February 19, 2024

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Today’s Forecast

64º | Showers | 44% chance of precipitation | Sunrise 6:52 a.m. | Sunset 5:51 p.m.

🏙️ Here’s some San Jose trivia for you

San Jose Museum of Art from a drone perspective.

Meet you in Downtown. | Photo via @bennys_journey

Did you know that San Jose is home to the world’s largest Monopoly Board?

Nah, just kidding. If you know us, you know we’re here for the deep cuts — and there’s plenty of interesting factoids to go around. As connoisseurs of the quirky and unconventional, we put together a list of San Jose’s history, oddest characteristics, and more.

Maybe you’ve lived here your whole life and know some of this, or maybe you’ll learn something new. Either way, test your local knowledge with these 20 interesting facts.

1. We may not be known for skyscrapers, but from 1926 to 1970, the Bank of Italy building was the tallest building between SF + LA.

A view behind a gate of two race cars speeding around a corner. — We’d definitely like to see this again.
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Photo via Xelipe

2. A race track... made up of downtown streets? In 2005, San Jose hosted its inaugural Grand Prix of the Champ Car World Series and more than 62,000 fans flooded in on race day.

3. San Jose is the only city in Santa Clara County with cannabis storefronts — there are currently 15 of them.

4. San Jose has eight sister cities: Dublin, Ireland, Guadalajara, Mexico, Okayama Japan, San José, Costa Rica, Pune, India, Tainan, Taiwan, Veracruz, Mexico, and Yekaterinburg, Russia.

5. Founded in 1847, Oak Hill Memorial Park is the oldest + largest secular cemetery in California. Many influential immigrant families are buried there, like Donner, Reed, Branham, Townsend, and Murphy.

15 more factoids

Events

Monday, Feb. 19

San Jose Sharks vs. Vegas Golden Knights | Monday, Feb. 19 | 1 p.m. | SAP Center, 525 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose | $34-$463 | Cheer on Team Teal as they take on the No. 2 seed in the Pacific Division.
Exploring Mindfulness and Meditation | Monday, Feb. 19 | 5-6 p.m. | A Healing Place Wellness Center, 841 Blossom Hill Rd., San Jose | $20 | Engage in group sessions focused on stress reduction, self-discovery, and enhanced well-being.

Tuesday, Feb. 20

Make & Take Terrarium Workshop | Tuesday, Feb. 20 | 7 p.m. | Bennett’s Greenhouse, 335 St. Julie Dr., San Jose | $32.39 | Create your own fairy foliage with trinkets + decorations — drinks and snacks will be provided.
Bob’s Burgers Trivia Night | Tuesday, Feb. 20 | 7:30 p.m. | Britannia Arms Almaden, 5027 Almaden Expy., San Jose | $8-$24 | Get ready to twerk like Tina, meat other competitors, and win quirky prizes.

Wednesday, Feb. 21

February 2024 Biketivist Forum | Wednesday, Feb. 21 | 5-7 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Hear about upcoming events + plans for May’s Bike Month Celebration.
San Jose Barracuda vs. Coachella Valley Firebirds | Wednesday, Feb. 21 | 7 p.m. | Tech CU Arena, 1500 S. 10th St., San Jose | $13-$62 | The team celebrates Latinx and Hispanic Heritage by turning into Tigres Del Mar for the night — enjoy a pregame block party with lowriders, luchador wrestlers, and face painting.
Open Mic | Wednesday, Feb. 21 | 8 p.m. | San Jose Improv, 62 S. Second St., San Jose | $5 | See local comedians hone their chops, or step up to the mic yourself in this weekly comedy showcase.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Development

The Terraine project, a plan detailing a 17-story housing highrise at 323 Terraine St., is getting revamped plans to include an office tower. The structure would convert a nine-story parking garage into a 232,000-sqft office building. A construction timeline has not yet been announced. (The Mercury News)

Community

San Jose’s transportation department is finalizing a plan to install safety improvements along the six-mile King Road. It will be funded in part by a ~$400,000 Caltrans grant + include medians, more crosswalks, and bus + emergency vehicle-only lanes. Residents are encouraged to provide feedback on the plan at future meetings. (San José Spotlight)

Transit

VTA will offer free rides for those traveling to or from Santa Clara County warming centers, through this Tuesday, Feb. 20. Find one near you, and just let your bus driver know that you’re headed to toasty town.

San Josean

San Jose resident + clothing designer Joslyn West has gained local attention for upcycling discarded textiles and fabrics to make her own clothing collection. Her one-of-a-kind designs have attracted both young and older customers — and you can see where to catch her next on her website. (CBS News)

Legacy

In memory of SJ school teacher Virginia Wright, Shoe Palace is hosting an auction of her 200+ shoe collection to raise money for an SJSU scholarship in her name. Her family hopes to raise at least $50,000 to fund it, and an auction should be live early next month. (KTVU Fox 2)

Plan Ahead

The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus are coming to the SAP Center on a three-day run, Sept. 6-8. Did you know that this show was the inaugural event of the SAP Center‘s opening? This fall’s performances will mark 31 years since that historic four-day run in 1993.

Legacy

🇺🇸 Happy Presidents’ Day

President_George_W._Bush_Presents_Norman_Y._Mineta_with_the_Presidential_Medal_of_Freedom_in_the_East_Room_of_the_White_House

Mr. Mineta receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom. | Photo via Wikimedia Commons

No US presidents have been from San Jose, but we did have one notable San Josean in a president’s Cabinet: Norman Y. Mineta.

Not only was he the longest serving Secretary of Transportation, he was also the first Asian American Cabinet member during President Clinton’s administration.

Mineta was born in San Jose to Japanese immigrants and later served as the first person of color on San Jose City Council + the first Asian American mayor to run a major US city.

As a congressman, he was an advocate for Japanese Americans and championed the legislation that gave a formal apology and compensation to those incarcerated in WWII, like himself.

Mineta's local influence

The Buy

A stylish new collar or leash from Six & Main’s collection for your dog to sport during their favorite time of day (walk time).

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Alyson

From the editor

Curious where to spend the rainy holiday today? Both the Tech Museum + the San Jose Museum of Arts will be open for your exploring and viewing pleasures.

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