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Happy 4th of July to you and your family!
There are several festivities happening over the weekend to unite our community and commemorate this day. I want to highlight two events I will be attending: the Marin County Fair and the Novato 4th of July Parade.
Marin County Fair The Marin County Fair is back in full swing this year, June 30 - July 4, and is the perfect family activity to enjoy this holiday weekend. And not to be missed - each day is capped off with spectacular fireworks at 9:30pm.
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All fair tickets must be purchased online, and today (June 29) is the last day to buy discounted tickets. Opening day, June 30, is a special day with free admission for those ages 12 and under, 65 and older, and veterans (ID required at entry). Children under four and active-duty military are free every day.
During the fair, SMART will run additional evening trains to facilitate fairgoers taking public transit to the event. The expanded train service will allow fairgoers to stay later and enjoy the fireworks show.
The additional trains will depart from the Marin Civic Center Station at 10:05pm (southbound) and at 10:15pm and 10:45pm (northbound).
Novato 4th of July Parade On Tuesday, I hope to see you at the annual Novato 4th of July Parade! It always proves to be a fun time celebrating together as a community. I will be riding in the parade this year with my wife, Kiley, and my two children, Noah and Selah.
The parade starts at 10:00am at the intersection of Grant and Reichert Avenue and runs down Grant to 7th Street. I recommend kicking off your morning at the Buckaroo Breakfast, hosted by the Presbyterian Church of Novato, benefitting North Marin Community Services. A big thank you to the volunteers who make this treasured event come to life each year!
As we enjoy the barbeques, fireworks, and celebrations, may we remember and honor the men and women who fought and fight for the freedom that we’re celebrating. I wish you all a safe and fun holiday weekend.
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Beginning July 1, use of County Regional Parks and boat launches will be free of charge - perfect timing for summertime fun!
The following locations will now be free to visit:
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Stafford Lake in Novato
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McNears Beach in eastern San Rafael
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Paradise Beach in Tiburon
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Black Point Boat Launch in Novato
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Miller Boat Launch on Tomales Bay
If you haven’t had the opportunity to visit these County Regional Parks, they all offer great spots for picnicking, large gatherings, fishing, kite flying, or just lounging around and soaking in some great weather. Stafford Lake features a disc golf course, an off-road bike park, and hiking trails. At McNears Beach and Paradise Beach, visitors can kayak, paddleboard, or canoe on the San Francisco Bay.
The fees, which had been $5.00 per passenger vehicle, were eliminated to encourage visits by individuals and families who may not normally visit County Regional Parks because the entry fee proved to be a barrier.
The elimination of these fees coincides with the County’s commitment to approach decision-making with an equity lens. Marin continues to be one of the most racially disparate counties in California. We know that disparities of Marin’s collective health, wealth, and quality of life are the greatest when measured by race.
Our County Regional Parks see higher visits by people of color then our open space preserves (which were already free of charge for visitors). Eliminating these fees is a proactive step we can take to reduce barriers for visitation and provide equitable access to our parks and open space preserves. This aligns with other County Parks programs dedicated to getting people in our parks who may not otherwise be able to, including the Breathe/Respira community grant program and free reservable sites for eligible organizations.
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The District 5 team had the opportunity to volunteer at the weekly Healthy Hub Food distribution event at the Marin Community Clinic site in Novato. Hundreds of residents participate in the weekly foodbank. Food pantry items are provided by the SF-Marin Food Bank and by ExtraFood. The partnership between these local nonprofits provides a much-needed service to low-income individuals and families in Marin.
The SF-Marin Foodbank works not only to address daily hunger needs but also works with community partners to reduce barriers and find and create long-term solutions. SF-Marin Food Bank surveyed 6,000 participants to learn more about the challenges they face. 40% report living with two or more households under one roof, and 79% of individuals and 82% of those with children, worry about running out of food. The cost of housing, bills, inequalities, and inflation are all contributing factors. The SF-Marin Foodbank is an invaluable resource, providing food security for many in our community.
An ongoing need and challenge is securing volunteers to help provide these services. There are many opportunities, at a variety of locations, where you can help:
Volunteering at the Healthy Hub Food distribution was a truly rewarding and fun experience, and I hope you will consider giving some of your time if you are able. Visit the SF-Marin Food bank website for more information about their programs.
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The Marin County Youth Commission is still accepting applications for the 2023-2024 term. The deadline to apply is July 2. The Youth Commission offers young people, ages 12-23, the opportunity to give their perspective on important issues facing their community and work directly with the Board of Supervisors and County departments as a leader and voice for youth in the County. Commissioners engage in policy analysis and recommendations, skill building, leadership development, event planning, and more!
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Learning Bus backpack give-away at the South Novato Library
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Recognizing Berta Campos-Anicetti on her retirement from North Marin Community Services
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Breakfast with Gnoss Field Community Association
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SMART Connect Microtransit Shuttle Ribbon Cutting
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As your Supervisor, I welcome and encourage you to connect, share your concerns, and your ideas. We want to hear from you! Please use the contact information below to reach out to the District 5 Team. A reply to this email doesn’t come directly to my office, and I’d like to respond to you in a timely manner.
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