Local Notes & Fun Stuff

Fun & Interesting Stuff To Do:

There are many wonderful things to do in Santa Venetia and neighboring areas. Below are local links with information so you can keep an eye out for opportunities for learning and fun.

Bartolini Gallery: https://tinyurl.com/ydfa6627
Friends of China Camp (FOCC): www.friendsofchinacamp.org
Marin Audubon: www.marinaudubon.org
Marin Center Events: https://tickets.marincenter.org
Marin Conservation League (MCL): www.marinconservationleague.org
Marin County Library Events: www.marinlibrary.org/events
Marin County Parks: https://tinyurl.com/Parks-Cal
Marin History Museum: www.marinhistory.org/events
Osher Marin JCC: www.marinjcc.org
Vivalon: https://vivalon.org/calendar

Local Notes & Items That May Be of Interest:

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month: Suicide is complex but hope and recovery are possible. Talking openly reduces fear, builds hope, and connects people to help. This year’s campaign, “Ask. Listen. Connect.” offers tools to support loved ones so they can begin to heal. Explore Tools & Resources: https://tinyurl.com/564774xh

September is Transit Month across the Bay Area: Marin Transit is celebrating the buses, trains, and people that make the wonderful transit system we all know and ride with dozens of transit-focused events and contests. While SMART is celebrating the buses, trains, ferries, and the people who keep our region moving. They are proud to honor the riders, staff, and community partners who make public transportation possible, while highlighting the many ways transit connects people and places across the North Bay. For more info: https://marintransit.org/news and/or https://tinyurl.com/ynmy2ptc

County Advances Plans for Permanent Farmers Market: The nonprofit Agricultural Institute of Marin (AIM), known best by the Marin County community as the host of many farmers markets and promoters of sustainable food choices, is progressing with its long-held plan to construct a new headquarters and permanent market at the Marin County Civic Center. With the Board’s approval, the new AIM-funded center would be built on a 3.7-acre triangular parcel known as the Christmas Tree Lot. For more info: https://tinyurl.com/2dd88vrt

The Sting Operation – Yellowjacket Edition: One of the many services the Marin/Sonoma Mosquito & Vector Control District provides is the control of in-ground yellowjacket nests. Once you find the underground nest, mark it so that it can be easily re-found by one of their technicians, and call their office at 707-285-2200 or submit a service request online. For more info: https://tinyurl.com/m95ex8fe

Storm Season Preparations are Underway: While it is easy to forget during the hot, dry months of summer, winters can bring intense storms to Marin, delivering significant impacts across the county, including downed trees, landslides, damaged roadways and flooded streets. Minimizing such impacts and reducing flood risk is the driving force behind the annual storm season preparations of Marin County Department of Public Works (DPW) staff every summer. A county road crew visited Adrian Way in Santa Venetia in August to flush out leaves and other debris from a culvert under the street. For details and more info: https://tinyurl.com/4xtvntny and/or https://tinyurl.com/2u5999tw

The DL on FDL (Federal Depository Libraries): The Internet Archive was recently designated a Federal Depository Library (FDL) making it the first primarily digital FDL and part of the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP). This designation allows the Internet Archive to receive and preserve official U.S. government documents from the Government Publishing Office (GPO) to provide free public access to federal information online, expanding the reach of government publications beyond physical libraries. For more info: https://archive.org

County Offers Invitation for Feedback on Food Safety Practices: Whether you’re grabbing french fries from a food truck, picking up takeout, or dining at your favorite local spot, one thing matters to everyone: The food should be safe to eat. The Environmental Health Services (EHS) division of the Marin County Community Development Agency (CDA) regulates all commercial food sales in Marin, and the agency is planning changes to its food permitting process to make it easier for businesses to keep customers safe and healthy. Share your ideas at their upcoming Community Workshop on October 10: For more info: https://tinyurl.com/mvsrhcj4

Marin Green Home Tour Moves from Online to In-Person: After a few years of being a strictly online event, the popular Marin County Green Home Tour is back to an in-person experience. The free event, which showcases environmentally conscious home upgrades and appliances, is set for 11am to 3pm on Saturday, September 27, at homes across Marin County. For more info: https://tinyurl.com/4pk4yb6c

County Roads to Undergo Maintenance: Twenty-five miles of roadway are scheduled for pavement preservation maintenance this summer, which is approximately 6% of the 421-mile County-maintained Road network. The project began in July and, weather permitting, was expected to take five months to complete. The repairs will be staggered by location and sections of roadway in Santa Venetia are included. For more info: https://tinyurl.com/mr4ynub2

First Detection of West Nile Virus for 2025 (in Sonoma): Visit www.msmosquito.org  to report mosquito issues or to learn more about mosquitoes and vector-borne disease. The Marin/Sonoma Mosquito and Vector Control District’s programs and services are funded through property taxes and benefit assessments and are provided to all residents at no additional charge.

Dog Park to Be Closed for Repairs: County Parks is under contract and began constructing the ADA pathway from the Jury lot to the Pétanque Courts and Dog Parks in September. As part of this project, they will make some drainage improvements to eliminate the annual flooding at the dog park. This means that the dog park will be closed for a time, no completion date yet.Updated Marin Fire Hazard Map Released: Released in August 2025, here is the link to the Marin County fire hazard severity zone map for Local Responsibility Areas (LRAs): https://tinyurl.com/yc76henm. Also here is the link to the California fire hazard severity zone map for State Responsibility Areas (SRAs): https://tinyurl.com/bdf2hy5z

Updated Marin Fire Hazard Map Released: Released in August 2025, here is the link to the Marin County fire hazard severity zone map for Local Responsibility Areas (LRAs): https://tinyurl.com/yc76henm. Also here is the link to the California fire hazard severity zone map for State Responsibility Areas (SRAs): https://tinyurl.com/bdf2hy5z

Calling All Virtuosos: The Internet Archive has a “Fake Book Library” featuring a wide variety of books that together contain hundreds of songs suitable for both professionals and beginners. The collection includes pop and rock classics, lively jazz, gospel music and much more. Explore today to learn the basics of each song and create your own unique rendition: https://tinyurl.com/288nkhec

Something Fun from Reddit: “I’ve been working on a little pet project for a month or two, designing tshirts in honor of stores, restaurants, landmarks that have disappeared from Marin and elsewhere in the Bay Area. It continues to be a work in progress, so if there is anything you’d like to see on a tshirt just LMK. I’m finding it kinda fun to dig into archival material on the internet for visual inspiration. Would be cool to see someone wearing one of these around town!” Visit Zazzle to see what’s for sale: https://tinyurl.com/2nakxkm6

Small Emergency Preparedness Steps Lead to Stronger Communities: From the recent County News Release: “The Marin County Fire Department (MCFD) continues to strengthen wildfire mitigation, public outreach, and emergency preparedness efforts across all corners of the County. With wildfires now threatening year-round because of the changing climate, the work serves as a reminder that everyone in Marin has a role to play in keeping communities safe.” For a plethora of information and to find steps you can take to protect yourself, read more here: https://tinyurl.com/bdevkv5u

Congratulations, Marin Monarch Working Group, which won an award from the Marin County Parks Integrated Pest Management Commission for reducing pesticide use in Marin. Marin Monarch Working Group creates programs for species conservation and education about the impact of pesticides on the beloved monarch butterfly. For more info, visit www.marinmonarch.com

Marin County Parks Naturalist Notes: Here’s a fun read about plants and animals to watch for this summer: https://tinyurl.com/3bvte7nw with links to iNaturalist, where you can view sightings on a map, and other resources for learning.

Review Your Free Wildfire Risk Report Today. This is a friendly yet urgent reminder for you to review your Wildfire Risk Report online at www.marinwildfire.org/dspace. The report is your personalized guide to home safety, and provides a checklist, photos, and explanations of how to make your property less susceptible to ignition. It’s paid for by your tax dollars, so take advantage of this opportunity and OPEN YOUR REPORT today! Contact your local fire department with questions, and for information about wildfire risks and how to fix them, go to www.firesafemarin.org

Aging Well in Marin: Meals and More for Seniors: As Marin’s population grows older, the Marin County Commission on Aging and Aging and Adult Services are working to ensure older adults have access to the resources they need to live well, stay independent, and remain connected. One key offering: free weekday meals for adults aged 60 and older at sites across Marin. Visit www.marinhhs.org for more information or call 415-473-4636 for further assistance.

Marin Lately…If you haven’t heard about this website yet and you need a laugh, it’s worth a visit: https://marinlately.com. As they say on their site, “Marin Lately has spread entirely by word-of-mouth – someone forwards our newsletter to a friend, an article gets passed around the office, or some smart and good-looking person posts it online. We do not promote Marin Lately in any way and never have, so its life is very much in your hands. Please continue to share Marin Lately with the bright and clever people in your life. Failure to do so makes you an accessory to murder. No pressure, though – we know everyone’s busy.”

AlertMarin System Changes: The MCFD and Sheriff’s Office will no longer use Nixle for notifications, and the County encourages those living/working in Marin to sign up for AlertMarin at https://emergency.marincounty.gov.The county said the transition “is part of our commitment to providing reliable, real-time emergency information through a single, trusted source.” For more info: https://tinyurl.com/4c6t8tkr (click on “sign up” and input your email and/or cell# to find/confirm your account).

Marin/Sonoma Mosquito & Vector Control District – Learn more about ticks, mosquitos, rodents, and yellowjackets, and take advantage of free services to rid your home of these pests: www.msmosquito.org

Hazard Maps to help you stay safe:

Marin Buzz: I’ve found this fun for quirky Marin stuff. As they say, “The best community events, local history, and small businesses in Marin. Two short emails per week.” To sign up or view archives, visit: https://marinbuzz.com

Repair Fairs from Zero Waste Marin: Repair Fairs are free events where community members can bring an item (lamp, bike, clothes, small appliances, etc.) for free repair. Rather than leaving and retuning later to pick up their item, attendees sit with a Repair Coach who explains their approach to fixing the item. Repair Fairs keep useful items out of the landfill and spread knowledge and love of reuse and repair! Events are ongoing through the year. To learn more, register, or volunteer, visit https://tinyurl.com/3pyv2kt6

Marin County Sustainability: Visit the County Page for “Electrify 101” – information on “switching appliances (water heating, space heating, cooktops, etc.) and other machines from ones that are powered by burning gas or other petrochemicals, to ones that are powered by electricity.” Information, rebates, webinars and more can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/yz6j77uh

Clean Heating Grant Program: The Bay Area Air District reopened the Clean Heating Efficiently with Electric Technology (Clean HEET) Grant Program in February, offering expanded project options for homeowners looking to transition away from wood-burning devices. New eligible project types include replacement of open-hearth fireplaces with heat pump, replacement of pellet stoves with heat pumps, and removal of existing fireplaces or uncertified wood stoves/inserts without heat pump replacement. Funding is limited, and early submission is encouraged to avoid delays. Applications are taken through April. For more info: https://tinyurl.com/54d7tuyd

Lawyers in the Library: Marin County residents can access free legal consultations through the Lawyers in the Library program at the Marin County Law Library. This program connects individuals with volunteer attorneys for brief, one-on-one consultations on a variety of legal topics, including landlord-tenant issues, family law, employment rights, and more. For more info: www.marincountylawlibrary.org

Marin Transit News: Want to learn about Real-Time Arrival Information, Regional Mapping and Wayfinding Project Survey, Travel Training, and more? Visit: https://marintransit.org. Plus check out their “Emergency Ride Home Program” here: https://marincommutes.org/erh and consider trying out the Bikeshare program: https://redwoodbikeshare.com

SMART News: Check out their Real Time Location, plus you can hop on SMART and the SMART Connect shuttle all year long to explore the region’s best craft breweries and wineries. Also, stay informed about the Windsor Station project and about construction activity for new segments of the SMART’s bicycle and pedestrian pathway. For more info: www.sonomamarintrain.org

Drinking Water Safety: A recent article claimed, “Chemicals Found in CA Drinking Water Revealed in New Study.” We reached out to Matt Samson at MMWD who reassured us that “MMWD regularly tests for PFAS and we have not recorded any findings to date. We are fortunate to be insulated from this one!”

Chris Chamberlain has been chosen to lead Marin County Parks: Chris began his career as a Park Ranger and, as the new Director, brings 27 years of progressive experience in Bay Area parks and public lands management. “The parks and open space preserves are what make Marin a great place to live and visit,” Chris said. ” We will continue preserving Marin’s natural resources, while delivering projects and initiatives that are meaningful to our local communities.”

Become a Docent with Marin County Parks: A Marin County Parks docent is a volunteer who educates visitors about the area’s natural wonders and helps protect its wildlife and habitats. There are different types of docent programs, including Duxbury Docents, Ring Mountain Wildflower Docents, and wildlife and wildflower docents. It is both a fun and exciting way to stay engaged. Find out more here: https://tinyurl.com/5cnvucu4

I Love the Internet Archive and the Way Back Machine: You can watch movies, read books, listen to old radio shows, and more. And I was especially excited to read that every four years since 2004 — before and after the U.S. presidential election — the Internet Archive works with libraries and research organizations to preserve U.S. government websites during administration changes. These “End of Term” (EOT) Web Archive projects have documented transitions and preserved the record of administrative changes over time. This valuable information is preserved and available for public access at the Internet Archive (https://eotarchive.org). For more info: https://archive.org/about