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 Belmont Celebrates National Poetry Month
Earlier this month, our City Council honored National Poetry Month with a proclamation, received by Belmont Poet Laureate Monica Korde. Korde invites the public to immerse themselves in poetry throughout April by enjoying the following Project POETRY 360 initiatives.
Throughout the month, you'll find Decode Poetry signs displayed throughout our park system with QR codes leading to local, multigenerational poetry. This initiative aims to infuse poetry into our shared public spaces through a blend of art and technology. In addition, a new Dear Earth interactive installation is stationed at the Belmont Library this year, inviting visitors to share uplifting personal sentiments or messages directed towards the Earth and centered around the theme "Planet vs. Plastic." At the project’s conclusion, a collective poem will be crafted using all contributed words and messages.
To enjoy live readings by this year's featured poets, Korde also invites the community to a Multigenerational Poetry Reading and Reception in Twin Pines Park on April 21, 2-5 p.m. Mark your calendars and come celebrate the power of poetry in our community!
Distracted Driving Awareness Month Reminders
April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month and a time to put safety in the driver’s seat. The Belmont Police Department will be actively looking for drivers throughout the month who are in violation of the state’s hands-free cell phone law. Under current law, drivers are not allowed to hold a phone or electronic communications device while operating a vehicle, even when stopped at a red light. Read more here.
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Business License Update Survey Concludes
A big thank you to the 120 businesses who participated in our recent Business License Tax Update Survey; your feedback has been critical to our decision-making process.
Currently, many of our smaller businesses carry the burden of a higher tax rate, so we are assessing options and having conversations with the business community to ensure larger businesses pay their fair share and any alternate model is equitable for all businesses.
The survey portion of this update effort is now closed, and the results will be shared with the City Council on Tuesday, April 23, during the study session. Please stay tuned: meeting materials will be sent out the Friday prior.
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CIT Application Deadline Coming Soon
Looking for a summer volunteer program that has a positive impact on your community? Apply for our Counselor in Training (CIT) program! The CIT program is a great way for youth 13-17 years old to gain valuable work experience and develop skills such as leadership, communication, and teamwork. Our CIT’s also get to join in on the Camp SOAR fun by helping lead art projects, cooking crafts, fun camp games, and much more. Apply here before the April 21st deadline.
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Public Meetings
Planning Commission
Tuesday, April 16
7 p.m.
City Council
Tuesday, April 23
Study Session
6:15 p.m.
City Council
Tuesday, April 23
Regular Meeting
7 p.m.
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Mark Your Calendar
Wedding Fair in the Park This Weekend
It’s finally here! Wedding Fair in the Park is this Saturday, April 13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rain or shine, let’s get you married. Meet top wedding professionals in the expo, win raffles, sample food and treats, listen to entertainment, take photos, get crafty with bridal activities, and more at this free event. All facilities and outdoor areas will be open and available for tours, perfect for ceremonies and receptions. Check off everything on your wedding “to-do” list all in one day!
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Bike Safety Day
Join the Belmont Police and the Parks and Recreation Departments at Barrett Community Center on Saturday, April 20, at 10 a.m. for our annual Bike Safety Day. Learn about ebikes on City streets, take a Learn to Ride class, enjoy the kid’s safety area with Belmont PD, and more. This event is free and open to all. Learn the basics of using your bicycle for transportation: the gear, rules of the road, types of bikes, and locking/securing your bike by registering here for the Bike Basics Classroom.
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Cuisines of the World Cooking Class
Join us for an entertaining and informative hands-on cooking class with Chef Steve Cortez on May 9 from 6-7:30 p.m. This class will focus on making birria tacos and cilantro rice. Kitchen safety, proper food handling, and knife skills will also be covered as an integral part of the class. Bring an apron, your favorite chef's knife, and food containers. Get ready to come solo or with friends to join the fun! Register here.
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Infrastructure Insider
Linc Housing Development Update
Linc Housing will develop 37 affordable apartment units on both corners of El Camino Real and Hill Street in the coming years. The currently abandoned structures have recently been demolished in preparation for the development and will be fenced off for up to 1-2 years while the developer works to secure necessary funding to fully finance the project. Belmont is also in the process of designing a HAWK pedestrian signal and crosswalk from the corner of Hill Street to the Caltrain Station. Learn more about the Linc project here.
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Join the Commuter Challenge
Commute.org has launched the 2024 Commuter Challenge, which will be in effect from April 1 to May 31. Commuters in San Mateo County who pledge to take a sustainable mode of transportation to work will have the opportunity to win one of five $250 e-gift cards. Take the pledge here!
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In Our Community
Belmont Library Hosts The Alaya Project
Join the Belmont Library for The Alaya Project performance on Sunday, April 13 from 2-3 p.m. Born in the cultural bastion of Oakland, The Alaya Project explores new textures and perspectives built over two decades of friendship, dialogue, and musical immersion across genres and continents. Learn more.
Sustainable San Mateo County's 25th Annual Auction
More than 100 auction items are now available for bidding on Sustainable San Mateo County's 25th Annual Online Auction site here. Registering for the auction is free and will conclude on April 14 at 5 p.m.
Belmont Youth DEI Combatting Islamophobia and Antisemitism
Join the Belmont Youth for DEI and the Islamic Networks Group on Thursday, April 18, for a presentation on the impacts of Islamophobia & Antisemitism, followed by an open discussion on recent international events and how they have affected lives in Belmont. The event will be held in the Belmont Library Taube Room from 4:15-5:30 p.m. Free and open to all.
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Storm Resources
Find information on self-serve sandbag filling stations, emergency contacts, and more on our Storm Safety page.
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