-- Tam Valley News --
About your Parks, Recreation, Refuse & Sanitation Services

December 20, 2024

Cozy Days Ahead


As we wrap up the year and celebrate the holidays with friends and family, let's take a moment to look back at the year and appreciate some of the wonderful things that make Tam Valley so special.


We are a unique community in so many ways. Long ago residents came together to form the Tam Valley Improvement Club (TVIC) to help provide services to residents outside of City limits. Sewer, trash collection and activities were organized. The TVIC built the Tam Valley Community Center and formed the service district that we now benefit from. Our Solid Waste collectors, Mark, Servando, Sherman, Orlando and Jon, are so loved in the community. What a unique experience that they only service Tam Valley! The sewer runs smoothly and thank goodness because that is something we don't want to notice going wrong! Thank you to Mike and Nick for their work all year long. Our office is staffed with Natalie at the front desk, Sarah keeping us running in all things finance related, Garrett and Alan managing this small but mighty operation. Josh keeps our parks and open space manicured and managed beautifully. Casey is my right hand for all events and makes sure our facilities are ready for all the fun things we host! I am so honored to be here to serve this community in communications and to continue the strong traditions of events and activities. I grew up just a stones throw away in Homestead Valley. Mount Tam is a special part of my history and working in Tam Valley fostering community connection is truly an honor.


We also need to thank this community of neighbors and volunteers. You show up in all the ways you can to foster connection and celebrate this special place. Thank you! It is so wonderful to see so many new faces along with the familiar ones at our events. There were so many little ones at Breakfast with Santa last weekend, even in a rainstorm, and it's safe to say we'll be going strong for years to come.


So get cozy at home, enjoy the holidays, reflect on this wonderful year and plan ahead for all the fun things coming up in 2025. Crab Feed tickets go on sale today and it's a great way to ring in the New Year! Then the Tam Valley Players will present this year's Murder Mystery - Murder on the Bocce Court!


Our newsletter will take a pause next week but we'll be back in early January.


Wishing you a safe and joy filled holiday season!

Camille


Communications & Events Coordinator

TCSD Office Holiday Schedule


TCSD offices will be closed December 24th, 25th, 31st and January 1st. No changes to the solid waste pick up. Please put out your carts on your regular day. 

Tree Recycling - Curbside Collection

January 7th through the 10th


Tree preparation for both curbside collection and drop-off:

• Remove all tree stands (metal, plastic, wood), ornaments, lights, tinsel, etc.

• Flocked trees cannot be composted and must go to landfill, fees apply.

• Apartment building tenants should contact their manager and request that they set up one day for holiday tree collection at the property.


Put tree on curb for your regular collection day.

• $30 charge for collection before Jan 9th or after Jan 12th.

• Trees can be cut into pieces up to 2 ft long and 4 inches in diameter and placed in the green cart. Lid must close.


If you would like to drop off your tree, there are multiple options in Marin County. Click here for more info.


Holiday Storm Update


The National Weather Service forecasts multiple rain systems set to impact Marin County beginning Saturday bringing wet and unsettled weather to the region. The first two storms, arriving Saturday and Sunday, are expected to saturate the soil, creating conditions for quicker and more significant flooding by the time the third storm arrives. 

 

This third storm, forecasted for Monday into Tuesday, is predicted to be the strongest and wettest of the series. Higher elevations could see up to 4” of rainfall, while valleys may experience between 2-3”. Wind Gusts are expected over 35mph leading to downed trees and potential power outages. While elevated wave heights over the coastal waters could reach up to 20+ feet waves.

 

Christmas Day is expected to be dry, with unsettled weather picking up again next Thursday and beyond. Potential for another significant system could impact the Bay Area in the days following Christmas. Too early to confidently forecast, follow along NWS for updates on what to expect. 

 

Key Points: 

  • Between Saturday and Tuesday, Marin County could see between 4-6” of rain. 
  • There will be brief moments of light to moderate rainfall. It will return. 
  • Wind Gusts are expected over 35mph leading to downed trees and potential power outages.
  • Localized flooding in low-lying or poorly drained areas, such as freeway offramps, is likely.
  • Elevated waves will create dangerous beach conditions. Possible localized beach erosion. 

 

Preparation for Storms:

  • The community should take steps now to prepare for flooding and possible power outages.
  • Secure outdoor objects that could be picked up by wind.
  • At the peak of the storm, avoid unnecessary travel.  


Get Updated Information Here:  


VOLUNTEER CORNER

A HUGE Thank You to our teen volunteers who helped make Breakfast with Santa such a success! Serving food, helping with Tia's craft station and more! Our behind the scenes helpers Julian and Dave helped out in the kitchen. That was a lot of cooking for two seatings with 100 people at each one! Kevin lead the way to get it all rolling but when he had to leave due to storm damage at home, Julian and Dave stepped up and finished the second seating so smoothly!


So grateful for all the help and the best reward was seeing all the happy kids in line for a Santa Visit!

Have you been considering volunteering for TCSD but want to know more? Reach out to Camille at events@tamtsd.org or sign up here and we'll be in touch. It's a fun way to connect with your community and contribute towards keeping Tam Valley one of the best places to live!



UPCOMING EVENTS

Garden Talk Series

December 21st -- 10am

The Cabin


Join our PARC Commissioner, Michael Bogart, for our quarterly series of Garden Talks. This casual garden series will start with a topic and information shared by our expert and then flow from there. It’s a chance to share your experience with your friends and neighbors and to learn from each other.



We’ll have tea and coffee to share, great conversation and a healthy dose of inspiration for your garden



Crab Feed

January 18th

Tam Valley Community Center


It's already time to start thinking about the Crab Feed! Who will you gather to share a table? Or just come and meet your neighbors! Get your tickets fast - they sell out quickly!


Tickets on sale now!

Senior Bingo

Every Wednesday at 11am

Tam Valley Community Center

Free and lunch provided


Join us for bingo, every Wednesday at 11am, in the Community Center. Jack Schwartz calls the numbers and keeps everyone entertained. Lunch is included and usually served around 12noon. Come on down and join the Bingo Bunch!


Bingo will take a pause until after the New Year - Join us on January 8th on our regular schedule.

RESOURCES

Zero Waste Marin Update


Did you know that more than 300 million tons of food is thrown away on Thanksgiving Day? If that food goes to landfill, it will create methane gas, a powerful heat-trapping gas that contributes to climate change. If we compost our food scraps, we can avoid those methane emissions while creating healthy soils to grow more food!


Zero Waste Marin is launching a pilot program to determine if food dehydrating bins will help Marin keep food scraps out of landfill. Zero Waste Marin is providing free Mill food dehydrating bins to qualifying groups (low-income residents of Marin, and non-profits serving Marin).


To learn more and request a bin, visit: https://zerowastemarin.org/food-dehydrator-pilot/.


Follow along as we share information about
future events and happenings in our community!
Facebook  Instagram  
www.tamcsd.org
Tamalpais Community Services District (TCSD) | 305 Bell Lane, Mill Valley