Happy October, Neighbor!

Greetings!

September was a busy, yet celebratory month at City Council. I proclaimed September as the national month for many important causes such as Childhood Obesity Awareness, Emergency Preparedness, and Ovarian Cancer Awareness.
National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month
National Emergency Preparedness Month
National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
By raising awareness and proclaiming September as such, we are garnering attention to diseases and disasters that can be prevented when adequately informed. Below are a few tips to reduce the risk of childhood obesity, a program you can join to learn how to keep your loved ones, home, and community ready in case of an emergency, and symptoms to watch out for in ovarian cancer.

  • Enroll in Kaiser's HEAL (Healthy Eating, Active Living) program spearheaded by Dr. Collins (pictured) to learn how to make healthy lifestyle changes and become more active.
  • Join the City's FREE CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) program where you will become educated on disaster preparedness and trained on how to react safely.
  • Bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, difficulty eating or feeling full quickly, and/or urination urgency or frequency are all symptoms of ovarian cancer. Please remember to TEAL (Tell Every Amazing Lady) about the symptoms. Learn more about the disease here.
In September, I was also pleased to name the Kiwanis Club of Willow Glen as the District 6 Council Honoree at this year's State of the City Address. Every summer, I've enjoyed live music at Bramhall Park because the Kiwanis Club hosts Music in the Glen. Thank you to the Kiwanis Club for their dedication to our community.
October is National Arts and Humanities Month. This means you must go see and appreciate the new mural at the Billy DeFrank LGBTQ+ Center on the Alameda.

I was ecstatic to attend the unveiling of this incredibly meaningful mural this September. The painting is of the Center's namesake Billy DeFrank - a drag show queen who encouraged everyone to be generous, loving, and inclusive.

Congratulations to CEO, Gabrielle, and mural artist, Serge Gay Jr., on this wonderful artwork. Let's all work hard to keep DeFrank's spirit of love alive in San Jose.
September was incredibly memorable and I look forward to more community-building this October. Don't forget to join this month's virtual Office Hours! Office Hours are a time for us to meet as a community and devise solutions to keep our neighborhoods safe and clean.

Many outdoor, fall-themed events are in this newsletter and I encourage you to take your family to enjoy them. Academic resources for your young ones and tips on how to prevent car break-ins as we approach the longer nights of Daylight Savings are also included.

Best,

Dev
City Council Updates
October Office Hours

Join me on Wednesday, October 5th via Zoom from 5:30PM-6:30PM to discuss what we can do together to ensure our communities are safe, clean, and thriving. All discussion topics are welcome.

If you are unable to make it on October 5th, please send my office an email with your questions and/or concerns.

Access the Zoom Office Hours here.
Google to Downtown West

This September, I spoke at the National League of Cities' Large City Council President Convening about Google's new campus.

Google and the City of San Jose share the same priority with their new move: San Jose residents.

Below are goals Google and the City have collaborated on to bring the most benefits to residents:

•create more job opportunities
•elevate train tracks to protect neighbors and pedestrians
•build more exits in Diridon Station to accommodate an increase in riders
•develop more urban green spaces and plazas for residents to walk, eat, and play

Google is also required to build four parts of its campus into affordable housing. The City will be partnering with affordable housing developers to create mixed-income housing units. We want our extremely low-income housing to be built first so that our residents that are most in need have a place to call “home” when Google moves in.

Thank you to the committee that has been working hard to receive community input so that this new Google development meets their needs.
Guadalupe River Park and Gardens

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) land next to the Guadalupe River Park and Garden has been cleared of debris and encampments by the promised deadline of Friday, September 30th.

City and County staff offered alternative housing and social services to unhoused individuals who lived on the 40 acres of the FAA land. With Phase III of my City Roadmap-Encampment Management and Safe Relocation Policy completed, we can now move forward into Phase IV.

Phase IV consists of reconstructing the 40 acres of FAA land into a Prototype Park. This park will include a dog park and other urban features. Securing the trail up to Arena Green and beyond is also an objective for Phase IV.

Staff continues to work on housing solutions for the people who remain outside of the FAA land. Staff will also continue to clean and maintain the Guadalupe River Park Trail.

Help us keep this park thriving by visiting the Guadalupe River Park Conservancy and attending one of their events such as Pumpkins in the Park on Saturday, October 8th.
1343 The Alameda Park

Let's welcome another park to District 6!

Coming to The Alameda and the Shasta Hanchett Park neighborhood is a 0.17-acre pocket park.

We are currently in the design process of the park. My goals for this new park are for it to be inclusive, inviting, and fun. To read more about my master plan and what I want this park to include, see my memo.

I love hearing from you and your input will be needed in the coming weeks. Be on the lookout for an email from me asking what you think we should name the new pocket park.
October Outings
Have a Sundae on Sunday!

To celebrate extended library hours at 16 library locations in San Jose, enjoy sundaes at the Bascom Branch Library on Sunday, October 2nd.

The celebration will begin at 1PM. If you'd like to be served ice cream by Mister Softee, arrive from 3:10-4PM.

Starting Sunday, October 2, 16 of 24 San Jose's public branch libraries will open on Sundays from 12-5 p.m., expanding hours of operation to 7-days per week. Basom Library is a library that will be open 7 days a week with extended hours.
Friends of Bascom Library
October Book Sale

Purchase some new Fall reads on Saturday, October 15th from 10AM-1PM at the Bascom Library Book Sale.
Enjoy the Little Italy Festival
Little Italy is hosting its 5th annual Festival on Sunday, October 2nd from 11AM-7PM.

This festival is free. Come immerse yourself in the wonderful Italian culture we have in San Jose.
Pumpkins in the Park

Get into the spooky spirit on Saturday, October 8th at Pumpkins in the Park.

The Guadalupe River Park and Conservancy is turning into a harvest festival with a pumpkin patch, inflatable slides, fun games, live music, and food trucks.

Don't miss out on the Halloween fun on Saturday, October 8th from 10AM-4PM.
San Jose Public Library Foundation 35th Anniversary Gala
Over the past 35 years, The Foundation has raised more than $35 million to support our libraries and its programs that benefit our community members by preparing children for kindergarten to serving aging adults to provide lifelong access and support.

To celebrate this milestone, the Foundation is inviting you to join them for a very special event on Thursday, October 20th from 6PM-9PM, at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library

Buy your Gala ticket here. RSVP by October 6. Can't attend? Consider making a donation.
The Turkey Trot Returns to In-Person

Get ready to run around the streets of Downtown San Jose as the Silicon Valley Turkey Trot will be returning to in-person running this November.

Registration for the 5K, 10K, and Kids Fun Run has opened. Gather your family and get them to run with you before they cut the turkey on Thursday, November 24th.
City Resources
Traffic Enforcement

San Jose Police Captain Brian Spears joined us last month at Office Hours to discuss public safety.

Captain Spears has shared the results pertaining to a high volume of complaints of speeding and other hazardous traffic violations. Please note these are just one day of enforcement in the noted areas.
How to Prevent Car Theft and Break-Ins

At last month's Office Hours, Captain Brian Spears informed us that there is an increase in car break-ins during Daylight Savings. With longer nights and residents looking for places to hide their holiday gifts, Captain Spears advised the following to protect your car and valuables:

  • Do NOT leave electronics in your car (laptops, cell phones, any device with a cellular, wifi, or Bluetooth connection)
  • If you do accidentally leave an electronic in your car, make sure to turn it all the way OFF. Thieves can track electronic devices through wifi and/or Bluetooth connections which is why turning off your electronic device all the way off will protect you.
  • Do NOT use your car as a hiding spot for holiday gifts.
  • Request a Neighborhood Watch meeting for your community. Police officials will inform you and your neighbors on the best security measures and how to discourage crimes in or near your homes.
Vaccinations and Boosters

Children ages six months to four years old can receive their COVID-19 vaccine.

Please call your child's doctor to ask for the vaccine. If your child does not have a regular doctor, call (866) 967-4677 for assistance enrolling in government programs or health coverage.
Mental Health Resources
If you or someone you know needs support when experiencing mental health-related distress, please dial 988.
What to Recycle
Let's all do our part in making San Jose cleaner by recycling correctly. Click here to learn more ways how to recycle right.
FREE Junk Pick-Up

Make an appointment for a free junk pick-up to get rid of old mattresses and furniture.
Lower Your Electric Bill

San José Clean Energy has resources to lower your bill and pay off debt. Find ways to save energy and make your home more energy-efficient here or call 833-432-2454.