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Dear Neighbor,

During the Holidays, it is a wonderful time to be spent with family and friends, being able to enjoy lots of activities such as making recipes, playing games and even going around the city. One of the main things I see that brings people together is food, whether you're cooking together or eating. Building a gingerbread house, baking homemade goods, or making yourself a nice hot chocolate can really start off the Christmas season. Even planning fun activities around town with your friends like going Ice skating in a nearby Ice rink, or watching fun Christmas movies. With so much joy around Christmas, it is the perfect time to create new family traditions as well, like every year going to take a Christmas family photo, cooking family recipes, hosting a Christmas gift exchange, playing board games, decorating the tree or even seeing who can find the ugliest Christmas sweater. But as much fun as it is to be with your family, it is also important to give back during these times as well. It can be as little as going to volunteer at events or even donating toys or clothes. It's important that we cherish these moments and memories with our family and friends while we can and to always give back to the community, because as much as we deserve an amazing and fun Christmas, so do those who don't have as much as we do. So I hope that this Christmas you create new recipes and spend time with your loved ones. Merry Christmas and Happy holidays to you and your family.

Sincerely,

Councilmember Carrasco - District 5

Sweet Treats and Supporting Local Businesses

Brrrrrr. The cold mornings and winter weather is starting to kick in all around us, that means it is time for a holiday treat to warm us up! Our community, along with San José in general, has an array of hot, sweat Christmas and holiday treats that can bolster our holiday spirits! Great places like El Pan Dulce Bakery on 1657 McKee Rd which has amazing customer service and amazing pan dulce and café foods! A few locations slightly outside of District Five include the amazing cafés of Churros El Guero on 2217 Quimby Rd or Bambu Desserts and Drinks at 949 McLaughlin Ave., a Vietnamese café that has a vast amount of hot drink and dessert choices! One last place I would recommend it Peters’ Bakery on 3108 Alum Rock Ave which has a variety of cakes and loaves for the easy-going pastry-lover to experience the local bakery’s take on holiday cakes which can be paired with any hot holiday drink in the area! These locations are only a few of the endlessly great and hardworking bakeries and café locations in our community. This holiday season treat yourself by supporting our community and building local connections that will be long-lasting! Stay warm this holiday season District 5!

Peters Bakery

Churros El Guero

El Pan Dulce Bakery

Ice Skating and the Holidays

As school starts to wind down and that holiday fever starts to kick in, I hope you all have the opportunity to enjoy winter activities and spend time with the family! One of my favorite activities during the holiday season is to go Ice Skating at Christmas in the Park or really anywhere! Ice Skating a great activity to enjoy with the family that doubles as little exercise as well. A unique pastime such as ice skating can open you and your family’s knowledge to the sport of Ice Hockey and may even inspire you to start following a team such as the San Jose Sharks. Speaking of the San Jose Sharks, another great place you can check out is Solar4America at San Jose which is the official practice facility of the San Jose Sharks and is a place to ice skate for fun, to get a lesson or two, or even enjoy the shopping or little arcade they have. Solar4America at San Jose ranges from $9-16 per person, however for children and seniors its usually on the cheaper end. You may even be lucky enough to catch the Sharks team practice or a local Ice Hockey team practice! A unique experience that can be a family night out. So, for this holiday season, grab yourself a hot cup of chocolate and pan dulce and check out an ice-skating rink to enjoy a family fun activity!

Holiday Activities in San Jose

With December finally here, events are popping up and I would like to invite you and your family to head on over to celebrate “Holly Jolly Holidays!” Our very own San Jose Playhouse is hosting a series of festive events at 3Below Theatres from November 27 until December 26. The newest performing arts center is back at it again: open and welcoming in the spirit of the holidays. Nothing like holiday films, live events, food and fun in a cozy season!

“A Holly Jolly Holiday'' is presenting four different types of special

experiences as part of their holiday season performance. Ranging from film to live events, there is something for everyone - all ages - to join in. Downtown's performing arts center has it all:

The Holiday Story Walk is a free walk-by experience embracing created

art installation, banners and audio accompaniment. Hosting stories, songs, humor, and trivia holds memorable moments with your loved ones. This lovely event takes place until December 26. (Free of cost!)

Holly Jolly - Holiday Experience- Food, Fun, Film tours 3 workshops, pics

with holiday characters, treats, prizes, film. Lasts until December 26. (Reserve tickets!)

Holiday Films - From Santa’s Naughty & Nice List hosts a large screen accompanied

by special treats like peppermint hot chocolate and popcorn. Valid until December 26. (Reserve tickets!)

With COVID still around, it is the priority to make sure we keep our community safe. To ensure the best of each other’s health, proof of full vaccination is required to enter the venue and cafe inside 3BelowTheatres. Kids age 11 and under are excluded from the proof of vaccination required for entry - as long as masked.

There are plenty of entrance options including to: bring your finalized vaccination card, a picture of your card with your ID, or scan the QR code for your record from the state of California. In case you forgot your vaccination documentation or something comes up - not to worry - you can exchange your event for a future time. Keep in mind no refunds are allowed.

For further information and COVID guidelines, feel more than welcome

to click on the links attached: https://sanjoseplayhouse.org/holly-jolly-holidays/

| https://sanjoseplayhouse.org/covid-questions/

Do not miss out on the fun - only in San Jose!

Food Banks

The Second Harvest link below can direct you to food banks near you, however, Martha’s Kitchen has several programs throughout the week with Groceries giveaway at 4p all at 311 Willow St. Additionally, Recovery Café has hours Mon-Fri at 10a to 4p where they have community meals and new member introductions on Monday at 10:30a. Loaves & Fishes have two locations at 1080 N 7th Street (3:30p to 4:30p) and 1066 S 2nd St. (4:30p to 5:30p) where they serve hot meals Mon-Fri every week. Another program is Sacred Heart at 1381 S First St. (Mon-Th 9a to 4p) and you can use the link below to register as a new member or visit their location for a 3-day meal supplement supply of groceries or receive food once per week. Of course, if you are seeking volunteering opportunities or want to become a member each of these Food Banks offers volunteering opportunities and donations to continue operating and providing food for those in need.

Links: https://shfb.auntbertha.com/food/food-pantry--san-jose-ca?postal=95127

https://www.marthas-kitchen.org/services

http://recoverycafesj.org/get-recovery/our-programs/

https://sacredheartcs.org/programs/food-clothing/

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