It's convenient to blame Covid for the fall in attendance, but the truth is that the renovations turned a unique, innovative museum into a bland cookie-cutter destination that nobody will remember 5 minutes after they leave. Seconding the post above. Again, this is NOT the deal under which the new facility was built and financed. Blogs When will we hit the performance target of 40,000 hours? 2 Comic . Now, trees along the planting strip are watered late at night by a tanker truckneighborhood trees are not offered this service and are visibly diseased. Also curiouswhy would anyone want to book a wedding reception at a pet zoo? It is time for the PACC to put on their thinking caps (if they happen to have one handy). By Laura Stec | 0 comments | 963 views, Men: Olympic Gold Winner Michael Phelps says, Go to Therapy. According to a new city analysis, the museum's operations are costing the city more than $1.2 million annually. Playhouse Productions: These shows are perfect for kids ages 2-6 and include several opportunities to stand up and wiggle! I agree with her. When/if they start holding the City Manager and staff accountable for poor performance, then maybe. Keep the schools strong, keep the bike lanes safe, keep the Children's Library, keep the Junior Museum and Zoo. Also, as reflected in decisions made in the past, by too many council members." The beautiful garden and lovely collection of media makes this library a must-see for families! This program is eligible to low-income families or families with members who have disabilities. San Francisco Zoo is $16 for kids, The Oakland Zoo is $15 for kids - and do you really think our little museum and zoo is even close to those two? Indeed, when the house is sold to a Stanford person, the county assessor makes up a guess at "fair market value" of the property, an amount that is generally much higher than the purchase price despite the fact that ownership of these houses has serious down sides - appreciation capped at something related to CPI, and a requirement to sell the property back to Stanford after 50 years. Is that politically or economically possible given the huge $$$ and political costs? Updated: Tue, Sep 6, 2022, 9:28 am This light pollution casts shadows across the streets, overwhelming the gentle lighting from the previous facility, and the lofty street lights that protect nighttime activity. Landfill trash cans are left out for Greenwaste recently, these overfilled bins remained for 4 to 5 days on the street. Implementing an increase the capacity of the capacity its in-city electric power distribution system by 3x to 4x present to prevent massive brown- and black-outs as demand increases rapidly in the future as we "go green"? Masks recommended, but no longer required. With revenues falling below expectations, Palo Alto is once again considering hiking ticket prices at the newly rebuilt Junior Museum and Zoo. Weinvite children to playfully explore natural phenomena like gravity, inertia, force, motion, balance, energy, states of matter, electricity, and magnetism. Go visit Curiodyssey if you want to see what PAJMZ could have been. Palo Alto, California is a vibrant city that offers a variety of attractions for all to enjoy! @Bryan Roberts, Sign up to be notified of new comments on this topic. PR MediaRelease Under this new system you may arrive any time after the entry time on your reservation and you are welcome to stay as long as youd like (although we do close the zoo at 4:30pm and the museum promptly at 5pm). The question isdo the exhibits and features of the PA Junior Museum and Zoo warrant the current price of admission? Community centersprovide a space for socializing, accessing resources, and participating in cultural activities. Where will they get the money? A great destination for those with young children; see a variety of animals and participate in interactive educational exhibits. Mobile site. Mountain View Voice Any city official associated with this debacle needs to resign ASAP. Im really sad for our kids and families that it has been turned into a destination they have to reserve ahead of time to get into, playing into the overscheduling of childhood. And while staff had assumed that 80% of the membership would be bought by nonresidents, the proportion ended up at 62%.On Tuesday, the council Finance Committee will consider various scenarios for raising revenues, all of which call for hiking ticket prices. on College Terrace when Stanford is the purchaser. Online name: A correction of a common misconception: Homes that Stanford buys and then resells to faculty do not leave the property tax rolls. ^ And adding someone like the late Jack Hannah as a zoo director and PR specialist would also enhance the venue. And not to mention increasing its access to external power supplies by the same 3x to 4X amount? Again, this is NOT the deal under which the new facility was built and financed. City of Palo Alto (@cityofpaloalto) Instagram photos and videos. Become a member today. Your contribution matters. Go back to what worked.FREE and no reservations. Who among us asked for this? The Almanac To be fair, the public, for its part, is not actively engaging with the city at the level it once did. The Childrens Library is a great place to explore and is sure to inspire your kids love of reading. At the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo, our mission is toengage a childs curiosity for science and nature. Don't miss out Leadership is needed to bring people together--to bring in the public and to guide staff toward greater openness to that engagement. If the demand plummets because tickets prices are too high, the museum will generate lower revenues than it would with tickets in the $10 range. Home & Real Estate View the meerkats from inside the Exhibit hall! The old Junior Museum & Zoo , and other community centers in Palo Alto, used to be inclusive. Meerkat, schmeerkat. Let's go moderate and find solutions to problems such as this one without having to listen to lefty woke people trying to drive a wedge between north and south PA and righty development $$$ only. I too know many Stanford faculty, a number of whom live in these houses not on Stanford land, and I am certain that they pay taxes based on a higher price. The new business tax also exempts a great many businesses who could chip in, and get a medal to hang on their wall we support the Junior museum but that would be too much to ask. The new Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo website launched today, Feb. 3. Activities: The library hosts a variety of fun events for kids and families, including storytimes and music classes. Sure, you can have a policy that low-income people can get reduced rates, but applying is humiliating, time-consuming, and tone deaf to the realities of our area with all the house poor who are too rich to qualify but too poor to actually afford fees like this. Workshops for Youth + Families:The art center regularly offers classes for youth and families. These events are free with admission. Tickets may only be purchased for those living in the same household at the same address. Before joining the Palo Alto Weekly/PaloAltoOnline.com in 2008, he covered breaking news and local politics for the Waterbury Republican-American, a daily newspaper in Connecticut. Members must make reservations for all visits to enter the museum by purchasing $0.00 tickets online AFTER they have purchased their membership. Report an Americans Disabilities Act (ADA) Grievance, Planning and Transportation Commission (PTC), Stormwater Management Oversight Committee, Regional SFO Airport Coordination/Airplane Noise, Charleston / Arastradero Corridor Project, Fiscal Sustainability: A Community Conversation, Sustainability and Climate Action Plan Ad Hoc Committee, Sustainability and Climate Action Plan (S/CAP), City Attorney's Office Frequently Asked Questions, Support Palo Alto Parks, Recreation, and Open Space, Palo Alto Office of Emergency Services: Executive Summary, Flood Information and Winter Storm Preparedness, Neighborhood Petition Request for Traffic Calming, Planning and Development Services Staff Directory, Planning Development & Administration Feedback, Doing Business with the City (Bid Opportunities), Learn About the Citys Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response. @Bryan Roberts - if the business tax passes, the revenue from it will go to the General Fund, making it available to be spent as you suggest. Per status quo CC and highest earning city staff boot kids and families to the curb, crying poor, poor city coffers. We took the tour when it first opened and they wanted to placate the neighbors for the construction disruption and there was hardly enough to see for maybe 30 minutes in the zoo and maybe another 15-30 minutes in the exhibit area. If you want to see wildlife, go to the forest in Tahoe, peel a banana, and wait for the wildlife to come to you. Ridiculous! You can also directly book your discounted online ticket for the Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo here, if available. Came out of a more progressive FDR time, during another Depression era where the benefit of free far out weighed fee based educational programs. All the logic in the world to collect $9 million has not convinced my stomach. Where will they get the money? Now, trees along the planting strip are watered late at night by a tanker truckneighborhood trees are not offered this service and are visibly diseased. Fundraising can be done as needed. Promotions Walk-up tickets are not available. Its not complicated. From the standpoint of arts administration and opening a new facility during the COVID pandemic, I would say the new Junior Museum and Zoo is doing pretty well. Terms of Use How much did the old system of voluntary donations raise? Embarcadero Media Our older Palo Alto neighbors told us that at one time, admission the Palo Alto Junior Museum was free. This philosophy guides everything we do and contributes to the high-quality science education kids experience through JMZ programs. Seconding the post above. With opportunities to see and make art, the Palo Alto Art Center has something for everyone. Citizen speaking the truth. Hes been very supportive of education at the JMZ. Large areas lack any light shading. Give time to your community. Masks recommended, but no longer required. Also, as reflected in decisions made in the past, by too many council members. Admission should be FREE for Palo Alto residents with a nominal entrance fee for non-residents. Keep it no cost to enter and donations gladly accepted! Thank you Jeremy Erman for the background about the Junior Museum pricing model as presented to staff. It used to be a charming little local gem. And then, it got even worse when they made two hour blocks of time. Lemonade Day Tuesday, August 22 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Courtyard. Useful 1 . Why make it complicated ? Yup. Stop wasting it on projects of lesser importance to the future of Palo Alto??? Since the walls initially were raised (during construction, years ago), the facility has kept lights ablaze all night, with shades rarely and partially drawn. With revenues falling below expectations, Palo Alto is once again considering hiking ticket prices at the newly rebuilt Junior Museum and Zoo. I haven't spoken to anyone who has been to visit and putting the prices up will make it even more unlikely to be used. In fact, if you skim the real estate listings, you'll see some incredibly low "sale} prices esp. The cost to enter the museum and zoo should be exactly ZERO. From babyhood through retirees, the community services bond us together. They can also offer a comfortable and safe place to rest or seek assistance in an unfamiliar area. Two hour blocks of time?? Engaging children's curiosity in science and nature! The staff's model suggests that with $18 tickets, the Rinconada Park museum will achieve 85% cost recovery; with $10 tickets, the city would recover just 59% of its costs. " The Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo Family Programs include parent and me" preschool classes and afterschool programs for school-aged kids. Also, as reflected in decisions made in the past, by too many council members. Historically, very active public participation is what made Palo Alto a wonderful city with great schools, parks, libraries, community centers, and beautiful tree-lined streets. While staff had expected to sell 2,000 memberships, the actual number as of June 30 was 2,917. Jul 4, 2023 . Can we PLEASE elect moderate people to the City Council so we can build true consensus and make reasonable decisions based on mutual respect. The business tax though couldn't be more offensive. Contact Us To purchase tickets for the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo, please go . All visitors must purchase their tickets and make their reservations online prior to their visit. TheSixFifty.com Will tourists from out of town actually put the Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo on their 'must see' list? Thank you Jeremy Erman for the background about the Junior Museum pricing model as presented to staff. 46% of the population rent; local billionaires make news but they don't invest in Palo Alto. Their lobbyists not only capped the business tax to $9 million but police and fire may have been a compromise. A trip to PA JMZ with really young children was always valuable to families here as spontaneous drop-in as part of visiting the park and/or library. Members receive free admission plus other benefits for an entire year. Place a Legal Notice Either that or expand the zoo with more exotic attractions to justify charging an entrance fee for all. Rather, it presumes that the museum would continue to see about 185,000 visitors per year, regardless of the ticket price. Get the day's top headlines from Palo Alto Online sent to your inbox in the Express newsletter. This doesn't excuse the mess with the finances of the JMZ or that it's not free for kids. Family Programs The Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo Family Programs include "parent and me" preschool classes and afterschool programs for school-aged kids. From outdoor concerts and movie nights to animal encounters and local festivals, theres something for everyone to enjoy. Please purchase your ticket online prior to arrival. If we want great community services and public schools that meet the real needs of our community, we have to participate in decision-making in an informed and meaningful way. The JMZ is exactly why the city doesn't deserve approval of the Gas Transfer Tax. It's much more exciting seeing wildlife in their natural element. Go visit Curiodyssey if you want to see what PAJMZ could have been. Whether you're in the mood for Asian fusion, Italian cuisine, or farm-to-table fare, you'll find something to satisfy your taste buds here. Check out the following options to discover things to do in Palo Alto! Copyright Marco Zecchin/Image-Center.com. We have some of our birds behind the scenes in response to recent outbreaks of bird flu. I haven't spoken to anyone who has been to visit and putting the prices up will make it even more unlikely to be used. Ecofriedly landscaping was installed around the perimeter. Each time I've tried to go to the zoo, the tickets were all sold out because they limited attendance. @StephenM, Someone else is weeping too down from the Heavens. I don't remember ever having trouble getting in. There is so very little children benefit from the City's offerings (Riconada pool is 9 dollars entrance fee) -- shame on the city for not offsetting the crushing cost of living and give our youngsters no admission fees . Whether rich, poor or in between, Palo Alto's community programs were very inexpensive or free--and nourished all community members equally. The city ended up selling 1.5 times the number of memberships it projected, and is nowcomplaining? MJH wrote: "I suspect that many employees in city hall are under the misconception that if you live in Palo Alto you must have plenty of discretionary income." All visitors must purchase their tickets and make their reservations online prior to their visit. Citizen speaking the truth. I don't understand. Why is the City not proud to fund these organizations it has run for decades and decades? It's where you safely have a toddler playdate (which may only last 30 minutes.) Lobbyists given way more transparency and choices of how to spend than voters, and they can waltz into private negotiations, threatening to campaign against the City's interests. @Bryan Roberts, Hate to say "I told you so" but I did. Obituaries I've been to the new museum; it's really great. The City Manager needs to address the City Council each week AND respond to questions from residents. Their lobbyists not only capped the business tax to $9 million but police and fire may have been a compromise. Other scenarios contemplate ticket prices of $16, $17 and $18.The report does not propose any ticket price increases at this time, though it notes that staff is monitoring the museum's resource needs and that any recommendations about adjustments will be presented to the Council as a part of the city's annual budget process for fiscal year 2024.The idea of setting ticket prices at $18 stirred significant opposition last year, when the council was considering the topic as part of its adoption of the fiscal year 2022 budget. 1451 Middlefield Road The City Council has been pretty vocal about its top priorities for the large-businesses tax (Measure K). It only shows that decisions are being made that are way out of the City's reach. It's now turned into a pretentious state-of-the-art place for the rich which needed an ever-growing bureaucracy like this. With a plethora of family-friendly features, you could probably spend an entire day at Rinconada Park! Another example of Palo Alto gouging young families. Visit The Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo serves children, ages birth to nine, and their caregivers. Interested . Place a Legal Notice Who among us asked for this? Why make it complicated ? Each time I've tried to go to the zoo, the tickets were all sold out because they limited attendance. They would have had better luck increasing the prices to attend the old junior zoo (though I recall that admission was free w/ "suggested donation). Our trained Museum educators offer a wide range of science programs to local schools. The JMZ remains one of many things that continue to depend in part on the Gas Transfer. COUNCIL FINANCE COMMITTEE . For Angelo [the President of Friends of JMZ] and other critics of the city's proposal, that is a fatal flaw. raised $25 million for the museum's reconstruction, Lack of cell coverage is stranding Foothills Nature Preserve visitors, Report urges overhaul of Palo Alto's retail laws, City proposes right-turn-only islands, but no traffic signal, for Lincoln and Middlefield, Environmental Protection Agency invests more than $50M to protect San Francisco Bay, For beleaguered property owner, change of zoning is anything but straightforward. Staff acknowledge in the new report that while raising ticket prices help with cost recovery, "a drastic increase of 50% within a year may impact visits and deter patrons." And how about Stanford buying up all those homes and taking them off the tax rolls while objecting to housing THEIR community on Stanford campus and having to pay their fair share of sending the kids to PA schools. "Members and ticket holders are required to make reservations for each visit, and because reservations are often booked for weeks in advance, members overbook reservations to hold space," the city report states. We have exciting news! Online: Sorry, you are misinformed. A membership, especially a residential membership, is a much better deal than buying individual tickets if a family thinks it will visit the museum even, say, 2-5 times a year, depending on the size of the family. Web Link Maybe this misconception is fueled by the wealth of those they interact with frequently. Recall the fox with cage stereotypy? On Tuesday, the council Finance Committee will consider various scenarios for raising revenues, all of which call for hiking ticket prices. So let's see, the museum gets relocated / closed for many years, no longer free to attend, prices getting raised, and the museum is worse in almost every way to the predecessor. News Online name: A correction of a common misconception: Homes that Stanford buys and then resells to faculty do not leave the property tax rolls. What happened to a community benefit for all. Tickets & prices Manage this page Admission prices & discounts for tickets to Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo in Palo Alto Source The following overview lists the admission prices and various discounts and discount codes for a visit to Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo in Palo Alto. City Council might want to have a sit-down meeting with the City Manager and all senior staff and clue them in on what it is that Palo Alto residents value, what has made Palo Alto special for decades, what is sacred, and what can be changed, within reason. You can also find information on auditions if your little one is interested in performing themselves! It only shows that decisions are being made that are way out of the City's reach. Jul 4, 2023. Fortunately, there are plenty of options available that cater to a range of budgets and preferences, including: Courtyard by Marriott, Crowne Plaza, Garden Court Hotel, Hilton Garden Inn, Nest Hotel, Nobu Hotel, Sheraton Palo Alto Hotel, and Westin Palo Alto. Another aspect is to this is that making this a destination for out of towners, will add to traffic and parking issues. Youth and teen classes are ideal for kids 3 to 18 years old. This doesn't excuse the mess with the finances of the JMZ or that it's not free for kids. MJH wrote: "I suspect that many employees in city hall are under the misconception that if you live in Palo Alto you must have plenty of discretionary income." However, the JMZ is exactly the kind of community function that has long been partly funded by the Gas Transfer (Measure L). Recall the fox with cage stereotypy? Two hour blocks of time?? Since the walls initially were raised (during construction, years ago), the facility has kept lights ablaze all night, with shades rarely and partially drawn. The Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo provides interactive week-long science camps every summer. There are also bathrooms and drinking fountains on-site. If we want great community services and public schools that meet the real needs of our community, we have to participate in decision-making in an informed and meaningful way. To buy a ticket, you first have to create an Enjoy Online Account. Kids and adults alike can enjoy these wonderful productions. The NEW junior zoo is a downgrade in almost every way. Blogs Children can marvel at flamingos, macaws, ducks, and many unique birds. The model does not, however, consider the possibility that higher tickets prices would result in fewer visitors. Im not saying hes bad by any means. Palo Alto is home to several shopping and dining options that cater to a variety of tastes and preferences. Walk-up tickets are not available. If they are going to charge more, the PA Zoo will need to add more interesting and exotic animals from around the world." Its a lovely way to introduce little ones to art in a creative, yet educational format. And the Museum did that with only 45% of the current projected attendance. And while they are at it, make the museum/zoo free to all visitors. @Eric Filseth, The Almanac The council has no meetings scheduled this week. Hike in the nearby foothills, bike along the scenic trails and waterways, and picnic in the many local parks. When the Junior Museum and Zoo was smaller and had free admission, people just walked up from the street and visited.
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