Weekly Message ~ July 2021
THIS WEEK'S TOPICS
Business News
-Small Business Impact Awards
-Masks Required in SMC Facilities
-Vaccines or Tests Req for Workers
-3 Grants for Local Businesses
Around Menlo Park
-Online Budget Town Hall Tomorrow
-Glenwood Avenue Closure
-National Night Out 2021
Members at Work
-Start a Small Business in SF
-"Coming Back" Art Exhibit
**Special Note**
If you haven't already, please update your records with Menlo Park Chamber's current address:
671 Oak Grove Avenue, Suite F, Menlo Park, CA 94025
Business News
Small Business Impact Awards
MasterCard & Bank of America want to recognize the contributions of your small business.

Despite big challenges, small businesses like yours thrived in the past year. They want to recognize these contributions to your customers and communities with the 'Small Business Impact Awards': an awards program designed to reward four businesses with $10,000.

They are recognizing small businesses in four distinct award categories, but your business may not fit into just one. When entering, select as many award categories as you feel apply to your business. The submission period ends on Thursday, August 5th. Enter Now!

Masks Required In San Mateo County Facilities As COVID Cases Rise
Face coverings are required at San Mateo County facilities starting Monday, July 26 due to a recent rise in coronavirus cases, county officials said.

The requirement, announced last week, means visitors and county employees will need to wear face coverings at all county offices, clinics, or other public facilities, regardless of vaccination status.

Health officials have expressed concerns about the rise of the delta variant of the coronavirus, which is more contagious than the original version.

CA To Require Vaccines Or Testing For
Health Care, State Workers
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Monday that health care workers and California's 246,000 state employees will be required either to provide proof of vaccination or to submit to COVID-19 testing at least once per week.

Newsom called California's vaccine verification plan the strongest of its kind in the nation. The policy will take effect on August 2 for state workers, and testing will be phased in over the next few weeks. Health care workers and those in congregate facilities must follow suit by August 23.

SMC Board of Supervisors Boosts
Local Businesses Relief
The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors provided a lifeline to struggling local small businesses as part of a $2.8 million COVID-19 relief package.

Supervisors approved three grant programs, one open for any eligible small business and two targeting the food service industry.

  • Micro Food Business Grant Program for food trucks, food carts, and more.
  • Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operators Ordinance, Pilot Program, and Grant Program for home-based chefs.
  • 2021 SMC Strong Small Business Assistance Program for local, small businesses impacted by the pandemic and did not receive prior County, state, or federal relief.

Around Menlo Park
Online Budget Town Hall Tomorrow
State Senator Josh Becker Invites You To An Online Budget Town Hall:
Wednesday, July 28th, 10 to 11 am

A historic budget with absolutely groundbreaking investments in education, homelessness, wildfire preparation, and much more was just passed.

Join Senator Josh Becker and the Chair of the Senate Budget Committee, Nancy Skinner, to learn how it happened and to answer questions from residents like you.

To RSVP or submit a question, please click the link above. The event will live stream at sd13.senate.ca.gov.

Caltrain Electrification Notice:
Glenwood Avenue Closure
On July 27, Caltrain will be performing foundation installation work in Menlo Park that will require a temporary closure of the Glenwood Avenue railroad crossing to vehicle and bicycle traffic. The temporary closure is required due to construction equipment and crews entering and exiting the Caltrain right-of-way at Glenwood Avenue.

From 7:45 pm on July 27 to 5:30 am on July 28 there will be a temporary closure of the Glenwood Avenue railroad crossing. 

Directional signs will direct eastbound vehicle and bicycle traffic to use Encinal Avenue as a detour on the night of the closure and westbound traffic to use Oak Grove Avenue as a detour on the night of the closure. The crosswalks on the north and south side of Glenwood Avenue will remain open for pedestrian traffic during construction.

National Night Out 2021
The 38th Annual National Night Out will take place Tuesday, August 3, in communities and neighborhoods throughout Menlo Park, and the nation. This event gives neighbors an opportunity to join together in a combined effort to:

  • Increase crime prevention and awareness
  • Generate support and participation in local neighborhood watch programs
  • Strengthen the partnership between the community and police
  • Inform criminals that neighborhoods are connected and fighting back

Register Your 2021 National Night Out Block Party

All block parties and events for National Night Out must be registered through the police department. Complete this electronic registration form for your party/event.

For all parties and events that involve street closures, an online special events permit form is required.

Members at Work
How to Start a Small Business in San Francisco
So, you have an idea for a business. Now what?
We can help you decide whether and how to proceed.

This 2-hour workshop will define the steps to start a new small business in the City and County of San Francisco.

You will learn and understand:
  • differences between sole proprietorship, partnership, and a limited liability company. This workshop will not cover C and S corporations.
  • insurance, bonding, licenses, permits, zoning, and the registration process.
  • how to access various free resources available to the small business community in San Francisco. These resources will give you additional guidance in starting and growing your new business.

Saturday, July 31, 9 to 11 am

Coming Back Art Exhibit at Marcela's Village Gallery
COMING BACK at Marcela’s Village Gallery
A Fine Art Exhibition in collaboration with “AV GALLERY”

When: August 2-22, 2021
Where: 888 Santa Cruz Ave, Menlo Park, CA 94025

The artist reception is on Saturday, August 7, from 5 to 7 pm.

Coming back is when you return to a place after a long absence, and you feel grateful to be with people you love, and they love you back.

We are displaying the works of 4 artists, each one with a beautiful art style:
  • Miroslava Lipovec
  • Ray Mendieta
  • Mario Duenas
  • Fernando Escartiz

Menlo Park Chamber of Commerce | (650) 325-2818 | menloparkchamber.com