In May, we celebrate Bike Month, Bike to Work Day (May 18th) and Bike to Wherever Days. The goal is simple: get more people to ride and celebrate bicycling and all it does for our happiness, health, and environment.

There are so many great things that the Marin County Bicycle Coalition (MCBC) has planned for Bike Month 2023. Join us in this annual celebration!

On Thursday, May 18, ride your bike to an an energizer station and pick up your 2023 BTWD swag bag and enjoy a snack to fuel your ride.

Particpiate in Bike Month by joining a Ride with Us! rides. Join MCBCfor a ride over the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge on Saturday, May 20 and roll into the Bike Fest in the Park event at Pickleweed Park.

Sign up to volunteer during Bike Month. Volunteer at a Bike to Work/Wherever Day energizer station or help stuff swag bags. READ MORE

May is wildfire awareness month, and the 2nd annual wildfire preparedness festival Ember Stomp is happening on Saturday, May 20 at the Civic Center fairgrounds.

Ember Stomp invites residents to learn their role in being part of a fire-adapted community and how we can all prepare for wildfire. This year offers a bigger space with new music, entertainment, exhibits, vendors and a live burn demonstration. This FREE event, which runs from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. is fun for the whole family.

While living in California, planning for wildfires can be overwhelming, Ember Stomp will bring together the whole fire prevention community to combat these feelings by making resources accessible and fun. READ MORE

While we have finally seen the end of a long winter of atmospheric rivers, Marin Public Health is now preparing for the wildfire season, which includes extreme heat and extended power outages.  Providers play an important role in helping prepare medically frail and vulnerable patients for emergencies and disasters.  For example, providers can share disease-specific emergency readiness materials developed by the CDC with their patients.  We can also play a role in mitigating climate change. Learn more about MarinCAN, the countywide campaign to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  From buying or leasing an electric or hybrid vehicle to electrifying our homes, there are steps you can take to protect Marin’s future generations.  Thanks for all you do each day to keep our communities healthy and safe.

The Southern Marin Fire Protection District has made the reduction of flammable vegetation that surrounds us one of its biggest priorities. To that end, The District’s multi-faceted Vegetation Management Program is coming to neighborhoods with two primary goals in mind: reduce flammable vegetation and improve access for emergency vehicles, particularly on narrow, windy streets.

With your continued support, the Southern Marin Fire Protection District has removed more than 7,100 tons of flammable vegetation from Southern Marin and Mill Valley right of ways and private property. This has not only improved emergency response times, but it has also reduced the number of power outages during winter storms.

The focus of the Vegetation Management Program includes: 
• Pruning trees to maintain emergency vehicle access
• Removal of all flammable and encroaching vegetation from the roadsides and sidewalks
• The evaluation of designated parking spots and maintenance on fire hydrants in the area.
• Any trees designated for removal will be marked with a red dot.

If you have any questions regarding this program, concerns about specifically marked trees, or interest in scheduling a Chipper Day, which provides residents the chance to give the dangerous fire fuels they’ve removed from their yards a date with the chipper machine, please contact Wildfire Mitigation Specialist Madison Mead at 415-388-8184 or mmead@smfd.org

At its meeting on April 18, the Marin County Board of Supervisors approved a grant for the County’s Department of Health and Human Services to help administer the Richardson Bay Regional Agency’s (RBRA) Temporary Housing Support Program. The authorization provided the final framework for an initiative to relocate residents off environmentally sensitive waters and into safe and stable secure housing on the mainland.

 With the organizational structure for the program now fully approved and the $3 million in state funding—secured by State Senator Mike McGuire—officially transferred to the RBRA, the program kicked off on May 1. The initiative provides a local subsidized housing program for individuals living on the water at the time of the RBRA point in time survey.

 “We are eager to begin the work on finding new homes for individuals looking to restart their lives on the land,” said Marin County Supervisor Stephanie Moulton-Peters. “This program will provide critical financial support for residents while helping to protect and restore the ecosystem of Richardson Bay.”

 The $344,680 grant agreement approved on Tuesday will enable the Health and Human Services Agency (HHS) to provide short-term case management support to the people of the anchor out community who access the housing vouchers. The HHS will work with RBRA to aid in identifying and prioritizing individuals in need of housing assistance. READ MORE

The Marin County Flood Control and Water Conservation District is beginning work on the Marin City Stormwater Plan and is providing many opportunities for public participation.

The first community meeting is scheduled for June 1; additional meeting details will be posted to the District website when available. Additionally, a local task force has been created to assure that community interests and concerns are taken into account during the 18-month development of the stormwater plan. There will be a total of five task force meetings and three community meetings over the 18-month process. READ MORE

Renowned for presenting world-class music, the Marin County Fair announces a stellar lineup of bands every night of the fair June 30 through July 4, all free with the price of general admission. 

 Blue Öyster Cult
Friday, June 30, 7:30 p.m. 
Since 1972, Blue Öyster Cult has been traveling the world bringing their unique take on rock music with them. Their biggest hits with “(Don't Fear) The Reaper” and “Burnin’ For You,” both quintessential rock songs remain popular to this day.

Concert to be announced - Saturday, July 1, 7:30 p.m.  

Patti LaBelle
Sunday, July 2, 7:30 p.m.
Patti LaBelle has been called as the “Godmother of Soul.” Her career has spanned seven decades, and she has sold more than 50 million records worldwide. 

Stephen Marley
Monday, July 3, 7:30 p.m.
From his solo works to family collaborations and production credits, Stephen Marley's music has earned him eight Grammy Awards. He is the second eldest son of reggae legend Bob Marley and Rita Marley, raised in Kingston, Jamaica.

Melissa Etheridge
Tuesday, July 4, 7:30 p.m.
Melissa Etheridge is one of rock music’s great female icons. Etheridge hit her commercial and artistic stride with the album, Yes I Am, featuring the hits “I’m the Only One” and “Come to My Window,” which brought her a second Grammy. Etheridge is also an Oscar winner for Best Original Song in 2007.  *All artists subject to change. READ MORE

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Fair Tickets on Sale Now!

If you plan to attend the fair on June 30, July 1, July 2, or July 3:
Purchase from May 15-31: ALL TICKETS $15
Purchase from June 1-29: ALL TICKETS $20
Purchase from June 30-July 3: ALL TICKETS $25

If you plan to attend the fair on July 4: ALL TICKETS $25
Admittance is FREE for children under 4 every day
Active-duty military get in FREE every day
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