Enjoy Mill Valley Blog

The Mill Valley Library Foundation, one of the two organizations that privately raises money “to help sustain–and even grow–an extraordinary array of award-winning Mill Valley Public Library programs that tax-based City of Mill Valley funding does not provide for, including After Hours, teen and children’s programs, a technology lab and instruction,” is looking to build on its extraordinary record of support…

This holiday shopping season is a different for everyone, but a community of means like ours needs to do everything it can to make sure that all kids up to 18 years old have a chance to get a new, unwrapped gift for the holidays. #ShopMV and drop off your gift at one of the…

The O’Hanlon Center for the Arts, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2019, continues its decades-long support of independent artists, has unveiled a ‘Small Works Sale’ throughout the Holiday shopping season. From rock sculptures by Stonefox to pottery from Tina Fosella, the collection features more than 50 works of art. O’Hanlon is community-focused nonprofit art center located on two acres at the…

As you may have heard, Mill Valley’s annual Winterfest holiday celebration, will be a bit different in this ridiculously strange year. Winterfest 2020 comes into two components this year. One is a film that highlights the spirit of this landmark event, featuring local arts organizations, a pre-recorded tree lighting and, of course, appearances by Santa Claus at…

A Breezy filter at BooKoo. Courtesy image. For Mill Valley business owners, the COVID-19 crisis has created the most maddening, complexity-laden game of whack-a-mole they could ever imagine.  It seems each day since the shelter-in-place was instituted in mid-March has demanded a skill set that spans from innovating your business model on a near-daily basis…

“Concerning Trees” fine art photography by Nico van Dongen, currently exhibiting at Poet and/the Bench at 11 Throckmorton Ave. in Mill Valley, Courtesy images. In Mill Valley, we are, quite literally, surrounded by trees in every direction. They envelope us. Fine art photographer Nico van Dongen pays his own homage to the power and beauty of…

Tamalpais’ engine No. 9, the last locomotive purchased by the scenic railway, at the Heisler Locomotive Works, Erie, Pennsylvania, just before beginning it’s cross country journey to Mill Valley and Mt. Tamalpais. Photo courtesy Friends of No. 9. Nearly three years ago, a coalition of local organizations embarked on a long-shot plan to bring the Heisler…

Tam High grad Kylie Frame, at left, spearheaded the Feed the Frontlines campaign to to feed first responders but also to support local restaurants. Tam High grad Kylie Frame, whose Feed the Frontlines Marin, a community-driven movement that raised more than $65,000 to both feed first responders but also to support local restaurants trying to sustain themselves amidst the…

As we enter the holiday season, I would like to encourage community members to make a special effort this year to support our local restaurants, shops and service providers here in Mill Valley. This year, more than ever, we need to embrace what makes our community unique – the local shops, restaurants and businesses that…

UPDATE 11.26.20: Based on continuing rise in coronavirus case counts in Marin, we expect guidance on Nov. 27 from Marin County Public Health Officer Dr. Matt Willis about the possibility of Marin moving into the Purple Tier within the state’s COVID-19 framework.  California State Capitol. Photo by Andre_m via Creative Commons. One day before Marin…

On the hunt for that perfect gift for the book lover in your life? ​You won’t do much better than a Dec. 3 Outdoor Art Club event, where Elaine Petrocelli, co-founder of one of Marin’s premier independent book stores, Book Passage in Corte Madera, will highlight new literature and suggest books for holiday gift giving. The 1pm event via Zoom is free…

Bottom line: County officials are pre-emptively reducing the density allowed for Marin businesses, effective. Nov. 17. That reduction spans multiple sectors but hits restaurants hardest, as they must shut down indoor dining for at least three weeks, as the expectation is that COVID-19 metrics in Marin will get worse before they get better with the holidays…