Posts Tagged ‘Health & Wellness’
Marin IJ: Marin County Executive Derek Johnson is Proposing the County Create a New Strategic Plan, Its First Since 2001
When asked an open-ended question regarding the most serious issue facing Marin residents that county government could address, 31% cited housing, 17% homelessness, 11% traffic/congestion, 10% infrastructure/roads/street maintenance, 9% cost of living/inflation and 8% growth/development/overpopulation. “A notable share of respondents raised concerns about growth and overdevelopment, and I think this highlights an ongoing tension in Marin, strong concern about housing affordability, alongside a concern about how growth is managed,” said Linn Walsh, a deputy county executive. County supervisors’ current top six priorities are addressing affordable housing/homelessness, disaster preparedness, county infrastructure, advancing race equity, climate resiliency and community/economic vitality.
Read MorePlanting the Future: The Outdoor Art Club Gets Ready for Its Next Century
If you’ve walked past the shingled building tucked behind the wisteria-covered gate at 1 West Blithedale Avenue lately, you may have noticed something: the Outdoor Art Club has been busy. In fact, over the past three years, the Club — one of the Mill Valley Chamber of Commerce’s longtime members — has quietly undertaken a once-in-a-century effort to preserve and renew one of downtown’s architectural gems. The club has hosted generations of civic gatherings, performances, celebrations, and community conversations – but few people remember that in the 1930s it narrowly escaped demolition when the City proposed turning the site into a parking lot. Now, the Club’s members have once again rolled up their sleeves to care for this landmark — this time by ensuring it meets modern safety and health standards while preserving its historic character.
Read MoreOn the Heels of Multiple Planning Commission Study Sessions, City Council Will Dictate the Road Ahead for Loosening the Rules on Land Use
In prior hearings, food and beverage service remained focused on the possibility of Food Trucks. The updated code provides specific regulations that would apply to all food and beverage service businesses, even those without a use permit. These regulations codify the “good neighbor policy” that is often required as a CUP condition of approval for restaurants. By codifying these regulations, the intention is to reduce the need for CUPs and also provide clear guidance to businesses and staff. City Staff recommended 5,000 square-foot threshold for larger spaces like the former Rite Aid space, but not setting it too high. The Planning Commission felt that the size threshold should be 3,000 in downtown downtown commercial districts. Mill Valley Chamber: “There remains interest in and discussion of food trucks, though none more than Zorba’s at Goodman’s. Mill Valley currently has two very large, very empty historic restaurants, and maybe there is a business that might be interested in giving a food truck a shot and potentially eyeing it for a future brick & mortar business. Maybe that’s backwards thinking…but we should be thoughtful and not restrictive and keep our options open.”
Read MoreOne Year After Its Mill Valley Comeback, The Hivery Thrives as a Women-Fueled Hub for Community, Creativity, and Growth!
“This space is our comeback kid and a testament to the resilience of women-owned business. We fought for years to bring this concept back into a brick-and-mortar offering, and it took tenacity and courage to make that happen. We did this because of our belief in the impact of women supporting women and spaces that celebrate women’s brilliance,” says Grace Kraaijvanger, Founder of The Hivery. The light-filled space includes open coworking and inspiration areas, private nooks, dedicated event space, and a sunlit backyard lounge. Built largely with upcycled and curated materials, the design reflects The Hivery’s commitment to sustainability and intentional beauty. Over the past twelve months, The Hivery has welcomed hundreds of women from across Marin, San Francisco, and the greater Bay Area for weekly community lunch and discussion gatherings, creativity sessions, professional development workshops, restorative retreats, mentorship circles, networking events, coworking, and its signature 12-week Incubator Program.
Read MoreGood Earth Natural Foods Announces Plans for 3rd Location in Terra Linda!
“We’ve always strived to grow in a way that feels thoughtful and authentic to who we are. We never want to rush our growth, because we want to ensure that our stores are living up to our customers’ expectations for quality, selection, and service,” noted Good Earth Natural Foods co-owner and longtime food activist, Mark Squire. “I’m pretty stoked we are going for it! We have incredibly dedicated staff in both stores now and they deserve this 3rd store opportunity. I’m super proud that we can continue to not only provide upward mobility for key staff, but we also get to bring more Organic to new friends and families! I’m beyond excited to see what we can create in this new space, and we welcome the community’s input every step of the way,” said Al Baylacq, Good Earth Natural Foods co-owner.
Read MoreFree Westminster Events & Outdoor Art Club Host a Thought-Provoking Conversation About the Future of Public Health With Marin County Health Officer Lisa Santora & Ross Town Councilmember Teri Dowling – March 8th, 3-5pm
Free Westminster Events & Outdoor Art Club Host a Thought-Provoking Conversation About the Future of Public Health With Marin County Health Officer Lisa Santora & Ross Town Councilmember Teri Dowling – March 8th, 3-5pm.
Read MoreOn the Heels of a Community Workshop in 2025, EHS Has Unveiled an Evolving Program to explicitly encourage business success and foster a “One Marin” mindset—balancing safety standards & a commitment to the economic vitality of the local food community
Today, the program is evolving to explicitly encourage business success and foster a “One Marin” mindset—balancing appropriate safety standards with a commitment to the economic vitality of the local food community. This report details how EHS will work within the CalCode to identify solutions that navigate regulatory requirements in a more engagement-centric and expedited manner to foster business growth and sustainability.
Read MoreCity Hall Has Nearly 60 Projects It Wants to Accomplish – Vitality, Branding Mill Valley as a Destination, Signage, Farmers Market… Councilmember Urban Carmel: “It’s More Like a 5-Year Plan.”
In the latter part of 2025, the Mill Valley City Council, led by then-incoming Mayor Max Perrey, made it clear that the intentions for the City of Mill Valley were bold. That has become increasingly clear in 2026, with Perrey and the rest of the City Council unveiling a Work Plan that spans nearly 60 projects it seeks to accomplish or launch over the next two years. The to-do list includes building a public works complex and multimillion-dollar renovations at the golf course clubhouse and library. It includes creating a recurring “Miller Nights” event series where streets would be closed for music, dining and kids’ activities. The list also includes extending local taxes and raising new revenues, developing affordable housing, updating traffic signals and transit options, making progress on sea-level rise and wildfire protection, further streamlining the permit process and expanding neighborhood and community-wide events.
Read MorePAAM, the Performing Arts Academy of Marin, Presents ‘Annie The Musical’ – March 21st & 22nd, 2026!
Performing Arts Academy of Marin is delighted to present the beloved musical Annie! With the book and score by Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse, and Martin Charnin, this Tony Award winning show brings friendship, adventure, and family to the stage. Directed and choreographed by PAAM’s own Matthew McCoy, with featured choreography by CEO & Artistic Director Annie Leese. Join the big city adventure as the charming little orphan Annie sets off to find her parents who left her at the orphanage run by the cruel and scheming Miss Hannigan. With help from her friends along the way, Annie finds a new home and discovers the true love of friendship and family.
Read MoreA Major Milestone in Housing Delivery Is Underway in Marin City as Pre-Built Apartments Are installed at 825 Drake Avenue. In the Coming Weeks, Modular Building Sections Will Be Transforming a 5-story pt. building.
A major milestone in housing delivery is underway in Marin City as pre-built apartments are installed at 825 Drake Avenue. Over the coming weeks, modular building sections will be lifted into place, transforming what is now a foundation into a five-story apartment building. The installation of modular units marks a significant step forward for the 42-unit affordable housing project and reflects a faster, more efficient approach to building housing at a time of urgent need across Marin County. Beginning January 22 and continuing through mid-February, modular units will arrive by truck and be set by crane during daytime construction hours. Construction is scheduled Mondays through Fridays, 7 AM to 6 PM. No weekend work is expected during this phase. Dates are subject to change and may be extended if there are weather delays.
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