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Holiday Shopping Begins Saturday
Craft Faire Returns to Belmont
Tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 19, over 50 local artists will showcase their unique and amazing hand-made crafts for sale at our Twin Pines Senior and Community Center, the Twin Pines Lodge, and the Twin Pines Manor.
Don't miss the return of this enchanting event where you can support local artists and crafters while buying for your holiday gift list.
For event times, scroll down to our 'Holiday Events' section. See you Saturday.
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Thanksgiving Week Ahead
As we get closer to Thanksgiving, expect a little extra traffic around the area, including folks visiting family and friends and kids enjoying a week off.
Please give yourself plenty of time to get where you need to go, remember to keep an eye out for walkers and bicyclists and, most of all, bring a little extra patience.
Don't forget: our City Hall offices are closed on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 24 and Nov. 25 so our staff can celebrate Thanksgiving with their families. Need to do city business next week, please reach us by Wednesday.
Though our offices are closed, please know that our Belmont Police and Fire emergency services are fully operational.
For emergencies, call 9-1-1. Non-Emerg, Public Works or Parks and Recreation Department emergencies, please call (650) 595-7400.
Reducing food waste this holiday season
By now, you’re probably well into planning and maybe even prepping your Thanksgiving meals. Did you know food waste increases by more than 25 percent during the holiday season? Here are ways to reduce waste during the holidays:
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Plan ahead. Make a grocery list and reconfirm your guest list before shopping. Coordinate dishes with family and guests.
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Avoid disposables. Set the table with glasses, dishes, silverware and cloth napkins. Skip the single-use products.
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Share and reuse leftovers. Ask guests to bring reusable containers to take home leftovers. Enjoy trying new recipes or freeze leftovers for future use.
And remember, please compost any food scraps you can’t eat in your green compost cart. That does not include fats, oils and grease, which are a whole different story …
Disposing of cooking fats, oils and grease
Fats, oil and grease aren’t just highly flammable, they can also do a number on your pipes. Unless you want to spend Thanksgiving evening dealing with plumbing problems, be sure to follow these tips:
- Never put fats, oils or grease down your drain.
- Use your garbage disposal sparingly. Fun fact: these are meant to take care of food scraps that accidentally go down the drain. You aren’t supposed to put food down there intentionally.
- Scrape oil and grease into the trash, NOT into your green compost bin.
- Scrape food scraps into your kitchen caddy or compost bin.
- Do not rely on grease-cutting detergents or hot water to wash away grease.
- Wipe cooking pan residue with a paper towel and throw it in the trash.
LOCAL AWARDS: Nominations Close Soon
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
Community Service Awards 2022
We are so thrilled to recognize the amazing people in our community who are moving the needle to improve our quality of life. The City of Belmont’s Community Service Award is designed to recognize those residents.
Do you know a Belmont resident who has given significant service to the community, supported safety efforts, and fostered connections in their neighborhood?
What about an individual or group who has helped distinguish Belmont as a place for a variety of sports and cultural opportunities for all ages?
Nominate someone you know who is making a difference in Belmont for the 2022 Community Service Award.
Submissions Close Sunday
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Community Service Nominees should exemplify one or more of the following:
Exceptional commitment to volunteerism by helping with a special project and/or ongoing activities;
Unselfish leadership, creativity, cooperation, and hard work in service to others;
Inspiration to others as a role model;
Exemplary leadership in civic activities.
Any individual whose volunteer efforts directly benefit the Belmont community is eligible. We will recognize our 2022 winners in December, submit your nominees today.
Recognizing Beauty in our Community
2022 Nominations Open
We have the most beautiful Peninsula city in the Bay Area and each year we strive to recognize members of our community who help us to look good.
The Beautiful Belmont Awards recognition program is designed to acknowledge individuals, businesses, and community groups who have enhanced the community by making significant exterior improvements to their Belmont properties. Do you have a nominee for 2022?
Submissions Close Sunday
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Eligible improvements include the enhancement, upgrading, reconstruction, or replacement of a property, making it more visually appealing as well as enriching the surrounding neighborhood or district.
Nominations may be submitted by anyone, including the property owner. We hope to recognize 2022 winners in December, don't delay submitting your nominee.
Five-year anniversary of General Plan
Nov. 14, 2022 marked the five-year anniversary of the adoption of our 2035 General Plan, which includes the Belmont Village Specific Plan.
Not familiar with the plans or has it been a while since you were involved in the community meetings? Check out the vision for Belmont in the link below.
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 Meeting Agendas
City Council:
Nov. 22, 2022
7 p.m.
Planning Commission
Dec. 6, 2022
7 p.m.
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Commission Recruitments
Get Involved in Your City
Belmont is currently recruiting for members of the community to serve on a number of Boards and Commissions including the San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control District. Apply Now, deadlines are approaching.
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Coats for Kids - Donation Bin at City Hall Final Day
Belmont, your warm generosity is wonderful. We appreciate all who have donated coats during Recology San Mateo County's annual Coats for Kids Program.
Today, Friday, Nov. 18, is the last day of collection. Belmont's collection bin is in the lobby of City Hall.
City Hall closes at 5 p.m. Friday if you still wish to donate.
At the end of the annual drive for coats, Recology will deliver all the donated coats to local non-profit agencies for distribution to those in need.
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Honoring our Veterans
Thank you to everyone who joined us on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022, to honor our veterans on Veterans Day 2022.
Thank you to our Vice Mayor Tom McCune for leading our remembrance service in the Eric Reed Memorial Grove in Twin Pines Park. Our local Honor Guard, Scouts, and our Belmont Poet Laureate made the event a memorable one.
Mark your calendars for next year's Veterans Memorial Event on Veterans Day. We hope to see you then.
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Community Mental Health Symposium
The Police Department thanks its partners and the Belmont community for participating in this year's Community Mental Health Symposium. Bringing together resources to better provide mental health services and support to the community is key to our collective success.
Want to catch up on the event or hear the message from the symposium? Check it out here:
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Cipriani Dog Park Reminder
Barrett Park off-leash dog hours end on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022. For off-leash activity, please take your dog to Cipriani Dog Park.
Don't forget, Cipriani Dog Park is ONLY the fenced in area of the park and off-leash activity is ONLY permitted in the fenced in dog park. Dogs must remain on-leash when on the grass field or anywhere else in Cipriani Park. Thank you for your cooperation.
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 Belmont Community Learning Center Celebrates 40 Years
Last week, the Belmont Community Learning celebrated 40 years of serving the community.
Boswick the Clown thrilled the kids and adults alike with his fun show which includes magic, juggling, and silly antics. Happy 40th BCLC!
New Recreation Supervisor, Adults and Seniors Division
Parks and Recreation Team Expands
This week, our Parks and Recreation Department announced the addition of Corrie Fuhrman to our team. She will be joining the department as the new Recreation Supervisor, Adult Services.
Corrie brings to Belmont over 15 years of experience in the Parks and Recreation field. Please join us in welcoming Corrie to our city staff.
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Can Your Home Survive a Wildfire?
Fire. It can be a life saver ... or a devastating destroyer.
We have seen how quickly a wildfire can move from a vegetation fire to a residential area. Living in a "city" doesn't guarantee that wildfire embers won't reach your home and neighborhood.
We're here to share what we've learned about fire behavior, and what steps you can take to improve your chances of survival from a wildfire.
Join SMC Fire on Wednesday, Dec. 7 at 6:30 p.m. for a FREE event at the Twin Pines Lodge.
Residents of Belmont, San Mateo, and Foster City - especially those who live near hilly or brush-filled areas - are invited to join us for this free presentation, featuring:
The SMC Fire Department:
- Introduction to the Firewise Program
Landscaping - talk with experts about keeping your property beautiful while improving its fire safety, and drought tolerance.
Home Construction - what steps you can take to make your home more fire resistant.
Insurance - what does, and what should, your fire insurance cover? How to ensure your property is properly covered.
Dress comfortably, and in layers. This event will take place both indoors and out. If stormy weather, the event will move indoors.
 Find all of the events planned from the City of Belmont this holiday season. Bookmark www.Belmont.gov/HolidayEvents or click on the link below. Check back often, we'll add any new City events as they are announced.
 Parents Night Out
Whether you want to get your holiday shopping done early or just want to enjoy a nice night out, this event is for you!
Drop off your child(ren), ages 5-12, on Saturday, Dec. 3, from 6-10 p.m. at Twin Pines Senior and Community Center for a festive evening of dinner and snacks, arts and crafts, games, and a holiday movie.
Parent's will receive discounts to three Belmont restaurants to redeem when dining in on Dec. 3rd.
Santa at the Firehouse and Toy Drive
You are invited to join us on Thursday, Dec. 8, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m., for our annual Santa at the Firehouse and Toy Drive event. This event is completely free and open to all ages. Please bring at least one unwrapped toy for a child in need for entry.
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 Letters to Santa
This holiday season, kids can write a letter to the North Pole and receive a free personalized response in return from Santa himself. What a fun way for kids to practice their writing and mailing skills? Write to Santa before the deadline.
Letters must be dropped off or mailed by Dec. 9, 2022 to:
Santa's Mailbox
Parks and Recreation Department
City of Belmont
30 Twin Pines Lane
Belmont, CA
94002
P.S. Santa needs your assistance. Please make sure that your return address is legible!
Infrastructure Updates This Week
ADA sidewalk progress
This week, our Public Works Streets Division completed the concrete for the ADA sidewalk ramp on Buena Vista Avenue in front of Cipriani School.
You might have seen the crew working on this project and we thank you for your patience and cooperation.
Next up, the team will finish the asphalt around the new ADA ramp and stripe the new handicapped parking stall in the coming weeks.
CORRECTION: in last week's issue, we stated that the project was finishing. That was incorrect. We will post here when the project is completed. We thank you for your understanding and patience.
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Winter Storm Preparation
Help us Reduce Storm Risks
Limit the impacts of flooding
Your help in limiting our city's flood risk during winter storms is vital. Be proactive in preparing now for the winter season to help reduce the impacts of flooding.
Here are some tips on ways you can help minimize property damage:
Clear Leaves From Storm Drains
The changing of seasons from autumn to winter comes littering of tree leaves. We sweep residential streets every other week to remove leaves and debris.
Fallen leaves can make their way down to storm drains, where they gather and block inlets, and create localized flooding. Here are some ways you can help reduce the impact of localized flooding by following these simple steps:
• Move your vehicle from the street the night before your scheduled sweeping day.
• Do not blow yard debris into the roadway or gutter.
• Do not sweep leaves into piles taller than one foot.
• Place branches in the compost bin.
• Trim trees and vegetation back behind the curb, and be sure there is a vertical clearance of 14" over the roadway so the sweeper can clean to the gutter.
If you see a storm drain blocked/covered with leaves, or localized flooding is occurring due to blockage, rake the leaves away (if you are able) and notify Public Works at 650-595-7425.
Clean Property Valley Gutters
Valley gutters lie within a drainage easement, which are established on property plats to provide designated areas for surface run-off from private or public land to culverts and pipes, which empty into San Francisco Bay.
Over time, if they are neglected, storm water exiting broken or blocked gutters could erode these areas, causing instability, creating potential mudslides.
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Employers: Minimum Wage Updates
New Rules Effective in the New Year
Beginning Jan. 1, 2023, all employers of employees who perform at least two (2) hours of work per week within the geographical boundary of Belmont must pay those employees minimum wages of not less than $16.75 per hour.
More information available at www.belmont.gov/minwage
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Did you know?
The City of Belmont's Planning Commission meets every first and third Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers, One Twin Pines Lane, Belmont. Sign up to receive meeting notifications and agendas.
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