San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan's 2023 holiday message

Our mayor's end-of-year newsletter featured several highlights in 2023. You can read the full thing in the source link below, but the items that really stood out for me as big wins were:

• Lower homelessness by 10% and we have 788 additional interim housing units in the pipeline
• Lower crime by 5%, Automatic License Plate Readers have helped solve hundreds of crimes in San Jose
• 300% increase in volunteerism, 500,000 lbs. of trash removed from streets and creeks
• San Jose residents and companies were granted the most AI patents in the country, San Jose also hosted an innovation summit to help the city leverage AI solutions
• Improved San Jose permitting times on both big and small projects

Overall, it seemed like 2023 was a very positive year for San Jose. I hope everyone has an amazing New Year's Eve and hopefully we'll have an even better 2024! 🎊🥳

Source: San Jose Inside

Silicon Valley Pet Project opens community center today

The Silicon Valley Pet Project is opening Pup Plaza, our first canine community center, at Cambrian Park Plaza (14408 Union Avenue, San Jose). Today they are having an open house from 3pm to 8pm where you can hang out with other dog lovers and learn about upcoming programs and shop at the new retail boutique with items from local artists. Details are below.

Dog lovers rejoice! Silicon Valley Pet Project opens community center for

dog adoptions, educational events, and workshops

SVPP celebrates “Pup Plaza” launch with Open House on Giving Tuesday, Nov 27, 2018

SAN JOSE, CA - November 20, 2018 - Silicon Valley Pet Project (SVPP) is celebrating the grand opening of Pup Plaza, Silicon Valley’s first canine community center, with an open house on Giving Tuesday, November 27, 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  The new facility is at Cambrian Park Plaza Shopping Center (14408 Union Avenue, San Jose).  Guests are invited to visit the newly renovated space, meet and hang out with dog lovers and dogs, learn about upcoming educational programs, explore opportunities to foster or adopt, and shop at the new retail boutique which features items from local artists.

Programs like Shelter Dog Day Out are already on the curriculum at Pup Plaza.  In partnership with the San Jose Animal Care Center, Silicon Valley Pet Project volunteers will bring adoptable dogs from the shelter to Pup Plaza every Monday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  Shelter dogs will have an opportunity to catch a breath of fresh air and socialize with volunteers and the public. “Doga” – or Dog Yoga – is another program offered twice a month on Sundays starting November 25.  During Community Open Hours, Tuesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., visitors can enjoy the dog-friendly space (with or without their dogs), ask questions about how to get involved, or be directed to community resources related to pet ownership. Pup Plaza can also be reserved for dog birthday events or any dog friendly social gathering.  For more information, go to Pup Plaza’s website at pupplaza.org.

“We believe that spaces like Pup Plaza will provide the community with resources about adoption and pet guardianship, while celebrating our love for pets in a fun, upbeat environment.” said Melissa Lisbon, SVPP President.

###

About:

Silicon Valley Pet Project (SVPP) is a nonprofit animal welfare organization committed to saving local at-risk shelter pets through rescue, community involvement, and education. SVPP is a proud rescue partner of the San Jose Animal Care Center, San Jose’s municipal animal shelter. Since starting operations in 2015, SVPP has rescued and adopted over 975 cats and dogs.

Upcoming Events:

Doga at Pup Plaza

Every first and third Sunday
10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
First session: Sunday, November 25

Following the success of the Doga in the Park summer series, SVPP will continue to host Doga (yoga with dogs) sessions at the newly opened Pup Plaza. Each Doga session will be led by a certified yoga instructors and is perfect for people and pups of all levels. Each session is $25 and all proceeds go to support the organization. To reserve tickets, register here.

Shelter Dog Day Out at Pup Plaza

Every Monday, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

In partnership with the San Jose Animal Care Center, Silicon Valley Pet Project volunteers will bring adoptable dogs from the shelter to Pup Plaza. Shelter dogs will have opportunity to catch a breath of fresh air and socialize with volunteers and the public. Interested volunteers can fill out a volunteer application here. Please mention Dog Day Out Program in the application.

Community Open Hours at Pup Plaza

Every Tuesday, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Guests are invited to visit Pup Plaza to learn more about the space, upcoming programs, or ask for advice regarding pet ownership and adoption. Guests are also encouraged to simply relax and enjoy the space with their furry critters and friends!

Coworking Foundation begins new chapter in Silicon Valley

All Good Work is a nonprofit foundation that connects "social impact organizations" (mostly nonprofits) to donated workspaces. The foundation has officially expanded to Silicon Valley and already has a network of 15 flexible workspace hosts. Veggielution is one of the first San Jose organizations that will benefit from their generosity.

The official launch of their Silicon Valley program took place a week ago at Common Grounds and featured a speech from San Jose Mayor, Sam Liccardo.

For more info on the launch and the organization, head over here and here.

Selma Olinder Dog Park will get a $20k makeover -- volunteers needed

SAN JOSE DOG PARK’S DREAMS COME TRUE WITH $20,000 MAKEOVER AND HELPING HAND FROM BENEFUL®

Beneful Dream Dog Park Project Team, Dog Lovers and City of San Jose Revamp Selma Olinder Dog Park During Volunteer Day

WHAT: On Friday, November 4, the Beneful Dream Dog Park Project team will join forces with the City of San Jose’s Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services to spruce up Selma Olinder Park Dog Park for its dog loving community. Interested volunteers are welcome to work alongside City and Beneful teams in exchange for a morning of tail-wagging fun, doggie swag and a sample of the new Beneful Originals with Real Beef recipe. Volunteer check-in will begin at 8:30 a.m. the day of the event, at the park entrance.

The $20,000 donation will be accompanied by a new piece of dog park equipment, a Beneful Doxie Tunnel – the only one of its kind in the area. The donation and volunteer day to Selma Olinder Park Dog Park come as part of the Beneful Dream Dog Park Project, a year-long program to support more than a dozen community dog parks across the country.

For more information about the Beneful Dream Dog Park Project, please visit DreamDogPark.com and follow on social media with #DreamDogPark

WHEN: Friday, November 4, 2016 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
o    Volunteer and media check-in at 8:30 a.m.
o    Check presentation at 9 a.m.
                                                                                                                                               
WHERE: Selma Olinder Park Dog Park
848 E. William St., San José, CA 95116

Project HEAL - Rock Out for Recovery benefit concert

Instead of having an 18th birthday party, a Santa Teresa High School student named Kristen Pizzo is throwing a benefit concert to raise funding for Project HEAL. This non-profit helps to provide eating disorder treatments for those that cannot afford them, while also promoting healthy body image and self esteem.

The benefit concert will feature several local local bands and take place at the San Jose Woman's Club at 75 South 11th Street on March 12th from 6pm-10pm. You can get tickets at Eventbrite.com for $16 or at the door for a $25 donation. For more information, please check out the press release below.

The Project HEAL San Jose stages a benefit concert for individuals in need of eating disorder treatment

San Jose, CA- The San Jose chapter of the non-profit organization, The Project HEAL ( Help to Eat, Accept, and Live ) will hold its second annual benefit concert, Rock Out for Recovery, on March 12, 2015 from 6-10pm at the San Jose Woman's Club, 75 South 11th Street, San Jose CA 95112. The concert will feature Letter High, Telephono, and Tony Geravesh (singer of Stickup Kid) of San Jose, and End the Fight of Sacramento.

The Project HEAL not only raises money for those who cannot afford eating disorder treatment, but also promotes healthy body image and self esteem, and serves as a testament that full recovery from an eating disorder is possible. It was founded in New York in 2008 by Liana Rosenman and Kristina Saffran.  The organization now has over 40 chapters across the United States, Canada, and Australia. Since its founding, Project HEAL has been able to send 41 individuals,  both male and female, to treatment with the grant program. The San Jose chapter was founded in 2013 by Santa Teresa High School student Kristen Pizzo, who completed treatment for anorexia nervosa in 2012. She hopes to raise enough money at the event to cover one treatment scholarship.

Tickets can be bought at the door for a donation of $25 or on Eventbrite.com for $10-20 (Search 'Rock Out for Recovery'). Donations will also be accepted on the ticket page if you would like to contribute but are unable to attend the concert.  If you have any questions, please email sanjose@theprojectheal.org. For more information on the organization, visit www.theprojectheal.org.

Content Pick Up Party Today!

In celebration of Content's 4th anniversary, they are doing a pick up party for Issue 7.5 "Serve" today at Downtown ice from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. This issue is focused on those that volunteer in our community. It features Kristi Yamaguchi, Ryan Nyquist, Manresa Bread, Caffe Frascati, Orly from Cukui, Cinequest, PSRT, Cruels, and Ann Bridges.

The event will include disco skating, beer by Golden State Brewery, wine by Regale Winery, hot cocoa, and biscotti. Subscribers get one free ice skating pass and a gift from Roxanne Biscotti when you pick up your latest issue.

Unlike most of their events, this one will be outdoors so bundle up! If you are not a subscriber yet, you can learn more about this great publication over here.

St. James Park - Pirates in the Park, Chaco's Taco Festival, KARTMA, and More

I just stumbled upon the St. James Park Website and found a lot of great information in there about upcoming events and initiatives. One such event is called "Pirates in the Park." This is a treasure hunt for kids 11 and under as well as pirate-themed activities. It is happening on Saturday, August 8th between 10:00am and 1:00pm. If you are interested in volunteering and helping make the park a better place for everyone, head over here.

Next up we have an event more catered towards adults on August 15th called the Chacho's Taco Festival. There will be taco stands, tecate beer, live music, lucha libre, food trucks, a car show, and a taco-eating contest (which San Jose should dominate given we now have two stars in the "sport"). The event will run from 11am to 8pm and you can get all of the details along with a map over here.

There is a social entrepreneurship venture called KARTMA street cafe which is partially funded by the Knight Foundation and Ebay Foundation. This concept brings an eco-friendly coffee shop to St. James Park with the goal of employing the homeless and teaching them skills that can be used to land jobs in other cafes. For more info or to help raise the last $6k needed to get the cafe off the ground, head over to their Indiegogo campaign (10 days left, nearly fully funded).

The St. James Park website also have some great historical resources, including the full audio from a speech that John F. Kennedy gave while on the campaign trail there and a great video detailing the full history of the (in)famous park. There is a page on development happening around the park, future projects in the park such as the Levitt Pavilion, and a full list of special events. I highly recommend checking it out over here and hopefully together we can restore this park to once again be an asset we can all be proud of.

TurningWheels for Kids Annual Big Bike Build Produces Over 2k Bikes!

Last Saturday in downtown San Jose, many (MANY) volunteers got together for the annual TurningWheels for Kids Big Bike Build.

If you're not familiar with TurningWheels for Kids, it is an organization born from the mind of Susan Runsvold, a nurse at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center. She wanted to make sure that every child had the opportunity to receive a cool, exciting gift at Christmas - an experience she wasn't always sure she'd have as a child growing up. She came to the realization that receiving a bike all your own, a brand new one, is one of those memories every child should have the opportunity to have.

You can read more about the history of TurningWheels, but the bottom line - their mission, is to continue to provide underprivileged children with bicycles year-round. So each year just before Christmas, volunteers and groups from all over the South Bay come together and assemble donated bikes.

At my previous job, I had the privilege to work with Sue and her team on promoting TWFK. I absolutely love what they do so I wanted to make sure to stop by the Big Bike Build to take some photos and see everyone. It's such an amazing scene! It's like watching a bunch of elves getting the toys ready for Santa!

Some facts from this year's work:

• 2,650 bikes were built on Saturday (plus 493 a week before in Livermore)
• Distributed over 300 bikes this year to two pediatric clinics
• 2012 has had the highest distribution yet - 3,443 bikes!
• TWFK provides bikes to organizations for distribution such as: City Team, EMQ, Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County, Bay Area Rescue Mission, Richmond Fire Department, Santa Cruz County sheriffs, Sacred Heart and many others!

The last few years, in the middle of the build, CEOs and local celebrities and supporters make their way to the main stage to participate in the Great Trike Race! They hop on adult-sized tricycles and race around a track in the middle of the convention center. It's great fun to watch and no doubt, fun to race! You need to watch out for Sharkie though, he's a sneaky one!

Sharkie and Valley Medical Center Foundation's Executive Director, Chris Wilder make the first turn during the Great Trike Race!

This year's winner was Barry Arata, a local fireman who won the title in 2010 but lost it to Josh Thomson of Strikeforce in 2011.

Many thanks to this year's title sponsor, DPR, for their generous donation of $60,000! Other wonderful sponsors like the Monterey Peninsula Foundation, Cisco, Therma and many more helped support TurningWheels for Kids.

If TurningWheels for Kids sounds interesting to you, they could use your help. This year, 4,700 bikes were requested (via organizations, groups, etc) but there were only 2,600+ to give. Donations are how they're able to purchase bikes and helmets for the kids. If you'd like to read more, please check out their website and their 'What You Do Matters' Campaign for more information.

~ Jennifer Bullock OwYoung

Roosevelt Park Street Cleanup Tomorrow

This post almost didn't happen due to the Blogger outage yesterday!  Tomorrow the Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Association is putting together a street cleanup and they are looking for some volunteers. All of the info is below:

WHAT: Street Cleanup
WHEN: Saturday, 5/14 from 9:30 - 11:30 am
WHERE: South east corner of 22nd Street and E. Santa Clara
WHY: For neighbors to work together to make our neighborhood a clean place to live
Web site: http://www.rooseveltparkneighborhood.com/

Participate in the Downtown Version of the Great American Litter Pick Up

Francis Enriquez PenroseMarch 17, 2011 at 12:06am

Subject: NOT TO LATE FOR THIS SATURDAY! VOLUNTEER AT...

THE GREAT AMERICAN LITTER PICK UP
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Register 8:00-8:30am /Clean-up: 8:30 – 11:30 AM • Celebration: 12:00 – 1:00 PM

Help us clean up litter in San José. To participate in this year’s Litter Pick Up…

Step 1: Call (408) 277-3208 and sign up for one of the meeting locations listed below.

Step 2: On the day of the event, register at your meeting location and receive litter clean-up supplies*.

Step 3: Following the event, join us for a Celebration Lunch at your Council District’s Event Kickoff Location. Lunch is free for volunteers.

Where?: For District 3
-Roosevelt Center, 901 E. Santa Clara St.
-Washington United Youth Center, 921 S. First St.

If you are interested in participating please follow directions above…Of course you can choose either of the location because this is for DOWNTOWN!

* Donated supplies are limited. Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own pick-up stick and gloves.

Of course you can choose either of the location because this is for OUR DOWNTOWN!