Weekly Message ~ March 2021
THIS WEEK'S TOPICS
Business News
-COVID-19 Rent Relief
-Town Hall with Senator Josh Becker
-Transit to Vaccination Sites
Around Menlo Park
-Caltrain Service Changes
-Sponsor a Scholar Program
Members at Work
-Music at Park James Hotel
-Live Jazz at Bistro Vida
Business News
Need Help Unpaid Rent?

The CA COVID-19 Rent Relief program is designed to help low-income Californians through the payment of unpaid rent to landlords. Funding for this program comes from the $2.6 billion in federal rental assistance.

This program will provide financial assistance for rent and utility bills – including past-due water utility bills – for renters who have been financially impacted by the pandemic. If your income has been affected by COVID-19, you rent your apartment or home, and you are behind on your Cal Water and/or other utility bills, you may be eligible for grant assistance that does not have to be paid back.
Join Senator Becker for a Town Hall Today at 6 PM
"Over one year has passed since this pandemic began. During that time we have faced unimaginable challenges. The people in our district and beyond have risen to the occasion. In doing so, you have shown strength, compassion, and resilience. I am proud to represent our amazing community. We are now moving forward and I’d like to discuss the next steps with you.

I hope you will join me on March 23, for a Town Hall discussion on the current issues facing SD-13 including vaccine distribution, plans to re-open schools, the current legislative session, and much more. I also look forward to answering your questions. The virtual town hall will be held on:

Tuesday, March 23, 6 to 7 pm

To respond and submit questions or comments, please click the link above. We will do our best to answer as many questions as possible during the event. We will follow up with you to respond to any questions that we are not able to answer during the event.

Those who RSVP will receive a link to participate. In addition, the event will be live-streamed at sd13.senate.ca.gov.
 
I look forward to your addressing your concerns and questions.

Sincerely,
Josh Becker
State Senator, 13th District"
SamTrans Joins Bay Area Transit Agencies in Launching Consolidated Vaccine Site Information
SamTrans and Bay Area transit agencies are teaming up to ensure that those individuals who are eligible for the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine can use transit to get to vaccination sites - and can easily learn where and how to do it.

In the latest initiative of the collective Riding Together: Bay Area Healthy Transit Plan the healthytransitplan.com website now includes a list of vaccination sites accessible by public transportation and the current special promotions offered by the agencies serving the sites.

Transit-friendly vaccination sites will help provide equitable access, especially for vulnerable Bay Area communities that have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.
Around Menlo Park
Caltrain Implements Service Changes to Maintain Regional Connections and Improve Service
Starting Monday, March 22, Caltrain will adjust its weekday and weekend timetables to support regional transit connections, part of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission’s (MTC) Blue Ribbon Task Force efforts. The task force was formed in May 2020 to help guide the future of the Bay Area’s public transportation network as the region adjusted to new conditions created by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Caltrain’s service adjustments include the following:
  • Maintaining BART connections at the Millbrae Transit Center to coincide with BART’s upcoming March 22 service changes
  • Increasing weekday service from 68 to 70 trains
  • Improving weekday morning & evening service:
  • Adjusting weekday train departure times to improve schedule reliability
  • Weekend service to/from Tamien station will be modified to meet ridership demand
Rotary Club of Menlo Park
Sponsor a Scholar Program
"For over 20 years, the Rotary Club of Menlo Park has offered need-based scholarships. We have a rigorous review process and currently give to around 15 students annually a 4-year college scholarship. But that is limited due to our available financial resources. In addition, we dedicate some $50,000 to local charities. We normally receive applications from some 40+ high school graduates, all deserving students. Through this new Sponsor a Scholar program we expect to extend the reach of our program.

We currently have 60 active scholarships. We help alleviate the financial hardship of low-income families into meeting the high cost of a college education. We recognize that most of our applicants will have come from families who have not attended college. Our program provides a dedicated Rotary Club volunteer to mentor every student. Through our worldwide Rotary connections, we are able to assist the students in starting their careers."

Members at Work
Music is in the Air!
Mark your calendar and join Park James Hotel for one of these amazing live music performances in the courtyard during dinner at Oak + Violet.

Special room packages are available for April 10th and 24th, so make a night of it!

  • Wine Wednesdays with Wobbly World (Wednesdays in March)
  • Live Jazz with Rick Vandivier (Thursdays in March)
  • The Vinyl Kings with Surreal Neil from Super Diamond (Saturday, April 10th)
  • The Wachhorst Brothers (Saturday, April 24th)

Live Jazz Music at Bistro Vida
There is now live jazz music at Bistro Vida 4 days a week!

Enjoy a meal on the patio while listening to live music. Call 650-462-1686 to make your reservation today.

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