Welcome to Monitor Notes, a weekly roundup of news items, event announcements, and updates on past Bay Area Monitor articles.
Propping up Early Voting
Early voting is underway and ballots are bubbling. But with 12 propositions to consider you might be feeling stuck on a few. Clear the block this week by joining an online ballot review with the League of Women Voters of Cupertino-Sunnyvale on October 17 at 2 p.m. or October 19 at 7 p.m., or LWV Marin on October 20 at 6 p.m. and October 21 at 11 a.m. If you’d prefer to focus on a specific proposition, check out the Marin League’s YouTube channel. It’s loaded with videos explaining each measure and what a “yes” or “no” vote means. Do your ballot justice, too, and consider checking out a new resource. LWV California and several community partners created Elect Justice to help voters learn more about candidates — from district attorneys and judges to city council members — shaping local criminal justice systems. After all the decision-making, find official ballot drop-box locations and track when yours has been received and counted.
Rough Ride
How has COVID-19 changed your public transit commute? Seamless Bay Area, Friends of Caltrain, and other groups want to hear what riders are experiencing during the second annual Bay Area Transit Rider Forum on October 15 from 6 to 7 p.m. Comments and feedback will help policymakers, transit professionals, and advocates better understand challenges. One of the key goals is to offer more equitable service going forward for disabled, low-income, and other riders reliant on public transit. RSVP here.
Regional Housing Portfolio
Listen to updates about regional housing policy during a joint meeting of the Association of Bay Area Government’s housing committee and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission on Thursday, October 15 at 4:30 p.m. Staff will outline progress made during Phase 1 of the “expanded regional housing portfolio.” It’s a collaboration between ABAG, MTC, and the recently created Bay Area Housing Finance Authority, whose board held its first meeting in June. Phase 1 focused on planning, development of a business plan, and identifying funding opportunities, among other activities. Phase 2 will shift into securing new revenue for pilot projects. One idea is to create an affordable housing pipeline database. Click here to read about the other proposed pilots and fall’s next steps.
Soak up Green Infrastructure
A discussion about green infrastructure, a landscape design approach that helps improve water quality and reduce flooding, will be flowing during an October 15 Council for Watershed Health symposium from 9 a.m. to noon. Panelists representing city, land use, and water interests will focus on ways to include community members in the green infrastructure design process. In the Bay Area, a “Green Stormwater Spine” project in four cities along the San Pablo Avenue Corridor uses rain gardens, planted curb extensions, special soil mixes, and other improvements. Registration for the symposium is $15.
Get Back to Nature
Seeking inspiration to help close out the week? The Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority is hosting a “Nature Nurtures” online event at noon on October 16. The agency has invited community members who’ve felt healing Santa Clara Valley nature vibes to take part. You’ll hear from a local blogger, wildlife photographer, and author. No matter your age, being outdoors benefits us physically, emotionally, and spiritually. How does it help you feel renewed?
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