The time is now! Sign up for Santa Clara County Fire Department’s CERT Academy this October in Cupertino to get trained in disaster preparedness skills, including basic medical operations, fire suppression, search and rescue, and more.  

Classes run on Tuesdays in-person and Thursdays online October 7 to 23 from 6 to 9 p.m. with graduation on Saturday, October 25 at the Monta Vista Recreation Center.  

The course fee is $35, which covers personal protective equipment. Participants must attend all sessions to earn a certificate. Learn more and register at Eventbrite.

The first-ever issue of Cupertino Scene to be fully designed in-house by staff is out now! This edition highlights Cupertino’s 70 years of history, resources for Emergency Preparedness Month, and an overview of the Fiscal Years 2025-26 budget.

Enjoy the full issue at cupertino.gov/scene. Limited print copies are available at City Hall and other facilities.

In celebration of Cupertino’s 70th anniversary, the City is excited to launch its first-ever Restaurant Week, taking place from October 6 through October 12. During this event, participating restaurants will offer exclusive promotions and specials to highlight the vibrant culinary scene in Cupertino. Encourage your favorite restaurant to sign up and showcase their best dishes as part of this exciting celebration. 

Restaurant sign-ups close on Friday, September 12. For more information, visit cupertino.gov/taste70. 

The City of Cupertino has adopted its Fiscal Year 2025 - 26 budget, marking a significant milestone achieved through careful planning, fiscal discipline, and strong community collaboration. The City’s fiscal priorities are guided by the recently adopted Council Goals and Strategic Vision. Key accomplishments over the past year include the opening of an all-inclusive playground, enhancements to public safety, and the certification of the Housing Element. Looking ahead, the City is focused on restoring essential services, protecting infrastructure, and investing in long-term community resilience and growth. For more information, visit cupertino.gov/budgetreport.

Every year, the Cupertino Arts and Culture Commission chooses a Distinguished Artist, Emerging Artist, and Young Artist to recognize. These awards are presented to deserving artists in recognition of local talent in visual, verbal, and performing arts while preserving and advancing the arts for the benefit of the citizens of Cupertino. 

Winners receive public recognition and a cash reward. Apply at cupertino.gov/artawards. 

With schools back in session and more people walking, biking, and scootering, it’s important to remember we all share the road. 

Pedestrian tips:

Driver tips:

Let’s keep Cupertino’s streets safe for everyone! For more about Pedestrian Safety Month, visit gosafelyca.org/share-the-road.

Construction begins on Phase 2A of the Stevens Creek Boulevard Bike Lane Project!  Work starts on Monday, September 15, and is expected to wrap up by the end of the year. Expect some traffic delays in the area during construction. 

This project will upgrade the stretch of Stevens Creek Boulevard between Wolfe Road and De Anza Boulevard, turning the current buffered bike lanes into protected bike lanes with concrete barriers separating bikes from cars. New bike signals will also be added at the Wolfe Road and De Anza Boulevard intersection. The eastbound bus stop near De Anza Boulevard will also get a makeover with a boarding island and dedicated bike lane space.

For questions, contact Jason Wong at (408) 777-3215 or JasonW@cupertino.gov.

The City will host a cybersecurity panel on Thursday, October 9 from 6 to 8 p.m., where experts will share information and strategies to help community members stay safe online. The event features an Q&A session, and due to the importance of this topic, the presentation will be recorded and posted on the City’s website. Learn more and register at cupertino.gov/cybersecurityevent. 

On Tuesday, Mayor Chao and I were invited by Apple to attend their launch event at Apple Park here in Cupertino. The event showcased the latest innovations, including the highly anticipated iPhone 17 lineup and new Apple Watch models. Impressively, over 27.3 million people tuned in to the event, highlighting its global interest. It was inspiring to see firsthand how Cupertino remains at the forefront of technology and innovation, and we are excited to continue fostering this spirit of innovation.

Community members gathered for a morning coffee event this past Saturday with Assemblymember Ahrens and Mayor Liang Chao to discuss local and state issues. The National Alliance on Mental Illness and the Cupertino Educational Endowment Foundation also joined the event to provide valuable resources to attendees. Thank you to everyone who participated in this engaging community conversation. 

A big thank you to the more than 180 dogs and their loyal humans who joined Cupertino Parks and Recreation for Pooch Plunge on Saturday, September 6, at Blackberry Farm. 

From belly flops to doggy paddles, our four-legged friends had a paws-itively great time cooling off and playing in the water. We’re so fur-tunate to have such a pawsome community here in Cupertino! 

The Cupertino Senior Center had a fantastic outing to Levi’s Stadium on Sunday, August 23 to cheer on the San Francisco 49ers in their pre-season matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. From enjoying great food to exploring the team store and soaking in the energy of the game, members had a memorable experience.