The Mayor’s Week in Review (July 1-7)

Liberty -- our “high quality” problems: 

I hope everyone had a wonderful safe July 4 holiday.  I did; it was spent with my immediate family, and I liked it that way this year.  

Last week I was discussing a universal approach to problem solving by focusing on our common traits and methods of expression.  I spent this past week reflecting on how fortunate we are to have the problems we do – in the scheme of things the issues we worry about in Mill Valley are pretty “high quality problems” to have.  That’s not to say that serious issues don’t exist in Marin County and in Mill Valley, because they do.  But for the most part Mill Valley is blessed with a certain level of “Liberty” from the big stuff, and for that we should all be grateful, and keep this atmosphere in perspective, particularly as we celebrate our Independence as a Country. 

May it stay that way. 

What else? 

The Mill Valley Lumber Yard site:  Some of you have asked about this site as we see some changes going on.  Yes, the new owners have renovated two of the existing buildings  – the former office/hardware shop and the cabinet shop (mostly structural and interior upgrades) - for one new incoming tenant called Guideboat – a maker of small wooden boats started by one of the founders of Restoration Hardware.  The single use was determined by staff to be comparable to the operation of the Lumber Yard in terms of its general retail use and level of intensity, so no further planning approval was required.  The owners are also preparing a “master plan” to accommodate additional retail use of the site while preserving its historic character.  The master plan will address the site’s zoning (including an Historic Overlay), uses, parking and circulation and related issues, and will be subject to both Planning Commission and City Council review at noticed public hearings.   No formal application for the master plan has yet been made to the City, but stay tuned for it. 

Bike Thefts:  The articles are everywhere on a topic I have discussed with you for a very long time now.  Net/net: lock your bike and document ownership so that you can prove it’s yours if it’s stolen & recovered.  Use common sense; valuables of any sort left “open” for the taking  . . . will probably get taken.  

RSVP Stickers are On Sale:  If you currently have a green RSVP sticker now is the time to purchase your new red parking sticker.  The old RSVP stickers expire on July 31, 2013.  You can purchase your parking stickers online here: Buy a new RSVP sticker or at the Mill Valley Police Station, 1 Hamilton Drive.  Here’s more information about the RSVP: RSVP FAQ.   

Holiday Craft Fair Applications Now Being Accepted:  The Recreation Department is now accepting vendor applications for the 9th Annual Holiday Craft Fair 2013. The Craft Fair will be held at the Community Center on Saturday, December 7 from 10 am to 5 pm, and attendance is free. Vendor information and application can be found here: 2013 Craft Fair.   The deadline for vendors is Friday, August 30th at 5 pm. 

Books & Bingo:  Anji’s taken the ancient game of Bingo and added a new literary twist.  Win a Bingo by reading books in categories such as “Man Booker Award Winners,” “Food Lit,” or “Something That Scares You.” Each Bingo earns you an entry into our fantastic raffle.  Click here to register: BINGO!   You can win great prizes: iPad Mini (Grand Prize), $100 gift certificate to Picco Restaurant in Larkspur, Two $50 gift certificates to REI, Two $25 gift certificates to Sol Food, $25 gift certificate to Sloat Garden Center. 

Are you seeing Graffiti?   There’s been some graffiti surfacing around town, and because it is against the law as an act of vandalism, we prosecute caught taggers for a misdemeanor.  Surveillance cameras are being employed in high incident areas too.  What Can You Do?  If you see an act of graffiti vandalism in progress, call 911 immediately. If you know the identity of a graffiti vandal, report this person to the Mill Valley Police Anonymous Tip line at 415/721-4547.  And to report new or existing graffiti or to request clean-up of your building, call CSO Sheryl Patton at 389-4100 x 124. 

About town ... 

Monday (July 8): 

·      Pajama Jammy Jam with Molly!  630 PM at the Library.  Wear your PJs and bring your favorite stuffie to this special before-bed story time in the library.  A surprise bedtime snack is included!

·      Planning Commission Meeting:  7 pm at City Hall 

Tuesday (July 9): 

·      First Tuesday Artwalk (6 pm):  This month the event will take place on the second Tuesday of the month due to the July 4 holiday. Participating venues are listed on the Art Commission page: First Tuesday Artwalk.   

·      Speaking of art, check out the "Mill Valley's Got Talent" art show at the Community Center featuring art works by Mill Valley City employees, Councilmembers, and Board and Commission members.  The artwork is on display for the month of July. 

Wednesday (July 10): 

·      Computer Class - Photoshop Fundamentals:  7 pm at the Library Register here: Learn to Photoshop

·      Crosspulse Rhythm Duo:  330 pm at the Library’s Outdoor Amphitheater.  Keith Terry and Evie Ladin, an Oakland-based duo, use everything from bells to toilet plungers to create dazzling rhythms and syncopated sounds.  Stamp, clap, and sing along to their exuberant exposition of percussion and dance.

·      Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting:  7 pm at City Hall 

Thursday (July 11): 

·      Library Board of Trustees Meeting:  7 pm at the Library

·      Emergency Preparedness Commission Meeting:  7 pm at City Hall 

Friday (July 12): 

·      Fold, Flip, & Fly:  Learn how to make paper kites this Friday at 230 pm at the Old Mill Park Amphitheater , then test them out.  Don’t want to fly? Then learn how to fold origami animals or blow gigantic soap bubble blimps.  This is good fun; click here to register: I want to fly a kite. 

Saturday (July 13): 

·      A Family Fun Night of Swimming:  Starting at 5 pm at the Aquatics Center, come join a host of characters for a fun night of swimming. Our Family Fun Nights are geared toward every age. The theme this Friday is "Patriotic Day!" It’s only $10 for the entire family, and that includes a costume contests, super awesome raffles with great prizes, a jumpee, face painting, kids nails salon, and a kid-friendly movie for those who may not want to swim. 

Sunday Special (July 14): 

·      The Amazing Bubble Man -- Louis Pearl:  Meet author, inventor, and expert bubbler Louis Pearl starting at 11 am at the Library.  "Science has never been such fun, so entertaining, artistic and cool!" All ages. No registration needed.

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Thanks, as always, for reading.  Have a great week.  See you Monday the 15th.  

Andy