Commemoration International Holocaust Remembrance Day | |
This week, we came together to commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day with a moving program honoring survivors and their families. Survivor Boris Kapilevich shared his powerful story of resilience, while Supervisor Susan Ellenberg and Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen emphasized the importance of remembering history and combating hate. Irina Mandelboym from Jewish Family Services highlighted efforts to support survivors, and Second Generation Survivor Simi Monheit reflected on preserving their legacy. Jessica Hellman, City Council District 6 Communications Director, tied these lessons to our responsibilities today. The event honored the past and reinforced our commitment to a future free from prejudice. We also opened the traveling exhibit CHAIM, on display through Friday in the City Hall Tower Lobby. | |
Removing Lived-In Vehicles From Our Streets, Creeks, and Neighborhoods | |
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As promised, the Safe RV Parking facility is just days away from opening. While minor delays in powering the site slowed progress, we’ve worked closely with city staff to bring in generators, allowing us to move forward. Once operational, individuals living in RVs on our streets will be offered a designated space at the facility. Those who decline will be subject to vehicle towing.
The Berryessa Safe Parking site will prioritize RVs within a 1.5-mile radius, providing much-needed relief to the area. Priority streets in District 4 are Flickinger Ave, Sierra Rd, King Rd, and Junesong Way. Located across Coyote Creek from the San Jose Flea Market, the site will coincide with new parking restrictions set to take effect next month along Las Plumas Avenue, between Educational Park Drive and Mabury Way, where approximately 35 RVs are currently parked.
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Council Appoints Temporary Downtown Representative | |
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San Jose officials have appointed a temporary representative for downtown while voters prepare to elect a permanent councilmember in a special election later this year.
On Tuesday, the City Council selected Carl Eugene Salas, founder of engineering firm Salas O’Brien, to fill the vacant District 3 seat starting Feb. 4. Salas, along with three other candidates, participated in an interview process where he addressed key issues like homelessness prevention, the upcoming budget, and downtown priorities. His short-term appointment will last until residents vote in the April special election—though a possible runoff could extend that to June.
With recent redistricting, many residents near Orchard School are now part of District 3 after previously being in District 4. This includes neighborhoods around Townsend Park and between McKay Dr and Murphy Ave. If you live in this area, it’s important to stay engaged in the process and make your voice heard in the upcoming election that will determine who represents downtown for the next two years.
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Celebrating Lunar New Year | |
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This Lunar New Year marks a historic moment for the County of Santa Clara and the City of San Jose as we celebrate it as an official holiday for the first time. My team and I had a great time celebrating at th Berryessa Branch Library at Noble! Recognizing this important tradition honors the rich cultural contributions of our diverse community, fostering inclusivity and unity. As we welcome the Year of the Snake, a symbol of wisdom, introspection, and transformation, we wish everyone a year filled with prosperity, health, and happiness.
Happy Lunar New Year!
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今年的农历新年对圣克拉拉县和圣何塞市来说是一个历史性的时刻，因为我们首次将其作为官方假日来庆祝。我的团队和我在诺布尔的Berryessa分馆度过了一个美好的庆祝时光！承认这一重要传统，是对我们多元社区丰富文化贡献的致敬，并促进包容与团结。
在迎接象征智慧、内省和变革的蛇年之际，我们祝愿大家在新的一年里繁荣昌盛、健康幸福。
新年快乐！
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Tết Nguyên Đán năm nay đánh dấu một khoảnh khắc lịch sử đối với Quận Santa Clara và Thành phố San Jose khi chúng ta lần đầu tiên công nhận đây là một ngày lễ chính thức. Đội ngũ của tôi và tôi đã có một khoảng thời gian tuyệt vời khi cùng nhau đón Tết tại Thư viện Chi nhánh Berryessa ở Noble! Việc tôn vinh truyền thống quan trọng này thể hiện sự trân trọng đối với những đóng góp văn hóa phong phú của cộng đồng đa dạng của chúng ta, đồng thời thúc đẩy sự hòa nhập và đoàn kết.
Khi chào đón Năm Giáp Thìn, biểu tượng của sự khôn ngoan, suy ngẫm và chuyển hóa, chúng tôi chúc mọi người một năm mới tràn đầy thịnh vượng, sức khỏe và hạnh phúc.
Chúc Mừng Năm Mới!
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This month I attended the annual Legislative address for city council members in the 26 cities in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties. We heard from Assemblymembers Pellerin, Kalra, Papan, Ahrens, and Berman and they answered questions about issues facing our region. | |
Disaster Can Strike Anywhere, Anytime, Be Ready | |
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Our hearts go out to everyone affected by the devastating fires in Southern California.
Our thoughts are with the victims, their families, and the first responders who are working tirelessly during this difficult time. This tragedy is a critical reminder that disasters—whether fires, earthquakes, or even tornadoes—can happen right here in San Jose. Now is the time to make sure your household is prepared.
Visit Ready.gov for tips on creating an emergency plan, building a disaster supply kit, and staying informed. Make sure you have:
- An emergency plan that includes all members of your household.
- Enough supplies to last at least 72 hours, including food, water, and medications.
- A go-bag with essentials in case you need to evacuate quickly.
Let’s stay vigilant, stay prepared, and support each other as a community.
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Join Us
Musicians, music lovers, spaces, and places are welcome to participate in the citywide event. Artists comprise students, amateurs, educators, music collectives, and professionals—all are welcome to participate in the celebration of music. Both artists and venues sign up via our online match-making software, where each creates a profile.
Venue/Spaces profiles include contact information, how long venues would like to host music, what kinds of music they are interested in booking, and what kind of equipment (chairs, electricity, water, etc.), if any, they can provide.
Artist profiles include contact information, sound bites, and the type(s) of music an artist or band performs. Venue and artist profiles can also include pictures, social media links, and website links.
Match-making
Once the profiles are created, venues may browse the list of artists and vice versa, each requesting an amount of time from the other for the performance.
Requests are accepted or declined at the discretion of the artist or venue. Before a performance is finalized, the venue must accept the request from an artist or the artist must accept the request from a venue.
Once final, the performance is posted to our live, interactive map on our website, which the public can view and explore on an interactive web app.
Other Details
All performances are free and open to the public. All venues support local artists by giving them a platform to perform and encourage the participation and enjoyment of the public by opening their doors to their communities. Make Music San José staff help finalize performance details, aid venues in securing permits, and market the festival in print, online, and social media channels.
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In San Jose, we stand with our immigrant community and affirm that San Jose is for Everyone—regardless of immigration status. It’s crucial to know your rights when interacting with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). If ICE approaches you, remember that you have the right to remain silent, the right to refuse entry without a warrant signed by a judge, and the right to speak to a lawyer. Stay informed and prepared by visiting the ACLU’s Know Your Rights page at www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/immigrants-rights, which offers valuable resources to protect yourself and your loved ones.
For those seeking to become U.S. citizens, there are many pathways and resources available to help you navigate the process. From naturalization requirements to application assistance, you can find official guidance at www.usa.gov/become-us-citizen. San Jose is proud to support all residents in their journey toward citizenship, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to fully participate in our community.
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JAN 28, 2025 | City Council | 28 ENERO 2025 | Reunión del Concejo | |
Reflecting on WWII Era Japanese Internment • Feb 19 | |
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San José State University cordially invites you to join us for the 2025 Day of Remembrance, an event dedicated to reflecting on the history of Japanese incarceration and celebrating the enduring activism that ensures such injustices are never repeated.
Day of Remembrance is a national observance of the World War II incarceration of Americans of Japanese descent in the United States. It is recognized nationally on February 19th, the date that Executive Order 9066 was issued and initiated this process. In 1942, the building currently known as Yoshihiro Uchida Hall on SJSU's campus served as a registration center for local Japanese Americans prior to them being forcibly removed to incarceration camps.
This year’s program will feature a plenary session with distinguished local community dignitaries and a powerful taiko drumming performance. The event will also include three consecutive breakout sessions that emphasize the importance of historical remembrance, intergenerational dialogue, and community advocacy.
Event Details
- Date: Wednesday, February 19th, 2025
- Time: 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM
- Location: Diaz Compean Student Union Theater, San José State University
Breakout Sessions:
- Artist Yayoi Kambara: A public talk on using performance studies and industrial design to tell stories about Japanese incarceration and civil liberties.
- Building Bridges: The Role of Intergenerational Dialogue in Healing and Advocacy
- San Jose Japantown Women Leaders: A discussion featuring community leaders from San Jose Taiko, Yu-Ai Kai, and the Japanese American Museum of San Jose.
We would be honored by your presence as we come together to reflect, learn, and foster a commitment to justice and equity.
Kindly RSVP by Monday, February 3rd to nina.chuang@sjsu.edu. If you have any questions or need additional information, please do not hesitate to reach out.
We hope you can join us for this meaningful event.
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San Jose Made Friend Fest • Feb 22/23 | |
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OMG. Yes. Friend Fest returns. Happening on Feb. 22-23, 2025, Friend Fest will featured 275+ makers, artists, artisans, designers & creative small businesses all celebrating best friends, new friends, old friends, "we're just friends", "wanna be more than friends" or whatever!
Located at downtown San José's South Hall at 435 South Market Street, San José, CA 95110. In addition to our large scale friendship inspired vendor marketplace, Friend Fest 2025 will feature lots and lots of special Friend Fest programming and activities, special Friend Fest door giveaways and most importantly, lots and lots of friendship vibes.
Free admission for attendees. Open from 11 AM to 6 PM each day. This venue is indoors. All ages. Service animals only.
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Senior Nutrition Program • Berryessa Community Center | |
The San Jose Senior Nutrition Program at Berryessa Community Center provides nutritious meals and social activities for seniors aged 60 and older. The program promotes healthy living and offers opportunities for social interaction, reducing isolation while ensuring access to balanced, affordable meals. | |
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Senior Nutrition Program: In partnership with TRIO Senior Meals, provides meals to Older Adults 60+ at 13 community centers throughout the City. All meals served at community centers meet county health standards.
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Free Trees for District 4 Residents | |
Our team is hard at work, pushing toward our goal of planting 1,000 trees by the end of Councilmember Cohen's first term in office. Now we're launching a new program aimed at getting more trees planted in residential areas. If you have a great spot for a tree on your property, get in touch with us for details! | |
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! | |
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Office of Councilmember David Cohen
200 E. Santa Clara St
San José, CA 95113
(408) 535-4904
district4@sanjoseca.gov
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