Many of you have expressed interest in and are following the City of San José’s environmental initiatives. As such, we’d like to share that on February 26, the San José City Council will consider whether to phase-out the use of expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam food ware, commonly called “Styrofoam,” at all restaurants in the City of San José. This City is considering this action in order to address the problem of creek pollution caused by this unique and problematic pollutant.
EPS foam food containers have become a significant litter problem in our creeks. Foam containers tend to break into small pieces that fish and wildlife may mistake for food with harmful consequences. Foam pieces do not degrade over time and are very difficult to clean-up once it reaches the environment. If the Council approves the staff recommendation, the City will schedule public hearings this summer to approve and adopt an ordinance phasing-out EPS.
The staff report for the February 26 Council meeting is available at the following link:
http://sanjoseca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12271
The following attachments will also be presented to Council as background information:
Transportation & Environment Subcommittee Memo from December 3, 2012:
http://ca-sanjose.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/12277
Survey of Single-Use Bag Ordinances:
http://ca-sanjose.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/12273
Survey of CA EPS Ordinances:
http://ca-sanjose.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/12274
Consultant’s Report of Economic Impact Analysis:
http://ca-sanjose.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/12275
Consultant’s Report of EPS Alternatives Pricing:
http://ca-sanjose.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/12276
As always, the City is very interested in hearing from our partners, including you, on the potential phase-out of EPS foam food service ware. Stakeholder feedback will help guide the implementation if approved. Additionally, we would seek to identify where our staff can provide technical assistance to businesses to assist in a smooth transition. You are welcome and encouraged to attend the February 26th meeting to voice your input.
Thank you all for your continued interest in this matter and your feedback is appreciated.
Napp Fukuda
Deputy Director - Watershed Protection Division
City of San José | Environmental Services Department
200 East Santa Clara Street – 7th Floor | San José, CA 95113
Tel: 408.793.5353 | Fax: 408.271.1930
The Willow Glen Business Association is seeking sponsors for the 18th annual Dancin' on the Avenue street party on June 22.
The party attracts more than 30,000 adults and children to Lincoln Avenue for an afternoon of activities, food, entertainment, beer and wine and, of course, dancing to live music. This year the hours will be 2 to 8 p.m.
Sponsor packages start at $375 and go up to $10,000.
Sponsors at $1,500 get a free booth with canopy, tables and chairs to distribute information and promotional items. Selling items is prohibited.
Sponsors' logos will appear on posters, fliers and in advertisements for DOTA, with high-end sponsors also receiving banners.
Available sponsorships include presenting, premium beer and wine garden, community stages, kids court, performance stages, wine glasses and automobiles.
DOTA raises funds for the business association, which supports activities benefiting the community at large and the business district.
For additional information or sponsorship packages, email info@willowglen.org or call 408.298.2100.
Sponsorships are sold on first-come, first-serve basis.
The Santa Clara County District Attorney's office will hold a gun buy back event on Saturday March 2nd, from 10 am to 2 pm at the County Fairgrounds, 344 Tully Road, San Jose.
You can get $100 for a handgun, shotgun or rifle, or $200 for an assault weapon. Please transport your firearms unloaded and in the trunk of your vehicle. Funds are limited and subject to availability. We reserve the right to limit the amount of cash an individual can receive regardless of the amount of firearms surrendered.
Nationwide, there were approximately 31,000 deaths by firearms in 2011, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Vital Statistics Report.
The Santa Clara County Anonymous Gun Buy Back program is one part of the County’s initiative to reduce the number of guns in the community, as outlined in the 2013 State of the County Address. The Gun Buy Back program will allow individuals to voluntarily turn in their firearms, no questions asked, in exchange for cash. The Board President’s Office is working the Sheriff, the District Attorney and Mayor’s Gang Prevention Task Force to reduce the number of guns on the street. Share this information with your friends and family members to help make Santa Clara County safer for everyone.
For more info, go to www.SCCGunBuyBack.com or call 408/808-4401
City Wants Input From Residential Property Owners on Garbage and Recycling Billing
SAN JOSE, Calif. - The City of San José is looking at new ways to bill for Recycle Plus residential garbage and recycling service to replace the current, outdated system operated directly by the City. Residential property owners are encouraged to take the survey at www.sanjoseca.gov/recycling-garbage.
This survey is for residential property owners with curbside cart service. Community input will help the City evaluate billing options for residences. Potential billing changes will not affect customers with dumpster service.
“We’re evaluating how we can take advantage of pre-existing billing services and technology to help us avoid higher costs in the future,” said Kerrie Romanow, Director of the City’s Environmental Services Department. “Getting resident input is an important part of the evaluation process. Taking the survey is a great way for the public to get involved with what we’re doing.”
Property owners who complete the survey can enter to win a free curbside collection of up to three bulky items, including sofas, mattresses, refrigerators, or other large items. The service has a value of $26.00. The survey is online in English, Spanish or Vietnamese now through April 17, 2013. Residents with questions can email RecyclePlus@sanjoseca.gov or call (408) 535-8550.
What is unique about California native plants? Do they make good garden subjects? Where can I see native plants in a garden setting? What are some of the best-of-the-best drought-resistant plants? What kind of care will they need? Where can I find or buy native plants? 
I got a phone call from "Microsoft" about a month ago telling me that my computer was sending them messages that I had a virus. He said that he could fix it right now. So after a few minutes of him controlling my computer, he said "your system is fixed, you owe me $200.00". I said "What? You never said I had to pay for a Microsoft tech" ... he said "I've destroyed your entire system, if you want your things back, you have to pay me $200.00". I said "no way" and then, to my shock, on my screen appeared an 'adult image not even appropriate for me to see' and when I tried to move my mouse to X it out, he said "see, I have control of everything, you going to pay now?" I said no and he hung up. When I clicked on my Outlook Inbox, it was gone....all my photographs were gone (some that are un-replaceable of family member who have passed), my Real Player was empty of songs & videos, I was writing a childs book - a manuscript for owning a dog, that was gone-about 3 years in the works...my yahoo was gone....most apps were gone! I took my system to Fry's and he said, there is a way to retrieve some of your things but it would cost more than a new system!
I called Microsoft and they said they Never call a computer user for anything. They said they've been having allot of people falling for this scam. So now the work really began....had to cancel all my credit cards, banking on-line had to be froze - and the scary thing, he knows where I live, my social security number, my driver's license, my medical info and on and on!
Please let your son read this and have him tell his friends as well. The man spoke with a foreign accent and spoke very fast.
I reported it to the SJ Police Department Fraud Division, my banks etc...there is nothing that anyone could do.
What an awful and violated feeling still stays with me. Never Ever let anyone 'remote access' your system. I didn't even know what that meant....what an expensive lessen.
