Happy Holidays and Don't Forget to Shop Mill Valley!

Skip the traffic and the schlep. Before hitting the big box stores, here’s a reminder: you don’t need to go beyond the 94941 for amazing gift options. The Mill Valley Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center, City of Mill Valley and businesses across the 94941 are giving you every reason to get out and support your neighborhood businesses. With free parking courtesy of the City and Chamber from Nov. 23 to Dec. 31, we encourage you to visit our amazing restaurants, clothing, jewelry and design shops, incredible grocery stores and a wealth of world class businesses. Check out the directories of great shopping, service and restaurant options in Mill Valley. From all of us at the City of Mill Valley, we wish you a very happy holiday season!

Planning & Building News

1 Hamilton Update: Council and Planning Commission Identify a Building Concept to Further Evaluate - At the November 30, 2022 joint City Council and Planning Commission meeting, Council received an update on a proposal to build approximately 40-50 affordable rental housing units on the northern portion of City-owned land, known as 1 Hamilton Drive. Council directed City staff to move forward with assembling a development review package for full evaluation, including design review and environmental review. Read the entire article.

1 Hamilton Scoping Meeting Rescheduled to January 12, 2023 to Collect Input on Environmental Review - City planners will host a scoping meeting to collect community feedback and answer questions about the scope of the 1 Hamilton affordable housing project and the content of the Draft Environmental Impact Report that will be produced as part of the development review application. The meeting has been rescheduled from December 8 to January 12, 2023 and will take place at 6:30pm at City Hall. 

Richardson Terrace Update – 575 East Blithedale Avenue - On November 17, 2022, the Planning Commission held a Public Hearing to consider a Design Review application for a Mixed-Use Project proposed at 575 East Blithedale, referred to as “Richardson Terrace.” The project consists of 25 residential units and 2,240 square feet of ground floor commercial office space on a 1.2-acre site. Following public comments, the Planning Commission voted to continue the item to the January 10, 2023 Planning Commission meeting. Read the entire article.

Fire News

Storm Update - Widespread Rain Returns December 8th - December 11th - Forecasters predict weather will remain cool with rain starting again today, mainly after 10pm into late evening and then returning Friday, December 9th night through Sunday, December 11th night. Learn more details and how you can prepare today.

Top Holiday Safety Tips - How often should you water your tree to keep it from drying out and becoming a fire danger? What should you use instead of nails to hang string lights? Keep your family safe this winter holiday season with these helpful tips.

Lower Half of Manzanita Park and Ride Lot in Mill Valley to Close Dec 19-27 - Learn more about the closure due to forecasted hightide flood warnings.  Also - check out the high tides predicted for December.

NRG Block Captain Orientation - When disasters happen and people need help and assistance, neighbors turn to neighbors. Learn more and connect with the people around you and don’t wait until disaster strikes to meet each other. Join us for the Neighborhood Block Captain Orientation on December 15, 2022 at 5pm!

Police News

Stick to a “Go Safely” Game Plan: Celebrate the Holiday Season Responsibly - With a commitment to keeping the community safe, the Mill Valley Police Department wants to remind everyone of the dangers of driving impaired and celebrate the holiday season responsibly by not driving under the influence. From Dec. 14 through New Year’s Day, MVPD will have additional officers on patrol looking for drivers suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Learn more about this effort.

Mocha With a Motor - Join our Motor Officers on December 15, 2022 for coffee and conversation. 8-9 am at the Depot Cafe and 2:30-3:30 pm at the MV Lumber Yard.

Resident Shopper Vehicle Permit (RSVP) - Prices will increase beginning January 1, 2023. Learn more about how to purchase an RSVP parking sticker.

Don't Let Package Thieves Ruin Your Holidays - Here are some ways to avoid becoming the victim of a package thief!

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion News

Mill Valley Police Update on DEI Initiatives - Police Chief Rick Navarro updates the community on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives at the Mill Valley Police Department. Read the update here.

Visit our DEI homepage | Sign up to receive our Monthly DEI eNewsletter | Read the November 2022 edition

East Blithedale Project Update 

East Blithedale Avenue continues to be open to through traffic between Camino Alto and Downtown Mill Valley. Motorists may experience localized closures or flagged one-way traffic control until May 2023. Check out the latest update here. Project updates are available to community members every other week. Sign up today!

Pictured above: Danielle Staude (Senior Planner), Al Grumet (Vice Chair), Karen Jaber, Debbie Alley (Chair), Susan Gladwin, Paul Moe, Urban Carmel (Vice Mayor), Greg Hildebrand and Christine O'Rourke. Not Pictured: Fiona Matney. 

Sustainability News

A Special Thank You to CAP Task Force Members and Sustainability Consultant Christine O'Rourke - On November 16, the CAP Task Force finalized edits to the Draft Climate Action Plan (CAP) that will be slated for Planning Commission review and City Council adoption next year.  The document is the culmination of information, research and Task Force discussions, which began in September 2021. Thank you CAP Task Force members for volunteering your time and thoughtful input in assembling the Draft CAP!

Think Outside the Box this Holiday Season, Give the Gift of Memories--Waste Free! Give a gift of a memorable experience. Learn more, download this gift guide! 

Holiday Tree Recycling - After the festivities, please recycle your holiday tree on the curb or take it to a drop-off location for composting! Find curbside collection dates and drop-off locations here.

Free Online Climate Action Workshops Begin January 12 and 18- Learn to live lightly on the Earth by registering for the free online Climate Action Workshops offered by Resilient Neighborhoods. Learn how to create a low-impact home and become resilient in our new ‘normal.’ Learn more and sign up here.

Thank You Sustainability Hero Jill Young! Jill Young is a long-time resident and volunteer in Mill Valley. For 32 years, she was a core member of Bloomathon, a small but mighty group of women who planted daffodil bulbs and beautified our community. For the last 22 years, she has tenderly cared for Lytton Square. The City of Mill Valley would like to recognize Jill Young for her good works. Read more about Jill's great work for our community here.

Library News

Friends of the Library's In-Person Book Sale - Mark your calendar for the Friends of the Library's in-person book sale this weekend! With thousands of books to choose from, this is the place to find pretty fabulous deals on high quality best sellers, with an excellent inventory of fiction and non-fiction items including children's books. Can't make it to the in-person book sale? Click here to shop the Friends Online Bookstore. Saturday, December 10th | 11:00am - 4:30pm | SmartGarden at the Mill Valley Public Library.

Fungi as Biocontrol Agents with James Morris - James Morris will discuss his research on the degradative capabilities of wood rot fungi associated with eucalyptus trees and the potential use of fungi as biocontrol agents against invasive plants, decreasing or eliminating the need to use herbicides. In collaboration with the Mycological Society of Marin. Registration required. Click here to learn more and register. Wednesday, December 14th | 6pm

Mill Valley Public Library

Marin Poetry Center Presents: Anthony Cody and Mai Der Vang - This Poetry Reading Series provides a unique opportunity to hear diverse and unusual sets of readers, pairing local Bay Area poets with visiting poets and writers. Registration required. Click here read about the featured poets and to register. Thursday, December 15th | 7pm | Mill Valley Public Library

Arts & Recreation News

Winter 2023 Program Registration Opens December 13th! - Our Winter 2023 program registration opens on December 13th. You'll be able to register for youth and adult classes, after school enrichment, swim lessons and more. Check out our available classes!

Shallow Water Lifeguard Certification - Earn your shallow water lifeguard certification from the American Red Cross blended learning course.

Course offered December 27th-29th. Register Today!

Mill Valley Recreation is Hiring - Join our fun and dynamic team! We have a variety of different positions available from Preschool & Teen Aides, Facility Attendants to Lifeguards & Fitness Staff. Employees get a free membership to the Aquatics & Fitness Center!

Learn more and apply today.

Shredders Winter Break Skateboarding Camp - Give your kid the creativity and joy of skateboarding as a reward for getting through another crazy year. Camps runs December 19th - 23rd & December 26th - 30th (ages 5-13). Register Today!

Call For Artwork - The Mill Valley Arts Commission is seeking artwork for Rotating Art in the Depot Plaza Exhibitions in 2023. Application Deadline: January 9th

Find out more and apply today!

Click Off Photography Competition Winners Announced - The winners of the annual Click Off Photography Competition were announced on Tuesday, December 6th during the First Tuesday ArtWalk. Check out the winning photos and all the other amazing submissions!

Community Engagement & Volunteering

Volunteering - Volunteering is a great way to invest, get involved and build community. Please consider volunteering with one of the many programs going on throughout the City and with our community partners.

So Many Ways to Give Back During the Holidays! The Mill Valley Police Department, Community Center and Southern Marin Fire are partnering with local agencies to bring cheer to families in need. Here's how you can help:

• Donate to the Food Drive - In partnership with the SF-Marin Food Bank, we are collecting food for families in need to fight hunger in our community. Bring your non-perishable food donations to the Police Department or Community Center until December 15, 2022. Learn more on how to contribute.

• Donate Gifts with the Angel Tree - In partnership with the Salvation Army, we are collecting gifts from November 28, 2022, through December 14, 2022. Learn more on how to contribute.

• Donate Gifts and Celebrate - Southern Marin Fire, in partnership with Performing Stars, is collecting gifts and inviting you to join the party! Donate today (instructions here) and join us on Friday, December 23 from 12-5 pm for the Performing Stars of Marin City's 25th Children & Youth Holiday Toy Drive Event - 2022. Donate today!