May 18, 2007

District 8 Report

Back by popular demand: The Farmer’s Market!

By San Jose Vice Mayor Dave Cortese
Special to the Times

I am excited to help bring back two very important events for District 8 that draw residents and neighborhoods from across the East Hills/Evergreen/Silver Creek areas of San Jose to meet, mingle and advocate.

The first is the sorely missed Evergreen Farmer’s Market. Many of you know that this market was homeless in 2006 due to the closure of La Rochelle Winery. This year we’ve partnered with the Pacific Coast Farmers' Market Association to bring back this wonderful weekly venture into gourmet delight. Our venue is the newly expanded Evergreen Library at 2635 Aborn Road. The market will open this Sunday, May 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will continue every Sunday through October 28th. Certified farmers and food vendors will bring their best locally-grown products to you, including, fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, honey, flowers, nuts, breads and pastries, sauces and dips, and of course, kettle corn. We plan to have entertainment by local performers to accompany your Sunday stroll through the market. Please visit often to support locally produced goods and don’t forget to drop in at the District 8 booth to share your feedback about anything on your mind.

The second is also the annual Education Advocacy Bus Trip to Sacramento. For the last four years I have sponsored (not at taxpayer expense) an all-day bus trip to Sacramento where residents, neighborhood leaders, school board members and education activists meet with our state leaders to share our concerns on the Governors’ budget as it affects education. Given that each year education seems to be on the chopping block when it comes to balancing the budget, we have no choice but to make our voices heard.

This year's trip is on Thursday, May 24. For some, taking part in this all-day trip means missing a day of work, but our children need your support and legislators pay attention when voters take time out of their busy schedules to make their concerns known in person. We already have appointments set up with Assembly members Joe Coto, Salley Lieber, Jim Beall, Anna Caballero, Senators Elaine Alquist, Abel Maldonado and more. Please join us and RSVP before May 21to my office. Your presence will greatly contribute towards a change in our children's education. This trip is free and lunch is provided.

Both the Farmer’s Market and the Education Bus Trip are ideas that came directly from the community. Your creativity has led to these wonderful enterprises and I hope you will take part in them. As always, my door is open to you on any matter and I can be reached at dave.cortese@sanjoseca.gov or (408) 535-4908.