News Roundup From 3/21 to 3/25

Friday

• The audience at Marin Civic Center perked up when writer Michael Pollan explained that a double bacon cheeseburger from McDonald's actually has its origins in the oil fields of the Middle East. "I'm going to take you on a journey into the food system past, present and future," he said. Pollan is no stranger to the history of food. The bestselling author of “The Omnivore's Dilemma” and “In Defense of Food” has made a career out of analyzing the historical evolution of food and it’s perception and impacts in modern society. The author appeared Thursday night at the Marin Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium to deliver a speech entitled "The Sun-Food Agenda.”

Thursday

• San Rafael police officers arrested a man from Sacramento on suspicion of pimping a juvenile at 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, according to police spokeswoman Margo Rohrbacher. Police officers from the street crimes unit contacted the 16-year-old juvenile through text messages after finding her on an adult services website. They arranged to meet her at Motel 6 on 737 Francisco Blvd. East.

Wednesday

• A registered sex offender from San Rafael was arrested Tuesday by Novato police after a girl told the police that a man had made sexual advances while she sat at a bus stop on South Novato Boulevard, police said. Michael Raymond Ruiz, 53, was booked at Marin County Jail at 6 p.m. Tuesday about four hours after police found him near the bus stop near the intersection of South Novato Boulevard and Arthur Street, just around a corner from Novato High School.

Tuesday

• Despite budget cuts and staff reductions for the past 18 months, San Rafael residents are still satisfied with overall city services, according to a new survey by Godbe Research. Since the summer of 2009, council members have cut staff by 12 percent, which comes to a total loss of 54 full-time positions. The level of city services was negatively impacted by the reduced staff, according to Interim City Manager Jim Schutz’s report. But even with the cuts, the survey shows that 81 percent of people living in San Rafael consider themselves satisfied with city services as they are now.
• Council members announced that Nancy Mackle, a San Rafael employee of 14 years, will be taking over as city manager today.  Mackle, 52, most recently served as deputy city manager, the economic development director and the public information officer for the city.  As city manger, she will coordinate public affairs, oversee the volunteer program and carry out policies enacted by city council. She is replacing Jim Schutz, who has been acting as interim city manager since November 2010.

Monday

• Marin dog owners may have to face new regulations that would restrict and in some cases ban dogs from 21 areas within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, including Homestead Valley and Tennessee Valley. to four Bay Area public workshops hosted by the National Park Service last week. Many events featured protests by dog owners.