Weekly Message ~ October 2020
Business News
Local County Health Officials Offer Guidance: How to Celebrate Halloween and Día de Los Muertos Safely
Bay Area health officials remind residents that many commonly celebrated Halloween and Día de Los Muertos activities carry high risk for spreading COVID-19. Focusing on decorations, limiting activities to the people you live with, and virtual costume parties or contests will help keep our communities safe this season, especially our children. Together, we all need to do as much as we can to protect ourselves and those around us.

For instance, trick-or-treating is a high-risk activity, because it increases contact with people outside of your household who may not be as careful about COVID-19 prevention. Parties are high-risk, because mixing among people who don’t live in the same home introduces more opportunities for the virus to pass from one person to another. Bay Area contact tracing has shown that gathering and mixing are key contributors to infection.

These holidays are no different from the rest of the year when it comes to reducing the spread of COVID-19. Stay home if you feel sick or have come into close contact with someone who has COVID-19; wear a face covering whenever you leave home; and keep your distance from others (even relatives) who don’t live in your household. Remember that being outside is safer than being inside, especially in combination with face covering and keeping your distance. Consider using a themed cloth mask, as a costume mask is not a substitute. Avoid wearing a costume mask over a protective cloth mask because it can be dangerous if the costume mask makes it hard to breathe.

Read the Full Press Release for more tips on how to reduce risk while celebrating Halloween and Día de Los Muertos.
Menlo Park is Taking Applications for Grants to Support Local Nonprofit Agencies
The City of Menlo Park invites organizations to submit proposals for the Community Funding Grant Program. This grant will provide financial support to local nonprofit agencies whose programs respond to the human service needs of Menlo Park residents.

Grant details:
  • The funding will help subsidize any recipient agency and not be the sole support of any organization
  • All recipients of the grant will enter into a contractual agreement with the City that will have specific objectives
  • Grant recipients must fully use all funds by June 30, 2021
  • A City Council subcommittee will review all applications.

Complete the application online by 5 pm, Friday, November 13, 2020.
Find Out Where You Can Drop Off Your Voter Ballot
Here is a list of where you can drop off your voter ballot in Menlo Park, Atherton, Portola Valley, and Woodisde. Face masks, six feet of distance and hand sanitization is required. Ballots can be tracked at Where’s My Ballot?.

Menlo Park

There are two outdoor drop box locations which will accessible though 8:00 pm on Election Day, November 3:
Menlo Park City Hall (701 Laurel St.)
Onetta Harris Community Center (100 Terminal Ave.)

Three in-person vote centers open on Oct. 31 through Election Day:
Arrillaga Family Recreation Center Sequoia Room (700 Alma St.)
Onetta Harris Community Center, Multipurpose Room (100 Terminal Ave.)
Residence Inn, Menlo Atherton Room (555 Glenwood Ave.)

Contact Menlo Park’s City Clerk is Judi Herren if you have questions.

Atherton

There is a drop box located at:
Atherton City Hall (150 Watkins Ave), on weekdays through Oct. 23, open  from 8:00 am to noon. The hours expand to 5:00 pm from Oct. 26 to Nov. 3.

You can vote in person at:
El Camino Hall at Menlo College (1000 El Camino Real) beginning Oct. 31.

Atherton’s Deputy City Manager/City Clerk Anthony Suber can be contacted with questions.

Portola Valley

There is an outdoor drop box location at:
Portola Valley Town Hall (765 Portola Road)

From Oct. 31 through Election Day, in-person voting is available at:
Portola Valley Town Center, Community Hall (765 Portola Road)

Contact Town Clerk Sharon Hanlon with questions.

Woodside

There is an outdoor drop box location at:
Woodside Town Hall (2955 Woodside Road)

From Oct. 31 through Election Day, in-person voting is available at:
Woodside Village Church (3154 Woodside Road)

Contact Town Clerk Jennifer Li with questions.
Deadline Extended for Small Property Owner Assistance Program
The Small Residential Property Owner Program application period has been extended to Friday, November 6.

"Eligible property owners in San Mateo County may apply for up to $7,500 in claimed losses and may receive direct cash grants up to $6,000 per unit for up to ten units per applicant."

Annual Passion to Profit Conference
Passion to Profit strives to help small businesses grow and thrive through their annual conference.

This year Passion to Profit will be offering a virtual event, featuring workshops, breakout sessions, panel speakers and an online marketplace.

Thursday, October 29, 2020
6 to 8:30 pm

Around Menlo Park
Health & Aging Education Day
Join the Rotary Club of Foster City, along with presenting sponsor Silverado Memory Care and Hospice, as we enjoy a day of education and virtual presentations by some of the leading experts on topics that impact health and aging.

Presentations:
  • "Diabetes Care in the Older Adult" - Dr. Marina Brasina, Endocrinologist, Stanford
  • "Treating Depression in Geriatrics" - Dr. Grace Nadolny, Geriatric Psychiatrist
  • "Dementia vs. Aging Brain: How Can We Prevent Dementia?" - Dr. Mehrdad Ayati, Geriatrician
  • "Movement and Mobility: A Positive Impact On The 3D's" - Geoffrey Fong, MPT
  • "The Seven Super Foods For Healthy Aging" - Deanne Belcher, RN
  • "Protecting Your Good Life" - Joyce Cave, MBA
  • "Legal Challenges Facing Seniors Today" - Mark Watson, ESQ

Friday, October 30, 2020
9 am to 2:30 pm
Virtual Event - Register Online
Halloween Hoopla is Going Virtual This Year!
Enjoy a live zoom event this Friday, October 30 from 4 to 6 pm with lots of family fun, including:

  • Crafts
  • Jeremy the Juggler
  • Magical Nathaniel
  • A costume contest
  • Spooky storytelling
  • And more!

Costumes are encouraged! Event registration is required- Register online!

Please note that we will be distributing a craft kit/goodie bag prior to the event for use during event. Pick up your craft kits at:
 
  • Menlo Park Senior Center or Main Library curbside pickup
  • Oct. 27 and Oct. 29, from Noon to 4 pm

If you would like your kits mailed please email Mayra Lombera.

Outdoor Dining Returns to Flea Street
Flea Street has been a Silicon Valley favorite since 1980. The atmosphere is contemporary, sophisticated and inviting. The menu is a celebration of the rich Northern California food community: seafood is caught in the nearby Pacific, produce is carefully sourced from local farms, meat is grass-fed or pasture-raised to name just a few. Flea Street offers innovative yet approachable cuisine that showcases the very best of the season.

Now Flea Street is open for outdoor dining! Their deck is covered, cozy, and heated. It's walk-in only, and space is limited!

Enjoy appetizers, cocktails, and wine from Wednesday to Sunday. The deck opens at 4:30 pm!

Flea Street Cafe
3607 Alameda de las Pulgas, Menlo Park

Members at Work
Amici's October Deal
20% OFF Items of the Month at Amici's East Coast Pizzeria!

Enjoy 20% off Amici's items of the month:
Amici's Combo Pizza & Antipasto Salad

Offer valid on pick-up & delivery orders during the month of
March via amicis.com or mobile app. Use  'OCT20'  at checkout.

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