Photo via Wikimedia Commons

Exploring Pune 🇮🇳

Photo via @californino

Our relationship 🤝

• Mutha River Park Project — San Jose helped raise funds alongside the Rotary Club of Pune-Kothrud to convert a run-down, 5-acre site into a community park.
• Shivaji Maharaj Statue — The statue of a modern warrior who founded Pune in 1640 was gifted to San Jose in July 1999, and now sits in the Guadalupe River Park.
• Hutatma Rajguru Project — This ongoing project was initiated in January 2007 to connect the Hutatma Rajguru High School in Pune and St. Francis High School with the goal of providing financial assistance on both ends, and encouraging communication between students.

• Living Succulent Grapevine Wreath | Wednesday, Dec. 14 | Tessora’s Barra di Vino, 234 E. Campbell Ave., Campbell | $75 | Enjoy wine and food, and create something beautiful this season.
• Siren: 35 Year Anniversary Celebration | Wednesday, Dec. 14 | Montgomery Theater, 271 S. Market St., San Jose | $75+ | Catch a live performance excerpt of “Prieto” by Yosimar Reyes — a nationally-acclaimed poet and public speaker who was raised in the East Side of San Jose.

• A Child’s Christmas in Wales | Thursday, Dec. 15 | 8 p.m. | Tabard Theatre, 29 N. San Pedro St., Ste. 200, San Jose | $37 | An imaginative and playful telling of the unexpected delights of Christmas from the view of a child.
• San Jose Bachata Nights | Thursday, Dec. 15 | 9 p.m.-12 a.m. | On One Studios, 422 N. Capitol Ave., San Jose | $15+ | Experience this dance party equipped with lighting, smoke machines, and state-of-the-art sound equipment.

• Seven Shades of Grey | Friday, Dec. 16 | 6-9 p.m. | Little Lou’s BBQ, 2455 S. Winchester Blvd., Campbell | Free | This South Bay band plays classic rock, R&B, and soul.

• Ribbon Cutting at Backesto Park | Saturday, Dec. 17 | 11 a.m. | Backesto Park, 518 N. 13 St., San Jose | Free | The newly renovated Backesto Park Fountain will be unveiled and there will be a celebration of its 100th anniversary.
• Holiday Craft Faire | Saturday, Dec. 17 | 12-7 p.m. | Narrative Fermentations, 101 E. Alma Ave., San Jose | Free | Purchase holiday gifts from local vendors while enjoying bites and brews.

• The average first-time home buyer toured 24 homes in person or virtually (up from 15 in 2021).
• Half of first-time buyers said they made offers on five or more homes before winning one (respondents averaged 12 offers apiece).
• 69% say they are confident they found the best home for them in the market.
• 58% said the home search was “much more time-consuming than expected."*

• 55º | Partly cloudy | 9% chance of rain

• In a historic housing decision, San Jose City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday to approve the development of ~24,000 homes — 20% of which will be affordable — in North San Jose. This move ends a decade-long dispute about building new homes in that particular area. 🏘️ (NBC Bay Area/San José Spotlight)

• Cirque du no way. For the first time in three years, Cirque du Soleil will come to the Bay Area with a stop at SAP Center from Aug. 9 to Aug. 13. Tickets will be available on Monday, Dec. 19, but are already available to Club Cirque members. 🎪 (The Mercury News)

• Longtime SJ Sharks broadcaster Randy Hahn called his 2,000th regular-season game at last night’s match against the Arizona Coyotes. Randy was a key player in bringing NHL to San Jose — thank you Randy. 👏 (The Mercury News)

• San Jose Unified School District is inviting kids grades 3-5 to participate in its Future Chefs National Culinary Challenge. Students are encouraged to submit their favorite fruit or vegetable side dish by Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, for a chance to compete in a live competition in March 2023. 🥦

• Yesterday, the US Dept. of Energy announced a historic breakthrough in nuclear fusion — which was made by scientists at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. For the first time, more energy was produced from fusion than laser, marking a major milestone for clean energy. ⚡ (East Bay Times)

• Santa Clara’s Levi’s Stadium was recently ranked No. 12 among the 16 best NFL stadiums to propose at. The ranking factors included cost of parking, food, accommodations, and game tickets — so are you ready to pop the question? 💍 (Betway)

• American comedian Jo Koy will come to the SAP Center on Saturday, May 13. The comic has had a number of Comedy Central and Netflix specials, and is embarking on his world tour. Tickets will be on sale tomorrow, Thursday, Dec. 15, at 12 p.m. 🎤

• Holiday cheer isn’t the only thing spreading this season. The CDC reported “very high” flu activity in our state. Find a flu vaccine near you — there may even be a needleless option. 💉 (Verywell Health)

• How does Scott’s Cheap Flights work? Sign up for free, follow up to five airports, and Scott’s will notify you when flights are 40-90% off. Bonus: You can browse deals immediately after signing up (like a $300+ round trip to Bermuda). 🌴*

• Cash is king when buying a home. Learn how you can make your real estate dreams a reality when you remove the contingencies sellers dislike and make an all-cash offer. 🏡 *

🎁 Drop off-only

• San Jose Fire Department | Through Jan. 7, 2024 | Locations vary | Head to any SJ fire station or four other locations to donate unwrapped toys.
• Joey’s Toy Drive | Through the holiday season | 186 Barnard Ave. | Donate new + unwrapped gifts, or contribute to the Amazon wishlist.
• Toys for Tots | Through the holiday season | Locations vary | Head to five South Bay locations to drop off your gift.
• San Jose Earthquakes | Through Thursday, Dec. 7 | 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. | 123 Coleman Ave. | Every person who donates will receive a 20% voucher for the team store.
• San Jose Toy Drive | Through Friday, Dec. 15 | Locations vary | In an effort to give away 30,000 toys on the weekend of Dec. 15-17, drop off your donations at nine locations.

🗓️ Events accepting donations

• SJ Makers | Sunday, Dec. 3 | 1-6 p.m. | 30 Post St. | Don your ugly sweater, shop around, and drop off toys.
• 408 Ryders | Saturday, Dec. 9 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Independence High School | Bring an unwrapped toy + enjoy music, raffles, and vendors.
• VTA’s Stuff the Bus | Saturday, Dec. 9 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Christmas in the Park | Participate in Valley Transportation Authority’s annual drive in partnership with Toys for Tots.
• SJ Lowrider Council | Saturday, Dec. 9 | 12-4 p.m. | 20 Barack Obama Blvd. | Toys will be accepted at this fair featuring the book release of “ABC’s of Lowriding” by Ricardo Cortez.
• Goombahs | Saturday, Dec. 16 | 5-7 p.m. | 1261 Lincoln Ave. | In exchange for your donation? A light cruise + car show.