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• Preparing for El Niño: What We Heard at Our Recent Storm Preparedness Open House  
• Month of Gratitude: Giving & Connecting This November 
• 2026 Municipal Election Updates 
• Veterans Day Recognition Event: Monday, November 9 
• Weekly City Manager Updates: November 2

Preparing for El Niño: What We Heard at Our Recent Storm Preparedness Open House

Storm readiness starts now. According to the National Weather Service, there is a 100% chance of a very strong El Niño event through the fall and winter and a 50–60% chance of heavier-than-normal rain from December through February. The City is preparing and helping residents prepare homes and properties. Thanks to all who attended the Open House on October 29. In this community update, we are answering community questions heard at the Open House such as how to stay informed, best practices to fill and use sandbags, steps to take at home, status of infrastructure projects supporting flood prevention and protections, and ways neighbors can help one another.

At Home

Clear your rain gutters and put leaves in your green bin.

In Your Neighborhood

Keep storm drains clear and don’t put debris down the drains. Do not attempt to lift the storm drain grate.

Stay Informed

Sign up for AlertSCC and Palo Alto Police Nixle.

Month of Gratitude: Giving & Connecting This November

November is the month of gratitude. It’s a time to give thanks, give back, and appreciate our community. All monthlong we will be sharing tips to support community and give thanks. This week, donate new and unwrapped toys, books and more through the City’s Annual Holiday Toy Drive. Donations are given to local youth. Plan ahead and purchase your ticket to connect with neighbors and friends at Magical Bridge’s Friendsgiving on Saturday, November 21. Enjoy community activities, dinner, and dancing, 5 – 8 p.m.

2026 Municipal Election Updates

Thanks to everyone who voted in this year’s 2026 elections. Track election results and an important reminder to recycle election yard signs. Simply remove the plastic from the metal stand and place both in the recycle bin. Find more resources here.

Veterans Day Recognition Event: Monday, November 9

Join the City and our partners including Stanford University, Stanford University Office of Military-Affiliated Communities, American Legion Palo Alto Post 375 and South Bay Blue Star Moms to honor our local Veterans on Monday, November 9 at 3 p.m. held at the MacArthur Park Historical Building and Restaurant, 27 University Ave. Reception to follow.

Weekly City Manager Updates

City Manager Ed Shikada shares brief updates at each Council meeting, highlighting details about upcoming events, City services, and City Council discussions planned. His comments are summarized through our Palo Alto Connect Medium.com series to catch up on City issues and gain the latest news. This week, he shared resources featured at the Storm Preparedness Open House, an update on fire staffing and Fire Station 4 progress, the opening of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application period, an invitation to this year's Veterans Day Recognition event, and tentative upcoming Council discussions.

Palo Alto Youth Council Mental Health Fair: Parents and teens! Engage with youth mental health expert, local advocacy groups, and comforting therapy dogs at the Mental Health Fair on November 15, 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. at Mitchell Park Community Center. Learn about how to improve stress and ways to show up and support our community’s teens. Plus, free food!

Leading with Gratitude: Stanford Lifestyle Medicine shares research that has shown practicing gratitude can have significant positive impacts on our physical and mental well-being. Simple ways to practice include gratitude journaling and letters, taking a moment to fully appreciate a generous or helpful action, and more.

Bedtime Meditation: We clearly love to meditate but maybe don’t do it as often as we’d like. Doing a meditation before bed can help you fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night. Be healthier and happier, join us for a nightly bedtime meditation challenge this week.

Recipe of the Week: Fall into Autumn with this delectable roasted chicken and butternut squash recipe. While the chicken is the star protein, stay for the maple Dijon and rosemary sauce, tart cranberries, and brussels sprouts. Enjoy!

Native American Heritage Month: November celebrates the history, culture, and contributions of Native American communities. Check out the Library’s blog post to learn how to recognize Native lands, join special programs, get book and film recommendations, and more. Adults can join the Brown Bag Book Club: Native American Heritage Month online on Tuesday, November 10 at 12 p.m. Take in an online exhibit from the National Museum of the American Indian. Bring the kids to Celebrate Native American Heritage Month! Story and Craft on Saturday, November 14 at 3 p.m. at Children’s Library. Families can Learn About the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe, presented by the Muwekma Ohlone Preservation Foundation, on Saturday, November 21 at 4 p.m. at Mitchell Park Library.

Palo Alto Stories: Attend Chapter Two – Palo Alto Stories to get a first look at two inaugural exhibits on Saturday, November 7 and Sunday, November 8 at the Palo Alto Museum. Discover Doña Juana Briones and the wall from the oldest known home in the City, learn about pioneer Thomas Foon Chew, and enjoy hands-on activities.

Autumn in the Garden: Improve your gardening skills at a Worm Composting Workshop on Saturday, November 7 at 10 a.m. and Gardener’s Hour on Monday, November 9 at 5:30 p.m. at Gamble Garden. Learn from UC Master Gardeners at the Fall in Love with California Natives session on Saturday, November 7 at 10 a.m. at the Palo Alto Demonstration Garden and at the Planning and Planting a Little Fruit Orchard workshop on Sunday, November 15 at 1:30 p.m. at Rinconada Library. Check out the Vegetable Planting Chart for your local gardening calendar for Santa Clara County.

Diabetes Awareness Month: Join the World Diabetes Day wellness fair for free screenings, food demonstrations, research updates, and support on Thursday, November 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Stanford University, Bass Promenade South & Speiker Plaza. Learn tips from the National Institutes of Health on managing and preventing diabetes. Check out the American Diabetes Association’s Diabetes Food Hub for recipe videos.

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