Upcoming Events City Council Study Sessions City Hall Council Chambers   The Mayor, Council, and City Staff will be holding a series of study sessions for a detailed review and discussion of the City's Budget. Members of the public are encouraged to attend and speak during the public comment period of the meetings. Operating Budget May 6 - 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Overview/Community & Economic Development May 7 - 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Environmental & Utility Services/Neighborhood Services May 8 - 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Public Safety/Transportation & Aviation Services May 11 - 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Transportation & Aviation Services/Strategic Support May 13 - 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Fees and Charges/Retirement Plans Capital Budget May 14 - 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Overview/Community & Economic Development/Environmental & Utility Services/Neighborhood Services May 15 - 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Public Safety/Transportation & Aviation Services/Strategic Support Walk Now for Autism Bay Area Saturday May 30, 2009 9 a.m. History Park, 1650 Senter Road   Benefiting Autism Speaks, the nation's leading autism advocacy organization, "Walk Now for Autism" will feature a 2-mile walk and Resource Fair with information from therapists, schools, and recreational organizations. The family friendly event will include creative children activities and social opportunities. For more information, please visit walknowforautism.org 2009 CommUnity Resource Fair Sunday June 7, 2009 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. History Park 1650 Senter Road   Mayor Reed and the San Jose City Council invite you to attend the eighth annual Community Resource Fair. Come learn about services from the City, County, and local non-profits at this fun, informative, and family-friendly event. For more information, please click here. City Hall Falcon Naming   Clara and Esteban Colbert are now parents of four newborns, with the final chick hatching on Earth Day, April 22.   San Jose children, ages 5 to 17, now have the opportunity to name one of these Peregrine Falcons. Participants are asked to come up with a creative and meaningful name and submit it with a drawing or short essay.   Applications and guidelines are available on the Mayor's website. Act quickly, all entries must be postmarked by May 6.   The Peregrine Falcons, who nest atop the 18-floor City Hall, can be seen live by viewing the FalconCam.   Tuesday Market at City Hall   In an effort to promote green lifestyles, the Environmental Services Department has collaborated with Filco Events to present a weekly market at San Jose City Hall.   A certified Farmer's Market, the weekly event will also feature local artisans, green businesses, and information on City services related to the environment.   Launched on April 21, the Tuesday market will run until September 1 from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at 5th & San Fernando. For more information, please visit tuesdaymarketsj.com. Take Preventative Steps for Your Health   As a handful of probable cases of H1N1 Influenza Virus, or Swine Flu, are being reported in San Jose and Santa Clara County, it is important that residents take simple precautions to limit the possibility of exposure and reduce their chances of being infected.   Health Officials are recommending that people frequently wash their hands with soap and hot water, and cover their mouth with a tissue when sneezing and coughing while limiting the touching of your eyes, nose, and mouth. People are also advised to avoid shaking hands and sharing food with others. When at home or at work, it is best to allow fresh air into the room.   If you are feeling sick, it is advised that you stay home from work or school, and if a fever develops, you should contact your physician. Symptoms of H1N1 Virus include fever, cough, sore throat, and vomiting.   Santa Clara County Public Heath Department has declared a local state of emergency, allowing easy access to funds and supplies should a response become necessary. Some local schools have also been closed to evaluate possible exposure of children to the virus.   To get the latest update from the Santa Clara County Public Health Department, please visit sccgov.org/swine_flu_update.html.   More information on the H1N1 Virus/Swine Flu including symptoms and prevention tips, is available in English, Spanish, & Vietnamese. Residents Offer Input on Budget Shortfall   At numerous community budget meetings throughout San Jose, the Mayor, City Council, and City Staff have had the opportunity to hear residents' ideas and concerns regarding the upcoming fiscal challenges.   Facing a mounting budget shortfall, the City of San Jose is inviting residents to share their input regarding cuts to services, City layoffs, and possible changes to how the City operates.   To date, five community meetings have been held throughout San Jose. Hundreds of people have shared their concerns on various policies and expenses. Residents are given an opportunity to list their priorities for the budget, describing services they feel are vital to City services and the health of our neighborhoods.   It is not too late to participate and be heard during this difficult budget process. Six more community meetings will be taking place in May. All residents are encouraged to attend to offer their insight, help address the problems, and discuss how to best move forward.   For a list of the 2009 Community Budget Meetings, please click here.   For an overview of the City Manager's Proposed Operating Budget please click here. For additional documents related to the City Manager's Budget and Five-Year Economic Forecast can be found by clicking here.   Safe Summer Initiative Keeps Youth Active   Keeping children safe, active, and engaged during the summer months, Mayor Chuck Reed and the City Council have launched the second annual Safe Summer Initiative.   Providing supplemental funding to community organizations with programs geared towards youth ages 6 to 18, the Safe Summer Initiative is designed to offer at-risk youth an alternative to gang activity during the months that they are out of school.   Grants will help fund recreational and educational activities that occur between June 15 and September 15 and will also be directed towards enhancing National Night Out events that encourage positive interactions between youth and the San Jose Police Department.   Last year, the inaugural Safe Summer Initiative saw 7,424 youth participate in 435 activities supported by the grant program. These activities included literacy development, community service projects, block parties, field trips, and sports camps. San Jose experienced a 31% decline in overall gang activity during the summer of 2008 when compared to the summer of 2007.   For more information on the Safe Summer Initiative, please click here   Helping Families and Neighborhoods Impacted by Foreclosures   With a declining national housing market, San Jose has experienced an unfortunate rise in foreclosures with many additional homeowners facing foreclosure in the near future.   Responding to this negative trend, the San Jose Housing Department has launched Foreclosure Help, a comprehensive initiative to help families and neighborhoods handle the foreclosure crisis. Working with local non-profits, services being offered include emergency financial assistance, credit counseling, and legal advice.   The number of San Jose homes and condos in foreclosure has increased 700% over the past three years, amounting to roughly 14,000 in 2008 alone. The U.S. Department of Housing has   Many of these homes will sit empty, creating neighborhood blight and a possible rise in criminal activity. Foreclosure Help also assists neighbors deal with these vacant homes, working to reduce vandalism, gang activity, and deteriorating landscapes.   Homeowners experiencing a financial strain are encouraged to take advantage of services before they are experiencing foreclosure. For more information, please call 408-794-1242, visit foreclosurehelpscc.org, or come by their one stop center at 1290 Parkmoor Avenue. 1,006,892 & Counting   The California Department of Finance has released new population data, estimating San Jose population at 1,006,892 as of January 1, 2009. This is the first time that San Jose has been listed with more than 1 million residents.   The report shows that San Jose's population increased 21,585 residents, or 2.2%, in 2008. Growth was driven by the construction of 1,937 new housing units and the annexation of 1,902 existing units.