The San Jose Public Library won the philanthropic equivalent of the Stanley Cup on Friday, as the Sharks Foundation announced a $200,000 community grant — its largest ever — to fund a new play space for kids 5 and under at the downtown Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Main Library.
The Wee Explore area, expected to open this spring in the bustling Children’s Room, will be filled with experiences to spark curiosity, and many things will have hockey or shark-related themes. There’s a Spycraft, an opportunity for “underwater” exploration without getting wet; a Pretend Garden Cafe; and a baby-specific area filled with colorful ovals. It’ll be open seven days a week and open to the public.
“The Children’s Room is a special place where kids can learn to read and experience books for the first time,” San Jose Librarian Jill Bourne said. “In this new space, we’ll engage our kids to learn through open-ended play and exploration.”
There were plenty of cheers for Sharks players Evander Kane and Mario Ferraro, who joined team executive John Torotora at the library to make the announcement, and stuck around to read stories to and answer questions from the dozens of kids who were there. The biggest cheers, though, went to lovable mascot S.J. Sharkie, who showed up after storytime ended to pose for photos with families.
It’s been a big year of partnership between the Sharks and the San Jose Public Library, which has issued 18,000 Sharks-themed library cards since they were introduced last year. Tortora also announced that the San Jose Public Library Foundation will be the beneficiary of the team’s 50/50 Raffle at five home games in February.
STATE OF THE COUNTY IS MULTICULTURAL: On Wednesday evening, Santa Clara County kicked off 2020 — the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage — with the first State of the County address delivered by Board of Supervisors President Cindy Chavez, the first woman to do so in a decade. A massive crowd showed up, too, with more than 800 people packing the board chambers, the Isaac Newton Senter auditorium and the building’s cafeteria.
It was a multicultural affair, too, with music provided by the Emmanuel Baptist Church Praise Team, Alum Rock Mariachi Tradicional, the Lincoln High School choir and the Emmanuel Youth Choir from Our Lady of La Vang Church all performing. Reception appetizers were provided by an international slate of local eateries — Chacho’s, Pho Viet Restaurant, Swaad Indian Cuisine — plus Chef Mo’s, Monalisa DiAngelo’s cafe and catering business at the County Government Center.
In her address, Chavez reiterated the county’s commitment to tackle income inequality, domestic violence and housing. You can watch a video of the speech on YouTube.
CARBONATED FINISH FOR VIVA CALLESJ: The route for the May 17 edition of Viva CalleSJ — the car-free event that opens about six miles of San Jose streets to pedestrians, cyclists, skaters and more — will run from Alum Rock Avenue and White Road in East San Jose through San Jose State University before finishing up on South First Street near Virginia. The route map, which you can see at vivacallesj.org., labels the end point as “SoDA” — a bubbly-sounding moniker that I’m guessing is shorthand for South Downtown Area.
From a marketing perspective, I can see all sorts of possibilities here: Banners that say “Shaking it up in SoDA” or “SoDA Really Pops.” Maybe Coca-Cola or Pepsi could pour some of their money into SoDA.
Of course, with its proximity to the arty district called SoFA (South First Area), the area could have been called “SoSoFA.” But as a name that is probably only so-so.
CELEBRATING AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE: San Jose Vice Mayor Chappie Jones is joining forces with the Silicon Valley chapter of the NAACP on Monday to host the ninth annual flag raising ceremony at San Jose City Hall to commemorate African American History Month. At the 5:30 p.m. event, which is open to the public, the U.S. and Pan-African flags will be raised at City Hall Plaza, followed by a reception in the rotunda featuring a keynote address by Malia Cohen, chair of the state Board of Equalization.
BRAMLETT BACK ON COURSE: Saratoga native Joseph Bramlett — who first hit the PGA Tour in 2010 — has received this year’s Charlie Sifford Memorial exemption to the Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club. The announcement was made Tuesday by none other than Tiger Woods, who shares Stanford as an alma mater with Bramlett.
Bramlett — who has bounced back from debilitating back injuries that sidelined his pro golf career — is the first two-time recipient of the Sifford award. The award has annually been given to a golfer with a minority background since 2009. Bramlett, who has a rare honorary membership at the San Jose Country Club, also received it in 2011.
“It’s great seeing Joseph back on Tour,” Woods said in the announcement. “The determination to rebuild his swing and regain his card shows the perseverance Charlie would have admired. I look forward to seeing Joseph at Riviera this year.” The tournament opens Feb. 13 in Pacific Palisades.
VINTAGE YEAR FOR TESTAROSSA: We’re raising a glass to Los Gatos’ Testarossa Winery, which has been named the 2019 Winery of the Year by Connoisseurs’ Guide to California Wine. Owners Rob and Diana Jensen say this is a huge honor for them since Connoisseur’s Guide is what they used to discover the best wines when they were first exploring wines 30 years ago.It’s also the second time Testarossa, which produces pinot noir and chardonnay at the historic Novitiate Winery, has received such a distinction, after being Restaurant Wine’s Winery of the Year in 2004.