SAM'S CORNER

Art and Our City
The biannual “01SJ” [“Zero-One”] festival, will bring some of the world’s most innovative artists to our downtown this June 4th -8th  to share their creative expression through the medium of technology.   This extraordinary exposition – which can be seen in several galleries, throughout the streets, and even over the dome of City Hall—is like no other in the world. 

As one of many efforts to breathe greater artistic life into our downtown, the arrival of “01SJ” gives us reason to pause about why we should invest City Hall’s scarce resources into this effort. Why not simply stick to street sweeping and running libraries? 

The most palpable benefit of celebrating creativity seem worth articulating, because it often gets overlooked: the arts enrich our lives.  The arts lead us to find meaning beyond our daily endeavors, they teach us, and they inspire us.   Why else should the City become involved in the arts, you ask?

• Building Community 

By watching a literary artist inspire young students to express their closely-held emotions to an audience at a MACLA “poetry slam,” one can see art communicating across generations.  At Green Rice Gallery, painted works by contemporary Vietnamese artists communicate through linguistic barriers. San Jose’s diversity and rapid growth can challenge our capacity for community-building, but the arts bring people together.

• Generating Jobs and Tax Revenue

A recent study confirmed that the hundreds of arts-related businesses in San Jose employed 6,512 people in 2007, a 6% growth over the prior year. Older studies have estimated the local economic impact of artistic and cultural organizations on the order of tens of millions of dollars, which confirms what we already know: we all benefit when Cinequest fills our downtown hotels and restaurants for two weeks with film lovers.  

• Expanding Our Tech Economy

Our tech economy depends on a steady infusion of creative talent, for skills ranging from marketing to design to every aspect of technological innovation.  Urbanist’s like Richard Florida and Sir Peter Hall have linked creative culture and economic growth, finding that cities which best attract creative people—through rich cultural environments—also attract employers who need (and highly compensate) creative skills.

• Lifting San Jose’s Stature

Performers at Ballet San Jose are currently giving thousands of spectators in mainland China a beautiful first impression of our city’s offerings.  Civic stature matters when a multinational corporation chooses Bay Area office sites, when a venture capital firm makes investment decisions, and when a promoter chooses a convention locale.

Of course, art is not simply for spectators – there are many simple ways to participate in the creative transformation of our downtown:

• Join us for “First Fridays” – the first Friday evening of every month, you can join hundreds of your neighbors in “gallery-hopping” through the venues on South First Street and the surrounding environs.
• Become a season ticket holder or contributing member of a local institution that does what you love to see —check out what the downtown arts scene has to offer at any of several sites, including sjdowntown.com/eve_big.html  or  artshiftsanjose.com  or artsopolis.com
• Participate in our downtown festivals – whether it’s 01SJ or Tapestry Arts, there’s much to see and (with the Jazz Festival, the Mariachi Festival, Blues Week, or the weekly Music in the Park) hear.
• Look in your own neighborhood—you’ll be amazed! Visit artist work studios at the Citadel or Cannery Park; enjoy the art gallery accompanying Spartan Keyes’ Art Ark residences; take glass-blowing classes at the Bay Area Glass Institute in Japantown; or join a top-quality amateur theater troupe at the Northside Theater Company in Olinder… all in our own backyard!

Sincerely,

Sam Liccardo

Contact Us
P: (408) 535-4903
E: district3@sanjoseca.gov
W: www.sanjoseca.gov/district3

D3 Staff
Sam Liccardo, Councilmember
Khanh Bui, Staff Director
Roma Dawson, Policy Director
Ruth Cueto, Council Assistant
Ragan Henninger, Council Assistant
Kevin Schwaba, Council Assistant
Rhonda Hadnot, Exec. Assistant

A Better Bernal Park
Years ago, several trees were planted around the pedestrian border of Bernal Park in Japantown.  Twenty five of them were planted incorrectly and, over time, the roots grew at inappropriate angles forcing the trees to grow slanted to the side.  Limited City resources meant that residents would have to wait to remove the trees and replant healthy trees, however, the Japantown Neighborhood Association had a better idea.  
Japantown neighborhood leader David Brody brought together the Parks Department, Our City Forest, and CommUniverCity and AmeriCorps Vista volunteers to plan a tree replacement and park clean up project.  The day was filled with tree education, digging, water hauling, pegging and litter clean up.  Special thanks goes to neighborhood leader David Brody, Mike Will from the Parks Department, Christian Bonner from Our City Forest, Leif Christiansen from AmeriCorps, Ricardo Agredano from CommUniverCity, and several San Jose State University students.  Their efforts were tremendous, and Japantown families will reap the benefits for years to come while the trees grow old, large, and beautiful.  Also, special thanks to Victoria Taketa and Maria Burrus in the Japantown neighborhood for their persistent advocacy for Bernal Park.

Rincon South and Rosemary Gardens Community Engagement
In April, the City Council approved the North San Jose Neighborhoods Planning Task Force a set of community recommendations that will advise City staff as they move forward implementing the North San Jose development plan. Although the North San Jose area sits predominately in District Four, two neighborhoods Rincon South and its adjacent neighborhood of Rosemary Gardens, both in District Three, have seen development proposals come at a fast pace.

Often lost in the furious pace of development have been the community’s concerns and desires regarding park space, parking, traffic and community amenities. Rincon South and Rosemary Gardens could have been easily overlooked in discussions regarding the larger North San Jose development, fortunately, the Task Force, approved two guiding principles specific to the Rincon South and Rosemary Garden community; 1) Develop and implement a strategy to build out parks in Rincon South and 2) Engage Rincon South and Rosemary Gardens in the development of an action agenda to address key issue and concerns.

With the Task Force process now complete, the next stage involves implementation of the recommendations. A series of community workshops will begin soon to implement these guiding principles and re-engage the community to discuss and shepherd the Rincon South Specific Plan. If you live in Rincon South, we welcome your attendance - please contact Kevin Schwaba at Kevin.Schwaba@sanjoseca.gov with questions and to receive upcoming meeting dates. 

Town Hall Meetings to Discuss Gang Activity
Following an increase in homicide and gang violence, Mayor Reed and the Mayor’s Gang Prevention Task Force scheduled a series of community meetings for residents to share their own concerns and provide input on the City’s efforts. The final meeting is May 28th from 6-8:30p.m. at Harker School. For additional information call (408) 535-4800 or contact Melanie Jimenez at melanie.jimenez@sanjoseca.gov.

Lower Watson Building Removal Update
The two buildings in lower Watson Park, the lower Community Center Building and the concrete block restroom, will be demolished this summer. The bid opening for the demolition project is scheduled for May 22nd with completion expected in September 2008. Installation of a temporary electrical meter has been coordinated with PG&E to maintain the irrigation system and park security until the start of the remediation project in April 2009.

Airport Uses “Traditional Technology” for Weed Control
Starting this week, the Airport will begin using environmentally friendly weed control methods. A “crew” of goats and sheep will start clearing vegetation on the 26 acre field between Highway 101, De La Cruz Boulevard and Central Expressway where Airport navigational equipment is located. This environmentally friendly crew is expected to complete the work in approximately one week. The City’s Environmental Services Department is working with the Airport and other City departments to use grazing animals to manage weeds. This method not only helps prevent fossil fuel pollution and residual herbicides or pesticides runoff, but reduces fire hazards in dry conditions. The goats and sheep will remain at the Airport location over the next several weeks while assisting with the clearance of other City sites including Alum Rock Park, Municipal Water Zone 3 Reservoir and Department of Transportation areas in Evergreen. For more information, contact Patrick Tonna at (408) 277-5389.

Martin Park Landfill Update
In April, the California Integrated Waste Management Board approved a $750,000 matching grant to the City for the Martin Park Landfill cut-off project. The grant will partially fund the estimated $1.5 million project to construct an interceptor trench around the site. The project will help eliminate further gas migration and allow landfill gases to passively vent to the atmosphere. Work is scheduled to begin this summer. Weekly monitoring of the crawlspaces at adjacent residences continues to show no detectable concentrations of landfill gases. The construction of a sidewalk on the landfill site along Forestdale Avenue is scheduled to begin in mid May. The Methane vapor barrier installation is expected to be bid and occur from June 2008 to January 2009, with the park site anticipated to achieve environmental clearance to develop in late 2009. If clearance is obtained and funding is in place, park build out can commence in 2010. For more information, contact Napp Fukuda at (408) 975-2594.

Day of Service a Success
Thanks to over 1,000 students, staff, faculty, families, and community members who came out for the San Jose State University 2nd Annual Day of Service. The day consisted of nine downtown park beautification and clean up projects, four school service and health projects, five streets clean up and graffiti removal projects and an underpass clean up at highway 280.   

In particular, East Santa Clara Street businesses are now adorned with over 30 planters that were assembled during the day of service.  At Roosevelt Park 65 volunteers beautified the native garden, removing graffiti and litter from the park grounds.  Over in the South University Neighborhood, 30 volunteers removed litter from William St, San Salvador, Reed and Margaret and at 280 Highway. In Olinder neighborhood, 75 volunteers removed a large amount of litter from a massive area behind Olinder park.  Our greenest project was in Bernal Park where community members, City staff, Our City Forest and SJSU volunteers worked hard to re-plant 26 trees.
All of these projects could not have been accomplished without the hard work of neighborhood leaders, CommUniverCity, San Jose State University, City of San Jose and many others.  For more information on the Day of Service and information on partnering organizations click here.

Youth Commissioner Needed
The District 3 Council Office is currently seeking an energetic, enthusiastic, youth who is eager to make a difference in City of San Jose through the Youth Commission.  The Youth Commission is the official youth advisory group to the City Council, Police Chief Davis and the Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services.  The Commissioner will have the opportunity to educate the community on current youth issues, make recommendations to City Council and assist in developing new youth programs and services within the City.

Requirements:

• Be between the ages of 14-20
• Live in Council District 3 (for a map click here)
• Be able to attend all monthly commission meetings
• Commit to at least 20 hours a month for events, trainings and community projects.

This is great opportunity to understand how local government impacts your daily lives and how YOU help make a difference for youth in San Jose.  The application must be submitted by 5:00 p.m.  on May 30, 2008  to the Office of the City Clerk, 200 East Santa Clara Street San Jose, CA 95113. For more information click here.

Survey to Support Art
Silicon Valley artists working in every field and discipline are invited to take a survey to help inform area funders and agencies supporting the arts about the needs of working artists and creative entrepreneurs. The survey will take about 20 minutes, and personal information will be kept strictly confidential.
This project is being sponsored as a public-private partnership to design future programs and support mechanisms for individual artists. Results will be shared publicly in September 2008. To take the survey click here.

01SJ is Back
San Jose will again host the biennial 01SJ, a Global Festival of Art on the Edge, June 4-8. Sponsored in part by Cisco Systems, Adobe and the City of San Jose, 01SJ is North America’s largest festival of digital arts and will showcase more the 100 artists and projects from an international roster of artists and performers. The five-day Festival will incorporate exhibitions, films, concerts, performances and nightlife occurring throughout downtown San Jose’s parks, public streets, museums, theaters, and clubs. The 01SJ Festival aims to be a key stop on the global cultural circuit and a signature event for San Jose and all of Silicon Valley. Don’t miss the kickoff and the San Jose City Hall Rotunda Celebration on June 4th at 9 p.m. as artist Craig Walsh’s installation on the Rotunda goes live. For a full schedule of events click here.

Downtown Farmers’ Market is Open
Now in its 16th season, the Downtown Farmer’s Market remains the ideal destination for fresh produce and friendly faces serving 2,000 people each week. The Market takes place every Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. now through December 19th at San Pedro Square (along San Pedro Street between Santa Clara and St. John Streets).
Free parking is available in the San Pedro Square garage off Market Street with validation at the market. The San Jose Downtown Farmers' Market is a San Jose Downtown Association production, in partnership with Pacific Coast Farmers' Market Association (PCFMA). For more information click here.

First annual "SHAKESPEARE ON THE SQUARE FESTIVAL" 
Nonprofit performing arts group, Arclight Repertory Theatre, brings Shakespeare's romantic comedy of mistaken identity and bad karma, Twelfth Night, to Theatre on San Pedro Square this June.  In addition, they are offering "The Green Show", a free performance on Saturdays and Sundays for the community. In addition, a performance of Indian classical music, dance and love poetry presented by the Abhinaya Dance Company of San Jose and Arclight will be held one hour prior to the Twelfth Night performances.
The Festival will run June 6th – June 28th (Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 7pm) at the Theatre on San Pedro Square with the "Green Show" performances on Saturdays at 7pm and Sundays at 6pm outside on San Pedro Street next to Peggy Sue's Restaurant.
The Theatre on San Pedro Square is located at 29 N. San Pedro Street above Peggy Sue's Restaurant. Tickets are $15 and $10 for students/seniors (65 and older).  Reservations can be made through Brown Paper Tickets at (800) 838-3000 or click here.

Neighborhood Bistro for Summer Food and Fun
The Poor House Bistro is San Jose's “New Orleans Joint”. A "Joint" in the south is a place where people would come to enjoy food, drink, and music. The Poor House brings the site, sound, and taste of New Orleans to downtown including live music throughout the summer. The Bistro is located one block south of the HP Pavilion across from the Diridon Train Station. For more information or to see the entertainment schedule click here.

Music in the Other Park Delivers Diversity
The eleventh season of Music in the Other Park boasts a dynamic lineup this season. Groove to classic funk hits from Midnight Star.  Discover music fusion with Groundation’s blend of jazz, dub, and reggae or Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks’ “folk jazz” sound. In addition, Augustana and special guest Ben Lee are rising stars in the pop/rock/Americana scene.   
Groundation’s headlining performance June 5 will be followed by the unique stylings of Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks June 12. Augustana and special guest Ben Lee perform June 19 and Midnight Star closes the series on June 26.
Each of the four free concerts begins at 5:30 p.m. at St. James Park, North First and St. James streets, in a historic part of downtown San Jose.
The San Jose Downtown Association produces the shows and Metro Newspapers is title sponsor this year for Metro’s Music in the Other Park.
The venue changes to Plaza de Cesar Chavez for the 20th anniversary of Metro’s Music in the Park – nine more consecutive free shows July 10-Sept. 4.  The Downtown Association also supports free outdoor movies on Wednesday evenings July 9-Aug 27 in San Pedro Square and on Saturdays July 19-Aug. 23 in St. James Park. For more information, call (408) 279-1775 or click here.

Silicon Valley Home Raffle for Charity
Win a brand new penthouse in downtown’s newest residential tower, City Heights, or $1 million in cash when you purchase a raffle ticket for $150.

Proceeds from the raffle benefit InnVision the Way Home, Silicon Valley’s largest provider of services to the homeless.

Your purchase will help further the mission of InnVision, the nonprofit that serves more than 16,000 men, women and children at 20 sites throughout the region. Your support will enable InnVision to meet the demand for immediate, humane and sustainable solutions to homelessness.

To learn more click here.

Triple Play Family Days for Only $1
History San José, Happy Hollow Park & Zoo and the San Jose Giants are excited to introduce the inaugural Triple Play Family Days.  Three of San Jose’s most popular attractions have partnered to offer the perfect opportunity for local families.  Spend the day at History Park and Happy Hollow Park & Zoo, and then enjoy a night at the San Jose Giants, all for only $1 per person.  Triple Play Family Days will be held on June 10th and July 8th.

This summertime outing offers families a chance to combine animals, history, gardens and baseball all in one place, at the corner of Senter and Alma, at a price you can’t beat.  Enjoy an excursion at Happy Hollow Park & Zoo, then tour the Japanese Friendship Garden on your way to History Park.  Save up your appetite for Turkey Mike’s BBQ and catch all the action at the San Jose Giants game.
For more information on Triple Play Family Days, please call Happy Hollow Park & Zoo at (408) 277-4193 or click here.  

The $1 admission tickets to the San Jose Giants are only available at HHP&Z until 5:00 pm.  If you would like to purchase tickets exclusively for the San Jose Giants game, General Admission tickets are $9 per person for adults, $6 for children and seniors, kids four and under are free.  Game tickets are available at the Municipal Stadium Box Office or click here.

Learning Express Library Launched
The Learning Express Library is a new electronic service now offered to San Jose library card holders. Learning Express Library provides free online access to interactive skill building courses and a range of practice tests based on official exams such as the SAT, GED, Firefighter, Police Officer, Paramedic, EMT Basic, U.S. Citizenship, Postal Worker, Real Estate Agent & Broker Exams. All practice tests include instant score reports that help users target the skill areas that need the most attention. Learning Express Library can be accessed at any time from any computer with internet access. To access the service click here.

Summer Pool Parities
Summer swim season is almost here and downtown will celebrate the re-opening of two pools. Ryland pool at 421 N. 1st Street will celebrate its grand opening on Saturday, June 21st from 12 – 3p.m. Bierach pool, located at W. Virginia Street and Delmas in Biebrach Park,  will celebrate its grand opening on Saturday, June 28th from 1 – 4 p.m. All are welcome to attend both community celebrations!

Great Cities Speaker Series Debuts
San Jose’s Office of Cultural Affairs, 1st ACT Silicon Valley and the Commonwealth Club of California announced the debut of the 2008 Great Cities Speakers Series. Beginning June 5th, in conjunction with 01SJ: A Global Festival of Art on the Edge, and continuing through December, the speaker series will consist of monthly public lectures designed to provoke thought, discussion and imagination about the City of the future to bring important outside perspectives to local and regional efforts on civic planning, culture, art and design. The lectures are free and each one is followed by a reception to continue conversation among attendees.

The Great Cities Speakers Series is intended to engage residents, business and civic leaders who will all be directly impacted by the evolution of Envision San Jose General Plan 2040 – the key planning document that will guide San Jose’s growth, character and service ambitions over the next 10-30 years. The series targets people with the real power to shape the City – new and long time residents, business owners and nonprofit leaders to attend the series and offer input on how the City moves forward with the General Plan. For a full schedule or to make reservations click here.

Studio 150: Craft
Thursday, May 29
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, 150 E. San Fernando St.
Children's Room, 1st Floor

Join MLK Thursday afternoons in the King Library Children's Room for exciting art activities. Children, teens and their families are welcome. For information, call (408) 808-2183.

From the River to the Bay: Histories of the Guadalupe to Alviso
Saturday, May 31
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
$10/members, $15/non-members

Join Friends of Guadalupe River Park & Gardens to celebrate the opening of the Guadalupe Trail to Alviso with a wonderful history lecture on the local area. Lynn Rogers and Robert Burrill, authors of “Images of America: Alviso, San Jose” will present a history of life along the Guadalupe River to the San Francisco Bay at Alviso during the 19th-century. Once a prosperous port town, Alviso has undergone a number of face changes through time and today has become the site to high-tech business, retail and condos. Discover how this small town located on the gateway to the bay is connected to San Jose and the Guadalupe River Park yesterday and today. This class will take place at the Visitor & Education Center located at 438 Coleman Ave, San Jose, 95110. For more information or to register call (408) 298-7657. Pre-registration is required.

Peregrine Falcons of the Bay Area
Open through Friday, June 13
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library, 150 E. San Fernando St.
4th Floor Exhibit Area

Enjoy an exhibit of images celebrating the beauty of this once endangered species. Photos represent the work of local photographers:  Kate Davis, Nick Dunlop, Barbara Jordan, Evet Loewen, Mary Malec, Ed Miller, Glenn Nevill and Brandon Powell. Sponsored by the King Library Reference Unit. To enhance the enjoyment of your visit, check out the activities of the City Hall falcon family using the Falcon Scope located on the northeast corner of the 8th floor. For more information, call (408) 808-2040.

Wine & Fashion Benefiting Youth
Friday, June 13th
Crowne Plaza (282 Almaden Blvd)
6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
$20/$25 at the door

Join Sam and Councilmember Forrest Williams at a wine tasting and fashion show benefiting the Positive Alternative Recreation Teambuilding Impacting (PARTI) Program. The program promotes education around healthy lifestyles and healthy decision making for young people. For more information or to purchase tickets call (408) 561-4664.

Summer Walking Series
Saturdays, June 7 – July 26
8:30 to 9:30 am
$30/members, $40/non-members

Join the Friends of Guadalupe River Park & Gardens walking series and week by week you will become healthier through these group walks that will lead you over the paved trails of the beautiful Guadalupe River Park. Whether you are an avid walker or new to a walking program, you will learn about proper equipment, walking technique, stretching and beneficial strength exercises for walkers while meeting others who enjoy walking. Instructor, Kristin Strellis will lead this 8 week series along with weekly emails of encouragement and walking tips.
Pre-registration is required and participants must be 18 years of age or older. All classes will begin at the GRPG Visitor and Education Center, 438 Coleman Avenue. To register, call Friends of GRPG at 408 298-7657. For questions about the class, please contact instructor Kristin Strellis at kstrellis@yahoo.com.