Fountain finally getting fixed
You’ve probably noticed that the popular fountains at downtown San Jose’s Plaza de Cesar Chavez haven’t been operational at all this summer, but there’s good news on the horizon: The city hopes to have the delightful geysers going by the end of the month.
The unexpected shutdown stemmed from a valve malfunction last winter that flooded the fountain’s underground vault, which contains its pumps and electrical systems. All the damaged equipment has been replaced, but PG&E still needs to restore power to the fountain, which it expects to do next week. Then the city has to test the system to make sure everything is working as it should, including filters and ultraviolet light systems.
Carolina Camarena, spokeswoman for San Jose’s Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services department, says the
city is working to get the downtown icons up as soon as possible.
“Our priority is public safety,” Camarena said. “But we are very well aware that it’s a big draw for our community and for visitors to San Jose. It’s our goal to get it up and running before the summer season ends.”
The fountain, which has an array of geysers that shoot water several feet in the air, is a popular and free way to cool off for families living in or visiting the downtown area. Camarena says that until it’s back up and running, the Camden, Rotary Ryland and Mayfair swimming pools are open to the public. They aren’t free, but daily admission is $3-$6.
SUSHI CONFIDENTIAL’S
OUTDOOR PARTY »
When they cut the ribbon on Sushi Confidential’s courtyard patio in downtown San Jose on Wednesday, it should have been made of red tape. That was a big reason the renovation of the popular eatery’s outdoor space took nearly two years to complete.
“There were a lot of bets on whether we’d get the outdoor venue open before BART got here to San Jose, and I’m glad you guys just barely made it,” Mayor Sam Liccardo joked.
But owners Randy Musterer, better known as “Sushi Randy,” and Caanan Meagher were all smiles at the opening party, which drew about 200 people. “We were hoping to be open before Super Bowl 50, we kinda missed that one,” Meagher said. “We were hoping to be open for the Sharks Stanley Cup, and we got halfway open for that one.”
So what took so long? The plumbing and other work done on the patio by the previous tenant, Sonoma Chicken Coop, had to be undone and reinstalled from scratch. That meant several rounds of design changes, permits and inspections. But with everything finally complete, plans are in place to fill up the patio this summer, including during next month’s San Jose Jazz Summer Fest, when the patio will serve as one of the festival stages. FOLLOW THE MONEY » Journalist John Adams’ documentary “Dark Money” — a look at the impact of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision — will be screened in downtown San Jose Monday. Following the film, Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez will moderate a panel discussion about the film with Adams, CALMatters editor Dan Morain and Ann Ravel, the former chair of the Federal Elections Commission that many in the valley remember from her days as Santa Clara County Counsel.
The 6:30 p.m. screening, co-presented by Santa Clara County and Cinema Club Silicon Valley, is sold out but you can get on a waiting list at www. eventbrite.com (search for “Dark Money”). BOCCE BONANZA » San Jose Sports Authority Executive Director John Poch hosted a huge Bocce Battle at his family’s home, complete with Italian dinner, that raised more than $40,000 for a trio of good causes. The Sparta Sigs, led by team captain Bill Tamblyn, beat out the duo of Scott Rees and Nathan Sanders to capture the title. On top of the coveted Golden Chalice trophy, the winning team will receive a table at the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame ceremony, to be held at SAP Center this fall.
The events beneficiaries were the Mariucci Family Foundations Football Camp for the Stars, the REACH Youth Scholarship program and the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame.
LAST SHOT: ON SUNDAY, THE SAN JOSE MUSEUM OF QUILTS AND TEXTILES CLOSES AN AMAZING TRIO OF EXHIBITIONS FOCUSED ON SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES, WHICH INCLUDES
THE MUST-SEE “GUNS » Loaded Conversations.” As a final program on Sunday to go with those exhibitions, the museum and Stanford University Law Professor John J. Donohue III are presenting, “Bang! Bang! Discussing America’s Second Amendment,” a presentation and Q&A on the polarizing topic. The discussion runs from 3 to 5 p.m. and is $25 to attend ($15 for members). Go to www. sjquiltmuseum.org for details.