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*------------November 4, 1999-----------*
*----San Jose News/Gossip Bulletin------*
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**The Stars Are Out In San Jose: Steve Martin (San Jose Stage Company's "Picasso at the
Lapin Agile") and Sally Struthers (American Musical Theater's "Annie") are immersed in
the
local theater scene...Author-for-all-ages Harry Potter stopped in Willow Glen last week
to sign books...Margaret Thatcher made a recent hush-hush appearance at the Tech Museum
and Chamber of Commerce's annual "Reach for the Stars" fundraiser...and San Francisco
49er Jeff Garcia was chowing down at Gordon Biersch on a recent evening.
**Speaking of the 49er's, Steve Young has a role in a new Toyota commercial shot in Alum
Rock, specifically along Highway 130. The commercial is a follow-up to "The Expert,"
where Young is offered a ride by a woman who is unaware of his athletic stardom.
**A boost for the Alameda neighborhood: After much pressure from the neighborhood
association and from the Historical Commission, Castle Development Group will build 200
lofts WITHIN the old Del Monte canning complex. The developer had previously planned to
tear down the former plant. The new housing development, near the main Caltrain station,
will include a much-needed two-acre park, ANOTHER 200-apartments in an adjacent 4-story
brick building, and a parking structure. This is a major lift for the neighborhood
(and the city), as loft-style apartments attract a trendy, artsy type that has
traditionally sought after San Francisco. Warehouse apartments also add to the richness
of the neighborhood, by highlighting existing historical structures and thus
communicating the distinct identity of the area.
**Overheard at the Bella Mia bar on a recent Sunday evening: "This is just like San
Francisco! San Jose's really got charm." I just quote 'em...
**Similarly, one trendy coffeehouse employee muses that his whole incentive to work there
stems from the delightful chaos of the scene, the constant flow of colorful characters
that happen by, and the fantastic philosophical conversations that pop up out of the
blue.
The place? Downtown San Jose. We're gettin' there folks...
**Word has it that Boston Properties, Inc., once reportedly hovering over a Market Street
location to begin their San Jose invasion, is now looking at constructing 3 (yes, 3)
office towers along South Almaden Blvd, near the Convention Center. The Boston-based
real-estate investment trust maintains a significant presence in greater Boston, Midtown
Manhattan, Princeton, N.J., and Washington D.C. Such a deal (along with the planned
Sobrato Development building and the Marriot Hotel) would greatly extend the city's
skyline to the South.
**The San Jose News & Gossip Bulletin is on the Web. The site includes the Bulletin's
mission statement, past issues, as well as numerous links to San Jose neighborhoods.
Check out www.angelfire.com/ca4/sanjosengb for details. ATTENTION: Online neighborhood
groups, business associations, and city promotions organizations -- if appropriate,
please provide a link to the Bulletin from your own site.
++A rare chance to catch top-name comedians in downtown San Jose, at a funky venue. The
Eighth Annual Laff-a-Thon stars Kevin Avery, Phil, the Security Guard, Brandon Sass,
Richard Stockton, Fred Anderson, Tony Castle, Ski and Rick Right, with proceeds going to
Swords of Plowshares, a veteranšs rights organization. The funny business happens at 7pm
next Thursday, November 11th, at Big Lilšs Cabaret on San Fernando and Almaden. Tickets
are $15 in advance and $18 at the door. For more information, call 954-1954.
++The San Jose Institute for Contemporary Art holds its annual benefit reception and
auction this Saturday, November 6th. This is a spectacular opportunity to glimpse the
cutting-edge work of over 100 artists, sip champagne, and nosh on hors d'vours in one of
the city's finest galleries -- all for only $35. For more information, call (408)
283-8155 or visit the SJICA's web site at www.sjica.org.
++Correction to last issue's Alameda item: Ceramic City's (Race St.) specialty is
do-it-your ceramics, in the same vein as the Santa Cruz-based Petroglyph chain.
++ Keep the gossip coming!! I want to emphasize that all sources shall remain completely
anonymous.
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Please send all news or gossip regarding new business openings, redevelopment projects,
celebrity sightings, and other interesting gems concerning San Jose to
todd_95130@yahoo.com.
To be added to the bimonthly bulletin, please email the above address.
The San Jose News and Gossip Bulletin is a free bimonthly newsletter intended
to boost city pride, to foster a vital link between city districts, and
to provide information on current and future plans for downtown and the
neighborhoods. Information is gathered from a variety of sources,
including non-profit organizations, neighborhood business
associations, local and national newswires, as well as city government
meetings and documents. All items are written by myself, unless otherwise noted.
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