The third community workshop to update the Albany Parks, Recreation & Open Space Master Plan will be held outdoors and in-person at Memorial Park. This workshop will ask participants to evaluate and prioritize all of the projects identified throughout the master plan process and collected over months of gathering community feedback. This workshop will be in an outdoor gallery format where community members will be tasked to prioritize projects, add new project ideas, and provide general input.

Drop in when you can any time tomorrow, August 14^th between 12 - 4pm. Facilitators will be on site to assist and provide more information on the master plan process itself and any of the projects that are being considered for the master plan update. Free raffles and prizes will be available to those who participate and complete the workshop activity, come join the fun! The workshop will be implemented with precaution regarding any additional changes in public health guidelines that may be issued by Alameda County Public Health regarding local health concerns.

Follow @albanyparksmp on Instagram for the latest updates, and stay in the loop through www.albanyparks.com.

You can receive Master Plan updates through "Albany Parks Master Plan" eNotifications.

Thank you for bearing with us during this summer’s sewer construction!

Work on Albany’s sanitary sewer at Cleveland Avenue and Buchanan Street is substantially complete. The contractor will be continuing to clean up minor items on the project “punch list".

Major traffic and parking impacts are not expected for punch list work, but please continue to take care when entering the area and follow posted construction traffic signage.

Thank you again for your patience and support.

After a year off, the Albany Chamber of Commerce's "Best of Albany" returns for 2021. While bringing some attention to the nominees and winners, this program also encourages public engagement with the business community, giving folks a chance to show appreciation for and share the businesses they love and rely upon. These businesses are selected through an open nomination and voting process, with winners determined solely through public input.

If you want a favorite business to be on the Best of Albany list this year, the first step is to nominate them!

The nomination window closes on Wednesday, August 25th at 5:00pm.

The final voting runs from September 3rd to 22nd.

SPECIAL VACANCY NOTICE - CLIMATE ACTION COMMITTEE OPENING

Residents of Albany, including high school students, are encouraged to apply for one of the two vacancies on the Climate Action Committee.

The Climate Action Committee shall serve as a technical advisory committee regarding matters related to climate action and to advise Council on matters related to reducing greenhouse gases; and adapting to climate change.

If interested, please complete an online application or contact the Albany City Clerk Office at 1(510) 528-5710 for more information.

Be ready for the next heat wave with these simple safety tips. Stay hydrated, keep your children and pets inside, and check on your friends and neighbors.

With Community Connect, Albany residents and businesses can provide information to the Albany Fire Department that will help when responding to an emergency. Data that you provide to Community Connect is secure and would only be used during emergency situations. Create or update your profile today.

Albany's newest elementary school campus is reopening! Please come to the ribbon cutting and take a self-guided tour around this beautiful new school. All are welcome, this is an all-ages event and we hope that people throughout Albany will join us.

Saturday, August 14, 2021, 2:00–4:00 pm.

Please note—the first day of school for Albany students is Tuesday, August 17.

Don't be baffled by late summer garden bounty! Chef Rachelle Boucher of Kitchens to Life is back with flavor-saving, waste-reducing ideas for tomatoes, zucchini and so much more. You'll also get to see the newest climate-friendly, pollution-free induction cooking technology in action.

SUMMER TREE CARE REMINDER 

In warm and dry seasons, it’s important to make sure your trees get enough water and care.

Generally, the best way to ensure trees survive and thrive is to water deeply and infrequently. About 5-10 gallons, once a week for newer trees or more in very hot weather. Established trees need less frequent watering.

Healthy trees actually HELP with California’s drought conditions – see the link below for more details. Watering helps maintain healthy root structure. Make sure the water isn’t running off and down the street!

A great way to reduce moisture loss is to add 3-4" of wood chip mulch, kept 4-6" away from tree trunks. This will help the soil retain water, while allowing roots to breathe.

Vaccination continues to protect against severe COVID-19 illness, but with the COVID-19 Delta variant now infecting a small percentage of vaccinated people as well as many unvaccinated people, eight Bay Area health officers have issued Health Orders requiring masks indoors in public places. The Orders require all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, to wear face coverings when indoors in public settings, with limited

exceptions.

The Alameda County Public Health Department has provided additional information:

Find a vaccination clinic near you or call 510-208-4VAX (510-208-4829). Residents can drop by a location near them and don’t need an appointment at County-supported vaccinations Points of Dispensing (PODs) and most pop-ups.

Counter services at City Hall, the Community Center, and Senior Center are available in-person to the community. Appointments are highly encouraged. All individuals, regardless of vaccination status, are required to wear face coverings when indoors in public settings.

To sign up for AC Alert go to http://ACAlert.org

Sign-up for the City of Albany’s E-Notification system and get information and updates going on Around Your Block.

City meetings are still virtual until further notice and public meetings are in recess for the month of August. Please see the City Calendar for all public meeting attendance and viewing options. We'll see you in September!