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Holiday spirit lights up for thousands with opening night of Christmas in the Park in San Jose

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Holiday spirit lights up for thousands with opening night of Christmas in the Park in San Jose


SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) — Thousands of people are getting into the holiday spirit at the opening night of Christmas in the Park.

Each year, the two-acre Plaza De Cesar Chavez in San Jose is transformed into a festive village.

San Jose resident Luis Carrillo has been going since he could remember. Carrillo came with his two young daughters and wife.

“Just you know kind of keep the tradition going and if you have little ones, great food, great people,” Carrillo said.

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MORE: SF’s Union Square bouncing back this holiday season with increased police patrols

Shoppers are back in San Francisco’s Union Square. A promising sign that city officials and law enforcement have been working towards.

Kaetlyn Luce loves the event so much, she’s now a part of it working at the hot chocolate stands.

“It’s the real Christmas spirit, real magic is here at Christmas in the Park because everyone- the community comes together,” Luce said.

MORE: Christmas bars, tree lots, craft fair: San Jose is ready for the holidays

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It may be Thanksgiving soon, but Christmas time is already here in San Jose. Here’s what’s going on around the city to get you in the holiday mood.

Santa and Mayor Matt Mahan held Friday’s tree lighting ceremony.

Pictures with the Grinch were held below it.

MORE: Local Bay Area businesses hope for a boost on Small Business Saturday

Bay Area businesses are banking on Small Business Saturday and local cities are facilitating events around the day.

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Christmas in the Park is a nonprofit organization. Each tree thoughtfully decorated by schools, community groups, businesses and families.

San Jose resident Jennifer Thurston said Christmas in the Park is one of her favorite events of the year.

“Coming here seeing all the people, seeing our neighbors, seeing neighbors we’ve not met before just being here it’s so community based we love it,” Thurston said.

There are hundreds of trees, more than 40 holiday displays and lots of glittering lights.

MORE: Follow ABC7’s Luz Pena as she surprises Bay Area workers with ‘Thank You’ messages on Thanksgiving

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Who is working Thanksgiving?! Many people are working this holiday including first responders missing out on family time to help others.

New parents Crystal and Alejandra Lopez Garcia said it’s a joy to bring their son Mateo.

“I think having a kid is totally different now. Seeing it through his eyes is awesome,” Crystal Lopez Garcia said.

If you plan on heading to Christmas in the Park with friends or family, admission is completely free.

If you’re on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live

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San Francisco, CA

SF burglary victim’s medical device returned after GPS tracker leads to suspect

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SF burglary victim’s medical device returned after GPS tracker leads to suspect


SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — A victim of a vehicle burglary in San Francisco earlier this month had her luggage and medical equipment returned after a GPS tracker led police to the suspect, according to the San Francisco Police Department.

On Nov. 15, The victim reported to SFPD that her vehicle was burglarized in a garage on the 500 block of Filbert Street. Taken from the vehicle were luggage and a duffle containing “valuable medical equipment,” authorities said.

Nearly a week after her belongings were stolen, on Nov. 21, the victim tracked the medical equipment with a GPS tracker to a location on the 800 block of Pacific Avenue. SFPD officers responded and found a truck parked where the property was being tracked.

The driver of the truck, who was identified as 53-year-old James Peros, was contacted, and police uncovered and seized the stolen belongings. Officers recognized Peros as a suspect wanted for a commercial office burglary that occurred in October on the 200 block of Sutter Street, SFPD said.

Peros was arrested and booked into San Francisco County Jail for burglary, grand theft and possession of methamphetamine.

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The stolen medical equipment was returned to the victim, police said.



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San Francisco, CA

San Francisco Ballet's ‘Nutcracker' season in jeopardy amid stalled contract talks

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San Francisco Ballet's ‘Nutcracker' season in jeopardy amid stalled contract talks


For many people in the Bay Area, the holidays just would not be the same without a performance of Nutcracker by the San Francisco Ballet.

But this season, the show may not go on. Management and performers are gridlocked on terms for a new contract, and next week’s opening night is in jeopardy.

Money is one issue. Management released the following statement:

“Our proposed salary increases for dancers and stage management continue to align with those offered by our peers, including American Ballet Theatre and New York City Ballet, ensuring competitiveness and fairness within the industry.”

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An AGMA negotiator responds by saying 81% of ballet artists are considered low income in San Francisco.

Now, both sides do agree that the ballet has some of the best dancers in the world, but the best way to care for them is in dispute. Management says it’s expanded the ballet’s wellness center, added a registered nutritionist and a performance psychologist among other things.

Not enough, says AGMA.

“We’ve seen injury levels really grow in the past couple of years. We’ve seen workers comp costs for San Francisco ballet really jump up, which is not great for the company or the artist,” said AGMA Senior Negotiator Tracy Jones.

Outside the War Memorial Opera House, Wednesday evening, we saw just how much this ballet means to people.

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“Even now, I am tearing up, just thinking about it, though I have such sympathy for all the performers because they are the reason we come, well they and the musicians and everyone who helps put on this magical production,” said Kimberly McCormick of Sebastopol.

Negotiations have been going on for five months now and seem to have hit a wall. But I am told that there are a number of bargaining sessions scheduled between now and opening night on Dec. 6.



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Hotel worker strike continues in San Francisco amid Thanksgiving festivities

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Hotel worker strike continues in San Francisco amid Thanksgiving festivities


This could be a very loud and sleepless Thanksgiving holiday for those visiting or staying in the San Francisco’s Union Square.

The sound of banging drums and people shouting on loudspeakers has been constant in the neighborhood for the last two months as members of a local hotel workers union have been striking in front of local hotels.

“it has been 60, 67 days. It’s been a long time,” said Afong Lam.

Lam is a 12-year employee of the Westin St Francis at Union Square. Her union has been at a deadlock with the hotel ownership over three issues.

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They oppose the owner’s offer of what the union claims are reduced healthcare benefits for new employees. They also oppose the hotel’s offer of a five year agreement, saying union members want a four year term.

Workers are also pushing for a higher wage that matches up with the cost-of-living increase in San Francisco over the last few years.

But union negotiators say they’ll forgo the wage hike if the hotel ownership would agree to a profit-sharing arrangement. That’s the idea behind their “Bet on SF” signs. But with negotiations at a standstill as the union is now expanding it’s strike.

This week, 500 employees of the Marriott Marquis hotel walked off the job.

The addition of the Marriott Marquis employees means that there are now about 2,500 hotel employee on the picket lines at hotels across downtown San Francisco.

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Miguel Medina is among the Marriott Marquis workers who are joining the strike. He says other workers from outside San Francisco are also joining the picket lines.

“It means a lot to you know, having people from all over the country and other countries to support us,” he said.

NBC Bay Area reached out to Marriott International for comment But have not heard back.

A spokesman for the Hotel Council of San Francisco told NBC Bay Area that they are not part of the negotiations But hope an agreement is reached soon.

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