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HomeMy WebLinkAboutScene April 2017 - 04.01.2017SCENEThe Cupertino A MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF THE CITY OF CUPERTINO APRIL 2017 EARTH & ARBOR DAY Page 6 PLUS YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE, BE A BLOCK LEADER Page 4 DO YOU RECOGNIZE THESE CUPERTINO LANDMARK SITES? Page 5 VOLUNTEER TO HELP YOUR CITY IN A DISASTER Page 8 REGISTER AT WWW.BIGBUNNY5K.COM April is a busy month for the City as we host two of Cupertino’s most popular events of the year with the Big Bunny 5K/Fun Run and the Earth Day and Arbor Day Festival. Although the two events seeming- ly have little in common with each other, they do have intertwining themes: healthy living and commu- nity building. We’ve taken those themes a step further at this year’s Earth Day event by adding a family bike ride and offering a free bike valet ser- vice. You can read more about that on Page 7. This effort aligns with the 2016 Bi- cycle Transportation Plan that was adopted in June 2016 by the Cu- pertino City Council. The Bicycle Transportation Plan is a long-range planning document designed to encourage bicycling as a safe, practical, and healthy al- ternative to just jumping into a car. The plan addresses present and future needs of the bicycling com- munity, lays the groundwork for grant funding eligibility for bicycle projects, and is in close alignment with the goals set forth by the Cu- pertino Bicycle Pedestrian Com- mission. The goal is to increase the attractiveness and safety of bicy- cling throughout the City, with a fo- cus on safe connectivity to schools. The City has also committed to creating a safer environment for Cupertino students and families to actively travel to and from school. The City’s Safe Routes to School (SR2S) program is helping to make that happen by bringing together stakeholders (educators, parents students, City planners and engi- neers, bicycle and pedestrian ad- vocates) and examining conditions around schools, coming together as a working group to share ideas, recommending projects to im- prove safety and accessibility, and reducing traffic and air pollution in the vicinity of our local schools. The reasoning behind these efforts is self-evident. There are numerous benefits to having more people on bicycles: • It relieves traffic congestion as there are less cars on the road • Cycling improves health through exercise and has shown to yield better on-the- job performance • Saves money versus that of a car as bicycles require no fuel or insurance, and have cheap- er maintenance costs For more information on the City’s Bicycle Transportation Plan, visit www.cupertino.org/bicycling. David Brandt City Manager MANAGING THE MESSAGE Page 3 CONTENTS FEATURES 12 The Scene Answers Check out the Scene’s Q&A section on the back page.6 Protecting the Planet There are lots of environmentally-friendly activties at the Earth and Arbor Day Festival. IN S I D E 8 Ready to Help Cupertino Citizen Corps volunteers are ready when disaster strikes. 5 Match Game How many of these historic places in Cupertino do you recognize?10 Community Calendar Find out what’s happening in Cupertino during the month of April. 4 One Block At A Time Help create community in your neighbor- hood by becoming a Block Leader. Questions or comments about The Scene? Contact staff at scene@cupertino.org. Page 4 It can be challenging to know your neighbors and move beyond a friendly wave as you travel back and forth from one commitment to the next. Since 2002, the Cupertino Block Leader Program has helped to acquaint neigh- bors and develop stronger, organized neighborhoods. The nationally-recog- nized program celebrates its 15th Anni- versary this month. Cupertino Block Leaders coordinate social gatherings (block parties, pot- lucks), safety trainings (Neighborhood Watch, emergency readiness), and other meetings on common interests. Leaders establish ongoing connections with neighbors and increase the quality of life in their neighborhood. Block leaders shape new City initiatives and participate in City-led activities relevant to their neighborhoods. Each quarter, Block Leaders attend City-fa- cilitated meetings to meet peers, ex- change tips, and receive training. Re- cent trainings included communication skills, a “Know Your City” community as- sets and amenities exercise, neighbor- hood safety, and an update from the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office. Block leaders also provide input on major City planning efforts such as the Parks, Open Space, and Recreation Master Plan. The Program has grown to nearly 380 residents and each partici- pant coordinates anywhere between five and 90 homes. To stay active, Block Leaders attend at least one City-facil- itated meeting and coordinate two neighborhood events each year. To learn how to become a Block Leader, visit www.cupertino.org/blockleader. ______________________________________ Community Relations Coordinator Laura Lee contributed to this article. Email: communityrelations@cupertino.org How do I start? 1. Introduce yourself to your neighbors by knocking on their doors and let them know that you would like to get ev- eryone acquainted. 2. Plan a gather- ing of neighbors through the City’s Block Party Program. Neighborhood Watch, and safety and emergency trainings, can also be used to bring neighbors together. 3. Collect neighbors’ contact information for emergencies and activity training. Be sure to keep the contact information confidential and remind neighbors to do the same. What else? 1. Block Leaders will learn step-by-step methods on how to plan neighborhood meetings. The City provides training and an FAQ guide- book, introduces new leaders to experienced ones, and makes photo- copiers available to print neighborhood forms and flyers. 2. Leaders will gain the inside track on new City and neigh- borhood projects and activities. 3. Block Leaders meet four times a year for training and updates, exchang- ing tips, and learn- ing more about City services. What’s next? 1. If you have made it this far, you’ve taken the most significant steps to becoming a Block Leader. You should have already held your first gathering and may already feel a sense of com- munity beginning in your neighborhood. 2. At this point, you should contact the City to become an official Block Leader. You will receive per- tinent information that directly affects your neighborhood and information about new City- wide programs. The City would love to help you continue the good work you have started! Being a Leader Building Community in Cupertino Block by Block Get Started / Get Involved / Get Connected Here’s what it takes to be a Block Leader Y E A R S 2 0 0 2 -2 0 1 7 Page 5 Cupertino is rich with history, from its first recorded mention in 1 7 7 6 b y S p a n i s h e x p l o r e r C a p t a i n J u a n Bautista de Anza to the vast, flourishing orchard fields of the e a r l y t o m i d - 1 9 0 0 s . C u p e r t i n o h a s e v o l v e d from a small agricultural town to the mix of residential neighborh o o d s , r e t a i l , t e c h f i r m s , a n d o p e n s p a c e w e know today. Nonetheless, many sites and buildings of Cupertino’s p a s t a r e s t i l l h e r e , a n d a l l h a v e a s t o r y t o tell. Perhaps you’ve visited some of these before, or drive by the m e v e r y d a y . H o w m a n y d o y o u r e c o g n i z e ? Captain Elisha Stephens, the area’s first settler, led the first successful passage acr o s s w h a t i s n o w k n o w n as Donner Pass (after the ill-fated Donner Party) back in 1844. He established the ar e a ’ s f i r s t v i n e y a r d i n 1848 when he settled along the west bank of Cupertino Creek, later renamed Stevens C r e e k i n h i s h o n o r . T h e blackberry patch he planted on site would ultimately give Blackberry Farm—and the adjacent golf course—its name. Today, Blackberry Farm thrives as a recreational park and offers many ame n i t i e s , i n c l u d i n g w a l k i n g trails, picnic areas, swimming pools, a waterslide, bocce ball volleyball courts, and hors e s h o e p i t s . Originally built in 1869, this building served as one of the first schoolhouses in Cupertino. The Collins School went through a number of architectural iterations throughout its decades of operation until 1921, including a redesign and expansion of classrooms in 1908. In 1922, the Cupertino Del Oro Club took over the school site and established the City’s first social club. The building was relocated to its present site in 1959 to accommo-date the expansion of Homestead Road. It has been a Santa Clara County landmark since 1974. If t h i s j o u r n a l i s e v e r l o s t , p l e a s e r e t u r n t o A s s i s t a n t P l a n n e r J e f f r e y T s u m u r a a n d S e n i o r P l a n n e r C a t a r i n a K i d d . Cupertino: Then & Now Stevens Creek Market was opened in the early 1940s by Nellie Quinterno and Zorka Pichhetti. The market ran for decades and was a popular stop for picnickers on their way up to Stevens Creek Dam. A bicycle shop now fills the building and continues to be a fixture in the neighborhood. *Photographs courtesy of the Cupertino Historical Society and Museum Breath of Fresh Air 2017 EARTH DAY & ARBOR DAY FESTIVAL On Saturday, April 22, the Cuper- tino community will come together at the Civic Center Plaza, take a breath, and for just a moment cele- brate all the things we often take for granted: oxygen, clean air, shade, and so much more. The City of Cupertino will host its an- nual Earth Day and Arbor Day Festi- val on April 22 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. right outside of Cupertino City Hall, located at 10300 Torre Avenue. Cupertino celebrates Earth Day and Arbor Day because the City is com- mitted to doing its part to protect our planet from climate change and maintain the health of our com- munity. Protecting our trees is an im- portant part in doing so. Trees play a vital role in our lives by providing oxygen, cleaning our air, preventing water pollution, and cre- ating habitats for wildlife. Also an essential partner in combatting cli- mate change, trees cool our streets, conserve energy and water, and absorb carbon dioxide. At the annual Earth Day and Arbor Day Festival, we celebrate our plan- et and our trees and provide fami- ly-friendly resources, activities, and conversation to inspire our residents, businesses, and community mem- bers to take action to reduce their own impact on our planet. The festival features over 75 booths hosted by local non-profits and businesses, hands-on activities, live entertainment, and delicious food served by local food trucks. Beyond learning, laughing, and crafting with our partner organizations, you can participate in the free activities de- scribed on the right. For more information on the festival, visit www.cupertino.org/earthday or email sustainability@cupertino.org. ___________________________________ Environmental Outreach Coordina- tor Lauren Dickinson contributed to this article. Family Bike Ride Help us celebrate safe and active transportation by joining our second annual “Pedal 4 the Planet” family bike ride for kids 8+ and their families. Hosted by Cupertino’s Safe Routes to School program, this chaper- oned bike ride around schools and parks will start and end at City Hall and kick-off at 10 a.m. Arrive early for registration and snacks. Learn more about the bike ride at www.cupertino.org/pedal4theplanet. Free Bike Valet Service Lead by example and bike or walk to the festival. Not only will you re- duce your environmental impact, but you’ll avoid the stress of finding parking for your car. The Silicon Val- ley Bike Coalition (www.bikesilicon- valley.org) will offer free bike valet parking near Torre Ave to festival attendees. Yoga Get energized for all the eco-activi- ties of the day by joining us for a 45 minute free yoga class in Communi- ty Hall at 11:15 a.m. Bring your own mat and reusable water bottle. Eco-Film Fest Need some time to relax and refresh after all the stimulating conversation at the festival booths? Take a break and catch a short, family-friendly eco-flick or two in Community Hall from 12:30 - 3 p.m. Neighborhood Tree Walk Curious about the trees that call Cu- pertino home? Join a City arborist for a walk around the neighborhood and learn about our local urban for- est. Meet at the information booth at 1 p.m. Environmental Art & Innovation Exhibit Stop by the lobby of Community Hall during the festival and cele- brate Cupertino’s young artists and innovators. The exhibit will showcase student artwork and inventions that express ideas for Cupertino’s sustain- able future. Electric Vehicle Demo Interested in swapping your gas guz- zler for a cleaner, alternative fuel ve- hicle? Visit our Electric Vehicle Demo hosted by the Silicon Valley Chapter of the Electric Auto Association and peek under the hood of an electric car. Other Activities In between practicing yoga, catch- ing eco-flicks, grabbing a bite at a local food truck, and learning about trees and EVs, make sure to stop by all our partner booths and learn how to live more sustainably, not just on Earth Day or Arbor Day, but every day. Grab an eco-passport from the in- formation booth and win a prize af- ter visiting all booths. Page 7 What’s going on at Earth & Arbor Day? Page 8 WHEN DISASTER STRIKES The Cupertino Citizen Corps is a Team of Trained Volunteers Ready to Help When a disaster strikes, be it earthquake, flood, fire, hazmat spill or other disaster, there is a team of trained volunteers who are pre- pared to help. They are known as the Cupertino Citizen Corps. Supported by the first responders from the City of Cupertino, the San- ta Clara County Fire Department, and the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office, Citizen Corps members are trained to provide backup support when other resources are stretched thin during an emergency. Cupertino Citizen Corps members also actively engage in offering training and outreach events to in- form residents how to prepare for and survive after a major disaster or emergency. During an emergency, Citizen Corps volunteers are stationed around Cupertino and gather emergency information for the City Emergen- cy Operations Center (also known as an EOC), perform basic first-aid, execute light search and rescue, provide neighborhood safety as- sessments, and help keep residents informed of emergency information provided by the City. The Citizen Corps is comprised of the following volunteer groups: Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) This core group is trained to help in all of the most common disaster situ- ations. Training includes light search and rescue, fire safety, disaster med- ical operations, disaster psychology, hazardous materials identification, the incident command structure, and terrorism. In a disaster these people are right where the action is. Cupertino Amateur Radio Emergency Service (CARES) This group of amateur radio volun- teers is the lifeblood of communica- tion in a disaster when normal phone and internet service are down. They assist the city by providing profes- sional emergency communications, increasing the city’s emergency re- sponse effectiveness, and speeding up the recovery effort. Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) These volunteers promote health and safety to citizens throughout the year and are trained to function as a first aid medical unit in the City’s emergency plan. Various training classes are offered in emergency medical care, such as, basic med- ical evaluation, advanced first aid, CPR and defibrillator use, and medi- cal evacuation. Cupertino Block Leaders These volunteers help build a cohe- sive neighborhood and provide a neighborhood point of contact in to the City Manager’s Office through- out the year and an informational source for neighborhood disaster as- sessment to the local ARK volunteers and thus to the city. Neighborhood Watch Volunteer leaders work with the City and the Sheriff’s Office to organize their neighborhood to be on the watch for suspicious persons and/or report criminal activity. There are many ways to give back to the community and there is always a need for the assistance of more dedicated volunteers. Your service as a volunteer will be rewarding and educational and you will be helping to protect your family and friends. Find out how to get involved at www.cupertino.org/volunteerportal. ___________________________________ Citizen Corps Coordinator Ken Ericksen and Public Safety Commissioner Jerry Tallinger contributed to this article. Page 9 What’s going on around town? GET IN THE CUPERTI- know TEEN LEADERSHIPINFORMATION NIGHT Build leadership skills, get on-the-job training & more Quinlan Community Center 10185 N Stelling Road April 18 - 6:30 p.m. FREE YOGA CLASS!@ EARTH AND ARBOR DAYSaturday, April 22 11:15 a.m. at Community Hall 10350 Torre Avenue Bring your own mat! www.cupertino.org/earthday Teen CommissionHas Six Openings Application Deadline: Friday, May 5 at 4:30 p.m. Fore more information and to download the application: www.cupertino.org/vacancies Cherry Blossom Festival April 29 & 30, 10 am - 5 pm Memorial Park 10185 N. Stelling Road Free Parking at DeAnza College www.cupertinotoyokawa.org Page 10 COMMUNITY CALENDAR © Children’s Early Literacy Music Concert Tuesday, April 4, 10:15 am Cupertino Community Hall Join the Cupertino Library for a fun and engaging music and movement pro- gram for children ages 0-5 and their families. No registration is required. © Cupertino Library Children’s Garden Tuesdays, April 4, 11, 18, 25 From 3:30 – 4:30 pm Cupertino Library Courtyard Children are invited to visit the Cuperti- no Library Children’s Garden! The Chil- dren’s Garden is open every Tuesday, 3:30 – 4:30 pm, weather permitting. Explore the garden and engage in hands-on activities. Start Your Own Garden: Seed Sprout- ers Craft for Teens Saturday, April 22, 4:00 pm Library Story Room Help celebrate Earth Day and go green! Join the Cupertino Library as they show support for the environment by recycling plastic bottles and turn- ing them into seed sprouters where you can grow your own vegetation. All materials will be provided onsite. © <Hack> Cupertino Saturday, April 8, 6:00 pm through Sunday, April 9, 11:00 am Quinlan Community Center, 10185 N. Stelling Road Together, the City of Cupertino’s Teen Commission and Recreation Depart- ment will be hosting <hack> Cuper- tino. This is the City’s first ever hack- athon, in which participants will have 13 hours to solve a problem presented in the opening ceremonies. © Teen Leadership Information Night Tuesday, April 18, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm Quinlan Community Center Parents and teens can learn about the City of Cupertino’s three vol- unteer-based programs: Leader in Training, Civically Active Teens, and the Teen Commission. Free Backyard Composting Class Saturday, April 1, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Environmental Education Center, 22221 McClellan Road Want to learn to transform your leaves, grass, and food scraps into rich com- post for your garden? Register at ucanr.edu/compost for a free back- yard composting workshop. © Big Bunny Fun Run Saturday, April 15, 7 a.m. - 12:00 a.m. Civic Center Plaza, 10300 Torre Ave. Show your support for creating a pos- itive, healthy, connected community at the annual Big Bunny 5K. Register online at https://www.bigbunny5k. com/. © Earth Day and Arbor Festival Saturday, April 22, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Civic Center Plaza (Next to the Library) Cupertino’s Annual Earth Day & Arbor Day Festival is an interactive com- munity event that invites community members of all ages to learn about environmental issues and solutions in a family-friendly, interactive atmo- sphere. © Shredding and Environmental Recy- cling Day Saturday, April 15, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm Recycle your electronic and universal waste and shred confidential docu- ments at the De Anza College Parking Lot A. Learn more at www.cupertino. org/environmentalday. © Cherry Blossom Festival Saturday & Sunday April 29 to 30, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Memorial Park, 10185 N Stelling Road The event offers a wide selection of Japanese food and beverages, enter- tainment, demonstrations, cultural ex- hibits, art, crafts and clothing for sale. All-day entertainment takes place in the Amphitheatre. © Birdathon Saturday, March 25 – Sunday, April 30 Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society’s biggest fundraiser of the year. To reg- ister and for more information, please visit at www.scvas.org/birdathon. © Baishakhi Sunday, April 23, from 4 pm - 7 pm De Anxa Performing Arts Center 21250 Stevens Creek Boulevard The Cupertino Bhubaneswar Sister City is hosting an event that will connect communities through art, culture, and education. The Baishakhi event will be celebrating the Odia New Year. For more information on the event, con- tact cupertinoobbsr@gmail.com. Introduction to Aromatherapy Sunday, April 9, 1:00 pm Cupertino Community Hall Aromatherapy, more than just a nice scent. Introduction to the basics and science of real aromatherapy. Sponsored by the Friends of the Cu- pertino Library. © Better Cupertino’s Town Hall Meeting on Sensible Growth Sunday, April 23, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm Cupertino Community Hall How do we manage growth to bal- ance between our quality of life and impacts of fast growing economy? Please join this forum and exchange ideas on addressing the increasing demands of traffic, schools and other public infrastructure. © Graywater Workshops Wednesday, April 19, 6:30 – 8:00 pm Cupertino Community Hall Learn how to install laundry to land- scape systems in your home at a free Graywater Workshop. You may even qualify for a $200 rebate. For more in- formation and a list of other upcoming workshops visit http://bit.ly/2lsZvxQ. For more info on the Senior Center, or to sign up for classes or events, visit www.cupertino.org/seniors or stop by 21251 Stevens Creek Boulevard. CHILDREN SENIORS TEENS FAMILY-FRIENDLY ADULTS Page 11 EVENTS & SOCIALS April Birthday Bash Wednesday, April 12, 12 pm Join the Senior Center for a delicious lunch of baked linguine con salsa di carne, Italian antipasto salad, gar- lic bread, and Tiramisu for dessert. Pre-registration is required. Members $12, senior guests add $5 day pass. © Lunch with Friends Thursday, April 19, 11:45 am Join the Senior Center for lunch! Pre-registration is required, and a veg- etarian option is available when regis- tering. Member fee is $6, senior guests add $5 day pass. CLASSES & PRESENTATIONS Supporting Your LGBT Family Members, Friends, and Neighbors Monday, April 26, 10:00 am-12:00 pm Learn about the culture, needs, and concerns of LGBT seniors and some tips on how to make people feel more welcome and included in our com- munity and at our center. This event is open to the public, sign up at the front desk. @ Hearing Tests Thursday, April 20, 9:00 am-11:00 am Free hearing tests will be provided by San Jose State University audiology students with instructor supervision. Please sign-up at the front desk. Space is limited, members only. SOCIAL SERVICES Volunteer Nurse – Blood Pressure Checks Monday, April 10, 24, 1:30-2:30 pm Tuesday, April 4, 18, 12:15-1:15 pm @ Senior Adult Legal Aid (SALA) Friday, April 7, 14, 21, 10:30 am-12:30 pm Provides free assistance to elders for basic legal matters in public benefits, long-term care, elder abuse, housing, consumer issues, incapacity planning, probate alternative, and simple wills. Must be 60 or older and live in Santa Clara County. Call (408) 777.3150 to make an appointment. @ Drop-in Consultation with Case Man- ager Wednesdays 10 am - 12 pm A case manager is available to discuss community resources, benefits, and care options during the drop-in hours. Case Manager is also available by appointment. Cantonese/Mandarin available. @ Caregiver Support Group Thursday, April 13, 3:00 - 4:30 pm Provides a safe place for family care- givers to share their experiences and challenges. Join the circle of support. @ SENIOR CENTER TRAVEL California Coastal Cruise October 15-22 (Eight days) Hug the scenic shores of the sun-kissed California coast aboard the newly-en- hanced Grand Princess, where inviting beaches, fascinating cities and excit- ing attractions await. Free travel pre- sentation April 14, 10:00 am. Call (408) 777-3150 for more information. @ Spotlight on San Antonio Holiday December 11-15 (Five days) Take in the holiday sights and immerse yourself in the laid-back atmosphere of this beautiful city. Relax in style when you settle into your River Walk hotel, your home while exploring the bold flavors and heritage of Texas. Free travel presentation April 5, 2:30 pm. Call (408) 777-3150 for more infor- mation. @ San Francisco Flower & Garden Show, $59 Friday, April 7 @ From Farm to Table at Pie Ranch, $126 Thursday, April 13 @ Mountain House Restaurant, $107 Friday, April 21 @ Safari West, $136 Wednesday, April 26 The Cupertino Poet Laureate program has partnered with McClellan Ranch Preserve to bring a series of nature and writing events to the community at no charge. Reservations are required and may be made by emailing poetlaure- ate@cupertino.org. Haiku Workshop Saturday, March 11, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Patricia Machmiller of the Yuki Teikei Haiku Society will lead an interactive workshop offering another form of po- etry for the McClellan Ranch Poetry Record. @ Working Sessions Wednesday, March 22 and 29, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Working sessions to put together the McClellan Poetry Record to be “gift- ed” to McClellan Ranch Preserve on Saturday, Apr. 8th. @ Children’s Nature Walk/Poetry Work- shop/ Open Mic Saturday April 8, 10 am - 12:45 pm Naturalist Barbara Banfield and Cu- pertino Poet Laureate Ann Muto team up again to provide a nature walk/ poetry workshop for children to be fol- lowed by a reception and Open Mic for workshop participants. @ Reception Saturday, April 8, 11:30 am - 12:45 pm Reception shared with the children’s workshop followed by readings from the McClellan Poetry Record, Open Mic and the presentation of McClel- lan Poetry Record to McClellan Ranch Preserve. The presentation will be made by Christine Hanel, Assistant Di- rector of Recreation and Community Services. Teen Commission Openings Application Deadline: 4:30 PM Friday, May 5, 2017 in the City Clerk’s Office Interviews: 3:30 PM Tuesday, May 23, 2017 and Wednesday, May 24, 2017 Cupertino teens are encouraged to apply for six vacancies on the Teen Commission. Council will also appoint at least two alternates to fill any un- scheduled vacancies that may occur during the year. Applications can be downloaded from the City of Cuperti- no website at www.cupertino.org/va- cancies. For more details, call the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 777-3223. POET LAUREATE VOLUNTEER PRSRT-STD U.S. Postage PAID Cupertino, CA Permit No. 239 CUPERTINO SCENE Cupertino City Hall 10300 Torre Avenue Cupertino, CA 95014 *******ECRWSSEDDM******* POSTAL CUSTOMER The Cupertino Scene is printed on 40% post-consumer waste recycled paper with soy ink. The newsletter is produced by a certified Bay Area Green Business and is recyclable. For information on becoming a certified Green Business, visit www.cupertino.org/GreenBiz. Q&A The Scene Answers Have questions for staff? Send them to scene@cupertino.org or call (408) 777-3212. Question: Who maintains City Street Trees in Cupertino? Answer: The City of Cupertino’s Street Tree Maintenance Division is charged with the management and care of all street trees in Cupertino. We have two full-time staff members who are certified arbor- ists with training and credentials in tree risk assessment. As a Tree City USA, our goal is to be good stewards of the urban forest to assure it is a benefit to Cupertino’s citizens and visitors. Cupertino’s street trees are inventoried into a Geographical Information System (GIS) database where all work that has been performed is catalogued. This gives us an opportunity to generate appropriate work cycles on trees that may need additional attention or monitoring. It also gives staff the ability to keep record of the trees maintenance history and how sites may have changed over time. It is important that the work done is captured as part of the tree’s history. This information is vital in making good management decisions that will keep the trees healthy and thriving for many years. In 2012, the City updated its Public Tree ordinance 14.12 and placed tree badges on all city trees in an effort to com- municate to the public that City staff will maintain the trees appropriately. Residents wanting to know more about the tree or desiring to request service can scan the badge with their smart phone, or use the Trees 95014 app to receive information about that specific tree from the City’s website. Information includes species, size, location, and a photo- graph. From the initial page, the user can follow a link to make a service request on the tree. All work that the City’s Street Tree Maintenance staff performs conforms to current ISA tree maintenance standards. If you believe the Street Tree adjacent to your home is in need of maintenance, please let us know. The Street Tree Maintenance staff can be reached at (408) 777-3410 or through the Access Cupertino web portal located on the City’s home webpage at www.cupertino.org. Jonathan Ferrante is a Public Works Supervisor. He is responsible for overseeing the City’s right-of-ways (street trees and landscaped medians), tree evaluations, as well as maintenance and small redevelopment projects for medians.