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57º | Mostly sunny | 5% chance of rain | Sunrise: 7:22 a.m. | Sunset: 5:06 p.m.
 

Enacting in 2024...

What will these new California state laws look like in San Jose?
An aerial view of San Jose from city hall, looking south.
Changes are coming to the great 408. | Photo by SJtoday staff
A slew of California state laws will take effect in the new year, and as residents of San Jose we must ask — which ones will affect us the most?

Though there are more than 20 making their statewide debut, we’re breaking down how three of these laws will directly impact San Jose.

🚗 AB 645: Speed cameras

This particular law will install speed cameras in school zones + areas with high accident rates and street racing. The pilot program’s aim is to deter speeding and collect findings in SJ and five other cities.

What it’ll look like: Based on data from the City of San Jose’s Vision Zero Task Force, the cameras will most likely be installed in east San Jose, with particular emphasis along Capitol Expressway + Tully, Story, and Monterey roads.

🏥 SB 525: Healthcare minimum wage

Early October, more than 75,000 Kaiser Permanente employees went on the largest healthcare worker strike in US history during ongoing healthcare workers’ rights + wage negotiations. Governor Newsom later signed a bill that will gradually raise the minimum wage starting June 1, 2024.

What it’ll look like: Large health systems with 10,000+ full-time employees will be required to pay workers a minimum of $23/hour, then $24 in 2025, and $25 in 2026. This will impact our region’s five Kaiser clinics, as well as other primary care, community, and urgent care clinics.

🏘️ SB 4: Affordable housing sites

This new law allows churches, religious organizations + non-profit colleges to build affordable housing on their property.

What it’ll look like: In 2021, an affordable housing project was proposed on a large lot of the Cathedral of Faith on Canoas Garden Avenue. Due to laws at the time, it had to go through a nearly two-year rezoning process before it could break ground. Now, there will be less administrative delays at future sites, and local organizations will be able to build on-site affordable housing at a faster rate.

Curious about the others? Learn more about how these laws may impact you.
 
Events
Tuesday, Dec. 12
Wednesday, Dec. 13
  • Chanukah BBQ Carnival | Wednesday, Dec. 13 | 4 p.m. | Chabad of Almaden, 5580 Almaden Expy., San Jose | Free | Enjoy this community-wide festival featuring children’s carnival booths, Chanukah activities, and lots of delicious BBQ.
  • Chopsticks Alley’s Creativitea Open Mic | Wednesday, Dec. 13 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Olinder Theater, 848 E. William St., San Jose | Free | Enjoy this month’s AAPI open mic/revue — held every second Wednesday of the month.
Thursday, Dec. 14
  • A Stitch Xmas Paint Party | Thursday, Dec. 14 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Round Table Pizza, 1159 Redmond Ave., San Jose | $30-$40 | Artists will guide you and your ohana through creating your own masterpiece — happy hour begins at 5:30 p.m.
  • Tommy and the Commies, Fuzz Attack | Thursday, Dec. 14 | 8 p.m. | The Ritz, 400 S. First St., San Jose | $12 | The alternative indie band hails from Canada + brings with them two thrashin’ guests.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
Family

Add to cal: Polar Play Days at The Tech Interactive
a gif featuring visitors exploring exhibits throughout polar play days
This new winter event will captivate visitors of all ages with a flurry of STEM-tastic activities. | Photos provided by The Tech Interactive
It’s a winter wonderland of STEM-tastic fun for the entire family during Polar Play Days at The Tech Interactive happening now through Monday, Jan. 15.

Experience the arctic animals, snowflakes, and festive lights that have taken over the hands-on science museum. You’ll find:
  • STEM challenges + Polar-themed exhibits
  • New IMAX films
  • Easy parking ($5 with validation)
  • Instagrammable photo ops
These activities, along with admission to one IMAX educational film, are included with general admission. Use code TECHFAM for 10% off when pre-purchased online.
Grab tickets
News Notes
Civic
  • Did you know that San Jose is home to the most mobile home communities in the state? San Jose City Council is preparing to vote on protecting many of these communities and possibly placing 13 of them in a new land-use category. Learn how this tweak could help nearly 35,000 residents. (The Mercury News)
Cause
  • The Farmworker Caravan is hosting its annual Christmas Con Cariño drive and is planning to donate ~6,000 stuffed stockings to children of local food + agricultural workers. Check out the donation list + consider dropping off your own stocking before this Thursday, Dec. 14, 5 p.m.
Community
  • In late November, San Jose business Barya Kitchen had its parked food truck stolen + crashed. Like earlier this year with Zeledon’s Bakery on Wheels, the community is coming together to help with Barya’s total repair cost of more than $8,000. Read their full story. (NBC Bay Area/ABC 7 News)
Outdoors
  • Mark your calendars. San Jose Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhood Services are hosting three ribbon-cutting ceremonies for the newly renovated Backesto, Murdock, and Meadowfair parks. They will take place Dec. 13 at 4 p.m., Dec. 17 at 10 a.m., and Dec. 21 at 2:30 p.m., respectively.
History
  • Through February 2024, the Sunnyvale Historical Society will display wedding gifts from the granddaughter of Martin Murphy Jr. — the man credited for founding Sunnyvale. Mary Genevieve Murphy married Henry Ward Wright in an opulent, lavish wedding in SJ in 1890. Browse silver, china, tapestries, and more at 570 E. Remington Dr. (The Mercury News)
Holiday
  • Have you gone through the Drive-Thru Light Show at History Park yet? Normally $35, you can enjoy the light spectacular for $25 Sundays-Thursdays. The annual event is Christmas in the Park’s biggest fundraiser to support the magic that goes on in Plaza de Cesar Chavez.
Food

Do you think you can stomach this?

Train like Joey Chestnut: 3 local food challenges
The exterior of the Iguanas Restaurant in downtown San Jose.
Stop by to grab the ‘burritozilla’ and enjoy the restaurant’s vibrant exterior by Este Huizar. | Photo by SJtoday staff
If there’s one local celebrity that we all look to in awe, it has to be Joey Chestnut.

The unsuspecting competitive eater has chowed his way through the US — clinching his 16th title at the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest just this year.

But this San Jose native needed local spots to train at. Want to step into Chestnut’s shoes for a moment? Check out these three local eating challenges.

🍗 Hellfire Challenge, Smoke Eaters
Prepare to sweat — “Man v. Food” host Adam Richman made a stop here, but just barely completed the challenge. You’re given 10 minutes to eat 12 wings smothered in Smoke Eaters’ hottest “Hellfire sauce.” You can’t drink anything, you must lick your fingers clean, and then sit in the heat for five minutes for that full afterburn. Ouch.

🌯 Burritozilla Challenge, Iguanas Burritozilla
60 minutes, one 5-lb burrito. The monster burrito is stuffed with all the goods — rice, beans, meat, salsa, guacamole, and three large tortillas. Both local competitive eaters Matt Stonie + Joey Chestnut took the challenge, each completing it in under three minutes. If you win, you get a free t-shirt.
Get a 'pizza' this challenge
The Buy

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The Wrap
 
Alyson Chuyang headshot

Today’s edition by:
Alyson
From the editor
I ordered the Burritozilla back in 2019 to-go... and it came in a shipping box. That’s how large that meaty monster is. I’ll admit though, I did share it with one other friend and we almost ate the whole thing in one sitting. Could I do it by myself today? Yes. Should I? No.
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