29th - 1pm

Friday, November 3rd - 7pm

Saturday, November 4th - 11am, 3pm and 7pm

Sunday, November 5th - 11am and 3pm

Tickets available at www.playfulpeople.net

$12 attendees 12 and up, $8 children 11 and under,  and $6 Children’s floor seating

 

Tickets at the door (30 minutes prior to curtain)

$15 attendees 12 and up, $10 children 11 and under, and $6 Children’s floor seating

Fundraising Gala Performance:

Join us on Saturday, October 28th at 6pm for a Playful People Fundraising Gala event. The evening will include heavy appetizers, beverages, desserts and a silent auction. You will also get to see an amazing performance of Snow White and the Seven Little People. This will be an evening you will not want to miss. 

Tickets available at www.playfulPeople.net

$60 Adults, $25 kids 8 - 16 and $10 7 and younger 

 

For questions: barb@galiotto.com

 

Founded in 2010, Playful People Production’s mission is to provide a quality, caring environment where children, teens and their families can have positive theater experiences. We strive to involve all family members in the many aspects of on stage and backstage theater in a safe and fun environment and offer participation in theatrical productions, classes, summer stock and camps for ages 3-93.

Playful People Productions is run by a mother-daughter team, Barbara Galiotto and Katie D’ Arcey, who between them have approximately 50 years of experience in the musical theater world. Both are Positive Discipline trained and worked as early Childhood Educators as well as in the theater.

ROOTS & WINGS opens sjDANCEco’s 15th Anniversary Season

Now celebrating 15 years in Downtown San Jose, sjDANCEco is proud to kick off their anniversary season with "ROOTS & WINGS." The performance will pair contemporary and classic modern dance with live music by the San Jose Chamber Orchestra. The company will do three performances in San Jose at the Hammer Theater, followed by two performances in San Francisco. All of the details and links to ticket sales are in the press release below.

ROOTS & WINGS opens sjDANCEco’s 15th Anniversary Season

Performances to be held in both San Jose and San Francisco

WHO:  sjDANCEco presents

WHAT: ROOTS & WINGS (Season Opening Program shown in two different venues)

WHEN: October 12 and 14 in San Jose.  November 3 and 4 in San Francisco

WHERE:

The Hammer Theatre Center, 101 Paseo de San Antonio in downtown San Jose, CA 95113

Thursday, October 12, 2017 at 8:00pm

Saturday, October 14, 2017 at 2:30pm and 8:00pm

Tickets Available August 1st 

Single Tickets: $25 to $90

$25    Student

$35    Senior

$40    General

$60    VIP Thursday evening & Saturday matinee includes bests seats in the house and reception with the dancers in the lobby following performances.

$90    VIP Saturday evening includes bests seats in the house and Gala Reception with dancers on Theatre Roof Top Garden

ODC Theater, 3153 17th Street, San Francisco, CA 94110

Friday, November 3, 2017 at 8:00pm

Saturday, November 4, 2017 at 8:00pm

Tickets Available August 1st

Single Tickets: $25 to $40

$25    Student

$35    Senior

$40    General

Box Office: 408.520.9854   www.sjDANCEco.org

WHY: sjDANCEco, San José’s contemporary dance company, celebrates its 15th Anniversary Season with multiple world premieres and expanded venues including the Hammer Theatre Center in downtown San Jose (October 12 and 14), and ODC Theater in San Francisco (November 3 and 4.) According to Artistic Director Gary Masters, “this is only the second time in our fifteen years, that we have brought our company to these two marvelous venues. We are so very excited to be back. Our Season-Opening program, entitled Roots & Wings, will explore the diverse inspirations and contributions that have been the foundation…the roots of creativity...for our resident choreographers and which have made and continue to make sjDANCEco’s repertory so distinctive.”

THE PROGRAM:

sjDANCEco’s 2017-2018 season-opening program will feature four World Premieres by; sjDANCEco Artistic Director Maria Basile, sjDANCEco Choreographic Advisor & Professor of Dance at San Jose State University Fred Mathews, Company Choreographer and dancer Hsiang Hsiu Lin, and by former company dancer Nhan Ho. Each new work will explore the choreographer’s Roots and the inspirations that give them Wings to excite and motivate their creativity. Also on the program will be a revival of Journey Through the Labyrinth originally created in 1994 for the Limón West Dance Project/San José and Idance of Independence High, with choreography by Artistic Director Gary Masters and set to a new commissioned score by Michael Touchi, Creative Consultant for the San Jose Chamber Orchestra. The revival will include a new section with choreography by Los Lupeños de San José Artistic Director Sam Cortez. The “Classic Offering” for these performances will be the Company Premiere of Doris Humphrey’s masterpiece, Day on Earth (1947) set to Aaron Copland’s “Sonata for Piano.” 

Collaboration with the San Jose Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Barbara Day Turner continues to highlight the company’s signature brand of contemporary dance and classic works of the American Modern Dance Repertory.

Photo Clockwise from Top Left: Hannah McNany, Frankie Reviera, Kelisha Gardeen and Katherine House, Photo by Thomas Hassing.

Frontier Airlines adds 3 more nonstop flights to San Jose roster

The news about new flights for San Jose keeps on pouring in. Earlier this year, Frontier Airlines announced their return to SJC with four routes:

• Denver (daily service starting Oct. 5th)
• Las Vegas (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat service starting Nov. 1st)
• Cincinnati (Tue, Thu, Sun service starting Apr 8th)
• San Antonio (Tue, Thu, Sun service starting Apr 8th)

Service has yet to begin on any of the routes, yet the airline has just announced three additional nonstops:

• Atlanta (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat service starting Apr 9th)
• Austin (Mon, Wed, Sat service starting Apr 9th)
• Colorado Springs (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat starting Apr 9th)

All three are significant. Atlanta is a highly desirable nonstop that is only serviced by Delta today. Austin flights are critical for tech companies (they call this route the nerd bird). Colorado Springs is a brand new route--I think it might be our first direct flight ever to this destination. It is a smaller city, but there are some neat touristy things to do there like Pike's Peak. Oh, and it also brings the number of San Jose's nonstop destinations to 50, an all-time high.

It looks like the fastest growing airport in the country is still picking up speed!

Source: SVBJ

SoFA Street Fair this Sunday

The bi-annual SoFA Street Fair goes down in just a few days and will bring tons of live music and good times to Downtown San Jose. 12 stages spanning three city blocks will host 100+ bands! Almost every music genre you can think of will perform--there is something for everyone. There will also be food trucks, craft beers, and lawn chairs.

The event is free, family friendly, and starts on Sunday at 2pm. All of the details are below (click images to enlarge).

Fountain Alley Fridays

Fountain Alley is part of Downtown San Jose's historic district near 1st and Santa Clara Streets. It is a central location that has not gotten a lot of love over the past decade, but a series of events and initiatives may change that. Fountain Alley Fridays will activate the area with live music, ping pong (8 tables!), stand up performances, and plenty of art on display. Stand up and live music begins at 6:30-8pm with headline acts from 8:30-10pm.

The event is brought to you by the Knight Foundation, Local Color, Mighty Mike McGree, Alan Chen, the Public Space Authority, and Tangerine. Speaking of Local Color, if you haven't checked it out at the old Ross site--it is pretty amazing.

Fountain Alley Fridays will take place on September 22nd and 29th from 6-10pm, and hopefully they continue this event into the future.

September 2017 Downtown Dimension Highlights

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

• California High Speed Rail is trying to cut costs by using an aerial alignment through San Jose, which would result in potentially unsightly aerial tracks with support towers every 100 feet. This is despite the fact that they are planning to run at-grade down the Peninsula and underground in San Francisco.
• The three-story former Plaza Hotel is now interim housing for up to 47 homeless people.
• SoFA businesses are launching a new Farmer's Market on Sundays from 10am-2pm in the parking lot across from the California Theater.
• Four pieces of Burning Man will make their way to Downtown as a new "Playa to Paseo" initiative.
• The "My San Jose" app allows residents to report potholes, graffiti, abandoned cars, and illegal dumping.
• Labyrinth Bar & Kitchen is now open at 45 Post st. in the former Peking House space.
• Los San Patricios Cantina is now open at 81 W. San Fernando with an Irish-Latin theme.
• Orangetheory Fitness will open this month at 111 W. St. John St.

To read the newsletter, click here!

San Pedro Square Market - 6 Year Anniversary

Tomorrow after Viva Calle 2017, you can swing by the SPSM for live music, games, and food/drink specials! Six bands will play on six rotating stages throughout the day. The San Pedro Square Market in my mind was the true turning point for Downtown San Jose and I'm thrilled to see it continue to thrive.

What will the next six years bring? Expect an expansion of the market across the street to the left of the Fallon House along with 30,000 SQFT of new retail on the ground floor of Silvery Towers (the two new high-rises). The Market will only get more popular going forward.

New Proposal in West San Jose

A Preliminary Review Application (File No. PRE17-143) was recently submitted at 375 S. Baywood Avenue for a 12-story, 65 unit multifamily building with underground parking on a 0.3 acre site. Currently the site has two existing single-family homes and could be developed with up to 75 units under the Urban Village land use designation. This property falls within the newly adopted Valley Fair/Santana Row Urban Village Plan. The VFSR Plan sets a capacity for 8,500 new jobs and 2,635 new dwelling units.

The applicant submitted several design concepts to gain an understanding of what staff would support. The conceptual designs can be found here. The concepts are all of a similar design but different enough to be able to have a preference for one over the other. I will say it is very exciting to see interest in architecture that is different from the typical boxy industrial look we have seen all too much in the Bay Area (think Mission Bay in San Francisco).

-Kimberly Vacca

Location:

Bark in the Park this Saturday

The largest dog festival in the United States takes place this weekend at William Street Park. Over 15,000 dog lovers and 3,900 dogs are expected to be in attendance. The festival stretches across 10 acres of grass, trees, and water.

Events include a variety of workshops, shows, and contests (dog costumes, pet owner look-a-like, tail and tail wagging. There will also be a kids entertainment zone, low-cost vaccines, microchiping, and vendor booths.

Bark in the Park runs from 10am-5pm this Saturday at S. 16th Street and William Street. The event is free but a $5 donation is encouraged for each dog.

For more information, head over to the Bark in the Park website.

Another residential tower proposed Downtown

Equus Capital Partners is adding yet another potential high-rise project to the Downtown queue. This one clocks in at 24-stories, 260 residential units (70 studios, 109 one-bedrooms, 77 two-bedrooms, 3 three-bedrooms), 1,500 SQFT of retail facing Park Avenue, 319 parking spots, and 66 bicycle parking spaces.

One of the most interesting aspects of the proposal is the location on Almaden Boulevard. Currently there are no residential projects anywhere on this street Downtown. If you scroll to the very last image, you can see the empty courthouse that sits on the property today. If built, not only would it be extremely convenient for residents that work Downtown, but the property would have immediate access to 40,000 SQFT of restaurants in the same complex such as Morton's, Scott's Seafood, Specialty's, and Peggy Sue's.

Aesthetically, the design is a bit more interesting than existing residential towers. My favorite features are the cutout on the 7th floor (first image) and the penthouse amenity floor. It looks like they are actually planning a common space on the top floor with trees and a lounge area. This should be a mandatory feature on new residential towers given how amazing our weather typically is.

Source: SVBJ (requires subscription)

Southwest is adding more flights at SJC

Southwest Airlines recently announced 25% increase in San Jose departures and a 50% increase in nonstop destinations by Spring. This will help keep Alaska Airlines at bay, who have also been steadily increasing their San Jose flights.

The new daily nonstops include Orlando, St. Louis, Houston's Hobby Airport, Spokane, and Boise. Southwest is also adding Sunday-only flights to New Orleans and Albuquerque. The new flights begin May 6th except for Orlando, which starts on April 8th. If those weren't enough new flights for you, on March 10th they are also launching their first international flight--San Jose to Cabo San Lucas (Alaska Airlines is the only other carrier with a direct flight to Cabo from SJC).

Southwest will be increasing the frequency of their Phoenix, Portland, Seattle, Chicago, and Dallas flights as well. After all of the changes, the airline will have 80 new flights each week and feature a total of 24 nonstop destinations.

Source: SVBJ