Hi! Just a reminder that you are receiving this message because you have previously expressed interest in the City of Novato. Please add publicinfo@novato.org to your address book so we'll be sure to land in your inbox. |
|
We hope you enjoy this edition of the Our Town Novato weekly newsletter which includes an update on Marin's vaccine distribution, local COVID-19 testing options, small business resources, the return of Virtual Story Time, and more!
|
|
Marin Vaccine Distribution Focuses on 75 & Older |
|
|
|
Marin County Public Health and health care providers have committed to focusing vaccination efforts across the county for residents age 75 and older, in a joint strategy designed to save lives.
Marin's approximately 25,000 residents who are age 75 or above will be prioritized for available vaccine supplies. Vaccination of any remaining phase 1A-eligible health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities will continue.
|
|
COVID-19 Testing Information |
|
Looking for COVID-19 testing in Novato? Residents have access to three local sites offering free, safe and easy testing.
-
Novato High School (625 Arthur Street): Tuesdays from 1pm-3pm
-
Novato Library (1720 Novato Blvd): Fridays from 10am - 4pm. By appointment only.
-
Marin Community Clinics (6100 Redwood Blvd): Saturdays from 9am - noon
These sites, with the exception of the Novato Library location, are first come, first served with no appointment needed.
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.
|
|
Contact Tracing 101
Contact tracing is the process of finding out who has recently been in close contact with a person infected with COVID-19, and reaching out to those people to let them know they may have been exposed and guide them on what to do next. In some cases, that may include self-isolating to prevent further spread.
|
|
|
Marin County COVID-19 Update as of January 21, 2021
Marin County Public Health continues to monitor and report confirmed COVID-19 cases countywide on their dedicated coronavirus website at marinhhs.org/coronavirus. Here you will find accurate, up-to-date information with a focus on how it is impacting our local communities.
Here are some data points, as of January 21, 2021, that may be of interest to you:
Marin Confirmed Cases: 9,573
Active Cases Confirmed in Past 14 Days: 913
Marin Deaths: 135
Tests Conducted Among Marin Residents: 298,871
Marin Hospitalizations (cumulative): 280
Marin Hospitalizations (currently): 28
Current Marin ICU Patient Census: 9
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.
|
|
Tenant Improvement Grant Program for Downtown Business Improvement District |
|
The City of Novato is pleased to accept 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.
|
|
|
Marin County to Distribute Federal Pandemic Funds to Local Small Businesses
The County of Marin has entered into an agreement with a community-based organization to help it distribute nearly $448,000 of federal funds to support Marin small businesses with lower-wage employees that have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Up to 27% of funds will be distributed to qualifying Novato businesses.
Businesses will be selected by a lottery because of the expected high demand for assistance.
|
|
Marin Small Business Development Center: COVID-19 Resources |
|
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!
Upcoming Free Webinars:
-
January 27, 5-7pm | Marketing & Branding Food Business Incubator (5 part series)
-
January 28, 3:30-5pm | Starting a Food Business
|
|
|
Homeless Outreach in Novato
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.
Please visit our online informational resource webpage if you are experiencing homelessness and need assistance or if you are someone who is interested in helping, or learning more about what the City is doing to help, those experiencing homelessness.
|
|
City Responds to Encampment Protest at City-Owned Hamilton Property
On Tuesday, City staff moved forward with the closure of the Bachelor Officer’s Quarters (BOQ) site in Hamilton following a 72-hour notice, provided to two self-identified homeless activists, to vacate an illegal encampment at the site. The BOQ site is uninhabitable due to unsafe conditions, lack of resources available at the site, and the City's intent to sell the property in the coming months.
|
|
FREE Online Climate Action and Resilience Workshops
Start the New Year with a new carbon footprint, and receive personalized support to develop your own climate action plan while preparing your household for emergencies, wildfires, and power outages.
By joining a Resilient Neighborhoods Climate Action Team, you will achieve measurable results in just five online workshops. You'll also connect and collaborate with a fun group of like-minded people. What a great way to start 2021!
Space is still available for the workshops offered on Tuesdays (4pm-6pm) on the dates below:
-
Tuesday Climate Action Team: 1/26, 2/9, 2/23, 3/9, & 3/23
|
|
PG&E Natural Gas System Work in Novato
PG&E has notified the City, as well as affected residents, that they will be upgrading a portion of the natural gas distribution system that serves homes and businesses in Novato. Work will occur throughout the week during daytime construction hours per Novato Municipal Code at the following locations:
-
Nugent Lane & Sweetser Avenue scheduled through January 27
-
Vallejo Avenue & First Street scheduled through May 20
Schedules are subject to change due to weather. Please drive safely and expect potential traffic delays in these areas.
Questions? Call PG&E 415.238.5349.
|
|
Virtual Monday Night Novato Magic: Winter Wonderland Edition |
|
Magician Mike Della Penna is back to dazzle you and your family VIRTUALLY with a performance you won't forget on January 25 at 6pm!
This 20 minute show is geared for school aged children, but will leave the whole family smiling!
Make sure to stay till the end for the most EPIC dance party and get your chance to be spotlighted! If you have a birthday coming make sure to let us know, Magician Mike will give you a SPECIAL birthday shoutout.
Pre-registration required. Guests will be emailed a link to our Virtual Performance Theater 10 minutes before the show begins. The Virtual Theater will open promptly at 6:00pm 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"!
|
|
#NovatoFUNatHome: Virtual Story Time with Copperfield's |
|
Join #NovatoFunatHome and Novato's own Copperfield's Books on Saturday, February 6 at 9:30am. Tune in for three short stories read by the delightful Katherine Anderson.
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.
|
|
 |
Continue to Support Local!
|
|
|
|
Continuar Apoyando Locales!
|
|
|
|
Paint the Town Red: Friday, January 22
TONIGHT!
In these difficult times it is good to find ways to celebrate, as long as it’s safe. The Novato City Birthday Party committee is going virtual for Novato's 61st Birthday Celebration. Paint the Town Red (PTTR) will broadcast on Novato Community Television Channel 26 & 27 at 6:30PM on Friday, January 22, 2021, as well as on Paint the Town Red's YouTube channel, and everyone is invited.
Highlights Include:
-
Riveting drone flyover to reveal the Novato 2020 Citizen of the Year
-
Awarding the Community Pandemic Assistance Award at a surprise "drop-in" visit
-
Saluting Novato Police & Fire Employees of the Year
-
Celebrating Small & Large Businesses of the Year
-
Honoring Novato volunteers in the Kindness Project & Novato History Corner
-
Enjoying performances by local musicians
-
Supporting our local TASTE Partners by pre-ordering food to enjoy during the party*
*This year, please support our local businesses by ordering a to-go or delivered meal to enjoy at home while watching the virtual celebration.
This event is not to be missed!
|
|
|
You are not alone. The Behavioral Health and Human Services (BHRS) Access Line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to answer questions about services, arrange appointments, and make referrals. We are here to help. To call the Access Line, dial (888) 818-1115.
|
No estas solo. La línea de Acceso esta disponible las 24 horas del día, 7 días a la semana para responder preguntas sobre nuestros servicios, organizar citas, y darle información sobre otros programas. Para comunicarse con esta línea, llame al (888) 818-1115.
|
|
|
|
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.
January 26 at 6pm | City Council (Closed Session at 4:30pm)
January 27 at 6pm | Multicultural Advisory Commission
February 4 at 3pm | Economic Development Advisory Commission
February 9 at 6pm | City Council
|
|
Top Stories from Our Previous Edition
|
|
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.
|
|
CITY OF NOVATO
publicinfo@novato.org
novato.org
415.899.8900
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
