Mayor Eddie's Newsletter - August 15, 2025
Published on August 15, 2025
Hello South City Community,
Happy first week of school, South City! As a lifelong educator, I know this time of year is filled with excitement, fresh opportunities, and the promise of growth for our students, families, and teachers. Let’s work together to make it a safe and productive school year. A few tips from me as both your mayor and as a former teacher:
- Remember to honor our new 15 mph speed limit around schools, give yourself extra time for drop-off and pick-up, and watch carefully for students in crosswalks. Please also refrain from parking on crosswalks, red zones, and in front of our neighbors’ driveways.
- At home, help your children set up a quiet place to study (or either of our Library locations have great space for this!), keep a consistent bedtime, and pack healthy snacks to fuel their learning.
- Encourage open communication with teachers, check in on homework regularly, and celebrate small wins along the way.
Whether you have children at school or not, let’s link arms to support the next generation of our city, and make it a great school year!
Cultura Fest is Next Week!
Let the countdown begin! Cultura Fest happening next week! Invite your friends and family, and join us for another opportunity for all of us to come together as one comunidad to celebrate and uplift our various cultures!
Date: Saturday, August 23
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Location: Grand Avenue, South San Francisco
Cultura Fest is for everyone. It’s a free event taking place in the heart of our beautiful city on Grand Avenue. Read below for the many ways you can begin participating now!
NEW: Volunteer Opportunity
Community assistance will be needed to host a successful event! Volunteers will also receive:
- Certificate of appreciation
- Meals and snacks throughout the day
- Opportunities to network and connect with the community
- Unlimited fun and cultural celebration.
Volunteer Registration
Parade Contingent
We are also launching our first-ever Multicultural Parade to open the festivities, and we want you to be part of it! Whether you’re a school, community group, cultural organization, or small business, join us in bringing our shared heritage to life through music, dress, banners, or simply walking together in unity.
Parade Interest Form
Teen Poetry Contest
Young poets from the Bay Area (ages 11 to 18) are invited to submit an original poem under 500 words exploring the theme, What does ‘culture’ mean to you? The winner will get to read their poem on the main stage at Cultura Fest!
More Information: Poetry
Gear Up
Cultura Fest is proud to partner with AFJA and Soccer and Smiles to launch a Used Soccer Gear Drive supporting youth in El Salvador and Central America. Together, we’re collecting gently used cleats, balls, jerseys, and shin guards to help equip the next generation of players across Central America with the tools to dream big and play freely. Your old gear can become someone’s new opportunity.
More Information: Gear Up
Learn More About Cultura Fest
August 19: Know Your Rights Workshop
Join us for an important business workshop on immigration rights on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at La Nueva Perla. In today’s climate, having the right information isn’t just helpful, it’s essential to protecting and supporting our community. This free workshop will cover current laws, best practices, and resources to help business owners, managers, and residents understand and uphold immigration rights in the workplace. Let’s come together, learn, and ensure that South City remains a place where everyone feels informed, respected, and valued.
Register Here
City Council Meeting Recap
- At this week’s Council Meeting, we celebrated August as National Water Quality Month, specifically recognizing our award-winning Water Quality Plant.
- We also held a public hearing regarding consideration of a Planning Commission recommendation to construct 70 single-family townhouse units located at 500 Railroad Avenue in the T4 Lindenville Zoning District.
- We were given an information report regarding an update on the City’s investment portfolio by our City Treasurer.
- We approved successor Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 829; Teamsters Local 856 Mid-Management Unit; Teamsters Local 856 Confidential Unit; the South San Francisco Police Association; and the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) Local 1507. Council also approved the associated wage and salary schedule and Budget Amendment No. 26.010.
- Council approved amendments to the Executive Management Compensation Plan and the associated salary schedule.
- Council discussed designating the City’s 2025 voting delegate to the League of California Cities.
- View the full agenda here, and watch the replay on our website or YouTube channel.
Get Ready for Fall 2025 Classes!
It’s time to plan your autumn activities, South City! Our Fall 2025 Activity Guide is out now, packed with classes for all ages and interests, whether you’re looking to try something new, sharpen a skill, or simply have fun. From fitness and arts to cooking, dance, and youth programs, there’s something for everyone this season.
Resident registration opened this past Monday, August 11, and non-resident registration begins Monday, August 25 at 6:00 a.m. online and 8:00 a.m. in person. The Fall session runs September 8 – December 14, so you can enjoy a full season of learning and community connection.
Contact the Recreation Office at (650) 829-3800 or web-rec@ssf.net for questions.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Come join me at upcoming events that bring our community to life. From cultural celebrations to neighborhood gatherings, there’s something for everyone.
Explore the full City Calendar at https://www.ssf.net/city-calendar and stay connected to all that’s happening!
Thursday, August 21, 2:00 p.m.: Clay and Culture: A Journey through Asian Ceramic
This insightful tour of the museum’s collection traces the development of ceramic art from its ancient origins, revealing the wide-ranging influence of Chinese ceramics on ceramic traditions across Asia and worldwide. The Asian Art Museum Docent Program is generously supported by the Dhanam Foundation and Society for Asian Art. This program is made possible by the South San Francisco Friends of the Library. Come to the library to listen or watch from home.
Learn More
Friday, August 22, Sundown (~8:15 p.m.): Movie Night in the Park: Inside Out 2
Join us for our last evening of free, family-friendly movies this summer. This movie screening is FREE for all ages and will take place at Martin Elementary School.
Learn More
Did You Know....you can checkout California State Park passes with your SSF Library card through 2025.
It's the last month of summer, South City! No better time to get outside and explore nature. With your library card, you can check out a CA State Parks Pass and start your adventure. We also have a limited number of South City Explorer Packs that can be checked out at the 3rd floor desk at the Main Library located at 901 Civic Campus Way.
Learn More
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Kickstart Your Child's Future
The CalKIDS program is helping California families save for their children’s future with scholarships for college, vocational school, or career training - up to $1,500 for eligible public-school students and $25- $175 for children born in California on or after July 1, 2022. In San Mateo County alone, more than $20 million has been allocated to benefit about 38,600 families. Thanks to the leadership of Assemblymember Diane Papan, more families are learning about this valuable resource. I encourage every parent and guardian to check their child’s eligibility and claim their share of this incredible investment in our kids’ futures.
New Deadline for TEC Youth Advisory Group
The application deadline for the 2025–2026 Tobacco Education Coalition (TEC) Youth Advisory Group has been extended! Open to rising 8th–12th grade students in San Mateo County, this program empowers youth to raise awareness about tobacco prevention, promote help-seeking behaviors, and educate the community on youth tobacco use. Participants receive training from the Youth Leadership Institute in social media literacy, public speaking, and leadership, while gaining real-world experience in advocacy, teamwork, and community impact. A stipend is provided for participation—don’t miss this chance to lead and make a difference!
Students can find more info here. The deadline to apply is August 31st.
Remember, you can read this entire newsletter fully in Spanish or Tagalog, or any other language via our website, by tapping on the top right corner of the website (for most, the default language will appear as English (United States)). Choose your preferred language in the menu.
Please take care of yourself, and each other.
Mayor Eddie
City of South San Francisco