A streetscape mural by artist Lila Gemelos depicts the East Santa Clara Street Business Association’s new East Village branding on the 10th Street-facing wall of Vegan Bistro & Cafe in San Jose. (Sal Pizarro/Bay Area News Group)
Have you been to San Jose’s new East Village? Maybe you’ve been there without even realizing it. East Santa Clara Street is the new branding of the East Santa Clara Street Business Association, a stretch along the city’s main artery just east of downtown.
Some might snort at the New York style of the name, but it’s a lot easier to refer to in conversation.
The rebranding effort has been underway gradually since last year, but it got more attention this month with the addition of artwork near the busy intersection of East Santa Clara Boulevard and 10th Avenue. There, artist Lila Gemelos painted a streetscape mural marking the way into downtown, and artist and designer Luis Luna (aka Artes Luna) colorfully decorated two of the intersection’s sidewalk railings, both of which prominently display the name “East Village San Jose.”
So what’s so great about East Village San Jose? You may not realize it, but this neighborhood is one of the best in the city for vegetarian and vegan food, with establishments like Punjabi Cafe, Vegan Bistro and Cafe, Tofu Kom Chai, and Vegetarian House.
Dining options include Pho Passion, Last Round Tavern, and Kali Noodles and Tea Bar, as well as retailers such as Needle to the Groove records, Neu2u Thrift Boutique, Flowers By Ivy, Spirit Bros. clothing store, and Foto Express. Also located within the area are the Roosevelt Community Center, Roosevelt Park, Our Lady of La Vang Church, and San Jose’s iconic Wienerschnitzel drive-thru.
All of these places existed when the neighborhood had its old name, but it’s impressive to say they’re all now in the East Village.
Shark Hunting: The San Jose Sharks are trying to get their fans excited ahead of the NHL Entry Draft on June 28, where the team will have its coveted No. 1 pick. You may remember seeing a teal cardboard cutout of the No. 1 pick with a nibble on it making the rounds around San Jose and other cities earlier this month.
The team is currently hosting a “Chomp & Seek” hockey puck search game with prizes available for anyone who finds the puck. Puck searches took place in Downtown San Jose on Thursday and in Willow Glen on Friday. Stay tuned to the team’s social media feeds at x.com/sanjosesharks and instagram.com/sanjosesharks to see where the puck is next. And don’t forget, you can also attend the Draft Watch Party at the SAP Center with tickets at www.sanjosesharks.com.
Influential people: Shozo Kagoshima went from knowing all the secrets of the Winchester Mystery House to discovering the most beautiful site at Hakone Estate and Gardens, but after nine years as executive director of the picturesque historic Japanese garden in Saratoga, Kagoshima decided it was time to move on.
“After 48 years in the travel industry, it’s time to turn back the keys and enjoy retirement,” he said. “Ironically, I’ve only had two professional jobs in my life, and both of them were related to historic buildings.”
Kagoshima won’t depart for several months to give Hakone’s board time to find a replacement. Interested? Visit www.hakone.com/employment.
Another historical resource is also seeking new leadership, with Computer History Museum CEO Dan Lewin announcing he will step down from the Mountain View museum after six years. Lewin, who took the post in 2018 after nearly 17 years as a Microsoft executive, has led the museum through the pandemic and helped raise about $75 million in fundraising during his tenure.
After two notices of departure, it’s nice to see someone new on the board, this time Nicole Kim, who will be executive director of the Adaptive Arts College as it celebrates its 15th anniversary. Kim, a longtime CAA professor, is now director of the school’s business school. She’ll be succeeding founder Deanna Parsai, though Parsai won’t be going very far: She’ll be taking on the role of director of development and community outreach for the college.
Lunch Around the World: Celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, Montalvo Service Group will once again host its Wednesday Lunch Series at the historic villa at the Montalvo Arts Center in Saratoga throughout July and August. The lunches, which began in 1977, are catered by Café Primavera and reflect the cuisines of various countries, with a vegetarian menu each week.
It kicks off with “An Afternoon in France” on July 10 and continues on its world tour with South of the Border Fusion (July 17), Lunch on the Italian Riviera (July 24), Asian Fusion (July 31), Main Street USA (August 7) and Escape to Greece (August 14). With seatings at noon, 12:30 and 1pm, lunches are priced at $70 each and each includes a fashion show, with proceeds helping to maintain the villa and its grounds.
To see the menu and purchase tickets, visit montalvoarts.org/luncheon.
Take it easy: You’ve heard of playing with food, but racing with food? That’s the spirit of the Zucchini Car Races at the Los Gatos Farmers Market this Sunday, where participants will try their best to outdo their opponents. The race starts at 11 a.m. at the market, which is located in the Los Gatos Town Plaza at the intersection of Main Street and North Santa Cruz Avenue.
