San Rafael Snapshot - April 11, 2013

Italian Street Painting Festival Returns to San Rafael

On Monday night, the City Council will hear a presentation about the Italian Street Painting Festival Marin. We are so pleased that after its recent hiatus, this beloved event will return to our Downtown streets June 29 and 30. This festival showcases the performance art of the Madonnari (street painters), as well as live music and activities for kids. For more information about the festival, click here.

Public Hearing for Plan Bay Area

On April 16, the Association of Bay Area Governments and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission will hold an open house and public hearing on the draft environmental impact report for the draft Plan Bay Area. This is a regional long-range plan that outlines how the Bay Area can accommodate housing growth while also decreasing greenhouse gas emissions. The public hearing will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Embassy Suites Hotel, 101 McInnis Parkway. Additionally, the City Council will hear about how this Plan relates to and impacts San Rafael on May 6. For more information about the Plan, visit www.onebayarea.org.

Enter your Classic Car in the May Madness Parade

The Downtown Business Improvement District is accepting applications for the 26^th annual May Madness Classic Car Parade. This free event features hundreds of classic cars, hot rods, roadsters, art cars, and eco cars as well as children’s activities, beer tasting, and live music. This year the event will be on May 11 and applications for car entries are due May 9. Click here for more information or an application.

Climate Change Action Plan Update Meeting

The next quarterly update meeting on the City’s Climate Change Action Plan will be April 25 at 7 p.m. at City Hall in the third floor conference room. Come hear about the progress we’ve made to make our community more sustainable, including the tracking of our reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, a new regional solar procurement project, single-use plastic bags, and the Resilient Neighborhoods program.

Summer Camp Registration

Now is a good time to register for summer camp! We offer a variety of summer camps that focus on art and crafts, sports, dance, fishing, skateboarding, chess and more—there’s truly something for everyone. Space is limited and camps fill up quick. For a full list, click here and select “Youth Camps” from the left side bar.

Fire Safety Tips for Summer

Due to a shortage of rainfall, the fire season in 2013 is expected to come early and be severe.  Residents play an important role in the safety of your home and neighborhood. Chief Gray in the Fire Department has a list of tips for Safer Vegetation Management and Defensible Space Guidelines that address creating a defensible space around your home and fire safe landscaping.  The Department also has a great interactive program called Ready Set Go Wildfire Action Plan that contains extensive information on how to protect your home and family. Share this information and talk with your neighbors about how to keep your neighborhood safe.

EVENTS

Honoring John Lam

On April 12 John Lam, a former Canal resident who is now a soloist dancer in the Boston Ballet, will be honored by Performing Stars of Marin and the City of San Rafael at the Albert J. Boro Community Center. A reception will be held from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., followed by a community celebration from 12 to 1 p.m.  Click here to learn more about John Lam and the event.

Earth Day Beautification Events

Spend the day making San Rafael a more beautiful place! From 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on April 20, participate in one of many beautification efforts throughout San Rafael.  Choose a meeting location that s convenient for you: 1) the Albert Park tennis courts, 2) just east of Albert J. Boro Community Center on Spinnaker Point Drive, 3) the Autodesk parking lot at 111 McInnis Parkway, and 4) D Street at Antoinette Ave. Bring your own reusable water bottle, gloves, sunscreen, layered clothing, and sturdy shoes for walking. Call 415-485-3407 or click here for more information about Earth Day clean-up projects.

Bite of Reality Financial Literacy Program

The San Rafael School District, Chamber of Commerce, Redwood Credit Union, and RMJ Foundation are sponsoring a free financial literacy event for teens. The program will teach basic money management, including housing, transportation, food, clothing, household necessities, day care and other needs. Call 707-775-9614 or email rfriedman@redwoodcu.org for more information and to sign up. Click here for more details about the event. The event takes place on April 24, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the San Rafael High School Gym.

Healthy Creek Discussion

The Gallinas Watershed Council will be hosting a special presentation and discussion on healthy creeks. Laura Chariton, a watershed specialist, will speak on creeks and the many factors that affect their health. This free presentation is open to the public and will be on Wednesday, May 1 at 7 p.m. at City Hall. For more information, visit http://www.gallinaswatershed.org/.