What's new

Connect with your community each week with the following updates on COVID-19, City services, events and programs, wellness opportunities, and family resources.

Coronavirus Report
State Funding Secured to Build Interim Housing Shelter in Palo Alto
Community Wildfire Preparedness & Planning Resources
Magical Bridge Playground Upcoming Closure for Renovation
Caltrain Electrification Project Road Closures on W. Charleston & E. Meadow

Coronavirus Report

As of August 24, the CDC reported a 7-day moving average of 90,675 new cases and on August 23, California reported a 7-day daily average of 9,416 cases. Santa Clara County reported a 7-day rolling average of 460 new cases on August 24.

Novavax is Now Recommended for Youth 12-17 Years Old

The CDC announced on Monday, August 22 that the Novavax vaccine can be used as another primary series option for youth 12 – 17 years old. The recommendation follows FDA authorization for this age group under emergency use. Per CDC, Novavax is a different type of vaccine that uses harmless proteins of the COVID-19 virus alongside another ingredient to help the immune system respond to the virus in the future. Read the CDC’s media statement here. Talk with your doctor about getting vaccinated or schedule an appointment here.

Calculate When to Test, Isolate, or Quarantine with a new State Calculator

You can now calculate if and when you should isolate, quarantine, or test according to California guidelines. With Santa Clara County in the Medium community level, it’s important to stay safe, up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, and get tested if you have symptoms. Try out the State’s Isolation & Quarantine Calculator. Find local testing opportunities at www.cityofpaloalto.org/testing.

Community Recovery and City Updates

State Funding Secured to Build Interim Housing Shelter in Palo Alto

Following the State announcement yesterday, the City of Palo Alto and LifeMoves confirm the award of $26.6 million to be used to develop an interim housing shelter with the capacity to serve over 300 individuals annually with on-site support services. The grant award is a part of a statewide effort to sustain and rapidly expand housing for those who are experiencing or are at risk of homelessness. Located at 1237 San Antonio Road in Palo Alto near the Palo Alto Baylands, the Homekey Palo Alto site will provide a dignified transitional step for unhoused residents on the path to stable housing. Read the full press release here.

Community Wildfire Preparedness & Planning Resources

With wildfire season here, this blog provides preparedness and community planning resources to stay informed, be safe, and protect your family and homes before, during and after a wildfire. Free trainings are available to gain safety tips and online tools are combined in one place for the community to learn more and take action. Check out this and more in this new blog.

Magical Bridge Playground Upcoming Closure for Renovation

Starting September 1 through October 14, the Magical Bridge Playground will be closed to the public for a renovation project. The project addresses maintenance and safety renovations and upgrades to the playground. Renovations include rubberized surfacing and synthetic turf replacement, cleaning and re-staining the playhouse, playhouse railing replacement, replacement of the net on the net spinner, addition of a shade structure over the spin zone, and miscellaneous painting and planting improvements. Learn more about Magical Bridge Playground here, and find another Palo Alto playground in the meantime here, including the new Rinconada Park, which features a new playground with a three-story slide, additional bench seating, and an ADA universally accessible design.

Caltrain Electrification Projects Road Closures

From August 22 through September 2, Caltrain will perform pothole work requiring partial closure of the W. Charleston Road and the E. Meadow Drive railroad crossings to vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic. These temporary closures are required to allow construction equipment and crews to enter and exit the site. Work will take between 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Mondays through Fridays. Directional signs will direct vehicle traffic at W. Charleston Road and E. Meadow Drive to use either the eastbound lanes or westbound lanes as detours during construction with only one lane to be closed at a time. In addition, learn more about upcoming Caltrain electrification construction activities starting, Monday August 29 at Churchill Ave here.

Be Well

August is Wellness Month: In this final week of Wellness Month, we wanted to send you off into September with a final tip and resource to use year-round. Sometimes we need extra support in our lives. For those needing assistance with mental health and/or substance use concerns, find resources from the Santa Clara County Behavioral Health Services Department. For access to a 24/7 crisis and suicide prevention line, call 9-8-8. Stay well and be safe. Keep our blog bookmarked to reference throughout the year. Be well Palo Alto!

Hydration Check: Staying hydrated in the heat is key for both physical and mental health. Aside from competitive athletes, most people do not need to heavily supplement their fluids with electrolytes and can also attain fluids from some foods to boost the body's overall water content.

Love Your Brain, Do What You Love: A recent analysis found that leisure activities can reduce the risk of conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s. Medical professionals agree that the key factor in whether an activity is beneficial to someone looking to reduce their risk and or their symptoms is whether it engages the brain. Read the full article here, courtesy of VeryWellMind.

Recipe of the Week: Here are a few hydrating recipes to enjoy the benefits of aloe this summer in drinks packed with minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants.

Family Resources

Joanna Ho Author Event: Celebrate the grand finale of the Library’s Summer Reading Program with New York Times bestselling author Joanna Ho! The author will share her work and talk about her writing process on Saturday, August 27 from 11 a.m. to noon. There will also be a Q&A followed by an art project and book signing. Fun for the whole family! This event will take place in the El Palo Alto Room of the Mitchell Park Community Center.

Acing the College Apps: Wondering where to start on the college application process? How to stand out? Mistakes to avoid? On Tuesday, September 6 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. join Tiffany Phu, certified college, and career counselor of nearly a decade, who will cover all of that and secrets colleges don't want you to know. Live Q&A with Tiffany and checklist handout included. Free to attend with registration, and the zoom link will be emailed to registrants 30 minutes prior to the workshop.

Conserve Water in your Landscaping: If you are considering converting a high-water use landscape, such as lawns and pools, to low-water use, see if your property is available for a rebate from Valley Water to assist in funding the changes. See their website for four rebate categories that can help save water.

Rain Barrels and How to Install Them: Learn how rain barrels can improve your property and garden, conserve water, save money, and help protect local creeks and San Francisco Bay at this workshop on October 1 from 10 to 11 a.m. at SummerWinds Nursery.

Sign Up for Palo Alto FireMed

Did you know that an emergency ambulance ride can cost between $250-700, even with medical insurance? Save money and get peace of mind during an emergency that you are doing all you can to protect your family, visitors to your home, or employees. A new program for Palo Alto residents and businesses makes sure you are not stuck with a bill during an emergency. Palo Alto FireMed is convenient and cost-effective, covering unlimited ambulance rides within the Palo Alto city limits for a low cost of $8 per household per month. The membership fee is easily added to your monthly City of Palo Alto Utilities bill. Sign up today at www.cityofpaloalto.org/FireMed.