December 2, 2021
Follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Contact my office with your questions or comments by email at District4@sanjoseca.gov and visit our website at sanjoseca.gov/district4.
DISTRICT 4 NIGHT CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK!
This year, my team and I decided to decorate our tree for Christmas in the Park with only recyclable materials. Our goal was to use only items we already had, repurposing them into festive decorations.

We, as a City, took a bold step by pushing our Climate Smart goal of achieving carbon neutrality from 2050 to 2030. This tree represents my commitment to taking creative steps toward mitigating the effects of climate change and I hope you will join me in the effort. Here are some ideas for any of you who might be interested in eco friendly ways to celebrate the holidays
I also invite you to come out for a family night of fun Friday, December 3 from 7-9pm to Christmas in the Park at Plaza De Cesar Chavez Park! The Sierramont Middle School choir and band will be performing followed by the Piedmont Middle School orchestra. I hope to see you there!

Sincerely,
IN THIS EDITION

  • YEAR IN REVIEW TOWN HALL
  • REDISTRICTING
  • FREE TAX WORKSHOP FOR SMALL BUSINESSES (IN SPANISH)
  • FIRST CASE OF NEW COVID-19 VARIANT DETECTED IN CALIFORNIA
2020 YEAR IN REVIEW TOWNHALL
Join me for a discussion on the past, present, and future of District 4. I'll be updating you on the things we've accomplished and the things we're continuing to work on.
I invite you join me with input, questions, and concerns.
Register at the link below. Help me shape our District's priorities and let's work together to improve the quality of life for everyone.

I look forward to seeing you there!
SHARE YOUR INPUT ON REDISTRICTING
The deadline for the City Council to make a final decision on a new redistricting map is January 11, 2022. My staff and I welcome any input you might have and we encourage your engagement in the process. This is an opportunity to shape our city for the next decade.
 
You will have an opportunity to provide your public testimony is on Tuesday, December 7th via Zoom or in-person at City Hall Council Chambers (200 E. Santa Clara St.). You may also email my office with your input: District4@sanjoseca.gov. 
The meeting agenda will be posted here.
 
Stay up-to-date on Council Meeting dates and times for Redistricting and view all related documents here.
 
View current City Council districts and draft redistricting plans in an interactive map here.
PJs FOR THE HOLIDAYS!
Help us keep kids warm and cozy this winter. The District 4 Council office is partnering with local schools to deliver warm pajamas to kids for the holidays.

Nearly everyone remembers having a favorite pair of jammies when they were children. Pajamas give children a way to display their admiration for superheroes and cartoons, keep kids cozy and warm, make them feel secure, and even lower the risk of cold or flu. Donating a pair of pajamas will make a world of difference for a child in your neighborhood during the frigid winter months.
We request new with tags or new in package pajamas in any kids’ size 5-18, or adult sizes small or medium for older kids. They can be footy pajamas, two-piece pajamas, flannel, plaid, plain, with popular characters, for boys, girls, or gender-neutral.

Please bring or have pajamas shipped to:
Berryessa Union School District office
c/o District 4 Pajama Program
1376 Piedmont Road, San Jose, CA 95132

Please bring PJs by December 3rd

E-commerce sites such as Amazon.com, Target.com, and Costco.com make it simple to purchase and have pajamas delivered directly, but you can personally drop them off if you prefer. Feel free to attach a holiday greeting note to your gift for the recipient.

You may also contact the Council District 4 office at 408-535-4904 if you need guidance with your donation or if you want to make a cash or gift card donation to the District 4 Pajama Program instead.

We appreciate the kindness our constituents display toward their neighbors and hope you will join us in making this giveaway a terrific success.
PROTECTING COYOTE VALLEY
I'd like to thank the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority, Green Foothills, the Loma Prieta Chapter of the Sierra Club, the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe of the San Francisco Bay Area, Mothers Out Front of Silicon Valley and the Silicon Valley Leadership Group for their unwavering advocacy and determination. This kind of continued collaboration and cooperation is what will be needed if we're going to make an impact on the effects of climate change.
SUNDAY IN THE PARK: VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
On behalf of the City of San Jose Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhood Services' Volunteer Management Unit is gearing up for the next 10 week series that will start in January 2022! Sunday in the Park is a series of one day events that rotate through all council districts.  
Sunday in the Park will now be an opportunity for your Council District to provide 3 parks that your Councilmember would like to see on our list for some sprucing up!  The team will utilize this feedback to plan the next upcoming series we hold on Sundays. This is a great way to get the community involved and students can receive community service hours.  This opportunity is also great for any groups or individuals that may be interested in spending some time in the park. 
 
We would like to get the following input by Friday, December 10th. 
 
For more information go to our VMU volunteer event page click here
Volunteer next Sunday at:

Alum Rock Trail Crew
15350 Penitencia Creek Rd.
San José, CA 95127

Date & Time
December 11
8:45 a.m. - 1 p.m.

*40 volunteers max*
FREE TAX WORKSHOP FOR SMALL BUSINESSES ( IN SPANISH)
The City of San José is hosting a free online workshop in Spanish Monday, Dec. 6, from 9 to 11 a.m. The online workshop will help business owners understand and fulfill the latest federal tax requirements.

Topics discussed will be:
  • The purpose of an EIN (Employer Identification Number)
  • Basic record-keeping requirements for tax purposes
  • Tax forms for business organizations
  • How to pick the right licensed tax preparer

The presentation slides and recording will be available free to all registered business owners. The webinar is hosted in partnership with the Internal Revenue Service. Register for the Free Tax Workshop for Small Businesses now!
FIRST CASE OF NEW COVID-19 VARIANT DETECTED IN CALIFORNIA
The first case of the COVID-19 variant named “Omicron” has been detected in the United States. It was reported today in a joint statement by the California and San Francisco Departments of Public Health. Like the Delta variant, Omicron has been labeled as a “Variant of Concern” by the World Health Organization. 

The recent emergence of the Omicron variant further emphasizes the importance of being fully vaccinated, receiving the booster as soon as eligible, and taking prevention efforts needed to protect against COVID-19. For more information about the variant, see the Omicron variant fact sheet. 

In a statement issued Monday, Nov. 29, President Biden stated, “The best protection against this variant is getting fully vaccinated and getting a booster shot.” He further said the U.S. will fight COVID this winter “not with shutdowns or lockdowns but with more widespread vaccinations, boosters, testing, and more.” 

Public Health officials are closely monitoring the rapidly evolving situation related to the variant. The State has established a public-private partnership called COVIDNet to help understand and control the spread of the virus, and to help with the early detection of the variant in California. 

This situation is developing quickly, and it is strongly recommended to check travel restrictions on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website prior to making travel plans.