Heart eyes for days ❤️

Last-minute local ideas for Valentine’s Day

A skyline shot of Downtown during sunset, and a plane flies overhead.

Our city is teeming with romantic possibilities. | Photo via @thevacantroom

There’s no dodging Cupid’s arrow — Valentine’s Day is here. Whether you’re celebrating your friendships or sugaring up your sweetheart, we’ve got last-minute Valentine’s Day ideas that will have you loving love.

🌵 Get fantastical with botanicals

If you’re quick, you might have your pick of bouquets using same-day flower delivery. (We’re eyeing those locally designed arrangements.)

Or, get creative and nab a potted plant from these plant spots. Nothing says forever like a hardy succulent.

Capitol Wholesale Nursery, 2938 Everdale Dr., San Jose
Payless Hardware and Rockery, 2927 S. King Rd., San Jose
Yamagami’s Garden Center, 1361 S. De Anza Blvd., Cupertino

🥂 Keep spirits up

If you didn’t score reservations, don’t overthink… grab a drink. The following spots have weekday happy hours:

EMC Seafood and Raw Bar | Mon.-Sun., 3-6 p.m. | Pair $8 glasses of house white or red with $2 oysters, sushi rolls under $9, or other seafood bites ranging from $5 to $15.
Rootstock Wine Bar | Mon.-Fri., 3-6 p.m. | Treat yourself to wine, beer, and bites, with half-price bottles on Mondays at the Los Gatos location and on Tuesdays at the Mountain View location.
Five Points | Mon.-Fri., 4-7 p.m. | Choose from $10 specialty cocktails like the strawberry Frozé or Cucumber Mule, and pair with $10 wings and coconut shrimp.

For more options, check out our happy hour guide.

🌟 Go stargazing

It doesn’t get much more idyllic than bundling up and looking at the stars. Grab some blankets (and maybe a hot drink) and find spots where nighttime observing is allowed from the San Jose Astronomical Association.

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Monday, Feb. 13

Trivia Night | Monday, Feb. 13 | Times vary | Park Station Hashery, 1701 Park Ave., San Jose | Free | Grab a team of up to six at this weekly multimedia trivia event hosted by local comedians.

Tuesday, Feb. 14

Pow Wow Song & Dance Classes | Tuesday, Feb. 14 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Roosevelt Community Center, 901 E. Santa Clara St., San Jose | Free | The Indian Health Center hosts weekly lessons to inspire cultural pride and connection.
The Super Secret Society: A Playable Play | Tuesday, Feb. 14-Sunday, Feb. 19 | Times vary | Tabard Theatre, 29 N. San Pedro St., Ste. 200, San Jose | $15+ | A unique evening exploring classic literature, technology, art, and ideas that will be anything but expected.

Wednesday, Feb. 15

Sweetheart Thank You Party | Wednesday, Feb. 15 | 6-7:30 p.m. | San Jose Woman’s Club, 75 S. 11th St., San Jose | Free | Celebrate the donors, sponsors, and volunteers of the San Jose Woman’s Club, and enjoy a dessert buffet.
San Jose Barracuda vs. Ontario Reign | Wednesday, Feb. 15 | 7 p.m. | Tech CU Arena, 1500 S. 10th St., San Jose | $13+ | Our local minor league hockey team is ready to bare teeth.
Be Our Guest Disney Sing-A-Long Night | Wednesday, Feb. 15 | 7-9 p.m. | Britannia Arms Almaden, 5027 Almaden Expy., San Jose | Free | Get a free bingo card with any cocktail and win Disney prize packs.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

FEB IS FAB

Weather

63º | Sunny | 4% chance of rain

Development

A neglected, foreclosed building near Valley Fair Mall and Santana Row could turn into an 137-unit apartment complex. City files show plans for demolishing the two-story office building and constructing a five-story mixed-use space. The process for approving the development could take up to a year or more. (The Mercury News)

Biz

In preparation for downtown’s Paseo Place development, several tenants in the area have begun closing up shop. Nox Cookie Bar and Mas Pizza are among those relocating as construction gears up. The mixed-use development will bring creative office space, ground-floor shops, and restaurants to Paseo de San Antonio. (The Mercury News)

San Josean

Yesterday, an all-female flight crew — including San Jose native and Lieutenant Commander Calli Zimmerman, piloted the flyover during the National Anthem before the Superbowl LVII. They made history for being the first female crew to do so, in celebration of 50 years of women in the navy. 👏 (NBC Bay Area)

Community

Calling all creatives. EASTSIDE Magazine is accepting submissions for its next publication, “2023.Ome.” The theme is “Unidos/United” and those interested are encouraged to submit articles, poems, photographs, or art by Thursday, Feb. 23 to be included. More information + the submission form can be found on its website. ✏️

DYK

Did you know that Valley Water offers a rebate of up to $300 to install a rain garden in your yard? This is an effort to capture storm water runoff to replenish existing landscape. Valley Water customers are encouraged to submit an application before purchasing equipment — learn more.

Plan Ahead

Viva Calle SJ announced its three events for this year — being held on April 23, June 11, and September 10. This event invites residents to walk, run, bike, or skate through ~6 miles of open streets. While there’s no detailed information as of yet, you can stay updated via its website. 🚲

Seasonal

Valentine’s Day may be tomorrow, but it’s not too late to order that special someone a bouquet of fresh flowers. Don’t have time to cross reference all of the florists in town? Enter: Floom, an online marketplace that partners with talented florists that deliver locally. Shop Valentine’s Day arrangements. 💐 *

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San Jose celebrates Black History Month

Black History Month events to attend around San Jose, CA

This statue memorializes the historic 1968 protest against racial injustice. | Photo via Wikimedia Commons

February is Black History Month, a time to recognize the Black leaders, artists, makers, and movers throughout history who strove towards representation and visibility. While special emphasis is put on these stories this month, it’s on all of us to recognize these contributions all year round.

🎨 See

🎤 Listen

STAND! 2023 | Friday, Feb. 17 | 7-9 p.m. | School of Arts and Culture at the Mexican Heritage Plaza, 1700 Alum Rock Ave. | Hear from four local leaders in San Jose’s art community discuss this year’s theme: “The Intersection of Arts, Social Justice, and Activism.”

🎟️ Gather

5 MORE EVENTS

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Alyson.

Editor’s pick: Following our history piece about Camden Avenue, our curious reader Marcia inquired about Frank Santana — a name you may spot around San Jose. So, I did some digging, and here’s what I found:

Frank M. Santana was our city’s planning commissioner in the 1950s, and was also heavily involved in real estate around San Jose. So, the Santana Row you know and love? It was named after him. There is also a park with his name, located at S. Monroe Street + Tisch Way. Hopefully you learned something new today.

Missed the last newsletter? We gushed about the great 408.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Alyson Chuyang, Britt Thorson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Julie Brown | Advertise with us.

Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.

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