Viewfinder: Vehicles, Gardens, Dogs and Games

An antique fire truck, a mobile blood collection vehicle and a dragon all were spotted by our Viewfinder parked in downtown Mill Valley this week. 

The fire truck was a Le France purchased new by the in 1924 and used until the 1950s. The truck is now seen most often in the . The fire truck will be on display again this Saturday at the when the Mill Valley firefighters will be selling raffle tickets to raise money for their volunteer firefighters. Mill Valley has approximately 10 volunteer firefighters that work alongside the City’s professional firefighters. Raffle proceeds will go to provide training, equipment, and uniforms for the volunteers, and tickets will also be sold at the Volunteer Firefighter's Pancake Breakfast on Memorial Day.

Local residents lined up at a mobile blood collection vehicle to give blood this week when , a local gift shop, cosponsored a blood drive with the Blood Centers of the Pacific and . Down the street, folks were curious about a truck with a giant dragon on its back.

Our Viewfinder found hundreds of dogs and their owners auditioning for a possible photo shoot and a place in the final edition of Rover, a coffee table book of more than 400 soulful images of dogs by acclaimed photographer Andrew Grant. The book is meant to bring attention to pet rescues and shelters. Sunday’s event at benefited the Marin Humane Society.

More than 25 eco-friendly gardens in Marin, including a few in Mill Valley, were open last weekend for self-guided tours and discussions with the owners of each garden. Our Viewfinder caught up with a few participants in the gardens of Lora Amara, owner of Your Soulful Garden and Lauren Klein in Cascade Canyon. The gardens highlighted such features as rainwater catchment, edible landscapes, lawn conversions, urban hens, drought tolerant and native plants, smart controllers and pesticide free gardens.

Finally, our Viewfinder focused on a few spectators at the Nationals and Royals' Little League game in .