The Mayor’s Week in Review: May 6-12

“Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens . . . .”

Well the truth is that I was inspired last week by The Sound of Music. As you may be aware, the Mountain Play celebrated its 100th birthday last week. Festivities included a Proclamation being read at our City Council meeting on Monday, and various preview performances around town of its 2013 production of The Sound of Music, culminating in a birthday party – with awesome cakes and more singing – at The Depot on Wednesday. I had the amazing fortune – no, privilege – of being part of the festivities for this century old pillar of Mill Valley culture. The image and voices of the young actors and actresses sing some of the classic American songs from the show never left my head. So I thought I’d simply share some of “my favorite things” from last week:

• Great students: Recognizing the Tam High mock trial team on its 18th consecutive County championship. Hooray!!
• Family: Having dinner with family. It’s so rare that I get to be home with all the people I love the most.
• Young talent: Watching talented kids sing at The Depot.
• Economic vitality: Welcoming new businesses to town.
• Public safety: SMEMPS (the Southern Marin Emergency Medical & Paramedic System) is the Board that runs the ambulances and paramedics for southern Marin (Mill Valley, Tiburon, Belvedere, Sausalito, and unincorporated County areas). I sit on the board, chaired it for a few years, and sat last week at what could be my last meeting. This is probably the best example in the county of how consolidated operations can be efficient and effective. Among other things, SMEMPS provides us with some of the fasted ambulance response times in the Country.
• Constructive feedback: As we head into our community meeting next week, we have gotten a lot of constructive feedback on our draft General Plan from YOU. It’s really helped to crystallize our thinking.
• Service: I love serving YOU. Thank you so much for a lifetime of rewards.
• Mothers: Yesterday was Mother’s Day. I love my mother very much. I also congratulate my wife (and best friend) for making sure her best role is as a Mom. Hooray for Mothers!!

What are your favorite things?

What else:

Be a safe social host: With the weather warming up and graduation celebrations happening around town, please just remember that Mill Valley adopted a Social Host Accountability Ordinance. The ordinance is an important tool to manage the rise in teen binge drinking being experienced in Marin. Under the Ordinance an adult may be cited and fined for alcohol consumed by youths at their home or under their supervision. The Marin County Division of Alcohol, Drug and Tobacco Programs has an interesting article on the history, enforcement, and effectiveness of this ordinance. See: Social Host Ordinance.

May 18 is “Safe Kids” Day: Safe Kids Day raises awareness and funds to protect children from unintentional injury, which is a very serious concern nationwide among children ages 1 to 14. When it comes to safety for our children, adhere to the basics: buckle up, wear a helmet, learn to swim, look both ways. For more safety tips, see: Safe Kids. Remember too – safety starts with us (the parents); be aware, be a good example and above all -- be safe!

May is Water Safety Month, and on Saturday May 18 at the Community Center, from 12:30 p.m. – 330 p.m., there will be free swimming for the whole family, along with water safety tips, water rescue demos, fire truck tours, and fun activities like face painting, “Swimages” and underwater photography. For tips on how to keep your family safe in and around the water, visit: Water Safety.

Mazel tov: Do you know whose 40th birthday is on Thursday?

Road closures:

• The Department of Public works is using a new website to show residents where weekly road and lane closures are taking place. Click here to view impacted areas for the coming week: Road Closures.
• Night Time Lane Closures: In order to keep disruption of traffic to a minimum on E. Blithedale, some evening lane closures will take place on May 15 & 16, from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m., so we can clean some sewers. Please drive slowly and carefully through this area and follow posted signage.

About town:

• The big Kahuna >> The City Council’s Annual Community Meeting is Tuesday night from 6 – 8 p.m. at the Community Center. Doors open at 5:45 for a reception with refreshments and the opportunity to chat with City officials and staff members prior to presentations on topics such as the MV2040 Draft General Plan, current and upcoming City projects and initiatives, and a Q&A.  Please join us!!
• Planning Commission Meeting - Monday at 7 p.m. at City Hall.
• At the Library:
  • Friends of the Library Book Group – Wednesday from 3:30-4:30 p.m. in the Creekside Room.  The Book Group will discuss “The Razor's Edge” by W. Somerset Maugham.
  • Theater Lecture: “The Beauty Queen of Leenane,” Wednesday at 730 p.m. in the Creekside Room.  Artistic Director Jason Minadakis discusses the 1966 break out play by Irish writer Martin McDonagh.
  • Grow Your Business Online: Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Creekside Room.  This class will cover ways to grow your business online and drive traffic to your website, including through the use of social media tools. Pre-registration is required:  Grow Your Business.
  • Friends Book Sale – Saturday at 9 a.m. outside Library.
• Dueling Meetings – May 16
  • SASM Board of Commissioners Meeting  - 7 p.m. at The Wastewater Treatment Facility (I’ll be there!).
  • Emergency Preparedness Commission Meeting  - 7 p.m. at City Hall.
• Councilmember's Table on the Plaza – Saturday at 10 a.m. at The Depot.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As always, thanks for reading, and remember what to do “when the dog bites, when the bee stings, when you’re feeling sad.”

Xo

Andy