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*-----------September 30, 1999----------*
*----San Jose News/Gossip Bulletin------*
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**Many San Joseans are unaware that our Japantown is the largest in America. And, while most truly ethnic neighborhoods are shrinking in major cities, Japantown is expanding like wildfire. The Miraido Village Apartment complex was completed several months ago, with room for retail on the ground floor; rumor has it that Blockbuster and Walgreens are on the prowl for space there. Meanwhile, 232 more apartments are under construction at Taylor and 7th. Finally, a third complex is on the drawing board for the old Del Monte building (about 278 more townhouses and flats as well as live/work space), though this development is mired in controversy over whether to start from scratch or to construct SF-style warehouse loft space in the existing building. With the neighborhood about to be teeming with new residents, it's a good thing that councilmember Cindy Chavez has secured funding for a new community/cultural center, a new neighborhood park, and more retail space for North 6th street, between Jackson and Taylor.

**Imagine being able to power-walk or ride your bike from Lincoln Avenue in Willow Glen right into the heart of downtown San Jose - in fact, directly into the Guadalupe River Park and Gardens. Vice mayor Frank Fiscalini has been instrumental in establishing a first-class trail system in the city. This latest stretch of the Los Gatos Creek Trail, which currently extends from Vasona Park to Willow Glen, is currently being planned and designed. But, don't promise your pooch a stroll to the Arena Green just yet; this section of the ever-popular paved path won't be completed until sometime in 2001. Incidentally, this same trail has brought much-increased foot traffic into downtown Los Gatos on weekends, particularly tired, sweaty techies craving smoothies, coffee, and conversation.

**San Jose (and the surrounding suburbs, e.g., San Francisco) has become ice skating central in California. Sure, our average temp is in the low 70's, but our Arena has hosted a number of important competitive events and exhibitions. Why not - with world-reknowned talent like Rudy Galindo (San Jose) and Kristy Yamaguchi (Fremont) in our own backyard? So, it's only natural that the city is bidding for a major international competition in 2003, the World Figure Skating Championships. A delegation from the International Skating Union (ISU) was in town recently, and met with Mayor Ron Gonzales and with folks from the Sports Authority. We clearly have the facilities, between the San Jose Arena and the new San Jose State Ice Arena (which will be completed well before the competition). A decision is expected by the end of next month.

**Circa 2000 is newly-formed group of young professionals committed to furthering the arts in and around downtown San Jose. While the organization sponsors a speaker series at Fuel and a monthly outdoor classic film behind Emile's restaurant, its hottest project is to create a summer "Art Zone" near the Circle of Palms (adjacent to the Fairmont Hotel). The "Zone" would begin as a monthly exhibition for a select group of local artists to display and sell their work. If successful, it could progress into a weekly or even constant fixture downtown, ideally in Paseo de San Antonio once construction tapers off there.

**Camera crews from the TNT cable network were in town to shoot scenes for their planned airing of the 1982 horror movie, "Poltergeist." Like numerous other production crews, the team opted for the world-famous Winchester Mystery House. The 160-room West San Jose mansion has hosted a number of TV and documentary shoots, averaging about 3 to 4 productions annually over the past few years. [Thanks to the San Jose Film & Video Commission for the information.]

++Go Back in Time on The Alameda: The Alameda neighborhood, featured in last week's Bulletin, celebrates Living History Day this Sunday from 10am-5pm. Last year's festival drew over 15,000 people to the up-and-coming business district, whose history winds back through the 1800's. On hand this year will be horse and carriage rides, live demos of Victorian houseware, furniture, and clothing, as well as a host of activities for kids. In addition, the History Museums of San Jose will be leading tours of the surrounding residential blocks, which include many ornate homes from as early as the 1870's.

++Comedy in the Streets This Weekend: Check out the San Pedro Square Brew Ha Ha. This year, the festival gets back to its roots, bringing on board Comedy Central and recruiting big-name talent like Caroline Rhea (Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Hollywood Squares) and Michael Winslow (Police Academy films). The laughter (which can be enhanced with the help of the 20 national and local breweries that will also be on hand) takes place THIS Saturday and Sunday from noon to 7:30pm.

++ Keep the gossip coming!! I want to emphasize that all sources shall remain completely anonymous.

++ And, last but not least, past issues of the San Jose News/Gossip Bulletin are now available at www.wgna.net/todd-nl.htm.
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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.

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The San Jose News/Gossip Bulletin is a free weekly 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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