Hi Neighbors,

Spring is a season of new beginnings, renewal, and celebrations shared with family and friends. Many festivities have already occurred, such as Holi, the Hindu Festival of Colors, and the holy month of Ramadan for our Islamic community, while others are just around the corner.

This year, Passover will be observed from April 12 to 20. Known as the “Jewish Festival of Freedom,” Passover commemorates the Jewish people’s Exodus from Egypt and their journey to liberation. The celebration begins with a traditional seder plate, offering a moment for reflection and gratitude.

For many, Easter is a cherished holiday filled with traditions, from egg hunts and chocolate bunnies to attending mass with loved ones. Some of my fondest memories with my family come from celebrating this special day together. This month, our community will also observe Vaisakhi and the Cambodian New Year, marking important cultural milestones for many of our neighbors.

No matter how you choose to celebrate, I hope your gatherings are filled with joy, laughter, and the warmth of community.

It is my pleasure and privilege to serve as your City Councilmember,

Domingo Candelas

City of San José District 8

Learn more about our community work and accomplishments in my past newsletters from February 2023 onward, which provide a wealth of information including updates on legislation, community events, and important issues like the City budget, public safety, homelessness and more.

Please share this with your neighbors and let them know what's happening in my district. They can sign up by following this link.

Upcoming Events

Tennis Court Renovation

UPDATED DATES: April 7-April 11, 2025

The tennis court windscreens will be removed and replaced between the hours of 7am to 3:30pm. During this time, the courts will be closed to the public.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Great American Litter Pick Up

Saturday, April 19, 2025

9:00am-11:30am

The Great American Litter Pickup is a city-wide event dedicated to keeping our neighborhoods clean and beautiful. Our office will be hosting a clean-up at Lake Cunningham this year, so come on out and celebrate Earth Day with us!

RSVP here!

Community Park Cleanups!

Looking to make a difference in your community? Volunteer your time and attend the SJ Parks and Rec Saturday Series cleanups!

American Red Cross Blood Drive at the Evergreen Village Square

The American Red Cross is hosting a blood drive at the Village Square Branch Library on Friday, April 18!



Donations are accepted by scheduled appointment only

Make an appointment today by clicking the link here!

Cinco de Mayo Celebration

Join us for the 2nd Annual San José Cinco de Mayo Festival, a vibrant celebration of culture, community, and tradition! Enjoy live performances, traditional dances, lowriders, delicious food, and more!

Go to our 'Announcements' section to find more info on how you can participate in this exciting event!

Evergreen Valley College Community Day

Come out to EVC Community Day on Saturday, April 26, from 10am to 4 pm on their athletic field by the Soccer Stadium and Pickleball Courts. 

There will be community booths, music, kids games/activities, food trucks, classic cars, a popup planetarium and more!

Councilmember Candelas at the Farmers' Market

Evergreen Village Square

10am-12pm



Stop by and share your thoughts and questions with me at the Farmer's Market. Part of empowering our families and creating stronger neighborhoods is addressing your concerns and connecting you with the available resources! 

We'll be taking a small break from the farmers' market, but stay tuned to see where we will be next!

No appointments are needed.

June 15, July 20, Sept. 21, Oct. 19 & Dec. 21

In the Community

Raising Cane's Grand Opening

It's a pleasure to officially welcome Raising Cane's to District 8!

This is an exciting moment for our community as we celebrate not just a new restaurant but new jobs, opportunities, and a gathering space for our residents. 

March Madness in Evergreen

In the spirit of March Madness, the Evergreen Leadership Neighborhood Association hosted an exciting basketball event, bringing the community together for some friendly competition and fun!

Firewise Community Proclamation

I am so proud to present a commendation to The Villages Golf and Country Club for becoming San Jose's first Firewise Community. 

We have held multiple fire safety events at The Villages since my first year in office, and I look forward to continuing our wonderful partnership!

Alumni Fair

Recently, I had the pleasure of taking part in Evergreen Valley High School's Alumni Fair. I love what I do as the Councilmember for District 8, and I'm glad I had the opportunity to encourage our students to engage with their local government.

Your Tax Dollars at Work

Reporting Tools Available for Our Community

In response to community calls, San Jose Police Department officers worked with BeautifySJ to remove illegally parked vehicles along Sturla Dr. that were blocking access to the sidewalk and generating blight.

This effort wouldn't have been possible without the neighbors who brought this to our attention. When concerns are reported, it helps my staff and me better understand the needs of our community, prioritize resources effectively, and advocate for solutions that improve the quality of life for all residents. This is why I strongly urge you to call 9-1-1 or the SJPD

non-emergency line (408-277-8900) to report public safety concerns and illegal activity. To report an encampment, fill out BeautifySJ's online form here!

VTA Eastridge to BART Regional Connector Update

Ongoing and Future Closures*

ONGOING CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES

•   Pile driving continues on the west side of Capitol Expressway between Cunningham Avenue and Eastridge Loop. Pile driving is conducted only during the day.

•   Concrete pouring for the superstructure on Capitol Expressway continues on segments between Ocala Avenue and Story Road.

•   The relocation of the BRT station continues at the southwest corner of Capitol Expressway and Ocala Avenue, and it is expected to be completed by the end of March 2025.

DAY AND NIGHT WORK SCHEDULES

•   Day crews work Monday through Friday, from 7:00 am through 5:00 pm

•   Night crews work from Sunday night through Friday morning, from 10:00 pm through 7:00 am.

•   Weekend day and night crews work as needed.

•   Crew schedules and construction activities can change at any time.

FUTURE ACTIVITIES

Wednesday, April 9 

ROAD CLOSURE | Southbound Capitol Expressway

Falsework installation will occur on southbound Capitol Expressway between Cunningham Avenue and Tully Road from Wednesday, April 9, through Friday, April 11. Expect overnight road closures with detours between 10:00 p.m. and 5:30 a.m.

*Construction activities can change at any time

City Services

If you notice a broken traffic signal in San Jose, it is important to report it right away! Emergency Broken Signals: If you see flashing red lights, a signal head that is turned or not working, or if cars, bikes, or pedestrians are not getting the green light, call (408) 794-1900 immediately. This could be an emergency situation. 

Non-Emergency Broken Signals: If a signal is acting strangely, like giving a short green light when there is heavy traffic, or long green lights with no traffic, email traffic.signals@sanjoseca.gov or call (408) 975-3700. 

When reporting, remember to include: 

• The intersection and direction 
• The approximate time and date of the problem 
• For broken signal heads, mention if the head is above the street or on the side of the pole. 

Requesting a New Traffic Signal: If you think a new traffic signal is needed at an intersection to make things safer, you can request one by emailing Traffic.Safety@sanjoseca.gov or calling (408) 535-3850. The city looks at several factors before installing a new signal, including traffic volume, safety concerns, and nearby schools. Installing a new signal costs a lot, so it's carefully evaluated before a decision is made. 

The City of San José is spreading the word about the 988 Crisis and Suicide Lifeline. This lifeline gives you free, confidential, and compassionate emotional support when you need help. Contacting 988 connects you to a trained counselor who is here for you, no matter what you are going through. If you are feeling overwhelmed with anxiety, depression, or thoughts of self-harm, reach out to 988.

Click here to learn more about the 988 lifeline.

To learn more about free legal services through the Elevate Community Center, click here!

Happy Hollow Park & Zoo Access for All Scholarship

The Happy Hollow Park & Zoo offers discounted rates for families receiving government assistance, such as Medical, food stamps, WIC, etc. Access for All provides four discounted tickets at $4 each. Guests can receive this discounted rate every time they visit HHPZ!

Learn more about the program here!

Local Businesses

Woof Gang Bakery Easter Egg Hunt

RSVP here!

Disability Access Improvement Grants for Small Businesses

 San José Small Business Owners: The City's Disability Access Improvement Grants program will support your responsibility to comply with the federal Americans with Disability Act and the California Building Code. The grant will help you pay for a Certified Access Specialist (CASp) report and to hire professionals to design and remove ADA barriers. 

More information about qualifying for grant assistance can be found here.

Announcements

American Veterans 2025 AutoRama

Join the Military Officers Association of America - Silicon Valley Chapter (MOAA-SVC) for an indoor car show at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds! All proceeds of this 3-day family-friendly event will support veterans and veterans services in our City and our County.

Click here to learn more and purchase tickets!

Want to be part of the action? Volunteer sign-ups are now open! Click here to register!

Other Ways to Participate:

Host a Resource Table – Sign Up Here

Join the Parade – Sign Up Here

Become a Merchandise Vendor – Sign Up Here

Food Vendors – Waitlist Open – Sign Up Here

For more up to date information be sure to follow our Instagram: @eastsj5demayo

Spring Career Fair

• Open to All: This event is inclusive and welcomes job seekers of all ages and backgrounds
• Free Admission: There's no cost to attend, and free parking making it accessible to everyone.
• Recruiters On-Site: Job seekers are encouraged to bring their resumes to engage with recruiters.
• Language Accessibility: We're committed to inclusivity with interpreters available for Spanish, Vietnamese, and American Sign Language (ASL). Other languages are available upon request.
• Diverse Employers: A wide array of over 55 participating employers and resource providers will be present, offering diverse career prospects.

Register for the event here

Mark your calendars! Viva CalleSJ returns on Sunday, April 13th with 3 Activity Hubs in Tamien Park, St. James Park, and Emma Prusch Farm Park's Knox Lot!

SJPL is excited to announce a special opportunity to recognize the incredible educators in our community – it’s time to Vote for Your San José Educator of the Year! 

This is a wonderful chance for students, parents, colleagues, and community members to nominate an outstanding educator who has made a significant impact in their lives.

This award is open to any TK-12 educator currently working or who has worked in San José. Teachers from public, private, and charter schools are eligible, and even retired teachers who served in San José can be nominated.

..

To nominate an educator, simply submit a nomination highlighting why your teacher deserves this recognition.

• Eligibility: Nominators must be at least 13 years old or have a parent/adult assist them.
• One nomination per person
• Complete the nomination form to submit your entry.

Why is this important? 

This is a chance to honor the dedication, passion, and hard work of the educators who go above and beyond to support students. Let’s celebrate the amazing impact they have on our community!

Make sure your nomination is submitted before April 11 to be considered.

Questions?

Reach out to studentlibrarycard@sjlibrary.org

YMCA Spring Fling

Register here

Project Foodbox for Medi-Cal Members

Click here to get more info!

Starting in March, San José Clean Energy (SJCE) customers are saving even more money! Not sure if you are a SJCE customer? Check the first page of your PG&E bill. You can also call SJCE at 833-432-2454 or visit SanJoseCleanEnergy.org/return-to-sjce

San José Clean Energy (SJCE) is working hard to keep your energy costs as low as possible and help our neighbors hardest hit. Please contact SJCE on ways you can save: SanJoseCleanEnergy.org.

Computer & Digital Skills Classes and 1:1 Support

Build your digital skills by attending in-person or virtual classes in multiple languages offered by the San Jose Public Library!

For in-person class times, Click here!

Interested in virtual classes? Click here!