|
|
|
|
Halloween Sausalito Will Be Spooktacular
|
|
Once again, ghouls, goblins and gremlins of all ages will take over Caledonia Street, Robin Sweeny Park and the City Hall Game Room for Halloween on Monday, October 31. Sausalito's Parks and Recreation Department is proud to sponsor the much anticipated Halloween Sausalito for another year. And this year is sure to be the best yet.
The Southern Marin Firefighters will be back at the grill for the Firefighters BBQ at 4:30 p.m. at the fire station on Johnson Street. The firefighters really know how to cook, so don't miss the chance to get some grub before the Spooky Parade.
Lining up for the Spooky Parade begins at 5:45 p.m. at the corner of Johnson and Caledonia streets. The parade gets underway at 6:00 p.m. All ghouls and goblins will parade down Caledonia Street, serenaded by Michael Jackson's Thriller.
Trick or treating begins after the parade and continues until 8:00 p.m. The booty is sure to be bountiful this year, with more than fifteen stations on Trick or Treat Lane at the Robin Sweeny Park basketball courts. New participants include Patagonia Provisions and the Sausalito Library.
The Dog Costume Contest begins at 6:30 p.m. in Robin Sweeny Park. The theme this year is "Hollywood Dogs." Costume winners in the categories of Themed, Non-Themed and Best Couple will receive awards sponsored by Soulmates Animal Care.
Last, but not least, the pièce de résistance is always the Haunted House. This year's Haunted House theme is "Evil Mad Scientist." Beware of the lab coat! A child-friendly Haunted House (i.e. with the lights on) runs from 4:15 to 5:00 p.m. Then, from 6:15 until 9:00 p.m., the mad scientist will turn off the lights and turn on the horror. The suggested donation is $5 per person and $20 per family.
Rain on Halloween will not stop the festivities. Heavy rain will cancel the parade, but it will take place on schedule if there is light rain or mist. Trick or Treat Lane will be moved to the bottom story of City Hall, with the entrance off the patio. The Haunted House will be open as planned, with the line indoors on the main floor of City Hall. The Dog Costume Contest will be canceled if it rains, so please leave all pooches at home. If any of the festivities are changed or canceled, an announcement will be posted on the Halloween Sausalito webpage.
|
|
Inaugural Outdoor Movie Night a Success
|
|
Outdoor Movie Night came to Robin Sweeny Park on Saturday, October 22, with a successful screening of Finding Nemo. The movie was presented using the City's new 18' by 10' outdoor movie screen and sound system. Seating was available on the lawn anywhere you could fit your blanket, cooler and picnic basket.
The Sausalito Parks and Recreation Department hopes that this will be the first of many free outdoor movie nights in Sausalito. Keep an eye on Sausalito Currents for future screenings. If you or your business would be interested in sponsoring a movie night, please contact Julie Myers at (415) 289-4198 or jmyers@ci.sausalito.ca.us.
|
|
Sausalito PD Helps the Less Fortunate Prepare for Winter
|
|
The Sausalito Police Department held its fifth annual homeless outreach event in Dunphy Park on Tuesday, October 25. The event took place in the park gazebo. Despite the rain, more than twenty people were able to attend.
The homeless outreach event was co-sponsored by the Marin County Health and Human Services Department. At the event, medical students from UCSF conducted basic health screenings and provided flu shots. Clothing, towels, backpacks, medical supplies and other items were available for those who needed them. Everyone enjoyed grilled hotdogs, chips, coffee and water – plus homemade cookies provided by Cibo.
As with past years, this year's event was a success not only because it helped provide comfort and essential supplies to those in need, but also because of the opportunity for friendly interaction between officers and attendees.
|
|
Voting Information for the November 8 General Election
|
|
Voting in the November 8 General Election is underway. Any registered voter can vote in person at the Marin County Elections Department in suite 121 at the Civic Center during regular weekday hours, or until 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Voters who want to receive a vote-by-mail ballot, and have not already applied for one, must apply by November 1 in one of the following ways:
- Online at the Marin County Registrar's website.
- By phone at (415) 473-6441 or (415) 473-6444.
- In person at the Elections Department during regular hours, weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- In writing by using the application on the back cover of the voter information pamphlet, or mailing or faxing a request to the Registrar of Voters, Marin County Civic Center, P.O. Box E, San Rafael, CA 94913. The fax number is (415) 473-6447.
As a registered voter, you should have already received the information pamphlet for the November 8 election in the mail. In addition to the printed pamphlet, voters who like to get information electronically can access a mobile-friendly voter guide using the Voter Dashboard provided by the Marin County Registrar of Voters.
How handy is this online guide? Users can mark their ballot selections in the app to create a "cheat sheet" for use when voting their official ballot. The selections are for reference only and do not equate to voting. The online guide also provides links to other resources, including the state propositions, state and federal candidate statements, and websites for local candidates.
The Voter Dashboard also offers other self-service options and can answer common questions such as, "Am I registered to vote?" "Where is my polling place?" and "Did you get my ballot?"
Remember, if you vote by mail, you must sign and date your return envelope, and your ballot must be postmarked no later than Election Day. You can also drop off your ballot at any polling place in Sausalito or Marin County on Election Day.
|
|
Prevent Localized Flooding During Rainy Season
|
|
Property owners in Sausalito are responsible for maintaining watercourses, ditches, culverts and other flood prevention facilities on their property. Whether you live in the hills or on the flats, everyone can be affected if heavy rains cause flooding. With an early start to this year's rainy season, Sausalito's Disaster Preparedness Committee and Department of Public Works offer this list of eleven things every homeowner can do to help prevent localized flooding:
- Clean and inspect gutters and downspouts to ensure that rainfall will be effectively collected and conveyed away from your home. Offer to do the same for neighbors who may not be physically able to do so.
- Inspect and maintain the right of way area in front of your property. Cut grass and weeds short to keep ditches clean of debris that could obstruct or slow the flow of water.
- If you have a culvert under your driveway, please be sure to check it to see if it is fully open. If it is more than ¼ full of dirt, have it cleaned. It is much easier and cheaper to clean a pipe now than to wait until it is plugged. Make sure the ditch or gutter upstream and downstream is clear so water can freely enter and exit the culvert.
- Rake leaves off any sidewalk or path in front of your property. Leaves are the primary reason catch basins and culverts become plugged.
- Do not add soil or rock to the parking area or shoulder of the roadway in front of your property without first getting approval and an encroachment permit from the City. In most cases, the shoulder area of the road is where the water is supposed to travel. Even if there is not an obvious ditch or swale, adding rock between your fence and the road edge can cause localized flooding.
- If you have a culvert or drainage pipe under your property, it is your responsibility to keep it clean and repair or replace it as necessary, unless it has been accepted for maintenance by the City.
- If you have recently landscaped your yard or are planning to do any new landscaping, make sure you are not changing the drainage pattern.
- If you own property crossed by one or more of the many small streams throughout the hills of Sausalito, inspect the stream regularly and remove any debris that may be obstructing the natural flow of water. Remove all downed branches and wood from the stream entirely. Do not simply place debris higher up on the stream bank because it may become dislodged or catch more debris if the water rises. If you're not sure whether the watercourse is your responsibility, check with the City.
- Take the time to check all around your property for possible tree hazards. If you have a dead or dying tree on your property that could fall during a storm and block a roadway, strike power lines, or block drainage and cause localized flooding, please inquire about a removal permit by contacting Katie Laufman, klaufman@ci.sausalito.ca.us or (415) 289-4106.
- If you live in the hills of Sausalito, it is important that you keep the edge of the roadway in front of your property clean and free of leaves and dirt. Dirt and leaves wash down to the City drainage system and can cause major blockages.
- Protect yourself from flood damage by stocking up on self-serve sand and sandbags from the City Corporation Yard and the MLK Campus.
|
|
Recap of the October 25 City Council Meeting
|
|
There was a regular City Council meeting held on Tuesday, October 25. The following, in red italics, is a brief summary of actions taken at the meeting (for a full report, watch the video from the meeting):
Consent Calendar: (Watch the video from this portion of the meeting, where all items on the Consent Calendar were adopted) Adopted by a 5-0 vote
- 4A. Receive and file Library Quarterly Update. (Read the Staff Report) Received and filed
- 4B. Adopt resolution approving an amendment to Professional/Consulting Services Agreement with CSG for Code Enforcement Services (Read the Staff Report, Attachment 1) Approved contract without adoption of a resolution
- 4C. Receive and file Treasurer's Report for FY2015-16 (Read the Staff Report, Attachment 1) Received and filed
- 4D. Approve request for Waiver of Fees regarding Spaulding Marine Center Year-Long Temporary Event Permit. (Read the Staff Report, Attachment 1) Approved fee waiver
Public Hearing:
- 5A. Re-Introduction, Reading by Title Only, of An Ordinance Amending Chapter 8.40 of the Sausalito Municipal Code and adopting the 2016 California Fire Code by Reference - cont'd from 10/13 (Read the Staff Report, Attachment 1) Reintroduced Ordinance No. 1240 and continued to November 15 for adoption; vote: 5-0
Watch the video from this portion of the meeting
Business Items:
Did you know you can watch City Council meetings live via webcast? You can also watch video recordings of past Council meetings on the City website. View the minimum streaming requirements here.
Council meetings are also broadcast live on television via Comcast Cable Channel 27 or AT&T Channel 99. If you miss the live broadcast, check out the rebroadcast schedule here.
The next regularly scheduled City Council meeting will be held November 15, 2016, with the open session due to commence at approximately 7:00 p.m.
|
|
Updates from Boards and Commissions
|
|
Planning Commission. The Planning Commission took the following actions at the October 19 meeting:
- Continued a project to construct a 3,785-square-foot residence at 44 Wolfback Ridge Road to a date uncertain.
- Denied a Design Review Permit and denied recommendation of an Encroachment Agreement to construct a 5-foot-high fence within the right-of-way of Lower Crescent Avenue along the frontage of 4 Lower Crescent Avenue.
- Continued a project to construct a 1,971-square-foot residence, 572-square-foot detached garage and 285-square-foot accessory dwelling unit above the garage at 211 West Street, to a date uncertain, with direction to the applicant to reduce the size, scale and mass of the structures.
- Approved design modifications to an approved Design Review Permit for Tazi Design, a furniture wholesale trade and light manufacturing business at 2660 Bridgeway.
The next Planning Commission meeting will be held on November 2 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers. On the agenda is a study session and discussion of the impacts of banks and financial services uses in the CR (mixed commercial and residential) zoning district that includes Caledonia Street and the surrounding area. The presentation of the proposed 16-unit "Bridgeway Commons" residential condominiums project located at 1755 Bridgeway, originally scheduled for November 2, is rescheduled to the December 15 Planning Commission meeting.
Planning Commission agendas and meeting materials can be accessed under the link for the corresponding meeting on the City's Meetings and Agendas webpage. All Planning Commission meetings are recorded and available for live-streaming as well.
If you have any questions about items under consideration by the Planning Commission, please contact the Community Development Department (CDD) at (415) 289-4128. The CDD public counter in City Hall is open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Friday from 8:00 a.m. to noon.
|
|
News from City Departments
|
|
|
Parks & Recreation. Preregistration begins on Tuesday, November 1 for Breakfast with Santa, which will be held on December 3 at the Sausalito Yacht Club. It will be a magical morning where kids make holiday crafts and visit with Santa, while elves prepare a delicious breakfast of pancakes and sausage. There are two seatings to choose from: the 8:30 a.m. seating sees Santa arrive, and the 9:45 a.m. seating gets to see him return to the North Pole! The cost is $8 per person (free for children two and under). Please call (415) 289-4152 beginning November 1 to register.
|
|
|
Public Works. While the rain is good news for our reservoirs, it has negatively impacted PG&E's ability to install gas mains on schedule in the Caledonia Street area. During the week of October 24, PG&E crews continued work on the gas main installations adjacent to the intersection of Locust Street and Bridgeway. On Friday, October 28, they connected the three new gas mains and activated them. During the week of October 31 (depending on the weather), PG&E plans to install the services between the new gas mains and the properties they serve. It is anticipated that this gas service work will extend through the entire week. When completed, PG&E will begin trenching to install a new gas main on Caledonia Street. As always, drive carefully through the work zones, paying special attention to cyclists and pedestrians who may be using different routes than you are accustomed to seeing.
|
|
|
Library. The week of October 24 to 31, 2016, is Fine Amnesty Week at the Sausalito Library. If you have any late fees for Sausalito Library-owned items on your record, please visit the Library during Amnesty Week and we will remove those charges from your account. Can't find your library card? No problem, just bring your picture ID with you and we will issue you a new card for free. And if you come to the Library wearing a costume during Amnesty Week, you will receive a $5 coupon toward future fines on Sausalito Library-owned items. This coupon is valid for fines up to $5 and over – no change or credit will be issued. Coupons cannot be used for replacement charges, and they must be presented in person to be applied to your account. Coupon expires 12/31/16.
|
|
Things Happening in our Community
|
|
|
Maritime Salvage. Recreational boaters, commercial mariners, waterfront denizens and anyone interested in shipping and boating on the San Francisco Bay will enjoy a fascinating overview of maritime salvage on Friday, October 28 at 7:00 p.m. inside the Sausalito Library. Salvage is any voluntary and successful rescue of a boat, its cargo and/or its passengers from a peril at sea. Presented by Captain Tuuli Messer-Bookman, the program will cover what constitutes "pure salvage," how it differs from towage, who is entitled to a salvage award and how a salvage award is determined. Captain Messer-Bookman is a full professor at the California Maritime Academy, where she teaches celestial navigation, bridge watch-standing assessments, and a senior seminar on maritime casualties. Join us for a lively evening of sea stories and lessons!
|
|
|
Opening Reception for Sausalito Village Art Show. The opening reception for the 4th annual Sausalito Village Art Show will take place at the Sausalito Library on Sunday, October 30 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. In addition to the work of over twenty artists, the event will feature authors' tables, where Sausalito Village members will be displaying and selling their books. Food and wine will be provided. There will also be live music by classical guitarist John Imholz. All are welcome to attend. The art exhibit in the Library will be on display from October 23 to December 4 during regular hours.
|
|
Halloween Sausalito. Once again ghouls, goblins and gremlins of all ages will take over Caledonia Street, Robin Sweeny Park and the City Hall Game Room for Halloween on Monday, October 31. Here's a quick look at the schedule:
- Child-friendly Haunted House: 4:15 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in City Hall.
- Firefighters BBQ: 4:30 p.m. at the Johnson Street Fire Station.
- Line up for the Spooky Parade: 5:45 p.m. at the corner of Johnson Street and Caledonia Street.
- Spooky Parade down Caledonia Street: 6:00 p.m.
- Dog Costume Contest: 6:30 p.m. in Robin Sweeny Park.
- Haunted House: 6:15 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. in City Hall (suggested donation is $5 per person or $20 per family).
- Trick or Treating at Trick or Treat Lane: begins after the parade and continues until 8:00 p.m. at the Robin Sweeny Park basketball courts.
Please refer to the article in this week's Currents to learn what changes to expect if there is rain on Halloween.
|
|
|
Is There a Water Crisis in the Western U.S.? All of the available water in the Western United States is allocated, and irrigation uses more than 80% of the water supply in most western states. If as a society we conclude that all of our current uses of water are important and must continue, then new users will have great difficulty obtaining water. The issue revolves around what is the impact of transferring water from irrigation to urban use. In this special presentation on Thursday, November 3 at 7:00 p.m., consulting geologist and Sausalito resident John Bredehoeft, Ph.D., will present an overview of the crisis and challenge attendees to make their own judgment concerning the crisis. More on John's work can be found at hydrodynamics-group.com. This program is sponsored by the Sausalito Library and will be held in the City Hall Council Chambers.
|
|
|
Sip 'n Sparkle: A Holiday Glam Fashion Show. The public is invited to an elegant evening at the Sausalito Woman's Club in support of the SWC Scholarship Recognition Fund. On Saturday, November 5, guests at Sip 'n Sparkle – A Holiday Glam Fashion Show will enjoy champagne and delectable hors d'oeuvres, mingle in the bubbly bubble lounge, experience the shimmer in fashion from Sausalito glam to resort elegance, and compete to win fabulous raffle prizes. Cocktails at 6:30 p.m. Show at 7:30 p.m. No-host bar. Admission per person is $65, or $100 for special reserved seating. Send check to SWCSRF c/o Yvonne Spencer, 607 Main Street, Sausalito, CA 94965. The Sausalito Woman's Club is located at 120 Central Avenue.
|
|
|
Sausalito "Day of the Dead" Brunch. Come and enjoy authentic Mexican family recipes at the Sausalito Presbyterian Church Mission Committee's annual Day of the Dead Brunch on Sunday, November 6 at 11:30 a.m. All proceeds benefit SPC's Mission Committee projects, including Marin City's Bridge the Gap College Prep and ongoing support for children in Mexico, Ethiopia and South Africa. Reservations are required; to purchase a ticket, follow the link below or call (415) 332-3790 extension 0. The Sausalito Presbyterian Church is located at 112 Bulkley Avenue in Sausalito.
|
|
Sausalito Ferry Tales Fundraiser. The Sausalito Historical Society invites you to the Sausalito Ferry Tales fundraiser on Sunday, November 6, at the
Lighthouse Grill at Harbor Point, 475 East Strawberry Drive in Mill Valley. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. with complimentary cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. A three-course dinner with wines begins at 6:30 p.m. After dinner, Annie Sutter, the author of The Old Ferryboats of Sausalito, will present highlights from her book, and Chris Tellis, long-term resident/owner of the City of Seattle (aka Yellow Ferry) will share his stories about growing up on ferries in Sausalito. An auction and raffle will conclude the evening. Cocktail attire. Tickets are $125 per person and $950 for a table of eight. Reservations are required by Friday, October 28. For more information, please contact (415) 289-4117 or info@sausalitohistoricalsociety.org.
|
|
|
Sausalito Village Speaker Series. On Tuesday, November 8 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. in the Edgewater Room at Sausalito City Hall, Sausalito Mayor Jill Hoffman will review the highlights of her term in service and take questions from the audience. The event is free of charge and open to the public. Sausalito Village is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing a support system for Sausalito residents who wish to remain in their own homes as they grow older.
|
|
|
David Gockley in Conversation. Considered one of the major innovators in American opera, Sausalito resident David Gockley retired as general director of San Francisco Opera in July of 2016. Under his leadership, San Francisco Opera commissioned eight world premieres, two West Coast premieres and a new production of Wagner's epic four-opera cycle, Der Ring des Nibelungen. In this special program on Friday, November 11 at 7:00 p.m. inside the Sausalito Library, David will appear in conversation with Tom Wilhite, the founder and host of the Sausalito Library's Metropolitan Opera Preview program series. In their discussion, David will reflect on his career and some of his favorite performers and performances. David Gockley in Conversation is co-sponsored by the Sausalito Woman's Club.
|
|
|
Arias in the Afternoon. Arias in the Afternoon with the San Francisco Opera singers returns to Sausalito on Sunday, November 13 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. This free program is sponsored by the Arques Charitable Education Trust and produced by the Sausalito Parks & Recreation Department. Come enjoy the San Francisco Opera in the beautiful and picturesque setting of Gabrielson Park. Reserved V.I.P. tables are now on sale. Contact Parks & Recreation (415) 289-4152 to check for available tables. These pre-set tables will include a chilled bottle of champagne and fresh strawberries. Tables are $75 for Sausalito residents and $85 for non-residents.
|
|
|
Danny Lyon: Message to the Future. Join FAMSF docent Kathryn Zupsic in a lively discussion of photographer and social historian Danny Lyon. This Sausalito Library program will be held in the City Hall Council Chambers on Tuesday, November 15 at 2:00 p.m. Lyon may appear to be a photojournalist, but he is not. While photojournalists strive to be objective, Lyon has always become immersed in the lives of his subjects, from '60s civil rights protestors to motorcycle gang members and Texas prison inmates. The corresponding de Young exhibit, which runs November 5 to March 12, is organized by the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco in collaboration with the Whitney Museum in New York. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Sausalito Library.
|
|
Coloring & Doodling Party for Adults. Come relax and join the coloring party on Tuesday, November 15 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the Edgewater Room of City Hall. We provide a stress-free atmosphere, soothing music, and delicious refreshments so you can unleash your imagination. The Sausalito Library provides all coloring supplies and bookmarks and buttons made from your artwork. Seating is limited for this free program. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to Rebecca at rburgan@ci.sausalito.ca.us or (415) 289-4100 x502.
|
|
|
Charles Van Damme Ferry 100th Birthday Bash. Help maintain one hundred years of waterfront history at a special fundraiser at the Sausalito Seahorse Restaurant on Friday, November 18, beginning at 7:00 p.m. The Charles Van Damme Ferry Birthday Bash is a celebration of many things, including the ferry's centennial, ten years of the Charles Van Damme ferry project to save the ferry's 100-year-old paddlewheel and steam stack from demolition, and county approval and permits for ferry artifacts to be restored and exhibited at Waldo Point Harbor. Cover charge is $20. Live music will be presented by Fiver Brown, Jerry Hannan, Pacifico Samonte and Harmonic Law, and the Hippy Voices featuring Joe Tate and Maggie Catfish.
|
|
|
Breakfast with Santa. This year's Breakfast with Santa will be held on Saturday, December 3 at the Sausalito Yacht Club. It will be a magical morning where kids will make holiday crafts and visit with Santa, while elves prepare a delicious breakfast of pancakes and sausage. There are two seatings to choose from: the 8:30 a.m. seating sees Santa arrive, and the 9:45 a.m. seating gets to see him return to the North Pole! The cost is $8 per person (free for children two and under). Please call (415) 289-4152 beginning November 1 to register.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
