After very careful consideration, I along with the San José Public Library and the City’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services have decided to rebuild the new Calabazas Branch Library in its current location.  This exciting new addition to our community will be approximately 9,000 square feet and will allow Calabazas Library to better serve the community with its expanded collection, more computers, lounge seating, and a story telling area. 

Community input played a strong role in my decision to keep Calabazas at its current site.  After two community meetings and the many conversations I have had with you and your neighbors, it was clear that there the overwhelming majority or residents wanted to see the library remain at 1230 Blaney Avenue.  While this location does present some challenges, I am committed to making this site work.

I also hope to identify funding to cover the cost of adding a 1,000 square foot Community Room for library programming and community meetings.  With newly developing neighborhood associations and the increasing community building taking place in the western portion of District 1, it has become abundantly clear that we need for residents to meet and I am working to ensure that this need is met.

Calabazas BMX Park Grand Opening—August 18, 2007
Councilmember Pete Constant invites you to the grand opening of the Calabazas BMX Park scheduled for Saturday, August 18, 2007 at 12:00 p.m. Be sure to attend for free t-shirts, Red Bull energy drinks and various other goodies! Refreshments will be provided as well as entertainment from Channel 104.9. While the kick-off is still weeks away, the park is now open to residents from sunrise to one hour after sunset. All riders are reminded to follow park rules including wearing a helmet. A complete list of rules will be posted at the entrance. For more information, call the District 1 Office at (408) 535-4901.

Community Meeting: Secondary Unit Pilot Program - August 16, 2007
The Department of Planning, Building and Code Enforcement has scheduled a meeting is to present the results of the Secondary Unit Pilot Program and to hear community comments regarding establishment of a permanent secondary unit ordinance.
The meeting will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, August 16, 2007 at the West Valley Branch Library (1243 San Tomas Aquino Road, San Jose). If you have questions or comments prior to the meeting, please contact Carol Hamilton at (408) 535-7837 or carol.hamilton@sanjoseca.gov

Saratoga Creek Dog Park Survey
Make the grass a little greener on your side of the park by participating in a short survey to help improve user satisfaction.  Visit http://survey.sanjoseca.gov/cip/SaratogaCreekDogPark.htm and click “Submit Survey” when completed.

District 1 Youth Serve your Community—City of San José Youth Commission
Applications are currently being accepted for the District 1 position on the San José Youth Commission. The Youth Commission works to foster greater involvement of youth in municipal government and studies any problems, activities and concerns of youth relating to municipal policies, programs or projects of the City. Applicants must be between 14-20 years of age and must live in Council District 1. If you would like to apply or for more information, please call the (408) 277-2744 or visit http://www.sanjoseca.gov/clerk/Vacancy.asp.  Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 10, 2007.

Teach Here, Live Here- Rental Assistance Program for Teachers
The San José Education Foundation and the City of San José have partnered to launch Teach Here, Live Here (THLH)—a new rental assistance program for San José teachers. This new program was created to help recruit new teachers to the 19 school Districts in San José and to the County Office of Education. The program was especially created to encourage teachers in the disciplines of math, science, and special education to pursue their careers in San José. Grants up to $5,000 can be used to cover the expenses of first and last months rent and security deposit for an apartment in San José. For more information about the Teach Here, Live Here Program, visit http://sjefoundation.org/programs/teachers/Rental_assistance.asp.

San José International Airport Adds New Service for Travelers
Travelers with only a carry on bag will have the opportunity all summer to take advantage of the Alternate Security Checkpoint that opened July 23rd at Mineta San José International Airport.  Located in the International Arrivals Facility adjacent to Terminal A, the check point will be open seven days a week to help reduce otherwise excessive security wait times.  For more information, visit www.flysanjose.com.

Opening Positions on San José Commissions
There several open seats on a variety of City of San José.  Help make a difference in the community by applying for one of the following commissions: Advisory Commission on Rents, Appeals Hearing Board, Disability Advisory Commission, Early Care and Education Commission, Housing and Community Development Advisory Commission, Human Rights Commission, Mobile Home Advisory Commission, and Small Business Development.  If you would like to learn more or apply for one of the open spots, please call the Office of the City Clerk at (408) 535-1252.  Applications must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 31, 2007.

Help Celebrate our Neighborhood—Volunteer for Festival in the Park!
Volunteers are needed for Festival in the Park on Saturday, September 29, 2007 at Hathaway Park. Sign up now!

Evening Community Office Hours
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
West Valley Branch Library-1243 San Tomas Aquino Road, San José
Join the Councilmember to share your thoughts or ask questions—no appointment required!  Please note that the August 1st Office Hours will be starting 30 minutes late.  For further information, please call the District 1 Office at (408) 535-4901.

Blackford NAC Meeting
Thursday, August 2, 2007
6:00 p.m. Dinner; 6:30 p.m. Meeting
West San José Community Center- 3707 Williams Road, San José
Join the Blackford NAC for their August Meeting to discuss National Night Out, Street Smarts, Starbird Park, and projects for the rest of 2007.  For more information, please call (408) 554-6391.

Friends of West Valley Library Business Meeting
Saturday, August 4, 2007
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
West Valley Branch Library- 1243 San Tomas Aquino Road, San José
Friends of the West Valley Library will decide whether to incorporate as a 501(C)3 non-profit organization.  All District 1 residents are invited to attend and share their love for our local libraries and become more involved with the Friends of the West Valley Library.  For more information, call the West Valley Branch Library at (408) 244-4766.

Mystery Bingo
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
2:30 p.m.
Calabazas Branch Library- 1230 Blaney Avenue, San José
Join the crew at Calabazas Branch Library and participate in the Summer Reading Celebration with a fun game of mystery bingo.  For more information, call (408) 996-1536.

Community Office Hours
Thursday, August 16, 2007
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Cypress Senior Center- 403 S. Cypress Avenue, San José
Join the Councilmember to share your thoughts or ask questions—no appointment required!  For further information, please call the District 1 Office at (408) 535-4901.

District 1 Greenprint Meeting
Monday, August 27, 2007
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Moreland West Community Center- 1850 Fallbrook Avenue, San José 
The Greenprint is the City’s 20-Year Strategic Plan for Parks, Community Facilities and Programs and meetings are being held to update this plan and develop creative solutions to address the recreational needs of West San José residents, despite budget shortfalls. For more information, please contact the District 1 Office at (408) 535-4901 or district1@sanjoseca.gov.

Music in the Park
Thursdays, July 12, 2007- September 6, 2007
5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Plaza de Cesar Chavez, Downtown San José
Enjoy free Thursday concerts by world-renowned performers while taking in the charm of downtown’s central park, Plaza de Cesar Chavez.  For more information, please call (408) 279-1775 or visit www.sjdowntown.com.

National Night Out
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Every year, neighbors around the country come together to celebrate National Night Out on the 1st Tuesday in August.  Much like Neighborhood Watch, National Night Out provides residents with the opportunity to meet each other and start developing relationships with each other and local law enforcement officers in an effort to prevent crime.  If you would like more information about National Night Out, including how to start an event in your neighborhood or finding events in your community, please call the Council District 1 Office at (408) 535-4901 or email crystal.morrow@sanjoseca.gov.

Adventures on the Green
Thursday, August 9, 2007
11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Guadalupe River Park & Gardens—Arena Green
Ride a shark, explore the life cycle of a salmon, and become a tree detective!  Families are invited to attend this free event sponsored by the Friends of Guadalupe River Park & Gardens.  For more information, call (408) 298-7657.

San José Jazz Festival
August 10-12, 2007
$5/ day
Downtown San José
Enjoy 1,000 artists on 10 stages in Downtown San José.   A variety of well known jazz artists from around the country will be in San José for the 18th Comcast San José Jazz Festival.  Bring the family and enjoy the music.  For more information, visit http://www.sanjosejazz.org/.

Heritage Day
Sunday, August 26, 2007
12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Admission $8.00/ person
Children’s Discovery Museum- 189 Woz Way, San José
Bring the whole family for a whole day of fun and to celebrate the cultures of the world!  Heritage Day will include crafts, activities, cultural performances, storytelling and more!  For more information, visit http://www.summerheritageday.org/.

Community Action & Pride Grants: Making this City Grant Program Even Better!
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Neighborhood Development Center- 1601 Foxworthy Avenue, San José
Past recipients are invited to attend to help the City improve the Community Action & Pride (CAP) Grant.  Share your thoughts, experiences, and especially your suggestions.  The CAP grant was created to promote the development of healthy and self-reliant neighborhoods and aims to do so by giving residents grants to unify for action, actualize their collective power, and create community-based solutions to neighborhood needs.  Please call (408) 723-4114 to register.