February 1, 2024

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Today’s Forecast

60º | Rainy | 60% chance of rain | Sunrise: 7:11 a.m. | Sunset: 5:31 p.m.

🎂 We’re keeping the candles lit

A graphic of a blue birthday cake and a No. 2 candle with the words "happy birthday SJtoday" on it. There's two heads, City Editors Alyson + Gregg, juxtaposed on sparklers on the cake.

Happy birthday to us, it’s been a fun ride so far. | Graphic by SJtoday staff

SJtoday has officially made two trips around the sun — you would never know it with today’s weather.

Since last year, we’ve published 200+ stories and gained more than 45,000 new followers on Instagram.

To celebrate the newsletter’s second birthday, your dynamic duo of city editors Alyson and Gregg gave their two cents on the following questions.

What are two San Jose restaurants so good that you’ve gone back twice — or even numerous times?

Alyson: The first spot that always comes to mind is Neza Birrieria taco truck on East Santa Clara Street. The quesabirrias + consomme are always meat-packed. I also rave about Punjab Cafe downtown, which I’ve been going to since attending SJSU — great flavors, great people, great establishment.

Gregg: I could eat pizza from The Garret Station literally every day of my life. There’s something about the sauce + cheese combo that makes for a fantastic pie. See also: Palermo Restaurant downtown. I don’t think I’ve ever had anything I didn’t like off that menu (and I’m really picky with Italian food).

You have a pair of tickets to watch your favorite band anywhere in the city. Who do you see and where?

Alyson: Since meeting them a few years ago, I’d love to see where the Peach Tree Rascals’ fan base is at now. The SJ-originated band has headlined festivals and traveled all around — I’d definitely love to catch an intimate show at the Ritz or Tabard Theatre.

Gregg: I’ve been really digging Ghosting recently — and the best place to see them would have to be the Caravan. Eardrum bursting music in a tight space with a great vibe and great drinks.

Two things we can't live without

Events

Thursday, Feb. 1

Jackie Kashian | Thursday, Feb. 1-Saturday, Feb. 3 | Times vary | Rooster T. Feathers Comedy Club, 157 W. El Camino Real, Sunnyvale | $25 | You may know this comedian from appearances on “The Late Late Show,” or from her long-running podcast, “The Dork Forest.”

Friday, Feb. 2

First Fridays: An Evening with Thien An Nguyen | Friday, Feb. 2 | 6-9 p.m. | San Jose Museum of Art, 110 S. Market St., San Jose | Free | Celebrate Lunar New Year and welcome the Year of the Dragon with a performance by this multidimensional guitarist.
SJZ U19s | Friday, Feb. 2 | 7 p.m. | SJZ Break Room, 310 S. First St., San Jose | Free | See local high school all-stars perform classic and contemporary jazz.
Bollywood Night | Friday, Feb. 2 | 8 p.m. | The Ritz, 400 S. First St., San Jose | $17 | Channel your inner Bollywood star as you dance to your favorite tracks.

Saturday, Feb. 3

Black History Month Music Fest | Saturday, Feb. 3 | 6-10 p.m. | School of Arts & Culture, 1700 Alum Rock Ave., San Jose | $10-$40 | Celebrate the beginning of Black History Month with jazz, blues, Creole, soul, and spoken word performances.
Cambrian Symphony Presents: “Lamentation and Joy” | Saturday, Feb. 3 | 7:30 p.m. | Hammer Theatre Center, 101 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose | Free | Enjoy symphonies from Tchaikovsky, Gabriela Lena Frank, and Manuel Ponce.
Broadway Rave | Saturday, Feb. 3 | 8 p.m. | The Ritz, 400 S. First St., San Jose | $20 | Belt out your favorite songs while dancing to Broadway remixes.

Events calendar here

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News Notes

Real Estate

San Jose recently received approval for its Housing Element plans for 2023-2031 by the CA Department of Housing and Community Development. The plan requires the city to build 62,200 housing units within the eight-year cycle, and shuts off any builder’s remedy projects submitted in the future. (Silicon Valley Business Journal)

State

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development announced that nine Bay Area counties will receive a combined $191 million for homelessness services + housing sites. Santa Clara County is set to receive $39.5 million. Grant sizes were based mainly on how well separate agencies are doing combating homelessness. (The Mercury News)

Plan Ahead

This Friday, Feb. 1, Opera San Jose will continue its 40-year anniversary celebrations with a free performance at California Theatre. Walk through First Friday open galleries, then stop by at 6 p.m. for a sneak peek of its upcoming production, “Rigoletto,” opening Saturday, Feb. 17. (The Mercury News)

Giveaway

In celebration of its “Best Of 2023” achievement awarded by Metro Silicon Valley, South Winchester BBQ will host an event this Sunday, Feb. 4, and give out free barbecue. Rain or shine, enjoy live blues, beer specials, and raffles from 12 to 4 p.m. at 1362 S. Winchester Blvd.

Home

This Valentine’s Day decor is making our hearts skip a beat and includes heart-shaped wreaths, neon “love” signs, heart-shaped felt garlands, and cozy red blankets.*

Coming Soon

⛳ Putt, putt, pass

A metal sign in the shape of a gear with the words “Urban Putt” sits on the ground.

Get ready to putt in a mini, San Jose. | Photo by SJtoday staff

Get ready to putt your stuff.

Urban Putt, a boozy mini-golf spot that originated in San Francisco, is coming to downtown San Jose — and it’s not your average putt place.

Owner Steve Fox gave SJtoday a first look at the cogs behind the establishment, and what we can all look forward to come its opening date, Thursday, Feb. 15.

Like its former SF location, Urban Putt pays homage to the iconic landmarks around its “urban” core.

Putt through the Winchester Mystery House and mysteriously lose your ball to trap doors, then head around the corner to see your golf ball travel up the mountain to a small replica of James Lick Observatory.

Along with themed courses, the establishment also features large dining/gathering spaces, two full bars, and an upstairs balcony overlooking the holes — which could also double as a private event space.

Get ready to get into the swing of things at 201 S. Second St., February 15 at 5 p.m.

The Buy

A gift from Six & Main’s Valentine’s Day collection for someone you love. There’s colorful chocolates, funny cards, games for couples, and lots and lots of pink.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Alyson

From the editor

Since launching SJtoday in 2022, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting so many unique San Joseans, trying out establishments I had never heard of, and even participating in a local talk show. I never would’ve expected my first job out of college to be the exact thing I wanted to do — thank you for making this work so dang fun.

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