Enjoy Mill Valley Blog
The Enjoy Mill Valley Blog is the official storytelling platform of the Mill Valley Chamber of Commerce — and the most comprehensive source for what’s happening in and around town.
Whether you’re looking to explore something new, support a neighborhood business, or stay informed about upcoming events, the Enjoy Mill Valley Blog is your trusted source for local insight — thoughtfully curated and proudly community-driven.
Marin-Based Professional Photographer Michelle Susoev Was Presented with the 20th Annual Black and White Spider Awards First Place in the Category of Portrait at a Photo photo Show Earlier This Month!
Professional photographer Michelle Susoev of Marin County, United States was presented with the 20th Annual Black and White Spider Awards First Place in the category of Portrait at a prestigious Nomination & Winners photo show that streamed Saturday, December 6, 2025. The Photo Show will remain on rotation until December 21 and Michelle’s winning work will be showcased on the walls of the virtual winners gallery opening December 21. The live online gala was attended by industry leaders and the photography community from around the globe who logged on to watch the climax of the world’s premier event for black and white photography.
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After Years of Wrangling, Public Comment Opens on Marin County’s Largest Housing Development Project in Years‘, Moving Forward Amid Likely Neighbor Pushback in Strawberry
The 127-acre project at 201 Seminary Drive would transform the site into a mixed-use development with 336 single- and multifamily residential units — including 70 affordable units — and a 150-unit senior residential-care facility. The project also includes a 17,000-square-foot fitness center and a 3,000-square-foot preschool, both open to the public. While more than 70% of the campus would remain as open space, athletic fields, paths and plazas, the project would add about 530 new residents and about 250 new workers. Developer North Coast Land Holdings LLC also proposes maintaining the academic campus for up to 1,000 students under an existing 1953 conditional use permit.
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Marin IJ: Marin Officials Question Projections in Regional Growth Plan – Draft Plan Bay Area 2050+
While the number of Marin households is projected to grow from 108,000 to 131,000 by 2050, the job growth is projected to be stagnant, with a job base remaining at 126,000 over the same time period, the plan says. Across the region, the plan anticipates a population growth of about 7.7 million to 9.6 million, which is nearly four times the forecast provided by the California Department of Finance. Mill Valley Mayor Max Perrey said city officials agree that MTC and ABAG need to revise their projections and develop better mitigations to address impacts to wildfire risk, water supply, emergency services, air quality and flooding, among other issues. “The regional growth forecast the plan relies on differs from the state’s official projections, and it doesn’t take into account the changing economy, both the impact that AI will have on the workforce as well as vacancy rates for commercial space, which continues to persist,” Perrey said. “It also has a large dependence on major future funding streams that have not been secured for projects, which presents funding risks for infrastructure, for services and hazard mitigation measures.”
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Marin IJ: Tam Union School District Needs to Cut $2.2M from Budget from its $128.8 Million General Fund Budget for 2026-27 to Maintain a Positive Status
“The big key here is that we haven’t settled on compensation for that third year,” Elsen said. Most likely, he added, once the union contracts are settled, the district will again be operating at a deficit for the third year out. “This means we truly have a structural deficit,” Elsen said. “It requires a course correction so that we’re sustainable and we’re balanced.” As to contributing factors, Elsen pointed to rising costs for everything from utilities to special education student transport costs as part of the reason for the budget crunch.
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Transit Agencies Across the Bay Area to Begin Accepting Credit & Debit Cards – The Move Follows a Similar Switch by BART
Paying for bus, train and ferry rides across the Bay Area just became a little easier. Beginning Wednesday, riders on nearly every transit agency in the region will be able to use their credit or debit cards — rather than just pre-paid Clipper cards — to pay for all of their trips. The switch to the Tap and Ride system includes every transit system that had used Clipper cards in the past, including Caltrain, the Valley Transportation Authority, AC Transit, SamTrans, Muni, Petaluma Transit, the San Francisco Bay Ferry, SMART train and Golden Gate Transit.
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Marin IJ Editorial Board: The Future is Bright for Marin Ferries: Golden Gate Ferries, a Bay Area Public Transit Success, is Charting an even Brighter Future.
The Golden Gate Bridge board, which runs the ferries, is planning to spend more than $118 million to build two new boats that are faster and run cleaner than the older boats they will replace. The contract to start construction on the first of the two – a high-speed, 500-passenger vessel – has already been approved.
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Mill Valley Middle School Unveils Environmental Impact Report
“It has taken time and a great deal of careful work to get here, but we are finally nearing key decisions for Mill Valley Middle School,” Sharon Nakatani, president of the district board, said in an email Friday. “The board expects to be in a position this December to certify the Final EIR and select both the interim and permanent campus plans — steps that move us toward delivering the modern middle school this community has asked for and supported from the beginning.”
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A Legendary Restaurant With a Phenomenal Pedigree in a Historic Space, Is Set to Close After Five Years – Thank the Staff Before They Shut Down on December 20th!
With a heavy heart amidst the holiday season, Paseo Bistro, which opened five years ago with lots of excitement, has decided to close on December 20th. Here’s a call back from their opening in 2020: “In the case of longtime Mill Valley resident Ki Yong Choi, the wait in the midst of a global pandemic was interminable at times, but it sure was 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.
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City of Mill Valley Councilman Max Perrey Ascends to the Top Perch as Mayor – “Each of You Have Taught Me Through Your Example,” Perrey said.
“It’s rare in life that you get to witness a boyhood dream come true,” Mayor Stephen Burke told the audience. “And tonight, we have the opportunity to do that. I’m so proud to be here for this moment. I know how much Max loves public service. While this is not the culmination of Max’s career, it’s certainly an important step in his career. And I’m proud to be here at this moment.” “Each of you have taught me through your example,” Perrey said. ” “Our council treats each other with civility. When we disagree, we model how to respect alternate use. I couldn’t be more grateful to each of you that I get to serve with,” and to our City Manager, Todd Cusimano, “your service to our community is profound. The dedication you give to our city is what moves us forward. We couldn’t do anything we do without you.”
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On the Heels of a Blockbuster 2025 Winterfest, Clifford Waldeck Has a Lot to Be Excited About, Particularly Dec. 14th, Which Will Be the Second Biggest Day of My Life at Episcopal Church of our Savior!
“December 14 at 5pm will be the second biggest day of my life at Episcopal Church of our Savior; the biggest being my wedding 22 years ago” declared Waldeck, who is obviously excited about the churches upcoming concert featuring Lorin Rowan and the Deep Blue Jam playing classic holiday songs reimagined with a fresh, modern twist—blending melodies with contemporary rhythms and warm vibrant textures for a nostalgic yet new seasonal sound. A year ago, Cliff joined the Vestry at COS while the congregation was engaging with several other Bay Area Episcopal churches engaging their respective communities in a program called Vital + Thriving https://www.vitalthriving.org/about/. Cliff, a frequent attendee of musical events at the Sweetwater, the Depot and the Throckmorton suggested “let’s have concert!” and with any volunteer organization, you suggest it, you do it.
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Meet Chabad Mill Valley’s Rabbi Hillel and Chana Scop: What is Chabad? There are over 6,000 Chabad Houses around the World — “Wherever You Can Find Coca-Cola, You can find Chabad!”
Chabad Mill Valley, the local chapter of one of the largest Hasidic groups and Jewish religious organizations in the world, has been in Mill Valley for more than a decade. In that time, Chabad Mill Valley founders Rabbi Hillel and Chana Scop have put down deep roots in the community, raising their children near Mill Valley and offering an array of programs and services. The organization previously ran a popular brock-n-mortar retail shop and an event-laden educational component in the row of shops near the Depot Plaza that also included Boo Koo and Postal Annex. Many people have wondered: What exactly is Chabad? There are over 6,000 Chabad Houses around the world — it’s often said that “wherever you can find Coca-Cola, you can find Chabad!”
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Marin Magazine & the Hello! Marin App Are Celebrating the Hometown Magic Across Marin & Give Local Businesses Extra Cheer Along the Way – It’s the Perfect Moment to Help Our Communities Show Their Holiday Spirit!
We’d love your chamber’s support in sharing our countywide Holiday Photo Contest with your members. It’s a fun, easy way for businesses and residents to join in and a great opportunity for storefronts to upload photos of their holiday décor and encourage customers to do the same. Holiday Photo Contest: How It Works: • Download the Hello! Marin app, Create a profile and set it to public, • Open the Holiday Photo Contest tile, Upload a holiday photo from your town; tree lightings, lights, decorated storefronts, harbor nights, holiday treats, window displays, anything festive! There’s no limit to the number of photos a user can submit. All entries go into a drawing for one Grand Prize: a $250 gift card. The winning photo will also be featured in an upcoming issue of Marin Magazine.
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