November 17, 2023

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Today’s Forecast

62º | Partly cloudy morning becomes a mostly cloudy afternoon with a chance of occasional rain | 33% chance of rain | Sunrise: 7:08 a.m. | Sunset: 4:49 p.m.

🍽️ Free Thanksgiving meals in San Jose

Thanksgiving turkey being cut on the dinner table.

Enjoy Thanksgiving dinner with some of the best locally made meals this year. | Photo via RODNAE Productions

Thanksgiving can be a difficult time for those struggling with food insecurity in the South Bay. As the costs of housing, schooling, and basic necessities continue to rise, it becomes increasingly difficult to afford a warm meal, let alone one that’s family-sized.

Whether you’ve fallen on hard times, are looking for a supportive community, or find yourself alone during the holiday season, we’ve got you covered with some free local options for Thanksgiving.

🥬 Where to get ingredients

Martha’s Kitchen | Tuesday, Nov. 21 | 5-6 p.m. | 311 Willow St.
In addition to their full meal services, Martha’s Kitchen will be giving out groceries for those in need, including traditional Thanksgiving fare of nutritious meat and produce.

Second Harvest of Silicon Valley | Drop off, pick up days by request | Times vary | 80 locations
Partnering with multiple organizations throughout the South Bay and beyond, Second Harvest has multiple options for ingredients — and even offer home delivery. Check out their map to find a drop-off location near you.

A group of volunteers in blue shirts, hats, and latex gloves prepares meals for the needy. — Martha’s Kitchen partner MidPen Housing provides meals year-round.
|
Photo courtesy @marthaskitchensj

🥧 Full meals

Martha’s Kitchen | Monday, Nov. 20-Wednesday, Nov. 22 | Times vary | 311 Willow St.
In addition to their daily meal schedule, the organization will offer a lunch on Monday, and turkey, mashed potatoes + veggies during their dinner services on Tuesday (to-go) and Wednesday (dine-in).

Salvation Army Silicon Valley | Monday, Nov 20-Friday, Nov. 24 | Times vary | 3 locations
The organization is offering multiple free meals during Thanksgiving week. Along with a free honeyed ham and hot meals (served 5:15-6 p.m., Monday, Nov. 20) at Emmanuel House, they’ll also offer a senior Thanksgiving luncheon at 11:30 a.m. at their Senior Center on North Fourth Street. Additionally, prepared sack-lunches will be distributed on Thanksgiving Day, 5-6 p.m., at Emmanuel House.

More free Thanksgiving options

Events

Friday, Nov. 17

Evergreen Hills Market | Friday, Nov. 17-Saturday, Nov. 18 | 2-7 p.m. | Evergreen Hills Market, 3777 Quimby Rd., San Jose | Free | This new market showcases local makers offering food, drinks, homemade items, clothes, and more.
San Jose Barracuda vs. Colorado Eagles | Friday, Nov. 17-Saturday, Nov. 18 | Times vary | Tech CU Arena, 1500 S. Tenth St., San Jose | $13-$62 | The San Jose Barracuda take on the Colorado Eagles for a two-night homestand.
SJSU Dept. of Film & Theatre Presents: “The Addams Family” | Friday, Nov. 17-Sunday, Nov. 19 | Times vary | Hammer Theatre, Sobrato Auditorium, 101 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose | $10-$20 | Catch the last couple showings of this theatrical comedy about the creepy and kooky Addams Family.

Saturday, Nov. 18

KixCon 2 | Saturday, Nov. 18 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Center Court at Eastridge Mall, 2200 Eastridge Loop, San Jose | Free | This edition of KixCon celebrates the birth of hip-hop with dance battles, live painting with 1Culture, and of course, local streetwear pop-ups.
Trans Awareness Night | Saturday, Nov. 18 | 5-8 p.m. | SJSU Student Union Theater, 157 S. Ninth St., San Jose | Free | Celebrate the conclusion of Transgender Awareness Week with artists, musicians, and a resource fair provided by members of the community.

Sunday, Nov. 19

Alum Rock Village Farmers’ Market | Sunday, Nov. 19 | 8 a.m. | 57 N. White Rd., San Jose | Free | Enjoy artisan vendors, fresh fruit + veggies, and music at this weekly market.
Soulful Sunday | Sunday, Nov. 19 | 11 a.m. | Jackie’s Place, 840 N. First St., San Jose | Free | In celebration of five years, the soul restaurant will present Naté The Soul Sanger + gospel artist Tam E.
San Francisco 49ers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Sunday, Nov. 19 | 1:05 p.m. | Levi’s Stadium, 4900 Marie P. DeBartolo Way, Santa Clara | $85-$1500 | After a nearly perfect road game against the Jaguars, QB Brock Purdy and team face off against the recovering Buccaneers.

Events calendar here

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Learn

Shake up your weekend at The Tech Interactive

a girl in a green jacket explores an interactive science display

The museum’s goal is to inspire the innovator inside everyone. | Photo provided by The Tech Interactive

Did you know? The Tech Interactive is a world-class science + technology center located right here in the heart of Silicon Valley.

Alongside your friends and fam, experience:

Over 100 interactive exhibits on climate change, robotics, space + more
Tech Studio with hands-on STEM challenges
The largest IMAX Dome Theater on the West Coast

The Tech Interactive is open Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Code TECHFAM scores 10% off admission

News Notes

Edu

San Jose State University has finalized their deal with Signia by Hilton San Jose. The $89 million deal will convert the hotel’s south tower into housing for over 700 students. Renovations are expected to be finished by August 2024, and includes an option to purchase after two years. (SJSU News Center)

Eat

You could get paid to eat sweets in San Jose. Venchi, an Italian sweets company, is hiring a chocolate and gelato taster for its Valley Fair Mall location. Applicants must provide a cover letter detailing their love of sweets. You can apply on the company’s website, or via email. (SF Chronicle)

Plan Ahead

Downtown Ice officially returns tonight after a one-year hiatus. In 2022, the Aloha Roller Rink took its place at the Circle of Palms after the original organizer decided to not renew its downtown contract. (San Jose Inside)

Biz

City Council unanimously voted this week to ease regulations governing marijuana shops in the city, allowing businesses to operate from 6-10 p.m. (previously, regulations dictated businesses could only operate after 9 a.m.) (previously, regulations dictated businesses could only operate after 9 a.m.) The new rules also decrease penalties from $1,200 for a first time offense to $250. (Silicon Valley Business Journal)

Closing

After this weekend, HashNDash will no longer be serving breakfast in SoFA. The city is ending its parklet agreement outside Academic Coffee, so the pop up will need to relocate. HashNDash’s eggcellent menu will be limited Friday through Sunday. No new location has been announced.

State

Regulators approved PG&E’s rate hike proposal this week — the 13% increase will go into effect Jan. 1, 2024. In October, San Jose approved a plan that would allow the city to explore their own city-run electric utility as an alternative, but that is still in the exploratory phase. (NBC Bay Area)

Regional

It’s official. In a unanimous vote Thursday, Major League Baseball owners approved the relocation of the Oakland A’s to Las Vegas. While the Vegas stadium is still being developed (and may not be ready until 2028), the team will continue to play the 2024 season in Oakland. (The Mercury News)

Today Is

National Take a Hike Day. Weather-permitting, it’s a great day to don your water-proof boots + rain coat and check out one of these 15 scenic hiking spots around the South Bay.

Shop

Need the perfect holiday gift for your dad, brother, husband, or boyfriend? This brand has you covered with all the gifts and stocking stuffers that men will actually use. (Plus, they’re all 25% off during the Black Friday Sale, happening now.)*

Finance

With one of the “best reward cards of 2023,” enjoy exceptional rewards on purchases and a $300 welcome bonus. And start racking up those rewards.*

Asked

Be the broker: Which vacant office spaces would you like to see become affordable housing?

The skyline of the city of San Jose taken from over the east hills.

In a city this big, there’s always something cool to do. | Photo via @indepthimage

Have you noticed some of the empty office space around town? Office vacancies downtown are at 31.5% as of September 2023, up 0.2% from the previous quarter. Compare those numbers to the national office vacancy rate, which was 17.8% as of September 2023. One possible use for vacant offices? Affordable housing.

Recently, the White House released a new plan to convert commercial buildings into residential housing — affordable housing in particular. Resources will be made available from 20+ programs across multiple agencies, including the Department of Transportation and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Projects are currently underway, but we want to know — which vacant spaces would you like to see converted?

Tell us which spaces you’d like to see remade into housing, and we may feature your picks in an upcoming newsletter.

The Buy

A great deal from Amazon’s Black Friday sales, which officially start today. Get 40% off Adidas running shoes or 20% off Martha Stewart cotton sheets.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Gregg

From the editor

With California’s Great America’s Winterfest and Christmas in the Park returning next week, maybe it’s finally time to start working on holiday shopping. Thankfully, SJ Made Holiday Fair is also returning next week.

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