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Town Manager's Newsletter

Saturday, March 4, 2023

David P. Donery, Town Manager

Youth commissioner flyer
Bald Hill photo with Seminary in foreground

Marin Open Space Trust Permanently Protects Bald Hill
 

On February 8, 2023, the Marin Open Space Trust (MOST) purchased and then conveyed the 60-acre Bald Hill property to the Marin County Open Space District (MCOSD). The land, which includes Bald Hill’s iconic, scenic summit and the hill’s eastern face, will be permanently protected and accessible to the public for recreational use. 

The land will become an addition to the existing 46-acre Bald Hill Open Space Preserve, and MOST is now working with the county to assess trail conditions and make improvements for public access. 

For decades, Bald Hill had been a top acquisition priority for local towns, the MCOSD, and land conservation organizations. The land was zoned for estate lots and its development had always been a possibility.

Jonathan Braun, MOST’s board member and lifelong San Anselmo resident and co-chair of the San Anselmo Open Space Committee, led the Bald Hill project. He commented: “MOST is so grateful to the project’s generous individual donors, the Towns of Ross and San Anselmo, the Tamalpais Conservation Club, and the MCOSD for our successful fundraising campaign. This beloved place will now be preserved in perpetuity.”

Highly visible, 1,132-foot Bald Hill is a spectacular backdrop to our Town and the Ross Valley. The 360-degree view from Bald Hill’s summit is phenomenal. The property borders Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD) lands to the west and south, and is a gateway to more than 100,000 acres of protected land. 

The Town thanks Jonathan and his colleagues for their tireless work to bring this project to completion.

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Recap of this Week's

Town Council Meeting

The Town Council discussed the following items at the Council meeting on February 28, 2023:

Mayor's Proclamation Recognizing Danny Krebs

Council Items:

  • Considered and approved the application for the Longway Block Party sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce for Friday, March 24th, 2023, from 5:00pm to 9:00pm.
  • Considered and approved the Children for Change application for their annual event scheduled for Sunday, April 23rd, 2023 from 7:00am to 12:00pm.
  • Adopted a Resolution to establish a Vehicle Miles Traveled CEQA Threshold
    of Significance Policy to Implement SB 743.
  • Received and filed an update on the Shared Service and Leadership Study for
    the Ross Valley Fire Department. 
  • Discussed and provided direction to staff regarding murals in the Town of
    San Anselmo.
  • Appointed one (1) applicant to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory
    Committee

The full agenda and further information can be found on the Town website: HERE

Please add your email to receive notifications and agendas for the Town Council meetings or any other Town public meetings: HERE

Memorial Park - fields image

Memorial Park  - New Fields
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony!

Opening Day of SA Baseball & Softball
Saturday, March 18, 2023
10:00 AM

The refurbished Memorial Park fields are open and ready for the community!  Please join us to celebrate and to kick-off baseball and softball season -  in the Meadow, behind the ball fields (near the picnic table area).

Master of Ceremonies:  Rod Kerr - Parks & Recreation Commissioner
Ribbon Cutting: Mayor Steve Burdo and Vice Mayor Eileen Burke

Questions? Please contact: recreation@townofsananselmo.org or 415/ 258-4640

Imagination Park photo

Imagination Park News:
Lawn Restoration

The lawn area at Imagination Park, in the heart of downtown, is closed February 15 - March 30 for reseeding and restoration work.
We appreciate your cooperation in staying off the grass while the restoration is underway. The benches around the grass area are still open to enjoy. 

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Historical Commission Announces:
 New Online Photo/Artifact Catalog

The San Anselmo Historical Commission is dedicated to preserving and sharing our town’s history and is excited to announce the launch of a new publicly accessible Online Catalog of photographs and artifacts from the Historical Museum’s collection.

The Museum has collected and preserved a collection of over 2,000 photographs and numerous artifacts and archival documents. The new catalog enhances the Commission’s goal to foster an understanding and appreciation of the history of San Anselmo and its place in the history of Marin. The online catalog is a work in progress, and more items will be added in the coming months.

Have you seen the beautiful new light pole banners on San Anselmo Avenue featuring images of our Town of yesteryear? Special thanks go to the San Anselmo Community Foundation, The Town of San Anselmo, and the San Anselmo Historical Society for their generous donations. Hopefully the banners will encourage residents and visitors alike to visit the Historical Museum in-person or online.

For more information, check out the San Anselmo Historical Museum website: HERE

RECREATION DEPARTMENT NEWS

SA Recreation Summer 2023 Guide cover image

Summer Camp 2023 Registration
is now open!

Interested in carpentry? Or theater? Or sports? Or maybe you’re looking for that classic summer camp experience that only Camp Kid Marin can offer! We have just what you need!

Spaces will fill up fast so be sure to go to: www.sananselmorecreation.org 

If you have any questions, please e-mail: recreation@townofsananselmo.org
or call 415-258-4640.

PLANNING, BUILDING AND PUBLIC WORKS NEWS

CA dept of HCD logo

The California Department of Housing & Community Development
Acknowledges Receipt of the Draft Housing Element

The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) has acknowledged the Town's submittal of the Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element. It was sent to the HCD on January 26, 2023.  

For more information about the Housing Element and the next steps regarding the HCD staff review, please visit the Housing Element Update webpage on the Town website or click HERE

Public comment continues to be vital to the process.
Please direct any comments or questions to:
Heidi Scoble, Planning Director 
hscoble@townofsananselmo.org

Creek Park Temporary plaza image

Update on Discussions with the County of Marin Regarding Public Use of Creek Park Plaza

For more information go to the Building Bridge #2/Creek Park Update page on the Town website, or click HERE

Please note that Creek Park is still open: This includes the Redwood grove picnic tables. The Town has moved some plaza picnic tables back to the Creek Park area to provide more seating. You can access Creek Park via the pedestrian bridge from San Anselmo Avenue or from Center Avenue and Sir Francis Drake Blvd.

LIBRARY NEWS

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Spring into Reading: Adult Virtual Reading Challenge

March 6 -- April 30, 2023

Spring into reading with the San Anselmo Public Library! Log your reading on Beanstack and attend library programs throughout the challenge to earn a new set of colorful badges. Sign up on Beanstack and start reading today: https://townofsananselmo.beanstack.org/

Beanstack is an online and mobile app you can use to track your reading and participate in challenges and programs from your San Anselmo Public LIbrary. Earn spring-themed badges for logging your reading and completing activities. Sign up today at townofsananselmo.beanstack.org

March art talk painting image

Art Talk Tuesday: Sargent and Spain


Tuesday, March 14 12:00pm noon
Council Chambers OR on Zoom


American artist John Singer Sargent (1856-1925) is known as the society portrait painter of the Gilded Age. A lifelong expatriate, Sargent made seven visits to Spain from 1879 to 1912, resulting in a remarkable body of work. Sargent and Spain, an exhibition on view at the Legion of Honor, will present an array of the artist’s dazzling oils, watercolors, and drawings, along with never-before-exhibited photographs showcasing Spain’s people, architecture, and magnificent rural and urban landscapes. Kathryn Zupsic will present live in the Council Chambers and will immerse you in the rich culture of Spain and Sargent’s vibrant depictions of the country’s churches, coastlines, and dancers.

Can’t join us in-person? Click here to join us virtually on Zoom!

Library: Environment + Sustainability Series logo with Marin Master Garders logo

Climate-Smart Gardening
Part 1: Impact and Mitigation

Wednesday, March 15 6:00pm
Library Reading Room OR on Zoom


Join us for a two-part presentation by Marin Master Gardeners Kathy Hunting and Barbara Robertson on Climate Change and the Gardener. Part One of this informative presentation will focus on the present and future local impacts of climate change on gardens in Marin. Can’t join us in-person? Click here to join us virtually on Zoom!

Climate-Smart Gardening
Part 2: Adaptation

Wednesday, March 22 6:00pm
Library Reading Room OR on Zoom


Join us for a two-part presentation by Marin Master Gardeners Kathy Hunting and Barbara Robertson on Climate Change and the Gardener. Part Two of this presentation will focus on best practices we can employ to adapt our gardens to our changing local climate. Can’t join us in-person? Click here to join us virtually on Zoom!

Writers in conversation logo cropped
David Epstein author book jacket image

David Epstein, 

author of Range and The Sports Gene

Monday, March 13 at 10:00 am


What's the most effective path to success in any domain? It's not what you think. You’re invited to find out during a conversation with New York Times bestselling author David Epstein as he chats about his most recent book, Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World. Register for this virtual author talk here: https://libraryc.org/sananselmolibrary/24342

Chef Jenard author book jacket image

Celebrity Chef Jernard A. Wells, 

author of Southern Inspired

Tuesday, March 21 at 1pm


A talk that will leave you starving for more! Join us as we chat with celebrity chef Jernard Wells about his newest cookbook Southern Inspired. Southern food defines American food at large, and Chef Jernard takes it to a new level while still honoring its roots. Chef Jernard also brings in flavors from the Caribbean, Latin America, Asia, and Europe, always with his signature Southern flair. This cookbook shares 100 recipes that are approachable for both beginners and more experienced cooks. Register for this virtual author talk here: https://libraryc.org/sananselmolibrary/24594

Pam Jenoff author book jacket image

Pam Jenoff, 
author of Code Name Sapphire

Tuesday, March 28 at 4:00 pm


Join us for an exciting trip through time as we chat with New York Times bestselling historical fiction author Pam Jenoff about her newest book, Code Name Sapphire! Inspired by incredible true stories of courage and sacrifice, Code Name Sapphire is a powerful novel about love, family and the unshakable resilience of women in even the hardest of times. Register for this virtual author talk here: https://libraryc.org/sananselmolibrary/24846

CHILDREN/FAMILY LIBRARY EVENTS

Read to a dog image

SHARE a Book: Read to a Dog

Wednesday, March 8, 2:00 - 3:00pm
Library

Every second Wednesday a wonderful canine friend comes with their owner to the library to be read to. In partnership with Marin Humane Society Share a Book Program, animal-ambassador teams bring smiles and confidence to the children they meet. 

Designed for children in kindergarten and up. 

Sign up for a 15-minute slot to read to a dog today!
Email library@townofsananselmo.org or call 415-258-4656 to register.

Emily Bonn photo

New program for children:

Sing & Stomp

Fridays at 10:30 am 

Town Hall Plaza

Sing, dance, jump and play with musician Emily Bonn in this drop-in music and movement group. You are welcome to sit, but Emily’s tunes will have you up and on your feet in no time! For kids, ages 0-5. Weather permitting.

Crafternoon image

Crafternoon: Contact Paper Collage 

Wednesday, March 15, 2:30 - 3:30pm
in the Historical Museum

Using yarn, tissue, paper, pompoms and other items, create a unique and colorful collage. 

Crafernoons are opportunities for children ages 5-12 and their caregivers to create art together. All materials are provided. 

Please register at: library@townofsananselmo.org or call 415-258-4656.

Connie Kirk painting image

TOWN BOOKS - NEW ART SHOW

Connie Kirk, Painter

March & April, 2023

Connie creates abstract, figurative, and plein air landscape paintings. Her early work was influenced by the French and Post Impressionists, but she also works with abstract design and color to ignite wonder and excitement for the natural world. Her work is displayed in galleries and private collections across the country.

Artist Reception: Friday, March 10, 5:00-7:00pm

TOWN BOOKS
411 San Anselmo Avenue, San Anselmo
HOURS: Wednesday–Saturday, 10:00am–4:00pm   
INFO: 415.526.3791  townbooks.org

Town Books is run by the Friends of the San Anselmo Library - all profits are donated to the San Anselmo Library.

CLIMATE ACTION NEWS

Electric leaf blower image

Landscape Equipment Ordinance and Leaf Blower Rebate Program


San Anselmo passed an ordinance that will prohibit the use of gas-powered landscape equipment as of June 1, 2023 for residents, and January 1, 2024 for commercial landscapers. Further details about the ordinance and upcoming launch of the landscape equipment trade-in and rebate program will be made available on the Town website.

To apply for the rebate, you’ll first need to go to the Landscape Equipment Information page on the Town website to get instructions on dropping off your gas blower, and to download and complete the rebate application that provides further details about the program.

Climate Action Workshops flyer

Free Climate Action Workshops - 

Learn to Live Lightly on the Earth

Sign up for a 5-session climate action workshop with Resilient Neighborhoods this spring. Participants will learn how to live sustainably and bring climate-friendly practices to their homes. The sessions take place every other week via teleconference. The program is free for Marin residents.

The next workshops start on March 30 and April 5.
To learn more or sign up, please click 
HERE

Master Gardeners clipping image

Marin Master Gardener Tips

Plan Your Fire-smart Landscape
March 2023


MARCH:  Remove and replace invasive plants 

  • Remove invasive plants such as ivy, broom, and pampas grass that spread quickly, cause harm to the environment, add considerable fuel for fire and use precious water. 
  • Unfortunately, excessive clearing can create a vulnerable entry point for the plants we do not want. 
  • Pull weeds and invasive plants before they go to seed to keep them from spreading.
  • Replace with California natives, pollinator or low water use plants keeping drought tolerance and biodiversity in mind.  
  • For persistent invasive plants, consider sheet mulching to help with weed suppression. Additional information on appropriate mulches and use can be found following the link below.

For More Fire-Smart Landscaping Information:

Visit the U.C. MARIN MASTER GARDENER website: www.ucanr.edu/ucmarinmgfiresmart

Ember Stomp Image

Ember Stomp - Marin Wildfire Prevention Festival:
Call for Artists


Fire Safe Marin and Marin Center Cultural Services invite artists to submit works of art exploring what it means to adapt to wildfire. Juried selected works will be exhibited at Ember Stomp, an annual Wildfire Prevention Festival at the Civic Center Fairgrounds, on May 20, 2023. The art will then be shown at the Marin County Civic Center Gallery from May - August 2023. 

Our world is changing and we must adapt to survive. This exhibition is intended to inspire thought and conversation about: 

  • Our changing relationship with nature
  • The effects of climate change
  • How the threat of wildfire affects us individually and collectively
  •  Resilience of people and our environment 

Juror: Emebet B. Korn, Founder and Director of Desta Gallery

Submissions are due April 1 -  SUBMIT YOUR WORK HERE

Hanging flower basket image

Please Support the 

Hanging Flower Baskets in
Downtown San Anselmo

This will be our 5th year of enhancing the Avenue with beautiful hanging flower baskets from May - October.

The flower basket program is a volunteer effort and relies on donations from the Town, the merchants and the community. Each year these baskets draw such an overwhelmingly positive response that we are committed to keeping them going. We are especially grateful to have Ed Healy (aka "Indy") on our team to water the baskets every day. 

A special thank you to the Town of San Anselmo and the Chamber of Commerce for their support and donations. And also to the residents and merchants who have supported us for the past four years. We couldn't do it without you!
 
There are two ways you can contribute:

  1. Donate by visiting the program’s:  GO FUND ME PAGE   or
  2. Mail a check payable to:  
    SA Friends of the Flower Baskets
    P.O. Box 2844, San Anselmo, CA 94979

For more information about this project contact: Nancy Altman at nnaltman@me.com


Town Seeking Community Applicants

for
Boards, Committees and Commissions


There are open seats on the Town's community volunteer
Boards, Committees and Commissions.
You can find more details here:
Boards/Committees/Commissions Information

San Anselmo's Boards,Committees and Commissions provide a vital link between Town government and the community for gathering public input, reviewing projects and making recommendations on key issues.
If you are interested, we encourage you to submit a completed application and you will be scheduled for an interview with Town Council. Positions will remain open until filled by Town Council.

Visit the Town's Website

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525 San Anselmo Ave, San Anselmo, CA 94960

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