d4sanjose.com • (408) 535-4904 • district4@sanjoseca.gov

Sierramont Middle School Advanced Orchestra Starts City Council Meeting with Momentum

Entertaining and uplifting, Tuesday’s invocation was given by the brilliant young musicians of Sierramont Middle School’s Advanced Orchestra, under the direction of teacher Lauren White. The students performing represent a small portion of the school’s large music department, with nearly 300 students participating in music classes. Berryessa School District’s emphasis on music education benefits the students academically, creatively, and socially. Please enjoy this performance of “Momentum.”

Replay City Council Meeting April 30, 2024

Berryessa Art Festival Around the Corner

More than 100 arts and crafts vendors, service providers, food trucks, live bands and wine will draw thousands from around the South Bay to Penitencia Creek Park next month for the 47^th Annual Berryessa Art Festival.

The festival will be on Saturday, May 11. This longstanding Berryessa tradition is the neighborhood’s biggest event of the year and a major fundraiser for the Berryessa Education Foundation, the fundraising organization for Berryessa Union School District programs.

This year’s festival is expected to be one of the biggest and best, as an assortment of vendors, food trucks, and a variety of performers ranging from student groups to pop music bands have confirmed their attendance.

This is the second year the District 4 Council Office provides major funding and coordinates the festival. Last year, Councilmember Cohen learned the festival was in jeopardy and directed his staff to save the festival since it is an important Berryessa tradition that brings neighbors together and raises money for schools.

Because of the large size of the festival, the festival’s planning committee rely on community volunteers to help make everything flows smoothly before, during and after the festival. Also, there is still time for local businesses to be sponsors of the festival for as little as $150, and a few unreserved arts and crafts vendor spaces remain.

Contact District 4 Community Relations Liaison Angela Pedrigal to volunteer, sponsor or to be a festival vendor at angela.pedrigal@sanjoseca.gov or at 408-535-4904.

We look forward to seeing you at the 47^th Annual Berryessa Art Festival on Saturday, May 11 at Penitencia Creek Park!

See You At The Farmers' Market!

The Berryessa Farmers' Market is back! Join me and my staff for the first Saturday of the season - May 4th, from 9am-Noon at Piedmont Middle School at 945 Piedmont Road. Stop by my table, have a chat, and grab a reusable tote bag before you shop all the great local vendors!

Young Local Author Publishes Her Debut

Paurvi Sinha, a twelve-year-old student at Stratford Prep in San Jose, is a vibrant sixth grader with many passions. She delights in writing, reading, drawing, crafting jewelry, and participating in sports. Alongside these interests, Paurvi is dedicated to Martial Arts and strives to earn her black belt before entering high school.

Paurvi's journey as a writer began in fifth grade when she won second place in a Young Authors competition at her school. This accomplishment ignited her enthusiasm for storytelling, inspiring her to write seven more captivating stories. These stories have been compiled into a collection called Lila & Kiara: Sisters now available for purchase on Amazon.

To learn more about Paurvi's book and support her literary endeavors, you can purchase a copy of her collection of short stories here.

AAPI Heritage Month in San Jose

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Month, which recognizes the achievements and rich histories of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. AAPIs represent approximately 50 ethnic groups, over 100 languages, countless traditions, and make up 38% of our City’s population.  

AAPI Heritage Month originated with Congress. In June 1978, the resolution that began with a one-week recognition became a designated month 10 years later. May was chosen to pay tribute to the first Japanese immigrants who came to the United States in May 1843, and to mark the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad in May 1869, with tracks mainly laid by Chinese migrants and workers. 

Our City finds its strength in its diversity. Let us continue to recognize and uplift one another through celebrating San José’s diverse cultures. 

-City Manager Jennifer Maguire

CalCities Meeting of the Board

Two weeks ago, I journeyed to Sacramento to participate in the quarterly Board meeting of the California League of Cities. I am honored to represent San Jose on the 50 member Board that works to represent the interests of California’s 492 cities.

The agenda was packed with critical topics, reflecting the League's commitment to public safety, housing, sustainability, and fiscal stability. Among key discussions were the ongoing efforts to deal with homelessness, reform public safety laws, reduce carbon emissions, and protect critical local sources of revenue. We had several vigorous discussions about taking positions on key pieces of state legislation that affect cities. 

One significant point of focus was efforts to hold PG&E accountable for collecting fixed charges from ratepayers. We also debated state retirement fund investment in fossil fuels and ensuring that community health clinics that meet zoning requirements are approved for development. 

I always love getting together with city officials from all over California. I learn a lot from their experiences, and appreciate the importance of local government in making sure California residents have a good quality of life.

Please Use Alternate Routes

Due to Cinco De Mayo parade and festivities, CalTrans and SJPD will be closing King Road off ramps on 680 from 5am to 7pm on May 5th. Please plan alternate routes.

We Want To Hear From You!

Connect North San José is a two-year effort by the City of San José's Department of Transportation to create a Multimodal Transportation Improvement Plan (MTIP). This City values community opinions and intends to prioritize them in the plan. This process began in January 2024 and is expected to continue until mid-2025. The final plan will include short- and long-term transportation projects, guidelines, and programs that will aim to make North San José safer and easier to get around.

Please visit the project website to learn more about the project and discover community engagement opportunities.

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities in D4

May:

Saturday, May 11^th - 47^th Berryessa Art Festival

• Date and time: Saturday, May 11^th 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Shifts available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
• Location: Penitencia Creek Park – behind Berryessa Community Center 3050 Berryessa Road
• Volunteers will get a meal!
• To sign up: https://forms.office.com/g/vDGdBqDwtG

Saturday, May 31^st – Multi-cultural Festival

• Date and time: Saturday, May 31^st 5 – 8 p.m.
• Location: Berryessa Youth Center, 1970 Morrill Ave, San Jose
• Shifts available: 
• 5-6pm: Set-Up
• 6-8pm: Booth support
• Description: Join us at the multi-cultural festival where we will have booths celebrating different cultures! 
• To sign up: Email Afia Laiq at afshaq@gmail.com

Alviso Park Community Day - May 25

May 25th! Community Day at Alviso Park is a wonderful opportunity to give back to your community and contribute to the well-being of our local environment. By signing up to volunteer, you can actively participate in the upkeep and maintenance of the park, ensuring that it remains a clean, safe, and enjoyable space for all visitors. Your dedication and support will not only make a positive impact on the park itself but also foster a sense of unity and pride within the community. Join us in this meaningful initiative and together, let's create a greener, more sustainable future for generations to come.

VTA Public Hearing • Wednesday, May 8

Join us at the annual public hearing:

Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. (time certain)

In Person: VTA Headquarters, 3331 North First Street,

San Jose, CA 95134 – Conference Room B-106

Via Zoom: us02web.zoom.us/j/86546319855

Webinar ID: 865 4631 9855

The Citizens Watchdog Committee (CWC) invites you to provide

your input on 2000 Measure A expenditures, including the results

of the annual compliance audit for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023.

Contact the Office of the Board Secretary for questions.

Sign language and interpreter services will be provided upon request at least five days prior to the meeting. Written comments are accepted until 10:00 a.m. on May 8 by email.

Your Chance to Try an EV!

San José Clean Energy is hosting a Neighborhood EV Ride and Drive for residents of the Mayfair and surrounding neighborhoods. The event is an opportunity for community members to get behind the wheel and test drive electric cars.

Saturday, May 18 from 10am to 2pm

Emma Prusch Farm Park | 647 S King Rd, San Jose, CA 95116

RSVP (encouraged but not required): bit.ly/sjce-ev

• Test drive EVs in a no-sales environment. The opportunity to test drive an EV helps overcome one of the biggest barriers to adoption: unfamiliarity.

• Speak to representatives from non-profits and other community organizations about EV charging and incentives to save money on a new or used EV. Families with low to moderate incomes can save up to $16,000 on a used EV, while a federal tax credit of up to $7,500 is also available.

• Sign up for an “EV coach” to navigate incentives and more.

Free health and dental screenings from Bay Area Community Health, as well as MediCal and CalFresh enrollment services.

Get up to $4,000 Rebate When You Purchase a Used EV!

Great news! Driving an EV is now more affordable with the Pre-Owned Electric Vehicle Rebate program.

You may qualify for a rebate up to $4,000 on the purchase or lease of an eligible used, all-electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid EV.

Learn more »

From Silence To Action!

Come join us at San Jose City Hall's Meeting Room (NOT ROTUNDA) for an impactful panel discussion tackling the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People in our local area, and beyond.

We're uniting policy makers and community leaders, while centering survivors, to kickstart a dialogue aimed at addressing this urgent issue. Discover how you can actively contribute to your community and help shift from silence to meaningful action. Let's take steps forward together!

For more information

Teresa Gomez|teresagomez@ihcscv.org

BeArt 24 • Volunteers & Vendors Needed!

Berryessa Art Festival 2024 is just around the corner. We're now accepting vendor and volunteer applications for this year's event! If you're an artist, maker, crafter, or any other type of small business and you want a booth at BeArt24, get in touch today and be a part of the Berryessa community's favorite festival!

If you have any questions, please email Angela Pedrigal in my office.

Check out our video from last year's Berryessa Art Festival!

Budget Town Hall with Mayor Matt Mahan

• Monday, May 13
• Starting at 7:00PM
• Berryessa Community Center (3050 Berryessa Road)

Please RSVP to join the Mayor's Office, Councilmember Cohen, and the Berryessa Citizens Advisory Council for the District 4 Community Budget Townhall!

SJPD Community Meeting at Berryessa Community Center May 15th

The San Jose Police Department is collaborating with an independent community consultant to enhance community engagement efforts. These consultants will be studying the department's current practices and will propose actionable steps to improve our community engagement efforts.

Join me and my staff, along with members of the Police Department and their consultants to discuss neighborhood issues, traffic safety, and more, May 15th at Berryessa Community Center, from 6:30 to 8:30pm.

Mosquitos Suck! How To Fight Back

Mosquitos are considered the most dangerous animals on the planet, causing thousands of deaths each year due to mosquito-borne diseases like Malaria, West Nile virus (WNV), and Zika. In Santa Clara County WNV Positive msquitos have been discovered, and to date we have confirmed 17 cases of people contracting the virus in the region. This is a serious health risk for all residents.

Santa Clara County Vector Control District specializes in eradication of all types vectors (animals which spread disease) - but they need our help moving through Spring and into the Summer months.

With so much standing water in our neighborhoods and yards after recent rains, we've got a lot of work to do to curb the spread of mosquito-borne illness. If you have an ornamental pond on your p property, you can request free mosquito fish to put in your pond. The fish love to eat mosquito larvae and can do a lot to help keep mosquito numbers down.

You can also report stagnant water and neglected pools, abandoned jacuzzis, and other standing water to Vector Control District, and they'll come out to fix the issue.

Get more information and file reports here:

Upcoming Events

Saturday, May 4th - 9:00 am

Berryessa Farmer’s Market Opening Day

955 Piedmont Road

Tuesday, May 7th - 1:30 pm

City Council Meeting - Afternoon Session

City Council Meeting - Evening Session 6:00 - 8:30 pm

San Jose City Hall

200 E. Santa Clara St.

Thursday, May 9th - 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm

Berryessa Senior Advisory Council Meeting

Berryessa Community Center

3050 Berryessa Road

Saturday, May 11th - 10:00 am-5:00 pm

Berryessa Art Festival

Penitencia Creek Park

3050 Berryessa Road

Monday, May 13th - 7:00 pm

Budget Town Hall with Mayor Matt Mahan

Berryessa Community Center

3050 Berryessa Road

Tuesday, May 14th - 1:30 pm

City Council Meeting - Afternoon Session

City Council Meeting - Evening Session 6:00 - 8:30 pm

San Jose City Hall

200 E. Santa Clara St.

Wednesday, May 15th - 6:30-8:30 pm

SJPD Community Meeting

Berryessa Community Center

3050 Berryessa Road

Free Junk Pick Up!

We could all use a little extra space around the house this time of year, if you've got junk and clutter in your garage or yard, take advantage of this great FREE service from the City of San José! Make an appointment to get rid of old appliances and furniture, mattresses, and more. It's easy, just fill out a short form online, move your stuff to the curb, and a truck will come and take it all away!

Let's Be Friends!

Get the latest from me and my staff on Instagram, Nextdoor, Facebook, and Twitter.

We post everything from emergency notifications and district specific updates to council meeting breakdowns and inside looks at life at City Hall. Got recommendations for businesses, schools, or local heroes we might want to highlight? Send us a DM!

We welcome all your feedback as comments on our posts, direct messages in our inbox, phone calls to the office. Click the links above or the icons below to connect with us.

Nominate a District 4 Star!

Our annual District 4 Stars Gala is our way of honoring members of our community who've worked hard to make a positive impact in District 4. Small businesses, public servants, local leaders, and more. If you know someone you think is a Star in District 4, nominate them by clicking the button below.

Easily Access City Services

San Jose 311 is your gateway to City Services from vehicle blight abatement, graffiti removal, reporting fireworks, illegal dumping, pot holes, and more.

click here to get started.

Rebates up to 90% for Your Building Upgrades!

Through the San José Energy Efficient Business Program, your business can receive rebates when you make certain energy-saving upgrades. These significant rebates (80-90% off!) help make the projects more affordable, and when you combine the rebates with your lower monthly energy costs, the upgrades can quickly pay for themselves.

click here to get started.