What’s on Your Mind, Mill Valley? Join us for a “Community Chat”

Vice Mayor Urban Carmel and City Manager Todd Cusimano invite you to a “Community Chat” at 5:30 pm on Thursday, May 11, 2023 at Mill Valley City Hall and via Zoom. This will be the first in a series of informal meetings intended to give you the opportunity to discuss current issues, ask questions, make suggestions, and share what is on your mind.  There are no time limits and no structure - just join us and have a chat! All are welcome.

How to participate: Visit www.cityofmillvalley.org/communitychat

Public Works News

Downtown Roadway Construction Notice: Interstate Paving & Grading will be grinding and paving downtown streets (Throckmorton and Miller) starting 5/4 to 5/10 between 7AM & 4PM. Thank you for driving safely.

East Blithedale Construction Update - April 27, 2023

This season's wet weather has presented many challenges throughout Mill Valley and has given our construction team unexpected complications for our East Blithedale Avenue Project. However, we are pleased to report that the project is still slated to be completed ahead of schedule. Read the latest update here.

Shop Locally!

As the construction continues this spring and summer, please continue to support our local businesses on East Blithedale Avenue and Downtown. Check out this map from Enjoy Mill Valley and #ShopMV!

Planning & Building News

May 15, 2023: Council to Consider Adoption of the 2023-2031 Housing Element

At its regularly scheduled meeting of May 15, 2023, City Council will consider the adoption of the 2023-2031 Housing Element Update, including amendments to the MV2040 General Plan Land Use Element and Land Use Map. As part of the adoption, Council will also review and consider certification of the Final Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (SEIR) for the project. For more information, visit www.cityofmillvalley.org/housingelement

May 23, 2023: Planning Commission Study Session to Discuss 1 Hamilton Design

At its regularly schedule meeting of May 23, 2023, Planning Commission will host a study session to discuss a city-sponsored application to design and build approximately 45 affordable apartments at 1 Hamilton Drive. The purpose of the Study Session hearing is to provide feedback on the preliminary design prepared by the EAH project team based on feedback received to date. For more information, visit www.cityofmillvalley.org/hamilton

The Southern Marin Fire Protection District is excited to welcome the latest firefighter recruits to our District!

Emergency Preparedness News

Join the Emergency Preparedness Commission - Help Keep Mill Valley Safe!  Do you have a passion for keeping Mill Valley safe and prepared? Don't miss your chance to make a difference! The Mill Valley City Council is currently accepting applications for an unscheduled vacancy on the Emergency Preparedness Commission (EPC). Learn more and apply today!

Take Action Now: Help Shape Emergency Preparedness in Mill Valley - Complete our new survey designed to identify your concerns about disasters and pinpoint preparedness gaps. By participating, you'll have a chance to win two free tickets to the Mill Valley Music Festival (May 13-14) and help us tailor our preparedness efforts to meet the specific needs and strengths of our community. Click to start the survey.

Wildfire Community Preparedness Day – May 6, 2023 - The threat of wildfire is becoming increasingly prevalent and dangerous, posing greater risks to people and property than ever before. Click here to read about home activities you can do this weekend to reduce the risk of fire around your home.

Did You Hear It? LRAD Monthly Siren Testing For May 2023 - The "Did you hear it ?" (DYHI) campaign was developed to tap the abundant information available about the on-going monthly siren testing from the people who experience them. Learn more and report what you heard!

Sustainability News

Free E-Waste Collection Event at the Mill Valley Community Center - Mill Valley Recreation, in partnership with the Conservation Corps of the North Bay, are hosting a FREE E-Waste Collection event on Friday, May 19th, 2023 from 9am-2pm. Get more information about what you can and cannot bring to recycle.

Give back by getting outside and planting a garden that says "Thank you, Mom!" 

Let's get planting! Mother Earth provided us with an abundance of much-needed water this past winter. Here are two organizations that provide the ideas and guidance to get your garden teeming with possibility. Join efforts with Green America's Climate Victory Garden or the Homegrown National Park and feel the promise and power of being part of a nationwide, collective effort to heal the planet one backyard at a time. 

Arts & Recreation News

Dogs in Public Areas - Know the Laws - Watching your dog run free and just “be a dog” is hard to resist, we know. Laws about dogs in public areas and leash laws are not put in place to punish dog owners, but rather to help prevent bad things from happening as a result of dogs running free.

Learn more on our website.

Spaces Still Available in Mill Valley Recreation Summer Camps - We have a variety of camps, for kids preschool age through teens, that are active and engaged this summer. See available camps & get your kids registered today!

Movies in the Park are Back! - Grab a blanket or your favorite lawn chair and some snacks for some FREE & fun-filled movie magic under the stars. Our first Movie in the Park of the season is "The Nightmare Before Christmas" on Friday, June 2nd at Old Mill Park. Movies begin at dusk. Get more info and find out the full lineup of this year's movies.

Silent Disco in the Plaza - Join us for this FREE event in the Mill Valley Depot Plaza on Friday, May 5th from 5pm to 8pm as we get our groove on Silent Disco style. Presented by the Mill Valley Arts Commission. Find out what a Silent Disco is all about!

FREE Comedy in the Plaza - June 15th! - The Mill Valley Arts Commission presents Comedy in the Plaza, Thursday, June 15th at 6pm. Enjoy the comedy stylings of Dennis Gaxiola, Phil Johnson, Al Ducharme, Kellen Erskine and our MC for the evening Bernadette Pauley.

Get more info about this hilarious FREE event!

Library News

After Hours: Poets for Science

Friday, May 19th, 7pm | Mill Valley Public Library - Main Reading Room

Featuring Pulitzer-prize winner Forrest Gander, joined by Jane Hirshfield, Kimiko Hahn and Meryl Natchez. Poets for Science started on Earth Day 2017, when demonstrators worldwide joined in a March for Science in a call to support and safeguard the scientific community, fact-based decision making, basic research, and freedom of speech for scientists. Registration highly recommended. Adults and high school students only. Learn more.

Friends of the Mill Valley Library Annual Party

Wednesday, May 10th, 5:30pm | Mill Valley Public Library - SmartGarden

The Friends of the Mill Valley Library welcome members, and those interested in finding out more about the Friends, to attend their Annual Member Appreciation Party. Listen to live music, enjoy hors d’oeuvres and wine, and shop the bookstore (no scanners allowed). Registration required. Learn more.

Trivia Night at The Depot

Thursday, May 18th, 6pm | The Book Depot - 87 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley, CA 94941

Assemble a team of no more than five people -- or tackle it solo -- and duke it out for the title of Trivia Master. We'll provide the questions and answer sheets, all you need is your knowledge! Upcoming Trivia Nights: June 8th & July 13th. Registration recommended. Learn more.

From the Mill Valley Chamber of Commerce:

The 2023 Mill Valley Music Festival Is Almost Here!

May 13 & 14 from 12-7pm - Friends Field at the Mill Valley Community Center (180 Camino Alto) Tickets

Featuring 10 amazing bands, the Mill Valley Music Festival seeks to celebrate our community's deep roots in arts and culture, along with a bounty of amazing food, the giant Manzanita Marketplace, the riveting Sweetwater Music Hall Second Stage and much more. 

Attending? Here are some links to help you plan ahead:

• Getting there - Driving to this event will be almost impossible - Plan ahead and check out free parking locations, shuttle, bike valet, and more!
• FAQ - What can I bring? What should I not bring? And more!

Not attending?

You need to know that the confluence of several thousand attendees over a two-day span will likely make getting around town challenging on May 13 & 14. Plan accordingly and thank you for your patience! Just as they did in 2022. festival organizers are doing everything in their power to minimize impacts to community members, including encouraging everyone to walk, bike, and shuttle to the event.

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