You are here:
Home 
News
Newsletters, News and Current Events
March 11th: Downtown Parking Study Meeting
Anyone interested in parking issues downtown is invited to the second public meeting related to the Downtown Menlo Park Parking Study on Thursday, March 11 at 7:00pm. If you own a business, work, shop, or live in or around downtown Menlo Park, the City would like to hear from you! The meeting will begin with a presentation by the City’s consultant that will include the following:
· Downtown parking issues identified through the parking studies, surveys and business/property owner input
· Key findings related to parking patterns and behaviors
· Discussion of the three Parking Management Plans
The presentation will be followed by a question and answer period. Meeting attendees will then break into groups for their discussion of the Parking Management Plans and subsequent voting for the preferred Parking Management Plan. For more information on this meeting, or details about the Downtown Menlo Park Parking Study, please contact Rene Baile at 650.330.6770 or send an e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with the subject "Downtown Menlo Park Parking Study." The meeting will take place at the Menlo Park Presbyterian Social Hall, 700B Santa Cruz Avenue (enter behind Ace Hardware).
Map Ad Scam: Chamber Map Sales Begin April 5th
Last week, a member of the Chamber reported being solicited by Premier Map Company, a company that claimed to be selling ads for the Menlo Park map produced by the Chamber. Please note that map advertising will only take place between April 5th and April 23rd. All map ad solicitations from the Chamber will come from Carolyn Mosby and Sue Miller. Any invoices related to map ads will include the official Chamber logo, and all checks must be made payable to the Menlo Park Chamber of Commerce. Please click here to view the invoice that was sent by Premier. Note that the invoice is dated prior to April 5th, does not bear the Chamber logo, and requests that checks be made to Premier Map. If you receive a similar invoice, please fax it to the Chamber at 650.325.0920. The Better Business Bureau has been notified that these activities are taking place.Warning: Fictituous Business Name Renewal Scam
A member of the Half Moon Bay Coastside Chamber of Commerce and Visitors’ Bureau was recently duped by a “Fictitious Business Name Renewal” notice, paying $125 to renew their business name when it turns out the company has nothing to do with the San Mateo County business name renewal process. The business owner was not responsible for making a payment to this company. See a sample of the letter here, and note that, in small print at the bottom, it states that they are not a government agency, and that the letter is not a bill, but a ‘solicitation.’Celebrate Spring at the 28th Annual Sidewalk Fine Arts Festival!
The 28th Annual Sidewalk Fine Arts Festival will celebrate spring in downtown Menlo Park on Friday and Saturday, April 16th-17th from 10:00am to 6:00pm and Sunday, April 18th from 10:00am to 5:00pm. This highly anticipated free family event is sponsored by the Menlo Park Chamber of Commerce and will take place outdoors along tree-lined Santa Cruz Avenue off El Camino Real.
Sponsored by the Menlo Park Chamber of Commerce, the 28th Annual Sidewalk Fine Arts Festival will feature an exciting array of original works by 100 artists, including jewelry, photography, ceramics, painting, sculptures and much more. All of the artists will be on hand to visit with patrons, while some will be practicing their craft during the show.
Among this year’s artists is Mendy Marks of San Francisco who creates metal jewelry. Mendy’s jewelry is influenced by the many levels and colors in landscapes. Using anodized aluminum, sterling silver, gold, copper, and brass she layers shapes, colors and textures in her jewelry to create sensual, sculptural earrings, pins, and necklaces. Some elements are patinated, or heat-treated, to give them a more aged, natural look. She then accents the pieces with freshwater pearls and beads made of gemstones and minerals.
Zenon Hipolito of Lathrop, California is a first-class weaver specializing in Zapotec Native Art. Zapotec natives originated in Oaxaca of Teotitalan Del Valle and are one of the country’s largest indigenous groups, dating as far back as the sixteenth century. Zenon will be weaving rugs during the show, where he will be offering many styles, colors and sizes of rugs and pillows. He will also be taking orders for special designs or sizes.
Artist Gabriele Schwibach of Ukiah, California draws upon the inspiration of nature and her home in the country to create her etchings. Using a unique process of painting an acid treatment over wax on zinc plates, she has formed an array of limited edition prints with a series focusing on subject matter such as the Pacific Ocean, the garden and the country. Formerly a computer engineer in Germany, Schwibach moved to California nearly a decade ago to pursue her love of art.
Additional artists participating in the 28th Annual Sidewalk Fine Arts Festival include Locke Heemstra of San Mateo showcasing his photography of images from around the world; Robert Wunce of Santa Cruz featuring his silver jewelry; and Shirley Robles of Danville displaying her whimsical fountains and ceramic sculptures including rabbits and frogs.
For more information, contact the Menlo Park Chamber of Commerce at 650.325.2818 or Pacific Fine Arts at 209.276.4394 or visit www.pacificfinearts.com.
Join us for the 41st Annual Progress Seminar!
Chamber members are invited to attend the 41st Annual Progress Seminar, which brings together business, government, and community leaders for informal discussions about regional issues, and opportunities to meet those issues. The seminar will take place at the Hyatt Regency-Monterey, and is presented by the The Redwood City/San Mateo County Chamber of Commerce, and co-sponsored by the Menlo Park Chamber and other San Mateo County Chambers. Registration is limited to 250 participants. Registration forms are available here. For more information, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .2010 Directory: Verify Your Business Information
Our 2010 Business Directory is about to go to print! The directory is distributed to homes and businesses in Menlo Park, so it is very important that it contains accurate, up-to-date information. Please find your business in the online directory at www.menloparkchamber.com and check that all information listed is correct. Please email any desired changes to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by November 6th.Member Advertising Discount: The Daily News
The Daily News and Menlo Park Chamber of Commerce are partnering to offer chamber members discounted advertising rates in Daily News.20% Discount
Off all advertising placed in the newspaper!
(650) 391-1347
Block Party Testimonials
Business owners and citizens have been sharing stories about how much they enjoy our Downtown Block Party Series! To join the fun this year, sign up to participate, or stop by Santa Cruz Avenue between 6:00pm and 9:30pm June 24 and August 12!
"Participating in last year’s block party resulted in several great new community contacts, both individuals and organizations. We don’t want to miss it this year. Thanks for extending the deadline!"
-Susie Shananhan, Rebuilding Together Peninsula
"Our whole family had a great time participating in last year’s block parties. We networked with other local businesses, and, most importantly, our business was given a boost by meeting new customers. We’re definitely looking forward to more fun and new business from this year’s block parties."
- Julie Breakwell, Business and Home Computer Associates
"I think what I, personally, enjoyed the most, was visiting the booths of organizations like Menlo Fire Dept. and Police Dept. because one does not get a chance to just have a friendly chat with people from those agencies, on a regular basis. When I see them 'out and about' they are busy working, and so I don’t want to disturb or distract them. These events give citizens a chance to talk with them about various issues that may concern us, or just to let them know that we appreciate their service and thank them! I also think it is good for young children to have friendly, low-key encounters with emergency services people (in uniform), so that they come to see them as regular people, and will be less frightened or anxious, if they need their help, some time down the road."
- Marcy Magatelli, The Great Frame Up
"Last year I did get to the August Block Party and enjoyed it a lot. I bumped into quite a few neighbors and enjoyed a beer while listening to a band. I will go to the next ones. Good fun!"
- David Wilkinson, Hallmark Personnel
Downtown Visioning and Planning Process: Phase II, The Specific Plan
The City is working with a consulting firm and a committee of volunteers to provide diverse ideas and opinions to help turn a vision into a plan. Along with new opportunities there are constraints and inherent trade-offs – like traffic/parking and pedestrian space -- when considering a vibrant downtown appropriate for Menlo Park. As a member of the committee I encourage you to get informed, speak out and be heard now.
If you live and/or work in Menlo Park and care about its future this is your chance to make a difference. Come to the April 16th workshop at the MPPC Social Hall, 700B Santa Cruz Avenue (behind Ace Hardware; enter from the back parking lot!) It starts at 7 PM. This workshop is critical for the formulation of alternatives for new buildings, uses and public amenities to be considered at a second workshop scheduled for June 18th. The June 18th workshop will be followed by a workshop on September 17th focusing on a preferred plan for downtown, resulting in a Specific Plan for the area.
That’s it, three meetings to lay the foundation for a detailed plan. Not a lot of time, so don’t get left out of the process!
--Courtesy of Clark Kepler, Oversight Committee
Important Alert Regarding Property Tax Reduction Offers
The San Mateo County Assessor's Office asked the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office to send out the following cautionary note regarding unsolicited property tax reduction offers.
In the past week, San Mateo County property owners have been blanketed with solicitations from private companies that are luring people to spend money to reduce their property taxes. These companies cannot guarantee a reduction in property taxes to anyone. The law establishes which properties are eligible for this property tax relief program known as a "Decline in Value."
Page 1 of 2
