Hi Neighbors,

My Fourth of July Independence Day celebration at Lake Cunningham is happening in THREE DAYS!!!!

Independence Day Fireworks at Lake Cunningham

Thursday, July 4th from 7PM to 10PM

Fireworks start promptly at 9PM

A few things to note, NO coolers, NO pets, and NO personal fireworks will be allowed. Over concerns of public safety, all parking lots at Lake Cunningham will be CLOSED to vehicle access, so we are encouraging walking, biking or taking public transit. If you need accessibility accommodations please reach out to my staff at 408-535-4908 or email district8@sanjoseca.gov. I have arranged shuttles and additional parking at Eastridge Mall nearby, please see additional details below.

This work is in collaboration with the San José Fire Department in our continued effort as a City to combat illegal fireworks.

As we fast approach our Independence Day celebrations for July 4th, I also want to take a moment to recognize the many civil rights celebrations in June including Juneteenth and Pride Month.

Juneteenth, or Freedom Day, commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African people on June 19, 1865. This was the culmination of hundreds of years of work to abolish slavery within the United States.

Pride Month commemorates decades of civil rights struggles for the LGBTQ+ community within the United States. One of the most defining liberation protests was the Stonewall Riots of June 1969.

While more work remains to be done on civil rights, I encourage you to join the City of San José and your neighbors in learning more about Juneteenth and the LGBTQ+ community by stopping by a local library and/or supporting a black-owned or LGBTQ+-owned business.

Best,

Domingo Candelas

Councilmember, 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. Newsletters will be shared on a bimonthly cadence starting in May 2024.

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

Independence Day Fireworks at Lake Cunningham

Thursday, July 4th from 7PM to 10PM

RSVP IS NOT REQUIRED

Enjoy an evening of fireworks, food trucks, music, and fun.

Fireworks start promptly at 9PM!

More information below!

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Given public safety concerns, public parking lots at Lake Cunningham will be CLOSED to vehicle access. If you need accessibility accommodations please reach out to my staff at 408-535-4908 or email district8@sanjoseca.gov.

Riding VTA to Lake Cunningham is highly encouraged. Parking is recommended at any of the nearby partner locations (Eastridge & YMCA). Please arrive early as spaces are limited. We will have a shuttle service from Eastridge Mall to Lake Cunningham, from 5:00PM - 11:00PM.

We are committed to a fun and safe 4th of July. The 15-20 minute fireworks show will be conducted by hired professionals from Devastating Pyrotechnics. Leave it to the experts, personal fireworks are illegal in San José.

We invite you to bring a chair, lawn towel, blankets, wagons/carts, and/or strollers. Come prepared for a great celebration at Lake Cunningham. Event attendees will be inspected for items at entry. As previously mentioned, NO coolers, NO pets, and NO personal fireworks will be allowed.

Additional City policies and requirements include the following restrictions:

• No Coolers
• No Big/Bulky Bags
• No Drugs or Alcohol
• No Weapons
• No Smoking
• No Speakers/Amplified Sound
• No Personal Grills or Grilling
• No Personal Fireworks
• No Pets/Animals
• No General Public/Event Parking on Site

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For additional questions call or email (408)-535-4908 or District8@sanjoseca.gov

Music in the Square

Evergreen Village Square from 6-8PM

Music in the Square continues in July and August!! Join in on the fun and enjoy local music in the Evergreen Village Square.

See the setlist through July below!

District 8 Viva Parks!

JULY 11th @ BOGGINI PARK

Stop by one of our District 8 Viva Parks through August! All events start at 6pm. Movie nights are from 6pm to 10:30pm!

Councilmember Candelas at the Farmers' Market

@ Evergreen Village Square

Stop by and share your thoughts and questions with me at the Farmer's Market. No appointments are needed.

Every 3rd Sunday of the Month from 10AM - Noon

In the Community

Eastridge to BART Regional Connector Groundbreaking

Super excited to have celebrated the start of construction on the light rail extension at the Eastridge to BART Regional Connector Groundbreaking Celebration!  

It was amazing to see so many community members engaged and excited for this significant project!  

Philippines Independence Day Flag Raising

Earlier in the month, we celebrated Filipino culture, traditions, and history with a flag raising ceremony to commemorate Philippines Independence Day.

Philippines Independence Day is a symbol of the nation’s journey towards freedom, and it brings together our community members from all walks of life.

Dumpster Day at Dove Hill and Chaboya Middle

This month, my office and I held a Dumpster Day in two District 8 neighborhoods. With the help of our neighbors, we were able to fill a total of 10 bins! Thank you to everyone who did their part in helping us keep our neighborhoods clean by bringing in their unwanted items!  

Painting a Downtown San Jose Mural in San Pedro Square

Joined my fellow Council colleagues, Jimmy Paints, Local Color, and the San Jose Downtown Association to paint a stunning mural in San Pedro Square. I had a chance to channel my inner artist and I encourage folks to explore and enjoy our bustling downtown area!  

Walk a Mile in Their Shoes

I joined the State Superintendent of Public Education, Tony Thurmond, IBEW Local Union 332 and UA Local 393 for the inspiring “Walk A Mile in Their Shoes” event, hosted by the YWCA. It was a powerful platform to raise awareness about sexual assault and domestic violence. 

These are critical issues that impact people from all walks of life. I wholeheartedly support the YWCA and its mission to eradicate violence. Let’s unite in this cause, educate each other, and engage in constructive conversation to address this urgent issue. Together, we can make a difference and put an end to domestic violence.  

Pickleball Court Grand Opening

The new pickleball courts at Groesbeck Hill Park are finally open to the public! Thank you to the PRNS team for the swift renovation of our tennis courts and the conversion of our 4 new pickleball courts. Can’t wait to fine tune my pickleball skills!  

Your Tax Dollars at work

Nieman Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Improvements

I understand the importance of traffic safety and the danger that this intersection posed to our residents. I mobilized our departments to increase signage and implement speed deterrents to make our roads safer for everyone. The City will be installing a roundabout for this intersection in 2025. 

Playground Repairs at Lake Cunningham

Parks and playgrounds are vital spaces for our children and should be safe and accessible. When residents informed us that a slide was broken, we rapidly contacted PRNS who was able to tape off and later repair the broken structure.

Announcements

Water activities are a great way to stay cool and enjoy time with your friends and your family. However, if you aren’t careful, someone you care about could get hurt—or even drown. According to the CDC, drowning is one of the leading causes of death for children ages 1–14, and swimming pools are where the majority of those fatalities occur.

Remember, when it comes to water safety, be proactive and stay vigilant. This will help ensure a pleasant but safe water experience for everyone. For more information about swimming pool safety, please visit the SJFD Water Safety page for more information.

Ready for a sun-filled summer adventure? CaliBunga San Jose is hiring for various positions! Apply here!

Check out Trifecta, one of San Jose District 8's newest culinary experiences offering both dining and sushi classes. You can also follow them on Instagram @TrifectaCooks