Hi Neighbor,

Embrace the season of giving by donating to the 15th Annual Warm for Winter Coat Drive! This effort is in partnership with community leader Mary Escobar and various organizations, like Evergreen Valley College and the San Jose Public Library. Each donation will be given to an individual in need through a local non-profit.

Donations will be accepted until Tuesday, December 9th. Help us break last year's record of 3,000 coats by dropping off a new or gently-used sweater, coat, or jacket of any size at a collection site near you!

As of November 1st, SNAP (CalFresh) benefits will not be issued. If you'd like to help people access food, support Second Harvest of Silicon Valley by donating or signing up to volunteer. If you're facing food insecurity, visit a local food distribution.

To use DoorDash's emergency food response, SNAP recipients can link their SNAP/EBT card to their DoorDash account. Place a single grocery order from a participating store between November 1-30, 2025, and use the promo code "SNAPDD" to waive delivery and service fees.

Lastly, I'd like to take a moment to recognize that November 1st and 2nd are observed as Dia de los Muertos. During this time, families in Mexico and other Latin American countries come together to honor the memory of their deceased loved ones by creating altars with bright marigolds, candles, pictures, and offerings of their favorite foods.

If you'd like to take part in the celebration, various events will be hosted today throughout the Bay Area.



P.S. The District 8 Community Survey is LIVE! Make sure to fill it out by December 1st!

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

District 8 Community Survey

Survey Link Here

Enlace de Encuesta (Español)

Survey Link (in Vietnamese)

We'd like to hear from you; filling out the survey will take no more than 5 minutes! Help my office improve our neighborhoods by giving us your feedback on the issues that matter most to you. Your response will help us ensure equity and inclusivity when planning our events and activations for the year!

 Help Us Plan Youth Skateboard & Bike Lessons at Lake Cunningham!

Lake Cunningham Action Sports Park is launching new Skateboard and Bike lesson programs — and we want your input!

The City of San José is planning two separate 7-week programs.

Before we schedule, we are asking families which days and times work best.

Scholarships are available to ensure all interested youth can participate.

 Location: Lake Cunningham Action Sports Park

 Each Program: 1.5 hours, once a week for 7 weeks

Share your preferences and help us shape these exciting new programs: https://forms.office.com/g/qSuH1quHXd?origin=lprLink

In Our Community

Fall Family Festival

Our Fall Family Festival was packed with fun! Trick-or-treating, face painting, pumpkins galore, and even a visit from our friends at Fire Stations 21 & 31!

Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate with us.

Halloween at Fire Station 31

I had a blast spending Halloween with the San Jose Firefighters! We gave out tons of candy and glowsticks, and our office helped keep our pedestrians safe by closing the street.

Pleasant Hills Golf Course Community Meeting

There was a full house at August Boeger Middle School this week!

Folks were able to voice their concerns and hear updates on the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the proposed project at the former Pleasant Hills Golf Course. This is only the beginning of a very complex process, and a project has yet to be approved.

If you would like to stay updated, sign up for email notifications!

Small Business Spotlight

Visit Capitol Wholesale Nursery for Your Landscaping and Gardening Needs!

Have a plant lover in your life? Want to tackle a landscaping project?

Look no further than the Capitol Wholesale Nursery at 2938 Everdale Drive!

For 50 years, CWN has supplied the community with a wide variety of plants, trees, shrubs, and ornamentals. And their dedicated staff is available to answer any questions you have.

Visit them in person or contact the nursery for current availability!

Visit District 8 Businesses for Your Holiday Needs!

District 8 is home to a diverse array of goods and services that will elevate your gatherings this holiday season.

The Tully Road Eastridge Business Association, Evergreen Village Square, and Evergreen Business Association all have cultivated a bustling environment with local staples and many mom-and-pop shops to choose from!

District 8 Small Business Spotlight Suggestions

Fill out the form here!

City Hall Update

This month, we voted to direct the City Attorney to draft a resolution of support on behalf of the City Council for Santa Clara County Measure A. 

While Measure A isn’t a complete or perfect solution, the reality is that the cuts to Medicaid will impact everyone. Measure A is designed specifically to respond during a fiscal crisis—it is not permanent. It is estimated to generate an additional $330 million per year for the county’s general fund over five years, until it expires in 2031. Funding our county hospitals and medical services will preserve the progress we have made to support those who are experiencing behavioral health issues or homelessness. This includes the hundreds of new inpatient treatment beds used to support our most vulnerable community members.

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The City Council also passed support for State Proposition 50 (The Election Rigging Response Act) because of its reaffirmation for California’s commitment to independent redistricting while advocating for a nationwide commitment to fair and impartial maps. The proposition also gives California voters a choice, ensures fairness because of actions happening in other states and makes these maps temporary. 

At its core, Prop 50 is about 4 things:

1. Committing to Fair Redistricting: Prop 50 reaffirms California’s commitment to independent redistricting and calls for a nationwide commitment to fair and impartial maps.

2. Giving the Voters a Choice: Prop 50 puts the power in the hands of the People of California, not backroom politicians, to approve emergency congressional district maps in response to Trump’s election rigging scheme.

3. Ensuring Fairness: Prop 50 provides emergency maps only because what’s happening elsewhere in our Country.

4. Temporary Changes: These maps expire in 2030. Prop 50 preserves California’s award-winning redistricting reforms and reaffirms the California Citizens Redistricting Commission’s authority to draw congressional districts after the next census.

Activating Our Neighborhoods

Building strong neighborhoods starts with you! Joining a neighborhood association not only builds community block by block, but it also brings critical information to the forefront as I draft policy and fight for dollars in the budget. As a councilmember, I rely on the eyes and ears of each resident, and your collective voices take shape in the form of neighborhood groups.

Here is a list of active neighborhood associations in District 8:



• Welch Park - Between Ocala Ave, King Rd & Tully Rd
• Norwood - Between Tully Rd, Ruby Ave, Norwood Ave & S White Rd
• Meadowfair - Between East Capitol, Aborn Rd, S King Rd & Rigoletto Dr
• Creekside - Between San Felipe Rd & Cadwallader Ave
• Brahms/Edgeview - Between Rigoletto Dr, S King Rd, Tully Rd & Quimby Rd
• Silver Oak Estates - Silver Oak St, Rachaella Lane & Carmella Ct
• Evergreen Leadership - Neighborhoods of Groesbeck, Hidden Glens, Pleasant Hills & Quimby
• Thompson Creek - E Capitol Expwy, Aborn Rd, White Rd & Quimby Rd
• Brigadoon - E Capitol Expwy, Aborn Rd, Nieman Blvd, Wendover Lane, Baronet Ct, Yerba Buena Road & Silver Creek Rd
• District 8 Community Roundtable - District-wide

If you would like to get involved in your neighborhood association, or you do not see your neighborhood listed and would like to activate your neighborhood, please reach out to sachin.radhakrishnan@sanjoseca.gov

VTA Eastridge to BART Regional Connector Update

ONGOING AND ANTICIPATED CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES

1. NEW TEMPORARY TRAFFIC CONFIGURATION OVERNIGHT GIRDER INSTALLATION: Northbound Capitol Expressway Two Left Turn Lanes Closed at Ocala Avenue

Both left turn lanes will be closed, from northbound Capitol Expressway to westbound Ocala Avenue, until mid-November. Follow detour signs.

2. TURN RESTRICTION: Southbound Capitol Expressway to Eastbound Ocala Avenue

One left-turn lane remains open until June 2026.

THE FOLLOWING WORK WAS ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED FOR

10/26-10/30 BUT HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED TO 11/9-11/13

3. GIRDER INSTALLATION: Story Road and Capitol Expressway

Overnight Work with Intersection Closures

Sunday evening, November 9 through Tuesday morning, November 11

The first two nights, crews will place girders across the Story Road intersection to build the VTA Story Road station, westbound and eastbound Story Road will be closed at Capitol Expressway. Motorists will not be allowed to make left turns from eastbound and westbound Story Road onto Capitol Expressway or travel through the intersection. Additionally, northbound Capitol Expressway will be closed at Ocala Avenue, and vehicles will be detoured to White Road.

Motorists driving eastbound on Story Road will be able to turn right on southbound Capitol Expressway. Motorists driving westbound on Story Road will be able to turn right on northbound Capitol Expressway.

4. FALSEWORK INSTALLATION: Story Road and Capitol Expressway

Overnight Work with Intersection Closures

Tuesday evening, November 11, through Thursday morning, November 13

After the girders are placed, crews will install falsework at the Story Road intersection. Once again, motorists will not be allowed to make left turns from eastbound and westbound Story Road onto Capitol Expressway or travel through the intersection. Expect road closures at the intersection and follow detours via White Road, S. Jackson Avenue, and Ocala Avenue.

Motorists driving eastbound on Story Road will be able to turn right on southbound Capitol Expressway. Motorists driving westbound on Story Road will be able to turn right on northbound Capitol Expressway.

5. SHEET PILE REMOVAL: Median of Capitol Expressway, south of Ocala Avenue

Day Work

Tuesday, November 4, through Friday, November 7

Noise and vibration are anticipated during sheet pile removal. Work is scheduled weekdays from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm.

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Any questions, comments, and concerns can be directed to the VTA Community Outreach Office at community.outreach@vta.org or (408) 321-7575. Please make sure to provide your name, address, a summary of your concern, and your phone number.

SAFETY REMINDERS

• Pay close attention to detour signs and lane closures
• Reduce speed through construction zones
• Avoid distractions such as mobile devices
• Use alternate routes when possible

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.

*Construction activities can change at any time

City Services

Prepare for Potential I-9 Audits, Workplace Raids

  The Office of Economic Development and Cultural Resources has published resources to assist business owners and Human Resources personnel to prepare their business for potential I-9 audits, workplace raids, and/or worker shortages.

Monday 11/5, 11 a.m: One of our national partners, the Small Business Majority, will be hosting a virtual Know Your Rights Session for Small Business Owners.

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La Oficina de Desarrollo Económico y Recursos Culturales ha publicado recursos para ayudar a los propietarios de negocios y al personal de Recursos Humanos a preparar su negocio para potenciales auditorías I-9, redadas en el lugar de trabajo y / o escasez de trabajadores.

Lunes 5/11, 11 a.m: Uno de nuestros socios nacionales, la mayoría de las pequeñas empresas, organizará una sesión virtual Conozca sus derechos para propietarios de pequeñas empresas.

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

Announcements

San Jose Firefighters Fill the Boot

Help the San Jose Firefighters raise funds for burn survivors!

Donations can be made through the website or Venmo (@SanJoseFirefighters-Burn).

If you'd like to volunteer at the event, email billy.tyson@sjff.org or wbarone911@yahoo.org

Fall Career Fair

Looking for your next career opportunity? Join work2future and San José City College for the 2025 Fall Career Fair — meet employers, explore openings, and take the next step in your career!

Become an Advocate Volunteer

Working with children in foster care can be tough and demanding, but it's also very impactful. As an Advocate Volunteer, you have the ability to help a foster child overcome the effects of having experienced abuse, neglect and/or abandonment. This can completely alter the life trajectory of a child.

SHOW UP for a foster child! Learn how you can make a difference in a foster child's life by attending a virtual volunteer info session.