Remodel closes Fairmont’s Lobby Lounge over holidays
If one of your traditions is stopping by the Fairmont San Jose’s Lobby Lounge during a visit to Christmas in the Park, you’re going to have to alter those plans this holiday season.
The Lobby Lounge, a downtown hotspot throughout the year, is closed and walled off as part of a fivemonth remodel that’s only the first phase of an 18-month makeover for the hotel’s ground floor.
Thousands of people visit Christmas in the Park each year, and the Lobby Lounge — with its festive holiday decorations and ample seating — is a common meeting spot for people looking to enjoy a glass of Christmas cheer.
The remodel is expected to stretch into early 2020, and the reason it’s taking so long is that we’re not just talking about moving tables or changing the carpet. From the sound of jackhammers audible in the lobby area, the space is being structurally altered, and it should be a major transformation from what’s been there since the hotel opened in 1987.
And while this may all seem like a huge lump of coal in our social stocking, all is not lost. During the Lobby Lounge’s closure, the Fairmont has added a temporary bar and TVS to the Fountain restaurant near the hotel’s north entrance.
Dinner has been added to the menu, and the bar is open until midnight (the kitchen closes at 11 p.m.). The Fountain also has a view of the Kristi Yamaguchi Downtown Ice skating rink, which the San Jose Downtown Association will open Nov. 15.
The Grill on the Alley, attached to the Fairmont, reopened its bar this summer after a remodel that took more than a year to complete — and while I’m not a huge fan of the new decor, the drinks, food and staff haven’t missed a beat.
ONE FOR THE BOOKS >> Marketing maven Susannah Greenwood signed books and encouraged spirited readings Wednesday of the newly released second edition of “100 Things to Do in San Jose Before You Die.”
She says about 20% of the material in the new version has changed since the first edition was published in 2015. Yes, life changes pretty quickly around here in Silicon Valley.
A quick perusal turns up that many of the changes are due to restaurants, arts organizations and events going belly up. (Maybe it should have been titled “100 Things to Do in San Jose Before They Die.”) But it’s comforting to know that for every Vyne Bistro we lose, there’s a Vegan Donut and Cafe to replace it.
At the launch event, held at 3Below Theaters, Greenwood said this edition is more about people than things.
“It’s about places where you can meet San Jose people who will introduce you to the experiences you won’t read about in any book,” she said.
And if you’re feeling like you missed out, Greenwood has an appearance at Books Inc. in Mountain View at 7 p.m. Thursday.
PHOTO OPPORTUNITY >> Amos Nachoum, considered one of the greatest underwater photographers of all time, couldn’t resist taking pictures — on land — of the audience from backstage after the soldout screening of “Picture of His Life” at the Silicon Valley Jewish Film Festival in Palo Alto last Sunday.
Nachoum was on hand with director Dani Menkin and producer Ori Eisen for a discussion of the documentary, which explores the photographer’s quest to swim with and photograph a polar bear.
The Silicon Valley Jewish Film Festival continues through Nov. 17, and you can get schedule and ticket information at svjff.org.
ARTISTIC SALE >> The Alameda Artworks in San Jose continues its 10th annual Fall Open Studios today, featuring work by more than two dozen artists as well as gifts, greeting cards and other specialty items.
You can start your holiday shopping early but with a clear conscience, as a portion of each art purchase will be donated to Sacred Heart Community Service.
The event runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1068 The Alameda. Get more info at thealamedaartworks.com.
NOVEMBER IS FOR HIPHOP >> Stones Throw Records founder Peanut Butter Wolf will be back in his hometown Thursday to help the San Jose Public Library celebrate Hip-hop History Month.
The Los Angeles-based DJ, whose real name is Chris Manak, will talk about his career and his passion for music at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Main Library. The 6 p.m. discussion will be moderated by David Ma and Demone Carter, two of the hosts of the Dad Bod Rap Pod podcast.
Get more details on this event and others taking place during Hip-hop History Month at sjpl.org/hiphop.
WATER YA GONNA DO? >> Even as we head into San Jose’s alleged rainy season, lots of people have questions about what’s going on with their water rates and quality, conservation and more.
If that’s you, San Jose Water is having an open house at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Almaden Community Center at 6445 Camden Ave. The evening includes a presentation and the opportunity to ask questions and look at interactive displays.