Food & Drink
These New CA Laws Went Into Effect on Jan. 1 – Here Are Some That Might Affect You
It’s easy to get lost in the avalanche of new legislation, so here’s a curated list of new laws of import to Mill Valley residents and businesses. For starters, Newsom signed a trio of pieces that allow restaurants and bars to expand outdoor and parklet service and alcohol sales, and to continue selling to-go alcoholic beverages.
Read MoreA Mill Valley Year in Review: Joy, Pain, Sunshine…What Else? (Lately), Plenty of Much-Needed Rain
As we near the third year of an absolutely relentless, seemingly never-ending and ever-changing global pandemic, it can be difficult to take it all in, to view 2021 with a macro-level perspective, particularly as we are currently awash in the incredibly transmissible Omicron variant. Here’s as good a starting point as any: holy sh** vaccines are an absolute wonder!
Read MoreWith Omicron on the Rise, Sweetwater Music Hall Opts for Short-Term Closure
The temporary closure means that a few regular holiday shows, like those by the renowned Christmas Jug Band and local stalwart Matt Jaffe have been canceled. Refunds will be issued at the point of purchase, according to Sweetwater officials.
Read MoreLongtime MV Resident Opens Paseo: A California Bistro in Historic Space
In the case of longtime Mill Valley resident Ki Yong Choi, the wait in the midst of a global pandemic has been interminable at times, but it sure is great to be the one to re-open one of Mill Valley’s iconic restaurants, set in the historic El Paseo space at 17 Throckmorton Avenue.
Read MoreWinterfest Holiday Hunt Continues Thru Dec. 17 – More Clues, and Answers, Below
While we ready the return of an in-person Winterfest, we’re bringing back last year’s quasi-virtual, hugely popular Winterfest Holiday Hunt, a three-week, scavenger hunt-style contest at dozens of businesses throughout Mill Valley. Kids accompanied by a parent can travel around town, preferably by bike or on foot, to take photos of iridescent stars, as selfies in front of the stars they choose, in at least eight of the 40 participating businesses, including some amazing local restaurants and retail shops.
Read MoreOh What Fun: Mill Valley Winterfest Brings a Jolt of Holiday Spirit to Mill Valley!!
As usual, the giant rainbow slide was the main attraction for the kiddos, while a fantastic lineup of singers, dancers and musicians to perform throughout the day, including the Tam High Jazz Ensemble, Happy Feet Dance School, Natalia Betzler & Marin Conservatory of Dance. Chabad Mill Valley’s Brooklyn shop and community space led the lighting of a huge ice menorah amidst the eight days of Hanukkah.
Read MoreAmidst Supply Chain Insanity, Get Out of the House For Some In-Person Shopping That Lifts Up Your Community!
But while there’s still reason for safety-first caution with in-person shopping, there’s retail gold to be found in Mill Valley’s commercial districts, from the apparel and jewelry shops downtown and the the ever-vibrant Mill Valley Lumber Yard to funky Miller Avenue, eclectic Tam Junction and the vast Strawberry Village outdoor shopping center.
Read MoreThe Case to #ShopMV: NY Times’ Wirecutter Says Shopping Local Returns 3x More Money to the Local Economy
When you buy local, your money does much more for your community than it does when you shop at national chains. Three times more money returns to the local economy when you shop locally, while eating at locally owned restaurants brings in two times more money.
Read MoreKim Eagles-Smith Gallery Shows ‘Country/City: Coastal Villages and Urbanscapes’ by Susan Grossman – Thru Dec. 24
Eagles-Smith is set to unveil a new exhibit this week with “Country/City: Coastal Villages and Urbanscapes,” by Susan Grossman, whose work is featured above. The show runs through Dec. 24, with an artist reception on Dec. 4, 4-6pm, featuring a special performance at 5pm by Alan Black, the principal cellist of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra.
Read MoreEquator Coffees’ Co-Founder Helen Russell Honored at 2021 Women of Industry Celebration
The cavalcade of kudos continued this month when Russell was honored at the San Rafael Chamber’s 2021 Women of Industry Celebration, which honors “exceptional women in business in Marin County.”
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