The Mayor’s Week in Review (July 22-28)

It seems like a great time to be a woman. 

Now I’m sure many of you are thinking: he’s gone off the deep end here.  I haven’t (though I do pride myself on being in touch with the woman inside myself).  It’s just so obvious to me that now is simply a great time to be a woman; the evidence is everywhere. I ran into Karen Goldberg who owns Tamalpie here in town – business is good.  Last week’s ribbon cutting?  Nadine Curtis.  Next week’s? Irene Leija.  My colleagues: Stephanie & Shawn.  Half our City departments / ops heads (Jill, Jackie, Anji, Jenny).  My new boss – a woman.  My wife: a rock star.  4 of our 5 County Supervisors: women.  I was invited to a community leadership conference recently – 2000 (yes, 2000) people in the room; 90% women.  What a wonderful, precious resource for our world to finally tap into.  Now don’t get me wrong -- I don’t think men are obsolete just yet, but we best start embracing the change or the wave’s going to wash us to sea.   As a father of 4, three of whom are girls, I couldn't be happier to see them enter a world with more opportunity, and great role models right here to follow.  HOORAY!

What else?

Elect-ricity:  Last week I shared that John McCauley had pulled papers to run for one of the two Council seats opening up this fall.  I also shared rumors of three more men . . . (and of course wondered where the women are).  See The race is on.  Come forward a week and three men have indeed pulled papers: George Gordon (a veteran candidate), Dan Kelly (who served the City earlier this year as an appointee to the MV2040 (gosh at this point I hope you know what that is!) Community Vitality working group, and a gentleman named Leonard Malherbe (hello Leonard).  If 3 of these folks file, we have a race.  The only other thing I can share is that there is at least one woman rumored to be pulling papers soon.  And I have a line on another man or two.  Time will tell. 

MV2040:  Our baby is standing and on its way.  Last week’s PC hearings went well – and my hat’s off to the PC (and YOU) for the deliberate focus and extra effort it took to drive this home. The PC will review the revisions they've recommended and take action to recommend approval and certification of the EIR at their August 26 meeting  . . . and then our child comes home (to Council) in September.  HOORAY! 

Young entrepreneurs:  I was out running Saturday and came across Rio and Cruz Quesada’s version of a lemonade stand --  a farmer’s market on wheels.  I mean, you gotta love this!  Forget lemonade; that’s so 60’s.  How about arugula and heirloom tomatoes?  Small town character and down home charm.   

Important infrastructure updates: 

·      Blithedale work:  So you’ve read the news and seen the work . . . old infrastructure, unmarked gas lines to navigate (or not)  . . .  just lots to do.  Blithedale Avenue is one of the City’s oldest roads, and has had multiple configurations of sewer, gas, and other utility lines placed under its many layers of pavement throughout its long lifespan. What’s that mean?  It’s code for: “we need to get this thing done before school starts and to do that we need to extend the hours folks work on the road.”  Sorry – don’t like it, but the alternative is worse.  Anyway, beginning next Tuesday we will extend working hours for the project by two hours  (7 am to 6 pm).  We’ll also institute a one-way circulation pattern (outbound only on Blithedale from Elm to Camino Alto).  You’ve undoubtedly travelled the corridor during the construction.  It has been working well with reasonable delays for the most part, but the road’s an onion: layers & layers.  We apologize for the inconvenience caused by the work and thank you for understanding and being patient (which means it’s ok to kvetch occasionally).  If you have questions or comments, please call the East Blithedale Project Hotline at 590-0117. 

·      Tree Removal:  The City is going to remove several dead and dying trees located in high-traffic areas.  Tree removal crews will cut down two poplar trees in the Miller Avenue median at Camino Alto, one pine tree on Camino Alto near the entrance to the Community Center, and one tan oak tree located at Marion and Cascade.  These trees are all either dead or dying, or on life support.  It’s time, before they hurt something or someone.  The work is part of the City’s Vegetation Management Program, which is funded by the Municipal Services Tax approved by YOU in 2006.  The work will take place on a TBD day in early August.  Expect lane closures on both the inbound and outbound lanes of Miller Avenue to create a safety perimeter; lanes on Camino Alto and Marion/Cascade may also be temporarily closed.  For more information, contact Brandon Stewart, Parks Supervisor at 388-4242 or email him at bstewart@cityofmillvalley.org. 

·      Upgrades to the Aquatics & Fitness Center:  Speaking of life support, after twelve years and high usage, the Aquatics and Fitness facility is in need of extensive renovation to ensure its life.  The renovation will cause a short-term closure of the area, but the benefits are significant:  a much needed renovation of the pool, repairs to the retractable roof and walls, resurfacing of the pool deck, lobby and locker room floors, and waterslide maintenance, including improvements to the stairs and landings.  The pool and spa will receive an application of new plaster, and upstairs the dance studio hardwood floor will be refinished.  Due to the extensive plaster work needed to repair the pool and spa, we chose the period of traditionally warm weather in Mill Valley for the work – so the plaster can dry better and quicker.  The work just can’t be done efficiently in the winter. Construction will take place from August 17 to September 29.  The Center will continue to offer Spin, Yoga, Cardio Interval, Zumba, Step, Body Sculpt (I should try this one, but I think 54 year old bald men probably don't quite fit in), Stroller Strides, Fit4Baby, and Pre and Post Natal exercise classes in the during the closure.   We’ve also negotiated a special discount pass for pool usage from the Strawberry Recreation District during the closure period.  If you have questions or comments, please call the Mill Valley Recreation Department at 383-1730. 

Priority Project Status Report:  I just pick out a few infrastructure projects to talk about, but we have lots going on around town.  If you ever wonder what is going on with certain projects, a good resource to know about is the Priority Projects Status Report.  To give your some background, in early 2012 the Council conducted a strategic planning session in which we established 19 "Priority Projects" to support our Mission Statements, Core Values, and implement Key Issues for the Fiscal Years 2012-2014. These projects were subsequently included the budget discussions for the two-year General Fund budget and are reflected in the funding decisions for the current fiscal year.  The Council met in a special meeting in April 2013 to review progress on the Priority Projects and to explore areas of interest for continued attention and new project areas. The Council agreed on a list of 8 Priority Projects for the coming fiscal year which carries forward a number of on-going projects and adds a few new tasks to address areas of community need and interest. The Priority Projects from 2012 and 2013 have now been consolidated into 23 projects to reduce redundancy.  The Priority Project Status Report is intended to provide the Council and the public with an update of the status of the projects and a projection of timelines and next steps. The report reflects tasks accomplished and upcoming, as well as realistic dates for next steps. The most recent update for July can be found here: Priority Projects. 

Intern behind bars:  My friend Dave Peters is interning at the City this summer . . . despite what we see, he’s actually off to a good start. 

About town: 

Art Lecture - Richard Diebenkorn: The Berkeley Years, 1953-1966 (Monday at 7 pm at Anji’s Place).  This exhibition examines one of the most complex periods in the distinguished career of Diebenkorn, exploring his shifting conceptions of abstraction and figuration through more than 100 paintings and works on paper, and emphasizing the formal evolution of these diverse works, their interrelationships, and their possible meanings for the artist. Doors open at 6:45. 

Computer Class: Basic Photoshop for Design (Tuesday at 7 pm at the Library).  This class covers a range of Photoshop skills used for design. The class will go a step beyond the fundamentals to delve more deeply into the power of Photoshop as a tool for digital design. Register here: I want to learn how to Photoshop hair on Andy's head. 

Lots going on Wednesday: 

·      Friends Book Sale (Wednesday at 3 pm at the Library).  Get your fill of new summer reading for the whole family! Stock up on low cost kids' books too. 

·      The Keith Show (Wednesday at 330 pm at the Outdoor Amphitheater).  Keith of The Keith Show will thrill you with juggling, yoyo tricks, comedy, and other useless – oops! we mean amazing – skills. He's performed at Pier 39, Harvard Square, Key West, and now will dazzle the families of Mill Valley with his talents. 

·      Computer Class: New Digital Resources at the Library (Wednesday at 7 pm at the Library).   This class will explain how to find and use new digital services at the Library. Click here to register: Learn about Anji's digital resources. 

Author Amy Novesky (Thursday at 230 pm at the Library). Local children’s author Amy Novesky reads from her picture book biography about Bay Area artist Imogen Cunningham, whose black and white images of plants and people are icons of modern photography.  Participants will explore this art form by making sun prints with natural objects. Click here to register: See Amy Novesky. 

Jonathan Kathrein Talks About Sharks (Friday at 230 pm at the Library).  Have you ever met anyone who’s been bitten by a shark? Our guest will tell us how the experience transformed his life and inspired him to teach peace and encourage respect and kindness for all creatures, human and otherwise. Wow!  

First Friday (yep, Friday at 7 pm at the Library).  Author Kevin Smokler (Practical Classics: 50 Reasons to Reread 50 Books You Haven’t Touched Since High School) will discuss great books, how they age as we do, and how they can inspire us to lead great lives.  See what holds up and what was best left in your 10th grade locker. Weigh in during Q&A. Register here: Take me back in time. 

Hey hey hey – come visit me at The Depot next Saturday from 1030-1230 (after my yoga class).  It’s my turn to sit at the Table on the Plaza.  No gifts, please. 

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Well, lots going on.  Lots.  Thanks, as always, for reading.  You’re the best! 

Andy