August Update from Supervisor Sackett

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AUGUST 2025

FREITAS PKWY ON-RAMP CLOSURE THIS WEEKEND  FOOD & AGRICULTURE GRANTS AVAILABLE STORM SEASON PREPARATIONS UNDERWAY JOB & RESOURCE FAIRS MARIN GREEN HOME TOUR EMBERSTOMP CALL 811 BEFORE YOU DIG IN COMMUNITY HAVE YOU HEARD? WHAT I'M READING RESOURCES

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Dear Neighbors,

As August winds down, I am reflecting on the honor of celebrating Marin Villages' 15th Anniversary in a packed auditorium at the Buck Institute last week. Their Village model has helped build friendship, connection, and community among older adults throughout Marin. We were treated to a great dialogue between Buck’s Chief Philanthropy Officer, Brian Van Weele, and keynote speaker, Dr. Vivek Murthy, the 19th and 21st Surgeon General of the United States under Presidents Obama and Biden. Dr. Murthy left us all with a prescription, “triad of fulfillment":

Relationships – Talk to someone for 5 minutes everyday even if over the phone. Healthy relationships are powerful sources of joy and stress relief.

Service – Acts of service are important. Research shows that sustained efforts to help others can lower one’s risk of hypertension, depression, and cognitive decline while shoring up a stronger feeling of connection.

Purpose – Take time to sit in silence with yourself. Data suggests a link between purpose to reduced risks of stroke, dementia, and depression, while acting as a firewall against stress.

A friend of my aunt's (who I didn't know was in the audience) snapped this photo of me welcoming the crowd and Dr. Murthy which my aunt later sent to me. It is an example of how our villages can have connections where we least expect it!

Villages can provide help in everyday life, and when it is needed most in times of distress. Yesterday, August 21, a structure fire at an apartment complex in the Canal area of San Rafael displaced approximately 55 people. The City of San Rafael is working closely with Canal Alliance to coordinate donations. If you are inclined to help, monetary donations and gift cards are the most helpful forms of support at this time. Physical gift cards and cash donations may be dropped off at Canal Alliance at 91 Larkspur St. in San Rafael or donated online. At this time, please refrain from donating physical items or bringing donations to the Al Boro Community Center.

 

FREITAS PKWY ON-RAMP CLOSURE THIS WEEKEND

 

Caltrans is scheduled to close the Southbound US-101 on-ramp from Eastbound Manuel T. Freitas Parkway for a 55-hour closure to complete drainage system, sidewalk, curb, and gutter work. Temporary pedestrian access and a traffic detour will be implemented during construction. The closure is scheduled from Friday, Aug. 22 from 10 PM until Monday, Aug. 25 at 4 AM. All work is dependent on weather and other factors.

Detour from Westbound Manuel T. Freitas Parkway to Southbound US-101:

• Go westbound on Manuel T. Freitas Parkway
• Take a U-turn at Northgate Drive
• Travel eastbound Manuel T. Freitas Parkway
• Take the Southbound US-101 on-ramp from Manuel T. Freitas
  

For the overall project, Caltrans is working to relocate the bus stop at the northbound Freitas Parkway off-ramp to make it safer and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible. Caltrans is improving the intersection of Freitas Parkway, Civic Center Drive, and Old Redwood Highway by installing a roundabout. This change will improve traffic flow and make this busy intersection/off-ramp safer for vehicles and pedestrians. The project is scheduled to finish this Fall. For real-time traffic, click on Caltrans QuickMap.

 

FOOD & AGRICULTURE GRANTS AVAILABLE

 

The second round of the Food, Agriculture, and Resilient Ecosystems (FARE) grant program is open for applications. The 2025 grants aim to support projects and programs that strengthen local food systems, promote climate-beneficial management, and increase natural resource values on Marin's working lands. Projects that benefit populations experiencing inequity related to food security, ecological health, or other FARE focus areas will be prioritized. Award amounts range from $5,000-$200,000.

Applications are due by September 12, 2025. You can find a link to the application on the Fare Grants webpage. Have questions about the application process, want to discuss project ideas, or have other questions? Please book a meeting with our Parks Team using this FARE Office Hours link or visit the FARE Grants webpage for more information.

 

STORM SEASON PREPARATIONS UNDERWAY

 

 

Each summer, the Marin County Public Works team prepares for winter storms by maintaining creeks, levees, tide gates, pump stations, storm drains, culverts, and roads. Crews inspect 37 miles of creek beds and channels, over 14 miles of levees and berms, and service 18 permanent pump stations, and more—critical for protecting low-lying neighborhoods like Santa Venetia. Road crews also clear storm drains, culverts, and roadside ditches across unincorporated Marin to prevent backups and flooding.

Before the rainy season hits, residents are encouraged to take action on their property to help reduce the risk of flooding. Before a storm, it is recommended that residents clear dead leaves from their driveway culverts, rooftop gutters, and storm drains. Dead foliage should be disposed of in compost bins. Additionally, ReadyMarin.org provides many detailed resources, including emergency “go-bag” packing checklists, that can be helpful for residents to prepare for the unexpected. It is crucial for residents to sign up for the Alert Marin notification system to be aware of emergency situations. 

 

JOB & RESOURCE FAIRS

 

In partnership with the Workforce Alliance of the North Bay, the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce, and the City of San Rafael, the Inaugural San Rafael Level-Up Job Expo is being held on Thursday September 25th from 4:00-7:00 PM at the San Rafael Community Center on B Street. There will be free childcare, on-site interview spaces, and networking time over coffee and snacks.

The Marin City Community Development Corporation is hosting the 6th Annual Marin City Job and Resource Fair on Thursday September 4th from 3:00-7:00 PM at St. Andrew’s Church. There will be employers, community organizations, and other resource providers on site. The event will have food and beverages, music, a raffle, and more.

Also, don't forget you can subscribe to Marin County job postings here.

 

Staff from PG&E recently had an op-ed in the Marin IJ which brought to light something I didn't know about previously. In Marin, it’s not storms that most often damage underground gas and electric lines, it’s shovels. Every year, well-meaning homeowners, DIY landscapers, and unlicensed contractors unintentionally strike utility lines while planting trees, installing fences, or building patios. Marin ranks among the top counties in PG&E’s service area for these “dig-ins.”

These aren’t small mistakes. Hitting a line can spark fires, cause costly outages, or result in severe injury. Repairs can run from a few thousand dollars to six figures. The solution is simple: before digging, submit a request to 811. Professionals will mark underground lines, and following this step reduces the risk of an incident by 99%. A few minutes of planning can prevent disaster, protect your property, and keep our community safe. Always call 811 before you dig.

 

IN COMMUNITY

 

HAVE YOU HEARD?