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The Festival of Lights is Sunday, December 3rd!
We are excited for the upcoming Festival of Lights event, occurring this Sunday, 12/3. The event will occur rain or shine! While the community is welcome to arrive at 5 p.m., festivities will kick off closer to 5:30 p.m. as carolers will begin making their way to Madhouse Coffee for their free holiday favor and song book. At 5:45 p.m. Recreation staff will guide carolers, led by Kathy Wall, down Visitacion toward the holiday tree. As a reminder, Visitacion Ave. will be closed during caroling (5:45 - 6:15 p.m.) and San Francisco Ave. will be closed before and throughout the Festival of Lights event (2 - 8 p.m.).
This year’s event will showcase beautiful, new light-up features and plenty of photo opportunities! Make sure your devices are charged up! The Tree Lighting event will begin as soon as staff and carolers return to Community Park (approximately 6:15 p.m.). The event will feature our Volunteer of the Year presentation, a performance from Club Rec Kinders, as well as a visit from Old Saint Nick himself! Cocoa, hot cider, and cookies will be distributed after the Tree Lighting ceremony. Attendees are then welcome to enjoy the beautifully-lit Community Park, interactive light-up elements, temporary tattoos, as well as information and goodies from our Brisbane Library & our Brisbane Youth Advisory Committee.
Thank you, in advance, to JoeJoe Martin, Erin Becker, John Edmark, Phil Spitler, John Taylor, and LumiGeek. The event is facilitated by Parks and Recreation staff, Parks and Recreation Commission, and with support from Fire, Police, and Public Works teams. We are looking forward to another great event and we hope to see you there!
Update on Upper Visitacion Paving
Striping layout of the upper portion of Visitacion occurred Monday, November 27th. The City's contractor was to return tomorrow to do the actual striping but this last part needed to be delayed per the contractor's schedule. They will be returning likely sometime next week to restripe the centerline, edgelines, crosswalks, parking lines and tick marks, and new bike sharrows (weather permitting). We will keep the community informed via the signboards and social media. Thank you for your continued patience as this work gets completed. For any questions, please call our Public Works Inspector at 415-760-3053.
New Traffic Calming Measures on Bayshore Blvd.
Above is one of two radar speed signs installed in the 3000 block of Bayshore last week as part of a traffic calming program (watch the 10/19 City Council meeting for staff's recommended traffic calming measures on Bayshore Blvd). On Monday, two sets of traffic safety delineators were also installed on southbound Bayshore Blvd. to encourage drivers to slow down on this stretch (the northern set is shown in the photo below). As always, the City encourages everyone to drive safely. During the holidays, please allow for a little extra time (pack a little extra patience) to reach your destination. Thank you.
A Citizen's Note of Appreciation for Public Works Crew Member, Paul Palmieri
Earlier this month, we received a website submission from a resident on the 300 block of Klamath. We shared their comments on the City's social media pages on Thanksgiving Day. The Public Works Buildings and Grounds crew member he was speaking of was Paul Palmieri, who just joined the City last November! We’re grateful for Paul for making such notable contributions to the team so quickly, the resident who took the time to write in this note, and the Brisbane community we get to serve.
We're Hiring in the City of Stars
Revised Winter Hours at the Marina Office
As activity and use of the Marina slows significantly during winter and early spring, winter hours started November 26, 2023 and will end on March 10, 2024; the Marina office will be closed on Sundays. The new office hours will be Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. As always, staff can be reached at 650-583-6975 and via email at harbormaster@brisbaneca.org. After March 10, 2024, the office hours will resume normal 7-day a week operation as they were previously.
Sandbags at City Hall + Winter Weather Tips
The National Weather Service has forecast above-normal precipitation in the Bay Area this winter. To help residents prepare, the County has prepared a simple step-by-step guide to get started. For the latest forecast updates, please visit weather.gov/bayarea.
It may not snow anytime soon again in the Bay Area, but it's definitely gotten chillier. FEMA wants you to make sure your home is Winter Ready with insulation, caulking, & weather stripping! Don't forget to install smoke alarms & carbon monoxide detectors with battery backups. Need more tips? Visit ready.gov/winter-ready or northcountyfire.org.
And speaking of batteries...
Adopt-a-Storm-Drain Program
The Adopt-a-Storm-Drain program is going strong, where residents who have "adopted" the storm drain(s) nearest their property are receiving a free landscape rake as a thank you for keeping their newly-adopted storm drains clear of fallen leaves and debris.
Diwali Celebration Recap by MCTV
Thanks for the over 75 people that joined us at the Library to celebrate Diwali on November 18th. Our Ch. 27, and now Zoom and YouTube Livestream operator MCTV, was also there and captured this footage which they edited and shared over the holiday. We wanted to make sure you saw it:
Take the Age-Friendly Community Survey In-Person at an Upcoming City or Library Event
Be a part of the change...in this case, making sure your city is poised to meet your needs as you grow older! You likely have heard that the City of Brisbane was designated as an Age-Friendly City in June of this year, with the next step being a community-wide AARP survey for residents 45 and older. City and Library staff met to discuss the survey being completed in conjunction with planned Library events. The survey can also be completed at City-planned events, such as the Festival of Lights on 12/3 and Design & Build on 12/6 from 1:30 to 4 p.m. The Brisbane Library will also be tabling at the farmers' market tomorrow from 4 to 5:30 p.m. and will have hard copy surveys available! See all upcoming Brisbane Library events at brisbaneca.org/smcl.
The survey takes about 15-20 minutes to complete and you can start it at brisbaneca.org/aarp. Hard copies of the survey are available at City Hall, the Sunrise Room, and the Library (where completed ones can also be dropped off). The survey will be open through the end of 2023. For more information on how to get involved, contact Nicole Houghton at 415-508-2144 or nhoughton@brisbaneca.org.
San Mateo County History Museum “Free First Fridays” Resumes Friday, December 1st
Not only is admission free the entire day (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.), but two programs are planned for the public without any fees. At 11 a.m., preschool children will be invited to learn about building houses. They will make their own paper cup houses. Then, Museum staff will conduct a reading within its "Living the California Dream" exhibit. Here, the youngsters will hear the story, "Jack’s House." At 2 p.m., museum docents will lead tours of the Museum for adults. The museum is located at 2200 Broadway in Redwood City.
Order Your Holiday Stars Through the Chamber
We've been hearing from more residents interested in getting a wood-frame star. The Brisbane Chamber oversees this much-cherished program in town. Did you know that Golden State Lumber donates the lumber, Brisbane Hardware donates the hardware, Lyon Medical Construction donates their time to pick up the lumber, and Starmaker Bob Wilson donates his time to craft the stars? If you'd like to be a part of this wonderful holiday tradition and hang a Brisbane star from your home or business, please consider making a donation to the Chamber, where the funds will go directly towards supporting their Scholarship Program! See the graphic for the suggested donation, based on star size. Email Madison Davis to place your order!
Get Your Letters to Santa in by Friday, December 8th
Before the Thanksgiving holiday, Public Works helped set out the Letters to Santa mailbox, located just outside of Midtown Market. Write Santa a letter by Friday, December 8th if you'd like to receive a response back... directly from the North Pole, of course!
Brisbane Lions Club Holiday Trees Are Here...Order Yours Now!
Support the Brisbane Lions Club and you support your Brisbane community! Trees are now available for on-site purchase or pick-up, Mondays through Fridays 5 - 7 p.m. and Saturday/Sundays from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Order now or come down to the lot and pick out your tree!
Check Out Parks & Rec's Winter Activity Guide!
The Winter Activity Guide is now available! Check out all the offerings from Brisbane's Parks & Recreation Department. Resident registration opens Tuesday, December 12, with Non-resident registration beginning Tuesday, December 19.
Calling all Brisbane Artists!
If you are interested in showcasing your talent at this year's Artists' Evening of Sharing event, taking place on February 3rd at Mission Blue Center, make sure you contact Beth by December 29th at beth@bethgrossman.com & visit brisbaneca.org/AES2024 for more information.
Mountain Plant Sale at Mission Blue Nursery, Dec. 9
It's planting season! Mission Blue Nursery is having a plant sale on December 9th, from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. For more information, along with the plant sale inventory, go to mountainwatch.org.
Also available at the plant sale will be these endangered butterfly stickers, which feature the artwork of San Bruno Mountain Watch board president, Tera Freedman. They include: Mission Blue, Callippe Silverspot, and San Bruno Elfin.
Anonymous Gun Buyback Event, Dec. 9
The County of San Mateo and its partners are holding an anonymous Gun Buyback event at 400 Harbor Boulevard in Belmont, on Saturday, December 9, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All guns will be accepted, no questions asked - in exchange for cash ranging from $50-$200. This program is funded by a partnership between the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors and the Citizens for a San Mateo County Gun Buyback, a local community group.
BDW's Holiday Arts & Crafts Fair is also Dec. 9th!
From 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Mission Blue Center will be where you can go shop for holiday gifts for yourself and your loved ones. Don't forget to take your picture with Santa and support Silverspot Nursery School.
Marina Lighted Boat Decorating Contest, December 9
And last but not least, we're quickly approaching this year's Lighted Boat Decorating Contest at the Marina!
If you'd like to enter this year's Lighted Boat Decorating Contest, be sure your vessel is lit up by 5 p.m., December 9th as that's when contest judges Harbormaster Andrew Rehberg and Sierra Point Yacht Club Member Michele Salmon will be starting their judging. Prizes will be awarded, so light them up! And if you'd like to enjoy the sight of slips all aglow that evening, be sure to come on by the Bay Trail at Sierra Point!
Polar Bear Plunge at the Community Pool December, 14
Save the Date: The MOB's Holiday Sweet Treat Swap is December 16th
See's Candies Fundraiser for BES PTO
Annual Holiday Food & Gift Distribution - How to Register or Donate!
Could you or someone you know use a little extra support this holiday season? Then make sure to register for this year's Holiday Food and Gift Distribution. Brisbane residents can register in-person at the YMCA Community Resource Center located at 1486 Huntington Ave #100, South San Francisco Monday 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.; Tuesday/Thursday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Registration can also be completed online Monday-Friday 8am-4pm by emailing crc@ymcasf.org or calling (650) 276-4104 x4. Make sure you bring your ID's, proof of your address, and a birth certificate/or school registration or ID card of minors in the household. The day-of the event will be Tuesday, December 19th from 3 - 5 p.m. at Brisbane City Hall.
If you'd like to DONATE non-perishable food or new, unwrapped toys, you can do so now until December 15th by dropping them in the cart found in the lobby of City Hall (50 Park Place) or in the bin located in the Police Department's lobby (147 Valley Dr.)
Brisbane Farmers' Market: Thursdays in the Park, UPDATED HOURS 2-6 P.M.
- Mountain Fresh
- Villanueva Fruits
- Old-Fashioned Kettle Corn
- California Bakeshop
- California's Crêpe
- Hummus Heaven
- James Healey Confections
- Medina Berry Farms
- Amelia's Mexipino Cuisine
- Pasta Rey Artisanal Foods
- Roadside Rotisserie
- The Daisy Refillery
- Cousins Maine Lobster (returning 12/14)
Save the Date: North County Fire Authority's CPR Presentation at Serramonte, December 13th
North County Fire Authority officials will conduct a second Hands Only CPR Presentation at Serramonte Mall's General Courtyard on Wednesday, December 13th at 1 p.m.
Community Health Updates
Order another round of FREE at-home COVID-19 tests this fall on covid.gov/tests via USPS. If you did not order tests this fall, you may place two orders for a total of 8 tests. Need help placing an order? Call 1 (800) 232-0233.
County Health is recommending that everyone who is eligible get the seasonal flu vaccine and the updated COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccines are available from health care providers and local pharmacies. Use MyTurn to find a location near you. Residents without health coverage who need flu or COVID-19 vaccines should contact County Health at (650) 573-2877 or SMCHealth_IZ@smcgov.org for more information.
Masks are optional at all City facilities. City Hall's Public Walk-In Hours are M, Tu, Th: 9-4, W: 9-7, and F: 9-12. View our online services to get city business taken care of from the comfort of home.
San Mateo County and statewide data regarding cases, deaths, positivity, and hospitalizations:
Upcoming Public Meetings
Archived Meeting Videos
City Council Meeting Thursday, November 16, 7:30 p.m.
Did You Know?
Just over 2 years ago, as a senior in high school, Brisbane resident Cassandra Bousquet, along with her fellow Youth Climate Ambassadors and the City of Brisbane, hosted the United Against Climate Change Fair at Brisbane's Community Park. Now, as a second year at Roger Williams University, one of Cassandra's poems make up the newly-released poetry anthology, "Dear Human at the Edge of Time", edited by former San Mateo County Poet Laureate Aileen Cassinetto, Luisa Igloria, and Jeremy Hoffman. This collection of poems addresses the theme of urgency from climate impacts and is available to view at the Brisbane Library as part of the Brisbane Authors Collection section (located next to the History Room), or you can reserve it here on bibliocommons for check-out at the Brisbane Library. Congratulations, Cassandra!
Quote of the week
This concludes our update; we'll be sending out the next Blast on Wednesday, December 6th, in the afternoon. If this email was forwarded to you or you saw it on social media and would like to subscribe, sign up here. As always, please keep connected with us via our website and social media pages. Thanks for reading and staying engaged with us!