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San Jose Jazz opens its Break Room for fall concert series

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:44:59 GMT

After kicking off its new fall music series earlier this month, San Jose Jazz is again opening its SJZ Break Room on Sept. 29 for the next intimate performance.The series opened Sept. 1 with a show curated by Needle to the Groove, a local DJ-run record store, and headlined by Bay Area producer Teeko.For the series, San Jose Jazz is bringing national touring artists and emerging jazz, soul and hip-hop artists to the SJZ Break Room, a popup located inside San Jose Jazz’s downtown San Jose offices. A group work space by day, the office can be transformed into a 100-seat venue in just two hours and boasts cabaret and lounge seating, a bar and state-of the-art video that is both livestreamed and projected on a 35-foot bank of windows to allow passersby to experience the music. Unless otherwise noted, doors open at 7 p.m. and shows start at 8 p.m.Visitors to the SoFA District on Sept. 29 may see and hear bassist Michael Feinberg’s release party set for his 10th album. Feinberg has been he...

Sunnyvale names new assistant city manager

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:44:59 GMT

Sarah Johnson-Rios has been named Sunnyvale’s new assistant city manager, effective Oct. 23.“Sarah impressed everyone on our interview panels with her range of experience and personable nature,” said city manager Kent Steffens in a statement. “I know she’ll be a great fit for our organization.”Johnson-Rios has more over 15 years’ experience in municipal government management in the areas of financial management, affordable housing and economic development, public works and city administration. She most recently served as assistant city manager for the cities of Morro Bay and Paso Robles.Prior to that job, she served as a housing administrator for the City of Raleigh, NC, and as public works administrative services officer for the City of Santa Monica.As Sunnyvale’s assistant city manager, Johnson-Rios will oversee operational issues and provide guidance on projects such as replacing the city’s enterprise resource planning software. Her starting salary will be $359,000. She will be t...

Milpitas nonprofit swears in 22 advocates for foster youth

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:44:59 GMT

Volunteers from Morgan Hill to Mountain View were sworn in Sept. 19 as Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) through Child Advocates of Silicon Valley, a Milpitas-based nonprofit.The swearing-in ceremony, presided over by Judge Shawna Schwarz, capped a training process where 22 volunteers from nine South Bay cities learned how to serve as the go-between for children in the foster care system and court officials. Milpitas residents Kelly Rose and Luis Saavedra are among the new CASA volunteers.“My goal as a CASA volunteer is to help kids and their families thrive,” new graduate Jorden Young of Morgan Hill said in a statement. “It won’t always be smooth sailing, but with our training and the support from our incredible CASA community, I am confident that we can make a real impact for foster youth.”Volunteer training consisted of 30 hours of self-paced courses and presentations, both online and in person, that covered topics like child development, the dependency court system and in...

New Museum Los Gatos names new executive director

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:44:59 GMT

New NUMU leaderNew Museum Los Gatos announced that Kimberly Snyder will take on the role of executive director. The longtime employee was serving as interim director following the departure of former director, Ami Davis.Snyder will focus on advancing several initiatives at NUMU, like opening the Collections Prep Lab, making the museum’s art and history collections accessible to the general public and celebrating the 13th anniversary of the ArtNow high school exhibition and competition.Wine walkThe Los Gatos Wine Walk is back for visitors and residents to stroll, sip, shop and savor their way through town Saturday, Oct. 14.More than 30 local wineries will offer tastings for guests as they walk through downtown Los Gatos and check out the shops and restaurants. Tickets for the event, which will be held rain or shine, are $50 ahead of the event and $60 at the door, and include a wine glass and wrist band. They can be purchased at Eventbrite.com.Check in begins at 12:30 p.m. at 10...

Saratoga city commissions look to fill vacancies

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:44:59 GMT

Commission recruitment openSeveral Saratoga city commissions are looking to fill vacancies. The Heritage Preservation Commission is accepting applications until Nov. 17, while the deadline to apply for the Parks and Recreation, Public Art, and Library and Community Engagement commissions is Dec. 31.For more information and to apply, visit www.saratoga.ca.us/comvac.Council meeting infoSaratoga residents can stay on top of city council happenings by subscribing to meeting previews and post-meeting summaries through the City of Saratoga’s Hamlet GovCenter at https://gov.myhamlet.com/ca/santa-clara-county/saratoga.Hamlet is an independent communications platform that utilizes artificial intelligence to review and post agenda information online.Residents can also sign up at https://www.saratoga.ca.us/list.aspx to receive city newsletters and notifications when council and commission agendas are posted online.Conference on ‘Aging Well’Saratoga Federated Church is hosting “Aging Well: Plan...

‘Prince of Spanish Guitar’ hosts ‘Fiesta’ in Campbell

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:44:59 GMT

Benise at HeritageBenise and his Emmy-winning production are stopping at Campbell’s Heritage Theatre Oct. 8 as part of his global tour. Showcasing songs from his seventh PBS special , the “Prince of Spanish Guitar” will play Spanish flamenco, Cuban salsa, Brazilian samba and Parisian waltzes, as well as interpretations of classic rock anthems from Led Zeppelin and AC/DC. He’ll also put his signature touch on classics such as “Ave Maria, Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” and Vivaldi’s “Summer” from “The Four Seasons.”The concert  starts at 7 p.m. at the Heritage Theatre, 1 W. Campbell Ave. Tickets are $49.50-$119 at https://www.campbellca.gov/heritagetheatre.Quicksilver history lessonMike Cox will mine the geology of New Almaden Oct. 13 at the next History Happy Hour at Campbell’s Ainsley House.The New Almaden Mine produced mercury beginning in 1845, making it California’s oldest mining operation. Quicksilver was the leading reduction agent for ...

Saratoga mayor states her case at Wildwood Park

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:44:59 GMT

This year’s State of the City event, held at Wildwood Park on Sept. 9, was a huge success. Thanks to all who organized this creative way let citizens know what’s going on in our town.Saratoga High School’s Class of 1968 is celebrating its 55th reunion. The Falcon alumni get together every year, and the annual event is so popular that they are meeting up twice this year. The first reunion was held at alumna Jena D’Angelo’s house in Corvallis. The Saratoga reunion will be held Sunday, Oct. 8 at 2 p.m. For the location and more information, email [email protected] you haven’t tried moonlight kayaking, led by guide Greg Meyer for Los Gatos Saratoga Recreation, it is fabulous. Paddlers ages 18 and older can sign up now for a sunset kayak cruise on Elkhorn Slough on Sunday, Oct. 22, 2-7 p.m., for $56. A day kayaking trip is set for Oct. 29, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., at Ravenswood Peninsula. https://www.lgsrecreation.orgThe Saratoga Chamber of Commerce is busy this fall. First up, the annual gathering...

Assemblymember Lee honors Latino community leaders

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:44:59 GMT

In celebration of Latino Heritage Month, Assemblymember Alex Lee recently honored Latino community leaders alongside co-host Alameda County Supervisor Elisa Márquez.“During this month, we come together to celebrate the rich histories, cultures, contributions and achievements of the Latino community,” said Lee, whose District 24 includes Milpitas. “The hard work and dedication of Latino individuals is imprinted in every corner of our community and California.”Honorees included Leticia Garcia, a resident of San Jose’s Berryessa neighborhood. As a bilingual kindergarten teacher at Brooktree Elementary School, Garcia helps young students of immigrant families and Latino backgrounds gain a sense of belonging at school. She often translates for families and helps them with their needs outside the classroom in the Brooktree community.Patricia Montejano has lived in Fremont with her family for over 30 years. She is the eldest of three and immigrated to the U.S. with her parents when she was...

New Sunnyvale City Hall officially opens

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:44:59 GMT

By the time Sunnyvale’s latest city hall officially opened on Sept. 23, almost a hundred years had passed since the first one was built.The first city hallInitially, Sunnyvale’s City Council operated out of a bank, but when those premises became too small to conduct city business, a new building was opened in 1929 on the corner of South Murphy and McKinley avenues.The new structure was built in the Spanish Eclectic style popular for important public and commercial buildings. Architect A. A. Cantin created a U-shaped design of single-story wings around a two-story central block with arcades and an arched bell tower. Architectural details included a red-tiled roof, stucco walls and shaped parapets. Inside were a civic auditorium, the justice court, the chamber of commerce and the public library.As this city hall was constructed during the Depression, there was no money left to invest in landscaping, and citizens, local groups and even schoolchildren rallied to raise funds for trees an...

Bay Area high school football: Where to find our complete Week 5 coverage

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:44:59 GMT

Week 5 of the high school season is over.De La Salle traveled to the Sierra foothills to edge Folsom. Campolindo put together a defensive gem to stun Monte Vista. San Ramon Valley erupted for six touchdowns in the opening quarter to rout Liberty.St. Francis won its West Catholic Athletic League opener against Mitty.As always, the Bay Area News Group has you covered.If you have not already, please subscribe here for digital access all season long. Your contributions keep us going.Here is our complete Week 5 coverage.Enjoy.Roundup: Best of Week 5Roundup: Saturday’s actionResults: Weekend scoreboard, how Top 25 faredWillow Glen: School to change coaches for rest of 2023Photos: Our staff’s Week 5 imagesDefensive stand: Valley Christian beats Bellarmine in WCAL openerBack to (old) school: De La Salle edges Folsom in physical grindEarly risers: SRV scores 42 points in first quarter to rout LibertySurprise, surprise: Campolindo upsets Monte VistaCloser: RB’s big second half lifts St....