Fairfax Celebrates Open Space Acquisition with Ribbon Cutting Ceremony!
Yesterday, Town officials, community members, and dedicated supporters gathered for a special Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to celebrate the successful acquisition of 100 acres of pristine open space preserved for future generations.
This momentous achievement was the result of months of hard work, collaboration, and community-driven efforts. The Town extends its heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to making this vision a reality, from the countless volunteers to the generous supporters and engaged residents.
This newly protected open space is now available for everyone to enjoy, marking a significant victory for conservation and the continued preservation of Fairfax's natural beauty.
Thank you to all who joined us in celebrating this incredible milestone!
Naming Discussion for the Newly Acquired Open Space
The Town Council will be discussing potential names for the newly acquired 100-acre open space commonly known as the Wall Property. Suggestions include honoring the Wall family, long-time Fairfax resident Diane Bright, an Indigenous name in consultation with local tribes, or calling it the Jewel of Fairfax.
This is a message from the Marin County Elections Department.
In California, voting is convenient because ballots are mailed to every active registered voter starting October 7. But if you register to vote after October 21, you will not get a ballot in the mail. Instead, you will need to go to a Vote Center to pick up a ballot or vote in person.
So, if you want a ballot in the mail, go to RegisterToVote.ca.gov.ca.gov by October 21 to register. It takes about five minutes. If you miss the deadline, don’t worry! You can still visit any Vote Center in Marin to pick up a ballot or vote until 8 PM November 5.
Campaign Sign Etiquette: A Reminder to Our Community
We want to remind everyone to be respectful of campaign signs. Tampering with or removing signs without the owner’s permission is considered theft and is a crime under state law.
We encourage everyone to respect each other’s right to express their opinions through campaign signs, regardless of personal viewpoints. A diverse range of opinions is what makes our community vibrant and strong.
If you witness any signs being stolen, defaced, or tampered with, please report it to the Police Department's non-emergency line at (415) 453-5330.
Thank you for helping to keep our community respectful and safe.
Halloween Parade & Festivities – October 31
Get ready for Fairfax's beloved and spookiest event of the year! The Halloween Parade kicks off at 5 PM in front of the Fairfax Theater, with over 500 costumed kids and adults joining the fun. The parade winds through downtown and ends at the "Haunted Grove" in Bolinas Park. Enjoy costume contests, tarot card readings, hot drinks, and lots of treats for the little ones before heading off to trick-or-treat on Napa and Dominga Avenues.
Proudly sponsored by the Fairfax Chamber of Commerce, it's a night full of surprises!
Community Candy Drive for the Annual Halloween Celebration
Halloween is just around the corner, and that means Dominga and Napa Avenue will soon be buzzing with excited trick-or-treaters! To support the fun Halloween activity on Dominga and Napa, where the bulk of the town’s trick-or-treaters go each year, we’re collecting candy at Town Hall.
How You Can Help:
Donate bags of candy from October 14th to 28th at Town Hall (142 Bolinas Rd). Your donations will go to the households on Dominga and Napa Avenues.
Halloween Candy Wrapper Recycling
This Halloween, recycle your candy wrappers with Ridwell for free! Drop-off boxes will be available after Halloween at Solstice Mercantile, the Fairfax Library, Fairfax Coffee Roastery, and Fairfax Town Hall. The collected wrappers will be transformed into eco-friendly drainage materials.
CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT
Marin Clean Energy Incentive Program
On Wednesday, the Town Council will consider approving a partnership with Marin Clean Energy (MCE) to offer an incentive program encouraging residents to switch to MCE Deep Green, a 100% renewable energy option. The program would provide a $5/month credit for 12 months to the first 100 new Fairfax households that sign up. This initiative supports Fairfax’s Climate Action Plan and helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This incentive program came at the recommendation of Mayor Coler.
Discover how residents are tackling climate change, improving air quality, and generating clean energy. This free, virtual tour will showcase innovative solutions for homeowners and renters, featuring a lineup of green homes across the county. You'll also get the latest on funding opportunities and practical resources to help you start your own green journey.
Ride & Drive Clean Discount Campaigns
EV Discount Campaign - Through October 31
Their Fall EV Discount Campaign features thousands in savings on four popular EVs (Audi Q4 e-tron, Chevy Equinox, Honda Prologue, and Hyundai Ioniq 5).
Ebike Discount Campaign - Through November 3
Their Fall Ebike Discount Campaign offers up to 40% off select ebikes with Palo Alto Bicycles. When selecting an ebike, don't forget to make sure your ebike is appropriate to the age of the rider (riders must be at least 16 years old to operate a Class 3 e-bike, and all riders must wear a helmet, including, passengers no matter the age).
PLANNING & BUILDING
Short-Term Rentals Update
The Town has found many Short-Term Rentals (STRs) are not eligible to register due to current regulations, such as zoning and residency requirements. The Planning Commission is considering recommending some municipal code changes to the Town Council. The changes would potentially allow more STRs to register. A public hearing was held on September 19, and the discussion will continue on October 17 at 7:00 PM at the Fairfax Women’s Club, with virtual attendance available via Zoom Sign up for meeting updates online.
The Town is considering implementing an online permitting system for managing planning and building permits. On Wednesday, the Council will discuss approving an agreement with Infilla, a platform that would help streamline the planning and building permit approval process. The platform would also allow applicants to track the progress of permits through a website interface.
Led by community members from Age Friendly Fairfax, the Town of Fairfax annually honors our nonagenarian Fairfax community members with gift bag home delivered to our residents.
Confirmation letters will be sent out to 90+ residents to confirm who would like a gift bag. Contact Jackie Engstrom for more information.
New! Messy Play Session – Free Pop-Up Class
We're offering a FREE pop-up Messy Play class on Thursday, October 24, with the option to sign up for future Friday sessions. It's a fun, hands-on activity for toddlers and their caregivers. Don't miss out!
Thanksgiving Break Childcare – Adventures in STEM with LEGOS
Need childcare during Thanksgiving break? We've partnered with Play-Well LEGOS to offer fun, STEM-focused activities for kids ages 5-8. It's a great way for kids to play and learn while you get some work done.
If you're looking to get connected with or have questions about the Age Friendly community, contact the chair of Age Friendly Fairfax, Josa Buennagel, at jtuchel@gmail.com.
Ross Valley Senior Luncheon
The Ross Valley Seniors meet the first Thursday of the month for a social gathering and Bocce Ball at 11, lunch at noon and a variety of interesting programs from 1-2 pm. Be sure to join us for this lovely monthly gathering at the Fairfax Women’s Club – 46 Park Road.
Age Friendly Yoga
Are you 55 years and/or older in Fairfax? Don’t miss out on our free high quality Age Friendly Yoga classes with Kelly Lynch offered several times a week! We ask for suggested donations to help offset these incredible classes.
There are only three more farmers’ markets left before the end of the season!
Join friends, neighbors, and farmers for music and food every Wednesday from 4:00-8:00 p.m. The Market will run through the end of October.
Grab dinner or pick up fresh veggies and baked goods to bring home.
Hernan Diaz Book Talk
Wednesday, October 16| 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Fairfax Pavilion
Fairfax Recreation is partnering with Wayfinder Bookstore for an exciting book talk featuring Hernan Diaz, 2023 Pulitzer Prize winner for fiction. Diaz returns to celebrate a special edition of his novel, In the Distance, a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. This compelling story follows a young Swedish boy’s journey across continents as he becomes a legend.
On Thursday, October 17, millions of people will participate in the Great California ShakeOut at 10:17 AM. This annual earthquake drill helps you practice the “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” technique to stay safe during an earthquake. Whether at work, school, or home, you can join in!
For more information and to register your participation, visit ShakeOut.org/California. Stay prepared and get ready to shake it out!
Zero Waste Marin Film Screening: Common Grounds
Thursday, October 17| 5pm – 7pm
Fairfax Library
Join Zero Waste Marin during North Bay Zero Waste Week for a film screening of the movie Common Ground! Common Ground explores the current issues with our food system, and considers how regenerative agriculture and improving soil health can help address these challenges. Join Zero Waste Marin for a discussion and screening of the film to get inspired!
Free Friday Night Film: Purple Mountains - Hosted by the Fairfax Climate Action Committee
Join us for a free screening of Purple Mountains, a compelling film featuring professional snowboarder and mountaineer Jeremy Jones as he embarks on a journey to find common ground with fellow outdoor enthusiasts across diverse political backgrounds. With stunning visuals and a focus on shared values, the film explores how we can bridge divides and unite around climate action. Learn more online.
Halloween Paint and Sip Night for Families
Friday, October 25 | 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Fairfax Pavilion
Join us for a Halloween-themed Paint and Sip Night on Friday, October 25 in the Pavilion! This family-friendly event is co-hosted by Fairfax Recreation and Ballfax Club. It’s a perfect way to get creative and enjoy a fun evening together.
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