July 31, 2020
We're here for you.
THE UPCOMING ELECTION IS NOV 3, 2020
Election Day is right around the corner! On November 3, 2020, be sure to vote for the following positions:

  • 3 seats on City Council (4-year term)
  • 2 seats on Board of Education (4-year term)

The Nomination Period for qualified candidates will be between July 13 – August 7, 2020. Candidates are encouraged to make an appointment with the City Clerk to obtain Candidate Nomination Packet.

For more information on the election, email the City Clerk, Anne Hsu, at cityclerk@albanyca.org or call 510-528-5763
SHOW THAT YOU CARE
Alameda County Public Health requires face coverings when in public. Widespread use of face coverings is a critical part of reducing the spread of COVID-19. 

Per the Order, everyone over the age of 12 should wear a face covering when: 

  • At an outdoor dining establishment except when actively eating or drinking at a dining table 
  • Outside their home and within 30 feet of anyone else other than members of their social bubble
  • In the workplace except when in a private space or area not regularly used by others 
  • Preparing food or other items for sale or distribution to people outside their household. 
Welcome to Albany’s Recreation & Community Services Virtual Community Center . Here, you will find our virtual Summer/Fall Activity Guide that includes both in-person and virtual programs. Find fun and educational activities for all ages.
VIRTUAL COMMUNITY CENTER SPOTLIGHT
Albany’s Recreation & Community Services Virtual Programming is a great place to learn a new skill.
Improv & Theatre Games
Adobe Connection for Teens
August 10 – 14 from 10 am – Noon

Campers will be introduced to basic concepts of comedy improv such as “yes and” (enthusiastically accepting what is offered), “group mind” (listening to each other and working as a team) and “space object work” (miming objects and environments). 
Wednesdays, Aug 5–26 from 7–8pm 

Want a crash course in Adobe Premiere and After Effects? This online course will cover the essentials of both software packages focusing on film editing and motion graphics, while answering your direct questions about your own projects. 
SENIOR CENTER VIRTUAL EVENTS
MORNING STRETCH CLASS
Every Tuesday in August at 10am  

Learn and enjoy simple stretches you can do to start your day. Wear comfortable clothing, sit using a chair or standing, whatever makes you comfortable to relax and stretch with the Albany Senior Center. 
BIRD WATCHING AT THE CORNELL LAB 

Explore over 600 different species of birds, learn about their habitat, identify songs and sounds. 
VIRTUAL GARDEN TALKS
FIRE-RESISTANT LANDSCAPING
Presented by the City of Albany & Berkeley Garden Club.

Douglas Kent, author of Firescaping: Protecting Your Home with a Fire-Resistant Landscape, will present the essential attributes of a fire protected property in a dynamic 60 minute presentation. 

Saturday, August 8 from 12 – 1pm &
Tuesday, August 11 from 8 – 9pm   
DANCE WITH GITI
Wednesdays, August 12 – September 2 from 5:30 – 6:30pm  

Join Giti for a 60-minute dance cardio session to move your body! Giti offers family-friendly, easy-to-follow dance moves to a custom playlist with music from around the world. We invite you and yours to log onto the virtual dance floor, get down with others in the community, and leave feeling rejuvenated and connected with the community! 
2020 BEST OF THE FEST ONLINE & IN YOUR HOME
Saturday, August 1 – Saturday, August 8 | Free Anytime

The 10th Annual Albany FilmFest featured a wonderfully varied selection of films from Bay Area, US, and international independent filmmakers of all ages. Although the online screening venue was a new experience for all of us, this strong group of films shined even on a smaller screen. 
76.5% OF ALBANY HAS BEEN COUNTED. HAVE YOU?
Don’t forget to submit your census form online , by mail , or by phone at 1(844) 330-2020. Language assistance is available . It’s important that everyone is accounted for to ensure accurate resource allocations. 
TENANT PROTECTIONS EXTENDED
On July 20th, the Albany City Council extended urgency ordinance No. 2020-03 with Ordinance 2020-12 placing a temporary moratorium on evictions and rent increases to protect those directly affected by the COVID-19. This applies to those who have lost full or partial income due to COVID-19. To qualify, you must notify your landlord of your lost income in writing and provide documentation to support your claim within 30 days after rent is due.  

For more information, visit the COVID-19 Tenant Protections webpage  or contact the Community Development Department at 1(510) 528-5760 or com-dev@albanyca.org . 

ECHO Housing continues to provide rental and housing assistance and tenant/landlord counseling remotely during the COVID-19 health emergency at 1(510)581-9380. You may also contact the Eviction Defense Center at 1(510)452-4541) and Bay Area Legal Aid at 1(888)382-3405 for assistance. 
REUSABLE BAGS ARE BACK
The Alameda County Public Health Department now allows customers to again bring their own bags, mugs, and other reusable items from home if the reusable items do not require that employees handle them. Berkeley's Public Health Division has it's own Health Officer Order that also allows reusable items, but reusable items may not be placed on any surfaces.  

When it comes to bringing your own bag to the store again, you may place your reusable bags in carts or baskets, but you'll need to bag your own groceries. Some stores may need more time to make changes in their policies and procedures, and some stores may not be aware of the change yet. Kindly let stores know you would like to bring your own bag now that it’s allowed, and please remember to be patient during this complicated time. 
SLOW THE SPREAD OF PPE LITTER
It is important to wear a cloth face covering when out in public or around others not in your household, and other personal protective equipment (PPE) such as rubber gloves when necessary. It is also important to ensure that these items do not harm local ecosystems, litter the streets, and contaminate waste streams. There is increasing evidence that PPE litter is entering our oceans, waterways, and other delicate ecosystems. We must all do our part to both slow the spread of COVID-19, and slow the spread of PPE litter.  

If you do use disposable PPE, such as single-use masks and rubber gloves, make sure that it ends up in the right waste stream: the trash cart. These items are not recyclable or compostable, and can contaminate compost and recycling loads if they end up in the wrong bin.  

Want a more sustainable solution? The CDC states that reusable cloth face coverings are an effective way to protect yourself and others from the virus, but they should be handled and washed appropriately .  

The CDC offers instructions for making your own cloth face covering – both sew and no-sew designs!  
GET COVID-19 UPDATES ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Check out our COVID-19 coverage on social media with these hashtags:  
#beatCOVID19   #AlbanyTogether 
To ensure you get alerts and the latest emergency information, please sign up for the following:
Sign up for local emergency alerts. 

If you live, work, or visit Alameda County, take a moment to sign up for "AC Alert", the Alameda County emergency notification system. Signing up will allow you to receive emergency and topical information about flooding, earthquakes, fires and other emergencies occurring in your area.

To sign up for AC Alert go to http://ACAlert.org.
And also be sure to follow the City of Albany Twitter account. When communication services are limited, Twitter is where government agencies, relief organizations, media, volunteers, and citizens go to communicate and collaborate - fast.

Feel like you didn't know about a public meeting topic, street repair on your block or the local dog park going in across the street?

Sign-up for the  City of Albany’s E-Notification system  and get information and updates going on Around Your Block.