using the hashtag #LoveBocaRaton.

Although many games have been canceled this year due to COVID-19, Boca Raton's premier college football game, the Boca Raton Bowl, is currently scheduled to return on Tuesday, December 22 at 7pm at FAU Stadium. The game will be televised on ESPN, carried nationally on ESPN Radio, and locally on ESPN 106.3. For additional details or possible changes, visit the Boca Raton Bowl website.

The City will hold its municipal election on Tuesday, March 9, 2021 to elect Council members to fill vacant seats C and D and any other seat(s) that may become vacant.

The official qualifying period for the election begins at 8am on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 and ends promptly at 5pm on Wednesday, December 9, 2020.

Qualifying residents can submit required forms and documentation to the Boca Raton City Clerk's office by appointment ONLY during the qualifying period. The Clerk's Office is located on the 3^rd floor of City Hall, 201 W. Palmetto Park Road, and is open between 8am and 5pm, Monday through Friday. Call 561-393-7740 with any questions.

Residents who have been financially impacted by COVID-19 and are delinquent on their mortgage or rent payments can still receive available funds from the City's Rental Assistance and Foreclosure Program. The maximum assistance for the program has been increased from $10,000 to $15,000. The DEADLINE to apply is December 4, 2020 at 5pm. This deadline includes new applications and any applications currently in process or in draft format.

Remember, applicants can receive assistance for affected months not covered by other agencies' assistance programs. See details, required documents and apply on the City's website.

The Florida League of Cities and Florida League of Mayors are hosting an essay writing contest for students in grades 6-8 to see how they would make a difference if they were elected Mayor for a day. Students have until January 29, 2021 to write a one-page, 250-words essay.

Winners will receive $100 (1st place), $50 (2nd place) and $25 (3rd place) as well as a resolution from the Mayor at a City Council meeting. Learn more...

City Council meetings will continue virtually through December. Those interested in participating or watching on December 7 and 8:

Tune in to the City Council Workshop on December 7 and the City Council Meeting on December 8 for the presentation and selection of artist(s) for the Mizner Park Amphitheater stage door murals. Painting is scheduled to begin January 4. The intention is to select an artist(s) who can create an expressive, inspiring mural that is reflective of Downtown Boca and the spirit of the City’s art, history and culture. Learn more...

If you're interested in volunteering, the Boca Chamber has a list of local non-profit organizations on its website, and the United Way of Palm Beach County also provides resources for finding volunteer opportunities. The Spirit of Giving works with many charitable organizations in Boca Raton and provides screening for volunteers, and Boca Helping Hands helps feed our vulnerable populations throughout the year and especially during the holidays.

With the holiday shopping season in full swing, many are taking advantage of online deals or skipping in-store shopping all together. Check out the following safety tips provided by Boca Raton Police Services for a more secure online shopping experience.

Join Gumbo Limbo this winter break to learn about Sensational Sea Turtles. Each virtual session will include group interactions, activities and craft ideas. The virtual camp runs on December 28 and 29 from 11am - 1pm for kids in grades 1-3.

Visit Gumbo Limbo or contact Christie Collins for more information.

The Boca Raton Public Library is celebrating the season with Winter Take & Make Activities for children ages 3-11. Starting December 11, families can visit the Youth Services desk at the Downtown or Spanish River Library to pick up some FREE, fun, educational activities including a make-your-own LED holiday card, a story-writing sticker scene, crafts, coloring books and more! ***Quantities are limited. These activities can also be picked up through the curbside holds pick-up service.***

Have your child receive a FREE personalized "special delivery" letter from the North Pole via US Mail! Each letter captures the spirit of giving, kindness and joy of the holiday season. Register and complete a questionnaire by email no later than December 11.

Letters from Santa are available to City of Boca Raton and Greater Beach and Park District residents ONLY. Learn more at Sugar Sand Park.

Help support our community and our local businesses this holiday season. Be sure to follow CDC safety guidelines while out shopping and dining. Residents and businesses -- take the Ready. Steady, BOCA! Pledge to show your commitment to health in Boca Raton.

As a reminder, all City-sponsored holiday events have been cancelled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, residents can view almost a quarter of a million lights on display throughout the City during the holiday season.

Sanborn Square | 72 Federal Hwy. | See the traditional holiday display of a 25' artificial holiday tree with more than 7,500 lights through the New Year.

City Hall | 201 W. Palmetto Park Rd. | The historic banyan trees feature a twinkling blanket of lights with illuminated snowflakes hanging below.

Clock Tower at Mizner Park Amphitheater | 590 Plaza Real | The clock tower at the northern end of Mizner Park features even more dazzling snowflakes stopped in "time" along the sides of the tower.

We miss hosting events as much as you will miss attending them, and we look forward to a more social and celebratory 2021! We encourage residents and visitors to follow CDC recommended guidelines when celebrating and we extend our best wishes for a happy holiday season.

The City's Traffic Division is hard at work on several projects throughout the City to improve traffic conditions for both pedestrians and drivers. Many of these new upgrades and projects are part of the City’s Capital Improvements Program:

The Traffic Division is constantly looking for ways to enhance the community and make it accessible for everyone. Take the City's ADA Transition Plan Public Access Survey below and help the City shape accessibility now and into the future. The deadline to complete the survey is the end of December.

Dec. 7 - CRA Meeting / City Council Workshop

Dec. 8 - City Council Regular Meeting

Dec. 10-18 - Hanukkah

Dec. 25 - Christmas Day (City Offices Closed & Sanitation Changes)

Jan. 1, 2021 - New Year's Day (City Offices Closed & Sanitation Changes)

With Christmas Day and New Year's Day landing on a Friday this year, please take notice of the updated sanitation schedule, as your collection day may change:

Christmas Day - City offices closed on Friday, December 25, 2020

New Year's Day - City offices closed on Friday, January 1, 2020

View the 2020-21 Holiday Sanitation Schedule and sign up for sanitation schedule change alerts at Notify Me.

Attention all water and sewer customers: A new and improved utility billing system will go into effect December 7, 2020. More information regarding the system will be sent to customers home in their water bill.

The City of Boca Raton’s Utility Services Department has received national recognition as a Utility of the Future Today from the Water Environmental Federation for its reclaimed water system. The City is one of 65 water utilities being recognized with this award. Learn more...

Residents can drop off CLEAN holiday trees at Spanish River Athletic Park / Countess de Hoernle Park (1000 Spanish River Blvd), between December 26 - January 17 to help beautify Gumbo Limbo Nature Center with new mulch. The drop off area is located at the southern end of the parking lot next to the maintenance area. Visit the Holiday Tree Recycling webpage or call 561-393-7810 for more information. Make sure to remove all decorations including lights and tinsel from the tree.

The City of Boca Raton's Coastal Connection Restaurant Program has been updated to recognize more restaurants that are making efforts through the challenges of COVID-19 to reduce their single use plastic footprint. See the requirements for the new program at Coastal Connection Restaurant Program. Do you know of a restaurant who is reducing plastic use? Nominate them by sending an email to sustainability@myboca.us.