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March 11, 2022

You are receiving this newsletter because you have registered through the Town's website, received services from the Town, or have participated in one of the Town's programs, activities or events in the past. We hope that you find the content useful and informative.
In This Issue:

A Look Back - Celebrating Women's History Month


March is recognized internationally as Women’s History Month, a time in which people all over the world celebrate the contributions of women that are often overlooked in society. It is our hope that we can do our part to shed light on figures in history that have contributed to the world, whether that be in the sciences, arts or by way of humanitarian causes.

Hedy Lamarr – Actor and Inventor

Hedwig Eva Maria Kiesler was born on November 9, 1914, in Vienna, Austria. Discovered by an Austrian film director as a teenager, she gained international notice in 1933 with her role in the sexually charged Czech film Ecstasy. Despite her promising start in film, her life was not without difficulties. After her unhappy marriage ended with Fritz Mandl, a wealthy Austrian munitions manufacturer who sold arms to the Nazis, she fled to the United States and signed a contract with the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studio in Hollywood under the name Hedy Lamarr. Upon the release of her first American film, Algiers, Lamarr became an immediate box-office sensation.

Lamarr made a number of well-received films during the 1930s and 1940s. Notable among them were Lady of the Tropics (1939), Boom Town (1940), Tortilla Flat (1942) and Samson and Delilah (1949). She was even producer Hal Wallis's first choice for the heroine in his classic 1943 film, Casablanca, a part that eventually went to Ingrid Bergman.

In 1942, during the heyday of her film career, Lamarr earned recognition in a field quite different from entertainment. She and her friend, the composer George Antheil, received a patent for a radio signaling device. This device allowed for the rapid changing of radio frequencies to keep enemies from decoding messages. Originally designed to defeat the German Nazis, the system later became the basis for essential technology needed to maintain the security of both military communications and the smart phones we use today.

Despite playing a major role in creating this scientific breakthrough, Lamarr wasn't instantly recognized for her communications invention since its wide-ranging impact wasn't seen until decades later. However, in 1997, Lamarr and Antheil were honored with the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) Pioneer Award. That same year Lamarr became the first female to receive the Gnass Spirit of Achievement Award, widely regarded as one of the greatest honors that can be bestowed on an inventor.

In 1953, Lamarr completed the naturalization process and became a U.S. citizen. In her later years, Lamarr lived a reclusive life in Casselberry, a community just north of Orlando, Florida, where she died on January 19, 2000, at the age of 85. 

Hedy Lamarr demonstrates that we as individuals should not limit ourselves to one field of interest and that creativity should be fostered, whether that be in the creative arts or in scientific pursuits. 

Neighborhood Response Group Drill Sunday

Neighborhood Response Group (NRG) Drill Sunday, March 13th @ 10:00 AM. Please look for information from your Block Captain on your NRG's Drill plans.

All Residents - Use Daylight Savings weekend to make sure you are prepared for a disaster.

  1. Confirm you are set-up to receive Nixle (for information) and Alert Marin (for action) messages.
  2. Have your To Go Bag ready and easily accessible
  3. Establish a contact to check on you in the event of a disaster


If you would like to learn more about the NRG Program, please contact coordinator@nrgmarin.org or visit www.nrgmarin.org.

Crab Feast To Go!

The Corte Madera Lions Club hosts their traditional crab feed, and expect to have fresh crab once again. This is one of their two major fundraisers.  All net proceeds go to support local programs, which are mostly youth -oriented, or regional and national Lions approved charities.

When: Saturday, March 12, 2022 from 4:30 PM  6:00 PM
Where: Corte Madera Community Center (A link with directions may be found here)
How Much: $50 - All Proceeds Go to Local Charities.

For complete information regarding payment options, please click here or on the image below. 

FEMA Recognizes Town for Flood Control Efforts Resulting in Discounts to Residents

The Town of Corte Madera is pleased to announce a reduction in Community Rating System (CRS) by the National Flood Insurance Program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA.)  Corte Madera successfully achieved a CRS rating of 6, a reduction from our prior CRS rating of 7, translating to an additional 5% discount on flood insurance premiums for Corte Madera residents living in the flood plain. 

The NFIP’s Community Rating System (CRS) credits community efforts beyond those minimum standards by reducing flood insurance premiums for the community’s property owners.  CRS discounts on flood insurance premiums range from 5% up to 45%, based on CRS credit points that are awarded to communities. The discounts provide an incentive for communities to implement new flood protection activities that can help save lives and property when a flood occurs.  The Town’s flood protection efforts have increased the discounts in flood insurance premiums from 15% to 20%, resulting in additional savings for our residents. 

To learn more about the Community Rating System and Floodplain Management visit FEMA’s website by clicking here.  To learn more about the Town’s Flood Protection program, please visit the Town’s website by clicking here. 

Violations of Parking Laws Leads to Monetary Consequences

There has been a noticeable increase in parking violations observed throughout the Town.  Parking enforcement officers for the Central Marin Police Authority and the Town of Corte Madera regularly patrol the streets and parking lots of Corte Madera to ensure compliance with established parking laws. Please be cognizant of where you park to ensure you are not parking in a red zone, a designated fire lane, outside of a designated parking space, parking on the wrong side of the road, blocking ADA assess ramps, or parking in an accessible space without a valid, state-issued placard.  

California Vehicle Code Section 22500 addresses the stopping, standing, and parking of motor vehicles and specifies a violation exists whether the vehicle is attended or unattended.  Please ensure you are not staging, or temporarily parking your vehicle in a restricted area (any of the previously described parking areas) without evaluating the consequences of receiving a parking citation starting at $40 for most violations, and up to $290 for an accessible violation.  Thank you for keeping our accessible parking stalls available for those in the community who have a DMV issued parking placard. For those residents living on Christmas Tree Hill and other tight access roadways, please only park in designated/authorized parking spaces to allow for safe and efficient evacuations in the event of a fire or other emergency.

Wondering Why Some of Our Phone Numbers Start With Area Code 628?


The 628 area code has been actively serving Marin County residents for over 6 years. In February of 2015,  628 was added to the area previously served by the existing 415 area code. The County of Marin first issued a press release highlighting the addition of this area code to Marin County residents back in February of 2015. To learn more about this and to review the press release, please click here. 

A new phone line with this area code has been dedicated to the Public Works Customer Service desk as follows:  (628) 258-0294.   A few other staff phone lines have also been converted to the (628) area code. Please take note of the new phone number as this is now the direct means to reach our Public Works customer service representative.

The Town’s website has also been updated to reflect this change. Town Hall has received several phone calls from community members over the last few weeks inquiring whether the 628 phone number for the Department of Public Works was accurate. We’d like to assure our residents that our newly issued 628 phone numbers are correct and being answered by Town staff. 

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused and recommend that, in the event of further disruption to phone services, to contact the appropriate staff member directly by phone or email. To view a complete staff phone and email list, please click here.

Daylight Saving Time - "Spring Forward!"

Daylight Saving Tie is the practice of moving the clocks forward one hour from Standard Time during the summer months and changing them back again in the fall. This year, Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday, March 13, 2022, at 2:00 AM. Don't forget to "spring forward" one hour and change the time on your clocks on Saturday evening. While you get settled with the new time, remember that the National Fire Protection Association encourages the public to change their smoke alarm batteries when turning back clocks in the fall and ahead in the spring.

Ride & Drive Clean Marin- EV Awareness

March and April are EV Awareness months! Save time, money, and the planet by going electric. Ride and Drive Clean Marin are offering free webinars and in-person EV and E-bike shows during March and April.

Did you know that you can cut your carbon footprint in half when you switch to driving electric? Sign up for a Drive Clean Bay Area webinar. Electrify Your Ride to learn EV basics like charging at home and on the road, incentives, and total cost of ownership. You’ll have the chance to ask the questions you’ve always wondered about EVs.  To sign up for one of the upcoming webinars, please click here.

Customer Service Hours at Town Hall


The Town of Corte Madera expanded public hours to the following: Monday through Thursday – from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, and on Fridays from – 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM. This change in operational hours represents a significant increase in services to the public. 

Please visit us at our interim Town Hall office located at 240 Tamal Vista Blvd, Suite 110.  To receive the best service and/or to speak with a specific member of Town staff, we still encourage community members to schedule a dedicated appointment with one of our departments. To book your dedicated appointment online, please click here. Additionally, staff members can be reached directly by phone or email. Please click here to view our staff directory.

For assistance with building permits, please note that staff is able to process permits that do not require plans (sometimes referred to as “over the counter” permits such as: Re-Roofs, Water Heater Replacement, Furnace/AC Replacement, Electrical Service Panel Upgrade, Siding Repairs & Window replacement). Applicants seeking to obtain a building permit for an upcoming project may refer to the Building Department’s webpage by clicking here for details on how to submit electronically through email and our Accela permitting software.  

Upcoming Lagoon Maintenance- Building Permits for Dock Repairs/ Replacement

The Town’s Public Works Department conducts both fall and Spring Maintenance periods, which lowers Town’s lagoon water levels for one-week time in order to give our crews time to complete necessary repairs and maintenance. This maintenance period also serves as an opportunity for property owners to perform any necessary maintenance or repairs on their private docks while the water levels are at their lowest. 

The spring maintenance period is scheduled to begin the first Sunday of April, for one week, Sunday 04/03/2022 through Sunday 04/10/2022. If you live in an effected neighborhood and plan to perform any dock repairs, please be advised of the following:
 

  • Property owners or licensed contractors are responsible for obtaining Town issued Building Permits, Erosion/Sediment Control Permits, and Floodplain Development Permits prior to the repair, modification, or replacement of any dock, deck or footings extending from private property and encroaching into the lagoon. A building permit application with incorporated plans must be reviewed, approved, and issued prior to commencement of any work.

For more information on the Town’s Lagoon and Waterway Maintenance program and to download necessary permit applications, please visit the Town’s website by clicking here.

If you intend to submit for a building permit for a dock repair or replacement in anticipation of the maintenance schedule, now is the time to submit your application and plans to the Town.  Minor maintenance involving painting or staining are exempt from permits. If you have any questions regarding building permit requirements, please contact the Town’s Building Department at 415-927-5062 or buildingpermit@tcmmail.org.

When will the water be lowered?  

The lagoon water will start being lowered on the usual flush cycle starting Wednesday 03/30/2022, so that levels are at their lowest by Sunday 04/03/2022. 

When will the water be refilled?  

All dock work must be completed by end of Sunday 04/10/2022, as lagoons will begin to be refilled (double-flushed) on Monday 04/11/2022 and are expected to be filled to the appropriate seasonal level by Thursday 04/14/2022.

Corte Madera Welcomes Our New Casa Buena Residents 

Homeward Bound is busy putting the finishing touches on their renovations to the Casa Buena and anticipates that residents will begin moving in during the coming months. Homeward Bound has established a webpage dedicated to the Casa Buena. Please visit Homeward Bound’s website by clicking here.

Donations
Since the Casa Buena opened in 2021, many Corte Madera residents and community members have inquired how they could offer their help and support for those most in need. In anticipation of the reopening of the Casa Buena, many items will be needed to help our new Corte Madera community members settle into their new homes. Homeward Bound has created a wish list for those interested in offering assistance. The following Target wish list/registry was created to identify items community members might wish to purchase and donate to the Casa Buena. To view the complete Target gift registry specific to the Casa Buena, please click here (items purchased on the wish list will shop direction to the Casa Buena). Cash donations are also welcome and can be sent directly to Homeward Bound of Marin by clicking here (select “Renovate Casa Buena site” to ensure your donation will go to that project).  

 A New Name
To commemorate the renovation of the Casa Buena and the new residents who will soon call it home, Homeward Bound would like to rename the property. They welcome your suggestions by email to info@hbofm.org by March 15, 2022. The winning name will receive a $100 gift certificate to Marin Joe's! 

Marin County Dog License Renewal


A license could be your dog’s lucky charm! Did you know that a license is the first thing that gets looked at when a stray dog arrives to the shelter? If your pup ever goes missing, a license is the quickest way for Marin Humane to reunite you – meaning you won’t have to go searching at the end of the rainbow.

To celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, Marin Humane is waiving late fees on dog licenses for the whole month of March! No need to rely on a four-leaf clover when you can get your pooch licensed on their website. Just head to marinhumane.org/licensing to buy or renew your dog’s license. Marin Humane will also be giving away a $100 Pet Food Express gift certificate to one lucky winner! To find out how you can participate, visit their website or call (415) 506-6220.

Low-Income Senior Homeowner Exemption

The Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority (MWPA) was created to implement a comprehensive wildfire prevention and emergency preparedness program for Marin County. MWPA is funded by a parcel tax approved by voters in March 2020.

There is a low-income senior parcel tax exemption available to homeowners who meet certain criteria.

YOU MUST RE-APPLY EVERY YEAR. Applications must be received or postmarked by June 30, 2022 to be considered for the 2022-23 tax year. Visit www.marinwildfire.org to find out more and apply.

Virtual Age-Friendly Intergenerational Center

The Intergenerational Center is a virtual gathering place for seniors, children and young adults, featuring programs in art, games, yoga,  literature, technology and more.  Many of the regular classes and activities are being offered virtually during COVID-19.  Visit their website to learn more.  You can click here to subscribe to their weekly newsletter (and you can view current and previous newsletters with upcoming class information here).

News and Updates from the County of Marin. 

  • For daily status updates on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), please visit the Health and Human Services Coronavirus page. 
  • Spread the word: How your friends and family can receive these updates: Text "MARIN COVID" to 468311 to receive text message notifications or subscribe online to receive email notifications 

Upcoming Town Meetings & Agenda Item Info.


Town Council Regular Meeting: (via VIDEOCONFERENCE ONLY)
When: Tuesday, 03/15/22 at 6:30 PM 
Please click this zoom link to join. 
To view meeting agenda, please click here.

Sanitary District No. 2 Board Meeting: (Via VIDEOCONFERENCE ONLY)
When: Tuesday, 03/15/22 at 6:45 PM, or upon conclusion of the Town Council meeting, whichever is later.
Please click this zoom link to join. 
To view meeting agenda, please click here.

Sales Tax Citizens' Oversight Committee Meeting: (Via VIDEOCONFERENCE ONLY)
When: Wednesday, 03/16/22 at 11:00 AM 
Please click this zoom link to join. 
To view meeting agenda, please click here.

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Archive of past newsletters available here.

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P.O. Box 159, Corte Madera, CA 94976-0159

Come visit us at our new location:
240 Tamal Vista Blvd. Ste. 110, Corte Madera, CA 94925

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Town of Corte Madera · 300 Tamalpais Dr · Corte Madera, CA 94925 · USA