Upcoming Events Cesar E. Chavez Memorial Walkway Community Outreach Meeting #2 Wednesday February 18 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Mayfair Community Center - Chavez Banquet Hall 2039 Kammerer Avenue    Share your opinion on establishing a walkway to connect landmarks located in Downtown San Jose and the Alum Rock neighborhood. Staff has worked on the ideas and input from community members in the first meeting and will be returning with updated designs and information. San Jose Cycling Classic February 14 through 21    Test your own cycling endurance or cheer on the world's top cyclists as they race through the streets of San Jose. The Cycling Classic offers a series of events including the Amgen Tour of California, King of the Mountain ride, Cycling Art Gallery, and Criterium constructed in Downtown San Jose. Click here for more information. Shop San Jose      Shopping in San Jose will keep sales tax dollars in the City to fund critical services. With the convenient shopping and dining choices throughout San Jose, remembering to spend within city limits is an easy way to support local libraries, parks, and public safety. Click here to view the Shop San Jose Commercial.   Neighborhood Leaders Help Develop Priorities for Budget      The 2009 Neighborhood Association and Youth Commission Priority Setting Session was held at City Hall on Saturday, January 24. The event brought together City Staff, Youth Commissioners, and approximately one hundred community leaders, each representing a San Jose Neighborhood Association.    Hosted by Mayor Reed and City Manager Deb Figone, numerous Department Directors were able to interact with community representatives to create an open dialogue about the budget issues facing the City.    The Neighborhood Association Priority Setting Session is one of the first steps of the annual Community Budget Process outlined in the Reed Reforms. Watch the Priority Setting Session. Innovation and Collaboration are Focus of State of the City     During his annual State of the City Address, Mayor Chuck Reed applauded many of San José's accomplishments over the past year while offering his analysis of how the City can maneuver the economic challenges ahead.    Amid the struggling economy and a difficult federal and state budget, Mayor Reed remained hopeful for the future. He encouraged residents to work together and become active in their neighborhoods in order to maintain a strong and vibrant community.    Mayor Reed detailed many areas in which the city excelled in 2008, including an increased number of police officers and fire stations, investments in transportation, and a 20% decrease in gang violence.    Examining ways in San José can avoid many of the pitfalls related to the struggling economy, Mayor Reed named green tech innovation, job training, Downtown development, and increased collaboration among the key factors.    In his concluding remarks, Mayor Reed noted that the best days of Silicon Valley and San José are ahead of us. Stressing the importance of helping the less-fortunate in our community, Mayor Reed asked residents to "take a moment to count our blessings, give thanks for living in a land of freedom and opportunity, and then ask ourselves if we could do more to house the homeless, to feed the hungry, to support our schools, or to keep an arts organization alive."    Mayor Reed presented the State of the City Address during the 2009 Community Breakfast, a sold out event which also recognized outstanding City employees and Community Honorees.     Watch the 2009 Community Breakfast.  View Pictures.      Read the Mayor's State of the City Address.   Legislative Agenda Promotes Job Growth in Clean Tech Sector    City Council has unanimously approved the 2009-2010 San Jose Clean Tech Legislative Agenda, supporting policies that enhance green collar workforce training and increase incentives for consumers to switch to clean energy.    Encouraging local economic growth and employment opportunities, the Agenda will guide the City's advocacy for the Clean Tech industry on the federal, state, and regional levels.    To develop the legislative agenda, Mayor Reed convened the second annual Clean Tech Summit at San José City Hall on December 12, 2008. The Summit brought together representatives from Clean Tech businesses, financial institutions, elected officials, non-governmental organizations, and regulatory agencies    Mayor Reed has recognized innovation and expansion in the Clean Tech sector as a major opportunity for Silicon Valley to add quality jobs to the area and revitalize the economy.    Last year's Clean Tech Legislative Agenda successfully advocated for the extension of federal renewable tax credits and encouraged the adoption of AB2466, granting municipalities the ability to receive a bill credit for renewable electricity supplied to the electric grid.    Read the 2009-2010 San José Clean Tech Legislative Agenda.   Initiative Provides Families an Opportunity for Financial Resources    Bank on San Jose provides an opportunity for individuals to gain access to a new account with participating banks or credit unions along with providing free financial education.    An effort to assist the "unbanked" in San Jose, the program will help households open checking and personal savings accounts, build their credit history, and gain access to lower-cost sources of credit.    The program has been supported locally by the United Way of Silicon Valley. Please visit their website for more information.