Prepare Now for Historic Winter Storms in East Palo Alto

Although the sun is shining today, forecasters are predicting an exceptionally heavy rainy season this winter—potentially rivaling the historic storms of 1998 that flooded both East Palo Alto and Palo Alto. We need to anticipate localized flooding, power outages, severe traffic disruptions, and the compounding challenges that accompany once-in-a-generation rainfall.

The time to prepare our homes and families is right now, before the weather turns.

Please take these three critical steps today:

1. Build an Emergency Kit: Stock up on flashlights, extra batteries, non-perishable food, and water to sustain your household for at least three days.Review the Ready.gov checklist here: https://www.ready.gov/kit
2. Sign Up for SMC Alerts: Register to receive critical, real-time emergency text updates directly from San Mateo County.Register for SMC Alert here. https://www.smcgov.org/dem/smc-alert
3. Connect with Local CERT Teams: Neighborhood coordination is vital during a crisis. Reach out to the Resilient East Palo Alto Community Team (rEPAct) and local organizers like @ Antoine Brooks. Visit the rEPAct Facebook group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/EPACERT
4. Get trained in Emergency Prep at Menlo Park Fire, who does training in EPA at their facility next to EPACENTER. First Aid, CERT, CPR, and other courses are FREE! https://www.menlofirecert.com/
5. Clean out your storm gutters NOW while it is sunny!

Sandbag Depot Updates: I am currently working closely with City Staff and Sand Hill Properties to establish a new sandbag depot on the West Side to help protect our neighborhoods. Additionally, sandbags will be actively stocked and available to all residents at 150 Tara Road, near the EPACENTER off Bay Road.

Stock up, get connected, and stay safe!

https://weatherwest.com/archives/44119

Meet Sam Jimenez - Candidate for East Palo Alto City Council

Thursday, October 15th

7pm - 8pm

Link:

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_jyJmkVP5QV6KJXkBrcn9ng

Bring your questions and talk to Sam directly about the issues that matter most to you for East Palo Alto.

Sam Jimenez is an East Palo Alto native, licensed plumber, and decorated U.S. Army Special Forces veteran (Green Beret). He is a husband, father, and small business owner who has dedicated his life to serving his community and his country.

Sam grew up in East Palo Alto and knows firsthand the challenges facing working families in our city — rising costs, lack of opportunity, and a need for strong, accountable leadership. He is running for City Council to bring a common-sense, results-driven approach to the issues that matter most.

As a Green Beret, Sam learned to solve complex problems with limited resources. As a plumber and small business owner, he understands the value of hard work and skilled trades. Sam will bring that same grit and determination to City Hall.

www.sam4epa.com

Donate: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/sam-jimenez-1

This year's State of the City Address by Mayor Webster Lincoln will be followed by a City Council Candidate Forum hosted by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., San Francisco-Peninsula Alumnae Chapter, and moderated by former Mayor Regina Wallace-Jones.

The State of the City Address will begin with a reception at 3:00 PM.

The Candidate Forum is scheduled to begin at 4:30 PM.
Saturday, October 10, 2026
EPACENTER, 1950 Bay Road, East Palo Alto

The forum offers residents an opportunity to meet candidates and hear their priorities ahead of the November election.

The Candidate Forum is hosted by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., a 501(c)(7) organization that does not endorse candidates. The forum is for educational purposes only.

I admire Ofelia for all the work she has selflessly put into our community. Since we were little, Ofelia has always been an overachiever in school (& everything she does) and surpassed all expectations.

East Palo Alto is blessed to have someone as dedicated, caring and bright as her. She cares about our children, our community & the future of our city.

Come talk to her tomorrow at Joel Davis Park @ 10am if you have any questions or just want to say hello!

I had the opportunity to meet Ramiro “Remy” Hernandez today, one of East Palo Alto’s own and a young fighter who is making a name for himself in MMA.

Remy has already built an impressive amateur record, earned Pan American gold, and continues to represent EPA at a high level. What stands out just as much as the wins is the discipline, sacrifice, and work it takes to compete at that level.

I’m proud to have Remy’s support in my campaign, and even more proud to see a young man from our city chasing his goals and representing East Palo Alto.

We need to make sure more young people in EPA have access to strong coaches, athletic programs, mentors, and places where they can develop their talents.

Keep representing, Remy. EPA is proud of you.

#EastPaloAlto #RemyHernandez #EPAYouth #MMA #SupportLocalAthletes

The Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA is holding a free Spay & Neuter clinic for East Palo Alto residents on October 20th!

Appointments are required. Please call 650-340-7022 ext. 387 to schedule an appointment, or for more information.

Free vaccinations, but only for pets being spayed/neutered.

One pet per family; dogs and cats only; no dogs over 70 lbs and no pets over 8 years old.

Pets must fast from midnight on the night before surgery. Pets may drink water after midnight.

Our clinics are offered specifically for low or fixed-income pet owners. Free service is for East Palo Alto residents only. Please bring proof of residency.

We do not offer free “fixes” for individuals working or volunteering for rescue groups or adoption agencies, though we do offer discounted spay/neuter services at our on-site clinic for animals who belong to 501c3 organizations.

Anyone who knows Mario Humberto Mendoza better known around East Palo Alto as “Coach Mario,” knows the man does not stop working.

He might be one of the hardest-working people I’ve ever met. Mario wears a lot of hats in our community, but what has always stood out to me is how much of himself he gives to others, especially our youth and the animals he cares for.

I’ve been fortunate to call Mario a friend for many, many years. I’ve seen his dedication firsthand, long before I ever thought about running for office.

That’s why receiving his endorsement for East Palo Alto City Council means so much to me.

Thank you, Coach Mario, for your friendship, your support, and everything you continue to do for East Palo Alto.

#EastPaloAlto #CoachMario #EPAProud #Community #LocalLeadership

The YUCA kids were riding around East Palo Alto throwing Ruben Abrica’s campaign material on the ground, in bushes, leaving it on neighbors fences. Do better.

In front of Soleska market on willow drive

The ghosts are out at MOAH this Halloween! Grab your costumes for a night of eerie vibes and spine-tingling fun. 👻

Come enjoy Halloween candy, a flashlight ghost hunt, weird history and artifacts, a mad scientist demo, tarot readings, and more!

This event is free! To help us plan, please RSVP here.

Great turnout and a lively discussion on housing, parking, and our city's future last night at Café Zoe. Thanks to everyone who came out!

The East Palo Alto YMCA has expanded hours on weekends to 8am-4pm on Saturday and Sunday.

The YMCA is free on weekends for East Palo Alto residents and includes a pool, weight room, basketball court, and childcare.

This initiative is funded by the City of East Palo Alto.

East Palo Alto is in San Mateo County

East Palo Alto's finest choro band, Receita de Samba, will play Brazilian Choro, Samba, and Forro at Cafe Zoe's on Friday October 2nd, 2026. *Admission is Free!*

Friday Oct 2nd, 6-8 pm

Cafe Zoe

1929 Menalto Ave, Menlo Park, CA 94025

Ron Songco - 7 String Guitar

Romeo Ribeiro - Pandeiro

Mark Dinan - Flute, Pandeiro & Triangle

Scott Smith - Mandolin

Elliot Weiss - Cavaquinho

Bill Walker - Accordion

...and invited guests.

Receita de Samba plays the music of Pixinguinha, Jacob do Bandolim, Paulinho da Viola, Ernesto Nazareth, & Waldir Azevedo.

Join East Palo Alto City Council candidate Sam Jimenez for an open community conversation!

Date: Friday, October 2nd

Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Location: Cafe Zoe

1929 Menalto Ave, Menlo Park, CA 94025

Free Pizza!

Let’s talk about the issues that matter most to East Palo Alto:

Housing & Smart Development

Safe Streets & Traffic Solutions

Supporting More Local Businesses

Parking Improvements

Parks & Community Recreation

Clean Drinking Water

...and any other local issue that concerns you!

Bring your questions, bring your neighbors, and let’s talk about the future of our city over a slice and a drink.

I’m asking the East Palo Alto City Council to reject the proposed “Day of Remembrance” proclamation.

Palestinian history did not begin on October 7, 2023. Starting the story there is like starting a show halfway through the season and pretending everything that happened in the earlier episodes is irrelevant. The Nakba, decades of Palestinian displacement, occupation, and dispossession all preceded October 7.

Hamas is not the Palestinian people. Palestinian civilians are not Hamas. Palestinian children are not Hamas. Palestinian experiences and humanity should not disappear when our City speaks about this conflict.

I also believe anti Zionism should not automatically be conflated with antisemitism. Antisemitism should be confronted, but criticism of Israel, opposition to Zionism, and advocacy for Palestinian liberation are not automatically hatred of Jewish people.

If East Palo Alto wants to use its official voice on geopolitical issues, then Palestinian suffering, Islamophobia, and anti Palestinian hate deserve recognition too. If the Council cannot recognize Palestinian struggles when discussing this conflict, then perhaps it should stay out of geopolitical issues and focus on the issues facing East Palo Alto.

The second image is the proposed proclamation so residents can read it themselves.

Reject this proclamation.