Mayor Eddie's Newsletter - August 8, 2025
Published on August 08, 2025
Hello South City Community,
Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate National Night Out in South San Francisco! Whether you joined us at Westborough, the Elks Lodge, or one of the many neighborhood gatherings across town, your presence made the night truly special. It was a joy to see families, neighbors, first responders, and our fellow city leaders come together to strengthen the bonds that make our city such a welcoming and safe place to live.
Community is at the heart of everything we do, and events like this remind me why I’m so proud to serve as your mayor. The spirit of South City shines brightest when we show up for each other, and I’m grateful for the conversations, the smiles, and the sense of unity we all felt. Thank you for being a part of what makes South San Francisco so strong.
Countdown to Cultura Fest: Two Weeks!
Speaking of community, our upcoming Cultura Fest is another opportunity for all of us to come together and 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. So come bring your friends, family, and neighbors for a free event taking place in the heart of our beautiful city, right here 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
Citizens’ Academy – Applications Due August 15!
I personally invite you to take part our city’s Citizens’ Academy - an 8-week program that gives residents a behind-the-scenes look at how your local government operates. You’ll tour key city facilities, engage with city staff and leadership, and learn how decisions are made and funds are allocated—all in an interactive, hands-on environment.
Dates: Tuesdays, September 9 – October 28, 2025
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Location: Various city facilities around South San Francisco
Light supper provided
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Open to all SSF residents 18 and older
Spots are limited, so I encourage you to apply today!
Apply Here
Be Prepared: Hi-Lo Sirens
August is Disaster Preparedness Month, and our South San Francisco Police Department wants to make sure you’re ready.
SSFPD vehicles are now equipped with the Hi-Lo siren; a unique high-low tone only used during emergencies that require immediate evacuation. These sirens won’t be used during routine calls. It’s meant to grab your attention fast during major incidents like wildfires or other disasters where communication systems may be impacted.
Watch Lieutenant Matt O’Connor explain in the video and hear what the Hi-Lo sounds like so you’ll recognize it.
Hear the Hi-Lo? It means GO.
Grab your go-bag, your loved ones, and evacuate immediately.
Performing Arts Farmers Market Survey - We Need Your Opinion!
The South San Francisco Parks and Recreation Department is conducting a community survey to understand the impact that live entertainment would have on participation in the South San Francisco Saturday Farmers’ Market at Orange Memorial Park. We’re seeking this input to better navigate how to engage the community and how it may benefit local vendors. Our brief survey will close on Friday, August 15th. Thank you for your feedback!
Share Your Feedback
Learning Wheels is back On the Road, South City!
After several weeks of undergoing an exciting external redesign, Learning Wheels is back and ready to serve our community. We're thrilled to resume our weekly visits, distributing free books, spreading the love of reading, and providing connections and support to community members. You’ll also find us at some upcoming community events, including National Night Out, Cultura Fest, and Concert in the Park!
Learn More
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!
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
Last Month of the Summer: 2025 Summer Learning Challenge
There’s still one month left to participate in South San Francisco Public Library’s Summer Learning Challenge! South San Francisco youth ages 18 and under can visit the Main Library or Grand Avenue Library through August 31 to pick up free books and a Summer Learning Challenge Log. Completed logs can be returned to either location by August 31 for a chance to win a $1,000 college scholarship.
Fall 2025 Class Registration
- Monday, August 11: Resident Registration
- Monday, August 25: Non-resident registration
Save the date for the Fall Classes registration days. The Fall session will begin on Monday, September 8 and run through December 14. The Fall 2025 Activity Guide is out now.
Resident registration begins at 6:00 a.m. online on Monday, August 11. In-person resident registration will begin on Monday, August 11 at 8:00 a.m. at the Recreation Office located at 901 Civic Campus Way.
Non-resident registration begins at 6:00 a.m. online on Monday, August 25. In-person non-resident registration will begin on Monday, August 25 at 8:00 a.m. at the Recreation Office located at 901 Civic Campus Way.
Please visit the Classes webpage for the latest updates. To prepare for your registration date, please create and/or update your accounts online. If you require additional assistance, please contact the Recreation Office at (650) 829-3800 or email web-rec@ssf.net.
Did you know you can get a free tree?
Help grow our urban forest of South San Francisco. The Parks and Recreation Department and Rise South City are giving away free trees to residents to plant in their front yards to help bolster the urban forest and combat climate change.
Learn More
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
CalKIDS Informational Webinar
Assemblymember Diane Papan is hosting a webinar and partnering with the Child Care Coordinating Council (4Cs) of San Mateo County and the State Treasurer’s Office to help you check your child’s eligibility, claim an account, and learn more about the CalKIDS program. This webinar is your opportunity to start planning for your child’s future higher education and address your questions and concerns. Join us and together let’s help support our future students.
Learn More
PCE E-Bike Rebate
You could be eligible for up to $1,000 to purchase or lease an e-bike through Peninsula Clean Energy's E-Bike Rebate! This incentive is available to income-qualified residents in San Mateo County and the City of Los Banos.
The PCE E-Bike rebate program will be opened year-round! Participants will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis.
Find out if you’re eligible and apply today!
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