Milpitas Center is one of the older strip malls which has a favorite restaurant, Mil’s Diner, anchoring its corner, and a favorite stop for those cleaning out clutter, GoodWill. Located at the corner of Abbott Ave. and Calaveras Blvd.
O’Reily Auto Parts
We carry the parts, tools, and accessories you need, as well as offering store services like free battery testing, wiper blade & bulb installation, and check engine light testing. 46 S Abbott Ave. 408-263-5660
Biryaniz Milpitas
Indian Restaurant. Our menu features a host of mouth-watering dishes and scratch made specials. We take pride in creating a memorable dining experience. 18 S Abbott Ave. 408-945-5700
Caffino Cup
We are open normal business hours. Our ability to offer services through drive through allows us to continue to serve our customers. Please know we’re taking all precautions to protect our customers and employees. Mon-Fri 6am-6pm and Sat & Sun 7:30am-3:30pm. 315 W Calaveras Blvd. 408-921-3740
Tayyibaat
Outdoor Seating, Pinoy BBQ, Afghani Kebabs, burgers & rotisserie chicken round out the offerings at this no-frills halal spot. 10 S Abbott Ave. 408-586-9700
Cash Donations
Make check out to: Milpitas Firefighters Toy Program
777 S. Main St.
Milpitas, CA 95035
Federal Tax ID #26-0267135
For more information, call Fire Station #1 at 408-586-2800
Where to Drop off New, Unwrapped Toys and Canned Food
Below is a list of organizations that provide technical assistance, consulting, classes and research materials in the San Francisco Bay Area. My thanks to the Community Foundation for allowing me to reproduce this information from one of their seminars.
Technical Assistance
Elements of a Grant Proposal
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting evaluates hundreds of proposals each year for a variety of funding purposes. This publication is an easy guide to the basic elements of grant writing and is offered to assist applicants to CPB and to other funding sources. It offers guideposts to help you through each stage of the process.
Council on Foundations
See what role foundations play in your community, how to start your own foundation, and what the Council does to support foundations.
Foundation Directory On-line
Directory of home pages of charitable grantmakers that may contain downloadable information such as grant applications, periodical and financial reports, and e-mail capabilities.
Arts Foundations Based in San Francisco Bay Area
California Arts Council
The mission of the CAC is to make available and accessible quality art reflecting all of California’s diverse cultures.
Community Foundation
Grants are available only to nonprofit organizations benefiting Santa Clara County and southern San Mateo County, California. Good overview of the whole grant process.
The David and Lucille Packard Foundation
The goals of the Arts Program are to ensure that a vibrant network of nonprofit arts institutions continues to exist and that children are well educated in the arts. Grants concentrated in the Northern California counties of San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, and Monterey.
The Nathan Cummings Foundation
The Foundation pays particular attention to arts institutions whose mission and practices include service to the poor, disadvantaged and underserved.
Writing the Grant
Basic Elements of Grant Writing
This publication is an easy guide to the basic elements of grant writing and is offered to assist applicants.
Learning Lab – A Proposal Writing Short Course
This process is grounded in the conviction that a partnership should develop between the nonprofit and the donor. When you spend a great deal of your time seeking money, it is hard to remember that it can also be difficult to give money away.
Related page: Grant Writing
Too often grant writers fall into these traps when applying for community grants.
Extra parking available in the Midtown Garage 120 N. Main St.
Thursday is members’-only night. Doors open from 5pm until 8:30pm.
Bring your membership card, or purchase a membership at the door. Individual memberships allow 1 person to enter; family memberships allow the entire family to enjoy the booksale. You must be present to hold a place in line – you cannot “save” your spot with boxes or other items. Learn more about memberships.
Being a Friend offers several benefits:
Entry into members-only previews at all major book sales:
Get the first look at our stock of books on Thursday night before the public is admitted on Friday.
Flyers: You’ll also receive flyers to remind you of important dates — like the next booksale!
Free Bag of Books: Members receive a coupon good for a free bag of books on Sunday Bargain Days at each 4-Day Sale. Recoup your member fee at your first sale! (Or your second sale for Family memberships.)
Annual memberships costs $5 for individuals and $10 for families. We also offer a lifetime membership for $300.
Friday and Saturday is open to the public. Doors open from 10am until 5pm.
Sunday is Bargain Bag Day – open to the public. Doors open from 10am until 5pm.
Book Sale Prices
Prices for the book sale are as follows:
Books: $1.50 per inch
CDs: (music and software) 4 for $1.00
Audio books, DVDs, VCDs and BluRay discs: $2 each
Box sets of DVDs, CDs, or VCDs: individually priced based on the number of discs in the set
Specialty items: Individually priced
Bargain Day Sales: $5 per paper grocery bag full of books, media prices are 1/2 off.
We accept the following forms of payment:
Cash & Checks
All major Credit Cards
Apple Pay & Google Pay
Contactless payment available
Our 4-Day Sales in 2024 are scheduled for:
March 14-17
May 30-June 2
September 12-15
December 5-8
Ongoing Sale Shelves
The Friends have a continuous book sale within the Milpitas Library. Several shelves behind the Accounts Desk hold a variety of books for sale, which are refreshed frequently.
Please bring all selections for purchase to the Accounts Desk and indicate that you picked them up from the Friends of the Milpitas Library sale shelves.
Inside Book Sale
In addition to our triannual book sales, there is a continuous book sale within the library. Behind the accounts counter are several shelves holding a variety of hardback and paperback fiction, children’s books and assorted non-fiction. This selection is refreshed frequently. Please bring all purchases to the accounts desk and indicate that you picked them up from the FOML sale shelves. Prices for inside sales are:
Paperbacks and Children’s books: $1 each
Specialty books: Prices as marked on the book
All others: $2 each
Inside Book Sale
In addition to our 4 annual book sales, there is a continuous book sale within the library. Behind the accounts counter are several shelves holding a variety of hardback and paperback fiction, children’s books and assorted non-fiction. This selection is refreshed frequently. Please bring all purchases to the accounts desk and indicate that you picked them up from the FOML sale shelves. Prices for inside sales are:
Paperbacks and Children’s books: $1 each
Specialty books: Prices as marked on the book
All others: $2 each
Mini-Sales
Mini-sales are one or two day events featuring a limited selection of books, often including seasonal titles. They are held in smaller rooms and do not include bag sales.
The next mini-sale will be held on August 24 & 25, 2024. It will feature a selection of special-price books.
Pop-Up Sales
Pop-up sales are irregularly scheduled one-day sales that are advertised exclusively through email and social media.
The Book Nook
We have a variety of great books available at great prices every day in the Book Nook behind the accounts desk on the first floor. All books are 50% off every Sunday.
If you’re thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7 across the United States: 1-800-273-8255 And as of Saturday, July 16, 2022, a far more easier number to remember, 988.
Feeling suicidal? Call the Santa Clara County Suicide Crisis Hotline 24/7 at 1 855-278-4204, or text Renew to 741741.Talk to a trained volunteer counselor. Services are free and confidential.
Crisis/Emergency Support
Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Police Officers are trained to recognize and understand the seriousness and sensitivity of the mentally ill during a crisis situation. Contact information for a wide-range of crisis support.
Milpitas City Council stands in unity for suicide prevention
On the evening of June 19, 2018, at the Milpitas City Council meeting, the five council members — Councilmember Bob Nuñez, Councilmember Garry Barbadillo, Councilmember Anthony Phan, Vice Mayor Marsha Grilli, and Mayor Rich Tran — voted unanimously to approve the adoption of a resolution and implementation of a Suicide Prevention Policy.
Milpitas Hope
In 2018, the City of Milpitas adopted its Suicide Prevention Policy and convened a community task force that includes health care professionals, educators, faith and community leaders, Milpitas Police Department, Milpitas Recreation and Community Services and residents. We partner closely with Santa Clara County Behavioral Health Services, which coordinates regional suicide prevention efforts. We welcome organizations, businesses and individuals to join us. For more information, please contact Program Coordinator Charu Aggarwal, 408-586-3405.
Santa Clara County Behavioral Health Service
Currently offers free, virtual trainings including basic QPR (Question- Persuade-Refer) to help members of the public recognize the signs and risks of suicide and help a suicidal person get help.
Suicide Prevention Task Force
Meeting Frequency: Milpitas Hope meets second Tuesdays of the month, 4-5 p.m.
Meeting Location: Meetings are currently held online via Zoom
Staff Liaison: Community Engagement & Inclusion Administrator Tegan McLane tmclane@ci.milpitas.ca.gov 408-586-3212
What Trauma Victims Need You to Know
A friend, who was badly traumatized by her caregivers in early childhood and cruelty from employers, created this brochure, to be printed two-sided, to be handed to her health providers to help them understand her past, and how it can be triggered by them if they don’t take care to treat her humanely.
AA Meetings in Milpitas
Preselected for “Milpitas” as location. Add category for anything else important to you.
Sisters in Sobriety Women
This meeting is closed; only those who have a desire to stop drinking may attend. Sunnyhills United Methodist Church 355 Dixon Rd
Al-Anon ALL MEETINGS IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY SUSPENDED UNTIL APRIL 7TH DUE TO COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS.
Meetings held in Milpitas at (click on address for map):
Lia Huynh, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
I have over 15 years of professional counseling experience, and have helped hundreds of people to find ways to make their lives happier, more balanced, and more purposeful.
545 Los Coches St #112 408-599-1413
Patricia Reed, New Hope Counseling
I have a private practice doing counseling in Milpitas, specializing in young children and victims of crime, as well as general marriage issues.
500 Calaveras Blvd, Suite 317 408-262-4870
Kaiser Permanente
Mental health services include assessment, treatment, and support for a variety of mental, emotional, and substance use conditions. At Kaiser Permanente, adults, families, teens, and children can get clinical and support services for a wide range of issues. Milpitas: 1-408-945-2915
Mental Health Services
NAMI Santa Clara County
We offer practical experience, support, education, comfort and understanding to anyone concerned about mental illnesses and their treatment in Santa Clara County. In addition, we work with public organizations, private businesses and the media to increase organizational and personal knowledge of effective ways of treating the illnesses while advocating for increased research and improved services for individuals with mental illness. 1150 South Bascom Ave., Suite 24
San Jose, CA 95128
There are a number of good video production groups and companies in Milpitas. Some are non-profit and some are commercial. The City of Milpitas does have a TV studio, but it has limited production capabilities.
DZ Open Lens Productions
Dox and I have been working and volunteering with non-profit KMVT15 in Mountain View and have access to their studios for producing educational and community service videos. There is no charge for what we do, but at this time we’re not doing commercial videos. We have several other volunteers who help us when we need larger crews. We welcome any willing to take a TV production training class or two at KMVT15. Teenagers, retired folks welcome. Mostly we do the productions on a Saturday, and the editing when convenient for those involved. 408-942-5433
Atlas Studios Bay Area
We are committed to professional corporate and commercial photography and video productions in the Silicon Valley. Do you want to take your brand to the next level? Atlas Studios Bay Area will capture your greatness and elevate your next campaign. If you want a studio who will strive for perfection at your next shoot, give us a call for your free consultation and quote today! 27 Winsor St. 408-966-5482
AWAAZ Productions
More than just a production company, AWAAZ Productions’ business structure is both deep and wide, encompassing the entire media spectrum. With its affiliated companies like the AWAAZ Academy of Arts and AWAAZ Studios, it provides services to support all phases of content creation, from training talent and developing show concepts to production and distribution of the finished product (see Projects for more information). 1850 Houret Ct. 408-461-7944
C Sharp Video Productions
Our clients walk in with an idea and walk out with a timeline of videos we create to help them get to the next steps in productivity, in marketing, and in team unity. 1525 McCarthy Blvd. 408-758-8293
Simply Timeless Photography and Video
Watching movies has always been a great adventure for me. It’s amazing how much emotion and impact on one’s life can this activity get on somebody’s state of mind and well-being. Delivering still photography sometimes is not enough to tell the whole story. Surely the addition of sounds and movement make the whole picture come alive! 408-803-0508
Stage One Creative Space
We are open for Photo & Video Production, COVID-Safe Meetings, Live Streaming, & Essential Services. A new co-working space developed by Reel Eagle Studios. We created the exchange to support commercial filmmakers and improve the quality of industry resources available to the local community. As a co-working studio, the Exchange curates professional office space and well-appointed studio space for commercial filmmakers, providing members with access to affordable, high-quality tools and resources. As a marketplace, the Exchange provides a one-stop-shop, where clients can find the right vendors and resources to get the job done on-time and under budget. 27 Winsor St. 408-430-3192
Google “video production Milpitas” to locate independent video producers in Milpitas which do not have websites.
Silicon Valley Women’s Organizations and Resources
Whether you are a woman wanting to network with other moms or business women or those of your culture, we have links to women’s organizations for you!
Arts & Creative Hobbies
Camera Club
Meets monthly for a meeting on second Tuesdays, and holds field trips to take photographs in lovely surroundings. Classes on matting and other photography tips. Contests and community displays.
Golden Hills Art Association
A fairly active group of artists, though not online much. Find announcements about meetings in print media.
Peaceful Poets
The Peaceful Poets are a Milpitas-based group of writers and appreciators of poetry. Their works have been published in the Milpitas Post and Fremont Bulletin. Facebook for meeting dates and times.
Gardening
Gardening with Natives
A special interest group of the California Native Plant Society’s local Chapter which meets on the first Thursday of each month at 7p in the Community Library. The group is open to all, and includes a mix of seasoned native plant gardeners as well as beginners.
Local (Milpitas) Home Gardeners Club 2018
This is a community based home gardening club begun to provide education, share pointers, trade and exchange, and overall support each other in building productive and healthy home gardens.
History
Milpitas Historical Society
Generally meets on the second Wednesday of each month, except in the summer, and has a Holiday party in December. Milpitas History books and other memorabilia available to buy in their online store.
Teenagers in Silicon Valley & Milpitas
What’s there to do for teenagers in this town? How do Milpitas and other Silicon Valley cities treat their teenagers?
Resources for Clubs
Donation Locations
Where to drop off your holiday donations of food, toys or cash for Milpitas and area charities.
Grant Writing
Too often grant writers fall into these traps when applying for community grants.
Grant Writing Help
A list of organizations that provide technical assistance, consulting, classes and research materials in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Halls
Whether you need a meeting hall for business, a wedding, or large event, there’s a place to rent in Milpitas!
Volunteer
Volunteer matching services. Find the voluntary service that’s just right for you.
Milpitas community services for those who need some help getting by. Rent-free office space to non-profit service agencies.
Advice from Non-Profit Service Providers
BBB Wise Giving Alliance
Give wisely to charities. Check here to find out how much of your donation really goes to help those in need. For questions about local charities, call the regional office of the Better Business Bureau at 408-278-7400.
Charitable Trusts
This web site offers information to assist you in evaluating solicitations and choosing wisely when responding to charities and commercial fund-raisers who must register with the Attorney General’s Registry of Charitable Trusts and report financial activities annually.
Donation Locations
Where to drop off your holiday donations of food, toys or cash for Milpitas and area charities.
Grant Writing
Seven Deadly Sins of Grant Writing. Too often grant writers fall into these traps when applying for community grants.
Grant Writing Help
Technical assistance, consultants, classes, research sites and Bay Area Arts foundations.
Raffles
In California, charities and certain other private nonprofit service organizations may conduct raffles to raise funds for beneficial or charitable purposes in the state. This exception to the general constitutional prohibition against lotteries requires that at least 90 percent of the gross receipts from these raffles go directly to beneficial or charitable purposes in California.
Resources and Services
Able People Foundation
We make basic mobility products available such as manual wheelchairs, walkers, etc., at no cost to our local low income families. 552 Valley Way, 408-263-8000.
Adopt A Creek
This program offers citizen participation in creek cleaning projects within Santa Clara County. Helping with this program is a great way for schools, community organizations and private companies to demonstrate their concern about the environment. Santa Clara Valley Water District.
Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation, USA
A non-profit organization whose objective is to provide charity, medical treatment, educational development, and cultural promotion to the needy and the society worldwide. Northern California Chapter, 175 Dempsey Road, 408-262-3389.
Catholic Charities
Services & Programs: Community Counseling and Education, Employment, Foster Grandparents, The Grandparent Caregiver Resource Center, Immigration, John 23rd Senior Center, Long Term Care Ombudsman, Nutritions, Refugee/Resettlement, Shared Housing, Youth Empowered for Success (Y.E.S)
Emergency Housing Consortium
Regional Reception Center, 2011 Little Orchard St., San Jose. Donations and volunteers needed. Call Bob Dolci at 408-294-2100, ex. 204.
Virtual Family Giving Tree
Family Giving Tree
A non-profit organization dedicated to fulfilling the Holiday wishes of kids who would otherwise go without gifts. 312 South Abbott Ave. 408-946-3711 .
InnVision
Serving the poor and homeless in the Santa Clara County since 1973 and is now a major provider of shelter, transitional housing, and other assistance. Books available on homelessness.
Jeena
A professional not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping children with developmental disorders and their families. 1510 Centre Pointe, 408-265-8153.
Milpitas Food Pantry
Donations of food and money needed now. If you can help in any way, or need help, call 408-946-5564, Mon-Thu 9a-1p, Thurs 6-8p, Sat 10a-12p. 1440 S. Main Street. We are closer to Montague Expressway in the same plaza as M & B Plumbing, Silicon Valley Lockmasters, The Cat’s Nest, and Abbott Auto Service.
Second Harvest Food Bank
Of Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. Remember: Hunger never takes a holiday. Donate food or your volunteer time.
Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits
We are a diverse collaborative of nonprofit organizations serving Santa Clara County. We track issues which affect the sector as a whole, advocate on behalf of nonprofits in the legislative planning process, and educate our members on those issues which affect their ability to provide services.
Sobrato Family Foundation
Offers rent-free office space to non-profits at Calaveras Business Park in Milpitas. Check here for vacancies and list of tenants.
Special Olympics Northern California
Provides year-round sports training and athletic competition for developmentally disabled children and adults. Holds annual “Cops and Lobsters” fundraiser at Red Lobster. Tips to cops being waiters raise funds for local Special Olympics.
United Neighborhoods of Santa Clara County
A coalition of neighborhood associations from throughout Santa Clara County who have come together for the purposes of education, communication and common action.
United Way Silicon Valley
United Way agencies provide recreational programs, gang and substance abuse prevention, drop-out prevention, job training, emotional and behavioral counseling and leadership development.
Stay Strong Milpitas
As we continue to fight COVID-19 by staying at home as much as possible, and practicing social distancing when we need to go out, here are some ideas to help your community stay strong by helping each other.
Valley Foundation
The Foundation seeks to provide funding for non-profit organizations in Santa Clara County with an emphasis in the medical field.
About the Milpitas Camera Club
Photographer Kaz (right) has organized local camera enthusiasts interested in meeting monthly or more often to share photography tips and occasionally go on photographic field trips. Ann Zeise was co-founder. The club was founded in 2004.
All are welcome to visit our meetings, and friends of members may go along on field trips. Membership allows you to join competitions and shows, and to get our newsletter and participate in our galleries.
At this time, due to Covid-19, beginning September 14, 2021, the meetings will be held hybrid. Information is being sent out to members with the Zoom link shortly before each meeting. Those who are fully vaccinated and not likely to die from Covid, may attend meetings live.
Next Meeting:
Our meetings are on the second Tuesday of each month
at the Police Administration Bldg.
Community Room 1275 N. Milpitas Blvd.
At 7:00 p.m. (Social begins at 6:30 p.m., and sometimes at 6 p.m. at Taqueria Las Vegas,1417 N Milpitas Blvd.)
We are not allowed to bring in snacks like before, so eat before you arrive.
General-A and General-B: Members choose their category (A=advanced or B=beginner). Almost anything goes. Evaluation will be based primarily on pictorial content with the only restriction being that subject matter should not be offensive to the average adult audience.
Monochrome: black and white, sepia, or any other shades of one color and white
Travel: Expresses the feeling of a time and place, and portray a land, its people, or a culture in its natural state. Techniques that add to, relocate, replace or remove any element of the original image, except by cropping, are not permitted. Techniques that enhance the presentation of the image, without changing the photo travel content, are permitted. All adjustments must appear natural. Titles are part of the story and will be read during judging. They should be an accurate description of the subject.
Creative is an image of altered reality, produced by use of tools or techniques to manipulate the image during any part of the work flow. Emphasis in this Division is placed upon creativity and originality.
Mobile images must be taken and edited on a mobile device, such as a smart phone or tablet. Images taken on a GoPro or a drone would be in this category unless the topic fits well in one of the others.
How to print labels for print sharing:
* Attach one label to each to print (upper left corner on backside): attach labels
* Supply a second label with each print (to be removed): sharing labels
Where to submit digital photos for meetings or shows: Photo Pursuits
Members only with ID and password.
Look here if you would like to find interesting places to snap some great photos where we have gone before!
Milpitas Camera Club Favorite Links
MEMBERS’ GALLERIES
Robert Burrill
Over the years, Burrill’s vision was greatly sharpened, his technique refined with exceptional emphasis on composition and historical importance. Today he is busy digitally printing his own fine art photographs, wrote two books on local history, and makes and distributes films in DVD depicting the magic of art and the creative process.
Dave’s pictures
Our member Dave posts his photos from field trips here.
Fremont Art Association Digital Photography Group
Over the course of the next year we have 10 free field trips, a critique session, and an entry level photo class. These events occur on the 3rd Saturday of each month. Contact Cooksey, (510) 742-0548.
Digital Photography Review
Where you’ll find all the latest in digital photography and imaging news, reviews of the latest digital cameras and accessories, the most active discussion forums, a large selection of sample images, a digital camera buyers guide, side-by-side comparisons and the most comprehensive database of digital camera features and specifications.
Steve’s Digicams
Digital camera reviews, amateur to professional, latest industry news, digital camera discussion board, Digital Photo of the Day, photo-quality printers, image scanners, digital video, video capture devices.
Stanford University Film, Photography and Video Requests
The University recently stepped up enforcement of its photography policy, leaving photographers uncertain about whether they are technically allowed to photograph Stanford landmarks. Security guards patrolling the Main Quad and other campus landmarks have been instructed to question the intent of individuals with professional camera equipment.
