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Ken Nordhoff - City Manager city.manager@cityofsanrafael.org

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Wednesday, September 01, 2010 September 2, 2010 Posted by: Ken Nordhoff at 3:35:17 PM City to City Pool Operation Cooperation Succeeds Consolidation, efficiencies, cooperative agreements - government must consider all these options in this new altered economy. Novato and San Rafael seized an opportunity this spring with a partnership that ultimately benefitted both cities. In May, Novato completed the nearly $4M renovation of the Hamilton Pool and community anticipation was high for the long awaited opening. The economy, however, presented an unanticipated challenge as budget reductions precluded the development of an aquatics staff and program. Meanwhile here in San Rafael, we were preparing Terra Linda Community Pool for its annual aquatics season. Faced with the same budget issues, our Community Services staff was primed for seeking alternatives to leveraging our expertise and stretching our dollars. It made sense to help each other, so an agreement for a three month trial season was approved by both City Councils and Novato/San Rafael staff combined resources to open the Hamilton Pool on Memorial Day Weekend. It was a great success! Over 20,000 visitors enjoyed the Hamilton Pool despite a cooler than normal summer and over 500 children received swim lessons. Lap swim and water exercise programs were well received, season pass sales surpassed estimates and picnic reservations and birthday packages were popular. Novato is happy with the strong patronage and San Rafael is pleased we provided oversight and administration to launch this inaugural Hamilton Pool season, and had swim fee revenues cover our costs. This opportunity provided another template for more successful governmental collaborations in the future! Tree Advisory Committee Report Council will review the Tree Advisory Committee Final Report and Recommendations at a study session on Tuesday, September 7 at 6:30 p.m. (before the regular Council meeting) in City Hall’s Third Floor Conference Room. Council appointed the Committee in May of 2008 to research and report on: A comprehensive City-wide street tree strategy, A communication system to notify people of tree trimming activities, Opportunities for public/private partnerships, Street tree inventory alternatives. The ten member committee completed their report in July, and looked at 8 different topics in response to their stated charge. As this is a Study Session, Council will provide input and direction, but will not formally act on the report. Fire Department Inspections Start in September The old saying that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” describes the importance and value of Fire Prevention in helping protect and preserve our community. Your neighborhood Fire Station also responds “before the emergency”, fulfilling an essential part of the City’s loss control and risk management strategy to maintain and develop our local economy in a proactive manner. In September, San Rafael Fire Department Engine Companies will initiate regular fire and life safety inspections to visit every business and apartment/lodging house in the City in the next two years. Information regarding the upcoming inspections and how you can reduce fire hazards and improve the safety of your business will be mailed out prior to the inspection. These visits by your neighborhood Fire Company allow them to update occupancy information, familiarize firefighters with buildings in their response area and help business owners and tenants learn about fire safety and make San Rafael a disaster resistant community. No new fee will be charged for the business inspection because it is currently part of the annual business license renewal. Additional information is available at www.srfd.org or by contacting Deputy Fire Marshal John Lippitt at 485-5067. Dogs in Parks I’d like to remind everyone that dogs are indeed welcome in all City parks and public spaces such as sidewalks, when they are on a leash and under control. The leash law is enforced by the Marin Humane Society, and is consistent throughout Marin County. Dogs can be off leash in the specially designated dog parks in Mill Valley, Larkspur, Novato, Sausalito, San Anselmo, the County and on the County’s fire road system (not hiking trails). Click here for more information on dog park locations. This is a safety issue, for both dogs and humans, so let’s all enjoy our parks and pets responsibly. Affordable Housing Opportunity Marin Housing is pleased to announce the imminent completion of 16 new affordable condominiums at 33 San Pablo Avenue. These units, out of the total 82 units in the development, are designated for sale to low and moderate income first-time homebuyers. There will be eight one-bedroom condos priced at $152,500 and eight two-bedroom condos priced at $270,000. Prospective buyers will be chosen by lottery on October 1, 2010. For questions please contact Marin Housing at 491-2532 or www.marinhousing.org/homeownership, or view their flyer. For information on the purchase of market rate condos please contact Pacific Marketing Associates at 346-7888. Importance of Wildfire Preparation As we hear about fires that threaten homes, property and sadly, even claim lives, it is a reminder this could happen in San Rafael. The Fire Department urges you to be prepared for a wildfire and potential evacuation of your home. According to Fire Chief Chris Gray it’s not a question of if, but when, the next major wildfire will occur in Marin. Through advance planning and preparation, we can all be ready for the next wildfire. Here are a few simple tips: Create a Family Disaster Plan that includes meeting locations and communication plans and rehearse it regularly. Include a pet evacuation plan if you have pets. Create defensible space – clear dry brush and trim trees 100 feet from your house and the wildland area. Designate an emergency meeting location outside the fire hazard area. Keep an extra emergency supply kit in your car in case you can’t get to your home. For more information on how to be fire safe call 485-3304 or visit www.sanrafaelfire.org. Events A Taste of Downtown San Rafael The popular A Taste of Downtown San Rafael returns on September 22, from 4 to 8 p.m. Restaurants and merchants throughout Downtown San Rafael will be offering hors d'oeuvres and wine samples. A free cable car shuttle will pick up and drop off attendees at designated stops during the event. You may purchase a $25 “Tasting Wristband” prior to the event at www.sresproductions.com or on-site in Downtown’s City Plaza, and pick up your wine glass and a map with all of the tasting locations. Experience the flavor of Downtown San Rafael and don’t miss this unique and affordable event! Aging in Place Community Forum Marin County’s Department of Health and Human Services presents Aging In Place, a free community forum on Wednesday, September 22 at 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. at the Bank of Marin, 501 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Greenbrae. Featured experts will address topics that include transportation, adult protective services, estate planning, trusts, Marin Village, Alzheimer’s support, and hiring a caregiver. Complimentary wine, champagne and hors d’oeuvres will be served. Contact Kathleen Woodcock at 459‐6245 at ext. 17 or mcilkathleen@gmail.com to reserve your space. Santa Cop Fundraiser The San Rafael Santa Cop Program will hold its annual fundraiser and silent auction Keep the Magic of Christmas Alive for the Children at Joe Garbarino Jr.'s WWII Military Museum, 1050 Andersen Drive, on Friday, September 17, from 6 to 9 p.m. This event is the major source of income for the Santa Cop Program sponsored by the San Rafael Police Association, the San Rafael Fire Association and the International Footprint Association Chapter 15. This is a rare opportunity to view a meticulously-restored and privately-owned collection of WWII military vehicles, with a personal guided tour by Mr. Garbarino. Tickets are available in a limited quantity for $50 per person. For reservations, please contact Jeanne at 302-1203, visit www.sanrafaelsantacop.org or follow us on Facebook @Rafael Santa Cop.
Thursday, August 12, 2010 August 12, 2010 Posted by: Ken Nordhoff at 5:22:34 PM City of Bell – Not San Rafael Much has been written recently about the City of Bell. Their salaries of the city manager and other high ranking staff and elected officials is, at a minimum, obscene and in complete violation of the public trust. The public has the right to know the pay and benefits of all public servants. Our San Rafael city government is committed to transparency on compensation to every member of the public. This is especially important today, when more than half of American workers have lost their jobs or had a reduction in hours or pay because of the recession. Meanwhile, the outrageous pay for elected officials and top staff in the tiny city of Bell, California has become international news. Public employee salaries and benefits generate much public debate. But one thing should not be up for debate: the public’s right to know how public money is spent. San Rafael has long been transparent about employee salaries and benefits. Employee contracts, established through the collective bargaining process with union representation, may run for one or multiple years. The schedule of pay and benefits is publicly reviewed and adopted by the City Council. Labor contracts, as well as compensation data, remains on our website all year, along with the schedule of pay ranges for every position in the City. Pay for the Council is outlined in a City ordinance, and has not been increased for over a decade. (The Mayor’s salary is $702 per month; the City Councilmember’s each receiving $ 468 per month). City staff salaries, benefits and current contracts can be seen by clicking on the following link: www.cityofsanrafael.org/Government/Human_Resources.htm. The Bell situation has the League of California Cities, working with my city manager peers and the State Legislature, to develop improved processes and reporting to heighten transparency and public disclosure of all compensation for all elected officials and staff, across all agencies of government in our State. Public sector managers need to act both thoughtfully and assertively to address this issue and ensure the public understands the situation in Bell is not indicative of who we are as dedicated professionals and public servants. The fallout from the Bell fiasco is not over. Rest assured all of the San Rafael employee compensation actions have been made by the City Council, and formally approved at City Council meetings (of course, with opportunities for public input). And these compensation actions will continue to be handled as they should be – openly and transparently. Canal Dredging Working in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the City has secured a $2.4 million federal allocation to dredge the San Rafael Canal this fall. Without regular dredging, the waterway silts up and impedes navigation. This presents problems to the marinas and boat repair businesses along the Canal, as well as recreational boaters. Currently, portions of the Canal at low tide are only 2 feet deep! Click here to view some truly amazing pictures. As proposed, the Corps will contract with a private company to dredge a channel 30 feet wide and 6 feet deep from the Grand Avenue Bridge to a point beyond the Marin Islands. Dredging will occur over a several week period during an environmental window of mid-August to November 30. A community informational meeting will be held in the Council Chambers on Thursday, August 19 from 6 to 9 p.m. Representatives from the Army Corps of Engineers, Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) and the City of San Rafael will be in attendance to answer questions. For more information, please read the Canal Dredging Fact Sheet. Bikeway Improvements Completed The Public Works Department is very pleased to report the completion of the Northgate Gap Closure Bikeway Improvement project. This project was funded completely with federal Non-Motorized Transportation Pilot Program (NTPP) money. With these new and upgraded bike lanes, it is now possible for cyclists to ride on Las Gallinas Avenue to Los Ranchitos Road, connect to the new County bike lanes on Los Ranchitos, and ultimately connect to the bike lane adjacent to Highway 101 when it is completed later this year. In addition, the project marked a bike lane the entire length of Northgate Drive. Take a look at these photos and then take a bike ride on the new and improved routes during the last month of the summer! PG&E SmartMeter Information PG&E’s SmartMeter program has been in the media these past few weeks. Information on the program is available from PG&E on their SmartMeter helpline (866) 743-0263. A series of SmartMeter Answer Centers meetings are being held this summer; two were in San Rafael on August 4 and 5, and the final two will be in Novato, on August 18 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and on August 19 from 4 to 5 p.m. Both meetings will be held at Novato City Hall, 75 Rowland Way, Suite 200 (lobby). SmartMeters are regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission (PUC), and questions can be directed to them at (800) 649-7570. Disaster Planning Efforts Council will consider adopting a Post-Disaster Business Recovery Strategy at their August 16 meeting. Following a disaster, businesses may face many barriers inhibiting their re-opening, including problems with debris removal and cleanup, loss of utilities, the inspection and permitting process, access to capital, relocation needs, and security needs. This Strategy outlines actions individual businesses, the City, the Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Business Improvement District can take to compile and distribute information and communication processes critical to private sector recovery. Council Members Are In City Council members will be available to meet with members of the public during the Thursday Night Farmers’ Market Festival, from 7 to 8 p.m. at the corner of Fourth and A Streets during the month of August. This is a great opportunity to give input or just talk to the people who make decisions on important issues that impact our residents and businesses, and has been very popular. Greg Brockbank will be there August 12, Marc Levine on August 19 followed by Damon Connolly on August 26. Events SOS Marin Third Annual Clothing and Household Goods Drive Ritter Center and Goodwill Industries are happy to announce that Saturday, August 14 will be the date for the third annual SOS Marin clothing and household goods drive. This year, the Novato Human Needs Center and Bank of Marin will also be participating. Donations of gently used clothing and household goods can be made at any Bank of Marin location in Marin County through August 11, or dropped off to any of Goodwill’s 4 Marin County donations sites on Saturday, August 14 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Your clothing and household item donations to SOS Marin will be translated into vouchers for Ritter Center and Novato Human Needs Center clients so they can shop for free at Goodwill stores. For more information visit www.rittercenter.org. First Wednesday Art Talk Resumes The popular First Wednesday Art Talk will resume on September 1 at 1 p.m. in the Council Chambers, with an illustrated talk by Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco docent Jim Kohn. The talk will be on Impressionist Paris: City of Light, the exhibition on view at the Legion of Honor concurrent with Birth of Impressionism: Masterpieces from the Musee d'Orsay at the de Young Museum. Impressionist Paris: City of Light explores various aspects of life in and around the city in which the Impressionists came of age through 150 prints, drawings, photographs, paintings, and illustrated books from the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco and several distinguished private collections. This free event is sponsored by the Friends of the San Rafael Library. San Rafael CERT Fall Session Starts September 14 The San Rafael CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) fall session meets every Tuesday evening from September 14 to October 26 (7 sessions). Learn how to take care of yourself and your neighbors in the event of a disaster through hands-on exercises in fire suppression, search and rescue, and disaster medicine. You’ll also learn how to organize teams in your neighborhood. Visit www.sroes.org for more information and to download a registration form or call the San Rafael Office of Emergency Services at 458-5002 to sign-up. Spaces fill fast! Fourth Annual Food and Wine Festival Falkirk Cultural Center will host the Fourth Annual Food and Wine Festival on the grounds of the Center on Saturday, August 14, from noon to 6 p.m. Falkirk Cultural Center is located at 1408 Mission Street. Festival goers will enjoy food from area restaurants, sample wines from some of the region’s outstanding boutique wineries, and listen to smooth jazz and classical music. In addition, there will be a chef demonstration featuring area restaurants. Admission to the event is free, but attendees interested in sampling food and wine must purchase tickets the day of the event or online, or can call (800) 310-6563. Goldenaires Bingo Night Monday Night Bingo will be held on August 16 at the San Rafael Community Center, 618 B Street, sponsored by the San Rafael Goldenaires. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., dinner is served at 6, and the games begin promptly at 7 p.m. Great food and great prizes! See the attached flyer for more information. See you then and get ready to yell “B-I-N-G-O”!
Thursday, July 29, 2010 July 29, 2010 Posted by: Ken Nordhoff at 12:08:44 PM Childcare Services Funded Again In these days of vanishing State program funds, it is a great relief to have Council considering a $179,275 contract with the State Department of Education at the August 2 Council meeting. The City has received these funds annually since 1998, and uses them to provide state preschool services for fifty children during the academic school year at the Pickleweed Children’s Center. This is a part-day program for children three to five years of age and provides developmentally appropriate educational, health, social and nutritional services to eligible low-income families. Parent education and participation is also provided. The program transitions children of disadvantaged families into the public school kindergarten program. These children have some of the happiest faces at Pickleweed, and we are very happy to be able to continue the program. Applications for Special Library Parcel Tax Committee Library supporters take note! Applications to serve on the Special Library Parcel Tax Committee are being taken until August 31. On June 8, the voters of San Rafael passed Measure C, a Special Library Services Parcel Tax which requires an independent citizen oversight committee. The main role and responsibilities of the Committee will be to: (1) review expenditures to insure they are in accordance with the authorized purposes of Measure C; and (2) prepare and submit an annual public report on expenditures. It is anticipated that appointments to this Committee will be made at the September 7 City Council meeting and the first Committee meeting will be called within a month of the appointments. A complete description of the Committee’s duties and governance and the application can be viewed online. Civic Center Station Area Design Advisory Committee Appointments At their July 19 meeting, Council appointed Emily Dean, Michael Fryer, Elissa Giambastiani, Nicholas Kapas, Greg Knell, Klif Knoles, Marcus Lee, Richard McGrath, Brigitte Moran, Jeff Schoppert, Roger Smith, Jean Starkweather, Tammy Taylor, Gayle Theard, Craig Thomas Yates, and an as yet to be determined Terra Linda High School student to the Civic Center Station Area Design Advisory Committee. The Committee will work with neighbors and the entire community to draft a plan focusing on potential housing opportunities, provide advice for pedestrians, bicyclists, and automobile drivers on the best ways to access the SMART Station and nearby services, and examine potential additional parking locations. I would like to thank the thirty-one people who applied for the Committee for their interest and to assure you that those selected provide as broad a representation of the San Rafael community as possible. San Rafael’s Citizen Police Academy The ever popular Police Department’s Citizen Police Academy will start another session on Wednesday, September 15 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. This nine week course offers community members an inside look at local law enforcement and provides an overview of the Department’s function and operational procedures. In addition to covering the various Department Divisions, including Investigations, Patrol, CSI, SWAT, Gangs, Youth Services, and Records and Dispatch, students will have an opportunity to ride in a marked patrol car, ride on the patrol boat, and fire guns at the indoor shooting range. The Academy is free and open to all San Rafael residents or business owners over the age of 18, and anyone who has attended in the past is welcome to attend the updated version. You can download the application which must be submitted by Friday, August 6. For more information on the program please take a look at this brochure or contact Peggy Ruge at 485-3114 or 353@srpd.org. Special Districts Recent City Council meetings have included actions relating to Special Districts, and the upcoming August 2 meeting has the concluding actions for Community Service District #2. Because of the complexity of these items, some basic information may be helpful. Mello Roos Community Service Districts are a means to finance improvements and services within a specific area. In the instance pending before Council, Community Service District #2 is intended to fund the maintenance of the park and recreation improvements to be constructed in the approved Loch Lomond Marina project. These Districts are formed by a mail ballot election of the District landowners where two-thirds of those voting must approve the District formation and establishment of the special tax. Council annually reviews the tax and may adjust it according to pre-established formulas, usually based on the Consumer Price Index, and it is collected as part of property taxes. On July 19, Council acted on a different type of Special District, a Landscaping and Lighting District. These Districts are also a means of paying for improvements and services in a public area, but are a benefit assessment, not a special tax. In the case before Council, the assessment was for the upkeep and maintenance of the lagoons in the Baypoint Lagoon development. These Districts are formed by a majority vote of affected property owners and the assessments are based on the benefit each property receives from the improvement. The assessment is reviewed annually by Council, and can only be increased by a majority vote of the district members. The July action was the annual review and the continuation of the assessment. Furlough Day Schedule As many visitors to City offices have noticed, most of our offices, except the Police and Fire Departments, have been closed on the second Mondays of each month. These closures, or furlough days, are unpaid days for City staff that amount to a 5% annual salary reduction, and were instituted as part of the measures to balance the City budget. The cumulative effect of the salary reductions reduces costs to the City and assists in getting through these recessionary times. Furlough days were started in July 2009, and will continue through June 2011. Budget discussions next year will undoubtedly review and re-visit this action. Furlough days for the remainder of 2010 will occur on August 9, September 13, October 11, November 8 and December 13 and 27. We apologize for any inconvenience these closures may cause you. Events Fourth Annual Food and Wine Festival Falkirk Cultural Center will host the Fourth Annual Food and Wine Festival on the grounds of the Center on Saturday, August 14, from noon to 6:00 p.m. Falkirk Cultural Center is located at 1408 Mission Street. Festival goers will enjoy food from area restaurants, sample wines from some of the region’s outstanding boutique wineries, and listen to smooth jazz and classical music. In addition, there will be a chef demonstration featuring area restaurants. Admission to the event is free, but attendees interested in sampling food and wine must purchase tickets online or the day of the event, or can call (800) 310-6563. Way to Go! Visits the Cal Park Tunnel and the Farmers Market Way to Go! continues its program of fun activities that can be enjoyed without a car. On Saturday, July 31, 2010, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., be one of the first to ride your bike in the soon-to-be opened Cal Park Tunnel. Reservations are essential. Then on Thursday, August 12, visit us from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Downtown San Rafael Farmers Market to get your transit know-how. We’ll have experienced staff from Marin Transit and Way to Go! to help you plan a trip, put your bike on the bus, and answer other questions you may have about taking buses and ferries in Marin. Marin History Museum New Volunteer Orientation Come join the Marin History Museum's volunteers! Two orientation and training sessions for new volunteers are still available this summer. Exciting opportunities are available at all three Marin History Museum sites - the historic Boyd Gate House, the Collections Research Facility, and the upcoming Marin History Museum Music Center! Join us at the McInnis Park Club Restaurant on Saturday, August 21, 9:00 a.m. to noon or on Wednesday, August 25th, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The McInnis Park Club Restaurant is located at the McInnis Park Golf Center at 350 Smith Ranch Road in San Rafael. RSVP to volunteer@marinhistory.org, as seating is limited.
Friday, July 16, 2010 July 15, 2010 Posted by: Ken Nordhoff at 8:48:09 AM San Rafael Blogs, Tweets and More Several City Departments have ventured recently into “social media”. These are Internet based activities that enable us to tweet, blog and show up on Facebook. For those of us who have never ventured very far into cyberspace, all this can sound quite intimidating. David Pogue’s article in The New York Times, For Those Facebook Left Behind can dispel some of the mystery. I would then invite you to explore beyond the Department homepages on the City’s website and visit the Library on their Twitter feed and then view current and historical Library photos in their Flickr gallery and then Friend them on Facebook. The Police Department is not to be outdone with a wealth of information on their website and their Twitter feed. Their blog has been drawing a lot of attention, and they can also be seen on Youtube. Our Fire Department has a website and a Twitter feed as does the Office of Emergency Services. Enjoy! NORSDUC and Sudden Oak Death Sudden Oak Death is present in the lovely oak woodlands covering San Rafael’s hillsides but those same hills are now home to a research effort investigating the malady. Dominican University of California has established the first research site in the U.S. dedicated to the study of pests and diseases affecting ornamental plants thanks to a grant from the Department of Agriculture (USDA). Scientists will use NORS-DUC to conduct studies on understanding and controlling the long-range spread of the pathogen causing Sudden Oak Death. The research facility will simulate open nursery conditions and will be located on 0.85 acres of the campus on the eastern edge of Deer Park Avenue at the intersection of Magnolia Avenue. It will be well up the hill and not visible to the street. Site work is planned to start this month and the facility will be ready in September. The project was reviewed by the City’s Design Review Board, the Planning Commission and ultimately approved by the City Council, and was presented in several community meetings. During this months long process, community concerns were identified and addressed so that the City Council meeting on July 6 was uneventful and non-controversial. Paramedic Services and Special Tax Renewal Emergency medical calls represent approximately 75% of the nearly 7,000 fire and rescue emergency calls we respond to annually in the greater San Rafael area. As our community has grown and continues to age, we are constantly working to improve response times while ensuring that our Firefighter/Paramedics receive the best training and have use of the finest equipment and latest technology. A particular emphasis over the past two years has been working to have at least one Paramedic on all of our fire engines to improve medical response times. In 2010, San Rafael Fire celebrates 30 years of Paramedic Service. In 1980 we started with one ambulance and six Firefighter/Paramedics (two on duty each day) responding with our firefighters on engines to 1,900 medical calls that year. As the number of calls have increased, response times for ambulance paramedics has also increased due to more transports; the paramedic tax revenue has allowed the Fire Department to place some paramedics on fire engines, which are generally the first to arrive on scene, and perform initial Advanced Life Support procedures as needed, such as establish IV’s, administer medicine, and perform advanced airway procedures. In 1979, voters approved a special tax intended to “fully fund” a Paramedic Service Program within the City of San Rafael. This excise (special) tax was imposed on all residential units within the City and authority was given to the City Council to revise the tax annually to ensure that sufficient taxes were collected to fully fund the program. In 1988, voters amended an ordinance to impose the paramedic tax on non-residential structures located within the paramedic service areas. These tax levels have been reviewed and approved by votes in four year cycles over the last three decades, the last election occurring in 2006. At Monday’s meeting, the City Council will consider whether to place before voters this coming November a ballot measure to renew and adjust the tax rates for the upcoming 2011-2015 cycle. More background on the Paramedic program accomplishments, along with specifics on the tax rate proposals, can be found by clicking here. Of course you are welcome to attend the Monday meeting and provide your public input as well. Unexpected Gifts Friends of the Library received a check this month delivered by the daughter of a long-time grateful patron, Junetta Younglove-Firth, who died recently and indicated the gift in her will. She was a dedicated reader and wanted to give back to the institution that sustained her and gave her so much pleasure over the years. The Fire Department also received a check from Ms Younglove-Firth. In delivering the gift, Sandra Younglove told Chief Gray that her mother always said that part of her longevity was due to the “good care and good looks” of the San Rafael Firefighters who responded to her home over the years to help her and her husband. We certainly appreciate this generous donation and the compliment. Scion Raffle for Pickleweed Community Center The Pickleweed Advancement Team and the Friends of San Rafael would like to remind you that the Raffle of a Limited Edition 2010 Scion xB, made available by Toyota of Marin, is well under way. This bright blue, sporty car has practical high end features and low gas mileage. All proceeds of the Raffle will go to support the Pickleweed Park Community Center’s ongoing programs that benefit directly and indirectly, our entire San Rafael community. Ticket prices are now reduced from $50 to only $25 each to make the Raffle available to more residents in San Rafael and throughout Marin County. Chances to win are excellent as only 5000 tickets will be sold. Sales continue until all tickets are sold or the raffle closes on August 31. Visit www.scionraffle.com or download the Official Entry Form. Events Way to Go! Visits a Mansion, Garden and the Cal Park Tunnel Way to Go! continues its program of fun activities that can be enjoyed without a car. Last week’s Art Walk in Downtown was a resounding success, so join them for 2 more events. On Tuesday, July 20, Way to Go! will meet at City Plaza at 6 p.m. and then visit the Falkirk Cultural Center for a tour of the mansion and garden. Falkirk’s docents and gardeners will take you on an informative tour of the Center’s exquisite gardens and historic mansion. This will be a special look at the inside and outside of this San Rafael treasure. Then on Saturday, July 31, 2010, from 11a.m. to 1:00 p.m. grab your bike and get a sneak peek of the new Cal Park Tunnel multi-use path connecting San Rafael and Larkspur. After a leisurely bike ride from central San Rafael, you’ll learn the history of the tunnel and how the rehabilitated tunnel was constructed. Be one of the first to ride your bike in the soon-to-be opened tunnel. This event is sure to be a hit so reservations are essential. RSVP early! Foreclosure Advice Legal Aid of Marin is hosting a FREE Foreclosure Legal Advice Clinic on Tuesday, July 20 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in their office located at 30 N. San Pedro Road, Suite 220. This clinic will feature multiple attorneys from one large San Francisco law firm offering pro bono time with support from the Marin County Bar Association and the Public Interest Clearinghouse. Appointments with an attorney of up to 30 minutes each can be reserved. A limited number of Spanish interpreters will be available. Legal Aid hopes to serve 30 individuals/families and 26 appointments are still open. Any interested homeowner should call Jessica at 492-0230 ext. 0. Summer Water Festival The San Rafael Yacht Club invites you to join in their Summer Water Festival on Saturday, July 24, from 1 to 5 p.m. Located at 200 Yacht Club Drive (off Francisco Boulevard East), the Festival will include a barbeque, live music, sailboat demonstrations, kayak demonstrations, water games and much more. If you want to learn more about boating and have a good time, come on down. Marin Shakespeare Company Marin Shakespeare Company, San Francisco North Bay's only professional Shakespeare theatre presents an award-winning summer Shakespeare festival at Dominican University of California's Forest Meadows Amphitheater, in San Rafael. The Festival runs from July 2 to September 26 and includes The Taming of the Shrew, and Antony and Cleopatra. Click here for more information.