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Sacramento Bee: With a 7.40 Rating, Marin Would be the 7th Happiest Nation in the World, Between the Netherlands and Canada, if it Were its Own Country

ā€œWe find that happiness is aligned with specific quality of life ratings. In particular, jobs, leisure, and housing,ā€ Baldassare said, according to the report. ā€œIn our polling, we also looked at personal finance. But the biggest change we’ve seen over time has been satisfaction with jobs, which went from 52% saying they were very satisfied in our first polling to 31% today.ā€ Other polling, by Gallup, asked Californians to rate their satisfaction of life from 1 to 10. A research team from the University of Oxford then compiled all 215,801 responses into a map of the state, broken down by county.

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On Sept. 16th, the City Council Unanimously Backed an Array of Exciting New Measures, from a Boyle Park Redesign, a Pair of Sand Volleyball Courts, Clarified Rules for Depot Plaza, the Case for Vibrancy and Much More

“The plaza was hopping all (last) weekend with families and kids and the elderly,” said Vice Mayor Stephen Burke. “It was really vibrant, and if we think back to this ordinance being addressed in 2015, the Depot was on life support entering a moment of real uncertainty.Ā A lot has changed in our town, and the policies you’re putting are a recognition of that change. You’ve really hit your stride, and I trust that you’ll do the right thing,” Burke said to Howe.” “The intent is not to make Mill Valley into the Greek Theater,” Carmel said. “There is definitely a Mill Valley vibe. It’s not a loud rock n roll thing – just lively on the plaza. How do you bring vibrancy into downtown.Ā We don’t control rent, but we canĀ do certain things about how to make downtown vibrant.”

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Practice San Francisco, a Mental Health and Wellness Center for Kids, Teens and Parents, Just Off Sycamore Park, is Expanding their Mill Valley Location and Services!

Dr. Kaiser launched Practice’s core Mighty Minds skills groups for kids – teaching evidence-based emotion regulation and stress management skills – and then began to hire other providers to allow them to serve a larger number of kids and families through both individual and small group services. In addition, the Practice team regularly delivers talks and workshops on mental health and wellness to local school and corporate partners.

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Grace Kraaijvanger, Founder of The Hivery Co-Working Space, Is Resilience Personified and a 2024 Spirit of Marin Honoree!

The Hivery remains alive and well, even after closing the brick-and-mortar spaces, still after all these years, fully committed to serving women creating their next chapters, unveiling new membership and mentorship offerings, creating pop-up coworking sessions at local businesses, and continuing her Incubator program for women entrepreneurs. She evolved her community and created The Hivery’s Momentum Lab (a mentorship, accountability, and community for women creating solo-based businesses). In the years since, Kraaijvanger continues to blend innovation and resilience, engaging with all manner of complementary organizations to co-host events, including an Own Your Voice event at Assembly, hosting book talks and a fundraiser at Club Evexia in May 2023, a food and wellness fair in Sept. 2022, as well as a collaboration with Poet and/the Bench for a Summer Soulstice Soiree in June 2023.

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City of Mill Valley Builds on Evacuation Strategies, Launches ‘Take One Car’ Campaign for Safer Wildfire Evacuations

Researchers found that by directing evacuees to use a less-frequented on-ramp to Highway 101 off Hamilton Drive, implementing a contraflow strategy on East Blithedale Avenue, and encouraging households to evacuate with only one vehicle significantly reduced overall evacuation times, cutting nearly 2 hours off the process.Ā In response, in 2024, City officials conducted staff drills, revamped evacuation routes, and emphasized to residents the message:Ā ā€œTake one car, save the lives of those behind you.ā€ This strategy ensures a faster, safer evacuation for all residents. Read about the Study.

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The 47th Mill Valley Film Festival Boasts an Abundance of Cinematic Riches, Including Appearances by Actors Jude Law & Ralph Fiennes, Amy Adams in Nightbitch as Well as ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’ Director Edward Berger at the 47th Mill Valley Film Festival – Oct. 3-13

On the heels of the exhilarating return of the Sequoia Cinema earlier this year, along with the unveiling of the ever-creative new Visual Design for the 2024 Mill Valley Film Festival, and the amazing news thatĀ BAFTA-winning and Oscar-nominated actor Jude Law will appear at the 47th Mill Valley Film Festival (October 3–13), there’s even more exciting MVFF coming our way. ā€œConclave,ā€ a Vatican-set drama that takes us inside one of the world’s most secretive events, will make its West Coast premiere as the opening night film of the 47thĀ Mill Valley Film Festival, according to the San Francisco Chronicle, with its star Ralph Fiennes set to appear in person.

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Phil Garratt, Leader & Dedicated Volunteer for an Array of Local Events, Is Both Our Ambassador of the Month & a 2024 Spirit of Marin Honoree – He’ll Be Spotlighted on Sept. 29!

How do his fellow Mill Valley Chamber Ambassadors feel about Phil’s nurturing and unique style of galvanizing a fantastic team of fellow ambassadors? ā€œPhil is remarkably witty and wildly amusing,ā€ says Kelly Martin, a Chamber Ambassador and the Family Service Counselor at Fernwood in Tam Junction.Ā ā€œPhil Garratt is an invaluable member of the Mill Valley Chamber, leading our Ambassadors with vim, vigor, and an abundance of humor to keep everyone moving in joyful, organized productivity when needed,ā€ says Danna Lewis, the Chamber’s Director of Business Development & Stakeholder Experience.

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The 2024-25 Enjoy Mill Valley Guide Is Here!!

Within the Guide, you’ll discover the pulse of Mill Valley through the eyes of our local experts – the residents and business owners who make the town a special place. From hidden neighborhood gems to must-try eateries, from exhilarating outdoor treks to chic boutique finds, we’ve got you covered. Don’t miss our showcase of stunning architectural photos that reflects our creative spirit. Mill Valley is more than just a place; it’s a community driven by passion and innovation. Our dedicated nonprofits, businesses, and engaged citizens are constantly working to enhance and preserve the town’s unique character. From the beautification of Lytton Square to the free-fare bus system on bus 17, to the grooming of the legendary Dipsea Trail, to the artistic installations that grace our parks and roads – this is Mill Valley.

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