City Manager Weekly Update |
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Santa Clara County Now Implementing State's Stay Home Order
In order to curb the rapidly escalating surge in COVID hospitalizations, Santa Clara County has implemented the Regional Stay Home Order, starting 10PM Sunday, December 6, 2020, through Monday, January 4, 2021.
The Regional Stay Home Order prohibits private gatherings of any size, closes salons, barbershops, and personal service, while critical infrastructure and retail can remain open at 20% capacity, and requires 100% masking and physical distancing in all others. Restaurants must also close outdoor dining and may only operate take-out or delivery. Playgrounds and park restrooms will also be closed.
As a reminder, non-essential work, movement, and gatherings must stop between 10PM and 5AM. This will remain in effect until December 21, at 5AM.
For more information on Los Altos' precautionary measures implemented to mitigate coronavirus, please visit losaltosca.gov/covid19.
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Save the Date and Get Tested
COVID testing sites are coming to Los Altos and Los Altos Hills throughout December. We urge you to save the date and schedule an appointment.
December 11 — Los Altos Hills Council Chamber (26379 W. Fremont Rd)
December 17 — Los Altos Youth Center (1 North San Antonio Road)
Appointment Portal Coming Soon
December 22 — Assistance League of Los Altos (169 State Street)
Volunteer Opportunity
We are currently looking for volunteers to support the testing staff. Volunteers will help with line management and other administrative tasks. To sign-up, visit our Volunteer Portal.
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10 Ways to Safely Bring in the Holiday Season
To help keep you and your family safe, here are 10 COVID-safe alternatives to celebrate the holiday season:
- Take a socially-distant walk around Rancho Shopping Center, Loyola Corners, or Downtown to view the community decorated holiday trees a part of the new program, Trim a Tree @LosAltos.
- Compete with your neighbors for the best holiday-themed outdoor light display, then take a walk or drive to view your neighborhood's creativity.
- Have an ugly sweater virtual get-together. Play holiday-themed trivia, guess the lyric, or charades; make sure to vote on the ugliest sweater!
- Shop for holiday gifts in one of our charming business districts
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Relive the 2020 Los Altos Festival of Lights Float Display through the televised production, Homage to the Holidays.
- Cozy up with your household, and play a board game, make cookies, or watch a holiday-themed movie. Don't forget the hot cocoa!
- Out of ideas for your gingerbread house? Look through the virtual Gingerbread House Exhibit.
- Grant a wish for a community member in need by donating to the Youth Commission's Wish Drive.
- Get your crafting scissors ready and create paper snowflakes, reindeer, or snow globes.
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Create an a unique piece of art for the Public Arts Commission's Paint the Pandemic.
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Meeting the New City Council
The first meeting of the newly established City Council will take place next Tuesday, December 8, at 7PM, for the City Council reorganization. Councilmembers will take the Oath of Office and be virtually seated on the City Council. The City Council will then elect a Mayor and Vice Mayor. During this time, the City will recognize the outgoing councilmembers Mayor Jan Pepper and Councilmember Jeannie Bruins.
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Chat with a Councilmember
Join one of your City councilmembers for their City Council Open Office Hours. This is a great opportunity to chat with a councilmember regarding issues in your neighborhood, recent decisions, or anything that you would like to address. The Councilmember will be online for two hours, so there is plenty of opportunities to connect with them. For information on the next meeting time, visit us at losaltosca.gov/openofficehours.
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Get the Flu Shot! No Appointment Needed.
Free flu shots are administered every Saturday through mid-December from 9AM-4PM at the SCC Fairgrounds. Shots are available for everyone age 3 years and older; younger children should receive a shot from their regular pediatrician. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
- Car entrance for general parking: Gate D, 2542 Monterey Road, San Jose, CA 95111
- Pedestrian entrance and disabled parking: Gate B, 344 Tully Road, San Jose, CA 95111
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Sanitary Sewer Improvements – Sewer System Repair Program and Structural Reach Replacement Projects
The City’s contractor, EPS Inc., has substantially completed the replacement of sewer pipelines at six of the fourteen locations included in the construction contract. The completed sewer main replacements are on Julie Lane, Ranchita Drive, Marlbarough Avenue, Richardson Avenue, Nightingale Court, and Grant Road. The contractor will be performing work on St. Joseph Avenue from November 30, 2020, through December 14, 2020, and on Laver Court from December 14, 2020, through December 23, 2020, resuming work on December 28. There will be no work on December 24, 2020, December 25, 2020, and January 1, 2021, due to the City observed holidays. The replacement of the remaining sewer segments in the project will be completed sequentially, completing the work at one location before proceeding with work at the next location. Efforts are being taken to minimize the impact on residents and the public, and provide access during construction. The project is anticipated to be completed in spring 2021.
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Los Altos Community Center Preview
The City invites residents for a special look into the progress of the new Los Altos Community Center. Join Mayor Jan Pepper, the Design Development Working Group, and others that have been instrumental to this project's success. They will take you behind-the-scenes and reveal the catalyst for building community through art, culture, recreation, and a sense of place for all.
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Last Call for those Gingerbread Houses!
We're excited to celebrate the 33rd Annual Gingerbread House Exhibit virtually this year, and we're calling on our gingerbread creators and innovators! If you would like to participate in this year's exhibit please create, photograph, and submit your creation by Tuesday, December 8, at 12PM.
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Local Traditions Brought Back to Life
Relive the 2020 Los Altos Festival of Lights Float Display through the televised production, Homage to the Holidays. In addition to the float display the video features the Town of Los Altos Hills Barn Lighting, and a tour of holiday lights and street decorations throughout Los Altos.
The video presentation will be shown from December 6 – January 3, every Saturday and Sunday at 7PM and Wednesdays at 12PM on KMVT 15, Silicon Valley Community Media Comcast Channel 15, and U-verse Channel 99.
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Los Altos History Museum Presents Women in Leadership
A panel of female trailblazers will discuss “Women in Leadership” in a talk hosted by Los Altos History Museum held on the Zoom platform, December 8, 2020, at 6PM. The panel, moderated by Protima Pandey, Director of the Santa Clara County Office of Women’s Policy, will share how they broke barriers to become successful leaders, and why it’s important to sustain and grow women in leadership roles. Speakers include Dr. Mary Ann Dewan, Santa Clara County Superintendent of Schools; Dolores Alvarado, CEO of Community Health Partnership; and Upuia Ahkiong, founder of Women Entrepreneurs Launch (WELA).
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Paint the Pandemic
As this challenging year comes to an end, the Los Altos Public Arts Commission invites you to Paint the Pandemic!
Paint, draw, or sketch a scene from your life in the pandemic. What does your life look like during the pandemic? How have you been spending your time at home? What have you been doing that’s new or different? It can be real, it can be imagined, or it can be a combination of both.
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TIS' THE SEASON FOR GIVING |
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Help the Youth Commission Grant 50 Holiday Wishes
The Los Altos Youth Commission has partnered with the Family Giving Tree (FGT) to help everyone in our community have a happy holiday. For 30 years, FGT has been granting holiday wishes for those in need. To help in this effort, the Los Altos Youth Commission has set a goal of raising $500, which totals to 50 wishes. Join us in bringing smiles to those who need it most; into neighborhoods hardest hit by the pandemic.
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Share the Holiday Cheer
Community Services Agency (CSA) is holding its annual holiday food and gift card distribution from December 7-23, 2020. CSA is accepting $25 Target gift cards and/or $50 Safeway gift cards to help those within our community purchase basic goods. Share the cheer and donate today! For more information or to arrange contactless drop-off, call CSA at (650) 968-0836 ext. 100.
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Virtual Socials
The 50+ Adult Program team has planned several special events to virtually bring our community together in December. If you are Interested in participating, please call us at (650) 947-2797 or email aparsons@losaltosca.gov.
- Creative Holiday Sweater Online Social | Wednesday, December 9, 2020, at 11:00AM
- Conversation Group With Jack | Monday, December 11, 2020, at 11:00AM
- Phil Ackerly Online Zoom Magic Show | Tuesday, December 15, 2020, at 11:00AM
- Name That Tune Holiday Edition | Friday, December 18, 2020, at 11:00AM
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Holiday Safety
As we look ahead to the 2020 winter holidays, we know that celebrations will have to be different this year due to COVID-19 risks. Please stay informed, and follow the current County and State guidance.
Additionally, remember the basics for a safe holiday season:
- Be careful with candles.
- Check your extension cords and don’t overload them.
- If you have children visiting your home, check for poisons and other hazards within reach. And if visitors are staying overnight, teach them your family fire safety/home evacuation plan.
- And of course—never drive the car under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and always wear your seatbelt.
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City of Los Altos | (650) 947-2700 | www.losaltosca.gov |
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