Plus, SJ Chamber of Commerce gets a new CEO.
 
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🍷 The best of San Jose (according to us)

SJtoday’s “Best of” picks for 2023
Signs saying "4th St. Pizza Co." and "West Wind drive-in & public market" are interspersed with images of a Swirl from Aqui, the Great America Carousel, and an animated bottle of orange sauce with the SJtoday logo overlay a picture of the circle of palms.
A totally non-scientific list of the best things in San Jose. | Photo by SJtoday staff
As 2023 winds down, you will see a lot more lists highlighting the “best tacos,” “best bar,” or “best restaurant” in the Bay Area. But you know what? There’s far too many varieties of experiences, cultures, and people to fit into one of those categories.

So instead of doing a traditional list, we’re showing our love for some of the best (SJtoday-approved) experiences around San Jose.

Frontier Village's "Central Square" with the Frontier Village Railroad station.

Guests would be brought into Central Square on the Frontier Village Railroad.

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Photo via History San José

Best defunct theme park: Frontier Village

The site where Edenvale Garden Park now sits used to be host to the rootinest, tootinest theme park in the country: Frontier Village. From staged gunfights and Can-Can dancers to the occasional appearance by country stars Bing Crosby + Nat King Cole, the long-lost theme park holds fond memories for many San Joseans.
Runner Up: Raging Waters

Best place to cry: West Wind Drive-In

Not only are you able to utterly break down in the comfort of your own vehicle at West Wind Drive-In, but you can do so knowing no one around you will be the wiser. Were you moved to tears by the film? Or are you having a midlife existential crisis? No one will ever know.
Runner Up: SAP Center

Heaviest drink pours: Aqui, Campbell

Are you even from the South Bay if you haven’t underestimated one of Aqui’s infamous “Industrial Strength” swirls? One is plenty, two is far too many, and it’s a good thing that’s the maximum because after three, you may be questioning your life choices.

Runner Up: Splash Video Dance Bar
5 more awards for 2023
Asked

What are your “best of SJ” picks for 2023?
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Events
Friday, Dec. 15
  • Enchant Christmas | Through Sunday, Dec. 31 | Times vary | PayPal Park, 1123 Coleman Ave., San Jose | $25-$33 | Students, faculty, and alumni can win cool prizes by wearing your school’s apparel for “College Student Night.”
  • San Jose Barracuda vs. Calgary Wranglers | Friday, Dec. 15-Saturday, Dec. 16 | Times vary | Tech CU Arena, 1500 S. Tenth St., San Jose | $13-$62 | Bring a teddy bear to toss on the ice on Saturday when the ‘Cuda score their first goal.
  • “Sondheim on Sondheim” | Friday, Dec. 15-Sunday, Dec. 17 | Times vary | 3Below Theaters and Cafe, 288 S. Second St., San Jose | $25-$55 | Journey into the mind of a master in this funny + affectionate tribute to the musical maestro.
  • Movie Night: “Elf” | Friday, Dec. 15 | 6-9 p.m. | Creekside Socials, 20 Barack Obama Blvd., San Jose | Free | Enjoy the magical Christmas classic under the stars with your friends and neighbors.
Saturday, Dec. 16
  • San Jose Winter Wonder Market | Saturday, Dec. 16-Sunday, Dec. 17 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Westgate Center, 1600 Saratoga Ave., San Jose | Free | Do your last-minute holiday shopping with a variety of 150+ makers, artists, designers, and small businesses.
  • The Menagerie’s Yuletide ODDventure Fine Art Shows | Saturday, Dec. 16 | 12-9 p.m. | Winchester Mystery House, 350 S. Winchester Blvd., San Jose | $5-$95 | Shop peculiar + odd treasures from artisan vendors each Saturday of the holiday shopping season.
Sunday, Dec. 17
  • Oakridge Farmers Market | Sunday, Dec. 17 | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | Westfield Oakridge, 5420 Thornwood Dr., San Jose | Free | Get fresh produce, live entertainment, and more at this year-round market.
  • The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show | Sunday, Dec. 17 | 8 p.m. | San Jose Civic, 135 W. San Carlos St., San Jose | $49.50-$99.50 | Enjoy the fabulous spectacle and comedy of these nationally recognized drag performers for their annual holiday show.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
News Notes
Civic
  • San Jose was awarded ~$13 million to upgrade pedestrian safety measures at dangerous intersections in the city — Curtner and Canoas Gardens, Monterey and Curtner, East Santa Clara and 11th, and Capitol Expressway and Senter Road. The improvements include better crosswalks, clearer traffic signals, and adding protected sidewalks + bike lanes. (NBC Bay Area)
San Josean
  • Leah Toeniskoetter has been named the new president and CEO of the San Jose Chamber of Commerce. Toeniskoetter’s resume includes working as the senior manager at Deloitte + is the founding director of SPUR San Jose, a local political think tank. (San José Spotlight)
Coming Soon
  • The first restaurant offerings have been announced for Downtown Food Hall at 96 E. Santa Clara St. Monosushi, Silk Road Kitchen + TeaZer are among the 26 kitchens included in the CloudKitchen concept. An opening date has not been announced, but city documents indicate a soft opening next Wednesday, Dec. 20. (The Mercury News)
Real Estate
  • The residential high-rise, 188 West Saint James Towers, is facing foreclosure. Z&L Properties have allegedly neglected years worth of monthly payments on unsold units and may default. The timeline for finishing the project is uncertain, and those who own incomplete condos in the building remain in limbo. (NBC Bay Area)
Closing
  • S27 Alehouse and Brewery officially closed its doors on Wednesday. The brewery originally announced its closure in October, but remained in limited operation with fewer events until now. Owners Kathy + Lucas Szymanowski indicated they are still working on future “surprises” for the community in the coming weeks.
Health
  • The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors voted to create a direct phone line to its Trusted Response Urgent Support Team (TRUST) for residents facing mental health crises. At the moment, the 988 suicide helpline is the only resource, but soon, residents will have access to local, trained mental health providers. (San José Spotlight)
Finance
  • This no-annual-fee balance transfer offer now lasts until 2025. Transferring your existing balance to a no-interest card could be the simple solution you’re looking for to finally get ahead of your payments. (Oh, and it offers cash back rewards on everyday purchases.)*
Family
  • The forecast at The Tech Interactive now through Monday, Jan. 15? A flurry of STEM-tastic activities during Polar Play Days. Learn more about the new interactive winter exhibit + grab tickets.*
Job
  • We’re hiring a Sales Executive to lead our San Jose + San Diego advertising relationships. This exec would lead prospecting initiatives, maintain a full and active client pipeline, and prepare and deliver sales presentations — all while earning a competitive salary with unlimited sick and vacation time. Learn more + apply.
Wellness
Coming Soon

⛳ (Mini) Puttin’ on the Ritz

Urban Putt gears up for January launch in downtown San Jose
An image of the construction of a building in San Jose, with trees and people walking.
The mixed-use development Paseo is replacing the former Camera 12 Theater. | Photo by SJtoday staff
What do the San Jose Sharks, Quakes, and the Winchester Mystery House all have in common? They’re all uniquely San Jose. And they’re all going to be featured at the new downtown location of Urban Putt.

The “eater-tainment” space, originally planned to open December 2023, will take over 13,000 sqft of space in the former Camera 12 Cinemas building on South Second Street.

Representatives for Urban Putt indicate they’re working on bulking out their food and drink options, but are eyeing mid-January for its official launch.

Billed as a sort of minigolf-meets-Jules Verne-meets-Rube Goldberg-machine, the space features 18 holes — all with unique, kinetic sculptures modeled after various San Jose and California-themed attractions.

Along with courses themed after the Sharks + the Winchester Mystery House, there will also be a giant, underwater submarine with a periscope you use to line up your shot.

We’ll have more updates on the space in the future, and you can follow along with its progress on Urban Putt’s website.
The Buy

The Buy 12.15.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
This smart mug warmer that keeps beverages the temperature of your choice and has automatic shut-off.
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The Wrap
 
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Today’s edition by:
Gregg
From the editor
As terrifying as Five Nights at Freddy’s film and game series can be, it’s important to remember that it would not exist if not for a certain Pizza Rat created in San Jose.
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