Spend a few minutes downtown with lifelong Mill Valley resident Cliff Waldeck and you’ll be reminded that there are very few people in Mill Valley, Marin or even the wider Bay Area who don’t already know and respect him.
That’s because Waldeck has been a nearly ubiquitous presence in Mill Valley, from his two terms on the City Council and a stint as Mayor to his role as a go-to office supplies and business products salesperson for an array of companies over the years. Over the span of a long career, Waldeck’s jovial, personal touch has never waned.
“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.
Cliff is busy working regularly as a substitute teacher in local schools, will be the incoming President of the Southern Marin Fire Board and serves on the State Board of Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists.
With direction from Daniel Patrick of Murphy Productions and help from fellow Vestry member and Tam High schoolmate, Mike Peters, Cliff experienced a crash course in concert production “wow, ya gotta set up the mic’ing and sound for the five musicians, promote the show through digital and print media and word of mouth and sell tickets; that’s a lot of work and a delicious challenge” grinned Cliff.
“Winterfest was a great shot in the arm for COS. We were a sponsor last year and we saw a marked increase of new families joining us for our Children’s Christmas Pageant and Christmas Eve service. Last Sunday’s Winterfest was even better, with plenty of people buying holiday products with the proceeds going to people in need, kids making Christmas ornaments and our very prominent poster touting our holiday concert.”
