Dear Neighbor,
 

Every year as we evaluate the upcoming year's budget, we turn to the recommendations made during the annual Priority Setting Session. Contrary to what many people believe, we do consider the input of these neighborhood leaders very seriously.

 

Neighborhood leaders from throughout the city are invited to participate in a priority setting session that is the beginning of a community budgeting process that continues for months. Community priorities are taken seriously. Last year the community made it clear that libraries, community centers and parks are essential in helping to keep our community safe along with our police department, so we maintained a baseline of these services in spite of recommendations to cut them deeper.

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For Active Adults 60 Years and Older, Senior Lunches at Evergreen Community Center

Did you know that the Evergreen Community Center offers senior nutrition lunches for adults sixty years and older? Go and enjoy a great meal, make new friends and enjoy celebrations at the Evergreen Lunch Program, Monday through Friday at 12:00 p.m. Reservations can be made by calling the Nutrition Hotline at (408) 270-1244. Please make reservations a minimum of 24 hours in advance. Meals are a suggested donation of $2.50. Pick up a menu at the Evergreen Community Center, 4860 San Felipe Road, San José, CA 95135. 

Free Income Tax Assistance

The Evergreen Community Center in partnership with the AARP and Tax Aide is excited to offer FREE help with Income Tax filing for seniors ages 50 and up. These appointments will be held each Thursday starting February 2nd at 9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. at the Cribari Center in the Villages. Trained volunteers will be available to assist you in completing your return. Appointments are required, so call soon as slots fill very quickly! 

To make your appointment call (408) 270-2220 or stop by the Evergreen Community Center, 4860 San Felipe Road, San José, CA 95135.   

Keeping San José Clean is Now Just a Click Away

The Anti-Graffiti and Anti-Litter Program have launched a free application called San José Clean. This App allows residents with smartphones to point, click and send photos of graffiti, litter and City park conditions. Along with the pictures, users can provide a brief description of the violation to assist staff who will be assigned to address the request and choose an option to receive status updates. This application is available as both a Droid and iPhone application. Residents still have the option to report graffiti directly to the Anti-Graffiti Program by email antigraffiti@sanjoseca.gov or by phone at(866) 249-0543. Litter can be reported by email to antigraffiti@sanjoseca.gov or by phone at (408) 277-3208. City park conditions can be reported by email to park.concerns@sanjoseca.gov or by phone at (408) 793-5510. 
 

Proud Of Wanting Equal Relationships (POWER) - Paid Internships

Proud Of Wanting Equal Relationships (POWER) is a 11 month- paid, youth leadership program of Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence beginning in the summer for high school students. The program focuses on providing youth with the tools needed to become agents of change around the public health issue of domestic and dating violence.

As a POWER leader, you will be part of an inspiring and innovative youth led social justice program and can look forward to the following existing opportunities:

Training with experts in the field of domestic violence and youth activism working to better the world;

Exploring possible solutions to teen dating violence with peers gaining leadership experience;

Building relationships with a diverse group of teens serving as a Next Door Solutions Youth Leader for 2012-2013.

For more information, please email Crystal Talitonu-Naea at ctalitonu@nextdoor.org, call (408) 501-7566 or visit www.nextdoor.org.
 

Wal-Mart is Hiring at New Location

A new Wal-Mart will be opening soon and they are seeking to hire qualified candidates. The new Wal-Mart is located at 5095 Almaden Expressway, San José, CA 95118.

To apply for a position(s), visit the Wal-Mart website and apply for store #5884.

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Summer Jobs+ 2012 Initiative

A new call-to-action for businesses, non-profits and government to provide pathways to employment for low-income and disconnected youth in the summer of 2012.

Youth looking to get a jump start on a career can sign up to be the first to know about a new summer job bank - an easy to use search tool to find summer opportunities in their area. 

Visit www.dol.gov/summerjobs to find out how you can get involved.

Get free eBooks from the Library

Download eBooks free from the San José Public Library for your Kindle, Nook, Sony Reader, iPad, Android smartphones and other devices. Last year alone, approximately 230,000 eBooks were downloaded by local library customers. The Library has been offering eBooks since 2003. Kindle support was just added last October.
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Public Input Sought as Part of Library Director Recruitment
 
The City of San José is beginning a nationwide search for applicants for its next Library Director and we are hoping you will take a few minutes to complete a brief survey on what traits you think the next Library Director should possess. All of the comments will be provided to City Manager Debra Figone for her consideration in making this important decision for our community. We value your input!

Online Survey
Click here to fill out the Library Director Recruitment Community Survey in English.
Click here to fill out the Library Director Recruitment Community Survey in Spanish.
Click here to fill out the Library Director Recruitment Community Survey in Vietnamese.

For more information about the San José Public Library, visit www.sjpl.org.

Art Box Project San José

Guest Speakers

Assistant Police Chief: Rikki Goede

Fire Chief: William McDonald

Independent Police Auditor: Judge LaDoris Cordell (Ret.)

Emergency Services Director: Christopher Godley

Director of Transportation: Hans Larsen

Parks, Recreation & Neighborhood Services Parks Director: Julie Edmonds-Mares

Refreshments will be served!

Free reusable bag while supplies last!

To RSVP for this event, contact Councilmember Rose Herrera's office at (408) 535-4908 or email district8@sanjoseca.gov.

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Homebuyer Education Classes

Saturday, February 25th, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Evergreen Branch Library (2635 Aborn Road)

Certificate of completion of a HUD-certified homebuyer education class is required prior to City loan approval and this HUD homebuyer education class meets the requirement. Please call Brenda Aguirre with Project Sentinel at (408) 720-9888 x 12 or email sjworkshops@housing.org to pre-register for the pre-purchase homebuyer education class. Pre-registration is a requirement to attend and all attendees are required to pay a $30 non-refundable registration fee.

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SAVE THE DATE: Great American Litter Pick Up

Saturday, March 17th, 8:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Smythe Clubhouse Boys and Girls Club (2195 Cunningham Ave.)

Don't let litter trash your community! Help us clean up litter in San José. The District 8 Kick Off location will be at the Smythe Clubhouse Boys and Girls Club, 2195 Cunningham Ave., San Jose, CA 95122.

Registration & Event Kick Off, including morning snacks: 8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.

Cleanup: 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Celebration Lunch: 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

For more information on how you can volunteer and to register, contact the District 8 Office at (408) 535-4908 or visit www.sanjoseca.gov/district8. 

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Councilmember Herrera presenting a commendation to Christina Rodriguez during the Got Milk Toma Leche where Christina and the Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church were awarded a check on 1/31 for their outstanding work in the field of health and nutrition among our district's vast Latino community.