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NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
APRIL 29, 2021
We hope you enjoy this edition of the Our Town Novato weekly newsletter which includes the return of the Novato's Farmers Market on May 4, the temporary suspension of the Weekends on Grant street closure, updated COVID testing information, a Novato Firesafe Community Workshop, and more!
Welcome Back Downtown Novato Community Farmers Market!
Our Novato Famers Market returns this season on Tuesdays beginning May 4 at the Downtown Novato Shopping Center, at 𝟳𝘁𝗵 & 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 (𝗯𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗩𝗦), 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝟰-𝟴𝗽𝗺 for another year of healthy eating! COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed.

Online ordering and pickup is available again this year when orders are placed by 5pm on Mondays at ilovefarmersmarkets.org

El Mercado de Agricultores (Farmers Market) de Downtown Novato regresa para la temporada del año 2021
El farmers market regresa del martes 4 de mayo de 4 a 8pm detras de la farmacia CVS en 7th St. entre Grant Avenue y Novato Boulevard. El mantener el acceso a alimentos frescos, locales, y saludables es una prioridad para todos y estamos ansiosos por dar la bienvenida nuevamente a nuestra comunidad al mercado.

Este año el mercado continúa ofreciendo la opción de ordenar en línea con recogida en la entrada o la acera, en ilovefarmersmarkets.org.
2021 Farmers Market
DNBA Logo
Weekends on Grant Street Closure Temporarily Suspended
Following feedback from the downtown business community, the Downtown Novato Business Association has requested the City temporarily suspend the weekend street closure program on Grant Avenue between Reichert and Machin Avenues.

Effective Friday, April 30, Grant Avenue will remain open to vehicular traffic over the weekends as the program is re-evaluated.
Vaccine Site
COVID-19 Vaccine Available at Two Novato Locations
The Marin County Mobile Vaccination Unit is providing FREE vaccines to people 18 and older who live or work in Novato at two locations:

North Marin Community Services, 1907 Novato Blvd
Wednesdays, May 5 & 12 from 8am-2pm

Hamilton Community Center, 503 S. Palm Dr.
Fridays, April 30 & May 7 from 8am-2pm

NEW! Pop-up Location One Day Only: Friday, April 30, 9:30am-2pm at 1144 Elm Drive - No appointment needed.

Vacunas Gratis de COVID-19
La Unidad Móvil de Vacunación del Condado de Marin pondrá vacunas GRATIS en su vecindario. Personas de 18 años o más.

Servicios Comunitarios de North Marin, 1907 Novato Blvd, Novato
Miércoles, 5, 12 de mayo, 8:00am-2:00pm

Centro Comunitario de Hamilton, 503 S Palm Drive, Novato
Viernes, 30 de abril y 7 de mayo, 8:00am-2:00pm
Novato Vaccine Flyer - English
Novato Vaccine Flyer - Spanish
COVID-19 Updates

Check out daily updates from Marin County Public Health about confirmed COVID-19 cases countywide, vaccination efforts, & more at coronavirus.marinhhs.org. 

COVID-19 QUICK LINKS

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.

New! Latest video update from Dr. Matt Willis reviews current COVID-19 data, Marin’s progress to toward the yellow Tier 4 in the Blueprint for a Safer Economy, vaccination progress, Marin’s shifting vaccination strategy, new locations to obtain vaccination, our COVID-19 toolkit, and what can still go wrong. Watch Video

Updated Local Testing Info! A reminder that regular COVID-19 testing remains important to keep our community safe and moving forward. There is now one testing site in Novato at the Novato Library. See updated flyer for info on all Marin locations: English | Español

New! Marin Adjusts Vaccine Strategy: Marin Public Health has expanded its mobile operations to offer more targeted pop-up vaccine clinics in communities where few or no vaccine options exist. Additionally, Public Health will close its two mass vaccination sites in San Rafael at the end of May. Read More

New! Marin Public Health continues to offer home visits to anyone age 16 & older who cannot physically leave their residence to access a vaccine: For additional information, please call 833.641.1988

No Wait for Vaccine Appointments in Marin: Many sites offering same-day or next-day access. All Marin County residents age 16 and older are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. Everyone is encouraged to schedule an appointment at GetVaccinatedMarin.org.

Drive-Through Vaccination Site at Larkspur Ferry Terminal Parking Lot at
101 E Sir Francis Drake Blvd: Appointments are required and are now available to anyone, in or out of the county, age 16 and up. Schedule an appointment
Free Rides to Vaccines
Did you know? Golden Gate Transit, Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit and Marin Transit offer free rides to vaccination appointments, with proof of same-day appointment.


Supplemental Paid Sick Leave for Workers Impacted by COVID-19: Governor Newsom signed SB 95, creating a statewide policy to ensure employees have access to COVID-19 supplemental paid sick leave through September 30, 2021. Learn More
Novato Arbor Day 2021
Trees to be Planted at Two Novato Parks in Celebration of Arbor Day
Volunteers still needed to help plant 80 trees at Scottsdale Pond and Hamilton Amphitheatre Park this Saturday, May 1.

All ages are welcome at this family-friendly event. Volunteers are required to pre-register online and choose their preferred park at caufc.org/plant-trees-in-novato.

Locations:
  • Hamilton Amphitheatre Park, 601 Hamilton Pkwy, 8:30am
  • Scottsdale Pond, 1202 Redwood Blvd, 9:30am

Strict COVID protocols will be in place. When registering to volunteer, please limit your volunteer group to a pod of 3-4 family members or vaccinated friends. Please note: Walk-ups will not be allowed.
Picnic areas open
Novato Park Picnic Areas Now Open for Reservations
You can now submit an application for Novato park picnic area rentals for reservations after May 1, 2021. Parks include:

  • Miwok Park
  • Pioneer Park
  • Hoog Park
  • Hamilton Amphitheater
  • South Hamilton Park 

All participants are required to abide by Marin County and California Department of Public Health’s COVID Guidelines for Gatherings. Including limited group size, required face coverings, physical distancing, and limited reservation times.

More information, including our application packet is available at novato.org/parks.
Register Today! Camp Ton-of-Fun!
Our Parks & Recreation team is ready to provide fun and engaging activities for your camper to participate in all day long! Outdoor games and activities will be combined with some inside play and crafts to make the day exciting and memorable for your child!

Register online at novato.org/regforfun.

Space is limited. Camp Ton-of-Fun is accepting incoming 1st - 6th graders
Camp Ton of Fun Summer 2021
Homeless Outreach in Novato banner
Marin County Project Homekey 2.0
On April 27, the Novato City Council received a Homekey 2.0 presentation from Opening Doors Marin and the County of Marin regarding the potential second round of funding for Project Homekey.

In July 2020, the state launched Project Homekey with the aim of helping local public entities purchase and rehabilitate housing - including hotels, motels, vacant apartment buildings, and other properties - and convert them into permanent, long-term housing for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
In 2020, the County of Marin applied for Project Homekey funding and received approximately $8.6 million to aid the purchase of 60 new units of permanent supportive housing in San Rafael and Corte Madera.

For more information on Project Homekey, and to watch the April 27 presentation to the Novato Council, please visit novato.org/homekey.

Additional information on homeless outreach in Novato, including biweekly updates on encampment activity is available at novato.org/homelessness.
Community Wildfire Workshop May 19
Prepare yourself for wildfire! Join FIRESafe Marin for the Novato Virtual Community Workshop on May 19 from 5pm to 7:30pm on Facebook live stream or via zoom on wildfire preparedness. Topics include wildfire science, defensible space, home hardening basics, community preparedness, personal preparedness, and evacuations.
Marin County Youth Commission
May is Mental Health Month
This past year has been a rollercoaster of emotions for all of us. Now, more than ever, mental health for youth needs to be a priority. Please consider participating in Marin County's May Mental Health events:

What Helps Me Art Campaign
The Marin County Board of Supervisors Intern Team is hosting an art campaign for youth in Marin — inviting you to tell your story of emotions and mental health through art. Submit your art through May 15 to be showcased during May Mental Health Month. Note: Art will be submitted anonymously and no names will be show with art when showcased.
need support
"Warm Line" in English and Spanish: You Are Not Alone
Marin County’s confidential peer-run Warm Line is a place for you to talk about anything that is on your mind—including anxiety, depression, fear, financial struggles and substance difficulties. We are here for you!

English Warm Line: 415.459.6330
Hours: 9 AM – Midnight

"Warm Line" en inglés y español: No Esta Solo
La Warm Line confidencial administrada por pares del condado de Marin es un lugar para que hable sobre cualquier cosa que tenga en mente, incluida la ansiedad, la depresión, el miedo y la lucha, financiero, uso de sustancias, etc. ¡Estamos aquí para ayudarlo!

Español Warm Line: 415.457.4026
Horas: 1 PM – 6 PM
Marin Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA):
Free Family Day Activities Resume May 2 & June 6
MarinMOCA's free Family Fun Day program provides art-making opportunities for the whole family! A fun and educational alternative to “screen time,” the program is taught by professional art instructors in a variety of media – from painting to mixed media to clay. During the events, COVID-19 safety protocols will be in place.
MARIN MOCA
Marin SBDC
Marin Small Business Development Center
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!

New! Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) View Flyer
Marin County Business Roundtable Discussion
Marin County's business community, including business owners, non-profits, local government staff and others are invited to take part in a free online discussion about collaborative city-making and restaurant trends on May 4 from 9-11am on Zoom.

This session, hosted by Marin County Council of Mayors and Councilmembers is part of a roundtable series on post-coronavirus economic development and will feature perspectives from an urban designer, a local restaurateur and a restaurant investor.

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.

May 5 at 7pm | Design Review Commission
May 6 at 3pm | Economic Development Advisory Commission - cancelled
May 6 at 5:30pm | Police Advisory and Review Board
May 10 at 7pm | Planning Commission
May 10 at 7pm | Streetscape Committee
May 11 at 6pm | City Council
May 12 at 6pm | Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee
May 13 at 2pm | Zoning Administrator
May 13 at 7pm | Recreation, Cultural and Community Services Commission
May 19 at 7pm | Design Review Commission
May 24 at 7pm | Planning Commission
May 25 at 6pm | City Council
May 26 at 6pm | Multicultural Advisory Commission
May 27 at 2pm | Zoning Administrator
We're Hiring — Join Our Team!
Interested in a career in local government? Check out some of our current openings:

  • Police Officer - Lateral / Academy Graduate (continuous; applications reviewed as they are received)
  • Senior Accountant (continuous; applications reviewed as they are received)

Visit novatojobs.org for more information and to apply.
COVID-19 FAST FACTS
Click image above to access Zoom link.
Haga clic en la imagen de arriba para acceder al enlace de Zoom.

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 vaccinated.
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