Teahouse upgrades
Crews have officially begun work renovating the Japanese Friendship Garden Tea House, located in Kelley Park, after a 2017 Coyote Creek flood caused significant damage to the structure. San Jose’s Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services department will also relocate the pump for the garden’s koi pond to guard it from future floods.
New job, familiar face
Neil Rufino, longtime city employee, has been named the assistant director for the Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services department. Rufino previously served as the deputy director for the department’s recreation and neighborhood services division. He’s also held positions with the Mayor’s Gang Prevention Task Force and the city’s libraries, among other public service roles.
In the money
Luz Cofresi-Howe has been appointed San Jose’s assistant finance director. Cofresi-Howe has managed finances for public and nonprofit organizations for more than 25 years, working in places including San Francisco, Washington D.C., and most recently in San Diego. Cofresi-Howe will serve under finance director Julia Cooper.
Jurassic art
Downtown San Jose is hosting some new Jurassic art. Through Nov.1, a novel art installation will be on display at the Children’s Discovery Museum, 180 Woz Way. The lifesize replica of a Velafrons Coahuilensis dinosaur skeleton is adorned with beads inspired by the art of the Huichol people, indiginous to northeast Mexico, where the dinosaur roamed 72 million years ago. The artwork was created by Marianela Fuentes of Mexico City, along with paleontologist Arturo Gonzalez and fellow artist Sarahi Carrillo. The piece, titled “Ichiro Sacred Beings,” is part of the Playa to Paseo partnership, which brings art from Burning Man to San Jose.
Neighborhood Notes
ALMADEN VALLEY>>Interested in the South Bay’s history of mercury mining? Staff at the new Almaden Quicksilver Mining Museum, located in Quicksilver County Park, are looking for volunteers to help lead elementary students on tours through exhibits and in hands-on learning activities. Volunteers would be required to complete training and pass a background check, as well as commit monthly to two to four programs—offered Tuesdays through Thursdays, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., throughout the school year. Visit tinyurl.com/MiningVolunteer to sign up.
CAMBRIAN>>District 9 resident Lee Space has been appointed to the citywide Council Appointment Advisory Commission. Space’s term will last through 2023.