Sunday, February 27, 2011

BEST BETS: Events and Newslets

  • Affordable Housing

  • Marin Sonoma Concours d'Elegance

  • Free CPR training in March!

  • Marin Teen Girls Conference

  • San Rafael City Snapshot e-news

  • Clothing Swap Fun!

  • Two Marinwood Burglaries

  • George's Club at Senior Access

  • Fire & Ice Ball

  • 11th Annual Marin Library Book Sale

  • Report from San Rafael Fire Chief

  • Anecdotal Experiences with SmartMeters

  • SMART train planning

  • Gap Closure Project Celebration !

  • The Economics of Happiness ; )

  • Corporate Control? Not in These Communities

  • Beautiful Sebastopol House Share - $550




Affordable Housing

NPH and Greenbelt Alliance are excited to share with you an advance copy of our “Miles from Home” report. We think it’s worth the wait! To download a copy, click on the link at the end of this email.

Miles from Home” highlights the terrible impact the lack of workforce housing has on the environment and traffic in Marin County. As you will see in the report, we have an opportunity to preserve Marin's position of environmental leadership by increasing affordable housing opportunities so that more people who serve Marin can live closer to where they work.

The release of “Miles from Home” is a tremendous opportunity to shift the public discourse on affordable housing from one based on myths and fear to one based on facts and the needs of the community. But in order to take back the discourse we need to keep the momentum going after the report is made officially public Thursday morning. The best way we can sustain this momentum is to submit as many Letters to the Editor as possible to local publications that do stories about “Miles from Home”.

We hope that we can count on you to be among those who submit a Letter to the Editor. I will follow up with links to any articles that are written, but wanted to give you the heads up now. The letters will be most effective if we begin drafting them right now in anticipation of the press coverage of “Miles from Home” we hope to see on Thursday and Friday.


In addition to the link below, I have included a press release to aid you in drafting a Letter to the Editor. It is critical that all of the letters we submit reinforce a similar message: to preserve Marin's position of environmental leadership, we need to increase affordable housing opportunities so that more people who serve Marin can live closer to where they work.



If you need any further guidance or assistance feel free to contact me. *Please send me a copy of any Letters to the Editor you do submit to publications. Click on the yellow link to download the report:https://www.yousendit.com/download/T2pIV28zcVgwMEZFQlE9PQ

Thank you!
Melody Lopez, Program Coordinator
Marin Community Housing Action Initiative
The Non-Profit Housing Association of Northern California
(415) 491-4731 - melody@nonprofithousing.org







FREE CPR Saturday coming up on March 12.

http://console.mxlogic.com/redir/?2OUMyy-OedILCzBxNVBYS02zW5ERFiOQqrdKa6BK00UrLOtXTLuZXTdTdydka0Gx2N4-F3j-1FJBxBYSyCqenAm777S3qrVInH4Qg5GJNd40Ad0I4Cy0ifSB3h0Qq82RmPs_3VUIvIE6Qjq9JBYQsIe3zhOOrzBP->http://www.redcrosscprsaturday.org/


Sponsor a girl for the day to attend the

MARIN GIRL TEEN CONFERENCE

On March 5, 2011

Help support the future face of Marin women

by sponsoring a Marin Teen Girl today.

YES! I want to SPONSOR_____girls at $25each

TOTAL______________

The purpose of this conference is to create a safe forum for Marin's teenage girls to explore their place in the world, gain confidence to make good choices and experience local community support that helps to make their dream a reality

Please tell all the 13-18 year old girls you know to COME! Scholarships are available!

MARIN TEEN GIRL CONFERENCE

Make checks payable to CAM/MWC and mail today!

Check out our website at www.marinteengirl.org

Your contribution may be tax deductible.

Contact your tax professional for further information

Name__________________________

Address ________________________

City, State,Zip ________________________

Hosted by the Marin Women's Commission

Please add that you are from the O'MARA TEAM!

Checks can be sent directly to the Conference or to my address below:

Thank you for your support!

Mary

Mary O'Mara, MBA

MarinLink, Executive Director

5800 Northgate Suite 250 ( Mezzanine)

San Rafael, CA 94903

Office: 415-472-0211

Cell: 415-259-8334

fax: 415-472-0221


City News in the e-newsletter "Snapshot" from Interim City Manager

http://www.cityofsanrafael.org/Government/City_Manager/Snapshot.htm


CLOTHING SWAP!

Host: Millie Anderson - millieander@comcast.net

Phone: 415-987-8636

When: Saturday, March 19 from 02:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Where: Dance With Sherry Studio4140 Redwood Hwy, Ste 8 Terra Linda, CA 94903


PRESS RELEASE: FROM THE MARIN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

TWO MARINWOOD BURGLARIES


DATE: February 22, 2011


Released By: Lt. Barry Heying 415-499-7272


On Friday February 18, 2011 Sheriff's Deputies responded to two reports of residential burglary in Marinwood. Deputies determined that one home in the 300 block of Blackstone Drive had been forcibly entered between the hours of 10:30 a.m. and 5:25 p.m. Friday. The resident reported returning home to find the front door forced open and off its hinges. The home was ransacked with jewelry and loose change taken.


The second home in the 2800 block of Heatherstone Drive, was entered forcibly between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. Friday with thieves prying open side door to the garage. Taken from that home were two large flat screen televisions, an X-Box video game system and loose change. The suspects also cut the phone lines to the home.


Deputies canvassed the neighborhood Friday evening for witnesses.


Given the fact that some large items were taken, the suspects undoubtedly used a vehicle to leave the scene.


Writing down a license number of a suspicious vehicle can be very helpful and can often help deputies to solve theft cases. Residents are asked to be observant of people and activities in their neighborhood and report suspicious persons to their local law enforcement agency.


Anybody with information should call sheriff's detectives at 499-7265 or remain anonymous and possibly receive a cash reward by calling Bay Area Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS.


George's Club at Senior Access is an important place for families living with dementia and chronic health conditions. For a family member who is living with dementia, it is creative arts, music, exercise and camaraderie. For the family caregiver it is respite, giving the gift of time.

There are compelling personal stories of how a traumatic injury turned Ray Lorber into a family caregiver without warning and Kim Belgarde's father was hospitalized while taking care of her mother, who lived with Alzheimer's disease. It is often overwhelming. And that's when you need your neighbors the most.

George's Club at Senior Access might be the neighbor you need if you are a family living with memory loss. Neighbors helping neighbors, we're here for you.

Thank you for welcoming us into the neighborhood!

Warmly, Cris Chater

Executive Director, Senior Access, www.senioraccess.org

Mimi Schreiber, Marketing Director, Senior Access


FIRE & ICE BALL

Mill Valley CERTs, you may be interested in attending and supporting
the second annual Fire and Ice Ball in Sausalito on April 2 this year.

Saturday, April 2, 2011
IDESST Hall
511 Caledonia Street
Sausalito, CA 94965
6:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m
MCs Darya Folsom from KRON in the morning & sportscaster Vernon Glenn from KRON
Live Music, Entertainment, Silent Auction, Finger Food, No-host Bar, and more surprises..

For more information, go to www.friendsofsmcert.org

This event was very successful last year and raises money to equip the three CERT trailers which store emergency equipment at the three
Southern Marin fire stations, Sausalito (Station One), Tam Valley (Station Four), and Strawberry (Station Nine). These trailers can
be hauled to locations affected by major disasters, and utilized by CERTs. It's a good cause.




11th Annual Book Super Sale to Benefit County Libraries

It’s that time again! The 11th annual Book Super Sale happens on the weekend of March 26/27 at the National Guard Armory in San Rafael (Armory Drive across from the Civic Center). The sale is FREE to the public both days from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Members get in prior to general hours (Saturday 8-10 a.m.) Memberships are available at the door for $25.00.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Marin County Free Library, the sale features more than 30,000 books in 35 popular categories. This event is our largest and only event held outside of our ongoing retail outlet (Book Place, 1608 Grant Avenue). Note that half of what will appear at the sale was never offered at our store.

This year we’ve reduced prices for most categories! That means even bigger savings for attendees. Prices start at 50¢ for small-size paperbacks, and hardback books range from $1-2 in most categories. Children’s books will be 25-75¢. Support your County libraries while stocking up on some real finds. Better Books and collectibles are individually-priced. Pricing is reduced further on Sunday, and a Bag Sale wraps up the event Sunday afternoon. Cash or check only, please.

A Silent Auction will take place Saturday with items available for viewing around 10am, and the bidding between 10:25-10:45.

Proceeds will benefit the ten branches of the Marin County Free Library.

Follow the signs to locate the Armory. For more information, a list of auction items, and a map, please visit the Friends website at http://marinlibraryfriends.marin.org; email inquiries may be sent to mcflfriends@pacbell.net.


From the San Rafael Fire Chief to All Personnel:

Please accept of few updates on Fire related activities and initiatives:

1) Please accept my personal thanks and appreciation for your continued efforts. Recent saves of both people and property, continue to demonstrate the value and capability of the men and women that serve with the San Rafael Fire Department.



2) As you all know, we lost our dear friend and Fire Commission Chairman, Chuck Daniels late last year. A brief tribute to Chuck"In Memoriam" is now available on our website. We are pleased to report that Dr. Stephen Mizroch was elected Chair of the San Rafael Fire Commission at our meeting last week. Commissioner Larry Luckham was elected Vice-Chair. We will be interviewing candidates to fill our Commission vacancy on March 21st. Updated information concerning the San Rafael Fire Commission is available on our website.



3) For the past several years, the Marin County Fire Department - Tam Fire Crew has been graciously hosted by the Novato Fire Protection District at FS #5. The Tam Fire Crew is a nine month seasonal Fire Crew that has grown from a Pilot Program and provides Marin County with a 13 person crew for emergency/non-emergency work under the capable guidance of Fire Captain/Crew Superintendent Tim Walsh (SUP 15). Over the past few months, we have been discussing an opportunity to allow the Tam Crew to utilize FS #3 at 30 Joseph Ct., which has essentially not been staffed for the past 17 years. Fire Station #3 (Camp 15) appears to be well suited for the Tam Crew's needs and ideally situated. Between the two agencies, we believe we can make the necessary improvements to have the Tam Crew in place for the start of the fire season in June. Based on our agreement to date, the Tam Crew has begun improving the facilities at FS #3. San Rafael and the Tam crew will be working together to clean up the living area of the facility and grounds. Plans and challenges are also being addressed for future expansion into the apparatus area. This partnership will be good for San Rafael, Marin County and the Tam Crew and also allows us to continue to build upon an already great relationship. The Tam Crew has provided outstanding emergency and preventative work in San Rafael. A good example of recent efforts include the fuel reduction project that was completed last week along the Scettrini Fire Road (see attached) and please accept a link to a few Tam Crew Pictures. We are currently working to draw up an agreement with Marin County for the use of the facility. The crew will be off for the next three months and starting operations once again in July 2011. Captain Tim Walsh will remain on-duty making preparations for this year's firefighting and fuel reduction and efforts. Please extend a warm welcome to Captain Walsh (Sup 15) and the Crew members. Also, be sure to offer them any assistance and support you can as we make this worthwhile transition.



4) Please be advised that Probationary Firefighter/Paramedic Sean Holleman has separated from the department. As you can expect, the SRFD will continue to maintain its high standards of demonstrated capability, care and compassion for all personnel. Sean came by for a visit today and was in good spirits, thankful for the opportunity here and optimistic about the future. He already has a few good prospects. We are appreciative of the department's efforts to assist Sean during his time with the SRFD and wish him the best of success in the future.

5) Following our EMS delivery system enhancements over the past two years, we continue to have a percentage of calls that require the use of outside agencies and the number of incidents continues to grow. To address this, we will be introducing an SRFD managed Basic Life Support (BLS) level of EMS to San Rafael. At this time, we are planning to use hourly EMT's from personnel utilized to form the Marin County Tam Crew. Personnel will potentially be assigned to a peak load schedule on a part-time basis. The BLS Unit will compliment our existing ALS service with SRFD managed BLS care. The additional tier of service adds value and capability; greater efficiency; provides additional capacity and opportunities within and beyond EMS Area B; serves as a unique recruitment venue; does not threaten or replace current positions; does not increase OT and demonstrates financial leadership during difficult times. Both Fire Chiefs are supportive of the partnership to utilize hourly EMT's from the Tam Crew. This effort keeps a portion of the Tam Crew here year round, balances their experience and once again, will serve as a recruitment opportunity for San Rafael of qualified individuals. We will be working with the SRFA and Marin County to address the various steps necessary to place the SRFD BLS unit into service over the coming months. No decision has been made on where the BLS unit will be stationed.

6) We are continuing to discuss a DRAFT framework for a "No Cost" Initial Action Agreement between San Rafael and Marinwood. The new agreement has minimal impact along with a potential change in the map boundaries for E-58 (see attached). We were directed to draft this solution and Chief Roach has stated that he supports it. Although nothing has been finalized at this point, any modification to the map boundaries should only impact the potential assignment of a single engine response (fire alarm, medical or hazard investigation). In the mean time, there is no change to our existing agreement which continues until June 30, 2011.

7) Concurrently, we are also pursuing the potential re-assignment of Medic 56 to FS #3 at 30 Joseph Ct. We expect to initiate this by July 1, 2011. The move will actually allow us to more effectively respond to medical incidents in San Rafael. We will be working to see that appropriate personnel, facility and equipment needs are met to accomplish this effort.

8) We have four current vacancies and will experience several expected retirements over the next several months. We also do not have a current Firefighter/Paramedic eligibility list. We are currently working with the City and SRFA on how to best address recruitment and hiring and should have further information on both hiring and promotions in the next 30 days.

9) Once again, the media is focusing on Public Safety salaries. In some respects this hasn't changed much since I started and can recall a headline in the late 70's when it was reported that an LA County Firefighter/Paramedic had earned over 100k in salary. What the article didn't say is that the department had a large number of vacancies at the time and this individual spent most of his life at the firehouse helping people and the department. In other respects though, the current economy and a negative sentiment of public salaries and pensions in light of the Bell fiasco, make telling the story today a bit more challenging. I firmly believe though, that we generally have a compelling story to tell about our services (well maybe not always.60 Minutes called me once about a fire investigator.) and that we continue to maintain an outstanding level of public support. We are also doing our best to be fiscally accountable with our budget while managing a wide range of fire department responsibilities, personnel and resources, in a cost effective and efficient manner. In my discussions with the Marin IJ yesterday, we went over how we accomplish and maintain staffing in order to obtain 24/7 coverage and that our authorized strength is cost effectively limited to 69 personnel and that we use Firefighters that are off-duty to fill vacancies on both a voluntary and mandatory basis as they occur. Obviously the impact of not filling vacancies is the temporary closure of a fire company and it is the desire of our City Council, Community and this Fire Chief, to keep all Fire Stations open and fully staffed at all times. We also discussed the effectiveness of the 56 hour work schedule that Firefighters maintain and the 2912 hours worked over the year or roughly 1/3rd of the time away from their families. We reviewed the varying ability of Firefighters to work voluntary overtime depending on their personal circumstances and went over the vacancies rate in 2009, in addition to the leave created by vacation, sickness and injury. Also identified the cost difference in most cases between paying OT vs. new hire w/full benefit load and that some staffing costs are attributed to our participation with the Master Mutual Aid Plan in California and the result of Strike Team assignments (up to two weeks) and that the reimbursement is generally provided to the City. Also discussed the measures we use to guard against stress and fatigue, public perceptions of compensation paid to Public Servants and working within the approved budget. Identified we are trying to achieve a balance of available staffing hours amongst eligible firefighters and that the use of OT went down in 2010 due to filling vacancies and lower Statewide fire activity all the while providing an outstanding level of service to the San Rafael Community.



10) Our wellness evaluations are coming up. Thank you for your ongoing support of this worth while life saving initiative. It certainly does this Chief's heart good as well as your own, to see the coordinated company level fitness activity and interest in nutrition. We hope to continue enhancing our program and appreciate the contributions with equipment, participation and effort.after all, it's for life and family.

11) We ask that you continue to keep Marin County Fire Department Engineer Jamie Byrnes in your thoughts and prayers. Jamie has some challenges ahead and needs the ongoing support of our Fire Family. It can happen to any one of us at any time. Life is precious.

Help out wherever you can, we can make a huge difference in people's lives.

Respectfully,




SMARTING UNDER PG&E’S HEAVY-HANDED APPROACH,

SUN VALLEY RESIDENTS MEET WITH NORTH SAN RAFAEL COALITION

NSRC members hosted guests from the Sun Valley Neighborhood Association at the home of Carolyn Lenert last Thursday. The visitors talked about health and electrical problems resulting from PG&E’s recent installation of wireless SmartMeters. The concerned SVNA residents are seeking to raise awareness and to appeal for help from the city council, reasoning that people in other neighborhoods may be experiencing difficulties also, or may be apprehensive about longer-term risks.

A sampling of Sun Valley residents’ experiences:


Kim felt fine in the morning, and by late afternoon was in bed with an excruciating headache and severe ringing in her ears. By nighttime her husband found the culprit --a new electric SmartMeter installed on the side of their house earlier that day, despite a promise from PG&E that installation would be delayed until the next year. This woman cannot find full relief anywhere in her home, and repeated calls to PG&E to remove the meter have been met with refusal. Seated side-by-side in Carolyn’s Terra Linda living room Thursday night, the couple told how their lives changed in a single day. “I was in excellent health before the meter was installed, Kim said. “Since then I have frequent splitting headaches. Tinnitus and fatigue are constant. I often feel disoriented and unable to focus or follow thoughts. I cannot sleep without medication, and in desperation we’ve pitched a tent outside, away from the house. Recently I’m experiencing nausea, and sometimes can’t work.” Bob put a hand on Kim’s shoulder. “It’s a nightmare,” he said, “--an awful ordeal spanning almost five months now.” His voice was choked. “She’s just not the same person. She’s seen doctors, we’ve hired an electrician, an electrical engineer, an expert in filtering electricity --the money is going, and she’s still miserable.”


From a man who lives on another block: “I can no longer sleep in my own bedroom. In October, without my knowledge or permission, PG&E installed a SmartMeter three feet from where I laid my head at night. Since then I’ve experienced heart palpitations, heart arrhythmia and insomnia. I sleep better in another room, but the arrhythmia is still an issue. Houses on either side of mine have SmartMeters facing my house, fifteen feet from my walls. To feel unsafe in my own home is deeply disturbing to me. But I’m even more concerned about the two little girls --six and nine-- who live in a neighboring house and now have a meter attached to the wall of their shared bedroom.”


Another Sun Valley man began suffering serious sleep disturbance two days after a SmartMeter was installed on his neighbor’s home; he does not have is own meter yet.


After two meters were installed at a rented duplex, one tenant began having migraines, debilitating fatigue, agitation, and concentration/memory problems. The other tenant has recently been hospitalized with severe anxiety and agitation “never experienced before in my life.”

Two more residents have had major, potentially-costly electrical problems, including malfunctioning appliances and dead outlets. One of these homeowners was told she would have to rewire her entire kitchen. Fortunately the other resident alerted her to the cause: her new SmartMeter. She was saved close to a thousand dollars.

Why are people getting sick from SmartMeters?


The human body is bioelectric, essentially functioning like an antenna. Radio was the first pervasive wireless transmission in our world, then TV and computers. Add the widespread use of cell phones and towers, WiFi, and numerous other wireless devices, and we have come to live in an “electrosmog soup” to which our bodies are increasingly sensitive. Epidemiologists who have tracked 20th century diseases (cancer, diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, asthma, autism, attention deficit disorder, etc.) have found that increases in these conditions parallel the spread of electrification from the early 20th century to the present. (Dirty Electricity by Samual Milham, MD, MPH)


In the last two decades we have seen a proliferation of wireless technology, during which time 3-5% of the population has begun to experience the serious and disabling effects of electrosensitivity, and another predicted 30-35% are experiencing milder symptoms that may become more serious in time. Arguably, we all have a threshhold or “tipping point.”

SmartMeters are disruptive to the body in at least three ways:


The non-thermal radio-frequency radiation itself is harmful, especially at close proximity. SmartMeter deployment is relatively new, but nonetheless a large body of science exists that predicts deleterious cumulative effects.

SmartMeters transmit in high intensity pulses. PG&E refuses to disclose this peak power. While the pulses are a tiny fraction of a second in length, their erratic nature (and possibly the unknown peak intensity) distresses the nervous system and other body systems. Our bodies were designed to live in harmony with the steady electric charges of the earth.

SmartMeters can also create “dirty electricity,” an additional source of electromagnetic frequency (EMF) caused when radio waves are re-radiated by powerlines and magnified by the internal wiring of a building.

What are the symptoms?


A partial list: headaches/migraines, tinnitus, heart palpitations, fatigue, nausea, agitation, anxiety, sleep disturbance/insomnia, memory and concentration difficulties, behavior problems in children. The longer-term effects of non-ionizing, non-thermal radiation include more serious problems, particularly cancers (Sage reports below).

Why aren’t we protected by regulatory agencies, safety standards or the ADA?


The FCC is strongly influenced by industry, and has not updated exposure standards since 1996. Among industrialized nations, only the UK has standards worse than the U.S.. These outdated standards for thermal units (think microwave ovens) were all that the CPUC was required to apply to PG&E’s large-scale, historically-unprecedented SmartMeter program. Not even an Environmental Impact Report was required.


PG&E defends the safety of the program by referring to the outdated 1996 standards, and even then, new research has determined that under real-life use conditions, non-compliance with the current lax FCC standards is likely. (first Sage reports link below)


Many countries identify electrosensitivity as a disability. Sweden, for example, has over 300,000 registered electrosensitive citizens protected by law. The Americans With Disabilties Act acknowledges electrosensitivy, but the condition is not recognized as a

disability with full protection.


Most countries are developing smart grids, but it is important to understand that our federal government did not mandate the use of wireless meters. Safe, wired solutions exist (Italy uses fiber optics, for example), but PG&E did not choose such an option. Other municipalities are making wired choices or adopting a cautious approach to their programs: (Victoria, Australia; Hawaii; Chattanooga, Tennesee; Ontario, Canada).

Why didn’t the California Commission on Science and Technology report sound an alarm and suggest application of the Precautionary Principle?


The eight-member CCST panel included a number of members with business interests. The panel chose either to ignore or not to consider a sizable body of science that points to harmful effects of radio frequency radiation. As a consequence, scientists from all over the world submitted responses that chastise this report and refute its conclusions (second Sage reports link below).

What can I do to stop SmartMeters?


* Call or write to the San Rafael City Council. Ask for public discussion of this matter.


* Call or write to the CPUC through their website to ask that installation be halted.


* Attend a protest at the CPUC on Feb. 16, at noon, 505 Van Ness.


* Speak for one-two minutes at a CPUC meeting on Feb. 24, 9:30 a.m..


* Call Governor Brown to ask that CPUC President Michael Peevey be removed.


* Support Huffman’s AB 37. This legislation needs public discussion also. Without the inclusion of important amendments, it will not be strong enough to help people in multi-unit buildings or in urban or suburban neighborhoods like ours (contact SVNA member Vicki Sievers for details)



To learn more about SmartMeters and RF radiation


emfsafetynetwork.org

www.prove-it.co

stopsmartmeters.org

www.eon3.net" www.eon3.net/



A short informational “cartoon” by Canadian scientist Magda Havas, PhD

http:/www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtb8dTgB3LE


New research results on SmartMeter exposure and FCC compliance

http://sagereports.com/smart-meter-rf/


Responses from top scientists refuting CCST report conclusions

http://sagereports.com/smart-meter-rf/http:/sagereports.com/smart-meter-rf/?page_id=282


An interview with a Wellington installer whistleblower

http://stopsmartmeters.wordpress.com/2011/01/26/stop-smart-meters-exclusive-interview-with-a-wellington-energy-whistleblower/



Recent articles in the San Rafael News Pointer

http://www.marinscope.com/articles/2011/01/26/sausalito_marin_scope/news/doc4d40a9b027416740046424.txt

http://www.marinscope.com/articles/2011/01/26/news_pointer/opinion/guest_editorials/doc4d40880273ada259764172.txt

To contact Sun Valley residents:

George Mills, Sun Valley Neighborhood Association representative to Federation of San Rafael Neighborhoods:ggmills@pacbell.net

Vicki Sievers (SVNA member who prepared this article): victoriasievers@earthlink.net 454-0104


SMART train

The Civic Center Station Area Plan Advisory Committee is hosting a community visioning workshop on Wednesday, March 9, 6 to 9 p.m. Attached is a flyer for your information, and to forward to your friends, co-workers and family who may be interested in helping to shape the future of the area around the future SMART station in north San Rafael. Please note that staff will have an update on the project for the Planning Commission at a May meeting. To RSVP to the workshop, please contact Rebecca Woodbury at 485-3076.


HOV Gap Closure Project Celebration To Be Held on March 11

Ribbon Cutting Celebration to be held March 11



Construction of the first segment began in January 2002 and was completed in the southbound direction in February 2009 and in the northbound direction in April 2009. The project includes 1.2 miles of class 1 bike path on the west side of the highway which was opened on December 20, 2010 for public use.



TAM and its partners wish to thank the adjoining businesses and community for their cooperation and patience during the construction of this project, and ask everyone to join us to celebrate the completion of the carpool lane project in San Rafael.



WHEN: Friday, March 11, 2011, 3:00-5:00 PM



WHERE: Park and Ride Lot At Lincoln off-ramp from southbound US 101

We hope to see you there!



THE ECONOMICS OF HAPPINESS!


Monday, March 14: Save the Date for SSR and Pachamama presentation of 'The Economics of Happiness': Localizing Marin's Economy. Feature film on the pitfalls of globalization, followed by facilitated discussion of how Marin can achieve equitable prosperity and resiliency rooted in where we live. 7:00, The Marin Youth Center, 1115 Third Street, San Rafael. $10 donation requested (free to members; no one turned away). Locally popped popcorn!


Corporate Control? Not in These Communities

Municipalities across the country are passing ordinances reclaiming their citizens' rights from corporate interests.

http://www.yesmagazine.org/people-power/corporate-control-not-in-these-communities


Dear Friends,

We (me and Gayla) are looking for a wonderful roommate to share our exquisite house at the end of a private road.

The house sits on 1/2 acre, with lots of apple trees, wild turkeys, and occasional foxes.

We have a great situation here, very cool people, temple-like sanctuary inside, great kitchen, decks, garden, etc.

Love it if you know someone who might fit the bill!

Best,
Mary



Beautiful Sebastopol House Share - $550

Sunny bedroom (11 X 12.5) in spacious 3 bedroom-2 bath home with two women and one cosmic cat.

Additional shared space includes: Bathroom with jacuzzi tub and shower, a beautiful open living room, dining room, sitting area and kitchen with vaulted ceilings; wood stove as well as central heat; W/D; Storage; Huge landscaped front and back yards with decks, fruit trees, and garden.

We are seeking an honest, mature, and responsible person who values open communication and a healthy lifestyle; someone who is easy to get along with and who would enjoy a peaceful, harmonious sanctuary on a quiet cul-de-sac with rural feel, five minutes south of Sebastopol.

Location: Convenient to Hwy 116 & Hwy 12 about 15 minutes to Hwy 101 (off Bloomfield Road, near Hardcore Cafe).


Sorry, no more pets, no smoking, no drugs or digital music (just kidding about the music). Must know how to recycle.

Space is available Feb 15th.

Rent is $550 (due on the first) + 1/3 utilities (averages $100/month) plus $850 deposit.

Please have references and verifiable resources.

Please note: There is a possibility of shared office space for small additional rent ($50)

Please call 415-609-9213 and vm message (Mary) or respond to the email: oconnmar@gmail.com
Sustainably yours,

Mary O'Connor
Sustainable Leadership Institute
415-609-9213
www.EcoVisionarySuccess.com