Mountain View's Community Tree Lighting returns

Mountain View's annual Community Tree Lighting Celebration is scheduled to return from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 6 at Civic Center Plaza, 500 Castro St.

The event will include performances, tributes to diverse and multicultural traditions, refreshments, a train ride, arts and crafts, a visit from Santa and the tree lighting, according to the city of Mountain View.

The Mountain View Voice is an event sponsor, and its staff will be on hand during the evening.

To allow for more physical distancing, all events take place outside, so Castro Street will be closed from the 400 block to the Kaiser parking lot entrance on the 500 block. Santa is expected to arrive at 5:45 p.m. for the tree lighting with city officials.

For more information, visit MountainView.gov/TreeLighting.

Spartan Tree Lot set to open Friday

With Thanksgiving here and Christmas approaching, Mountain View High School's annual Spartan Tree Lot is slated to open for pickup and delivery Friday.

Run by the high school's sports boosters group, the fundraiser supports Mountain View High School athletics. Last year, the event raised over $28,000, according to organizer Doug Wiersig.

The tree lot sells noble, Nordmann and Douglas fir Christmas trees of various sizes. Wreaths, tree stands, hand-crafted reindeer and snowmen, and other holiday decorations and supplies are also for sale.

The tree lot is located adjacent to the track and football field at Mountain View High School, 3535 Truman Ave., and will be open for masked, in-person browsing. Trees can also be purchased online and delivered at no extra cost within a 5-mile delivery radius.

To order a tree, view the lot's hours and for more information, visit spartanstreelot.com. Call (650) 407-1932 or email info@spartanstreelot.com with any questions.

Booster shots now broadly available

COVID-19 booster shots are now being offered for anyone aged 18 and older who received their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at least six months ago, as well as anyone who received the single dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two months ago.

Santa Clara County's clinics are taking appointments and some locations also accept drop-in patients. Availability may be limited in some cases. Many doctor's offices and pharmacies are also providing boosters.

COVID-19 vaccine eligibility has also been expanded to children ages 5 to 11 for the initial round of vaccination.

For more information, visit sccfreevax.org.