Who says you can't have Winterfest without snow?!?

Despite the dearth of snow in in the Sierras – where the Enjoy Mill Valley Winterfest event has gotten its snow for several years – the event is still very much a go and promises to be an incredible, fun-filled day for kids of all ages.

​Instead of our usual small sledding hill in the Downtown Plaza, we'll have a massive, 100-foot-long slide! We'll also have a carousel-themed bounce house, a visit from Santa in an antique fire truck, a photo booth and an array free food from the likes of Piazza D'Angelo, Balboa Cafe, El Paseo, Equator Coffees, Good Earth Natural Foods, Super Duper Burger, Three Twins Ice Cream and Urban Remedy.

In addition to all that, we a full day of live music and performances from some amazing local arts organizations, including Performing Arts Academy of Marin, Wow! Music Studios, Singers Marin, Rita Abrams, Happy Feet Dance School, Dore Coller & the Millbillies, Roco Dance and Rock the Ages.

As always, Winterfest will have a dedicated Holiday Donation Station where we'll be accepting canned food, dry and non-perishable food (more info here) for the SF-Marin Food Bank (you can donate before Winterfest here), unwrapped toy donations for the Toys for Tots program and the Performing Stars of Marin via the Mill Valley Fire Department and warm coats for One Warm Coat.

Local resident Josephine Rasella will be selling Kurt S. Adler holiday ornaments, with all proceeds going to the Sonoma County Resilience Fund in the wake of the tragic North Bay fires in October. Across the street from Winterfest, Famous4 retail shop owner Larry "the Hat" Lautzker will once again have a donation truck to accept new or gently used unwrapped toys and bicycles, as well as Target, Walgreens etc. gift cards for victims of the North Bay fires. 

It all concludes at 5pm with a beautiful Tree Lighting Ceremony featuring the Mill Valley City Council and Singers Marin. And there's free bike parking courtesy Marin County Bicycle Coalition and Tam Bikes. 

Don't miss it!! MORE INFO.

MORE INFO on our amazing sponsors and service partners.

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Over the past 10 years, Mill Valley residents and middle school sweethearts Williams and Jaime Heaps have built their Sage Educators into something of a juggernaut, with more than 25 full-time employees and locations in Larkspur and San Anselmo to go along with their Mill Valley flagship on Miller Avenue.

In the course of doing so, the Heaps have consistently supported an array of educational causes, most notably Kiddo!, the 35-year-old private education foundation that supports a vast array of music and technology programs within the Mill Valley School District. In addition to donating over $300,000 to various school foundations and community groups, Sage has donated more than $120,000 in free and/or discounted tutoring services to more than 50 Marin students in need. 

Now the couple is taking that support to another level, launching the nonprofit Sage Educators Foundation, which accepts tax-deductible donations to support marginalized youth in Marin – specifically the achievement gap in math and the language arts between Latino and white students in Marin County. According to a recent study by the Education Trust-West, an Oakland-based educational research and advocacy organization, “Marin County has the second-highest [achievement] gap [in the state], with a 46-point difference in the percentage of Latino and white students who met or exceeded both the state math and English language arts standards in 2017.” 

"Since 2007, it has been our mission at Sage Educators to support all students in learning, regardless of age, race, religion, gender or socioeconomic status," Heaps says. "We have seen thousands of students reach their academic goals, and we couldn’t be happier. Unfortunately, the demand for support has grown beyond what is sustainable for Sage Educators, but we hope this initiative will go a long way towards addressing that gap. We believe in educational equity, and it's our mission to ensure that every Marin County student has access to the support they need to thrive… because when our students thrive, our entire community thrives."

The 411: Sage Educators has launched a nonprofit Sage Educators Foundation to raise money toward addressing the achievement gap in Marin. MORE INFO.

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In 2009, local arts powerhouse Lucy Mercer, seeing her own personal savings dwindle as she invested everything in the nearly 103-year-old Throckmorton Theatre building she bought in 1999 and reopened in 2003, had to reach out to donors to keep it alive.

She did just that, raising money from myriad local donors and some of Mill Valley's music superstars and making the Throckmorton a go-to community hub for seemingly every artistic medium, from theater and dance to music and stand-up comedy, the latter of which put the theater on the map and has kept it there ever since.

Nearly a decade later, Mercer and Bill Hoppin, who serves as the Throckmorton's board chair, are diving into crowdfunding as they seek to continue the Throckmorton's longstanding tradition of offering an array of artistic programs – and expand that programming in 2018. 

The pair have launched a campaign to raise $40,000 to do so, particularly to support its MountainFilm festival (this year's edition runs Dec. 1-3), Tuesday Night Comedy and theatrical performances like "Snow White: A Holiday Panto," a hilarious retelling of the classic story Snow White that kicks off Dec. 22 and runs through Dec. 30. In early 2018, the Throckmorton is set to debut a production of "In the Heights," a Broadway musical from the creator of "Hamilton."

"We have invested in our local economy and created hundreds of jobs, and we actively promote inclusion across any ethnic, socio-economic and geographic barriers that divide our community," Mercer and Hoppin wrote on the campaign page. "We believe that diversity among our artists and audiences is an essential component of the thriving creative environment we seek to create. The Theatre was founded on the belief that music, theatre, dance, film, and visual arts are essential components of a rich and rewarding life."

The 411: The Throckmorton Theatre has launched a $40,000 campaign to support its program and expansion in 2018. MORE INFO.

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"Imagination meets the environment and creativity is the product."

That's how San Rafael photographer Steven Johnides succinctly and eloquently sums up what he strives for with his photography, which will be on display at the Mill Valley Chamber throughout December, with a wine reception set for the Mill Valley Arts Commission’s First Tuesday Artwalk on December 5, 5:30-7:30pm.

Johnides grew up in New York City, and fell for photography as a teen after his father gave him his first camera. He soon enrolled in photography classes, learned to process film, and proceeded to put together a darkroom at home. Johnides moved to Florida and studied photography in college in 1972. His career in photography had officially begun.

Fast forward to 2017, and Johnides continues to run his longstanding, successful Virtual Vision 360 company, for which he photographs homes for real estate companies and produces virtual tours. But while the day job pays the bills, it's the nighttime that gives him the thrills.

Johnides moved to the Bay Area in 1976, opening a gallery for many years and then adopting two boys with his wife Malaney, spending the next 22 years in Noe Valley. They moved to Marin in October 2012, and soon after that Johnides began venturing out in the middle of the night to photograph at pre-dawn hours. These black-and-white photographs are part of the “Silent Witness - San Francisco at Dawn” series, a "peaceful, dramatic and evocative ongoing series depicting the city in a way rarely seen," he says. That's the series Johnides is exhibiting in December. 

"I prefer to photograph at and around dawn," he says. "I like the quiet solitude. The isolated pursuit helps me get in touch with myself. It allows me to get deeply engaged in what I am seeing around me. The camera is pointing both ways. It’s turning inward and outward at the same time. If something catches my eye, I stop and process what it is and why it caught my attention. Chances are there is a photograph there. I’m striving for an emotional reaction. I occasionally succeed and when that happens it is very satisfying."

The 411: Steven Johnides showcases his "Silent Witness - San Francisco at Dawn" series of photos at the Mill Valley Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center (85 Throckmorton Ave.), throughout December, with a wine reception set for the Mill Valley Arts Commission’s First Tuesday Artwalk on December 5, 5:30-7:30pm. MORE INFO.

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On the hunt for that perfect gift for the book lover ion your life?

​You won't do much better than a Dec. 7 event at the Outdoor Art Club, where Elaine Petrocelli, co-founder of one of Marin's premier independent book store, Book Passage in Corte Madera, will highlight new literature and suggest books for holiday gift giving. The 1pm event is free and open to the public. Petrocelli will have the books she recommends for sale at the event.  

The 411: Elaine Petrocelli, co-founder of Book Passage in Corte Madera, highlights new literature and suggests books for holiday gift giving on Thursday, December 7 at 1pm at the Outdoor Art Club, One West Blithedale, Mill Valley. Free.

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In 2013, the Mill Valley City Council approved its MV2040 General Plan, the City’s constitution of sorts, for the first time in 24 years. Two years later, the Council approved the Housing Element, a critical component of that General Plan and a document that lays out the City's over-arching policy on development in town.

In the two years since, much of the City's housing-related work has been focused on one of the seven overall housing goals outlined in that document: housing affordability. That is, finding ways to "enhance housing affordability so that modest income households can join and remain an integral part of the Mill Valley community."

In real terms, that means allowing more people who work in Mill Valley, many of whom have done so for many years if not decades, to live here as well. The imbalance between the percentage of people who work in Mill Valley but cannot afford to live here “is the most important issue we have here in town,” Mill Valley Mayor Jessica Sloan told attendees of the MV Chamber's State of the City event last month. Sloan recalled that when she was a kid, her neighbors were the local mechanic at Masters auto repair and that as many as 10 Mill Valley Police officers lived in Mill Valley in the 1990s, a number that has shrunk to just one Mill Valley officer that lives in Marin County.

“We have moved away from being a community where the people who work in and serve this community live here,” Sloan said. “And it’s changed the town on a cultural level as well.”

With that in mind, Sloan and City officials are hoping to begin an ongoing conversation around this issue, and are using a "Housing Summit" as a kick-off of sorts. Set for Thursday, Nov. 30 (6:30-8:30pm) at the Mill Valley Community Center, the event features Sloan and City Manager Jim McCann along with a panel of local and regional experts, including:

• Karen Warner - Housing Specialist, Karen Warner Associates (moderator
• Danielle Staude - Mill Valley, Senior Planner
• Bruce Dorfman - Resident, Education Housing Partners/Thompson Dorfman Company
• Ric Capretta - Planning Commissioner, Capretta Architecture
• Lewis Jordan - Marin Housing Authority, Executive Director
• Leelee Thomas - Marin County, Housing Planning Manager
• Andrea Osgood - Eden Housing, Director of Real Estate Development

The City has already made some headway towards its workforce housing goals. Its efforts over the past two years have included passing an inclusionary housing ordinance that significantly stepped up its requirements on new multi-unit development projects such that 25 percent of units with those projects be affordable units. In September, the Council unanimously backed an affordable housing ordinance that includes a 1 percent City fee that will be applied to all new housing projects and remodels costing $100,000 or more, starting on Nov. 1, 2018. Second-unit projects are exempt.

City officials say the fee would generate approximately $375,000 annually. That revenue would go into a new affordable housing trust fund. What to do with that money will be one of the subjects at the center of the housing summit discussion. The options include acquiring properties, building multi-unit projects, renovating existing developments or finding ways to subsidize rental rates for workforce housing.

The 411: The City of Mill Valley's "Housing Summit" is set for Thursday, Nov. 30 (6:30-8:30pm) at the Mill Valley Community Center, 180 Camino Alto. Questions? Email Senior Planner Danielle Staude at dstaude@cityofmillvalley.org. MORE INFO.

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For more than 15 years, the nonprofit Ocean Riders of Marin has provided opportunities for disadvantaged children to connect with horses and nature, empowering them through their interactions with a 1,000-pound animal.

Now the women who run the organization are looking to expand those opportunities even further. They've entered the Newman’s Own Challenge, a friendly competition among 501(c)(3) non-profits to raise money and raise awareness of their organizations. The challenge began on Nov. 21 and runs through Dec. 31 via the fundraising platform Crowdrise. 

"Our work introducing people to the wonders of communicating with horses and learning about the environmental intricacies of southern Marin can be greatly expanded with your support," says Leida Schoggen, Ocean Riders of Marin's board president.

The challenge is part of Newman’s Own Foundation, which was founded by the late actor Paul Newman to continue his philanthropic legacy. The Foundation turns all net profits and royalties from the sale of Newman’s Own food and beverage products into charitable donations. 

Ocean Riders' participation in the challenge is the next step in an effort to build an arena to host children year-round at its home, the Golden Gate Dairy Stables within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) in Muir Beach. The staff and board of directors own the 15 horses living in the stable and manage the facility.

The 411: Ocean Riders of Marin has entered the Newman’s Own Challenge, a friendly competition among 501(c)(3) non-profits to raise money and raise awareness of their organizations. The challenge began on Nov. 21 and runs through Dec. 31 via the fundraising platform Crowdrise. MORE INFO.

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Grace Kraaijvanger and her team at The Hivery co-working space and inspiration hub are getting in the holiday spirit with a "sparkly and festive holiday market" thats set for Sunday, Dec. 3 (11am-3pm), offering the perfect getaway while the kiddos are sloshing around in the snow across the street at Winterfest.

Kraaijvanger says the event will be filled with unique products, art pieces, jewelry, home goods, and one-of-a-kind gifts and experiences. "Get all of your holiday shopping done while supporting local, women-owned businesses, talented makers, entrepreneurs, artists, and craftswomen – Shop, Sip, Nibble, and Mingle," she says.

The Hivery team will be serving hot cocoa and holiday treats and also have a DIY gift wrapping station. RSVP for your free ticket to shop. Here's a list of the vendors on-hand:​

The 411: The Hivery, located at 38 Miller Ave., Suite 20, is hosting The Hivery Holiday Market on Sunday, Dec. 3, 11am-3pm. MORE INFO.

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Ten years ago, on the heels of John Goddard's decision to close his legendary Village Music shop downtown, longtime Village employee Gary Scheuenstuhl decided to venture out on his own, opening his Mill Valley Music shop at 320 Miller Avenue. 

Through never-ending changes in the music industry and the 18-month Miller Avenue Streetscape Project, Scheuenstuhl has persisted – even thrived. Mill Valley Music is celebrating its 10th birthday this month! 

"We'd like to thank all of you from the bottom of our hearts for making that dream a reality!" Scheuenstuhl says. "A decade is quite an accomplishment for us and without you it wouldn't be possible. It means the world to us that you all support the store and here's to another successful ten years to come!"

The celebration coincides with the store's annual Thanksgiving Sale, which in turn coincides with Black Friday Record Store Day. It will be 30% off all used merchandise in the store and 20% off all new merchandise. "Per usual, we will be including the Super Secret Sale; you have to mention it at the counter and anything priced $4.00 and under will be 50% off (this also includes all Used CDs good time to stock up on those box sets)," Scheuenstuhl says.  Record Store Day items are prices as is.

Record Store Day started as a grassroots campaign in 2007 to support independent record stores that were facing extinction in an increasingly digital music business. The event features hundreds of musicians appearing and performing at independent stores across the country, and issuing special vinyl and CD releases to mark the occasion. It has grown immensely over the years. In 2008, there were 10 special Record Store Day releases. In recent years, there have been hundreds of special RSD releases.

Scheuenstuhl uses RSD as a way to remind customers about his fantastic inventory, holding a storewide sale – 20 percent off new items and 30 percent off used items that are not RSD-specific releases – to reward those who come to the shop on Saturday.

The 411: Black Friday Record Store Day 2017 is Friday, Nov. 24. Mill Valley Music is located at 320 Miller Ave., (415) 389-9090. Click here for more details, and click here for a full list of Record Store Day releases nationwide. ​