San Jose, meet Donatello. | Video via City of San Jose
Capybunga, dude.Happy Hollow Park & Zoo has a new rodent resident — Donatello, a 1-year-old capybara from the Sacramento Zoo (oh hey, SACtoday).
Donatello — named for his habit of picking up sticks with his mouth and “swinging them around like a bo staff,” Ninja Turtles style — is now living with the zoo’s 3-year-old capybara, Wendy.
According to the city, the duo are distant relatives and will not breed, but rather provide one another companionship and create a tiny herd at Happy Hollow. So far, they’ve enjoyed snacking, swimming, and sunbathing, side by side.
The zoo is in the process of expanding the capybaras’ habitat to include a larger yard and more vantage points for visitors that should open later this year.
By the way, the camera loves Donatello so the more angles the better. The capy was a “social media star” at the Sacramento Zoo, and Happy Hollow plans to continue sharing cute videos of him.
Visitors can see the capybaras during normal hours, Wednesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Vietnamese Catholic TET Festival 2025 | Friday, Jan. 31-Sunday, Feb. 2 | Times vary | History Park | Free | The Vietnamese Catholic Community in the Diocese of San Jose will celebrate the Vietnamese New Year with food, games, and performances.
Saturday, Feb. 1
Sebastian Maniscalco | 7 p.m. | SAP Center at San José | $56+ | The actor + comic who has released six comedy specials — including “Is It Me?” on Netflix — performs his “It Ain’t Right Tour.”
The Charli Parti | 8 p.m. | The Ritz | $20+ | Calling all brats — this Charli XCX-themed dance party will be fun right to the core.
Pal-entine’s Pop Up Market | 12-6 p.m. | Three Flames Restaurant | Free | Browse local vendors selling handmade crafts + gifts while celebrating friendship and love on all levels.
Cupertino Village Lunar New Year | 1-3 p.m. | Cupertino Village | Free | Enjoy dance performances and activities for the kids while writing your new year wishes on a card to place on the center’s Wishing Tree for luck + good fortune.
90’s Pop Tour | 8 p.m. | SAP Center at San José | $45+ | The totally rad lineup of ‘90s Latin artists includes Sentidos, Opuestos, Magneto, Kabah, and Lynda.
Comedians and Empanadas | 6-8 p.m. | Casa Guzmania | Free | Grub on empanadas while sharing laughs with talented Bay Area comedians at this monthly event.
San Jose City Council appointed engineering exec Carl Salas to fill the interim District 3 seat for the next two months. A special election will be held Tuesday, April 8 to fill the seat through 2026, but Salas won’t be on that ballot. If necessary, a runoff will follow in late June. (San Jose Inside)
Community
The San Jose Fire Department (SJFD) is understaffed, with 0.64 firefighters per 1,000 residents. SJFD Capt. Jerry May said the agency is one of the busiest in the nation and is “at a breaking point.” Per May, locals who would like to advocate for more firefighters may contact their city leaders. (The Mercury News)
Announced
Let the games begin. San Jose hired Olympian-turned-sports exec Tommy O’Hare as its new sports and special events director, effective Monday, Feb. 3. The “sports czar” will coordinate marquee events coming to SJ in 2026 including Super Bowl LX, NCAA Men’s West Regional Basketball Tournament, and the FIFA World Cup.
Open
CEO Noodles is now open on East Santa Clara Street in downtown SJ. The dine-in and takeout menu includes appetizers, noodle bowls, pho, and hot dishes like the CEO Kobe Beef Pot. The restaurant is open daily, 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m.
Real Estate
Bay Area home sales increased by 9% in 2024, including in Santa Clara County where the median sales price went up by 9.3% to $1.9 million. Experts believe buyers and sellers are coming to terms with higher interest rates. Further recovery is expected in 2025 as local inventory remains tight. (The Mercury News)
Sports
Bay FC dropped its preseason roster and 2025 regular season schedule, which includes the team’s home opener against Racing Louisville on Saturday, March 22. The team will play 12 additional matches at home through mid-October — single match tickets should go on sale soon.
Travel
Vegas, baby. After a 5-year hiatus, San Jose Mineta International Airport announced Delta Air Lines will relaunch a nonstop flight from SJC to Las Vegas starting Wednesday, May 7. Feeling lucky? The route takes 1.5 hours — roll the dice, book the trip.
Plan Ahead
The South Bay Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Festival is coming to History Park on Saturday, May 17. The event will include live performances, local small business booths, crafts, and community discussions designed to honor cultures and strengthen connections. Vendor applications are open.
Job
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Wellness
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Health
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†Please note: Comparison based on 12-month plan prices for compounded semaglutide from 12 leading competitors as of December 2024.
City Guide
City Guide
🍕 In SJ pizza we crust
Step in for a Slice of New York. | Photo via @asliceofny
Whenever we’re feeling saucy, we like to dig into a slice of local pizza. San Jose’s pizza scene is bubbling with options — we’ve pie-oneered a list of 30+ places to grab pizza that are definitely worth the dough.
Local legends
A Slice of New York The only South Bay spot to make Yelp’s Top 100 Places for Pizza in 2022, this pizzeria serves New York-style, thin-crust pies. Meat lovers should snag a slice of the Rockefeller Center.
Fancier fare
Pizza Antica This artisan pizza spot began 20+ years ago in Santana Row and has since expanded to Lafayette. We recommend the Heirloom Potato pie made with caramelized onion and white truffle oil.
Variety is the ‘slice’ of life
Pizza Presidente This spot offers several Mexican-inspired pies including the Al Pastor Pizza, Carne Asada Pizza, and Birria Pizza featuring tender birria, red onions, cilantro, and a side of consomme. You’ll also find wings, salads, burgers, sandwiches, and pastas on the menu.
Olympian, USNWT superstar, and San Jose native Naomi Girma is officially the most expensive player in women’s soccer. Girma — who went to Pioneer High School — is moving from San Diego Wave FC to Chelsea after the teams agreed to a world-record $1.1 million transfer fee.
Chelsea had long-standing interest in Girma and, according to ESPN, the 24-year-old defender could be the cornerstone of the team for the next decade. SJ is proud of you, Naomi — go get ‘em.
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