Lots of talk has been generated over the past months about how our lives have been permanently changed because of the pandemic, and what the “New Normal” will look like. But if you consider the pandemic as one of the many consequences of climate change, then in many ways the “New Normal” is already here.

Neysa Fligor was sworn in as Los Altos mayor for 2020-2021 Dec. 8. Following are edited remarks made at the city council meeting.

Between work, kids, running errands and trying to relax, I understand it’s hard to find time to practice your family’s emergency preparedness. Although if last year taught us anything, we must make time, because local and national emergencies can affect every part of our daily lives. I’m excited to share that the city is offering additional, convenient resources through this year's Community and Emergency Preparedness Grants (CEPG) program. We hope these resources will help you, your families and neighborhoods be better prepared for emergencies.

Setting up for Thanksgiving was difficult this year. I brought out my late mother-in-law’s harvest-red paisley tablecloth and the bin full of Thanksgiving cornucopias, fake fruit and fold-out turkeys for decorating the table. 

Car commercials, automobile ads, sellathons and four-wheeled dream machines are cramming the airwaves these days with heaps of happy families on the road to nowhere. The avalanche of extras in these new mechanical magic carpets include everything from advanced autonomics to zero-interest payments until 2029.

Editor’s Note: This column was written before outdoor dining was shutdown county-wide Sunday night – but take-away remains open, so give a nod to a lonely wine barrel as you pick up from restaurants downtown this week.