The Milpitas Beat

13/09/2024

Our Candidate Forum for Milpitas City Councilmember candidates is happening on September 30! Hope you can come out and meet the candidates! Be sure to RSVP to grab a spot. (For anyone who can't make it in person, we'll have a video recording available after.)

Thank you to our Partners & Sponsors Sunnyhills Neighborhood Association LoanPros, Inc. and Dr. Napolitano DDS!

RSVP: http://milpitascitycouncilforum.eventbrite.com/

(And FYI: We'll be announcing dates next week for the Mayor and MUSD School Board races.)

12/09/2024

"To be clear: proper procedure [by the Milpitas City Council] was adhered to technically. But the democratic underpinnings of the procedure, which exist to promote diversity of thought and healthy public input, were cleanly skated past. And if the reaction from the public is any indication, I think regular people can feel that."

Recently, the Milpitas City Council voted 4-1 (with Councilmember Hon Lien voting no) to rename the Milpitas Library to the Milpitas Jose Esteves Library. Esteves, the classy and eloquent former s…

12/09/2024

In just a few weeks, we're going to be hosting the Candidate Forums for the Milpitas City Council and Mayor races!

We're putting together some questions for our candidates, and we want to hear from you! What issues do you care deeply about? What would you like us to ask the candidates?

Go ahead and fill out the form here to let us know:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScUyHMYePFbjIGvnMU-Q5gGhnN3atCVUnIRwsUSSbkaSwMm9Q/viewform

08/09/2024

This past Tuesday night, the Milpitas City Council voted to move forward on an ordinance that would allow residents to put up signs to prevent any unwanted visitors from being on their property.

The ordinance would go into effect on January 1, 2025.

At that time, residents would be able to choose to put up three different signs:

- A “No Solicitors” sign, which would prohibit people from coming by to offer goods or services, or to seek contributions

- A “No Canvassers” sign, which would prohibit others from distributing news or information, or sharing their views

- A “No Trespassing” sign, which would prohibit any unwanted strangers from coming up to one’s house, including both solicitors and canvassers.

Even if a resident doesn’t put up signs, the ordinance is meant to protect residents by allowing them to add exceptions or conditions as they please, in terms of specifying whom they don’t want on their property...

The ordinance will not change a person’s property rights in any way. It would simply give residents the ability to exclude certain visitors – and it would also give the Milpitas Police Department or the Code Enforcement Division the ability to enforce the decisions made by each individual. Along with enforcement, residents would also be able to sue those who refuse to pay attention to their signs or wishes.

Read the whole article to get the full scoop!

This past Tuesday night, the Milpitas City Council voted to move forward on an ordinance that would allow residents to put up signs to prevent any unwanted visitors from being on their property. T…

07/09/2024

From earlier today: Superintendent Cheryl Jordan presenting the MUSD State of the District at the Sunnyhills Neighborhood Association meeting at MHS Library

06/09/2024

The Milpitas Chamber is hosting their 2024 Awards Ceremony on Friday, October 4! Go to milpitaschamber.com to get tickets! The theme is Old Hollywood 🤩🤩🤩

06/09/2024

Check out these old photos of Milpitas High School back in the day! 😍These are from the early 70s, when the high school had just opened. There's so much history here!

Be sure to check out our latest article about the Class of 1974; they just celebrated a big 50-year reunion.

https://milpitasbeat.com/milpitas-high-school-class-of-1974-celebrates-milestone-50th-reunion/

*Photos courtesy of Walter Armstrong

06/09/2024

The Milpitas High School (MHS) Class of 1974 held its milestone 50th reunion at the end of August.

Out of a class of 237 graduates, about 70 of them attended. A total of 125 people were on hand.

The gathering was historic because this was the very first graduating class that had attended all four years of high school on campus at MHS.

Back in 1956, Samuel Ayer High School opened at 1395 E. Calaveras Blvd. It was the first-ever high school in Milpitas. In 1969, Milpitas High School officially opened; however, the actual MHS campus wasn’t quite ready to start physically receiving students.

So a double session, split between both high schools, was held at the Ayer campus. In the mornings, they held classes for Ayer; in the afternoons, they held classes for MHS.

When the actual MHS campus was ready for students to enter its buildings in 1970, three different classes – freshmen, sophomores, and juniors – began attending.

“We were the very first class at MHS that started off our experience as freshmen and went all four years,” said Linda Lascirain Ross, an alumna of the Class of ’74.

Ross, who has served as Chairperson of the Reunion Committee in past years, spoke of all the work that had been put into locating former classmates to invite them to the reunion.

The reunion’s planning committee began meeting in June 2022. At that time, only three people were involved. But as time went by, that number grew to 10.

“We decided for the 50th reunion…we wanted to do it big,” said Ross.

Be sure to read the full article for the whole story! 😃

The Milpitas High School (MHS) Class of 1974 held its milestone 50th reunion at the end of August. Out of a class of 237 graduates, about 70 of them attended. A total of 125 people were on hand. …

05/09/2024

Milpitas nonprofit Fancy Dancers, Inc., receives recognition in national competition

(Article sponsored by Milpitas Charity Bingo.)

Article sponsored by Milpitas Chairty Bingo. Milpitas nonprofit Fancy Dancers, Inc., is celebrating its 40th year. Founded by Patty Jensen, the group recently returned from a competition down in A…

05/09/2024

The Milpitas City Council voted last night to change the name of the Milpitas Library.

Effective immediately, the library will be named the “Milpitas Jose Esteves Library.”

Jose Esteves is a former Milpitas Councilmember and Mayor. He served one term as Councilmember from 1998-2002 and six terms as Mayor — from 2002-2008 and 2010-2016.

The vote last night was 4-1 in favor of the library being named after Esteves.

“Many years ago during the conception of a library for Milpitas, I remember Mayor Esteves to be the driving force behind its fruition,” Vice Mayor Evelyn Chua explained to The Beat.

Read more about it in the full article...

The Milpitas City Council voted last night to change the name of the Milpitas Library. Effective immediately, the library will be named the “Milpitas Jose Esteves Library.” Jose Esteves is a form…

31/08/2024

Informative piece from Chris Norwood MUSD School Board Trustee 2024: “State of Milpitas Unified School District 2024”

OVERVIEW During the 2023 – 2024 school year, the Milpitas Unified School District (MUSD) continued to make significant strides to meet the needs of all of its students in the areas of academi…

22/08/2024

William Lam is running for Milpitas City Council

William Lam has announced his candidacy for Milpitas City Council. An advocate and Milpitas resident for 35 years, Lam is running on a platform centered on public safety, quality of life, and respo…

21/08/2024

These Milpitas High School students are amazing 🤩

For over a year now, the Milpitas High School Crochet club has been running the Crochet and Crafts Program at the Barbara Lee Senior Center. The program began in the Summer of 2023 as a community …

16/08/2024

Happening Now: Indian Independence Day celebration at Caesar Chavez plaza

13/08/2024

From the recent opinion piece written by Stephen Jaffe:



Click below to read the full article!

Opinion Piece by: Stephen Jaffe “Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants.” – Supreme Court Justice Louis D. Brandeis This begins with two disclaimers. First, the writer is the attor…

10/08/2024

Do you remember Sid Shivnath?

He's the amazing Rubik's Cube Whiz Kid we reported on late last year.

Sid is 12 years old and a Milpitas resident. And he recently won 3 silver medals and 2 bronze medals in cubing competitions hosted by the World Cubing Association this summer. He was one of the youngest competitors and competed against adults across all categories!

CONGRATULATIONS, Sid!!!

Twelve-year-old Milpitas resident Sid Shivnath has won silver and bronze medals in two recent Rubik’s Cube competitions hosted by the World Cube Association. It was back in 2020 when Sid learned h…

08/08/2024

Milpitas Knights: A legacy of shaping student athletes for over 60 years

For over 60 years now, the Milpitas Knights have created sports and sports-related opportunities for Bay area youth. “We are a nonprofit that caters to the youth of Milpitas and outside the area,” …

06/08/2024

Former City Manager Steve McHarris versus the City of Milpitas: Legal battle continues as costs escalate

At the end of 2023, former Milpitas City Manager Steve McHarris filed a lawsuit against the City of Milpitas, alleging wrongful termination and breach of contract. The lawsuit, which has seen vario…

03/08/2024

Congressman Ro Khanna’s staffers tour homeless encampment in Milpitas

On Monday, July 15, Milpitas nonprofit Hope for the Unhoused (H4U) hosted members of Congressman Ro Khanna’s legislative team for a tour of a homeless encampment and a discussion about homelessness…

30/07/2024

SB 585 is critical legislation that needs immediate action

The California State Assembly once again failed small businesses up and down our state for its failure to pass SB 585 before the July 4th break. SB 585 is critical legislation that needs immediate …

25/07/2024

Milpitas High School Music Booster Club makes an impact on student musicians (post sponsored by Milpitas Charity Bingo)

Article sponsored by Milpitas Charity Bingo. For decades now, going back to the 1990s, the Milpitas High School (MHS) Music Booster Club has worked in the community to support and nurture students…

17/07/2024

Happening Now: 355 Sango Court Grand Opening

12/07/2024

Heartfelt opinion piece from a close friend of Rohit Godhani, who drowned in an Oregon River on the 4th of July

The Milpitas community grieves the sudden passing of Rohit Godhani, a beloved resident cherished for his warmth, intellect, and kindness. Rohit tragically drowned in the Rogue River in Oregon on Ju…

11/07/2024

We are thinking of the Godhani family during this very sad time.

This past July 4th holiday, Milpitas resident Rohit Godhani died tragically in a drowning incident in Oregon’s Rogue River. Rohit is survived by his wife Ranjita and their two young children, ages …

05/07/2024

Bay Area Tutoring Association is receiving a $15,000 grant from Supervisor Otto Lee

Amid a recent countywide increase in unhoused students, Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors Vice President Otto Lee has ensured that $15,000 in grant money will go to the Bay Area Tutoring Asso…

04/07/2024

Evelyn Chua is running for re-election to the Milpitas City Council

Evelyn Chua’s first term as a Milpitas City Councilmember is nearing its end – and now she is looking to the future. “There’s still so much more to do,” said Chua in an interview with The Beat. C…

02/07/2024

Family Giving Tree (FGT), the renowned Milpitas gift-giving nonprofit, announced today that its founder and CEO Jennifer Cullenbine will be retiring at the end of 2024. As of now, Jill Mitsch, who has been with the organization since 2020 and has served as its Director of Development and Deputy Director, is fulfilling the role of interim CEO.

Cullenbine, widely known by her nickname “Queen Elf,” founded FGT 35 years ago. During her run, 2.25 million people have been gifted during the winter holidays and back-to-school time.

Andrea Borch, Chair of FGT’s Board of Directors, said in a press release, “We are immensely grateful for Jennifer’s vision and kindness in starting Family Giving Tree and making our programs fixtures in communities across northern California. Her impact on the organization and the lives of those we serve cannot be overstated.”

In an interview with The Milpitas Beat, Cullenbine shed some light on the circumstances surrounding her exit: “I never thought I’d retire but I’m having enough memory problems that I think it’s time to step back and be with my family,” Cullenbine said.

Reflecting on her time at FGT, she added, “I feel warm and fuzzy every time I think about the Family Giving Tree and always will…When a family takes a wish card and they take their kids shopping and explain that ‘this little girl wants a Barbie and doesn’t have one and which Barbie do you want to choose?,’ I believe it makes a bigger difference to the kid choosing the gift than the one experiencing the joy of receiving it.”

Read the article for the full story!

***We wish the Queen Elf a happy retirement! By establishing and growing the Family Giving Tree, she has deeply impacted countless lives.***

Family Giving Tree (FGT), the renowned Milpitas gift-giving nonprofit, announced today that its founder and CEO Jennifer Cullenbine will be retiring at the end of 2024. As of now, Jill Mitsch, who …

01/07/2024

The United States of America is starved for leadership

Much of the time, the President of the United States — who he is, what he’s up to, what he is or isn’t getting done (till the bearer of another gender gets the role) — is a peripheral matter in our…

29/06/2024

Happening now: HOPE for the Unhoused is holding its 2nd annual Homeless Conference.

29/06/2024

Earlier this year, there was a celebration at Milpitas City Hall to mark the 70th anniversary of the city’s incorporation.

The celebration continued yesterday at the State of the City address, which was delivered by Mayor Carmen Montano in Council Chambers.

The theme of the night, “Bridging our Past and Future,” was a nod to Milpitas’ rich cultural legacy, which is rooted in historic landmarks and agricultural growth.

Mayor Montano spoke of how she, her parents, and her 6 siblings moved to Milpitas from the Central Valley in 1964.

“I have witnessed firsthand the growths, the challenges, and the triumphs that have shaped our city to what it is today,” said Montano.

Go here to read the full article:

https://milpitasbeat.com/mayor-montano-focuses-on-milpitas-rich-past-and-innovative-future-in-state-of-the-city-address/