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This only happens once a year! Join San Mateo Mayor Rick Bonilla for the 2022 State of the City Wednesday, Jan. 26 at 6 p.m. on Zoom. RSVP online
A lot has changed throughout the pandemic, and we’re reflecting on our accomplishments and the work ahead. Learn about our response to the pandemic, recent infrastructure improvements, and how you can stay engaged in your community over the coming year. Join Mayor Bonilla for his presentation: “San Mateo: a Sustainable, Healthy and Equitable Future.”
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Sharing History Through Library ProgramsOur Library staff are so creative thinking about new ways to engage community members of all ages. This year, our Library Children’s Division is offering a service-oriented program for 1st-3rd graders called “Maker Wednesdays: Pay It Forward.” This program explores different ways kids can uplift and give back to their environment and community.
February is Black History Month – an important time to learn and reflect. In January, the Children’s Division launched the first Pay It Forward session and program participants created hand drawn mini portraits of black heroes, bundled with an exciting fact about that hero’s life. These artistic creations were placed inside the pockets of a DIY advent calendar that was donated to the San Mateo Senior Center. Seniors will be able to uncover a different black hero each day during Black History Month and enjoy the delightfully adorable artwork of our littlest library members.
Next month, Maker Wednesdays: Pay It Forward is partnering with the local SPCA to make valentines for different animals in the shelter. Learn more about our educational and enrichment programs at www.cityofsanmateo.org/library
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3 Alternatives for San Mateo’s FutureIf you care about things like transportation, growth, housing, the environment and your community – then don't miss this opportunity to help guide our future!
We’re returning to the community for feedback on our Strive San Mateo General Plan Update with an upcoming virtual workshop and online survey. We listened to the community to develop these different ways we can plan for how our city will look, feel and change over the next 20 years.
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Housing Element Study Session – City Council & Planning CommissionThe City Council and Planning Commission will host a joint study session Monday, Feb. 7 to discuss our Housing Element update and long-range plans to prepare for future growth. The state requires cities to plan for future growth, and San Mateo must show it can accommodate thousands of new homes in the next 8 years as part of our share of the regional housing needs assessment.
The plan will include an overview of housing policies and programs as well as identify locations that can accommodate the future growth of housing. We’ve been collecting public feedback and the upcoming meeting is another opportunity to share your thoughts with city leaders. The meeting begins 7 p.m. on Feb. 7 and the Zoom link and staff report will be posted to the City’s Public Meeting Portal by Feb. 5.
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Got Fitness Goals?Want to keep your New Year’s resolution going throughout 2022? Our Parks & Recreation Department has seasonal activities, fitness classes and programs all year long. Visit our Activity Guide web page to see the latest offerings and find out when you can register for classes. Our winter programming is still going strong, and we’ve even released our spring activity guide. Whether you’ve got a fitness goal, want to learn a new skill, or find an arts program, our Parks & Rec team has something to offer.
Team Up to Clean Up & Neighborhood PrideWe love how our residents take pride in their community! We’re always looking for residents to join our Team Up to Clean Up program.
We recently partnered with residents of the North Central Neighborhood on a clean up around the King Center and over 50 volunteers joined to help remove debris. If you’re interested in joining our efforts to eliminate litter on our streets and waterways, visit www.cityofsanmateo.org/teamuptocleanup.
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Free Film Workshop for Students – Jan. 29Students in grades 4-12 who live or attend school in San Mateo County are invited to learn tips on creating videos at a free Film Workshop offered on Zoom by students in the Burlingame Environmental Club (BEC) of Burlingame High School from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 29, via Zoom.
Sponsored by the Citizens Environmental Council (CEC), the workshop is intended for students who plan to enter environmental videos in the 5th Annual CEC Student Film Fest offered by CEC and BEC. Pre-registration is required at https://www.burlingamefilmfest.com/film-workshop.
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Volunteer in the New YearMany of us start the new year with a resolution. As we get older we often find we have more free time that we would like to use to get more involved in our community and to meet new people. Becoming a volunteer with one of the many wonderful organizations in our city is the perfect way to achieve these goals.
If your place of worship, neighborhood or civic organization does not have an opportunity that fits your talents and interests, check the City’s new Volunteer website. It will connect you with opportunities throughout the City, including the library, senior center, and even the golf course. This information is brought to you by the City of San Mateo Age-Friendly Task Force.
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New Real-Time Parking Signs for Downtown GaragesWe’ve just made finding a parking space easier and faster in our downtown garages! Use the new real-time occupancy signs to see where there are open parking spaces in our garages. Next time you’re downtown, look for the new signs near the entrance of our parking garages to help you quickly choose a floor with open parking. When you drive directly to that floor, you’re helping the planet by reducing your greenhouse gas emissions and keeping San Mateo healthy for all.
Coming Soon! EV Chargers in Main Street GarageElectric vehicle charging in Downtown San Mateo is expanding! We’re installing 12 new electric vehicle level 2 chargers in the basement level of the Main Street Parking Garage that will be publicly accessible. Construction is starting this week and we expect them to be operational within a month. This infrastructure improvement is part of our ongoing efforts to make San Mateo more sustainable and help you reduce your greenhouse gas emissions.
Low-Income Parking Permits Available for DowntownWe have good news! Low-income parking permits are now available at all Downtown City parking garages. Monthly permit fee is $40 for qualifying individuals. Applicants who meet the low-income qualifications can apply for the parking permits online. Find details at www.cityofsanmateo.org/parking.
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Recology Posts News of its Service InterruptionsAre you experiencing garbage collection delays? Last week, Recology posted an update about service impacts due to the Omicron variant. Need to talk to Recology? Due to heavy call volume, the agency is asking for patience and for residents to email RSMC_Notifications@recology.com, or use the “Contact Us” feature on its website.
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New Fire Chief for San MateoKent Thrasher, a trusted leader with more than 30 years of experience in the fire service profession, has been named of Chief of the San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department. Kent Thrasher previously served as interim fire chief and deputy chief before being appointed to the position. Fire Chief Thrasher will continue leading the agency serving San Mateo, Belmont and Foster City. Congratulations to Chief Thrasher! Learn more in a news release.
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Free CERT Training Begins Soon!San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department’s free training for the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is coming up, starting on February 2. Registration is required through www.smcfire.eventbrite.com Through the CERT Course, you’ll learn about personal preparedness at home and at work, how and when to use a fire extinguisher, how to help your community after a disaster, disaster first aid, and more! The training is free, but you must complete all eight (8) meetings to become certified. Space is limited, so register today!
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New Year Safety Tips from SMPDThe start of a new year is a great time to take a few simple steps to protect your home. Here are few tips from the San Mateo Police Department: Replace porch lights and adjust security cameras for optimum coverage Clean up debris around your property and trim shrubs to prevent cover for people to hide Make sure your house number is clearly visible from the street so public safety can find you faster in an emergency Don’t leave cardboard boxes in plain sight Never leave valuables inside cars parked outside, lock your vehicle and consider installing an anti-theft device to protect catalytic convertors - Take inventory of your valuables including make, model, serial number and photo
- Always keep doors and windows locked at night and when you’re away
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Free At-?Home COVID-19 Tests from the Federal Government Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order 4 free at-?home COVID-?19 tests. The tests are completely free and orders will usually ship in 7-12 days. Order your tests online. These tests are rapid antigen at-home tests, not PCR. They can be taken anywhere and give results within 30 minutes (no lab drop-off required). Order your tests now so you have them when you need them.
As of Jan. 15, 2022, the federal government is also now requiring insurance providers to provide at-home-over-the-count COVID-19 tests or or offer reimbursement for most people Contact your insurance provider directly for details. If you need to test now, find testing locations near you by visiting smcgov.org/testing. Additional Helpful Links
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Do you wish you'd known about that event you missed last weekend? Do you ever wonder how you can get involved in decision making in your community? Do you wonder what upcoming construction projects might impact our roads? Make sure to subscribe to our email lists or follow us on social media to learn about what's happening in your community!
Click to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Nextdoor. Visit our social media page for list of all our City accounts.
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