Wondering How to Help a Friend Who's Struggling?

Right now, most of us know someone who's struggling, but we’re not always sure what to say or how to help. Join us Tuesday, February 7th at the Mill Valley Community Center to get practical tools to help someone going through tough times, and learn about resources right here in Marin that can make the difference between struggling and thriving. We'll hear from Marin County mental health experts, people with lived experience, and high school student Wellness Ambassadors.

Teens 8th-12th grade, young adults, parents, guardians and caregivers welcome. (Service credits available for high school students who attend.) Click here for more info and to register.

Fire News

Thank You CERT Volunteers! The New Year has been busy for Southern Marin CERTs. This Winter we've seen record setting storms in the Bay Area, and CERTs answered the call to help on multiple occasions. Learn more about how they helped and if you are interested in joining the team - check out the next Southern Marin Neighborhood Response Group Block Captain Orientation on Tuesday, January 31st at 5pm on Zoom.

Did You Hear It? LRAD Monthly Siren Testing For February 2023 - The "Did You Hear It" program helps us gather more complete description of people's experiences of the monthly siren testing and the extent of missing coverage. Be a part of our team and share your experience with our NEW "Did you hear it?" form.

Make Room for Safety! Poorly-parked vehicles on Mill Valley's narrow roads represent a challenge to first responders rushing to urgent medical calls and fires. In an emergency, a delayed arrival of fire and police can mean the difference between life and death.

Learn Lifesaving Skills For FREE - Check Out An Event Near You - Learn how to save a life! Students are taught how to perform hands-only CPR, use an AED, stop-the-bleed, and administer Narcan.

Flooding in Marin - The recent rainfall in Marin comes as a double-edged sword. We desperately need the water after years of drought, but the torrential rain we've seen lately causes flooding and dangerous conditions. Join us for a special webinar, Flooding in Marin, on Monday, January 30th, from 6:00 - 6:30 pm to learn how to prepare yourself and your community. Click here to register.

Housing Element Update

The Draft Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (DESIR) is available for community review and comment through March 3, 2023. Please join us on February 28, 2023 for a Planning Commission public hearing to collect comments on the DSEIR. Learn more at the Housing Element project website here.

Resolutions for a New Year and a Healthier Planet

"Getting healthy" routinely tops the chart for New Year's Resolutions. So this year, put your and the planet's health in your 2023 resolutions! Check out these ideas for improving your life and helping the planet! Make time to get out in nature. Stretch yourself a little further by rethinking lifestyle habits that contribute to excess food and consumer waste. What's good for the planet is good for you! 

Police News

Rotary Club and Eagle Scouts Construct Outdoor Dining Patio for MVPD - The Mill Valley Police Department would like to extend our gratitude to the Rotary Club, the City of Mill Valley Public Works Department, and to the Eagle Scouts of Troop 1 for the creation of our new patio dining area for all Mill Valley Police staff. Learn more.

City of Mill Valley Partners with Local Community Group to Address “Bias by Proxy” - Did you know that Mill Valley community members call the police about Black people at nearly 20 times the rate they do about White people? In most of these calls, police find no cause for citation or arrest. Working together, the Mill Valley Police Department and Mill Valley Force for Racial Equity and Empowerment (MVFREE) have developed a simple tool to help prevent Bias by Proxy. Learn more at: www.cityofmillvalley.org/biasbyproxy  

RSVP Stickers Available to Purchase - The RSVP sticker allows residents free parking, up to the maximum allowable time limit, at any of the City’s parking meters, seven days a week, from 9 am to 6 pm. Learn more and purchase your RSVP sticker today!

Public Works News

East Blithedale Avenue Project Update - Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) will replace a natural gas main and service laterals on East Blithedale Avenue between East Drive and Elm Avenue (east). The anticipated start date is January 30, 2023, and the estimated duration of the project is 4 to 6 months. Check out the latest update here.

Phase III: Downtown Project Community Meeting - Please join us for a Community Meeting on Thursday, January 26th at 4pm at City Hall to learn more about the project objectives, timeline and update.

The last phase of the Downtown Project will focus on repairing the pavement and improving the flow of cars, bikes and pedestrians in the downtown area. The project will make drainage improvements, upgrade parking stalls and improve crosswalks at the intersections for pedestrian safety and ADA compliance. Construction is anticipated to start in February and continue to August, 2023. Visit the Downtown Project page here.

Caltrans Traffic Advisory - Repaving Project Begins Due to Bay Area Storms - Caltrans is starting a pothole repair/repaving project in January along northbound and southbound State Route 1 (Shoreline Highway) in various locations across Marin County on Wednesday, Jan. 25, Friday, Jan. 27, and Saturday, Jan. 28.  Learn more details about the repaving.

Library News

Village Music: The Best Little Record Store in the World - Exhibit and Opening Reception

Tuesday, February 7th | 5:30-7:30pm

Mill Valley music legend John Goddard owned and operated the beloved local record shop Village Music for nearly 40 years. He developed lasting friendships, a renowned concert series, a mighty personal record collection, and a deep sense of community that continues to resonate with Mill Valley’s music lovers. Join us for a reception to celebrate the opening of our new exhibit, Village Music: The Best Little Record Store in the World. Learn more here.

Film Friday: Black History Month

Fridays in February | 2:30pm 

Experience Black History Month with a cinematic journey through time. Attendees can expect to learn some film history, improve understanding of the Black experience, and take part in a discussion afterwards. This FREE program is for adults. No registration required. 

February 3rd: Lilies of the Field (1963)

February 10th: The Great Debaters (2007)

February 17th: Hidden Figures (2016)

February 24th: BlacKkKlansman (2018)

The Chinese-American Literature Book Club

Monday, February 27th | 6pm

Location: Mamahuhu Restaurant - 173 Throckmorton Ave.

Join us for a thoughtful discussion about culture, language, heritage, and belonging. This month we'll be discussing The Leavers by Lisa Ko. This book club is a joint effort between the Mill Valley Library and Mamahuhu Chinese-American Restaurant. Click here to learn more and register.

Arts & Recreation News

Doug Acton Appointed as Teaching Pro

at the Mill Valley Golf Course - The Mill Valley Arts and Recreation Department and Touchstone Golf, the operator of the Mill Valley Golf Course, are pleased to announce the appointment of Doug Acton as teaching professional at the Course. Learn more about Doug!

Mill Valley LiVE at the Mill Valley Community Center - This Sunday, January 29th:

Children are helpers throughout this astounding interactive show! Meet George Washington Bubbles the clown, Queen Bubblelicious, and Professor Bubbles. $5 per attendee. Registration ends this Saturday, January 28th at 12noon. Register today!

February Break Camps! - Join our enthusiastic staff of trained recreation leaders for a lively and entertaining mix of activities, crafts, sports and winter fun - February 21st - 24th.

Get your kids into Camp today!

Mill Valley Recreation is Hiring - We are actively hiring for a benefitted Office Assistant I position at the Mill Valley Community Center along with other jobs including Teen & After School Program staff, Facility Attendants, Office Aides, Lifeguards and more.

Check out our list of available positions and apply today!

Call For Musical Artists - The Mill Valley Arts Commission is currently calling local musicians to apply to be a part of the 2023 Concerts in the Plaza Series, which will be held on September 9th & 10th in the Depot Plaza.

Application Deadline: March 15th

Learn more and apply today!

Call For Artwork - The Mill Valley Arts Commission is seeking artwork for Rotating Art in the Depot Plaza Exhibitions in 2023. 

Application Deadline Extended to February 10th

Find out more and apply today!

January 2023 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Update from the City of Mill Valley!

The City of Mill Valley puts out a monthly update regarding DEI activities throughout our community. This month, the update includes information about important affordable housing initiatives, classes at the Community Center, book clubs and events at the Library, and the latest on MVPD’s “Bias By Proxy” education campaign. Ever want to see what it takes to become a Firefighter? The Southern Marin Fire District has a new “Career Track Chart” to show you the steps to get there! So many great things going on – Check it out today! Also – Sign up to receive the eNewsletter directly in your inbox!

Visit our DEI homepage

Applications Now Being Accepted for Both LAFCo Public Member Seats - On May 1, 2023, two Marin Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo) Public Members' term are set to expire. The Commission has regulatory power over the formation and boundary changes of cities and special districts (i.e., annexations.)

The Commission will select appointees for new four-year terms for both the

Regular Public Member Seat and Alternate Public Member Seat. Interested? Learn more about the application process and deadlines.

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