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December 1st, 2022

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This Week's Big Question

Is your Christmas tree real or fake?
Real
Fake

Last week we asked what you were most thankful for in the holiday season. Here are a couple of our favorite answers:


Tran from Berryessa said, "I'm thankful for the micro-climate in San Jose, we get the best weather!"


Jorge in Alviso said, "I am so thankful for my wife and my kids and the rest of my family. God bless us and God bless you."

Planting Trees In District 4

David Cohen joins Our City Forest, volunteers, and students to plant trees at Orchard School

It felt really great to be out in the sun and fresh air on Wednesday morning, along with our friends at Our City Forest, planting some trees at Orchard School! 


Our ambitious long term goal is to plant 1,000 trees in 1,000 days in District 4 and these 20 trees are part of that progress. Thanks to all the staff and volunteers who came out to help! 

NOBLE PERMANENTLY PROTECTED

Never on Noble. I'm pleased to announce that with the vote held at last night's city council meeting, the Noble park space at Penitencia Creek Reach 2 has been permanently shielded from development.


With the help of our neighbors in the Noble community, we’ve permanently protected the open space at Penitencia Creek Reach and pushed the city to adopt a higher standard of transparency in their EIH site selection process. This is what effective representative government looks like.


I remain committed to building our fair share of interim housing in District 4. With the cooperation of our residents, I am confident we will find suitable sites, and we will solve the complex problem of street homelessness in San José.

AIDS Quilt On Display at City Hall

In commemoration of the 34th Annual World AIDS Day, Councilmember Foley and Councilmember Peralez will be hosting multiple events today to remember those who lost their lives to AIDS-related illnesses and to honor and support those living and affected.


From now until 8 p.m., all are welcome to the Rotunda to view sections of the National AIDS Memorial Quilt. The nearly 50,000-section quilt dedicated to more than 110,000 individuals is a premier symbol of the AIDS pandemic, a living memorial to a generation lost to AIDS, and an important HIV prevention education tool.


You are also invited to attend the Candlelight Vigil at 5:30 tonight in the Rotunda to honor the lives of the countless family, friends, and community members we’ve lost to HIV/AIDS.

Sunday, December 11th, it's the triumphant return of the Santa Run Silicon Valley benefiting SJ Aspires. This 5k Run/Walk & Kid’s Run is a holiday treat for the whole family.


Sunday, December 11, 2022

5K will start at 3:00 p.m. and begin downtown before following the Alameda

Kids GreenWaste Reindeer Run for ages 2-10, at 4:00 p.m. 

Kids distances vary by age: 0-3: 100 yards; 4-7: 300 yards; 8-10: 400 yards


Start: Santa Clara St. and Market (Downtown San Jose)

Kids race will start at Christmas in the Park Finish Line

Register For Santa Run

2nd Annual Holiday Pajama Drive!


Help us keep kids warm by donating for our Second Annual District 4 Pajama Giveaway!


We are once again partnering with local schools to deliver warm pajamas to kids for the holidays. We had an incredible response to our request for donations during our pajama drive last year and are once again asking for your donations.


Pajamas are important to kids because they give them a way to display their admiration for superheroes and cartoons, keep them cozy and warm, make them feel secure, and even lower 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 or girls or gender neutral.


Please bring or have pajamas shipped to the Berryessa Union School District office, c/o District 4 Pajama Program, 1376 Piedmont Road, San Jose, CA 95132. 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 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 another terrific success!

IN THIS EDITION
  • GIVING FOR THE HOLIDAYS WITH SACRED HEART
  • CAREER EXPLORATION FAIR
  • BREAKFAST WITH SANTA AT BERRYESSA COMMUNITY CENTER
  • SJ EFFICIENT BUSINESS PROGRAM

VOLUNTEER, DONATE, AND SPREAD JOY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.



The holidays are our busiest time of year and there are many ways you can get involved at Sacred Heart. Please consider donating, volunteering, or organizing a turkey or gift drive during our Holiday Program which begins this November.


Together we will distribute 7,200-holiday food boxes and 18,600 toys, bikes, and books to children and families throughout Santa Clara County.


We need your help!



Your tax-deductible gift helps us purchase vital supplies. Click here to give from your heart today. Or you can mail a check to: 1381 S. First St San Jose, Ca 95110


CAREER EXPLORATION FAIR

The Division of Business and Workforce is hosting a Career Exploration Fair on Wednesday, December 7th on Central Green and Gullo II (10:00 AM – 3:00 PM) for the purpose of connecting community members/students to little-known technology careers in:

 

  • Advanced Manufacturing Technology
  • CADD/Product Design and Development
  • Automotive Technology
  • Virtual Design and Construction Technology
  • Water Treatment Technology

 

Industry experts/employers, who will be tabling and presenting on panels, include Amazon, FlexInterConnect, CAES, Jabil, Tesla, Honda, and other companies. These career pathways lead to jobs that pay family-supporting wages and provide solid career choice over a lifetime. 

 

Attendees will ‘earn’ lunch by attending panels and engaging with industry experts; three food trucks will be on hand. 

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA AT THE BERRYESSA COMMUNITY CENTER

SAN JOSÉ ENERGY EFFICIENT BUSINESS PROGRAM

Local businesses have a new opportunity to reinvigorate their business, save money, and support community-wide energy conservation efforts through a new program from San José Clean Energy, the local clean electricity provider operated by the City of San José.


The San José Energy Efficient Business Program has unlocked several rebates to San José business owners for qualifying HVAC, refrigeration, or water heating projects. These rebates, totaling up to 8090% off the project cost, will make renovations to your small business more affordable and kickstarting these upgrades so much easier! All business customers with an active San José Clean Energy account are invited to participate.


Want to see if your project qualifies for the rebates above? Learn more or find a participating contractor at SanJoseCleanEnergy.org/Business.

HELP US PLANT SOME TREES!

Trees are crucial to the ecosystem because they produce oxygen, reduce soil erosion and storm runoff, and provide a valuable habitat for many species of wildlife.


Help us reach our goal of planting 1,000 trees by volunteering at our tree planting events! Our City Forest will bring the trees, the equipment and the instructions on how to plant, but we need people to help with the planting.


Call our office at (408) 535-4907 or email us to volunteer for an upcoming tree planting event.

COVID 19 UPDATE

Omicron specific booster shots are available for everyone who has had the two initial vaccinations. Reservations can be found at sccfreevax.org.

How to Protect Yourself and Others From COVID-19: With COVID-19 cases on the rise, it is important to follow CDC guidelines to prevent illness. Most importantly, stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccines, wear a well-fitting mask, avoid poorly ventilated areas and crowds, and take precautions when you travel.


Free Masks Available: Each adult can get three free N95 masks at pharmacies and community health centers. For help finding a location, call 800-232-0233.


Resident Resources: The City of San José’s Virtual Local Assistance Center is a one-stop for information on Food Assistance, Housing, Employment, Health & Wellness, Utilities, and Immigrant Resources.


Current Vaccination/Booster Sites: The full list of vaccine sites, and testing sites are available on the County of Santa Clara COVID-19 website. Please note that vaccination sites are a combination of drop-in and by appointment only. Residents are encouraged to make an appointment, where possible. All sites have boosters available.