Who owns Mill Valley's creeks?

At an event at the Outdoor Art Club on Thursday, April 25 at 1pm, board members of Mill Valley StreamKeepers will discuss the streams’ ownership, the responsibility we all bear to protect them, and their fragile biota. ​Mill Valley’s dynamic system of waterways has shaped our city’s development and prosperity from the beginning. 

They will also identify potential threats to these living systems, including sea level rise associated with global warming, and what we as citizens can do to mitigate them. This program is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.

The 411: At the Outdoor Art Club on Thursday, April 25 at 1pm, board members of Mill Valley StreamKeepers will discuss the streams’ ownership, the responsibility we all bear to protect them, and their fragile biota. One West Blithedale. Free.

​​And here's a gorgeous aerial video of the Mill Valley watershed via the Marin Watershed Program:

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Richard Rider, a longtime Mill Valley resident and owner of Redwood Security Systems, is among 250 amateurs competing in this week's Liberty Mutual Insurance Invitational National Finals at Pinehurst Golf Resort in Pinehurst, North Carolina.

Rider qualified for the event by winning the local Liberty Mutual Insurance Invitational in October 2018 at Sequoyah Country Club in Oakland, a tournament that supported Northern Light School.

The Liberty Mutual Insurance Invitational National Finals is the culmination of more than 70 charity golf tournaments around the country in 2018 hosted by Liberty Mutual and local and national organizations that raised more than $9 million for charity.

Two-time U.S. Open Champion and World Golf Hall of Famer Curtis Strange, honorary chairman of the Liberty Mutual Insurance Invitational, will interact with players during the four-day tournament which runs April 3-7.

"I am proud and honored to be a part of the Liberty Mutual Insurance Invitational," Strange said. "In just eight years, this annual tournament for amateurs has raised over $63 million for so many worthwhile charities and the people that they serve."

MORE INFO ON REDWOOD SECURITY SYSTEMS.

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When Mill Valley Film Festival organizers at the California Film Institute dove into launching the inaugural Doclands documentary film festival two years ago, they did so with the wind of an ever-growing MVFF behind them, as well as the knowledge that documentary filmmaking had taken a quantum leap forward in terms of both quality and popularity.

"Documentaries allow us to take the time to dive into important, human stories, in depth," MVFF Founder Mark Fishkin wrote to CFI members in a note last month. "DocLands is not just a remarkable collection of films but a way of seeing and hearing the world that can give us a deeper perspective and a greater appreciation for the “wonderland” that still surrounds us."

DocLands, set for May 2-5 at the CineArts at Sequoia Theatre in Mill Valley and the Smith Rafael Film Center in San Rafael, looks to deliver on that promise once again with a slate of 44 films from 14 countries, 36 filmmakers in attendance, a live music show, and an interactive industry forum. It also includes the return of DocPitch and DocTalk programs, geared towards invigorating the business and art of nonfiction filmmaking and building an active, fully supportive community around documentary film.  

The event kicks off with an opening night film and party for Runner, director Bill Gallagher's story about Guor Mading Maker, who ran from capture in war-torn Sudan when he was only nine to eventually seek safety in the US. In his new life, Maker became a track star, qualifying for the 2012 Olympics but competing independently because the newly formed South Sudan wasn't recognized by the International Olympics committee and he refused to run for Sudan to take a stand against its oppression. 

DocLands closes with The Weight of Water, director Michael Brown's film about renowned blind climber and kayaker, Erik Weihenmayer, who will participate in a post-screening Q&A. The film tracks the Weihenmayer, the first blind person to reach the summit of Everest, and the only blind person to climb the highest peak on each of the seven continents taking on an absurdly improbable challenge, as he kayaks the Grand Canyon.

Also on closing night, DocLands has the California premiere of Mr. Jimmy, Peter Michael Dowd’s salute to musical devotion, super fandom, and a marvel of live performance, featuring Akio Sakurai. Sakurai, aka Mr. Jimmy, a devotee of the “frighteningly cool” Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page since he was 16. Sakurai dedicates his life to the ritualistic re-creation of individual Led Zeppelin concerts in their prime touring years of the 1970s. Dowd’s remarkable film finds Sakurai at the turning point of his career: the night when Page himself attends a concert, a moment the performer has been waiting for almost his entire life and one that pushes the performer to exploring his dreams beyond the nightclubs of Tokyo.

Mr. Jimmy will play a short acoustic set during the post-screening Q&A and then heads over the Sweetwater Music Hall, assembling the top Zeppelin tribute masters for touring, performing for the first time in Marin with August Young (of the Aviators) on vocals.

The 411: Doclands documentary film festival is set for May 2-5 at the CineArts at Sequoia Theatre in Mill Valley and the Smith Rafael Film Center in San Rafael, featuring a slate of 44 films from 14 countries, with 36 filmmakers in attendance. MORE INFO & TIX. And MORE INFO & TIX FOR THE SWEETWATER EVENT.

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When Marin native Linda Graf decided to move to Montana for a little adventure several years ago, she came to a realization pretty quickly in the vast, spread out Big Sky Country: "I really needed to meet some new people," she says with a chuckle.

In 2012, she did just that, organizing a knowledge-driven social event that brought people together to learn about and discuss a wide variety of topics, getting to know one another better along the way. It was a hit, and when Graf moved back to Marin a year and a half ago, she knew that a similar event, particularly in our mobile phone-driven universe where we're communicating all the time but often not actually connecting.

That brings us to the debut of Tiny Talks – Mill Valley, an event co-produced by Graf and Lucinda Otto, a fellow Zephy Real Estate agent on Friday, April 26, 6-9pm at Scout Hall. The event is a series of eight-minute TED Talk-esque presentations from eight different people on topics that all fit under the concept "People Connecting with Place." The eight presentations cover a broad range – from nature and the wonder of flight to sound, design and taste, and many more. Non-alcoholic drinks and nibbles will be served and West Coast Wine • Cheese will be selling wine from its collection. Zephyr Real Estate and First Republic Bank are sponsoring the event.

"It's about giving people a chance to meet face-to-face," Graf says. "People crave connection, especially in this day and age. Humans have gathered around campfires to tell stories for thousands of years. In the glow of the fire, they celebrated life events, spread the word about new ideas and innovation, and highlighted issues that needed attention – helping the community thrive. Though we aren’t able to build a campfire in most indoor venues these days, we can still gather to share stories."

Tint Talks' twist is that after the eight presentations, the event continues. The audience is invited to stay, sip a beverage and continue the conversation with the speakers and each other at designated cafe tables in the hall.

The speakers are: 

Barbara Borden (sound) – The Mill Valley resident is a renowned drummer, teacher and composer who performs solo and in collaboration with a variety of musicians, artists and healers. She is the subject of the documentary, Keeper of the Beat: A Woman’s Journey Into the Heart of Drumming. Borden's talk is titled "Broadcasting from the Tower of Love."

Aaron Singer (flight) – The owner of Seaplane Adventures at the southern edge of Mill Valley, Singer has been flying since he was 16 and has done competitive flying acrobatics, is a member of the Bay Bombers precision formation team and has performed in air shows around the country. Singer speaks about "Making Big Places Seem Small."

Lisa Safran (improv) – A leadership facilitator and a specialist in communication dynamics, Safran consults with executives and teams to help them build trust and cohesion in rapidly changing organizations. She does so with techniques from the improv world, developing situational agility and conversational capacity. Safran's theme is "Being Curious About Being Curious."

Tom Gehrig (visual) – The Bay Area artist's work experiments with collage, surreal imagery, theater and performance art. Collected throughout the world and with multiple prestigious awards punctuating his career, Gehrig will talk about "What Lies Within: Inside the Mind of an Artist." 

Sandy Mendler (design) – A Mill Valley architect, planner and researcher at Mithun, Mendler focuses on creating inspiring new models for healthy, sustainable living, including educational buildings, campuses and mixed-use neighborhood projects. In 2018, Mendler participated in the Resilient by Design, Bay Area Challenge, fueling her passion for strategies that leverage resilience investments for community benefit. Mendler will discuss "Resilient by Design" Visioning the Future of the Bay Area."

Stephen Simmons (taste) – Currently the executive chef at Peacock Gap Golf and Country Club, Simmons' 40-year career has spanned being a partner Lark Creek Inn and One Market, managing his own Marin ventures at Bubba’s Diner, Savannah Grill, and Lincoln Park Wine Bar, and serving for 15 years as food service director at Skywalker Ranch. Simmons will explore how to "Stop and Smell the..."
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John Chesley (nature) – Inspired by the work of local artist Tom Killion and poet Gary Snyder in their book: "Tamalpais Walking," Chesley leads an annual walk circumnavigating Mt. Tamalpais. For the rest of the year, Chelsey's a lawyer, a Marin Theatre Company board member and trail runner/walker. His talk is entitled "Once a year. One Mountain. One Step at a Time."

Roberta Keller (history) – Few are more ready to discuss "Once Upon a Time ... the Story of Scout Hall" than Roberta Keller, the historic Mill Valley hall's biggest champion over the years as it went through a years-long, massive renovation. Keller will talk about the hall's early origins as McInnis’ Tavern just outside the town limits of a very small and very dry Mill Valley, as well as its checkered career as a stable, a laundry, perhaps even a “house of ill repute” before being donated to the Scouts in 1919.

The 411: Zephy Real Estate agents Linda Graf and Lucinda Otto launch Tiny Talks – Mill Valley, eight-minute TED Talk-esque talks from eight different people, on Friday, April 26, 6-9pm at Scout Hall. ​177 E Blithedale | 30 Mountain View (2 entrances). Tix $15 advance, $20 door. MORE INFO & TIX. 
​In the newly renovated Scout Hall, Mill Valley

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Mill Valley native Melanie Victor-Smith's Artstream, her mobile art gallery inside her 1954 Airstream trailer, continues to showcase great art all over Marin. It'll next pop up at the at the Farmer's Market at Marin Country Mart in Larkspur (9am-2pm), exhibiting the "Glass Cathedrals" of artist Lisa Swerling.

"Glass Cathedrals" are a series of tiny worlds in boxes. "Magical, absurd, comic, tragic, poetic, each box contains an entire emotional world, with figurines not much taller than a pea," says Swerling.

"The Artstream is honored to offer a sneak peak of a very special show celebrating the beauty and uniqueness of this area we get to call home," Victor-Smith adds. "Here, it’s beautiful” is Swerling's latest collection of Glass Cathedrals containing different perspectives of the San Francisco Bay Area. The artboxes will be shown throughout the Bay Area in the first three weeks of April and the full exhibition opens at Rare Device in San Francisco on April 26.

Artstream will also be showing an array of Swerling’s classic dioramas as well as limited edition prints.

The 411: Mill Valley native Melanie Victor-Smith's Artstream, her mobile art gallery inside her 1954 Airstream trailer, is exhibiting the "Glass Cathedrals" of artist Lisa Swerling on Saturday, April 6 at the Farmer's Market at Marin Country Mart in Larkspur, 9am-2pm. MORE INFO.

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The Alzheimer’s Association, in partnership with the Outdoor Art Club and Marin General Hospital, holds its second annual education forum, “Dementia Caregiving Essentials," on Wednesday, April 24 from 9:30am-1:30pm at the OAC. The event is a half-day caregiver mini-forum for family members and friends that offers insight into Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and caregiver strategies.

The event's lineup includes sessions on "Assessment and Management of Cognitive Impairment," "If I Only Knew Then What I Know Now: Caregivers Sharing Experiences," and "Self-Care for the Caregiver," among others.

The 411: The Alzheimer’s Association, in partnership with the Outdoor Art Club and Marin General Hospital, holds its second annual education forum, “Dementia Caregiving Essentials," on Wednesday, April 24 from 9:30am-1:30pm at the OAC. Free but advance registration required at 800.272.3900. Limited to 150 people. MORE INFO.
 
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Mill Valley art curator Leslie Lakes is taking over the walls of the Bank of Marin's downtown Mill Valley branch with a unique exhibit pertaining to film, film noir, and a bevy of portraits of actors and directors from classic and contemporary films. The artwork was created by what Lakes says is "a brilliant recluse and totally self-taught artist who goes by the name of "L." 

The exhibit is the subject of an opening night reception on Tuesday, April 9 at Bank of Marin at 19 Sunnyside Avenue. The exhibit is being supported by the California Film Institute (CFI), producers of the Mill Valley and DocLands film festivals.

According to Lakes, "L” is challenged by a multitude of mental disorders, including schizophrenia and manic bi-polar. The show not only showcases his wonderful talent, but desires to bring public awareness to and support for people dealing with mental illness of varying kinds and degrees. All artwork on display will also be available for purchase.

The 411: Mill Valley art curator Leslie Lakes is taking over the walls of the Bank of Marin's downtown Mill Valley branch with a unique exhibit pertaining to film, film noir, and a bevy of portraits of actors and directors from classic and contemporary films. Tuesday, April 9 at Bank of Marin at 19 Sunnyside Avenue. MORE INFO.
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See those folks above?

They were all honored in 2018 for their contributions to literary arts, visual arts and performing arts (film, theater and dance), as well as contributions to the artistic community. In doing so, they joined one of Mill Valley's most revered clubs, one that has played a vital role in sustaining the vibrant arts in our town.

The 13-member Milley Awards Board of Directors is now seeking nominations for its 2019 edition. The Milley Awards honor those living artists and artist-teachers who were born in Mill Valley, California, or went to school here, or work here, or have made their home here, and who have enriched our lives.

Selection of Mill Valley Creative Achievement Award recipients is based upon one or more of these criteria:

• Outstanding achievement in creating, performing or teaching in the arts.
• Demonstration of a significant body of work.
• Service to the arts community.

Recipients are drawn from the listed awards categories below. Formal presentation of up to five Milley Awards are made at our yearly gala event. All award recipients are acknowledged by the Arts Commission and the Mayor of Mill Valley. An appropriate permanent record of all recipients is kept in the History Room of the Mill Valley Library.

Here are the categories:

• Performing & Film Arts
• Literary Arts
• Musical Arts
• Visual Arts & Design
• Contributions to the Creative Life of the Mill Valley Community: Individuals whose vision, initiative and leadership played a major role in establishing and nurturing Mill Valley’s cultural treasures.
• Sali Lieberman Award  honors lifetime achievements of individuals who embody Sali Lieberman‘s inspiration, courage and determination. (Non-annual award.)
• Vera Schultz Award honors achievements of organizations which embody Vera Schultz‘s activism, leadership, courage and vision. (Non-annual award.)

GO HERE to fill out a nomination firm. Nominations should also include:

• Nominator’s personal statement of support
• Maximum of ten pages of supporting materials, such as vitae, testimonials, reviews, articles, press clippings or photographs. Ask your candidate for assistance with these materials.
• Slides, CDs, albums, books and other 3 dimensional examples of a candidate’s work

Past recipients’ nomination packets are available in the History Room of the Mill Valley Public Library to give you an idea of what should be included. All nomination materials for the 2019 Milleys must arrive at Mill Valley City Hall by 5 PM on April 25. You may drop off or mail materials to 26 Corte Madera Avenue, Mill Valley, CA 94941. For more information or assistance in developing your nomination, call 415-721-1906 or email info@milleyawards.org.

Judging by a panel of representatives from the community takes place in June, with winners announced in July. The annual Milleys Dinner will be held on Sunday, October 20 at the Mill Valley Community Center. Over the previous 23 years, the Milley Awards have recognized the creative achievements of more than 140 individuals and organizations.

The 411: The Milley Awards honor locals for their contributions to literary arts, visual arts and performing arts (film, theater and dance), as well as contributions to the artistic community. MORE INFO.

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Redwood Trust, Inc., the longtime Mill Valley-based financial firm focused on investments in residential mortgages and related assets and engaging in mortgage banking activities, turned 25 years old this month. To celebrate the occasion, the company's CEO Christopher J. Abate and his senior leadership team rang the opening bell of the New York Stock Exchange on March 12.

"I am proud of our company's history as an innovator in housing credit investing, and our long-standing commitment to delivering shareholder value," Abate says.

In addition to live television coverage of the ceremony, the New York Stock Exchange streamed the event on its website. View a replay of the live stream here.

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​There's no better feel-good day in Mill Valley than that of the Mill Valley Memorial Day Parade.

This year's edition falls on May 27. It kicks off with a delicious Pancake Breakfast from the Mill Valley Association of Volunteer Firefighters, then a ceremony to honor the fallen heroes who served our country and protected the American dream, followed by a parade from Old Mill Park to Tam High. The rest of the day is spent enjoying live music, great food and drink and rides at the Kiddo! Carnival, Concert on the Green and Community Celebration on Friends Field at the Community Center.

The parade, which starts at 10:30am, regularly draws more than 6,000 spectators each year and more than 60 organizations and businesses participate as entries.

For those businesses and organization want to be in the parade, the Mill Valley I Love a Parade Committee, which operates the Memorial Day Parade, has opened registration for entries. GO HERE to apply by filing out a short form. Applications and payment – entry fees are $75 for commercial entities and $35 for nonprofits – are due by Monday 20. Make checks payable to: I Love A Parade, mail your check and application (or drop off in person) to: I Love A Parade c/o Famous4, 96 Throckmorton Ave Mill Valley CA, 94941.

The 411: Want to be in the Memorial Day Parade on May 27? GO HERE for an application.

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Looking to cultivate your green thumb?

The Outdoor Art Club is serving up an event to help you do just that, as renowned garden designer Rebecca Sweet, a garden design expert who specializes in Northern California gardens both large and small, speaks at the OAC on Thursday, April 18. The free event begins at 1pm, and light refreshments will be served.

Through her company Harmony in the Garden, Sweet has designed gardens that have been featured in Sunset, Fine Gardening, Horticulture, Woman’s Day, and Country Living, among many other publications. She is the author of Refresh Your Garden Design with Color, Texture, and Form, and the co-author of the bestselling Garden Up! Smart Vertical Gardening for Small and Large Spaces. She also writes a blog, “Gossip in the Garden,” with gardening design tips for the novice and experienced gardener alike.

The 411: The Outdoor Art Club hosts renowned garden designer Rebecca Sweet on Thursday, April 18. The free event begins at 1pm, and light refreshments will be served. MORE INFO.

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For 33 years, Mill Valley’s Singers Marin has brought its sonorous voices everywhere from stages in Iceland and Australia to Bay Area concert venues and at the annual Winterfest celebration in downtown Mill Valley.

For its latest fundraiser, they're embarking on something a bit different, hosting a "Fundraising Dance Party” on Sunday, March 31 at the Community Congregational Church of Tiburon. The first hour of the event will be dance lessons presented by Dance Arts Studios, followed by an hour a fun dancing. 

Organizers will hold a raffle of great items, from a wine tour and dining certificates to miscellaneous gift cards. Wine and light refreshments will be served. Suggested donation: $20-$30.
 
The 411: Singers Marin hosts a "Fundraising Dance Party” on Sunday, March 31 at the Community Congregational Church of Tiburon, 145 Rock Hill Dr. RSVP or for more information at 415-383-3712. Wine and light refreshments will be served.  Suggested donation: $20-$30.

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Jeffrey Levin and Bonnie Powers moved their nearly four-year-old Poet and/the Bench lifestyle store and jewelry atelier space from Locust Ave., where they'd been since late 2015, to downtown Mill Valley. They did so as the next step of a journey that is as personal as it is commercial. 

They opened in their new space at 11 Throckmorton Ave., in the space formerly occupied by Bossa Nova Clothing. the Throckmorton end of El Paseo Lane, on Feb. 13. On Saturday, March 30, they'll toast that latest step in their journey with a party featuring refreshments and live calligraphy from Sarah Hanna, from 3-7pm. 

​"Mill Valley has welcomed us, made us feel part of the community and we’ve established a deep following here," Powers says. "We’ve lovingly called Locust Ave. a “discovery” street and embraced that. Customers told us time and again how much they loved finding our beautifully curated shop."

"After more then 3 years building our brand, we really desired an area with high foot traffic to share the narrative of our emerging and independent designers with more people. We know we have something unique going on at Poet and/the Bench and it’s our continued intention to make this a place people always feel welcomed, where you can find gifts for self and others not otherwise readily around and share in interesting dialogue," Powers adds.

The new space "has amazing light, energy and flow," and "home goods, jewelry, scent, Poet and/the Bench exclusive atmosphere collection, found objects and art greet you" in the space.

"We're super excited to be part of the downtown Mill Valley community," she says. "Come celebrate with us."

The 411: Poet and/the Bench is at 11 Throckmorton Avenue. MORE INFO.

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Needing a bit of joy in your life these days? One of the of the missions of the O'Hanlon Center for the Arts is to foster individual creativity, and the vital arts organization, which celebrates its 50th anniversary later this year, is once again doing so next month with a Sunday Salon. These regular events – put on by Murphy Productions' Daniel Patrick and Erma Murphy (also O'Hanlon's co-director) – are potluck-style meals that have attendees performing music, poetry, dance, storytelling and much more.

For the Sunday, April 7th edition of the Sunday Salon, he theme is joy. "Let's be joyful," Patrick and Murphy said in announcing the salon. "Our salons are all inclusive and creative. There will be music, poetry, storytelling, dance and more celebrating JOY in our lives. 
 
The 411: The O'Hanlon Center for the Arts and Murphy Productions host "Sunday Salon: Joy" on Sunday, April 7. Potluck at 5pm, performances at 6pm. 616 Throckmorton Ave. Bring good food and drink to share. Share a poem, dance, work of art
or song that relates to "joy." If you are interested in presenting, email Daniel Patrick at musicimpresario@gmail.com. $10. MORE INFO & TIX. Here's Daniel Patrick & Erma Murphy talking about the Sunday Salon:

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Wendy Xa's new K-8 Terra Marin School and the Mandarin immersion Terra Mandarin Preschool, both located within the former Ring Mountain Day School space, are hosting a screening of Angst, a 2017 documentary about anxiety among youth. The screening is set for Wednesday, March 27 at 6:30pm at the school's campus at 70 Lomita Drive.

The 56-minute film and virtual reality experience explores anxiety, its causes, effects and what we can do about it, featuring candid interviews with kids and young adults who suffer, or have suffered, from anxiety and what they’ve learned about it. It also includes an interview with multiple gold medal-winning Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps. The film will be followed by a panel discussion with experts in the field, including Tracy Foose, the former director of UCSF Anxiety Disorders Program.

The 411: Terra Marin School and the Mandarin immersion Terra Mandarin Preschool host a screening of Angst, a 2017 documentary about anxiety among youth on Wednesday, March 27 at 6:30pm at the school's campus at 70 Lomita Drive. TIX $12. MORE INFO & BUY TIX. Here's the trailer: 

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