Welcome to Fall!

Hi neighbor,

October is here! I feel very fortunate that we get to enjoy warm weather in the autumn season. The sunrays also mean we get to continue the delectable freshness of our Plaza Azul Farmers Market series.

We have seen so much success hosting the weekly farmers market at City Hall. Every Tuesday, City employees, San Jose State students, Downtown residents and employers line up to buy fresh pineapples, strawberries, cucumbers, and more.

There are so many benefits fruits and veggies have for our physical and mental health. When you eat better, you feel better! What's most important, though, is making the healthy choice the easy choice. Plaza Azul connects residents to nutritious food on a weekly basis. One shouldn't have to travel far to find food that is nourishing. Having the farmers market ensures residents have a reliable place to buy wholesome bites.

Join us for all the great, local finds at the City Hall Rotunda every Tuesday from 12PM-3PM through November 14th. We now also have food trucks at Plaza Azul and we aim to keep this initiative going in 2024!

Another health-minded effort I'd love for you to participate with me in are our Longevity Walks.

Our next Longevity Walk is from City Hall to Little Italy on Wednesday, October 11th from 12PM-1PM. My team and me, San Jose employees, and plenty of your neighbors will walk through Downtown to our historic Little Italy. You don't want to miss out on seeing the reopened Poor House Bistro and the many other yummy restaurants.

Lastly, I'd like to highlight a few special girls in District 6: Girl Scout Troop 62735.

The wonderful young ladies of Troop 62735 recently completed the Bronze Award project (the highest award one can earn!) and an Adopt-a-Park project with the City. This Troop began showing love and care to the Willow Glen Community Center garden garden last spring because it was overgrown.

The girls mulched plant beds and added vegetable boxes. Sheet mulching helps prevent weeds without using chemicals and can produce healthier soil. Mulching also saves water by reducing evaporation.

Thank you to these ambitious young women for stewarding the garden, making it a better place for the preschoolers and seniors who use the community center.

Please read on in this newsletter for many events that will have you and your loved ones up and moving and further immersing you in our wonderful city.

Best,

Dev

Office Hours Are on

Wednesday, October 11th

My virtual Office Hours are on Wednesday, October 11th from 5:30PM-6:30PM.

Accompanying me is guest Speaker, Robert Manford, Deputy Diretor of the City of San Jose's Planning, Building, and Code Enforcement Department.

Robert and I look forward to answering your questions.

Join my Office Hours at this Zoom link or by clicking the image on the right.

If you are not able to make it, please send my office an email with your question or concern. Please also always feel free to call my office directly at 408-535-4906.

San Jose Electric Utility

This past Tuesday my colleagues and I agreed to several municipal code amendments that will establish San Jose Power. However, I want you to know that this action does not commit the City to creating a municipal electric utility.

The actions we took were more administrative in nature. They provide the legal and administrative framework for a municipal electric utility to exist if we ever decide to move forward. In the immediate future these changes make it easier for city staff to conduct the necessary analysis related to cost.

I co-authored a memo with Councilmember Cohen that will ensure that the City Council is consulted on any future decision points related to San Jose Power, and I will keep you up to date as this idea continues to be evaluated.

October

Longevity Walk



Walk with me on Wednesday, October 11th during the lunch hour.

We will walk from City Hall to Little Italy.

If you've been looking to increase your daily steps or want walking buddies, walk with us!

It's heartwarming to see how many connections are made when residents from all over San Jose attend our Longevity Walks and we explore our city together.

See you in front of the Rotunda at noon. Participants are welcome to come and go as they please. For more information on how walking can add years to your life, read this.

Trick Or Trail on Friday, 10/20

Get ready for a spooky amount of fun!

On Friday, October 20th from 4:30PM-7PM, my office invites you to enjoy hauntingly entertaining activities at Arena Green East.

There will be live music by Rebekah Victoria and local vendors. This is also a great opportunity to dine at Little Italy's newest restaurants!

Costumes are strongly encouraged. No need to RSVP, simply come and have a great time!

Track Your Treks this Walktober!

We're celebrating my favorite exercise all month long. Download the "Walktober" app, available in your app store, for some friendly fitness competition or simply to track your activity.

I cannot wait to log plenty of steps at our next Longevity Walk on Wednesday, October 11th. The last day to log activity is Friday, November 3rd, so let's get moving, D6!

October at the Guadalupe River Park Conservancy

From trail cleanup to park events, there is something for everyone to enjoy. For more information on all of GRPC events happening in October, click here.

Coyote Creek Creepy Crawler Cleanup on 10/29

We are batty about cleaning up the Coyote Creek and Trail for Bat Appreciation Week!

Help beautify Coyote Creek and surrounding trails through a community cleanup on Sunday, October 29th from 9AM-12PM.

Meet new people; improve a neighborhood park; build community around a shared sense of service. The birds will thank you!

Free litter kits, community service hours available, and groups are welcome.

Pumpkins in the Park on 10/14

Have free, Fall fun on Saturday, October 14th at Discovery Meadow!

Annual Neighborhoods Conference

The Annual Neighborhoods Conference brings together City of San José representatives, neighborhood associations, and neighborhood leaders to collaborate on community building, share resources, and foster connections. 

This one-day conference will be on Saturday, October 14 from 8:30AM – 2PM at Yerba Buena High School. 

All San José residents and neighborhood association leaders that would like to get more information about City services that enhance neighborhood livability are encouraged to attend.  

If you have any questions please contact BeautifySJ@sanjoseca.gov.

Trick or Treat on the Hallowmeda

Get your little one's costume ready to trick or treat on the Hallowmeda! 

There are two Trick or Treat times to meet all of your little boo’s candy needs on Tuesday, October 31st.

10:30AM - 12:30PM 

3:00PM - 5:30PM 

Businesses along The Alameda from Magnolia Ave. to Rhodes are excited to see all San Jose children's costumes and give away candy.

This event is free and open to the public. For more information, click here.

San José Public Library is inviting all 'tweens' to a tween book & cookie club!

Those 8-12 years old can go to the Bascom Branch Library on the third Monday of the month beginning

Monday, October 16th from 4PM-4:30PM to discuss novels and graphic novels.

This is FREE club to join and is a great way for the youths in our community to connect with others while actively learning.

Paint the City at Biebrach Park on 10/26

Paint the City returns! Grab your partner or friends for a cute night of wine and painting at one of our local parks.

The first 50 people to reserve a seat will be supplied an artist station, including an easel, paintbrush set, acrylic paint, and one free canvas. Registration opens one week prior to the event.

Don't miss out on painting at Biebrach Park on Thursday, October 26th.

Bike to the Future with Silicon Valley Bike Coalition

On Sunday, October 29th beginning at 8AM you can participate the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition’s Bike to the Future “Hallowheels” benefit ride and enjoy the best of your backyard!

Take your choice of four great rides, from six to 51 miles. You'll start from downtown San Jose and branch out to tour murals, paved creek trails, and the gorgeous fall colors of foothills to the south and east.

Routes range from family and beginner-friendly to challenging for the most experienced riders. After, enjoy food, entertainment and a community festival. Helmets are required in order to ride.

Register here!

Beginning the weekend of Friday, October 20th, there will be a 56-hour full highway closure of State Route-87 between Interstate-280 and State Route-85. Southbound Closure.

One traffic direction on SR-87 will be worked on at a time with detours in effect. All work is weather-dependent.

The purpose of this project is to improve ride quality, enhance safety, and extend the service life of the pavement.

The closure will start on Fridays after 9PM and conclude on the following Mondays no later than 5AM.

Temporary Closure nearby!

Through Saturday, December 23rd the Guadalupe River Trail will be closed between W. Hedding St and Coleman Ave.



Please re-route to Coleman Avenue and Hedding St.

October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month

Cybersecurity Awareness Month aims to raise awareness about digital security and empower everyone to protect personal data from digital forms of crime. 

The City is organizing the first Cyber Awareness Day on Monday, October 16^th at the City Hall Rotunda. From 9:30AM-3PM, hear from distinguished subject matter experts and City leaders, including FBI agent Elvis Chan, Human Future founder Dr. Jonathan Reichental, San José Deputy City Manager Rob Lloyd, San José Chief Information Officer Khaled Tawfik, and San José Digital Privacy Officer Albert Gehami, who will discuss:

• Smart Cities: How to keep our City safe and smart.
• Data Protection at Home: How to safeguard your data at home.
• Innovation: How the City's strategic partners bring continuous innovation.
• Securing the future: How to secure the City of the future.

RSVP to confirm your attendance.

How San Jose Clean Energy's Rebate Program Saved Small Business, La Barre

Calling all San Jose business owners! San Jose Clean Energy's Energy Efficient Business Program can help lower your energy bill and install upgrades.

LaBarre utilized SJCE's Energy Efficient Business Program to make energy-saving upgrades at their facility, including installing a new HVAC system. The program covers 80-90% of the costs through rebates and helps customers lower their energy bills through energy savings. Schools are also eligible for the program.

Read more about La Barre's story here.

Support Needed: Hiring Election Workers for 2024 Elections

The County of Santa Clara Registrar of Voters’ Office is now hiring!

They are currently recruiting for various positions and are looking for individuals interested in contributing to their community for the upcoming March 5, 2024 Presidential Primary Election.

Bilingual staff are also strongly encouraged to apply.

Apply today here.

2023 Boards and Commissions Fall Recruitment

Get involved in the decision-making process that affects our City by joining a City Board or Commission. Apply by Friday, October 27th here.

Caltrain has a range of new promotional fares available to customers through January 2024.

Each fare is designed to give riders more options and even greater value when they choose to travel on Caltrain.

Check out all the new fare promos here.

Fighting Crime with Cameras

Help the San José Police Department fight crime by taking part in the Camera Archive & Mapping (CAM) program.

This program allows residents and business owners to register the locations of their video surveillance systems with the City. When a crime occurs, police will be able to identify the locations of nearby video cameras and help officers collect video evidence, and follow up on leads.

SJPD will also be able to directly contact CAM registrants who are using video in an area in which a crime occurred. Learn more about the program and register your camera here.

Walk Safe San José

Walk Safe San José is a pedestrian safety plan that encourages walking, biking, and taking public transit. The goal is to improve pedestrian safety by providing safe routes for vulnerable road users.

Some goals are to reduce and eventually eliminate traffic deaths and severe injuries, focus on corridor-based projects like paint, cones, flexible barriers, and signage.

Please take the survey to notify the City of some of the safer walking routes in San Jose. This will inform people in San Jose's inner neighborhoods about some safe and healthy ways to go on walks!