1,000 Tree in 1,000 Days

Last week, we took the first step toward repairing and rebuilding our depleted canopy in District 4 by planting 19 new trees in Baypointe Park. I am delighted to announce we have created a public/private collaborative that will enable us to plant and establish 1,000 trees in District 4 over the next 3 years. As we build in District 4, we will continue to work with our partners by using trees and other green initiatives as foundational pieces in development.

My goal is not just to go green, but to grow green.

Our collaborative is made up of city staff, community-based organizations, state resources, and business partners that will enable us to identify all the sites across D4 where we can plant pocket forests, provide trees, volunteers, training, coaching, and resources to maintain our newly restored canopy.

I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the efforts of our team from The Department of Transportation and Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhood Services for preparing this site for planting and maintaining these trees and I want to thank Our City Forest for their continued efforts in advocacy and actions related to urban greening. I also want to thank Mayor Liccardo and his team for their partnership in bringing this event to life, and the members of the San Jose Conservation Corps who joined us. Lastly, I want to acknowledge Bloom Energy for becoming the first North San Jose business to engage in our public/private collaborative by contributing a $7500 check and bringing about 20 volunteers to the planting. 

Helping to Support Those Suffering in Ukraine

We were joined this week by Kateryna Pistunova, a native of Ukraine whose family currently resides there, although her mother is now a refugee in Germany. She gave a powerful and moving invocation at our City Council meeting, speaking about the terrors and uncertainty of war faced by her family.

Kateryna is a living example of the American dream. She received a grant to attend Harvard University where she received a BA in physics and is currently pursuing her PHD at Stanford University. She and a number of other students founded the Ukrainian Student Association aimed at assisting others from her country, maintaining her heritage and giving a voice to Ukrainian students.  

She is calling upon all of us to assist her and organizations working to ease the suffering of those in Ukraine who are enduring the horrors of war on their home soil. you can find out more by following the Ukrainian Student Association Facebook Page, donating directly, or emailing Kateryna directly. View the invocation by following the link below.

- BERRYESSA ART FESTIVAL

- WORK2FUTURE META/FACEBOOK VAREER CONNECTIONS PROGRAM

- ALUM ROCK PARK 150TH CELEBRATION

- SJ CLEAN ENERGY - A VIRTUAL COMMUNITY CONVERSATION

-MAY PARK VOLUNTEER EVENTS

- COVID-19 UPDATE

THE 45TH BERRYESSA ART FESTIVAL

Come join Councilmember Cohen and the District 4 staff as we celebrate with our neighbors at the 45th annual Berryessa Art Festival.

Bring the family for a fun day of sunshine, music and food. Shop the vendor booths for something wonderful for mother's day (or for yourself)! Don't forget to stop by our booth, meet the council member and share your priorities and hopes for the district! We hope to see you there.

Saturday, May 7, 2022 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

WORK2FUTURE META/FACEBOOK CAREER CONNECTIONS PROGRAM

SAN JOSE CLEAN ENERGY - A VIRTUAL COMMUNITY CONVERSATION

San Jose has the cleanest electricity of any of the top 10 U.S. cities thanks to San Jose Clean Energy, the local, non-for profit energy provider operated by the City of San Jose.

Join us for a discussion on how San Jose Clean Energy is propelling our city towards a carbon-free future and how you can make a difference in fighting climate change. 

Featured speakers from San Jose Clean Energy include: Joe Flores, Deputy Director and Kate Ziemba, Public Information Manager.

This free program will be held online via zoom. Please use the QR code to access registration.  If you need assistance or accommodations, please call (408) 808-2000 at least three days prior to the event. 

This event is hosted by the San Jose Public Library

THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2022 @ 5:00 P.M.

MAY PARK VOLUNTEER EVENTS 

Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services is hosting several volunteer opportunities though the month of Mat. Please sign up to volunteer and help keep our District 4 parks beautiful!

Sunday in the Park at Brooktree Park

Flickinger Ave. & Fallingtree Dr.

San José, CA 95131

Date & Time

Sunday, May 8

9:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

40 volunteers max

Register for the Sunday in the Park - Brooktree Park event

Alum Rock Trail Crew

15350 Penitencia Creek Rd.

San José, CA 95127

Date & Time

Saturday, May 14

8:45 a.m. - noon

40 volunteers max

Register for the Alum Rock Trail Crew event

Community Day at Commodore Park

N. Jackson Ave. & Commodore Dr. San José, CA 95133

Date & Time

Saturday, May 14

8:45 a.m. - noon

40 volunteers max

Register for the Community Day at Commodore Park event

Community Cleanup at Northwood Park

Autumnvale Dr. & Lakewood Dr. San José, CA 95132

Date & Time

Saturday, May 28

8:45 a.m. - noon

40 volunteers max

Register for the Community Cleanup at Northwood Park event

Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests for Everyone: Every home in the U.S., regardless of their insurance status, is eligible to order four free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests. Orders ship in 7-12 days. Order free at-home tests at www.covidtests.gov.   

Avoid Fake COVID-19 Tests: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Division of Consumer and Business Education recently issued guidance on how to avoid purchasing fake COVID-19 tests. For more information, visit the FTC webpage. 

Guidance to COVID-19 Testing Options: With the high demand for COVID-19 testing locally, the County Public Health Department offers guidance on what kind of test to use, when a test is needed, and where you should and should not go to get tested. The testing options are a PCR test, typically administered in a clinic or drive-through operation, and an antigen test, which is available for home use. To help inform residents about the COVID-19 testing options, we encourage you to share these social media assets. 

Everyone 12 and older who is six months out from their second Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or two months out from their Johnson & Johnson vaccine, is eligible for a COVID-19 booster shot. People over 50 or those with weakened immune systems can receive a second booster 4 months after they received the first booster. 

No Appointment Necessary for COVID-19 Vaccinations: The vaccine clinic locations listed below do not require advance appointments, however, capacity and wait times may vary. Appointments are strongly encouraged and can be made at www.sccfreevax.org.

Vaccinations are free, and no insurance or proof of immigration status is required. Anyone age five or older is eligible. Staff will be onsite to support language needs and disability access. Individuals seeking vaccination are encouraged to arrive at least one hour before closing time. Additional clinic dates and locations are added frequently, check www.sccfreevax.org for the most up-to-date information. For Santa Clara County locations outside of San José, visit the County’s vaccinations web page.

Vaccination Sites

· Sun Pharmacy (2559 S. King Rd., San José 95122)

· Advance SJ Pharmacy (2331 Montpelier Dr., Suite A-10, San José 95116)

· Dan Hopner MD/Rom Romero PA (2060 Aborn Rd., Suite 100, San José 95121)

· Emma Prusch Park (647 S. King Rd., San José 95116)

· Bay Area Community Health (5504 Monterey Hwy., San José 95138)

· Bay Area Community Health (Rocketship Mosaic) (950 Owsley Ave., San José 95122)

· Bay Area Community Health (1855 Lucretia Ave., San José 95122)

· Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired (101 North Bascom Ave., San José 95128)

· Story Road HUB (1775 Story Rd., San José 95122)

· Latino College Preparatory Academy (14271 Story Rd., San José 95127)

Testing Sites

· Santa Clara VTA (OptumServe) (3331 North First St., San José 95134)

· Santa Clara VTA (OptumServe) (3990 Zanker Rd., San José 95134)

· SCC Office of Education (OptumServe) (1290 Ridder Park Dr., San José 95131)

· Valley Medical Center/Valley Health Center East (1993 McKee Rd., San José 95116)

· Valley Water (OptumServe/CDPH Bus) (5750 Almaden Expy., San José 95118)

· Bay Area Community Health - Monterey (5504 Monterey Hwy., San José 95138)

· Costco (OptumServe/CDPH Bus) (2376 S. Evergreen Loop, San José 95122)

· Santa Clara VTA (OptumServe) (2240 S. 7th St., San José 95112)

· County Fairgrounds, Parking Lot A (344 Tully Rd., San José 95111)

· Grand Century Mall (OptumServe/CDPH Bus) (1111 Story Rd., San José 95122)