August 1, 2025

Delicious Days of Summer

Summer is still in full swing but we can feel the hint of fall, which in Tam Valley might actually mean more sunny days! Hard to believe it's already August. Enjoy the last few weekends before school starts later this month and save the date for Creekside Unplugged next week!

Many compost pails have been delivered - many more will be delivered soon. Check out the update from Abbie, below. And send in your trash, compost and recycling questions!

The Planning Commission meeting for the use permit at 305 Bell Lane is Monday - come speak up for Debris Day and more! See more below.

So excited to see orders for Creekside merch rolling in! Keep 'em coming and wear your gear next week! Enjoy this beautiful weekend and we'll see you next week at the Cabin!

Wishing you a safe and joy filled weekend!



PARC Regular Meeting

August 7th

3pm

Tam Valley Community Center

The PARC will discuss among other topics, the FY25-26 work/activity plan, their role in assisting the Board to achieve the Board’s 2025 goals and priorities, draft job description for a part-time recreation coordinator, and improvements such as a mural or similar creative ideas in the Rock Garden at Flamingo.

Click here to view the agenda.

Planning Commission Hearing to Consider Use Permit for 305 Bell Lane

Monday August 4, 2025, 1:00pm

Marin County Civic Center

3501 Civic Center Drive, Suite 328/330, San Rafael

The Planning Commission will consider the appeal of the use permit for 305 Bell Lane. As you may know, TCSD was required to obtain a use permit in order to conduct two (2) Debris Days and one Household Hazardous Waste Day (HHWD) each year. The Deputy Zoning Administrator (DZA) approved the use permit at the June 16th DZA hearing. However, Mr. Michael Gervais appealed the decision to the Marin County Planning Commission. Unfortunately, we cannot schedule these events until we receive approval.

The County staff report to the Planning Commission recommends the denial of the appeal and sustaining the DZA approval. All the background information and staff report can be accessed by clicking the links below.

We encourage you to attend the Planning Commission (PC) meeting in person. Even though TCSD Board members and staff will attend the PC meeting, it always helps when community members attend to show their support.

 

Thank you in advance for all the community support for these events.

Click here for the County website with more information.

Click here to read the appeal.

Click here for more background information on the use permit applications.

Creekside Unplugged Merch

It was so fun to share the samples at Creekside last week! Orders are rolling in and deliveries should be arriving soon! Just in time to wear your gear to Creekside next week! Take a look at what we have available, order your favorites and know that you are supporting us having more fun events! Any and all profits will be put into our events and programs.

Click here to see the store and get your gear!



TRASH TALK

New Compost Pail Update

As many residents are noticing, the compost pail rollout has begun!

It is taking longer than anticipated to deliver all the pails; our vendor will be resuming deliveries in mid-August. In the meantime, pail delivery for multi-family homes has started!

The pails are designed to be in your kitchen to collect food scraps. Once it is full, you can transfer your scraps from the pail and into the green waste bin. It is important that you do not leave the pail out to be collected. The drivers will only collect your green waste bins. 

If you already have a composting system in place and do not need a pail you can return it to the TCSD office.

Some residents may have an old TCSD compost pail. If you check the bottom, they all should be recycled #2 HDPE products. If that is the case, these can go in your recycling bin. 

Thank you to everyone who replied with questions to the Dear Abbie column! I look forward to hearing from more residents and answering some questions.

Hello! My name is Abbie Sanger and I am a Climate Corps Fellow working at TCSD. My fellowship is focused on Senate Bill 1383, the bill that mandated that all organic waste is put into the green waste bin to be turned into compost. My goal is to not just help TCSD be in compliance with the law, but to also find ways to improve how our residents sort their waste. 

Education surrounding waste sorting can very be confusing! That is why I am here to answer any questions you have about what can/can’t be recycled, what goes in which bin, and any other trash, recycling, or green waste related questions. 

My email is climate@tamcsd.org please email me with any and all waste questions! I will respond directly to you and it is possible your question will be featured in the newsletter to help educate other residents. 

I am excited to hear from you soon!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Creekside Unplugged

August 8th

The Cabin

60 Tennessee Valley Road

Join us next week for Maddy and the Mayors at the Cabin. We'll have face painting, picnic tables, room to spread out your blanket for a picnic and a great group of friends and neighbors. Come on down!

Things to remember:

• Pack a picnic or head into Tam Junction for some delicious food to go! Click here for a list of the wonderful options nearby.
• Bring layers! Even though we get more sun at the Cabin, it's still chilly. Bring warm things so everyone is happy!
• Order your merch so you can show your Creekside pride! Click here for our shop on Printful.
• Chair or blanket if you want your own spot but we have lots of picnic tables and some extra benches that we can move into the sunny spots!
• Come have fun! We are a little over halfway through the series and we still have lots of great music coming up!

Get more info here

Senior Bingo

Every Wednesday at 11am

Tam Valley Community Center

Free and lunch provided

Our Bingo Bunch just keeps growing! Join us, 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 fun!



RESOURCES

Southern Marin Fire District Releases New Wildfire Action Plan to Help Residents Prepare for Fire Season

Are You Wildfire Ready? As wildfire season intensifies across California, the Southern Marin Fire District has teamed up with CAL FIRE to launch a powerful new resource for local preparedness: the Wildfire Action Plan.

This comprehensive, community-focused guide—paired with updated fire safety standards—is designed to help residents, business owners, and neighborhood groups stay safer, more informed, and better prepared as wildfire risks continue to escalate.

Click here for more info, including an online PDF version.

If you would like to request booklets for your neighborhood, contact SMFD’s Preparedness and Education Coordinator at lcurtis@smfd.org.

Chipper Days

The Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority (MWPA) is providing FREE chipping service for most areas in Marin County six times in 2025. 

Marin Wildfire is providing this service to residents within the Southern Marin Fire District's service area, which includes Tam Valley, as well as to those residents within the jurisdiction of other MWPA member agencies.



Click here to learn more.

It is an honor to bring you the news of Tam Valley each week. If you have any questions about our newsletter, want to see something included or would like more information about our events, please reach out to me at events@tamcsd.org.



Camille

Communications & Events Coordinator