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Community Meeting on Southview Park Renovations This Saturday
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A community meeting will be held on Saturday, March 18, to review a recently updated conceptual drawing of planned Southview Park renovations. The drawing is based on input that was received at community meetings held on October 1, 2016, and February 21, 2017, as well as comments gathered through conversations with residents.
The meeting will start at 11:00 a.m. at Southview Park. In the event of rain, the meeting will take place in the Game Room on the lower level of Sausalito City Hall. Copies of the conceptual drawing will be available at the meeting. Feedback from attendees will be reviewed by City staff and landscape architects from SWA Architects and potentially incorporated into revised project plans.
In addition to Saturday's meeting, an online survey on Southview Park renovations is currently underway on the City website. Please note that the image in the survey does not reflect the newest revisions to the drawing. In the revised drawing, the lawn area has been made larger.
At the City Council meeting on Tuesday, March 28, City staff will request that the Council give direction to "prepare design review, permitting and construction drawings, and approval of a professional services contract amendment to SWA and related consultants for renovations to Southview Park." The plan will then go to the Planning Commission in May. If the plan is approved, construction bidding will take place in June and park construction will begin in July or August.
Please direct any questions or comments to Parks and Recreation Director Mike Langford at mlangford@ci.sausalito.ca.us or (415) 289-4126.
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City Hall Elevator Unavailable for 6-8 Weeks Beginning March 20
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A map showing accessible entrances to City Hall during construction (full-size version)
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Beginning on Monday, March 20, and continuing until early May 2017, the elevator in Sausalito City Hall will be out of service so that a new elevator can be installed. The old elevator, which dates to the 1970s, has been subject to increasingly frequent breakdowns. The upgrade is also necessary to bring elevator service in City Hall into compliance with current standards for accessibility, as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
During the installation period, movement between floors inside City Hall will be limited to the use of stairs. Individuals who would otherwise require the use of an elevator to transit between floors will need to enter the building from the entrance that provides access to the services they wish to receive, e.g. the Litho Street entrance to access the Library. Accessible parking spaces will be available at each entrance.
Questions about access to City Hall and City Hall services while the work is underway may be directed to (415) 289-4121. Sausalito City Hall is located at 420 Litho Street.
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Sausalito People Program Series Begins March 31
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The Sausalito Public Library's Sausalito People series of evening programs gets underway on Friday, March 31. This is the fifth year of Sausalito People, which runs every spring and fall inside the Library. Each program features a Sausalito resident sharing an area of expertise.
Here is a look at the program schedule for spring 2017:
- Friday, March 31: Directed by Sausalito resident Molly Fletcher Lynch, the Maligrad Contemporary Dance Company returns to the Sausalito Library for another kinetic and evocative performance. The evening will also include performances by dance companies from around the Bay Area. Start time is 8:00 p.m. — doors open at 7:30 p.m.
- Friday, April 7: Sausalito resident Barry Tompkins is one of the most celebrated play-by-play sports broadcasters in the United States. His credits include the Super Bowl, eight Olympic Games, the Tour de France, Wimbledon, San Francisco Giants baseball, and over two-hundred World Championship fights. In this special program, Barry will take questions from the audience and share photos and stories from his 47-year career. Start time is 7:00 p.m.
- Friday, April 14: Jennifer Berry is a biologist who specializes in reconnecting migration routes, restoring streams, and preserving wildlife habitats for redevelopment projects around the state. In her presentation, "The Coyotes of Sausalito," Jennifer will share images, videos, and sound recordings to tell the story of the Sausalito coyotes, with a focus on how we can learn to live in peaceful coexistence. Start time is 7:00 p.m.
- Friday, April 21: In the late 1800's, Marin was the Bay Area's major supplier of dairy products, and cows were a common sight on the streets of Sausalito and the surrounding hillsides. Join Sausalito resident Mike Moyle for an exploration of this history, with a particular focus on the many small dairies that dotted the countryside, most of them operated by Portuguese immigrants. Start time is 7:00 p.m.
All programs are free and open to the public. Please arrive early to guarantee a seat.
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More Stormy Weather in the Forecast
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Sausalito and Highway 101 during a storm in January
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Three increasingly wet and windy storm systems are expected to hit Sausalito over the next week, with rain forecast to begin on Monday, March 20.
The first storm system appears to be of very low strength, with cooler temperatures and cloudy skies on Saturday and Sunday, March 18 and 19. According to the National Weather Service, "This system will open the storm door."
A second storm system of low-to-moderate strength is expected to roll in on Monday night and last through Wednesday, March 22.
A third storm system of moderate-to-high strength is predicted to arrive on Thursday, with heavy rain and southerly winds continuing into Friday, March 24.
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Update on Removal of Barriers to Accessibility in Sausalito
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One of the new curb ramps on Bridgeway
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At the City Council meeting on Tuesday, March 14, the Department of Public Works reported on the removal of barriers to accessibility in Sausalito since 2015. During that time, 156 accessibility barriers have been removed or resolved, with 130 of those barriers requiring new construction. Most of the barriers were curb ramps, but construction also included such projects as an accessible pathway to the bocce courts at Dunphy Park.
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Make a "Go Bag" to Prepare for an Emergency Evacuation
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Sausalito is at risk for a variety of emergencies such as earthquakes, flooding and wildland fires. A well-stocked "go bag" is an essential part of disaster planning for you and your family.
A "go bag" can be a backpack or duffel bag. Contained within your "go bag" are high-priority items that you will need with you if you are forced to make an immediate evacuation. Try to assemble this kit long before an emergency happens.
This article is accompanied by an illustration with examples of what can go in a "go bag." If you have additional questions, please visit ReadyMarin or call the Southern Marin Fire Protection District at (415) 380-1100.
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Recap of the March 14 City Council Meeting
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A regular meeting of the Sausalito City Council was held on Tuesday, March 14, 2017. The following, in red italics, is a brief summary of actions taken at the meeting (for a full report, watch the video from the meeting):
Consent Calendar: Watch the recording from this portion of the meeting.
Adopted Resolution No. 5633 Approving an Encroachment Agreement
Adopted Resolution No. 5634 Approving Contract Amendment
Received and Filed Status of the City’s Accessibility Barrier Removal Project
- 4D. Waive Further Reading and Adopt Ordinance No. 1243 Amending Chapters 8.01 through 8.29 of Title 8 (Buildings and Construction) of the Sausalito Municipal Code, and Adopting the 2016 Edition of the California Standards Code and the 2015 International Property Maintenance Code with Local Amendments; Adopt the Resolution Identifying Local Conditions Requiring Changes and Modifications to 2016 California Building Standards Code and 2015 International Property Maintenance Code (Read the Staff Report, Attachment 1- Ordinance 1243, Attachment 2- Draft Resolution)
Waived Further Reading and Adopted Ordinance No. 1243 and Resolution No. 5635
Item No. 6 (Business Items) were agendized before Item No. 5 (Public Hearing Items)
Business Items:
The Council thanked Mr. Bartel for his presentation.
Adopted Resolution No. 5636 of the City Council of the City of Sausalito Approving and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Professional Services Agreement with SWA Sausalito for Design Services and Construction Administration for the Civic Center Landscape improvement Project
Public Hearing Items
Adopted Resolution No. 5637 of the City Council of the City of Sausalito Approving an Amendment to the General Plan Land Use Designation of the Lincoln/Butte Property from Medium Density Residential to Open Space; and an Amendment to the Zoning District Designation of the Same Property from R-2-5 (Two-Family Residential) to Open Space (OS)
The Council provided direction to staff to send the draft Ordinance to the Legislative Committee for revisions, with direction to return to the Council with a modified Ordinance in April and May.
Did you know you can watch City Council meetings live via webcast? You can also watch video recordings of past Council meetings on the City website. View the minimum streaming requirements here.
Council meetings are also broadcast live on television via Comcast Cable Channel 27 or AT&T Channel 99. If you miss the live broadcast, check out the rebroadcast schedule here.
The next regularly scheduled City Council meeting will be held March 28, 2017, with the open session due to commence at approximately 7:00 p.m.
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Updates from Boards and Commissions
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Library Board of Trustees. The monthly meeting of the Sausalito Library Board of Trustees was held on Thursday, March 9. At the meeting, City Librarian Abbot Chambers briefed the Trustees on the MARINet database outage that lasted from February 10 to February 13, 2017. The outage was caused when two of four disks on a RAID data storage device failed. A new data storage unit has been installed at the MARINet offices in San Rafael. Steps are being taken to minimize the likelihood and/or severity of another hardware failure.
Chambers also reported on the water damage suffered on February 20, when the cover of an air shaft failed, causing rainwater to cascade into the adult non-fiction and biography sections of the Library. 409 books were damaged. Chambers expects that insurance will cover a portion of the loss.
The next meeting of the Library Board of Trustees will be held on Thursday, April 13 at 6:00 p.m. in the Friends of the Library Bookstore in City Hall. The role of the Library Board is to review the administration of Library operations, make recommendations, and establish policies. The Board serves as liaison between the Library and the community, and between the Library and the City Council. Questions about the Library Board of Trustees may be directed to achambers@ci.sausalito.ca.us.
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Business Advisory Committee. The Business Advisory Committee (BAC) met on Thursday, March 16. At the meeting, the BAC heard a presentation from the Sausalito Police Department about the Bicycle Management Plan for 2017. The group also heard updates on the General Plan Task Force, the Ferry Landing, and businesses recently approved by the Planning Commission, including "Sausalito Sweets" and "Only in Sausalito." The BAC also discussed how the business community and the City can best partner in managing downtown congestion.
Interested residents and business and property owners are invited to attend meetings of the Business Advisory Committee. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 20 at 8:00 a.m. in the City Hall Conference Room. Future agenda items include short-term rentals and the creation of a comprehensive economic development strategy. There is currently one vacancy on the BAC; anyone interested in influencing the direction of business and economic development in the City of Sausalito is encouraged to apply. An online application for committee membership is available on the City website.
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News from City Departments
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Public Works. Since September 2016, PG&E has been replacing gas mains in Sausalito. PG&E started work on and around Caledonia Street, then temporarily moved to Third and Main streets in January because of unforeseen conditions, in conjunction with the inclement weather.
PG&E is expecting to wrap up the Third and Main project around March 24, then move back to Caledonia Street the following week of March 27. Completion of the Caledonia project is anticipated to take about four weeks. During that time, PG&E will mostly be working on Caledonia between Turney and Johnson streets, and on Pine Street between Caledonia and Bridgeway. PG&E's schedule may be affected by weather; updates will appear in the Currents e-newsletter as they become available.
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Parks and Recreation. The Parks and Recreation Department seeks your feedback on a planned renovation of Sausalito's Southview Park. An online survey on a new conceptual plan for park renovation is currently underway on the City website. A community meeting to gather additional input on the renovation will be held at Southview Park on Saturday, March 18 at 11:00 a.m.
Southview Park is located on North Street between 3rd and 4th streets in Old Town. The property originally served as the site of a school, but in 1961 was turned into a City of Sausalito park. In 1998, the park was renovated by volunteers and a new play structure was installed. Today, among other signs of deterioration, retaining walls are giving way and the tennis court is warped, cracked, and no longer playable. The play structure no longer meets safety and accessibility requirements.
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Police. The Sausalito Police Department is currently accepting applications for the 2017 Citizen's Police Academy. The academy is designed to provide an inside look at how our police department operates. Classes will focus on a variety of topics, including police ethics, use of force, drug recognition, emergency preparedness, and DUI investigations.
The 2017 Citizen's Police Academy will run for ten consecutive Wednesday evenings from 7:00 until 9:30 p.m. The academy is open to adults who live or work in Sausalito. The tentative start date is April 12. Anyone who is interested in participating in what will be class number twenty of the academy should contact Sergeant Jason McConnehey at (415) 289-4181 or jmcconnehey@ci.sausalito.ca.us. Applications are also available in the front lobby of the police station at 29 Caledonia Street.
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Things Happening in our Community
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Liberty Ships. 2017 is the 75th anniversary of the establishment of a bustling wartime shipyard called "Marinship" in Sausalito. Liberty ships (a type of cargo vessel) were built at Marinship until production switched to tankers. Over the years, Liberty ships have become an icon of WWII. We know a lot about the shipyards, the Liberty ships, and the people who built them, but there is more to this story that has been lost in time. Join Ranger Linda at the Bay Model on Saturday, March 18, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. to find out some of the lesser known facts that bring the story alive again. The program will include a tour of the Marinship exhibit located inside the Bay Model Visitor Center. The Bay Model is located at 2100 Bridgeway in Sausalito.
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Alan Watts Discussion Circle. Everyone is welcome to attend the gathering of the Alan Watts Discussion Circle at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 19 inside the Sausalito Library. Alan Watts was a philosopher, writer, and speaker, best known as an interpreter and popularizer of Eastern Philosophy for Western audiences. The Alan Watts Discussion Circle was created to study and discuss the ideas of Watts and the philosophers and Far East perceptions that influenced him. This is a new group that meets monthly at the Sausalito Library.
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An Evening with Hank Easom. The Spaulding Marine Center is pleased to present an evening with Bay Area sailing legend Hank Easom on Wednesday, March 22 at 7:00 p.m. Hank has over seventy years of experience racing on the Bay. Awarded Yachtsman of the Year in 1971 and again in 2014, this local icon is still out there racing and winning! Featured will be a screening of the film Portrait of a Legend by Oleg Harencar. Hank will be available after the film to answer questions about racing on the Bay and his friendship with Myron Spaulding. The Spaulding Marine Center is located at 600 Gate Five Road in Sausalito. Reservations are recommended. For more information or to sign up, please contact info@spauldingcenter.org or (415) 332-3179.
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Body Language 101 with Sally Bonkrude. The ability to read body language and know what your body language is saying is key in networking, connecting, interacting and finding success in business and life. Learn how at Body Language 101, a free Sausalito Library program presented by Sally Bonkrude on Thursday, March 23 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers. A new resident of Sausalito, Sally has been a professional speaker for many years, including presenting workshops, seminars and webinars. Besides Sally's love for public speaking, she has been in private practice as a Board Certified Music Therapist and Licensed Professional Counselor for over fourteen years, helping clients with performance anxiety, depression and major trauma. This program was originally scheduled for January 26.
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Home-Based Business Forum. Home-based business? Sole proprietor? Self-employed? The Sausalito Chamber of Commerce invites you to a Home-Based Business Forum on Thursday, March 23, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 333 Caledonia Street in Sausalito. The Sausalito Chamber of Commerce is exploring new programs of interest and value to home-based businesses. Come and tell us what the Chamber can do for you. This is your chance to share ideas in an open forum with others in a similar situation. This is a free event hosted by the Chamber. Light refreshments will be served. Email RSVP to chamber@sausalito.org. Reservations are not required.
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Nutrition and the Healthy Heart: Can We Talk? The Sausalito Woman's Club will be hosting a brown bag lunch with Dr. Sujoya Dey and Leni Felton on Friday, March 24, from noon to 1:30 p.m. Dr. Dey specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of complex cardiac arrhythmia. She graduated from the Stanford University School of Medicine and is affiliated with Marin General Hospital. Leni Felton is a Board Certified Clinical Nutritionist specializing in nutrition and natural therapies. She has been in practice since 1995. All are welcome to attend this brown bag lunch. Parking is limited, so carpooling is recommended. RSVP to dfordscriba@gmail.com. The Sausalito Woman's Club is located at 120 Central Avenue.
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Coloring & Doodling Party for Adults. Come relax and join the coloring party on Tuesday, March 28 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the Edgewater Room of City Hall. We provide a stress-free atmosphere, soothing music, and delicious refreshments so you can unleash your imagination. The Sausalito Library provides all coloring supplies and bookmarks and buttons made from your artwork. Seating is limited for this free program. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP to Rebecca at rburgan@ci.sausalito.ca.us or (415) 289-4100 x502.
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Fashion and Social History. Come hear author Jane Bradbury give a talk on a family clothing collection spanning over one hundred years, from the mid-nineteenth to late twentieth century, at the Sausalito Woman's Club at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 30. The collection is described both visually and historically in Jane's book American Style and Spirit and in an exhibition of the same name currently being shown at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan. The talk, entitled "Women, Education, and Fashion in America 1850-1995: Insights from the Roddis Collection" will touch on women's clubs, civic and personal development, home sewing, and the role of fashion in a Midwestern family over several generations. There is no charge for the event, but please RSVP to sara.bostock@gmail.com. The Sausalito Woman's Club is located at 120 Central Avenue. Parking is limited, so carpooling is recommended.
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Succulents. Discover succulents and their culture at this kick-off program for a new monthly series of talks by Master Gardeners presented by Sausalito Beautiful, in conjunction with the University of California Cooperative Extension Marin Master Gardeners. This free program will take place on Thursday, March 30, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Sausalito City Hall. During the program, we will learn about the growing habits of succulents and how to propagate and prune them. There will also be a demonstration on repotting succulents. Please come with your questions about succulents — you can also bring a printed photo or digital photo on your phone or tablet as illustration. The program will be presented by Gary Bartl, a Marin Master Gardener with over twenty-five years of experience in working with succulents and designing in-ground succulent gardens for commercial, public and residential sites.
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Spring Dance Performance. The Maligrad Contemporary Dance Company, directed by Sausalito resident Molly Fletcher Lynch, returns to the Sausalito Library on Friday, March 31 at 8:00 p.m. for another kinetic and evocative performance. Maligrad will be joined by dance companies from around the Bay Area, including Cali and Co. Dance Company, Alexandra Maricich, Jessica Houston, and Elizabeth Bressler. Maligrad's premier of Archival on October 1, 2016, was one on the highlights of the Library's 2016 program schedule. Live music and light refreshments will accompany the performance. Donations generously benefit the work of Maligrad.
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Student Exchange to Sakaide, Japan. The Sausalito-Sakaide Sister City program is a student exchange program between Sausalito and Sakaide, Japan. Sister City student delegates participate in a program of activities organized by the hosting city and stay with local families. Sakaide students get the opportunity to learn about life in America, and Marin County students learn about life in Japan. Each year, long-term relationships are established between the students and the families they stay with. 2017 is Sausalito's year to send delegates to Sakaide for the ten-day program, traveling to Sakaide on July 28 and returning on August 9. Applications are being accepted until March 31. Applicants must be in high school, aged 15-17 years old, and live in Marin County. Financial aid is available, based upon need.
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Chemicals and Food Allergies. The number of chemicals in the environment is increasing every year, and so are food allergies and sensitivities. In this program presented by Sausalito resident Nour Bahgat on Thursday, April 6 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, we will learn how the drastic rise in chemical use in the past decade is affecting reactions in our immune systems. And, yes, there are many things we can do to reverse those allergies and enjoy a healthy lifestyle. Whether you have allergies or not, join us to get back in touch with nature. Nour Bahgat is an Integrative Health & Nutrition Coach and nutrition and detox specialist with a deep passion for cooking. Learn more about Nour and her work at her website, Nour from Nature.
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A Visit with Sportscaster Barry Tompkins. Barry Tompkins is one of the most celebrated play-by-play sports broadcasters in the United States. Barry was born and raised in San Francisco and began his career in local television at KPIX TV in 1968. Since then, he has worked for NBC, HBO, ESPN, Fox Sports, and Showtime. His credits include the Super Bowl, the Rose Bowl, the NCAA Final Four, eight Olympic Games, the Tour de France, Wimbledon, horse racing's Triple Crown, World Cup Skiing, San Francisco Giants baseball, and over two hundred World Championship fights. In this special program on Friday, April 7 at 7:00 p.m. inside the Sausalito Library, Barry will take questions from the audience and share photos and stories from his 47-year career. Barry moved back to Sausalito a few years ago. His first apartment — as a nineteen-year-old — was on Sausalito Boulevard.
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City Wide Yard Sale. Sausalito's City Wide Yard Sale is a great event for bargain hunters and window shoppers, featuring more than 90 seller booths at the MLK parking lot and basketball courts. The spring 2017 City Wide Yard Sale will be held on Saturday, April 8 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Admission is free. Residents of Sausalito and surrounding towns use this biannual event as an opportunity to clear out their garages and offer up treasures at bargain-basement prices. A special e-waste recycling event will also take place at the yard sale; accepted items are computers, laptops, tablets, cellphones, telephones, printers, and other types of used electronic equipment.
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Rotary Gala Benefiting Marinship 75. This year marks the 75th Anniversary of Sausalito's Marinship shipyards. The City of Sausalito has issued a proclamation honoring the anniversary, and the Sausalito Historical Society has asked various civic groups in town to participate in celebrating the event. The Rotary Club of Sausalito is dedicating its gala this year to the Marinship 75 celebration. The gala will be held on Saturday, April 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the Spinnaker Restaurant. For further information and tickets, please visit www.sausalitorotarygala.org. The Rotary Club of Sausalito Charitable Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation; a portion of the proceeds will be dedicated to the Sausalito Historical Society.
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The Coyotes of Sausalito. Sausalito resident Jennifer Berry is a biologist who specializes in design for wildlife. Her focus has been on reconnecting migration routes, restoring streams, and preserving important wildlife habitats for redevelopment projects around the state. Jennifer has always held a passion for tracking urban carnivores, so it was a great surprise to discover upon moving to Nevada Valley that this neighborhood has its own resident family of coyotes. Even more amazing was that she'd one day be given the opportunity to work on a project to help them. In her presentation inside the Sausalito Library at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, April 14, Jennifer will share images, videos, and sound recordings to tell the story of the Sausalito coyotes and her role as their resident biologist, with a focus on how we can learn to live in peaceful coexistence with these beautiful animals.
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37th Annual Spring Easter Egg Hunt. Once again, the Easter Bunny will be hopping into Sausalito on Saturday, April 15. This year's parade will begin at 10:00 a.m. at the corner of Johnson and Caledonia streets. We will then march to Dunphy Park for an Easter egg hunt, followed by live music from Tim Cain. At 11:00 a.m., there will be an Easter bonnet contest judged by members of the Sausalito Woman's Club. The 37th Annual Spring Easter Egg Hunt is presented by the Sausalito Parks & Recreation Department. Easter festivities will take place rain or shine.
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An Evening of Poetry. The Sausalito Library and Sausalito Woman's Club invite you to an Evening of Poetry on Wednesday, April 19 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. This special gathering will celebrate some of the outstanding poetry of today. Hear readings from entrepreneurs, teachers, clergy, community leaders, along with special guest appearances by award-winning SLAM poets from local high schools and YouthSpeaks.org — brave new voices bringing the noise from the margins to the core. Free admission. No-host bar. Parking is available at Christ Church, or make a CARSS reservation for this event by 4/17: (415) 944-5474.
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Cows in Sausalito? In the late 1800's, Marin was the Bay Area's major supplier of dairy products, and cows were a common sight on the streets of Sausalito and grazing on the surrounding hillsides. Join Sausalito resident Mike Moyle for an exploration of this history, with a particular focus on the many small dairies that dotted the countryside, most of them operated by Portuguese immigrants. As with his recent talks "Where's Waldo?" and "The History of Caledonia Street," Mike will accompany this program on Friday, April 21 at 7:00 p.m. inside the Sausalito Library with "then" and "now" photos to highlight the dramatic changes that have occurred in and around Sausalito. Mike's presentation will be in conjunction with the Open House the following day hosted by the IDESST Sausalito Portuguese Cultural Center.
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