July 8, 2004

Food for thought

Business mixer spotlights new eatery,
while members discuss future of city’s entertainment venues

By Kymberli W. Brady
Staff Writer

In lieu of a formal monthly morning meeting, a warm, sunny afternoon found more than 35 members of the business community munching on taquitos and quesadillas at the new Baja Fresh location on Blossom Hill Road during the Almaden Business Association [ABA] networking mixer on July 1.

While only the group’s second evening event since its inception just over a year ago, the twice-successful format has prompted the implementation of more like it on a regular basis.

“Everybody really seems to enjoy this as a forum for us to get together,” said ABA co-chair Doug Keller. “It helps develop personal relationships and helps us get to know each other on a more personal level.”

Organized by District 10 City Council candidate Rich De La Rosa, with the aid of Costco marketing director Rosie Quinonez and Matt Kamkar of CCC Engineers, the event was hosted by Baja Fresh owner Jeff Burrill in an effort to get the business community more acquainted with the eatery that has already become popular with Almaden families.

“We couldn’t be more excited to be here,” said Burrill, who opened the Mexican grill last November near his home in Almaden—one of eight he has started during the past four years. “We thought Baja Fresh would be another great option for the good people in this area. This is our latest and the one closest to my heart,” he added. “I can bring my family here all the time.”

After opening, Baja Fresh jumped head first into the community. In addition to sponsoring the Almaden Little League, it continues to host ongoing community fundraisers and donates 15 percent of the money raised back to the school or organization. “We really believe in supporting the community,” he exclaimed. “Be it local schools or a cause that you may be affiliated with.”

Supervisor Don Gage was scheduled to be the evening’s speaker, but met with a minor injury and was unable to attend. Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce President Jim Cunneen agreed to fill in and touched on the increasingly ominous climate affecting the arts and professional sports teams in San Jose.

Troubled with the community’s inability to embrace what he referred to as “lifestyle demand venues,” the former assemblyman spoke of the dire need for more community conversation and participation at the grassroots level to prevent future losses, such as the now bankrupt CyberRays. Although the San Jose Earthquakes brought home a world championship, there is talk that they may soon move to Houston. Rumors continue to raise concerns that that the San Jose Division One football team will soon be downgraded to Division Two. And the once defunct San Jose Symphony continues to struggle with an attempted comeback, while various other venues face devastating consequences.

“I have deep concerns that we are becoming a community that can’t instead of a community that can,” he said.

“San Jose and the Silicon Valley have not been as embracing as we should be. There are other metropolitan areas that support multiple sports teams and great arts organizations. These are the kinds of things that make a community proud. These are the kinds of organizations that give us a sense of belonging.”

Starting with the ABA, Cunneen called the community to action, noting that while it may not always be convenient to attend an arts venue downtown or drive to the San Jose State stadium for an Earthquakes game, the events offered great entertainment value for the money. “We all have a role to play in embracing these teams and these great cultural organizations,” he said.

Looking to a more positive role model, Cunneen praised the association’s leadership team for nurturing a thriving membership that has already benefited from countless referrals, proving them to be a loyal network well beyond their one-year maturity as compared to other organizations, and serving as a model for future business associations in Cambrian as well as other areas throughout the valley.

“There are so many vibrant economic centers throughout San Jose,” he said. “Yet they don’t really have an organized voice of representation—to provide an organized business voice, to make sure our public policy leaders hear the concerns of businesses, and to help each other build their businesses. You are to be commended.”