City Hall Connection

Nov. 2, 2022

News and Information from the City of Mountain View

Reminder: Enforcement of Time Limits in City

Parking Lots and Garages Starts Monday, Nov. 7

With the sale of downtown parking permits now available, enforcement of time limits on parking in City surface lots and garages will be actively enforced beginning Monday, Nov. 7.


Visitors, businesses, employees and residents that park their vehicles longer than the posted time enforcement limit may be subject to citation. Businesses, employees and residents located in the downtown parking district and needing to park longer than two hours should consider purchasing a parking permit allowing parking in select garages and lots longer than the posted time enforcement limit.


Information on the Downtown Parking Permit program is available at MountainView.gov/ParkingPermit.

Latest Traffic Signal Changes on Castro Street

The phased rollout to return traffic signal operation for certain Castro Street cross streets continues as downtown traffic slowly returns to pre-pandemic levels. 


On Tuesday, Nov. 1, the traffic signal on Castro Street at Dana Street was turned back to standard operation for vehicles crossing Castro Street and pedestrians crossing Dana Street.


Motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians are reminded to follow the signal indications to cross and to use caution when entering the intersection.


See the latest updates here.

City Program Assists Local Restaurants

with Reducing Waste

The City of Mountain View is partnering with ReThink Disposable to offer free technical assistance to local restaurants seeking to switch from disposable food service ware to reusable alternatives for their cups, bowls, plates, trays and other items.


Here is what the new program entails for participating Mountain View restaurants:

  • Offers up to $300 each for restaurants to switch to reusable food service ware.
  • Provides free technical assistance for product research, purchasing, delivery and setup.
  • Saves businesses up to $3,000—21,000 per year by using reusables even when accounting for labor and water expenses.
  • Elevates the dining experience with diners eating on real plates and attracting customers who want planet-friendly options.
  • Delivers sustainable practices that are better for the environment by reducing waste and preventing litter in streets and waterways.


Interested businesses can contact ReThink Disposable at ReThinkDisposable@CleanWater.org or 415-369-9260 to get started. 


For more details, visit MountainView.gov/ZeroWaste and see the City news release here

United Against Hate Week is Nov. 13 – 19

The View Teen Center staff will be on-site at Crittenden and Graham middle schools each day from Monday, Nov. 14 to Friday, Nov. 18 during the lunch period leading activities to celebrate United Against Hate week


Activities include 

  • A United Against Hate Collage
  • DIY Anti-Hate Buttons
  • Cookies for Acts of Kindness
  • Dissolving Hate Crafts
  • Mix It Up and Sit with a New Friend Day 


Students at both of the schools are encouraged to stop by the United Against Hate area during lunch to participate in the activities. 

Teen Wellness Retreat Kicks Off Saturday, Nov. 12

On Saturday, Nov. 12, the second annual Teen Wellness Retreat will be held at the Mountain View Community Center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This free event is for Mountain View and Los Altos 8th to 12th graders with a focus on healthy habits, creative expression, and identity and acceptance. 

 

At the event, teens can 

  • Choose to participate in over 15 workshops and self-care activities
  • Hear from a motivational guest speaker
  • Enjoy a healthy lunch from SAJJ and treats from the Mister Softee Ice Cream Truck
  • Visit the Stanford Teen Health Van and attend a mental health resource fair with therapy dogs
  • Receive a swag bag and a chance to win raffle prizes

 

Eligible teens may register at MountainView.gov/TeenWellnessRetreat.

Upcoming Library Programs

New Skill-building Resources

The Mountain View Public Library has added a new online resource for career and skill-building through the California State Library. LearningExpress Library offers tools and resources to help people search for jobs, develop new skills, and prepare for career-certification exams. Also included are test preparation materials for college and grad school admission exams and the GED.

Upcoming Friends of the Library Book Sales

The Friends of the Mountain View Library are hosting a few upcoming book sales. Funds raised during the sales go toward supporting the Library’s programs and collections. Book sales are held in the Bookmobile garage behind the Mountain View Public Library on Mercy Street.


  • Children’s Book Sale: Saturday, Nov. 5 from 11 – 11:30 a.m. (cash only) 
  • Book for All Ages Sales:
  • Saturday, Nov. 12 from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. early access for Library members only
  • Saturday, Nov. 12 from 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. general sale to all members of the public
  • Sunday, Nov. 13 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. books by the bag sale

More Activities at the Library

Community Activities and Services

Veterans Day Ceremony on Friday, Nov. 11 at Eagle Park

This year's Veterans Day ceremony will be at the Mountain View Memorial in Eagle Park (650 Franklin St.) on Friday, Nov. 11 from 11 a.m. to noon. 


Observed on Nov. 11 at 11 a.m., Veterans Day remembers the date and time that the Armistice Treaty ending World War I was signed. We continue to honor all veterans around the Mountain View Memorial, which is dedicated to local veterans—past and present—with ties to our community. ​


The theme for 2022 is "Be The One: Help Prevent Veteran Suicide. End the Stigma." Consider ways how you and others can end the stigma of asking for mental health support.


An Honor Guard will post Colors, and the Cub Scouts will lead the pledge of allegiance and sing.

2023 Winter Activity Registration Starts Monday, Nov. 21

Resident registration opens Monday, Nov. 21 at 8:30 a.m. Nonresident registration opens Monday, Nov. 28 at 8:30 a.m. This edition covers programs taking place from January through March, including the new Parents Night Out, lifeguard training, adult volleyball skills and drills, and vacation break camps.

 

The 2023 Winter Activity Guide will be available online on Monday, November 7.

 

For more information on City recreation programs, visit MountainView.gov/Register.

Letters to Santa

Write a letter to Santa! This holiday season, all children who are residents of Mountain View can send Santa their wish lists and letters. In return, Santa will mail a letter back! Letters are accepted now until Friday, Dec. 9.

 

Two ways to send your letter to Santa (Don’t forget to include your return address!):

  1. Drop off in Santa’s mailbox located at the Mountain View Community Center, 201 S. Rengstorff Ave.
  2. Mail the letter to:

Santa Claus

℅ City of Mountain View Recreation Division

P.O. Box 7540

Mountain View, CA 94039

Volunteer to Spread Holiday Cheer

The City is excited to continue the long-lasting tradition of sending personalized letters from Santa. Join us in writing back to children who sent in a letter to Santa. We'll provide the supplies, cookies and warm drinks. Open to ages 16 years or older. Register here to participate on

  • Wednesday, Dec. 7, 5 – 7 p.m. at The View Teen Center
  • Tuesday, Dec. 13, 5 – 7 p.m. at The View Teen Center

Save the Date: Community Tree Lighting Celebration

On Monday, Dec. 5 from 5:30 to 8 p.m., the City will celebrate the winter season with the Community Tree Lighting Celebration in downtown Mountain View.


The celebration will feature

  • local performances
  • tributes to multicultural and diverse traditions
  • free refreshments
  • a train ride
  • games and crafts
  • the lighting of the community tree
  • an appearance from Santa


Follow updates on the event at MountainView.gov/TreeLighting.


Sponsorship Opportunities are Available

Interested in sponsoring the Community Tree Lighting Celebration? Download the Tree Lighting Sponsor Sheet and reach out to Maureen Grzan-Pieracci at maureen.grzan-pieracci@mountainview.gov or 650-903-6417.

What's OnStage at Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts

Nov. 4 & 5 | Peninsula Youth Theatre presents The Ugly Duckling | Tickets

Nov. 12 & 13 | TheaterGames Productions presents The School of Moliere | Tickets

Nov. 12–20 | Peninsula Youth Theatre presents The Spongebob Musical | Tickets

Nov. 18 | Diaspora Arts Connection presents The Art of Improvisation: Contemporary Iranian Dance and Music | Tickets

Nov. 25-27 | Pacific Ballet Academy presents 31st Annual Nutcracker Ballet | Tickets

Nov. 27 | Pacific Ballet Academy in association with MVCPA presents 31st Annual Nutcracker Ballet – An Autism/Sensory Friendly Performance| Tickets

Nov. 27 | TACO (Terrible Adult Chamber Orchestra of Silicon Valley) presents Holiday Sing-Along with TACO | Free event on the Civic Center Plaza

Dec. 1–4 | Smuin Ballet presents The Christmas Ballet| Tickets

Dec. 9–11 | Western Ballet presents The Nutcracker | TIckets

COVID-19 Briefing

Reminder for COVID-19 Testing Dates

This month's County of Santa Clara COVID-19 testing dates at the Mountain View Community Center (Rengstorff Park) are:

  • Nov. 14
  • Nov. 28


Appointments are from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. To get an appointment for this site or at a County-run testing location, go to sccFreeTest.org.

SCCPHD COVID-19 Data Dashboard

Upcoming Meetings & Events

For a complete list and more information, visit MountainView.gov/Events.

Nov. 3 | Housing and Eviction Prevention Help Center | 1–5 p.m. | Library

Nov. 5 | Free Paper Shredding | 8 a.m.–3 p.m. | Sunnyvale SMaRT Station (301 Carl Road, Sunnyvale)

Nov. 9 | Administrative Zoning Hearing | 4 p.m. | online

Nov. 9 | Visual Arts Committee | 6 p.m. | online

Nov. 9 | Parks and Recreation Commission | 7 p.m. | online

Nov. 11 | Veterans Day | all day | most city offices closed 

Nov. 14 | Rental Housing Committee | 7 p.m. | online

Nov. 15 | City Council Meeting | 6:30 p.m. | online


AskMV at Your Service
Available 24/7, Ask Mountain View is an easy way to send your questions, concerns and compliments directly to City staff who can help you. Download the app or submit a request online at MountainView.gov/AskMV.
Facebook  Twitter  Instagram  Linkedin  Youtube  
Subscribe to City Hall Connection: sign up online or text "City Hall News" to 22828.