Keeping the Gerstle Park Community Spirit During COVID-19

We hope you’re all surviving okay during these unsettling times. COVID-19 presents different challenges for everyone in the neighborhood---  financial hardship, worrying about your health because you’re on the frontlines, juggling parenting and working, or simply having to stay home when you’re an extrovert. 

Many of us feel helpless, wanting to help, and others are yearning for a way for us to stay connected while we’re confined to our homes. With that as context, we put our heads together and put down some ways to help and stay connected. (If you’re looking for official updates on COVID-19, please visit the city website.) 

Happy Hour + Music Night in Gerstle Park - Livestream with DANNY CLICK 
GPNA hosted livestreams of a local artist -- Danny Click -- on our Youtube page. His style is described as smart, sassy blues-infected country. Because Gerstle Park is home to San Rafael PorchFest we thought this would be a great way for the neighborhood to connect while social distancing. 

This way the neighborhood was able to all enjoy music at the same time while sipping on our beverage of choice as we shelter-in-place. We're looking for more musicians. Email [email protected] if you’re interested in playing. 

Support Local Businesses
One of the many reasons we live in Gerstle Park is our proximity to a vibrant and lively downtown. Let’s do what we can to keep our downtown buzzing. For those with the means, consider pre-paying for a service to help local businesses with their cash-flow this month.

• Restaurants: order takeout or buy a few gift cards
• Hairdresser, manicurist, acupuncturist, housecleaner, etc: consider reaching out and pre-paying for your next service
• Yoga, gym, or workout studio: Pay for a few sessions in advance

Volunteer at a food bank or ExtraFood
A significant percentage of the people who regularly volunteer are older adults and people with chronic illnesses who have been advised to stay home at this time.  If you can, help our most vulnerable neighbors stay healthy by:

• Helping to pack boxes of nonperishable food at food bank warehouses
• Picking up and delivering meals for homebound older adults
• Delivering supplies to assisted living facilities  Sign up here!

Let's all make sure we stay safe, healthy, fed and connected to social services during this community-wide COVID-19 response.

Staying Home? Some fun Things to Do
Board member, Sandi Luna, pulled together a great list of things you can do while you’re homebound. Take a look at the list, and tackle a couple of them. 
Connect with your Friends and Family Online
A Guide to Hanging out Virtually

Spring Clean!
Spring Clean your Kitchen
8 Things you can Spring Clean this Weekend

Cook or Bake
92 Cooking Projects to Keep you Busy
Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake
Browse Food52 Recipes
5 Sheet Pan Dinners

Do Arts and Crafts
30 Easy & Fun Paper Crafts for Kids
Educational Crafts for Kids
5 Online Art Challenges

Read
8 Books by Bay Area Authors
2020 Best Books for Kids
10 Books to Read Right Now

Watch Movies or Stream the Theater
10 Movies Filmed in San Francisco
Perfect Movies to Watch While Stuck at Home
ACT Shows to Stream

Listen to Music or Podcasts
Bay Area Musicians to Stream
7 Podcasts with Lasting Power

Organize!
41 Best Hacks for Organizing a Small Bathroom
Glass Kitchen Storage Ideas
Organize your Refrigerator
99 Pantry Staples

Shop Online Retailers who Donate Proceeds
Home Retailers Donating Profits Right Now

Exercise
Online Yoga, Pilates, Fitness & Meditation Classes
13 Exercises you can do from Bed