Find the perfect gift to express gratitude and love for the role models in your life. | Graphic by 6AM City
Shopping for a loved one? With Mother’s Day falling on Sunday, May 11, it’s a great time to give to parents, grandparents, neighbors, mentors, and life-long friends. Browse the gifts we think will do the trick:
Custom initial jewelry dish | $16.99 | A sweet, delicate ceramic jewelry tray you can customize with their initial.
Local Pick: San Jose Signs Project Enamel Pins | $15 | I’m not a regular San Jose parent, I’m a cool San Jose parent. These pins created by the Preservation Action Council of San Jose are inspired by some of our city’s most iconic businesses, from Olivera Egg Ranch (we miss you so much) to Dick’s Center.
Weighted silk lavender eye pillow | $19.99 | A silk sleep mask and a cooling gel eye mask are included in this spa set named one of Oprah’s Favorite Things in 2023.
Golf practice net | $99.99 | Golfers can perfect their swing before stepping out on the course with this golf net.
Local pick:Cherry Pie Tart | $25 | Sweetdragon Baking Co. makes the sweetest gifts for local pickup, including tarts and pies. Add some fresh-baked cookies or brittle and they’ll feel like a kid in a candy store.
Barefoot Dreams lounge top | $99 | There may be no better gift than something luxuriously soft, cuddly, and cozy — this lounge top fits the bill.
Mom’s story book and Dad’s story book | $24.95 | Prompt them to write down memories, advice, and stories in these guided journals.
Neck + shoulders heating pad | $39.99 | This electric heat wrap helps with back pain, muscle aches, and de-stressing.
Imaginarium “Lemuria - A World of Wonder” | Through Sunday, July 6 | 7-10 p.m. | Great Mall, Milpitas | $18+ | This immersive walk-through experience will take guests through the hidden world of “Lemuria,” brimming with gardens and forests brought to life.
Friday, May 2
BNM: Oldies y Cerveza | 4-9 p.m. | Garden at the Flea | Free | Unwind with the vinyl sounds of oldies + soul, local food trucks, cool vendors, and good company.
Saturday, May 3
Cinco de Mayo Parade + Salsa Fest | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Plaza de Cesar Chavez | Free | The colorful parade starts at Park Avenue and Highway 87 and circles the plaza with floats and marching school groups, nonprofits, dancers, and music.
AAPI Pride Concert | 5:30 p.m. | SoFA Market | Free | Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and the LGBTQ+ community with an evening of live music and art.
DJ Pauly D | Pure Night Club, Sunnyvale | $45+ | Call the cabs and pump those fists — the “Jersey Shore” star drops the beat with special guest Papi Chulo.
Sunday, May 4
San Jose Cinco de Mayo Celebration | 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | Emma Prusch Farm Park | Free | The ULCSJ leads this parade along King Road from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. followed by a community festival featuring food vendors, local artisans, and live entertainment.
Lake Elsinore Storm vs. San Jose Giants | 11 a.m. | Excite Ballpark | $23+ | It’s Education Day at the ballpark — local schools will take a field trip and enjoy learning stations, baseball-themed activities, and the game.
Wednesday, May 7
Comedians and Empanadas | 6-8 p.m. | Casa Guzmania | Cost of purchase | Catch some laughs with talented Bay Area comedians while enjoying an empanada or two.
With a GDP of $4.1 trillion in 2024, California is now the world’s fourth-largest economy, surpassing Japan. “California isn’t just keeping pace with the world — we’re setting the pace,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said. Only the US, China + Germany now have larger economies than the Golden State. (CNN)
Civic
The Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters Office’s special election recount was finalized and Anthony Tordillos officially secured the second spot against Gabby Chavez-Lopez in the District 3 runoff election on Tuesday, June 24. Tordillos emerged with just a six-vote lead against Matthew Quevedo. (The Mercury News)
Development
San Jose recently debuted Via del Oro, a 135-unit interim housing complex for unsheltered San Joseans. The project was developed by DignityMoves on private land and offers residents meals, a safe place to sleep, a dog park, support to find permanent housing, and “a chance to regroup.” (NBC Bay Area)
Tech
Cal Fire added a second C-130 Hercules cargo plane to its fleet ahead of the state’s summer wildfire season. The former US Coast Guard aircraft has a 133-ft wingspan, can fly 800 miles at up to 368 mph, and can carry 4,000 gallons of fire retardant. (The Mercury News)
Coming Soon
Prep those totes — it’s farmers market season, and we’re berry excited. The Santana Row Farmers’ Market will return for its 2025 season on Wednesday, May 7, 4-8 p.m., between Olin Avenue + Olsen Drive. Expect 30+ local farmers and vendors to set up shop every Wednesday through September.
Closing
After 28 years in business, Chef Li, a beloved Chinese restaurant on Camden Avenue, will close on Thursday, May 15. Owner Eric Diec said he was unable to reach a lease renewal deal with the building’s property managers. He plans to follow his dream of opening an orchid shop. (NBC Bay Area)
History
It’s been 50 years since the Fall of Saigon. Today, San Jose is home to the largest Vietnamese population outside of Vietnam. Read about how these San Joseans are pondering their legacy and dreams in our city. To learn more about the Vietnam War, visit the Viet Museum at History Park. (The Mercury News + ABC7)
Outdoors
The Vector Control District recently discovered an invasive, day-biting mosquito species, Aedes aegypti, in south SJ — the same species found locally last year. Residents are urged to dump out any outdoor containers filled with stagnant water and thoroughly clean them. Mosquito sightings should be reported to vector control. (KRON)
Festival
San Jose’s beloved Christmas in the Park is facing a budget shortfall of $250,000. The city recently renewed a three-year contract for the annual holiday event, but organizers are still looking for ways to raise money. Join A Merry Little Speakeasy this July to support the ongoing fundraising efforts. (KRON)
Sports
Play ball. Bay FC will play a regular season “home match” away from home on Saturday, Aug. 23, taking on Washington Spirit from the San Francisco Giants’ venue at Oracle Park. Ticket pre-sales begin Monday, May 5, and general public tickets go on sale Tuesday, May 6, at 9 a.m.
Stat
$5,000. That’s how much you may have to drop if your dog or cat tears their ACL — a surprisingly common knee injury in pets. To the rescue: pet insurance. With this plan, 90% of that cost could be reimbursed.*
Biz
Last chance to invest in the “Uber of mobile phones.”Mode Mobile grew 32,481% from 2019-2022, and just secured their Nasdaq ticker with plans for a potential IPO. The opportunity to invest at $0.26/share closes today.†*
Featured Deal
Dreaming of a tropical getaway? Turn it into reality when you shop Hawaiian Airlines’ sale on select fares, like $222 from SJC to The Aloha State.*
Job
Hiring just got easier. Post unlimited job listings with us for free on the SJtoday Job Board + connect with the right candidates faster. We’ve got your back.
The gorgeous "¡Alebrijes!” mural on the side of the Mezcal restaurant in San Jose. | Photo by SJtoday Staff
We all know that San Jose has a vibrant arts scene – and we’re not just talking about the San Jose Museum of Art or the Anno Domini Gallery. One of our all-time favorite galleries? San Jose itself.
Today, we’re sharing our guide to 12 murals in Teal Town.
¡Alebrijes! | By Francisco Franco
On the side of Mezcal Restaurant on West Fernando Street, this brilliant and colorful this mural pays tribute to Mexican folk art, the spirituality of the Oaxacan region of Mexico, and the Zapotec people’s artistic and culinary traditions. The figure in the mural is the patron goddess of the plant from which mezcal is made, Nuestra Señora Immaculada de Juquila.
Threads Woven| By Jimmy Paints + community
Local artist Jimmy Paints and Local Color San Jose partnered with 1,250 volunteers in May 2024 to paint this colorful, 12,000-sqft community mural on San Pedro Square meant to represent SJ’s different cultures and communities.
Swim trunks with pockets. These quick-drying swimsuit trunks have a hidden pocket built into an anti-chafe compression liner — perfect for keeping phones, keys, and cash safe on beach days.
Vacation, anyone? Delta is adding two new nonstop flights out of San Jose Mineta International Airport. The airline will launch a San Jose to Las Vegas (feeling lucky?) route starting Wednesday, May 7, and SJ to Detroit starting July 7.
These new flights — and maybe these fresh concessions + shops — could help propel SJC’s current passenger stats. The airport saw 880,100 passengers in March, which is a 5.4% decline from March 2024. Take the trip.
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