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Southern Marin Scoop - October 18, 2023 |
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Dear Friends and Neighbors in Southern Marin,
I hope everyone is settling into our beautiful Fall season. It’s my favorite season. I love seeing the leaves turn colors and crunch under our feet!
First off, I would like to extend congratulations to Marin County Fire Chief Jason Weber who recieved the California Fire Chiefs Association Ronny J. Coleman Fire Chief of the Year award. Well deserved!
I invite you to join me at three upcoming community events, the “Navigating Climate Change: Marin’s Journey to Water Resilience” panel this Sunday afternoon in Tiburon, at the Southern Marin Fire District Open House in Tam Valley, Oct. 28, to talk about how to prepare for the upcoming rainy season and at "A Day in the Park" hosted by the Sausalito Floating Homes Association, Oct. 29.
In collaboration with local agencies, we are continuously working to improve our county's emergency response plans. Your safety is our top priority and below are a few tips to help make your home fire smart.
Art enriches our lives and adds vibrancy to our community. A new online map and database of public artworks throughout Marin County showcases the range of free, outdoor cultural experiences the County has to offer. This project will undoubtedly enhance our local culture and provide a creative outlet for our talented artists.
In our continuous efforts to support and empower our community, I am pleased to inform you of a new county grant opportunity, the Food, Agriculture, and Resilient Ecosystems (FARE) grant program, which funds competitive matching grants throughout the county to support sustainable food systems, climate-beneficial agriculture management, and improvement of natural resource values on working lands. This grant aims to assist local initiatives and projects that enhance the well-being of our residents and contribute to our county's growth.
As summer comes to a close, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our dedicated summer intern, Tindi Musyoki. Her hard work, enthusiasm, and fresh perspective have been invaluable to our county initiatives. We wish her the best in her future endeavors.
Finally, with kids back to school and our community back to commuting, I wanted to share information from the Transportation Authority of Marin and Safe Routes to School about Street Smarts, a traffic safety program that educates drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists about safety issues, including distracted driving. The goal is to encourage people to adopt new attitudes and behaviors that will reduce the number of traffic-related accidents and make our streets safer for everyone.
Thank you for your ongoing support and involvement in our county's endeavors. Together, we can make our community safer, more resilient, and culturally enriched.
Warm regards,
Stephanie
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 In This Edition
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Join Me at the "Navigating Climate Change: Marin's Journey to Water Resilience" Panel
Join me along with Sausalito Mayor Melissa Blaustein, Marin Water Board Member Jed Smith, and Marin Independent Journal Columnist Dick Spotswood for a panel discussion with local leaders to learn about long-term solutions to Marin’s water supply challenges.
The panel will provide insights into our current situation and explain plans to build a sustainable system. Your questions matter – they'll be answered live during the event. Reception to follow.
Date: Sunday, October 22, 3:30 -5:00 p.m.
Location: 240 Tiburon Blvd., Tiburon, CA 94920
Hosted by Westminster Events, this panel discussion will cover rising water costs, infrastructure, sustainable water solutions and more. Let's dive into these crucial topics together!
Admission is FREE and open to all. Let's pave the way for a water-resilient future.
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Congratulations Chief Weber
 Congratulation to Marin County Fire Chief Jason Weber, who received the California Fire Chiefs Association Ronny J. Coleman Fire Chief of the Year award. The Ronny Jack Coleman Fire Chief of the Year honor is awarded by the California Fire Chiefs Association to a Fire Chief who is dedicated to advancing the fire service to ensure emergency services are safely provided to the communities we serve by well trained, skilled, and compassionate people.
Meet Your Supervisor, Flood Control Zone Representatives, Firefighters and Local Agency Representatives
 I hope you will join me at Southern Marin Fire District Station 4 (309 Poplar Ave., Tam Valley) on Saturday, Oct. 28, 10 a.m.-noon, as part of Southern Marin Fire District's Fire Station Open House events. I will be joined by Marin County Flood Control District representatives who can talk about local flood zone projects and preparations, Fire Safe Marin, Tam Valley Neighborhood Response Groups, Tam Valley Community Services Distrct, and the Tam Valley Improvement Club.
Free to attend. All ages welcome! BONUS: children who wear costumes including their firefighter “turnouts” will receive a special treat.
Each station open house includes the opportunity to:
- Learn age-appropriate fire & life safety skills.
- Watch a demo of the special firefighting clothes (turnouts).
- View fire apparatus (fire engine, fire truck, hazmat, rescue) and equipment.
- Collect SMFD plastic firefighter hats, keychains, and more!
- Ask questions and learn more about the District.
MORE INFO
Fire-Smart Landscaping Tip – October 2023
There are no fire-resistant plants since all plants can burn. But there are aspects to consider when selecting plants to include in your fire-smart landscape. Plant spacing, size, and maintenance are important considerations.
Consider:
Plants that have a higher moisture content, lower resin or sap content, and less volatile oils.
Low-growing plants and plants that don’t produce excessive amounts of dry, combustible vegetation that can act as fuel for fires.
California native plants that are well adapted to your climate and ecosystem which will be more likely to thrive without excessive watering and maintenance, reducing fire risk.
Horizontal and vertical spacing between plants and hardscape features that separate plant groupings to break up the path of fire.
MORE INFO
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Free Forum: Marin County Emergency Preparedness
Get the latest preparedness information and advice from the Marin County Office of Emergency Management. Learn about recent disasters and learn how you can BE PREPARED at home and at work. MORE INFO
OK/Help Drill Notice
Twice each year, on the day of the Daylight Savings Time Change in the Spring and Fall, Neighborhood Response Groups across Marin County participate in OK/HELP Drills. Below are a few ways you, as a neighbor, can support volunteers.
Complete and return the Household Info Form to your Block Captain. This is used by volunteers to help make informed decisions before, during, and after disasters.
Display your OK or HELP sign on the day of the next drill (November 5th at 10am). It's a simple way to communicate with volunteers and first responders during drills and real disasters.
Reach out to your Block Captain to find out when & how they plan to participate.
Find out more about Neighborhood Response Groups on southernmarinnrg.org. Need to find out who your Block Captain is? Email the Southern Marin NRG Coordinator, Leah Curtis, at nrg@smfd.org.
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 Join me at "A Day in the Park" sponsored by the Sausalito Floating Homes Associaton at Van Damme Park in Sausalito, Oct. 29. Come enjoy great food, live music, art, and more. MORE INFO
Marin City Health and Wellness Center Ribbon Cutting
 Marin City Health and Wellness Center Board of Directors Chair Nancy Johnson, CEO Harold Wallace MPH, and I celebrating the opening of the new Marin City Health and Wellness Center. Marin City Health and Wellness Center provides innovative health and wellness services to all, with the goal of African American Health Equity, providing wraparound healthcare to patients of all ages and ethnicities at clinics in Marin City and Bayview Hunters Point in San Francisco and at the Women’s Center in San Rafael.
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Get Ready! 94920
 Tiburon Mayor Jack Ryan, Southern Marin Fire District's Elaine Wilkinson and I at last weekend's Get Ready! 94920 event. Great to see so many fresidents from Tiburon and Belvedere come out to learn how to be prepared for emergencies. MORE INFO
Rotary Club of Sausalito
 Thank you to the Rotary Club of Sausalito for hosting me as one of their current affairs speakers last week. I always enjoy engaging in conversation with civic-minded community groups and appreciate all they do for the Sausalito community.
Thank You to Our Summer Intern, Tindi Musyoki
A big thank you to our District 3 summer intern, Tindi Musyoki, who worked in our office throughout the summer months learning about local government, working through consituent issues, and faciliting the Facebook page. Below is more about this bright young woman:
My name is Tindi Musyoki, and I am 16 years old. I’m a Strawberry resident and a senior at Tamalpais High School. Throughout my time at Tam, I have actively taken on leadership roles and initiated projects that address crucial social issues. One of my most notable achievements has been founding the club "Food 4 Change," a community-driven initiative dedicated to combating food insecurity within our local area. Through this club, we have organized food drives, established partnerships with local food banks, and worked tirelessly to ensure that no one in our community goes hungry. In addition to my involvement with "Food 4 Change," I am a part of the school's Link Crew, which is a group of upperclassmen dedicated to helping 9th graders adjust to high school. I am also passionate about protecting the environment and have interned with an environmental group called 350 Marin to further my understanding on the issues at hand. I am dedicated to addressing educational disparities, demonstrated by my past work at the Hannah Projects’ Freedom School and my ongoing volunteer commitment with Bridge the Gap. These extracurricular activities have allowed me to expand my horizons and explore my diverse interests. By engaging in advocacy work, I have discovered a deep passion for creating positive change in all aspects of society. Outside of my academic commitments, I love going to the beach, watching the sunset, and trying new foods.
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Cultural Services Launches Online Map of Public Artworks throughout Marin County
A new online map and database of public artworks throughout Marin County showcases the range of free, outdoor cultural experiences the County has to offer.
From the famous seal sculpture in Sausalito to the Buddha Barn in Point Reyes Station, the map includes murals, sculptures, art installations, painted utility boxes, mosaics, and fountains. It’s all free for the community to discover, engage, enjoy, and celebrate Marin’s rich arts profile. The map – now a featured link on the Marin County Department of Cultural Services webpage – is searchable by city or town, or by art type, and includes over 150 listings.
The project, introduced to the Board of Supervisors on October 17, is the culmination of a multiyear collaboration between the Department of Cultural Services and the Marin County Information Services and Technology (IST). The impetus for the public art map/database came out of Arts, Culture, Action Marin!, the 2019 Marin Arts & Cultural Plan, whose three principal goals are to cultivate and advance Marin as an arts and cultural center; ensure Marin’s arts are by and for everyone; and sustain and grow Marin’s arts resources.
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Board of Supervisors Approves 25 Parks Measure A Breathe/Respira Community Grants
In partnership with Marin County Staff, teh Parks and Open Space Commission and the Parks Equity Roundtable, 25 grants to connect Marin residents to the outdoors through local partnerships were selected for final approval by the Board of Supervisors. Southern Marin District 3 recipents of grants include Wise Choices for Girls (WC4G) to lead park outings led by the Youth Council or WC4G for Marin City participants, Age Friendly Sausalito to offer excursions to older adults and persons with disabilities in the commuinty theough the OUt and About Together Program, and Performing Stars of Marin to bring groups of Marin City resident to the parks for social connection, creative activivites and outdoor enjoyment.
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Parks’ Tax Revenue to Support Local Food Systems
The first application period is opening this fall for nonprofits and other agencies to apply for almost $1.6 million from the Parks Measure A tax toward advancing community priorities that support all facets of Marin food systems, ranging from community gardens to carbon farming and more.
Measure A, otherwise known as the Marin Parks, Open Space, and Sustainable Agriculture Transactions and Use Tax Ordinance of 2022, is a countywide quarter-cent sales tax. By law, a portion of Measure A funds must be used to support sustainable food system.
The 2022 Measure A established the Food, Agriculture, and Resilient Ecosystems (FARE) grant program, which funds competitive matching grants throughout the county to support sustainable food systems, climate-beneficial agriculture management, and improvement of natural resource values on working lands. Parks expects an enthusiastic response to FARE; there were over 70 responses to a survey this summer about applying to the FARE program.
The Marin County Board of Supervisors approved the grant guidelines[PDF] October 10, and the grant application for Year 1 officially opened (see summary slideshow[PDF] on the Board’s agenda). Measure A funding for FARE is projected to total $7.2 million, or $800,000 annually, over the next nine years.
MORE INFO
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Street Smarts is a traffic safety program that educates drivers, pedestrians and cyclists about safety issues, including distracted driving. The goal is to encourage people to adopt new attitudes and behaviors that will reduce the number of traffic-related accidents and make our streets safer for everyone.
From early-October through the end of November, you will see bright and colorful banners and lawn signs popping up all over Marin asking people to keep their “Eyes Up” and be alert. These signs will be asking drivers to slow down, watch when turning and look for pedestrians in the crosswalk; bicyclists to yield to pedestrians and to follow the rules of the road; And those walking to pay attention when crossing the street.
 The number one reason parents are wary of letting their kids walk or bike to school is speeding cars. Watch your speed while you watch for kids on the road.
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