What's new

Connect with your community each week with the following updates on COVID-19, City services, events and programs, wellness opportunities, and family resources.

- Coronavirus Report
- Community Update on September 6 Rolling Blackout (Electrical Load Shedding) Following State Energy Emergency Alert
- The Future of Former Fry's Electronics Site at 340 Portage Blog Update
- Hot Weather Safety & Energy Conservation Tips During CAISO Flex Alerts
- Upcoming Art Activities & Opportunities to Connect
- Youth Community Service (YCS) National Day of Service: September 11

Coronavirus Report

As of September 7, the CDC reported a 7-day moving average of 70,488 new cases. On September 6, California reported a 7-day daily average of 7,071 cases. On September 7, Santa Clara County reported a 7-day rolling average of 323 new.

Santa Clara County Now Offering COVID-19 Booster Appointments at all County Vaccination Locations

Yesterday, the County announced that appointments for the new bivalent COVID-19 vaccination booster are available at its mass vaccination locations and local clinics. Following federal recommendations, the County will no longer provide the original booster to those eligible for the bivalent booster, which targets the original strain of the coronavirus as well as the currently dominant Omicron BA.5 variant. Both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are bivalent and should provide a greater level of defense against COVID-19. The Pfizer booster is available for people 12 and older, and the Moderna booster is available to people 18 and older. Those without a primary healthcare provider or who are having difficulty finding an appointment can go through www.sccfreevax.org for an appointment. For more about the new booster, check out this online resource from the Food and Drug Administration.

White House Officials Expect Vaccination Cadence to Be Annual

On Tuesday, September 6 at a White House Briefing, Dr. Anthony Fauci said that in the absence of a dramatically different COVID-19 variant, “we are likely moving towards a path with a vaccination cadence similar to that of the annual influenza vaccine, with annual, updated COVID-19 shots matched to the currently circulating strains for most populations.” Though some vulnerable populations in the community may need more frequent vaccinations, experts predict that an annual vaccine should provide a high level of protection against serious illness. Read the press briefing here.

Take Action if You Test Positive

If you have COVID-19, please stay home and away from others. If you are at high risk for severe illness, talk with your doctor about possible treatment. Per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance, you may end isolation on day 6 or later if you never had symptoms or if you are fever-free for 24 hours and other symptoms have improved. Through day 10, everyone should wear a mask or use two negative antigen tests to decide when to stop wearing a mask and avoid people at high risk of getting very sick. See the CDC’s isolation guidance for more information, including a new Isolation and Exposure calculator.

Community Recovery and City Updates

Community Update on the September 6 Rolling Blackout (Electrical Load Shedding) Following State Energy Emergency Alert

A community update was released about the September 6 rolling electrical outages that impacted Palo Alto and several other electric utilities that are members of the National California Power Agency (NCPA) Joint Powers Agency. Learn more about the mandated power outages to support the statewide electrical grid and ways to receive alerts before these or other types of outages occur. For the full update, go here.

The Future of former Fry’s Electronics Site at 340 Portage Blog Update

On August 1, the City Council held a public study session and prescreening to report on a development framework for 340 Portage Avenue (combined parcel of 14.65-acre site also known as the Fry’s site; addresses include 3201–25 Ash; 200–382 Portage; 335 Portage; 3250 Park; 3040 Park and 270 Lambert). A new blog shares details on the experience of developing this framework from the perspectives of the Council Ad Hoc members, a summary of the proposal, and details on what’s next. Read the blog here.

Hot Weather Safety & Energy Conservation Tips During CAISO Flex Alerts

The National Weather Service Heat Warning and Heat Advisory is effective through Thursday, September 8. Hot weather increases the risk of heat-related health complications such as heat stroke, heat exhaustion, dehydration, hyperthermia, and heat cramps. Those with limited access to cooling, the homeless, the elderly, and children are all at the highest risk. Practice hot weather safety by staying hydrated, wearing light, loose-fitting clothing, and avoiding sun exposure. Palo Alto Libraries serve as cooling centers during regular business hours, and additional Santa Clara County Facilities are also available. Find a full list of local cooling centers as well as hot weather safety tips here. In addition, the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) issued another Statewide Flex Alert today, September 8 from 3 – 10 p.m. as the heat wave persists. By participating in energy-conserving activities, the community can take steps to reduce the strain of the electrical grid and help avoid more serious steps to protect the power grid, including rotating outages. Palo Alto Utilities offers these tips to conserve energy now.

Upcoming Art Activities & Opportunities to Connect

Art is a great way to connect with others in the community and an expressive way to share your unique view of the world. The next Friday Night at the Art Center is on September 23, and is a special celebration of the Fire Transforms exhibition, curated by Rina C. Faletti. Through Beacons of Hope, an Artlift Microgrant project, join a lantern-making workshop with artist Kiana Honarmand that will culminate in a temporary public art installation along Embarcadero Road outside the Art Center. Community members are invited to create colorful paper lanterns on Saturday, October 15 at 1 p.m. or 3 p.m. Participate remotely by following an online tutorial to create and hang a colorful lantern outside your home. The lanterns scattered throughout the City will create a sense of connection, wonder, and curiosity. Find Beacons of Hope and other upcoming artistic opportunities through the Palo Alto Public Art Program here. The Palo Alto Art Center also has drop-in programs for adults to take life drawing and painting, printmaking, collages, and jewelry. Stop by to make art, connect, and learn! Whatever ways you’re connecting together in the community, we hope you’re having fun.

Youth Community Service (YCS) National Day of Service: September 11

This Sunday, Youth Community Service (YCS) invites you to the Mid-Peninsula National Day of Service, “Showing Up For Our Community.” Service opportunities, including 15 service sites and 8 at-home service projects, in East Palo Alto and Palo Alto, support local partner organizations. Community Service hours are available for youth at this City-sponsored event. Learn more and register here.

Be Well

Save a Life, Donate Blood: Give back to the community by donating blood. Stanford Blood Center has an immediate need for all blood types, especially type O+. Blood donors are essential to the health and safety of our community. It’s blood that has already been donated that saves lives at a moment’s notice. In just one hour, you could donate enough blood to help multiple patients at a time they need it most. Please note that walk-in availability may be limited, so donors are encouraged to make an appointment by visiting stanfordbloodcenter.org, the SBC mobile app, or by calling (888) 723-7831.

Help Kids Cope During and After an Emergency: September is National Preparedness Month and a great time to learn tips to get prepared. Often in an emergency, we’re so focused on survival that we forget about the long-term emotional trauma that can occur. Ready.gov offers tips to let kids and teens take an active role in emergency planning and response, which can help them cope better with the long-term effects.

Recipe of the Week: Savor the last of summer squash with this bright, creamy lemon zucchini pasta. The sauce is full of flavor that can also be spread on toast.

Family Resources

Household Hazardous Waste Station Open: Palo Alto residents are invited to dispose of unwanted hazardous household products such as used or expired medications, paints, solvents, cleaners, and more. that contain hazardous substances. Proof of residency is required. Come by Saturdays from 9 – 11 a.m. Visit www.cityofpaloalto.org/hazwaste for HHW Station guidelines, a list of what is accepted, and information about the HHW Reuse Zone.

Re:Maker Fair: Join the Palo Alto City Library this Saturday, September 10 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. for Re:Maker Fair at the Mitchell Park Community Center. This all-ages event features an afternoon of interactive activities and presentations on sustainable technology & home living. Enjoy a Zero Waste chef cooking demonstration, family storytime, crafts for kids, community tables, and more. Additional information is available here.

The Paradise Notebooks: 90 Miles across the Sierra Nevada: On Sunday, September 11, attend a live program at The Foster Museum and hear from authors of The Paradise Notebooks, Richard Nevle and Steven Nightingale, in conversation with John Muir Laws as they share readings and stories of their experiences in the Sierra Nevada. Doors will open at 6:15 p.m. and an author conversation with John Muir Laws followed by Q&A will take place from 7 – 8:30 p.m. Proof of vaccination is required at the door, and masks are required for the live event. Register online.

What can you grow without irrigation? Join the California Native Plant Society on Monday, September 12 from 7 – 8:30 p.m. for a free online presentation about growing native plants that do not need an irrigation system. The webinar is free to attend with registration.

Happy Birds Show: Amazing and colorful parrots will perform over 25 tricks during an exciting bird show on Wednesday, September 14 at 4 p.m. Ed and Julie Cardoza’s macaws, cockatoos, and amazons have been featured on The Tonight Show, Pet Star, and more. The event will take place in the El Palo Alto room of the Mitchell Park Community Center, and is suited for the whole family. Find more information here.

Sign Up for Palo Alto FireMed

Did you know that an emergency ambulance ride can cost between $250-700, even with medical insurance? Save money and get peace of mind during an emergency that you are doing all you can to protect your family, visitors to your home, or employees. A new program for Palo Alto residents and businesses makes sure you are not stuck with a bill during an emergency. Palo Alto FireMed is convenient and cost-effective, covering unlimited ambulance rides within the Palo Alto city limits for a low cost of $8 per household per month. The membership fee is easily added to your monthly City of Palo Alto Utilities bill. Sign up today at www.cityofpaloalto.org/FireMed.

Stay Informed

View all upcoming community events on the City Calendar.

Read the latest Weekly City Manager Blog series. 

Online COVID-19 Resources: 

California's Website for COVID-19 - covid19.ca.gov? 

California Department of Public Health

Santa Clara County Public Health Department

Find a free vaccine clinic near you

Find free COVID-19 testing near you

Resources for those in need of help and support:

Palo Alto FireMed Ambulance Subscription Program 

Looking for a job? The City is hiring! 

Employees working for businesses that are struggling or closed

People who are stressed, anxious, or seeking mental support