Reading and walking at the same time aren't often a good idea – just ask the folks walking and texting in the "No Cellphones" lane on a DC sidewalk – but at the Mill Valley Public Library, the two make for the perfect combination for the Library’s 2014 Adult Reading Challenge: Steps, Lanes, and Paths. Inspired by Mill Valley’s extensive network of over 175 heritage paths dating back to the 1880s, the Library is serving up a literary expedition that encourages readers to explore new literary landscapes while becoming actively acquainted with the city that many call home.

The Adult Reading Challenge centers around a “reading map” featuring the steps, lanes, and paths of Mill Valley. The 133 steps, lanes, and paths featured on the reading map correspond to a particular reading challenge category relating to peoples, places, genres and much, much more. Participants are challenged to read one book for each path by the challenge’s end on December 31, 2014. As participants undertake the literary challenge, they are also encouraged (but not required) to explore Mill Valley and celebrate its perambulatory heritage by walking the corresponding steps, lanes, and paths on the reading map.

“It’s been a personal goal of mine to walk every step, lane, and path in Mill Valley,” said Ali Birnbach, reference librarian and organizer of the reading challenge. “I know how enjoyable and unexpectedly refreshing it can be to explore the city through its back roads, and a reading challenge seemed like the perfect way to share the experience. A good reading challenge gives participants a general guide and lets them decide how they want to approach it. This year’s theme lets you literally choose your own path(s).”
 
The breadth of categories in this year’s challenge is extensive, from “Voyages of Discovery and Adventure” and “International Female Authors” to “How Can I Help You? The Service Industry” and “An Event or Experience Your Parents Lived Through,” among many others. Categories serve as inspirational starting points and are open to readers’ personal interpretation, meaning that readers are sure to find books to spark their interest. If that wasn’t motivation enough, over the duration of the challenge participants will have chances to win fantastic prizes, including an iPad Mini. For each book read, participants will earn one raffle ticket. The more books read, the more raffle tickets earned, and the more chances to win.

The Adult Reading Challenge is open now. Adults ages 18 and older are invited to register online through the Library’s website. Registrants should then stop by the Library Reference Desk to pick up a reading map. If participants are looking for reading suggestions, librarians at the Mill Valley Library can offer book recommendations. The Library’s website also features a wide array of book lists. 

“We announced our reading challenge last Monday and we currently have nearly 100 participants,” said Birnbach. “It’s a great start to what we hope will be one of our best reading challenges yet!”

In addition to the Adult Reading Challenge, the Mill Valley Public Library offers separate summer reading programs for kids, middle schoolers, and young adults. Visit the Library’s website for more information about any of these programs. 

The City of Mill Valley is taking its celebrated emergency preparedness efforts to the backyard – your backyard, that is. 

In an effort to spread the word about the emergency-ready gear and skills that residents already have at their fingertips, the City is hosting on Saturday, June 7 its first-ever Ready Mill Valley Backyard Campout, an exciting, fun-filled event that promises to give every member of your family a greater sense of resiliency in the face of a disaster – without feeling like homework. 

"Summer is almost here! Let's all dig out our camping gear and spend a night under the stars with our family and friends to celebrate the inaugural Backyard Campout and show off our emergency preparedness skills!" Mill Valley Mayor Stephanie Moulton-Peters says. 

The Backyard Campout has two arenas: residents can participate with other families, neighbors and friends by pitching a tent outside the Mill Valley Community Center for a night of fun-filled games, entertainment, activities, a barbecue and campfire (S’mores!) – or they can camp in their own backyards and test their resiliency from afar.

“It’s tough to prioritize the What-IF of a disaster over the What-IS of daily life,” says Mike Jacobs, the CERT training officer and vice chair of the City’s Emergency Preparedness Commission. “To make that easier for folks, we started with what people already prioritize (fun, family time and outdoor adventure) that could also be useful in a disaster … and the Backyard Campout was born.” 

Activities at the Community Center will include: 

• CERT Ride Along Relay – Join your CERT strike team leader as you deploy through an earthquake-ravaged Mill Valley, assessing building damage, communicating via radio to command and locate and assisting an injured neighbor.
• Fun games and arts & crafts, such as making (and decorating) your own first-aid kit.
• Family-friendly entertainment, including a sing-a-long and magic show.
• A host of emergency preparedness displays and info.
• Tours of Mill Valley’s newest fire engine.
• Fire extinguisher demonstrations.

While those camping in the comfort of their own backyards won’t get to experience all of the great food, activities and entertainment at the Community Center in person, we’ll provide plenty of suggestions for games and activities to make the most of this unique experience. 

The foundation of the event, according to Mill Valley Fire Department Chief Jeff Davidson, is realizing that the basic elements of camping go a long way in getting you ready to deal with the aftermath of a disaster. 

“If you can camp out at your home or at the Mill Valley Community Center for one night, you are demonstrating a level of resiliency,” Davidson said. 

Click here for more details and to register for the Ready Mill Valley Backyard Campout. 

Want to know what's happening around town? Click here to subscribe to the Enjoy Mill Valley Blog by Email!

From the Mill Valley Fire Department:

Mill Valley will receive two strong storms in the next few days that will bring high winds with moderate to heavy rains at times.  For the first storm on Wednesday, estimates are that we will receive from a half inch of rain up to a few inches in the hills along with high winds.  The second storm, which should be here on Friday, has the potential to be rainier and more powerful than the first.  There is a chance we can see wind gusts as high as 50 mph.  Tides will be on the higher end starting Wednesday. 

Is your business prepared? We encourage all business owners to start planning now:

1. Review Emergency Communications with Staff: Set up a telephone calling tree or email alert to communicate with employees, designate an out-of-town phone number for employees to call, give employees wallet-cards with important phone numbers.

2. Gather Emergency Supplies: Have First Aid supplies,  water, food, flashlights, a battery operated radio , extra batteries, first aid kit, and other supplies essential in an emergency on-hand. Encourage employees to pack a personal "Go Bag" with emergency items such as a change of clothes and medications.

3. Stock up on Sandbags: We urge residents to initiate their winter preparedness measures early in the season by seeking sand and sandbags should they need them. Sand and bags can be purchased at local hardware stores. Residents or business owners may also pick up sand bags at the Fire Stations at 1 Hamilton Ave. and 26 Corte Madera Ave. There is a limit of ten sandbags per household or business. Sand is available during the rainy season to City residents and businesses at the following locations:

• Hauke Park parking lot
  
• Thalia parking lot at Boyle Park
  
• Parking area on Molino Ave., behind Old Mill Park (approx 100' yds east of Molino/Cascade Way)

4. Prepare for Power Outages: Have battery-operated radios with fresh batteries ready for updates on storm conditions and power outages. Have battery-operated flashlights with extra batteries on hand. PG&E recommends that customers do not use candles because of the risk of fire. If you must use candles, extreme caution is urged. Do not use candles near drapes or under lampshades. If you have a stand-by generator, inform PG&E and make sure that it's installed safely. If it's not, you risk damaging your property and endangering PG&E line workers who may be working on power lines some distance from your home. Information on the safe installation of generators can be found on the PG&E website at www.pge.com/generator.  If your power goes out, unplug or turn off all electric appliances, including computers and printers. Otherwise, when power is restored, several appliances may come back on at once and overload your circuits or hot appliances may come on while you're away or asleep and pose a fire hazard. Leave a single lamp on to alert you when power returns. Turn your appliances back on one at a time when conditions return to normal.

5. Drive with Caution: When driving in the rain, use extra caution and always have your headlights on. Remember, if you turn on your windshield wipers, turn on your headlights. Please obey the speed limits and follow other traffic at a safe distance.

If you have questions or comments please call Department of Public Works at 388-4033 or the Fire Department at 389-4130. Click here for more information: http://www.cityofmillvalley.org/Index.aspx?page=1436