San Anselmo: EPA Green Power Community, Open Space Fundraiser, Volunteer of the Year Award, Stuffed Animal Sleepover

San Anselmo Recognized by the EPA as Green Power Community

The Town of San Anselmo was recognized as a Green Power Community by the Environmental Protection Agency in 2014 for choosing to use Marin Clean Energy’s (MCE) renewable power.  This is the Town’s second year receiving the honor.

The EPA’s Green Power Partnership is a voluntary program that encourages organizations to use green power as a way to reduce the environmental impacts associated with conventional electricity use.  MCE makes it possible for cities, communities, and businesses to receive this recognition by giving customers the choice of 50% or 100% clean, renewable power. 

The Town of San Anselmo was instrumental in founding MCE, a public, not-for-profit electricity provider that saves customers money. MCE customers are expected to save $5.9 million in 2014. Customers also benefit from the increased stability of rate changes only once per year.

Most of the power MCE supplies comes from CLEAN, RENEWABLE SOURCES such as solar, wind, bioenergy, geothermal, and hydro. MCE also supports local green jobs and new local renewable energy generation with projects such as:  972 kWh of solar at the San Rafael Airport, 1 MW of solar at a Carport Shade in Novato, and 500 kW of solar at the Novato Cooley Quarry.

The CHEAPEST and BEST Energy is the Energy You DON’T Use...... Is your home, business, or multifamily property as energy efficient as it could be?  MCE offers information & online tools, rebates, and finance options. 

Learn more on MCE’s website:  www.mcecleanenergy.org.

Marin Open Space Fundraiser To Help Save Sky Ranch  

Several Marin open space organizations are in the midst of a short-term campaign blitz to raise funds and purchase the Sky Ranch property as permanent public open space.

Sky Ranch lies on a ridge between Fairfax and San Anselmo.  It is a scenic 16-acre property that has served as an equestrian facility for the last 50 years.  It is adjacent to Marin County Open Space and Marin Municipal Water District lands. 

The Marin Open Space Trust, the San Anselmo Open Space Committee and the Fairfax Open Space Committee are spearheading this fundraising effort. For more information about Sky Ranch or to make donations, visit the MOST website at www.marinopenspacetrust.org.  The window of opportunity to secure funds ends on August 15, 2014 before the property goes back on the market.  Approximately $400,000 is still needed to close the gap of the $1.2 million price.

A benefit music performance by Olive and the Dirty Martinis is scheduled for Thursday night, July 17 at the 19 Broadway Bar and Night Club in Fairfax.  The band plays danceable rock music from the 1960s and 70s.  For more information about the band (including local celebrities: vocalist “Olive” Stephanie Coyote and guitarist James Redford), visit the band’s website at www.OATDM.com. 

Tickets are each $20 as a tax-deductible donation for acquisition of Sky Ranch.  The event begins at 9 p.m. and is for ages 21 and over.  For more information about the venue and advance tickets, visit the night club’s website at www.19Broadway.com .

Reminder - Volunteer of the Year Award

The Town Council is calling for nominations for the Town’s Volunteer of the Year Award, honoring those who make a difference in our town.  The award is sponsored by the Friends of the San Anselmo Volunteer Effort (SAVE).

The Volunteer of the Year award winner will be honored on Sunday, September 7th, at a special Volunteer Recognition Event, designed to honor the Town’s many volunteers and their valuable contributions to our community. The deadline for submission is Thursday, August 7, 2014.

To nominate a special volunteer for this award, go to www.townofsananselmo.org, and go to the News Flash section entitled Volunteer of the Year Award.

Stuffed Animal Sleepover!

Kids Kindergarten to 5th Grade – Your stuffed animal is invited to spend the night at the Library! 

Drop your stuffed animal off at the reference desk between 5 and 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 16.  The Children’s Librarian has planned all sorts of activities for them once you’ve gone home.  Ask them about it when you pick them up between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. the following day, Thursday, July 17.

San Anselmo News, published weekly on Fridays, is available at the San Anselmo Town Hall, Library, and on the Public Notice Bulletin Board. It is also available on the Town’s website, www.townofsananselmo.org, and by email subscription.