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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
- Tuesday is Election Day!
- Veteran’s Day Recognition Ceremony
- Parks, Roads, Public Safety Investments & Progress
- Enhancing Palo Alto’s Community Experience & Economic Vibrancy
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*The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) transitioned their reporting cadence of COVID-19 aggregate cases from daily to a weekly cadence beginning the week of October 18, 2022.
Join a Research Study to Enhance COVID-19 Recovery
How do people recover from a COVID-19 infection? Why do some people not fully recover and develop long COVID? These questions and others are what a new initiative by the National Institutes of Health seeks to answer through “RECOVER,” a new research study of the long-term effects of COVID-19. Stanford University is enrolling participants as well as other local sites. Whether or not you’ve had COVID-19, you may be able to participate. Learn more and find a study site here.
Protect Community Health: Stay Up to Date with Your COVID-19 Vaccine, Get Boosted
Stay safe and be well Palo Alto with flu season upon us and winter coming soon! Stay healthy and protect community health by getting your flu shot and COVID-19 vaccine and booster. The bivalent COVID-19 boosters are available for people over 5 years old and anyone 6 months and older is eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. Talk with your healthcare provider about getting vaccinated and boosted or visit sccfreevax.org to find a convenient appointment.
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Community Recovery and City Updates | |
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Tuesday is Election Day!
Don’t forget to vote, Palo Alto! All vote-by-mail ballots have a pre-paid postage return envelope. You can still register to vote on Election Day at an official Vote Center. On the 2022 Palo Alto Municipal Election ballot, three (3) of the seven (7) City Council seats are up for election. Two measures are also on the ballot: one to establish a new business tax (Measure K) and the other to affirm the decades old practice of annually transferring a percentage of revenues from the natural gas utility to the City’s general fund (Measure L). The measures, if approved by voters, would generate approximately $16.6 million in revenue annually. Looking for ballot drop off locations and vote centers, council candidate information, and local ballot Measures K and L materials? Go here.
Veteran’s Day Recognition Ceremony
Thank you, Palo Alto Veterans, for your service to our country and to our community. To recognize the service and contributions of the Veterans of our U.S. Armed Forces, the City of Palo Also is partnering with Stanford University and the Palo Alto American Legion Post 375 on this year’s Veterans Day Recognition Ceremony and reception. All are welcome and invited to attend on November 7 from 3-4 p.m. at MacArthur Park Restaurant located at 27 University Ave. For events and veteran resources, go here.
Parks, Roads, Public Safety Investments & Progress
Recent updates to community parks, roads, public safety and flood plans are underway that help further community needs addressing community health, public safety, transportation, and sustainability. A new community update shares details about improvements to Boulware Park and Rinconada Park, the Public Safety Building, Charleston-Arastradero Corridor, and Fire Station №4. It also provides what we know about the Caltrans-led improvements on El Camino Real and where to report issues.
Enhancing Palo Alto’s Community Experience & Economic Vibrancy
Several efforts underway focus on enhancing the community experience and economic vibrancy of Palo Alto and further the City’s Uplift Local effort.
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Economic Strategy: At the November 7 City Council meeting, the City’s economic development consultant, will present preliminary findings on emerging global, national, and regional trends. Provide input in person, virtually, or via email.
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Parklets: The City Council recently extended the temporary parklet program to June 30, 2023, and other on-street and parking lot dining and retail programs are extended through December 2023.
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Cal Ave. & Ramona St. Study: To help shape a study of street configurations and options related to Cal Ave. and Ramona St., a community meeting is planned for December 7. Save the date and plan to attend in person!
Stay up to date on these updates and more economic development news. Sign up here.
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Month of Gratitude: November is the month of gratitude, and we want to say, “Thank you Palo Altans!” To celebrate, we’ve started a new social media series sharing a daily dose of gratitude, joy, and opportunities for community connection. This week we celebrated Stanford’s impact on education and innovation in Palo Alto and encouraged the community to find ways to connect with strangers, neighbors, and friends. Celebrate the season by following along on our social media like Instagram and Twitter and letting us know - what are you grateful for?
Support Community Health by Donating Blood: Did you know that every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood? Make an appointment to donate blood through Stanford Blood Center.
Daylight Saving Time Ends This Weekend: Don’t forget to set your clock back an hour this Saturday night! Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday, November 6, 2022, at 2:00 a.m. The Consumer Product Safety Commission reminds us to check batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide alarms at the time change.
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Library Branches Closure: On Friday, November 4, Palo Alto City Libraries will close its branches to hold a department-wide retreat focusing on post-pandemic services. Library staff will engage in activities and discussions around rebuilding and developing stronger programs and services to meet current and future community needs. This one-day closure will impact services at the Mitchell Park, Rinconada, Downtown, and College Terrace libraries (with Children's already normally closed on Fridays). All library locations will reopen on Saturday, November 5 for normal business hours.
Native American Heritage Month: Recognized in November, the National Museum of the American Indian has a rich catalog of digital exhibits to explore.
Electrify Your Home & Other Sustainability News: Impacting the negative effects of climate change is important for all of us. Acting locally to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is key to making progress on this important global issue and why the City is asking residents to go electric at home. A community update offers new tools available to upgrade gas appliances to electric and make other home adjustments to reduce gas emissions.
Climate Summit: Join the City and local and regional partners for “Climate Forward: A Collaborative Summit and Workshop Between Science, Government, and You” on Saturday, November 12 from 1–4 p.m. at Henry M. Gunn High School’s Bow Gym. Climate leaders from all levels of government will share solutions, drive collective action, and create together the next sustainable step forward. Register Now.
The Valley of Heart's Delight: True Tales from Around the Bay: On November 6 from 2 – 4 p.m., join us in person at the Mitchell Park Community Center, El Palo Alto Room. Returning local author, Robin Chapman will talk about her newest book, which completes her trilogy of books about our region. In her talk, Robin will share glimpses of the intriguing true stories she has been researching since she returned to California. The author talk is free to attend.
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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. | | | | |
