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*-----------December 2, 1999------------*
*---San Jose News and Gossip Bulletin---*
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**Watch It LA and Don't Even Think of It San Francisco: San Jose's club scene gets even
hotter this month with the December 11th opening of Voodoo Lounge on Second Street.
Adjacent to Toons, which packs in a crowd four or five nights a week, the new nightspot
will cater to late twenty- and thirty-something's. Though details are still being worked
out, happy hours, jazz acts, and perhaps a Boogie Nights (70's) show are currently in the
line-up. One of the venture's owners compared the atmosphere to a cross between Agenda
Lounge (in the SOFA District) and the Hedley Club (in the DeAnza Hotel). And, for the
forseeable future and barring special events, there's no cover charge! This is the second
location for the Phoenix, AZ-based club.
**Developments in San Jose's Outdoor Monopoly Game: San Jose Beautiful has been gathering
props for the life-size Monopoly in the Park, including a fighter bell that rings upon
"passing go" and a jailbird outfit for those unlucky enough to be thrown in the slammer.
The popular boardgame is slated to become a top-notch tourist attraction in the Guadalupe
Park and Gardens by the beginning of 2001. To raise funding, Valley companies are invited
to sponsor the site (and names will be displayed on a donor wall). To work out the bugs
and spread the word, the local, non-profit organization has planned a private "dress
rehearsal" in early February, with a temporary board provided by the talented art
students at the Harker School in West San Jose. [For more information on individual or
corporate sponsorships, please contact Jill Cody at (408) 277-5208.]
**The Montgomery Hotel dates back eight decades in downtown San Jose. The ornate interior
design, marble mosaic floor, and grand ballroom hark back to an era in San Jose history
that is entirely lost in the cell phone and computer chip city of today. Currently, plans
are underway to move the 3-story hotel 150 feet to the south, to accomodate the Fairmont
expansion (see item below). While the hotel will loose its ballroom, its annex, and its
basement, the rest of the structure will remain intact. Word has it that the revamped
building will do quite well as a 75-room boutique hotel, and that the Mayor's office is
leading a quest for a buyer...and has a few bites. A similar boutique-style hotel is
slated for San Carlos & 1st, just above Original Joe's. Not only are such distinctive and
cozy quarters highly attractive to tourists, but they augment the character and identity
of the city immensely. (Explore the smokey piano bars of similar spots in downtown San
Diego, Portland, or Seattle and feel yourself being transported back to the turn of the
LAST century as soon as you trod onto the pale yellow carpet or rest a while in the
plush, high-back chairs.)
**Meanwhile, life in the neighborhoods is getting better and better. Consider this advice
for the Holidays: avoid Valley Fair as much as possible, and spend a few hours milling
around Willow Glen or the Alameda or Japantown in search of gifts that really are
one-of-a-kind. Honestly, the prices are comparable, the lines nonexistent (though you
definitely will not be lonely), and the service is stupendous. (On two recent outings,
several shopkeepers offered _intelligent_ advice, free boxes and gift-wrapping, and
genuine smiles!) And, you know the deal with parking - even in Willow Glen!
**Speaking of the neighborhoods, December is a busy month for new business openings. Most
exciting (ehem, word choice?) is Pleasures From the Heart, which opens on the 11th in the
Alameda district. The mom-and-daughter-owned shop (which is twice as large as the
original location in West San Jose) features high-quality lingerie, novelty gifts, cards,
etc. This is yet another coup for the Alameda, which is naturally and rapidly becoming
San Jose artsy heaven. While this is no surprise given the profound historic value of the
area, it is nevertheless ironic given the intense recruiting efforts of downtowners. It
is not out of the question that the Alameda could end up becoming the retail core of the
city. But, there are no loosers; the charming street is really a gateway to the city's
heart; plus, it sits next to the main transportation depot and is just a stone's throw
away from the much-trafficked San Jose Arena. In addition, with a new 217-unit housing
complex planned next to the Caltrain station (which includes space for 2-3 shops and/or
restaurants) and an adjacent 200 loft apartments, the neighborhood is growing closer and
closer to that magical critical mass needed for the major retail giants to stand up and
take notice....Meanwhile, Willow Glen gets a much-needed wine store; Grapevine opens at
Lincoln (near Minnesota) in a few weeks, featuring wine and wine tasting....and at least
one tenant has stepped forward for a new office building at Gold & 237 in Alviso; Foundry
Networks designs and manufactures a whole suite of products for (big surprise) building
and maintaining high performance computer networks.
**But, lest you forget downtown. The Fairmont Hotel is undergoing some major changes over
the next year. A new 10-story annex will add 260 much-needed guest rooms as well as
significant meeting and ballroom space to the prominent downtown hotel. It should be
completed in time for NEXT New Year's Eve. But, if you're interested in celebrating this
year in style, the luxury hotel is offering a $1000 per couple package, which includes a
two-night stay, dancing to a live orchestra, and a 6-course dinner. Too much for your
turn-of-the-milennium budget? Just added - you can skip the stayover and only part with
$650. Still too much? Well, the tree-lighting in the lobby this Saturday is
complimentary.
**Wondering about the SOFA District's pending Polly Esther's? The national nightclub
plans to open its downtown San Jose gig just after New Year's (though there's a slight
chance of a New Year's Eve extravaganza, if the pace picks up on the troublesome interior
work).
++Preparations are already underway for the 10th annual Cinequest. Every year, the 10-day
long film festival seems to expand beyond anyone's wildest dreams. As such, numerous
volunteers are now needed to sell tickets and souveniers, to help set up screenings and
other events, and to assist with publicity. It's Lights, Camera, Action at the UA
Pavillion and the downtown Camera Theaters from February 24th to March 5th. For questions
or additional information, call (408) 995-5033 or visit the Festival's web site at
www.cinequest.org.
++The San Jose News and Gossip Bulletin returns December 30th...Have a safe, warm, and
happy Holiday!
++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.
++ 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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