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We hope you enjoy this edition of the Our Town Novato weekly newsletter which includes updated vaccination distribution information, a COVID-19 video update from Dr. Willis, an update on Novato's testing locations, our recruitments for City Commissions, Committees & Boards, updated citywide virtual events & programs, and more!
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Marin to Begin Vaccinations for Those
65 and Older
Starting Monday, February 15, Marin County residents age 65 and older will be eligible to register to receive a COVID-19 vaccination through Marin County Public Health and several other health care providers.
“We’ve vaccinated 60% of our residents age 75 and older,” Willis said. “We’re ready to join other Bay Area counties that have expanded to the next highest-risk group, or residents over age 65.”
Appointment availability will remain dependent on the amount of vaccine allocated to Marin County by the State of California.
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Make a Difference in Your City: Apply Now for a Commission, Committee or Board
The City of Novato welcomes community participation in local government through its Commissions, Committees, and Boards (CCBs). If you have an interest in serving your community, applying for a position on a CCB is a great place to start!
Commissioners have a chance to be involved in upcoming projects and policies in the City and make recommendations to the City Council. There are a number of openings available now!
The application period is currently open through March 15 at 5:00pm. Applicants will be interviewed and appointed by the City Council.
HAGA UNA DIFERENCIA EN SU CIUDAD: Novato Ahora Reclutando para Comisiones, Comités y Juntas
A través de sus comisiones, comités y juntas, la ciudad de Novato da la bienvenida a la participación de la comunidad en el gobierno local. Si tiene interés en servir a su comunidad, solicite un puesto en una junta, comisión o comité de la ciudad.
Los comisionados tienen la oportunidad de participar en los próximos proyectos y problemas de la ciudad y hacer recomendaciones al concejo municipal.
El período de solicitud está actualmente abierto y se cerrará el 15 de marzo a las 5:00 pm. Los solicitantes serán entrevistados y designados por el concejo municipal.
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Check out daily updates from Marin County Public Health about confirmed COVID-19 cases countywide, vaccination efforts, and more at coronavirus.marinhhs.org.
Marin County Health & Human Services (HHS) is available to answer your questions at the HHS COVID-19 Information Line: Please call 415.473.7191, Monday-Friday between 9:30am-12:00pm and 1:00pm-5:00pm.
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Good News from Marin County Health Officials
On February 8, Dr. Matt Willis, Marin’s Public Health Officer, provided some good news about Marin County’s case rates, school reopening progress, vaccination efforts including plans for a drive through vaccine location, and more.
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When Can I Get My Shot? / ¿Cuándo puedo recibir mi vacuna?
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Are you a Marin County resident and want to be notified when you can get the COVID-19 vaccine? Answer a few questions to be subscribed to receive email or text notifications when your turn has arrived.
¿Es usted residente del condado de Marin y desea que se le notifique cuando pueda recibir la vacuna COVID-19? Responda algunas preguntas simples para suscribirse y recibir notificaciones por correo electrónico o texto cuando llegue su turno.
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COVID-19 Testing Information
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Looking for COVID-19 testing in Novato? Residents have access to two local sites offering free, safe and easy testing.
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Novato High School (625 Arthur Street): Tuesdays from 1pm-3pm (walk-in and first come, first served)
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Novato Library (1720 Novato Blvd): Fridays from 10am - 4pm. By appointment only.
Drive-thru testing is offered at the Marin County Civic Center "Armory Parking Lot" along Civic Center Drive in San Rafael on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11am - 5pm and on Mondays and Wednesdays from 8am to 2pm.
To schedule an appointment at the Novato Library or the County Civic Center drive-thru, please visit the Curative website.
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BUSINESS RESOURCES & INFORMATION
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Tenant Improvement Grant Program for Downtown Business Improvement District - Apply Today!
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The City of Novato is currently accepting applications for the Downtown Novato Business/Property Improvement Grant Program.
This program offers Downtown Novato property and business owners matching grant reimbursements for permanent improvements to commercial buildings in downtown.
Funds are limited and the program can end at any time; interested parties should submit their applications as soon as possible. Businesses located within the Downtown Novato Business Improvement District Boundary are eligible to apply.
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Marin Small Business Development Center
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Check out the Marin Small Business Development Center's website for up-to-date information from the Small Business Administration (SBA), info on new grants and other important news to help you navigate your business through COVID-19. They are also available to help you apply for relief, guide you through available resources, cash flow concerns, supply chain interruptions, workforce capacity, insurance coverage and more — at no cost!
Free Webinar Series - en Español:
CONSTRUYENDO MI NEGOCIO
(Building My Business)
Aprender cómo iniciar y administrar un negocio en 10 Clases:
DURACIÓN: 23 de febrero a 25 de marzo, 2021
DÍA Y HORA: martes y jueves, 6:00 pm a 9:00 pm
COSTO: Gratis por una beca de US Bank (normalmente $100)
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#ShopLocalNovato for That Special Valentine Gift or Meal
Looking for a perfect gift or date idea for your Valentine? Novato's businesses have just what you need! Shopping local spreads the love ❤️!
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Save the Date!
State of the City with City Manager Adam McGill
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The Novato Chamber of Commerce presents the annual State of the City Address with City Manager Adam McGill on March 17, 2021 from 5:30-6:30pm, via Zoom.
Please join us at this FREE virtual event for a discussion on how Novato adapted to the challenges of 2020, and a look forward into 2021.
Join us on Zoom:
Event ID 898 7801 3885
Password 738967
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Not In Our Town: Speaker Series
A More Just Novato for Racial Equity is a four-session, online, speaker series featuring young adults from Novato sharing their experiences with intolerance and hatred.
You can choose to attend one or more of the following webinars, at 6:30pm on the following dates:
- February 25, 2021
- March 11, 2021
- March 25, 2021
Not In Our Town: Una sesiones con panelistas
Un Novato más Justo para la Equidad Racial hará un examen honesto de la inequidad racial con jóvenes de Novato como presentadores de un panel. Ellos compartirán sus propias experiencias con micro agresiones, intolerancia y odio.
Puede elegir asistir a uno o más de los siguientes seminarios web:
- 25 de febrero de 2021, 6:30pm
- 11 de marzo de 2021, 6:30pm
- 25 de marzo de 2021, 6:30pm
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Homeless Outreach in Novato
At their meeting of January 26, the City Council received an overview on homelessness outreach and the services available to Novato's unsheltered community.
The City partners with the County of Marin and local service providers to ensure that people experiencing homelessness have access to services and support programs.
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Digital Marin seeks feedback from the community about internet access
Digital Marin is a cross-sector collaboration between residents and government, education, nonprofit, business, and other sectors to develop a countywide roadmap for improving internet access, disaster resilience, data sharing, and digital services.
Digital Marin is seeking feedback from residents via an online survey that asks questions about access, quality, affordability, and use of the internet.
Please take the survey and also share it widely with your friends, family, and coworkers here in Marin. The survey takes 10 minutes to complete, responses are anonymous, and it can be taken in English or Spanish. Responses will help identify potential projects and priorities for the roadmap.
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Digital Marin busca comentarios de la comunidad sobre el acceso a Internet
Digital Marin es una colaboración intersectorial entre residentes y gobierno, educación, organizaciones sin fines de lucro, negocios y otros sectores para desarrollar una hoja de ruta en todo el condado para mejorar el acceso a Internet, la resiliencia ante desastres, el intercambio de datos y los servicios digitales.
Por favor realice la encuesta y también compártala ampliamente con sus amigos, familiares y compañeros de trabajo aquí en Marin.
La encuesta tarda 10 minutos en completarse, las respuestas son anónimas y se pueden tomar en inglés o español. Las respuestas ayudarán a identificar posibles proyectos y prioridades para la hoja de ruta.
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Got Junk? Please Don't Dump!
Help keep Novato clean! Properly disposing of unwanted items helps keep our streets, open space, and roadways clean and clear.
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Before you throw something away, consider whether someone else could use it. Learn more at ZeroWaste Marin.
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Did you know that Recology Sonoma Marin offers free curbside bulky item collection and hauling for items that don’t fit in your cart, like old furniture, appliances, or mattress? Request a Bulky Item Pickup
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Toxic and electronic waste can be dropped off by appointment at the Novato Household Hazardous Waste Facility (HHW), 7576 Redwood Blvd. Call the HHW hotline at 415.892.7344 or schedule online.
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Free Virtual Gymnastics Classes Throughout February!
Ages 2-5 | Tuesday & Thursday | 10-10:30am
Ages 5-12 | Tuesday & Thursday | 3:30-4:15pm
Registration Required. Email gymnastics@novato.org with your email address, classes you are interested in, and the number of children you expect to participate
Amazing Athletes Camp
February 23 - March 11 | T & TH | 9am - 6^12pm
February 22 - March 12 | M, W, F | 2:30 - 5:30pm
Virtual Gentle Yoga for Adults
March 3 - March 34 | 6:30 - &:30pm
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Bocce Ball Drop-In at Hill Recreation Area
Have you visited the new Hill Recreation Area yet? Join Novato Parks & Recreation and check out the New Bocce Ball Courts Drop-in Program!
Details:
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday, between 9:30 and 11:30am
- Tuesday and Thursday, between 5:30and 7:30pm
- Singles and Doubles (members of same household only)
- Cost is $5 per person
- No food or drink on courts
- Restrooms & picnic tables are closed due to COVID restrictions
COVID-19 protocols must be followed at all times, including face coverings, six feet physical distancing, no spectators. Cleaning protocols by city staff include cleaning bocce balls after each use, hand sanitizer available on-site.
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#NovatoFUNatHome: Virtual Story Time with Copperfield's
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Join #NovatoFunatHome and Novato's own Copperfield's Books on Saturdays at 9:30am throughout the month of February. Tune in for three short stories read by the delightful Katherine Anderson of Copperfield's Novato.
Join us on February 13, 20 and 27!
This 20-30 minute show is geared for infants, toddlers, and school-aged children, but will leave the whole family smiling!
Guests will be emailed a link to our Virtual Theater 10 minutes before the show begins. The Virtual Theater will open promptly at 9:30am at which time guests will have 3 minutes to enter before the "doors" close and the show begins! Please "arrive" to the Theater on-time to ensure your "seats"!
TO REGISTER: Please either direct message Novato Parks & Recreation on Facebook or Instagram @Novatofun or email Novatofun@novato.org your email address and the number of guests watching from home to be added to our Guest List.
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MTSC Free Book & Puzzle Exchange
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On Tuesdays from
10-11am, rain or shine, NovatoFun staff will be out in front of the Margaret Todd Senior Center.
Upcoming dates include:
February 16 and 23.
Books are pre-sorted by genre and COVID protocols are required, so please remember your mask and be prepared to sanitize your hands when you arrive. We hope you'll stop by and find a new book or puzzle to fall in love with!
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Celebrate Black History Month
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#NovatoProud to Celebrate Black History Month
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This Black History Month, Novato proudly celebrates the achievements of Black Americans and recognizes their central role in American history. We are #NovatoProud of our diverse community and encourage you to nominate a Novatan who has made a positive impact in our community.
Please visit novatoproud.com to fill out a nomination form and continue our tradition of honoring those who make us proud to call Novato home.
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Celebrate Black History Month with Marin County Library's "Food for the Soul" Programs in February
Throughout Black History Month, the Marin County Free Library (MCFL) is working to create awareness of the rich and complex Black experience in the United States and beyond. A variety of special events are being held online through February, including through books, films, art, public discussions, children's programs and more. The programs were created in conjunction with the County of Marin African American Employees Association (COMAEA).
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Upcoming City Meetings
The City of Novato encourages community participation at our upcoming public meetings. Meeting details, including information on how to participate, is included in each meeting agenda packet. Agendas are posted at least 72 hours prior to each scheduled meeting. To receive meeting agendas via email and/or text, sign-up at novato.org/connectwithus.
February 17 at 7pm | Design Review Commission
February 22 at 7pm | Planning Commission
February 23 at 6pm | City Council
February 24 at 6pm | Multicultural Advisory Commission
February 25 at 2pm | Zoning Administrator
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Top Stories from Our Previous Edition
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Stay Healthy Novato
The best way to reduce the risk of becoming infected with respiratory virus, whether the flu or coronavirus, is to practice good hygiene:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Wear a face covering when out in public spaces.
- Maintain 6 feet distance from those outside of your own household.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or crook of your elbow (not your hands). If you use a tissue, throw it away and wash your hands afterwards.
- Avoid touching your face.
- Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- Get your flu shot.
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CITY OF NOVATO
publicinfo@novato.org
novato.org
415.899.8900
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