Weekly Message ~ June 2020
Business News
The new statement issued Monday, June 15th by San Mateo County Health Officer Dr. Scott Morrow outlines how he and County leadership made the decision to apply for a variance from the state’s current shelter-in-place order so that the county can achieve full alignment with the state’s reopening timeline.

A second wave of the virus is predicted in August. Dr. Morrow stated “You all are now the most important variable in how our future will develop. Follow the key behaviors well, including extensive use of facial coverings, and that will bode well for all of us. Don’t, and our future will be dim. As to a second wave in August, the existence of such a wave and it’s severity is entirely up to you. I believe we can completely avoid a second wave if everyone does their part.”

City Council Meeting Tonight -
Proposed Partial Closing of Santa Cruz Avenue
Everyone is excited that our local businesses can now take a big step forward toward reopening! As we transition to Phase 2 the Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the City of Menlo Park, is working to support all businesses with their reopening activities.

A major step being considered  tonight (Tuesday, June 16th ) by the City Council is the Chamber of Commerce’s  proposed partial closing of Santa Cruz Avenue . View meeting details here .

The attached plan below makes every attempt to address the need for restaurants to expand outside, while respecting businesses, like banks, that prefer the street stays open fronting their business. Not every need is met by this plan but every attempt was made to prepare a plan that supports the reopening of our downtown, making the area festive and inviting for families to frequent your business. The Chamber of Commerce is recommending that with the proposed plan, the City implement any closing of Santa Cruz Avenue with a sunset clause to provide for careful evaluation of the success of this pilot program. To express your comments and opinions about a topic, you can  email the entire City Council.

SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans and Advance Program Reopened to All Eligible Small Businesses and Non-Profits Impacted by COVID-19 Pandemic
To further meet the needs of U.S. small businesses and non-profits, the U.S. Small Business Administration reopened the  Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and EIDL Advance program portal  to all eligible applicants experiencing economic impacts due to COVID-19 on Monday, June 15.

“The SBA is strongly committed to working around the clock, providing dedicated emergency assistance to the small businesses and non-profits that are facing economic disruption due to the COVID-19 impact. With the reopening of the EIDL assistance and EIDL Advance application portal to all new applicants, additional small businesses and non-profits will be able to receive these long-term, low interest loans and emergency grants – reducing the economic impacts for their businesses, employees and communities they support,” said SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza. “Since EIDL assistance due to the pandemic first became available to small businesses located in every state and territory, SBA has worked to provide the greatest amount of emergency economic relief possible. To meet the unprecedented need, the SBA has made numerous improvements to the application and loan closing process, including deploying new technology and automated tools.”

Around Menlo Park
Celebrate Father's Day While Supporting Local Businesses
Father's Day is this  Sunday, June 21 !

Check out  our list of Menlo Park restaurants & businesses  and enjoy outdoor dining or order a nice take-out meal at your favorite restaurant to celebrate Father's Day!

Please email us if your business is open and not on this list!
fathers_day_kids_card.jpg
Community Reads Exit West: Book Discussion
Menlo Park Library is partnering with Kepler's Books and Magazines for a Community Reads @ Home program. We invite you to join us in reading Exit West by Mohsin Hamid, all together in order to connect in this time of isolation and recovery. 

Join us for one of two book discussions about Exit West that will lead up to our virtual author event with Mohsin Hamid.

Thursday, June 18, 7 to 8:30 pm
Online Event: Register Now

Café Sci Presentation: Acupuncture and Related Techniques for the Treatment of Chronic Pain
Due to public health restrictions in light of COVID-19, Café Sci is going virtual for the foreseeable future.

In this online talk, Dr. Jiang-Ti Kong will present a brief history of acupuncture and, relatedly, traditional Chinese medicine before diving into the modern science literature examining pre-clinical and clinical evidence on acupuncture analgesia. She will review the neural mechanisms common to both acupuncture and chronic pain that form the theoretical basis for the application of acupuncture in managing pain; and will provide insight on the practical application of acupuncture and related techniques for pain relief, such as timing, cost and cautions.

Jiang-Ti Kong, MD, is an instructor in Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine at the Stanford Pain Management Center.

Tuesday, June 23, 6 to 7 pm
Stanford Blood Center Livestream Link

Raise a Glass, Quarantine-Style
Stuck mostly at home, professional librarian (and amateur beer enthusiast) Nick Szegda has been pining for the camaraderie and conversation of his local watering hole. Join Nick and special guests for an early evening of beer tasting, trivia and fun. We’ll talk yeast, hops, and glassware, and test your knowledge of literary tipplers.

Want to taste along? We’ll be tasting a flight from Santa Rosa-based Russian River Brewing. The Willows Market in Menlo Park carries our flight.

The Beers
  • Blind Pig 
  • Pliny the Elder
  • She’s So Italian
  • Velvet Glow
  • Intinction 

Friday, June 26, 6 to 7 pm
Virtual Event - Register Online

Members at Work
Celebrate Dad with Refuge Pastrami and Draught Beer!
Happy Father's Day! Celebrate Dad with Refuge pastrami and draught beer this Sunday, June 21st from 12 to 6 pm .

Online ordering for pick up or delivery is available! Draught to-go beer only available through ChowNow and GrubHub.

Check out their website here for updated to-go beer menu and more information!
Amici's Item of the Month!
20% OFF Items of the Month at Amici's East Coast Pizzeria!

Enjoy 20% off Amici's items of the month:
Margherita Pizza & Spinach Salad

Offer valid on pick-up & delivery orders during the month of
March via amicis.com or mobile app. Use    'JUN20'    at checkout.

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