What will new leadership bring to SJ?

San Jose’s new Mayor Matt Mahan takes office

Meet San Jose’s new mayor. | Photo via Matt Mahan for San Jose

It’s been 13 days since San Jose’s new Mayor Matt Mahan took the oath of office to become the leader of the Bay Area’s largest city.

Mahan, a former tech entrepreneur and schoolteacher, is our city’s 66th mayor — and even with a limited two-year term, he has big goals for the great 408.

📋 Tasks at hand

In his first 100 days in office, Mahan has committed to delivering a March budget message with input from council members and residents that aims to address his four core priorities for the city:

Matt Mahan talks to a group of three individuals in front of City Hall. — Mayor Matt Mahan looks to lead San Jose with a CEO mindset.

🏙️ A changing scene

For the past eight years, San Jose has known no other leader than former Mayor Sam Liccardo. And while Liccardo endorsed and financially supported Mahan, the new mayor will take on leadership with a different mindset than his predecessor.

Mahan hopes to take a step back and focus on fewer issues at a time, and look at the city like a CEO — measuring success through metrics. As he puts it, San Jose should run more like a results-based business.

➡️ Next steps

Such a big role requires a right-hand woman. Last week, Mahan announced his choice for Councilmember Rosemary Kamei to serve alongside him as vice mayor, but the City Council will need to officially approve the nomination on Tuesday, Jan. 24.

As for a formal inaugural ceremony, Mahan and his team plan to host a public celebration later this month. We’ll update this story as more details are announced.

Keep up with Mayor Matt Mahan through his Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and newsletter.

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Wednesday, Jan. 11

GOLD MONEY BAND JAM | Wednesday, Jan. 11 | 6-9 p.m. | Little Lou’s BBQ, 2455 S. Winchester Blvd., Campbell | Free | The jam session is open to all.
Flash Fiction Forum | Wednesday, Jan. 11 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Works/San José, 38 S. Second St., San Jose | Free | Tune into a reading from a curated group of writers.
Golden Girls Night Out Bingo | Wednesday, Jan. 11 | 7-9 p.m. | Britannia Arms Almaden, 5027 Almaden Expy., San Jose | Free | Channel your inner Blanche.

Thursday, Jan. 12

Drink and Doodle | Thursday, Jan. 12 | 6-10 p.m. | Fox Tale Fermentation Project, 30 E. Santa Clara St., Ste. 120 | Free | Enjoy craft beers, mocktails, and more while exercising your creative muscle.
We Art San José | Thursday, Jan. 12 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Chopsticks Alley Art Gallery, 38 S. Second St., San Jose | Free | Tune in to an AAPI panel discussion with Dr. Jennifer Briscoe from LEAD Filipino, and enjoy an art exhibit, food, and poetry readings.
That’s My Jam!!! | Thursday, Jan. 12 | 9 p.m.-2 a.m. | The Branham Lounge, 1116 Branham Lane, San Jose | Free | Dance the night away to your favorite throwbacks at this weekly club event.

Friday, Jan. 13

Friday the 13th | Friday, Jan. 13 | 1-8:30 p.m. | 9 S. 26th St., San Jose | Free | Shop dark, vintage, spooky, and odd art — and even get pierced.
When She Became Me (staged reading) | Friday, Jan. 13 | 7 p.m. | San Jose Woman’s Club, 75 S. 11th St., San Jose | Free | Enjoy the documentary play written by Elizabeth Horab to raise funds for Oakland nonprofit Access Reproductive Justice.
San Jose Sharks vs. Edmonton Oilers | Friday, Jan. 13 | 7:30 p.m. | SAP Center at San José, 525 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose | $32+ | This is Sharks territory.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

MORE THIS MONTH

What’s your best pickup line?

Do you think you have the best local pickup line? | Graphic by 6AM City

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, we’ve got love on the brain.

To usher in the month of love, we want to hear the best pickup lines in the city. The pickup line must include the name of our beloved city, something that our city is known for, or a local landmark. It can be so sweet that it almost gives us a cavity.

We’ll use these pickup lines for something fun soon — keep your (heart) eyes peeled. 😍

So, let’s hear it…

DROP YOUR BEST LINE

Weather

56º | Light rain | 70% chance of rain
As severe rain and flooding persists, the City of San José has compiled a page of resources where you can find flood monitoring maps, road and bridge closures, and overnight warming locations. Stay dry, San Jose. ☔

Civic

Yesterday, City Council approved ~$9.5 million to fund ongoing mental health programs and services, and ~$14 million to create 30+ jobs to support Santa Clara County’s mental health crisis. These programs include its assisted outpatient treatment program (Laura’s Law) and the 988 suicide and mental health crisis hotline. 🧠 (San José Spotlight)

Number

20,397. That is the number of citizens that were naturalized at the San Jose field office in the 2022 fiscal year — a significant jump from 2021, with 13,477 naturalizations. We love the great 408 and all that makes us one of the most diverse metro areas in the US. 💪 (San José Spotlight)

Show

Tomorrow, Jan. 12, Fishnets & Film — an LGBTQ+ mini movie festival — will host a viewing of “Boundless” by SJSU professor David Chai. The event will include a live Q+A with the cast and director, and begins at 7 p.m. at the Westminster Presbyterian Church. 🎥

DYK

Did you know that Santa Clara County has an emergency alert and warning system called AlertSCC? The free service notifies you of fire, earthquakes, severe weather (like what we’re experiencing currently), crime, and instructions on how to navigate a disaster. Sign up on the county’s website. 📲

Plan Ahead

Ahead of the Leigh Weimers Emerging Artists Awards, Mama Kin will host a benefit concert to raise funds for the ceremony on Wednesday, Jan. 18, at 6 p.m. Local band The Jukebox Boys will perform, and there will be a bar and food at the event — a suggested minimum donation is $20. 🎶

Try This

Through the end of the month, Solar4America Ice Rink will host hour-long vinyasa yoga sessions every Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. All ages are welcome, and the registration fee per session starts at $20. 🧘

Finance

This Princeton grad’s startup raised $161 million to help people plan for retirement — and its free tool can match you with up to three vetted financial advisors serving your area who can help you work towards financial freedom. Try it out for yourself. 💸 *

Eat

Swap bland trail mix for a nutrient-dense, tasty snack from KIND. If you’re a chocolate lover, try the Dark Chocolate Mocha Almond and Dark Chocolate Cocoa. If you want to add more protein to your diet, the Crunchy Peanut Butter is a must. Wanna try an assortment? Build your own box.*

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A celebration of Dr. King

AACSA to host 43rd Annual Martin Luther King Jr. luncheon

A flyer for the MLK Day luncheon with event information and a picture featuring guest speaker Symone Sanders.

Mark your calendars. | Photo via African American Community Service Agency

This Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the African American Community Service Agency (AACSA) will host its 43rd Annual MLK Luncheon — complete with delicious food and special guests.

The event, themed “The Time Is Always Right to Do What Is Right!” will be held on Monday, Jan. 16, 12-2 p.m., at the Holiday Inn on North First Street.

Here’s who we’ll be hearing from:

🎤 Symone D. Sanders — This political strategist was the youngest person to serve as the national press secretary for US Senator Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign. She’s now a senior member of the Biden-Harris administration.
🎤 Prentice Powell — This East Bay spoken word artist has been recognized as a National Slam Finalist and Grand Slam Champion.
🎤 Victoria Thúy Vi McDowell — This SJSU sophomore was named “The Voice of The Capitol of Silicon Valley” by San Jose’s city council for singing the US, Vietnamese, and African American anthems.

Tickets start at $70 — purchase them on AACSA’s Eventbrite. 🎟️

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Alyson.

Editor’s pick: Following our New Year’s resolutions ideas, have ya’ll taken one up? I’m a little ambitious this year (or want to give myself options in case I fail?) and have five resolutions — read a book a month, bullet journal throughout the year, be pescetarian for as long as I can, travel internationally, and learn Spanish. Wish me luck.

Missed the last newsletter? We have you some winter gardening tips.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Alyson Chuyang, Britt Thorson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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