Unveiling of Interactive Art Installation in Downtown

Local artist and integrative healer Amie Tyler of The Integrated Spirit is bringing an interactive Pandemic Healing Art Wall to downtown San Mateo as an opportunity for the community to reflect and share their experiences over the past two years.

Join us for an unveiling ceremony at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 13 at the corner of B Street and Third Avenue to see the new installation, hear stories, and write in chalk on the pop-up art wall!

The pandemic has been an incredibly challenging time for all of us, and this interactive exhibit encourages us to reflect on our individual and collective experiences. The walls will have prompts for people to contemplate like “During the Pandemic: ‘I lost,’ and ‘I’m grateful for…’” Chalk will be available for anyone to write a message while the structure is in place for a month. Join us as we come together as a community.

Learn About Senate Bill 9 – Split Lots & Duplexes

Interested in housing issues here in San Mateo? Join a virtual community workshop to learn about Senate Bill 9 (SB 9) and areas of the new state law where local jurisdictions have discretion. SB 9 mandates local agencies ministerially approve up to two main housing units (i.e. duplexes) and certain subdivisions (i.e. urban lot splits) in single-family zoned areas. Please join us on Tuesday, May 17 from 6-7:30 p.m. for an informational session and to share your thoughts on how you would like to see these types of development projects implemented in your community. Register for the meeting online.

Learn more about SB 9 and how you can get involved in our process to implement this law in the City of San Mateo on our web page.  

Libraries Go Fine-Free

Our San Mateo Public Library has joined its Peninsula Library System partners and other libraries across the United States in becoming fine-free! This means you will no longer be charged fees for the late return of most library items (although we still ask you to adhere to due dates to ensure that items are accessible to other members of the community) and existing fees on accounts will be waived. 

This policy, approved by the San Mateo City Council, is an effort to provide more equitable access to library materials, services, and resources to all members of the community by removing the social inequity that fines can cause.

Library Hours Extended

We love our San Mateo libraries and are excited to welcome you back for extended hours. The Main Library will be open until 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, and there will be expanded morning and evening hours at both Marina and Hillsdale branches. Visit the library's website to learn about the upcoming new schedule. 

San Mateo Police Activities League Fundraiser & Auction

There’s still time to join our Police Activities League’s annual Online Auction & Fundraiser – but hurry, it closes Thursday May 11 at 6 p.m.! Check out our one-of-kind packages at fantastic prices. All proceeds will benefit San Mateo PAL programs, so get your BID in for PAL kids! This fun event is open to everyone. 

Spring & What to do if You Find Wildlife in Need

It’s spring and that means more wildlife is active in our community. If you find a wild animal that may appear orphaned, injured or in distress, please call Peninsula Humane Society at 650-340-7022 for guidance and assistance. If it’s safe to do so, you can also bring the animal directly to PHS at their Center for Compassion located at 1450 Rollins Road in Burlingame 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day. If you find a wild animal in need of care after hours and it’s safe to transport, please bring the animal to After Hours Receiving at the Coyote Point shelter, located at 12 Airport Blvd in San Mateo. Do not give any food, water or medicine – that often does more harm than good. Do not attempt to remove fishing line or something that may be caught or tangled around the animal. For more information, please visit https://phs-spca.org/wildlife/found/

Caltrain Rail Crossing – Temporary Closures Downtown

Caltrain is performing grade crossing cutover and installation work in San Mateo that will require the temporary closures of the railroad crossings at Second Avenue, Fifth Avenue, and Villa Terrace to vehicle and bicycle traffic. The temporary closures are taking place at the railroad crossings at Second Avenue, Fifth Avenue, and Villa Terrance from May 14 at 12:01 a.m. to May 15 at 8 a.m. For questions or comments about the project, call 650-399-9659 or email calmod@caltrain.com.