Climate
Marin IJ Earns Statewide Awards For News Coverage, Photos, Opinion Section & Much More!
The Marin Independent Journal has been a beacon of top-notch journalism for decades, and this year has been no different.The organization earned 20 awards — including five first-place honors — in an annual statewide journalism contest. The California News Publishers Association announced the results of its California Journalism Awards at a gala in Universal City on May 17. The association, which distributes awards by circulation division, includes hundreds of publications. The judges honored the IJ with a first-place award for in-depth reporting for a six-part series on President Trump’s impact on Marin. The paper also took the top prize for outstanding local news coverage of the November 2024 elections.
Read MoreWith an Eye on Updating Parking Regulations Within City Limits, the MV Planning Commission Hosts a Study Session on the Subject – More to Come in the Months Ahead
City planners are working to update the City’s parking regulations, which have not been updated in decades. The City hired Walker Consultants to assist the City in collecting parking data and best practices to update the regulations. The parking update will mainly focus on commercial parking regulations, which at times have hindered changes in uses, infill development, and broader economic development. City planners invite and welcome public comments on the draft parking study and offer feedback to staff on proposed parking regulations at the May 27th Planning Commission Study Session (6:30pm; Mill Valley City Hall, 26 Corte Madera Avenue).
Read MoreThe Mercury News: California’s Insurance Crisis Continues, As State Farm an Insurance Rate Hike of 30%, Soon After the Company Won Emergency Approval for a 17% Rate Increase After the LA fires
While the insurance industry faces headwinds, State Farm, for instance, is now seeking to boost California home insurance rates by 30%. The company last week won emergency approval for a 17% rate increase after the Los Angeles fires. A week after winning emergency approval to raise Californians’ home insurance premiums, State Farm is seeking to boost that rate hike even higher to 30%. On May 13, the state’s largest insurance company got the OK from regulators to increase rates by an average of 17% starting next month. State Farm secured the expedited rate hike after asserting it was in financial distress and expected $7.6 billion in claims arising from the deadly Los Angeles wildfires in January.
Read MorePG&E Hosted an Open House for Mill Valley Customers at the Mill Valley Community Center on Thursday, May 15. It Didn’t Go Well.
Staffers put up easels and posters on topics ranging from safely digging on one’s property to safer power grids. But in the lobby, residents whose homes overlook a big power station had their own easels and posters to protest PG&E’s local track record. Gary Batroff pointed to before-and-after photos of PG&E’s Alto substation on a bare hill above Hauke Park. He said the utility turned a green landscape into a barren one. “They cut down 130 trees in like two days,” Batroff said. “Some of them were redwoods, which are supposed to be protected.” Batroff pointed to another easel holding an illustration created by the utility five years ago showing what the substation’s landscaping was supposed to look like.
Read MoreBay Area Commuter Benefits Program: Employer Registration Bay Area Air District and Metropolitan Transportation Commission – They’ve Launched an Expanded Campaign to Remind Employers of the Bay Area Program
Employers play a key role in affecting air quality and traffic congestion, both of which have a strong impact on our quality of life and future sustainability. The Mill Valley Chamber of Commerce strongly encourages employers to comply. Employers with fewer than 50 employees should contact the Bay Area Commuter Benefits Program team to remove their organization from the database. To reach the team and confirm status, call us at 510-285-3182 or email us commuterbenefits@511.org.
Read MorePG&E Is Hosting an Open House for Mill Valley Customers at the Mill Valley Community Center on Thursday, May 15, from 6-8pm – They Hope to Share More About What They Are Doing to Reduce Wildfire Risk
During the event, we will share the latest updates on local wildfire safety work and provide community resources available to keep customers safe. Additionally, we will discuss critical topics affecting the community such as: Land use and substation initiatives; Electric and natural gas projects; and Customer resources and savings. This is also an opportunity for participants to ask questions, share feedback and connect with their local PG&E leaders, including North Coast Region Vice President, Dave Canny.
Read MoreWalk for Moms: Bring Awareness to Maternal Mental Health – Sunday, May 18th, 3pm-5pm, Lagoon Park @ Civic Center
The Postpartum Support Center (PPSC) invites the Marin community to the 5th Annual Walk for Moms on Sunday, May 18, 2025, from 3:00 to 5:00 PM at Lagoon Park (Civic Center), 160 Armory Dr., San Rafael. Held during Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month, this free, family-friendly event brings together hundreds of families, advocates, and local organizations to raise awareness of perinatal mental health, fund vital support services, and celebrate the strength and resilience of Marin’s mothers and families. Participants will enjoy a festive afternoon walking around the Civic Center lagoon, followed by live music, family activities, raffles, and community resources—all in support of a cause that touches families across the region.
Read MoreThe Amazing Mill Valley Children’s Garden at Edna Maguire Hosts the 4th Annual Plant Sale. 100% of Sales support the Mill Valley Children’s Garden Maintenance and Management!
Online shop is open NOW. Shop for your favorite plants and garden goodies from the comfort of home HERE. Pick up orders Wednesday April 23rd in the Garden 1:30-3:30 (80 Lomita Dr/Edna Maguire Elementary). Shop in Person during the following dates and time: Wednesday, April 23 – Celebrate Earth Day during Open Garden (1:30-3:30)! Plus, online orders will be ready for pick-up, and our in-person plant sale kicks off. Sunday, April 27 – Join us for a Plant Sale & Garden Work Party (10 AM-2 PM). Come find beautiful plants and lend a hand in the garden—it’s a great way to connect with the community and the earth! The Mill Valley Children’s Garden is a 22,000 sq. ft. organic garden, orchard and outdoor classroom, located at the Edna Maguire Elementary School.
Read MoreMill Valley Parks & Rec and Donors Are Set to Move Forward With a Long-Sought Pair of Sand Volleyball Courts Near Bayfront Field!
“This has been an idea that’s been going on for many many years and there’s been stops and starts to it. And some of that is because this is a pretty major construction project,” said Vanessa Justice, whose term on the Mill Valley Parks and Recreation Commission recently ended. In Mill Valley, hundreds of youths play the sport in clubs and programs. For years, enthusiasts have set up makeshift nets and courts on the city’s hockey fields on Sunday, when those fields are closed to organized sports, Justice said.
Read MoreThe Boyle Park Master Plan Goal is to Preserve and Enhance Boyle Park and Amenities for Current and Future use. The City is Kicking off the Project with a Short community Survey – It’s Open Until April 18
The first Community Meeting is Wednesday, May 14, 2025 from 5:30-6:30 at the Community Center. Meeting content to include: an introduction to the project and images, share survey results and discuss themes, and collect additional feedback. A second meeting at Boyle Park will be announced soon and will serve as an additional opportunity to share feedback and discuss project ideas and themes.
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