City of Palo Alto Uplift Local News - February 9, 2023

Government and Politics

February 10, 2023

What's New
Coronavirus Report
In The Public Interest: High Gas Utility Bills
What to Do with Your Sandbags (hint: keep them!)
Ways to Love Our Palo Alto Community for Valentine’s Month & Beyond
Weekly City Manager Updates: February 6, 2023

Coronavirus Report

For national and statewide COVID-19 data, visit the?CDC’s data dashboard and the California data dashboard. Santa Clara County continues to update cases more frequently: on February 1, Santa Clara County reported a 7-day rolling average of 167 new cases.

COVID-19 Vaccine Added to the CDC Immunization Schedule

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated their immunization schedules today to include the COVID-19 vaccine for children and adults. Based on a recommendation by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, the COVID-19 vaccine is now included in the list of routine vaccines that the public should receive when they are due. Find more about vaccine schedules here.

Citywide Updates

In The Public Interest: High Gas Utility Bills

A new community message answers four critical community questions on the recent spike in gas utility bills. Dean Batchelor, Utilities Director notes that, “The recent spikes in gas prices are the highest I’ve seen in my 30-year career managing public utilities. While it may help some to know that almost every utility in California experienced the same increases, I acknowledge that these high costs are of great concern to our residents.” Read the latest including forecasts on when relief will arrive for customers.

What to Do with Your Sandbags (hint: keep them for now!)

If you obtained sandbags for the storms this winter and are not sure what to do with them now, our first tip is to keep them. Store them in your basement, garage, side yard throughout the rest of the rain season. If you’re interested in reusing your sandbags once the rainy season is over, you can add clean sand to soil in flower beds or as a base for pavers, and more. Note that sandbags that have been in contact with flood water should not be reused. The City will begin collection of used sandbags at each of the four sandbag stations on Tuesday, February 14. Residents may also dispose of one or two sandbags each week in your black garbage container. For more on how to reuse clean sand and disposal of used sandbags, go here.

Ways to Love Our Palo Alto Community for Valentine’s Month & Beyond

With Valentine’s Day approaching, we are taking the day of love and Valentine’s Month, as an opportunity to share and inspire fun, love and connectedness. Come together at local events. Get outside with your family and friends. Visit a new restaurant or favorite retail shop. Volunteer. There are so many ways to show your love of our community and get so much back in return! Check out these love-inspired ideas, then share your experiences with us by following us and tagging your photos and videos on Instagram with #LovePaloAlto.

Weekly City Manager Updates: February 6, 2023

City Manager Ed Shikada continues to share brief updates at each Council meeting, and his comments are summarized through our Palo Alto Connect series to catch up on City issues and gain the latest news. This week, City Manager Shikada shared updates on Santa Clara County closing its mass COVID-19 testing and vaccinations locations, high gas utility bills, Charleston/Arastradero corridor construction status, and upcoming notable Council items such as the mid-year budget review, permanent parklet program, e-bikes in parks and open spaces, and more. Read the update here.

Be Well

Stress Less on Valentine's Day: Financial problems are the third leading cause of stress in relationships. Rising inflation and increased costs add to the stress of buying Valentine’s Day gifts. Consider finding more personalized or individualized ways to show your love for your partner, things that would not be as quantifiable in monetary terms but rather would be emotionally impactful and resonant with your partner or date.

Lifestyle Changes for Heart Health: The American Heart Association sponsors American Heart Month in February to raise awareness about heart health. This week we share ten diet and lifestyle changes aimed at bolstering heart health, courtesy of VeryWellFit.

Heart Healthy Eating: We know a Mediterranean diet can help with heart health and combat inflammation through its focus on whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans, herbs, spices, nuts, and olive oil. After a study in November 2020 in Heart, a “green Mediterranean diet” became differentiated from the standard Mediterranean diet. The green Mediterranean diet avoids red and processed meat entirely and incorporates three daily dietary components. Read about that here.

Family Resources

Craft Against the Machine! Anti-Valentine’s Day Pop Up for Teens:?Sick of the love-sick vibes? Soured on the sweethearts? Come rage against it all by sharing in crafts and delicious treats at our teen room pop-up! Stop by Mitchell Park Library on February 14 from 4–5 p.m.

Virtual Step into Teaching: Hosted by the Santa Clara County Office of Education, Step into Teaching: Opportunities in Silicon Valley Public Schools will help you learn about and prepare for a teaching career. Find out what’s required to become a teacher, how to navigate the credentialing process, information about compensation, retirement, and financial aid on Saturday, February 11 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Register to join the free event here.

EcoCenter Artist Reception and Exhibit: Visit the EcoCenter for an artist reception of photography by Salvatore Ventura. Meet the artist and see their artwork on display on Saturday, February 11 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Learn more about the artist and find directions to the EcoCenter. The exhibit will be up through April 3, 2023.

Valentine’s Reading Lists for Youth: Hey Teens! Spending Valentine’s Day alone this year or looking for that perfect next book to read? Fear not — the Library curated a special reading list just for you to help?rediscover your faith in romance. We’ve also got you covered if you are spending Valentine’s evening?reading and snuggling?with your littles.

Careers & Calendar

Join the Conversation & Connect

Rescheduled: Council Priority Objectives Discussion

February 13 @ 3:30 p.m.

Spend Valentine's Day at the Zoo

Febraury 14

Teen Movie Night: Black Panther

February 16 @ 6 p.m.

Block Preparedness Coordinator Certification

February 18 @ 1 p.m.

King Artist Residency: Project Celebration

February 24 @ 4 p.m.