 Martin Luther King Jr. Contest a Success
Our first-ever Martin Luther King, Jr. Poetry & Essay Contest had an impressive debut with talented Belmont youth from third grade through twelfth grade submitting their creative pieces.
Using their personal experiences and hope for a stronger community, students reflected on Dr. King’s quote “Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.” (Excerpt from Strength to Love, 1963.)
The contest closed Feb. 1, 2023. Finalists will be announced by Feb. 10, 2023. Finalists and their families will be invited to attend the Awards Ceremony hosted by Belmont’s Poet Laureate Monica Korde on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023 at 6 p.m. held in the Twin Pines Manor.
Students will recite their poem or essay for our esteemed panel of judges, including Poet Lois Fried, Mayor Julia Mates and Vice Mayor Davina Hurt.
Thank you to everyone who submitted their entries.
 Great Turnout for Lunar New Year Celebration
Community Honors Chinese Heritage
Thank you, community, for joining us today our second annual Lunar New Year Celebration.
Mayor Mates and City Council hosted a celebration of the Year of the Rabbit including an exquisite performance from West Coast Lion Dance Troupe and a dance from Stepping Stone Enrichment Academy students. Poet Flo Oy Wong joined our Poet Laureate Monica Korde for a poem reading and the crowds were delighted by a Tai Chi demonstration from Master Joan Tay.
The Chinese zodiac for 2023 represents homecoming, with an emphasis on family and friends. According to Year of the Rabbit lore, it's a time to focus on your relationships with others. The rabbit can also be a symbol of fertility, signaling new beginnings and fresh starts.
Thank you everyone who could join us today and Happy Lunar New Year to all.
Lifesavers Needed
Learn CPR and Defibrillator Skills in One Class
For just $55, and you'll learn Basic Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Automated External Defibrillator First Aid in one class. The class is only for those who live or work in Belmont, Foster City, and San Mateo. Class is for adults and teens, ages 12 and up.
Taught by San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department personnel, the one-evening class follows the American Heart Association curriculum.
You'll earn a certification valid for two years. Sign up now, space is limited.
Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023
6 - 8:30 p.m.
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Join the 2023 Community Police Academy
Applications Open -- Classes Start Soon
Sign-ups are now open for the 2023 Community Police Academy. The free training course starts March 1, 2023, for six evening classes that will guide residents through a behind-the-scenes view of your local police department.
Participants will learn the functions, capabilities, limitations, and future plans of the Belmont Police Department. Building trust, transparency, and mutual respect in the community is the goal of the academy.
Participants will gain first-hand knowledge of, including:
- patrol operations
- communications
- evidence collection
- hiring and recruitment
- traffic control
- animal control
- laws of arrest
- search and seizure
- use of force
- investigations
- crime analysis
- police procedures
- ethical issues
These sessions are designed for student interaction. Students will be encouraged to ask questions, perform hands-on activities and provided opportunities for ride-a-longs and sit-a-longs with police officers and dispatchers. Each session will be taught by a member of the Belmont Police Department.
Once basic training is complete, graduates are welcome and encouraged to apply for the department volunteer program and continue to support and assist the department with various community events and activities.
Apply today, space is limited. Or email pdcomaca@belmont.gov for an application form.
Belmont Library Events
"LionDanceME"
Come celebrate Lunar New Year at Belmont Library.
LionDanceME will perform the traditional lion dance. Originally started as a high school club, LionDanceME has quickly expanded, and they have performed at various festivals and celebrations all over the Bay Area. Their colorful and spectacular lions will bring us the joy of this festival and celebrate Lunar New Year with you at our libraries.
Belmont Library
Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023
10:30 – 11 a.m.
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Learn to podcast
Four Week Free Course
“Create Digitally” is a series of in-person workshops for adults that are interested in using digital resources to facilitate creation.
This progressive workshop will teach adults how to write, rehearse, record, edit, and distribute podcasts. Group podcasting activities will be provided to attendees. Each session will allow attendees to get hands-on with materials and equipment used for podcasting. The desired outcome of this podcasting series will be to produce several podcasts for fun.
Starts Feb. 8, 2023
5-7 p.m.
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Next Belmont Talks
Being Earthquake Prepared
Join Dr. Tom Brocher, a former director of the Earthquake Science Center for the U.S. Geological Survey in Menlo Park, to learn about the hazards of earthquakes in Belmont and San Mateo County. This event is open to all ages.
Belmont Library
Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023
6:30 p.m.
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Game Day at the Library
Join us at the Belmont Library Taube Room for an afternoon full of games and fun.
This event is free and open to all ages. Games include Pictionary, Blurt, Wits & Wagers, and many more.
Games are provided by Gator Games.
Belmont Library
Sunday, March 5, 2023
2 p.m.
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Sweetheart Dance - Open to All
In today’s screen-dominated world, how often do parents truly get a chance to untether their kids from the internet and feel that special bond?
In 2020, the traditional fathers-daughters dance was rebranded the “Sweetheart Dance” and is now open to all children ages 5 to 12 and any adult guardian of their choice.
The event boasts a fun night of music and dance, including silly photos photo booth, heart-shaped crafts galore, a chocolate fountain, and Princess Tiana who brings her sing-along magic. Belmont’s very own Dream Dinners is providing appetizers.
Adult Guardian tickets are $30 for Belmont residents or $35 for non-Belmont residents. Children attend for free. Need to add a sibling? Siblings are just $15.
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Movies in the Park 2023 Survey
Choose This Year's Lineup
We're back again for another year of amazing outdoor movie watching fun right here in Belmont, and we'll be hitting the (local) road again to bring movies to YOU in your neighborhood. As we plan our Movies in the Parks 2023 line up, we want to hear from YOU.
Please cast your votes for the movies you want to see by taking our 30-second survey.
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Senior Valentine's Day Social
Register by Feb. 9!
Our Parks and Recreation Department is celebrating Valentine's Day at the Senior Center on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023.
There will be a showing of the movie 'Valentine's Day at 10 a.m. and a social with crafts and desserts at 12:30 p.m.
Attendees are also welcome to sign up for the lunch program, which will serve BBQ chicken to enjoy between the movie and the social (advance sign-up by Feb. 9 required, no exceptions; $6/meal).
This event is for ages 55+. Please RSVP by Feb. 9, 2023 by calling 650-595-7444.
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Seeking New Adult Class Instructors
Are you an art, fitness, dance, or cooking instructor?
Do you have a skill or talent you’re passionate about that you’d like to teach to others?
Our Parks and Recreation Department is looking to add more adult classes to the schedule. If you, or someone you know, is interested in offering a class, please reach out to Recreation Supervisor Corrie Fuhrman at cfuhrman@belmont.gov.
We hope to hear from you.
Free Webinar
Textile Recycling - How-to
RethinkWaste is hosting a webinar about textile recycling, available options in San Mateo County for used and torn clothing, and a showcase of successful repair projects.
Feb. 15, 2023
5:30 p.m.
Online, register in advance.
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LINC Housing Meeting
On Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023 the Planning Commission will hold a meeting to consider a 37-unit affordable housing project on City-owned property on El Camino Real at Hill Street.
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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.
Streets & Traffic Division Updates
Asphalt Improvements
This week's highlighted maintenance improvements saw our team replacing three and a half tons of failed asphalt on 2700 Block of Wemberly Drive and replaced two and a half tons of failed asphalt on Elder Drive around a manhole.
Thanks Public Works!
If you see our team working on your roads, remember to follow their safety signage.
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Change to Parking at 940 Old County Road
This week, we converted the 20-minute parking zone in front of 940 Old County Road to a 4-hour parking zone.
You'll see new signs in place of the previous ones next time you're in the area.
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Adopt a Drain
One Small Step Toward Flooding Prevention
All storm drains in Belmont go directly to Belmont Creek and into San Francisco Bay.
In order to keep them flowing properly and to minimize localized flooding during rain events, protecting our waterways and keeping them clear is key to water pollution prevention and flooding prevention.
Sign up today to Adopt-A-Drain in Belmont.
Mark Your Calendars
Shred Event in April
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