Another fabulous event is being put on by Dishcrawl this weekend. The inaugural San Jose Beerwalk is making its way to Japantown near downtown San Jose. 15+ beers will be poured by restaurants and retailers throughout Japantown. Get your glass and stroll Jackson Street sampling local microbrews while enjoying the culture and history of this unique corner of downtown San Jose. The event is being hosted by Jack’s Bar & Lounge and Dishcrawl, and a portion of the ticket price benefits the Japantown Business Association. To find out more, or to purchase tickets, visit http://www.dishcrawl.com/dishcrawl/193.

What: San Jose Beerwalk

Where: Japantown – Jackson Street between 4th and 6th Streets in downtown San Jose.

When: Saturday, February 11, 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm

The 2012 Silicon Valley International Auto Show starts Thursday and runs through Sunday at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center in downtown San Jose. Come test drive a Ford, Toyota, Chrysler, Chevy, Buick or GMC. See the latest electric vehicles such as the Ford Focus Electric, the Chevrolet Volt, the Nissan LEAF™, the latest from Fisker, and the CODA EV Sedan. Vehicles making their debut at the Silicon Valley Auto Show include the Fiat 500, the Hyundai Velostar, and the Mazda3. Other highlights of the show include: the Exotic Vehicle Collection featuring Bentley, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Rolls Royce and Lotus; the Sony Digital Link Sound System (DSP) Demonstration; Main Hobbies RC Exhibit; and Corvette and Ferrari Club Displays. For more information visit www.motortrendautoshows.com/sanjose.

What: 2012 Silicon Valley International Auto Show

Where: San Jose McEnery Convention Center
150 W. San Carlos Street in downtown San Jose

When: Thursday, January 5 – Sunday, January 8
Thursday – Saturday 10:00am – 10:00pm
Sunday 10:00am – 6:00pm

If you’re still looking for something to do on New Year’s Eve, there is still plenty of time to plan a fabulous night out in downtown San Jose. From comedy to clubs, there’s something for everyone to do.

ComedySportz
288 So. 2nd Street
10:00 pm show will feature a countdown to midnight, party favors, and dessert. Visit comedysportzsanjose.com for more information.

Agenda Lounge
399 So. 1st Street
New Year’s Eve Explosion – 2 levels of New Year’s Eve fun – great DJs, live countdown, party favors, balloons, champagne toast. Hotel packages with Club entrance available. Visit www.agendalounge.com for more information.

Fahrenheit Ultra Lounge
99 E. San Fernando Street
New Year’s Eve Celebration featuring a live countdown and balloon drop at midnight, champagne toast, hosted open bar and buffet. Visit www.fahrenheitsj.com for more information

Poor House Bistro
91 So. Autumn Street
New Year’s Eve Party Inside the House – Drinks, dinner and dancing to live music. Reservations are required. Visit www.poorhousebistro.com for more information.

The San Jose Fairmont Hotel
170 So. Market Street
The New Year’s Eve Black Tie Gala – Celebrate in style at the Fairmont Hotel. Your evening starts with a champagne reception, followed by a 5-course gourmet dinner with wine pairings. You’ll enjoy dancing and a champagne toast at midnight. Other packages available. Visit www.fairmont.com/san jose for more information.

And just for the kids…

Children’s Discovery Museum
180 Woz Way
Noon Year’s Eve – make noise makers, decorate party hats, and participate in a countdown. For more information visit www.cdm.org.

Most important, please be safe – Don’t Drink and Drive.
VTA will be offering free service on all light rail and bus lines from 7:00 pm Saturday until 3:59 am Sunday.

At the San Jose Downtown Association’s (SJDA) winter board meeting last Friday, the long-rumored decision was finally made and the plug was pulled on downtown San Jose’s Music in the Park.

The popular concert series started out in 1989 as a Friday lunchtime series. The following year it moved to Thursday nights. Music in the Park has hosted such acclaimed acts as Tower of Power, Pete Escovedo, Smash Mouth, Greg Kihn, and Third Eye Blind, just to name a few.

Downtown residents and merchants were becoming more and more frustrated with the types of crowds some of the acts were drawing. What was once a family friendly environment had recently turned into an old Day on the Green atmosphere, with a smoky haze wafting over the crowd, and groups of hooligans congregating at the south end of the park. A stabbing in the downtown McDonald’s parking lot in June seems to have sealed the fate of the downtown San Jose musical institution.

The SJDA will continue to support other summer events such as Starlight Cinemas, the Downtown San Jose’s Farmers’ Market at San Pedro Square, South First Fridays, and Dine Downtown restaurant week. They also announced plans for new programming that will be aimed at downtown San Jose professionals, residents and families. Some of the new programming includes:

• HER city – An after-work event aimed at women that will include downtown social activities built around food, beverages, networking and beauty and spa services.
• FUNday SUNday – Perfect for families, FUNday SUNday will take advantage of our perfect California weather and will combine music, dance and interactive activities.
• Sounds of Summer - events aimed to take downtown San Jose’s emerging status as a live music destination to new levels. The SJDA will partner with other groups and producers and use its promotional expertise to help promote new and existing marquee events like Left Coast Live.

And while we’ll miss Music in the Park, as a downtown San Jose high-rise condo resident, I’m looking forward to some new and exciting events.

Hip hop fans are in for an early Christmas present this week when both the Watch the Throne Tour and The Triple Ho Show 2.0 come to downtown San Jose’s HP Pavilion.

Kanye West and Jay-Z bring their wildly popular Watch the Throne Tour to the HP Pavilion on Wednesday, December 14. The elaborate stage show features both rappers performing hits from their Watch the Throne album, as well as solo performances by both artists. Tickets are still available. Visit www.hppavilion.com for more information or to purchase tickets.

The night before, Tuesday, December 13, radio station NOW 99.7 presents the Triple Ho Show 2.0. The concert features performances by Pitbull, Taio Cruz, LMFAO, Selena Gomez, Gym Class Heroes, Breathe Carolina, and Jessie & the Toy Boys. Tickets are still available. Visit www.997now.radio.com for more information or to purchase tickets.

Silicon Valley and downtown San Jose food banks and social service agencies are collecting donations to help the needy this Thanksgiving and holiday season. Here is a list of downtown San Jose and Silicon Valley charities that need assistance.

The Unity Care Group is seeking cash contributions, as well as Christmas trees, holiday decorations, blankets, toys and $25 gift cards to brighten the holiday season for hundreds of foster youth and families in need. Suggested retailers for gift cards include, but are not limited to: Target, Walmart, JCPenny, Old Navy, Macy’s, Red Robin, Westfield Shopping Center and movie theaters. (408) 510-3480, www.unitycare.org.

A Cup of Cold Water is collecting gift cards for grocers for the homeless in any amount. Donations can be mailed to A Cup of Cold Water, c/o AACSA, 304 N. Sixth Street, San Jose, CA, 95112. Contact Yvette Scott at acupofcoldwater@sbcglobal.net or call (408) 839-3648.

The Portuguese Community Center is seeking donations of food, clothing, toiletries, toothbrushes and toys for the needy. The center is located at 1115 E. Santa Clara Street in downtown San Jose. (408) 293-0877, www.portuguesecenter.org.

The Bill Wilson Center, which serves more than 10,000 children, teens and adults, including homeless and runaway youth, every year, needs jackets, blankets, sleeping bags, new socks and underwear, toiletries, cash and gift cards. The center is at 3490 The Alameda in Santa Clara. Call to schedule a drop-off. (408) 243-0222, www.billwilsoncenter.org.

The Family Giving Tree grants the holiday wishes of more than 60,000 very low-income children in Silicon Valley and throughout the Bay Area. Pick up a child’s wish card in the South Bay at participating Wells Fargo Banks and Peet’s Coffee locations or sponsor a child’s wish online. (408) 946-3111, www.familygivingtree.org.

Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara County is seeking nonperishable canned food items in the form of tuna, powdered milk, peanut butter, canned meats and stews (pop-top lids appreciated), low-sodium canned vegetables, canned fruit packed in juice, hot and cold low-sugar cereals, 100% fruit juices, dry beans, rice and pastas. The agency serves nearly 250,000 people each month. Volunteers are also needed. Donations can be dropped off at 750 Curtner Avenue, San Jose. Call (408) 266-8866 for a drop-off schedule, or go to www.shfb.org.

Martha’s Kitchen, a private non-profit, community-based agency, needs frozen turkeys and five-pound canned hams. Donations may be dropped off 311 Willow Street in downtown San Jose, from 6:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays; 5:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Tuesdays-Wednesdays, through Dec. 22. (408) 293-6111, www.marthas-kitchen.org.

EHC LifeBuilders needs financial support to purchase food to serve more than 1,000 meals a day this winter at San Jose’s largest shelter. The shelter is also asking for ham, turkey, coffee, sugar, vegetable oil, socks, T-shirts, rain ponchos, hats, gloves, hooded sweatshirts, sweatpants, gift cards and laundry soap. Please donate items at 2011 Little Orchard Street. Volunteers are needed to prepare and serve meals. (408) 539-2133, www.ehclifebuilders.org.

InnVision serves 29,000 people a year at 25 locations, providing emergency shelter, transitional and supportive housing, and multi-service centers throughout Silicon Valley. The agency needs monetary donations and retail gift cards to support the homeless and at-risk clients during the wet winter months and to keep programs open year round. Other needs include fleece blankets, sleeping bags, warm winter coats, new socks and toys. Drop off food at the Julian Street Inn, 546 W. Julian Street in downtown San Jose, Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 6:00 pm. Clothing donations, linens and toiletries can be dropped off Monday through Thursday from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm at the Georgia Travis Center, 297 Commercial Street, San Jose. (408) 292-4286. Checks can be sent to InnVision Administrative Offices, 1900 The Alameda, Suite 400, San Jose, CA 95126, or donations may be made online at www.InnVision.org.

It’s beginning to look a lot like…winter. Downtown Ice is returning to downtown San Jose’s Circle of Palms this Friday, November 18. The ice rink will be open daily. This year the skating season will be extended to January 29, 2012,  to coincide with the U.S. Figure Skating Championships taking place at the HP Pavilion January 22 – 29, 2012. Olympic gold medalist, Kristi Yamaguchi, who again was instrumental in bringing Downtown Ice back to San Jose, will be at the Opening Ceremony at 5:00 pm on Monday, November 21.

Although the prices to skate have stayed the same from last year, there are plenty of ways to save a few dollars. Discounts are available with a valid VTA, Light Rail, or Bus pass. You can also save with the Discover Downtown Card. Look for 2-for-1 deals on the Downtowner Online at www.sjdowntown.com, by following facebook.com/sjdowntown, or by clipping discount coupons from the El Observador and Silicon Valley Community newspapers. Special discounts are also available to arts patrons, Children’s Discovery Museum members and Sharks ticket holders.

There are three Monday night Bring Your Own Skates Nights on November 28, January 9, and January 23. Bring your Own Skates and skate for FREE!

Private and corporate parties are available at Downtown Ice. Check their website at www.sjdowntown.com/downtownice.html for more information.

Join the United Veterans Council as they present the 93rd annual Veterans Day Parade on Friday, November 11, in downtown San Jose. The event will begin with an Opening Ceremony at 11:00 am at Plaza de Cesar Chavez followed by Northern California’s largest Veterans Day Parade at noon. The parade to honor all the brave men and women who served or are currently serving our country will begin at Delmas and Santa Clara Streets near the HP Pavilion and travel east to Market Street, ending at San Carlos Street. So come to downtown San Jose, grab some real estate along Santa Clara Street, and show your patriotism and honor our vets.

Wednesday, November 16, is the next social event put on by the San Jose Downtown Residents Association (SJDRA). The Evening Social will take place at La Piñata Restaurant in San Pedro Square from 7:00 pm - 8:30pm. Get to know your fellow high-rise residential complex and downtown San Jose neighbors while enjoying $3.00 beers, $5.00 house margaritas, and food specials. For more information or to RSVP, go to www.sjpeople.org.

What: SJDRA Evening Social

When: Wednesday, November 16, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Where: La Piñata Restaurant in downtown San Jose
17 N. San Pedro Street, a block south of City Heights high rise complex

Even though the much-anticipated grand opening event didn’t happen on October 22, there’s still much to be excited about at the new San Pedro Square Market in downtown San Jose. Slowly but surely, space is filling up and there are some exciting vendors and events to talk about.

The San Pedro Square Market Bar is located on a piece of real estate once home to the historic El Dorado Bakery. The bar will serve as a meeting place for people to enjoy a cocktail or take a leisurely stroll throughout the entire 50,000 square foot project. The bar has a wide selection of specialty drinks and eight beers on tap. It opens onto the amazing 18,000 square foot Peralta Adobe Plaza which will offer daily entertainment for people of all ages.

Store Hours
Monday-Thursday 4:00 pm - Midnight
Fridays 11:00 am- Midnight
Saturday & Sunday 10:00 am - 9:00 pm

Pizza Bocca Lupo is the first Neapolitan pizzeria in the South Bay that bakes in a hand-made brick oven imported from Naples. The oven cooks the pizza in 1-2 minutes at very high temperatures giving them a distinct taste and texture. The pizza will be baked using the same ingredients as the best pizzerias in Naples: very fine Tipo 00 flour, authentic San Marzano Tomatoes grown in the volcanic soil of Mount Vesuvius, fresh mozzarella (buffalo or cow), and more.

Store Hours
Monday – Wednesday 11:00 am - 1:30 pm & 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Thursday – 11:00 am - 1:30 pm & 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Friday - 11:30am - 2:00pm & 5:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Saturday - 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
Sunday - 11:00 am - 8:30 pm

Vino Vino Wine Bar knows there are a lot of people out there that are fans of wine but hate the attitude that sometimes comes with it. They emphasize great music, great food and, of course, great wine. Vino Vino offers 13 wines on tap and another 3-dozen in the bottle, featuring local wineries. Click here to check out their food and wine menu.

Store Hours
Monday - Friday open at 11:30AM
Saturday & Sunday open at 2:00 PM

Crewners is a unique, single-chair, full service barbershop providing exceptional customer service in a nostalgic and relaxing atmosphere. Integrating vintage decor with modern furnishings distinguishes Crewners Barbershop above any others. Crewners mission is to provide the utmost level of service and professionalism while maintaining the integrity and distinction their customers deserve.

Store Hours
Tuesday - Thursday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Friday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday - Monday Closed

The San Pedro Square Market offers music and entertainment most nights of the week. San Jose Sharks away games are shown throughout the bar area and projected outside onto a 13-foot screen. Many special events will be taking place at the Market like the upcoming Tamale Making Workshops.

Come check it out. The San Pedro Square Market is destined to become one of the coolest places to be in downtown San Jose. Check back here often upcoming news on new tenants.

The San Pedro Square Market is located at 87 N. San Pedro Street on the corner of W. St. John Street in downtown San Jose. For more information visit their website at www.sanpedrosquaremarket.com.