High Tides Alert & El Niño Preparedness

Higher-Than-Normal High Tides This Week: November 4 to 9 - Tidal Alert! The National Weather Service is forecasting higher-than-normal high tides through Monday 11/9, with up to 1.2 ft of surge on top of the astronomical tides.

Travel likely to be affected:

• Miller Ave between Camino Alto and Almonte
• The 500 block of Redwood Highway Frontage Road
• Manzanita 101 freeway access
• Other low-lying areas prone to flooding

 What you can do:

• Plan ahead and allow extra travel time, especially in the morning
• Never drive around barriers or through flood water
• Move vehicles out of low-lying parking areas
• Protect flood-prone property

City Council Adopts Local Emergency Resolution - This week the City Council adopted a resolution to proclaim a Local Emergency in response to anticipated winter storms, king tides, and the current El Niño weather event. It’s never too early to plan ahead and prepare your home and community:

• Clean out roof gutters and downspouts
• Set up sandbags and barriers to protect low lying areas
• Check your property's sump pump and ground drainage
• Rake and pick up leaves to keep them out of the street and away from storm drains
• Don’t park over storm drains
• If possible, park off street to allow for increased street cleaning and drain maintenance

“Adopt a Drain” - Find a storm drain nearest your home, give it a fun name, keep an eye on it, keep it clean, sweep/rake away leaves, litter, and debris from the top of the drain and the surrounding area (about 10 feet out) before and after rainstorms. If it appears to be blocked let DPW know via their hotline - (415) 384-4800. A well cared for drain can help prevent flooding for you and your neighbors.

For more information and tide updates, visit the County of Marin's El Niño Portal and the City's El Niño web page. Remember to sign up for Nixle and AlertMarin for real-time updates about road closures and flooding!

Community, Culture, and Connection News & Events

Help Local Families Prepare for Winter! - The City of Mill Valley is partnering with RIZE Marin for a Winter Gear Drive, collecting new or gently used raincoats, rain boots, and heavy-duty ponchos for children from toddler through 12th grade. Donations can be dropped off at City Hall or the Mill Valley Community Center during regular business hours. Donations accepted through Monday, November 23. Learn more!

Honoring Excellence

City Council Celebrates Volunteer All-Star John Cutler

On Monday, November 2, the City Council recognized John Cutler as the fourth quarter Volunteer All-Star in the City of Mill Valley for his civic leadership and contributions to the Mill Valley community. Learn more about John and read the full proclamation on our website.

Arts and Recreation News & Events

Bayfront Park Feasibility Study - The Parks and Recreation Commission and staff are beginning to explore opportunities to enhance, improve, or add recreation amenities within Bayfront Park. Any proposed improvements will follow a public process with multiple opportunities for community engagement and public comment. To address some miscommunication, no improvements or additions including a pump track have been approved, and no decision has been made to replace or take portions of the existing off-leash dog park. We love that our community is listening!

Winter Break Camps for Preschool/TK and K-5 - Give your children some excitement through the holidays with one of Mill Valley Arts & Recreation Winter Break Camps! 3-day camps are available December 21-23 and December 28-30 for Preschool/TK and K-5. Spaces are limited, grab your spot today!

Mill Valley Arts & Recreation Hiring Events - Explore job opportunities for ages 15+ at the Mill Valley Community Center on November 9 and 24! Meet hiring staff and interview for positions in aquatics, fitness, and after school programs, including lifeguards, swim instructors, group fitness instructors, and certified personal trainers. Candidates must attend group interviews during the event’s second hour to be considered for employment. Learn more!

Library News & Events

All events take place at the Mill Valley Public Library. 

After Hours: Melissa Murray in Conversation with Shilpi Agarwal

Friday, November 20, 7:00pm

Melissa Murray in conversation with Shilpi Agarwal, will talk about her new book which provides an annotated and accessible guide to understanding the US Constitution. In it, she advocates that people claim the Constitution as their own, hold the government to account, and continue the Constitution’s project of becoming a more perfect Union. Registration highly recommended. Learn more about Melissa Murray and Shilpi Agarwal and register.

Digital Literacy: Taming Big Tech

Monday, November 9, 2:00pm

Technology is omnipresent in our lives and changing rapidly, with vast societal implications and impact. It's easy to get left behind, and easy to make a misstep and fall afoul of bad cyber-actors. Get your feet under you at this series of classes with Digital Services Librarian Franklin Walther. Registration required. Learn more and register.

Author Talk: The Nightingales with Graphic Novelist Emil Wilson

Monday, November 9, 6:30pm

Join us for a reading and conversation with graphic novelist Emil Wilson. Tender, surprising, and full of hope, The Nightingales is an unforgettable story about compassion, family, and the unexpected ways one person's life can alter another's. Registration required. Learn more and register.

Community News

City Council Unveils Historical Designation Plaque for City Hall and Fire Station No. 6 - On Monday, November 2, the Mill Valley City Council and the Mill Valley Historical Society unveiled the Historical Designation plague awarded to City Hall and Fire Station No. 6 by the National Register of Historic Places. Learn more!