San Rafael Snapshot - October 3, 2013

On Monday at 5 p.m., the City Council will hear a request for City funding for the Community Media Center of Marin, through the City’s participation in the Marin Telecommunication Agency (MTA). The study session will take place in the Community Development Conference Room on the third floor of City Hall.   No formal votes or final decisions are made by the City Council in study session, but the one hour meeting will provide an opportunity for the Council to ask questions and provide input to the Council’s representative on the MTA Board. Click here for more information.

At Monday’s Council meeting at 7 p.m., the City Council will hear about Marin County’s Financial Abuse Specialist Team (FAST). FAST is a group of volunteers working with the Division of Aging and Adult Services in Marin County. Over thirty percent of the older adults in Marin live alone. As people go through the aging process they can become more isolated. They can become more trusting of people that perhaps they shouldn't be trusting of, and it's a situation where financial abuse can easily take place. Click here to watch an informational video.

The City Council is seeking applications for a vacancy on the Board of Library Trustees. The Library Board of Trustees is an advisory board with responsibility to provide support for the Director, support the Library Foundation in its quest for a new library, serve as advocates for the Library to the City Council and help increase the visibility of the Library in the community. After Monday, applications will be available online or at the City Clerk’s office.

On Saturday, October 26th between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. the San Rafael Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will provide the public with another opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired and unwanted prescription drugs.  Bring your medications for disposal to the San Rafael City Hall lobby located at 1400 Fifth Avenue.  The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is in the process of hosting informal meetings on the FEMA San Francisco Bay Coastal Study and revised Risk Maps that identify flood hazards and assess flood risks. This is an important part of the National Flood Insurance Program, as it is the basis of regulations and flood insurance requirements. In this way, some residents who live along the bay shoreline might be affected by the study. Two meetings have already taken place in Novato and San Rafael and two more are scheduled on the following dates:

• Tuesday, Oct. 8, 6:30-8 p.m. Kreps Conference Room, Redwood High School, 395 Doherty Dr., Larkspur

• Wednesday, Oct. 9, 6:30-8 p.m. Sausalito City Council Chambers, 420 Litho St., Sausalito

For more information about FEMA’s coastal study and County informational meetings, click here.

Resilient Neighborhoods is a program that offers practical actions to live more lightly on the earth, reduce your bills, and make your family, neighborhood and community more resilient. It’s fun, free, and rewarding. So far, 121 Marin households have reduced 1.6 million pounds of CO2 emissions. Come learn more about joining an eco-team on Saturday, October 5 from 4:30-6:00 p.m. at the Women’s Club in Fairfax.

Tuesday, November 5 is Election Day. You can register online at the CA Secretary of State website or you can fill out a paper voter registration form, sign it, and return it by mail or in person to the Marin County Elections Department. The last day to register is October 21. Polls will be open on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.  Vote by mail ballots must be received (in the envelope provided) by 8 p.m. on election night.  Vote by mail ballots may be dropped off at the Registrar of Voters/Elections Department, or, on Election Day, at any polling place in Marin County during operating hours.  If you have lost your absentee ballot, contact the Registrar of Voters/Elections Department office for a replacement ballot, or request a provisional ballot from your polling place on Election Day.

Give your unwanted items a new home. Someone in Marin wants the items you don't - even stuff like drained batteries, used light bulbs and hazardous materials. Check out this downloadablerecycling guide or visit www.zerowastemarin.org for resources to help you reach your zero waste goal including tips that will improve your daily routine, the environment and your bank account.

EVENTS

The 36th Mill Valley Film Festival will run from Oct. 3-13 at various venues in Mill Valley, Corte Madera, and San Rafael, including the Rafael Film Center. This year the festival includes 152 films (88 features, 64 shorts) from more than 50 countries, including 12 world premieres. For tickets and information visit www.mvff.com or call (877) 874-6833.

The new Target store is opening on October 13. The store is currently hiring and you can visitwww.target.com/careers to learn more. The store is located at the Shoreline Center off East Francisco Boulevard.  

Downtown San Rafael takes on a Parisian flair with street musicians, entertainment, artists and French inspired food on Friday October 11, from 5 - 8 pm, during the Second Fridays "(Almost) Midnight in Paris" event.  And what would a night in Paris be without poodles? Voila: A Poodle Parade on Fourth Street, to benefit downtown's very own Guide Dogs for the Blind. For a complete list of restaurants, shops, street entertainment and street food vendors participating in "(Almost) Midnight in Paris" visit the BID website at www.srbid.org and Facebook page "Downtown San Rafael Business Improvement District, or call 720-5591.