Weekly Message ~ September 2021
THIS WEEK'S TOPICS
Business News
-COVID Rent Relief
-Small Business COVID-19 Relief
Around Menlo Park
-Rail Safety & Suicide Prevention
-Mental Wellbeing of SMC Youth
Members at Work
-Tour de Menlo 2021
-Small Business Tax Secrets
Business News
Don't Miss Your Chance to Apply for COVID Rent Relief
The State's eviction moratorium has protected Californians from evictions due to lost income. This moratorium is scheduled to end on September 30th, but those who have applied for federal rental assistance cannot be evicted for six months.

If you are behind on your rent, the COVID-19 Rent Relief Program provides financial assistance for income-eligible renters and their landlords who have been impacted by COVID-19 and have past due rent, aid is available for unpaid rent dating back to April 1, 2020.

Many people don't realize they are eligible. Assistance is also available for unpaid utility payments dating back to April 1, 2020, or for future utility payments, which will both be compensated at 100% of cost, limited to a total of 12 months, and paid directly to the utility provider.

California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program Round 8 - Deadline is Tomorrow
The California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program launched its latest round of grants and it will be open for nonprofit cultural institutions. Eligible grants ranges from $5,000 – $25,000.

  • Eligible nonprofit cultural institutions must complete a new application even if they already applied in Rounds 1,2, 5, or 6.
  • Nonprofit cultural institutions that applied in Round 4 do not need to re-apply.
  • Grants will only be available to nonprofit cultural institutions that did not receive funding in any previous rounds.
  • Grants will be prioritized based on the documented percentage revenue declines based on a reporting period comparing Q2 and Q3 of 2020 versus Q2 and Q3 of 2019.

The deadline to apply is on Wednesday, September 8th.

Around Menlo Park
Caltrain Board Proclaims September Rail Safety & Suicide Prevention Month
In honor of Rail Safety and Suicide Prevention Month, Caltrain will be promoting agency-created rail safety videos, in addition to promoting rail safety and suicide prevention messaging on our various social media platforms throughout the month, using #CaltrainSafe and #railsafety. The railroad has historically collaborated with suicide prevention agencies to prevent intentional deaths on the rails by posting crisis hotline signage at points all along the corridor and partnering with local behavioral and mental health organizations.

On Friday, September 17, at 10 am, Caltrain will host a ribbon-cutting event at the new Hillsdale Caltrain Station to celebrate the completion of the 25th Avenue Grade Separation Project in San Mateo.

The project separates the train tracks from the road at East 25th Avenue, between El Camino Real and South Delaware Street, while creating new east-west connections at 28th and 31st Avenues. This eliminates the risk of pedestrians and vehicles accessing the tracks and prevents traffic bottlenecks at grade crossings. Studies have shown that separating train tracks from roads is the most effective way to prevent people from getting struck and killed by locomotives.

Supporting Mental Wellbeing of San Mateo Youth
In recognition of Suicide Awareness Month, this event will be taking a look at the challenges facing the mental wellness of local youth, and what we might be able to do to help.

The guests from the San Mateo County Office of Education and StarVista will share the issues, and some steps toward a hopeful future.

Explore:
  • Challenges facing the mental wellness of San Mateo County youth
  • Supports in place for schools and communities
  • What we can all do to lift the voices of our youth

Wednesday, September 15, 6 to 7 pm

Members at Work
Plan Now to Ride Tour de Menlo!
Plan now to ride Tour de Menlo, which offers three Peninsula routes for cyclists of all abilities. The three routes – 35 mile, 43 mile, and 63 mile – all offer plenty of SAG support for those who need it.

Due to post-COVID planning needs, this year’s ride begins at a new location, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 1105 Valparaiso Ave. in Menlo Park, where there will be ample parking, restrooms, registration, and support.

The ride is an annual fundraiser of the Rotary Club of Menlo Park and is supported by a host of generous individual and corporate sponsors. All proceeds support:

  • $228,000 to The Rotary Club of Menlo Park’s Scholarship and Academic Awards Program, which for 36 years has provided needs-based college scholarships for local high school graduates,
  • $90,000 in total Grants to local community based philanthropic organizations, and
  • $10,000 contribution to The Almanac's Holiday Fund, which supports 10 local nonprofits such as Second Harvest Food Bank, Life Moves, and St. Anthony’s Dining Room.

Small Business Tax Secrets - Online Event
Tax planning is something that should be done for any business before the year is over. When it’s time to prepare taxes in the Spring, it’s usually too late to implement most strategies for the prior year.

Although there are literally hundreds of tax-saving strategies, this workshop will cover the following seven topics:

  1. Maximize business deductions
  2. Use a business entity to reduce taxes
  3. Home office: red flag or one of the best deductions?
  4. Maximize your automotive and business travel expenses
  5. Loophole to deduct your child’s college expenses or support your parents
  6. Deduct vacation travel – the right way
  7. Build wealth the tax-advantaged way

Wednesday, September 8, 10 to 11 am
Menlo Park Chamber of Commerce | (650) 325-2818 | menloparkchamber.com