Weekly Message ~ July 2020
Business News
COVID-19 Employer Playbook for a Safe Reopening
Through the State of California's COVID-19's  site , the  Employer Playbook for a Safe Reopening  was released last Friday with "...guidance for employers to help them plan and prepare for reopening their business and to support a safe, clean environment for workers and customers. The guidance and links in each section are provided to give employers the tools they need to open safely and mitigate risks associated with COVID-19." 
The City of Menlo Park will resume enforcement of the residential overnight parking ordinance starting Monday, August 3 at 2 am .

Menlo Park suspended enforcement in March 2020 amid the coronavirus crisis, and at the finalization of the budget discussions, the City Council agreed that the overnight parking enforcement program would continue. The resumption of overnight parking enforcement is as a result of complaints and concerns from residents and business owners regarding vehicles occupying parking spots for extended periods, abandoned vehicles and long-term street storage of cars, as well as the increase of crowded streets where annual overnight parking permit holders cannot park their vehicles.

The Menlo Park  overnight parking ordinance  states that the parking of any vehicle is prohibited between the hours of 2 to 5 am on any residential street, or within 300 feet of any residential area in Menlo Park. The parking ordinance is in effect 7 days a week (City observed holidays exempted).

The  Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI)  announced that applications for the  2021 CZI Community Fund  are now being taken. The CZI Community Fund supports local organizations that are leading work to bring increased equity, power, and opportunity to communities in and around Redwood City, where CZI is headquartered. The 2021 CZI Community Fund will focus on organizations supporting the Belle Haven neighborhood of Menlo Park, East Palo Alto, North Fair Oaks, and Redwood City.

The 2021 CZI Community Fund request for applications (RFA) opened on July 20, 2020, at 10 am, and closes on  August 17, 2020, at 4 pm PT . Selected organizations will join the 2021 Community Fund grant partner cohort, receiving a one-time unrestricted or project grant up to $100,000, and the opportunity to participate in a collaborative codesigned capacity building program to support leadership and organizational development.

Applications can be submitted  online here  or by paper application.
Caltrain to Hold Hearing on Closure of Atherton Station
Caltrain will hold a public meeting on the proposed closure of the Atherton Caltrain Station on Wednesday, July 29 . A public hearing will follow at the Board of Director’s meeting on August 6 .

In January of this year, the Town of Atherton tentatively endorsed the closure of Atherton station subject to an Agreement on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two parties. The station’s closure would result in reduced noise and increased safety for Atherton residents. Atherton is in the process of redeveloping its Civic Center, and closing the station would free up additional property for that project.

Public Meeting: Wednesday, July 29, 2020, 5:30 pm
Zoom Link: zoom.us/j/97368870471
 
Public Hearing : Thursday, August 6, 2020, 9 am
Zoom Link: zoom.us/j/95032112562

Prior to the hearing, comments may be sent by completing the online comment form here .
Around Menlo Park
Virtual Event | Votes, Voters And Voting: Get Out the Vote, Campaigning, Elections in the Era of Covid-19
How is California changing the November 2020 election so voting is safe and accessible amid a pandemic? How do we get voters to be engaged and educated during this very unusual COVID campaign season? How do we tailor messaging to inspire communities that typically have low voter turnout? 

The keynote speaker, Jonathan Mehta Stein , Executive Director of Common Cause California , will address the new elections laws and share the latest research on effective messaging for motivating voter participation. UC Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy Professor Larry Magid will then moderate a panel of seasoned campaigners and voter engagement experts as they discuss their experience in past elections and share their thoughts about strategies and tactics for this unprecedented election. 

Thursday, July 30, 10 to 11:30 am
Please  click here  to register for the virtual event and learn more.
Tour de Menlo 2020
The impacts of COVID-19 has impacted our lives in many ways including reducing our opportunities to conduct fund raising events for worthy causes. The Rotary Club of Menlo Park did not want to let COVID-19 eliminate our efforts to raise funds for our Foundation Scholarship fund. Each year the Tour de Menlo Scholarship ride provides a great opportunity for bike riders of all levels to participate in an organized event.

The 2020 Tour de Menlo Scholarship ride is providing a Do It Yourself ride that gives you the opportunity to ride the mapped out rides provided online or create your own in your own area! Riders can register for the DIY ride on theTour de Menlo website . You can register for as little as $25 or $50 or more if you would like an event Tee Shirt and an opportunity to win a gift card. Riders are encouraged to ride some time between September 4-13th

All proceeds go to our Foundation (501(c)3) to help fund our college scholarship for local high school seniors in need of assistance. Sponsorships are also available. 

Culturing Public Spaces, Enriching Community Life
The first Silicon Valley Sculpture fair (SVS) ( www.siliconvalleysculpture.com ) will take place on Menlo College campus in Atherton, September 25-27, 2020 . This outdoor art fair is showcasing 30 sculptures by international, national and local artists. 

All displayed sculptures will be available for sale, with direct placement by the artists (price list upon request). Please inquire by emailing info@artventuresgallery.com .

Members at Work
The Menlo Park Discovery Shop is Refreshed and Open!
We’re excited to welcome back the community to our refreshed Menlo Park Discovery Shop, located at 748 Santa Cruz, Ave, Menlo Park ! Enjoy our bright and airy shop, which has been restocked with fashions for you and your home, including clothing, shoes, accessories, bags, jewelry, artwork, collectibles and other household items. Through July 31, when you donate $25 or $10, receive a 25% or 10% off certificate redeemable on all purchases for 30 days from date of donation.

For more than 30 years, the American Cancer Society has owned and operated the Menlo Park Discovery Shop location, which helps support the fight against cancer through the sale of high-quality, new, and gently used donated merchandise. Lift your spirits and help save lives with the purchase of your next Discovery Shop treasure.

Please stop by, say hello, and see what you discover! Your health and safety are a priority at American Cancer Society, Discovery Shop locations. Wearing your face mask and observing physical distancing protocols will be required while in the shop. New hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm

For more information about the American Cancer Society Discovery Shop enterprise – including volunteer opportunities – please visit cancer.org/discoveryCA.
Menlo Park Chamber of Commerce | (650) 325-2818 |  menloparkchamber.com