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Public Health Officers Urge Holiday Precautions; Marin Avoids Curfew for Now
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California counties color-coded for COVID-19 activity as of November 20
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The number of new COVID-19 cases in California continues to rise at an alarming rate. With Thanksgiving approaching, public health officials are concerned that holiday travel and gatherings could make the situation even worse.
This is a time when we can all make a difference. Listed below is an overview of the safety recommendations for holiday travel and gatherings from the public health officers of the Bay Area:
- Avoid non-essential travel
- If you must travel, take basic safety precautions like washing your hands frequently for 20 seconds, wearing a face covering, and maintaining a 6-foot social distance
- Hold holiday gatherings outdoors as much as possible; for indoor gatherings, prop open windows and doors to improve ventilation
- Keep gatherings safe, small, short, and stable
- Safe: maintain social distance, wear a mask when you are not eating, don't share utensils with others, don't sing or shout
- Small: Limit gatherings to no more than 3 households
- Short: Limit gatherings to no more than 2 hours
- Stable: Do not participate in multiple gatherings with many different households
- Do not travel or attend a gathering if you feel sick
On November 17, Marin was one of 40 counties in California to be placed in a more restrictive tier for allowed economic activity. With the county's move to tier 2 (red) status, stricter capacity limits are now in effect for retail businesses, places of worship, and gyms and fitness studios. In addition, Marin Public Health has suspended indoor dining at restaurants.
On November 19, Governor Gavin Newsom announced that a limited stay-at-home order would go into effect on Saturday, November 21 for counties with tier 1 (purple) status, the most restrictive tier in the state framework. Under the curfew, all non-essential work, movement, and gatherings are prohibited between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. through December 21.
"We will only move into purple if the state requires it based on our COVID-19 case numbers," said Marin County Public Health Officer Dr. Matt Willis on Friday, November 20. "We're watching the numbers very closely each day and so far are encouraged to see that we are currently stable in the red tier. Looking at what's happening elsewhere, we are of course concerned that the regional surge will reach Marin. It's prudent for us to anticipate an eventual move to purple, while we do all we can to hang onto the gains we've achieved."
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Progress Report on the City's Racial Justice Initiatives
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The City Council has committed the City of Sausalito to an ongoing effort to develop programs and initiatives to address the legacy of systemic racism. Below is a progress report on the City's efforts since the previous update on August 14.
- On August 18, the City Council approved the purchase of body worn cameras for officers of the Sausalito Police Department. Their deployment is expected to increase transparency between the police department and the community. A draft policy on how the cameras will be used is currently going through a public review process.
- Also on August 18, the City Council approved a resolution to allow residents of unincorporated areas in the 94965 ZIP code, which includes Marin City, to be appointed to serve in a liaison capacity on six of the City's boards and commissions, including the Community Safety/Disaster Preparedness Committee and the Economic Development Advisory Committee.
- On September 8, the City Council adopted a resolution to expand the Age Friendly Home Adaptation Grant Program to include low-income homeowners who are planning home rehabilitation and energy efficiency projects.
- On October 31, the Sausalito Parks and Recreation Department and Performing Stars presented an outdoor movie night in Marin City to bring together residents from both communities.
- On November 10, the City Council adopted an ordinance to allow residents of unincorporated areas in the 94965 ZIP code to be eligible for the City's Resident Parking Program. The ordinance goes into effect on December 17.
- The City has included a statement on racial justice and social equity in the final review draft of a new General Plan, along with specific components intended to support minority-owned businesses, create more housing opportunities for low-income households, and preserve historic resources connected to the history of people of color and other traditionally under recognized members of the community.
- The City has submitted an application for acceptance into the Government Alliance on Race and Equity, a national network of government working to achieve racial equity and advance opportunities for all.
- The Sausalito Library is collaborating with the Sausalito Marin City School District, Willow Creek Academy, and the Marin County Free Library on a project to evaluate and improve the school library collections in advance of school unification.
Look for more updates on the City's racial justice initiatives in future editions of Currents. Ideas for new initiatives may be shared with City Clerk Heidi Scoble at hscoble@sausalito.gov.
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Updated City Council Election Results
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The Marin County Elections Department continues to add to its vote tallies from the General Election on November 3. Until all ballots are counted, the elections department is posting updates to the online results by 5:00 p.m. every Wednesday and Friday. Elections staff has until December 3 to finish the task and certify the election.
The update on November 20 added 669 ballots to the total of 158,073 counted so far, including an additional 32 ballots from registered voters in Sausalito. According to the elections department, the ballots that now remain to be counted include those waiting for voters to complete a signature verification form. Voters have until Monday, November 30 by 5:00 p.m. to return the form.
Sausalito voters are selecting candidates to fill three open seats on the City Council. As of the November 20 update, vote counts are as follows:
- Janelle Kellman: 3,005
- Melissa Blaustein: 2,660
- Ian Sobieski: 1,877
- Joan Cox: 1,876
- Aaron Singer: 1,247
- Vicki Nichols: 1,042
The first City Council meeting with the newly elected councilmembers will be held on Tuesday, December 8. At that meeting, the Council will select a mayor and vice mayor for calendar year 2021.
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Help Guide Sausalito's Future in a Challenging Time
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The City of Sausalito's boards and commissions are an essential part of our local government. The volunteers who serve as appointed members provide critical advice to the City Council and City staff, and make important front-line decisions in areas like historic preservation and new home construction.
With the unprecedented economic challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Sausalito more than ever needs the help of talented and dedicated citizens to guide the future direction of our community.
There are currently openings for Sausalito residents on three boards and commissions. Six boards and commissions are seeking a new member from the unincorporated areas of the 94965 ZIP code to serve in a liaison capacity.
The following boards and commissions are seeking applications from Sausalito residents:
- Economic Development Advisory Committee. The Economic Development Advisory Committee seeks to improve the economic health of our business community while preserving the unique characteristics that make Sausalito special.
- Historic Preservation Commission. Members of the Historic Preservation Commission review applications for exterior renovation of historic or noteworthy structures located throughout Sausalito and advise the City Council on matters related to historic and cultural preservation.
- Parks and Recreation Commission. The Parks and Recreation Commission plays an essential role in recommending park and playground improvements and advising the City on park policies, park maintenance, recreation programs, and public art installations.
The following boards and commissions are seeking applications from non-residents who live within the 94965 ZIP code outside of Sausalito city limits:
- Sustainability Commission
- Library Board of Trustees
- Parks and Recreation Commission
- Community Safety/Disaster Preparedness Committee
- Economic Development Advisory Committee
- Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee
City of Sausalito boards and commissions typically meet once per month in the afternoon or evening. Due to the restrictions imposed by public health orders, meetings are currently being held virtually via Zoom.
Any questions about applying to serve on a City of Sausalito board, commission, or committee may be directed to City Clerk Heidi Scoble at hscoble@sausalito.gov or (415) 289-4134.
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Sausalito Beautiful to Match Donations for Southview Park
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The site plan for the Southview Park Improvement Project
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Over $20,000 has been raised so far toward new benches and landscaping at Southview Park. However, there is still a long way to go to reach the goal of $75,000. To help the community get there, local nonprofit Sausalito Beautiful has announced that it will match all new gifts through December 1 up to a total of $10,000.
For those not familiar with it, Sausalito Beautiful is dedicated to the improvement and ongoing care of Sausalito's public landscapes. The City of Sausalito and Sausalito Beautiful have collaborated on a number of successful beautification efforts, including projects involving the Bridgeway medians, MLK Park, and Caledonia Street.
All donations are tax deductible and may be submitted by credit card via the Southview Park Fundraiser page on GoFundMe. Donations by check can be sent to Friends of Southview Park, 420 Litho Street, Sausalito, CA 94965. Please make the check out to "City of Sausalito" and write "Southview Park Donation" in the note line. The totals on the GoFundMe page do not reflect donations by check.
Donor opportunities are also available for dedicated benches, shade trees, and planter boxes. For more information, please contact the Friends of Southview Park at friendsofsouthview@gmail.com.
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Park for Free at On-Street Parking Meters in December
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Parking meters on Bridgeway
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From December 1, 2020, through January 1, 2021, residents and visitors will be able to park for free for up to three hours at Sausalito's on-street parking meters in the downtown area. This long-standing annual program encourages holiday shopping with our local merchants, many of whom are struggling this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you can spare some extra funds when you park at a meter in December, please consider paying for your parking anyway. The money collected during the month will be donated to non-profit organizations working to provide services to Marin County's neediest residents. Last year, the City provided $4,500 to local nonprofits, including Homeward Bound of Marin, Ritter Center, and Open Door Ministries.
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Please note that City services will be unavailable on Thursday, November 26 and Friday, November 27 due to the Thanksgiving holiday.
If you are looking for ways to support area families who are struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic, local nonprofit Performing Stars of Marin City will be assembling Thanksgiving food baskets for five hundred families from Marin City, Shelter Hill in Mill Valley, The Hilarita in Tiburon, and Galilee Harbor in Sausalito. Credit card donations may be made via online form.
Best wishes for a happy and healthy Thanksgiving from all of us at the City of Sausalito! The next regular edition of Currents will be emailed on Friday, December 4.
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COVID-19 Testing in Marin. Marin County residents seeking COVID-19 testing have more options than ever. Every day, an average of more than 1,000 Marin residents are tested for the disease, and residents should be aware of their options as case counts rise.
Because navigating new choices can be challenging, an updated list of local testing locations has been posted to the Marin County Public Health website. In addition to the offices of health care providers, residents can access testing through dedicated test sites and FDA-approved home testing kits.
Anyone seeking a COVID-19 test should first contact a health care provider. Most providers now offer testing for their patients and are required to do so under California state regulations.
Marin Public Health offers the following guidance for who should get tested:
- People who have symptoms of COVID-19
- People who have had close contact (within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more) with someone with confirmed COVID-19
- People who have been asked or referred to get testing by their health care provider, local health department, or state health department
- Essential workers who have regular contact with the public should be tested at least once per month whether or not they have symptoms
In addition to testing options available through medical providers across the county, free testing is available Tuesdays through Saturdays at the Public Health testing site in San Rafael. Make an online appointment and call (888) 634-1123 for additional assistance.
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Sources of COVID-19 Data. A variety of county, state, national, and international resources are available for tracking the current status of the COVID-19 pandemic. Below is an annotated list of some of these resources.
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Update to the Board of Supervisors. On Tuesday, November 17, Public Health Officer Dr. Matt Willis provided a 65-minute Marin COVID-19 Update to the County Board of Supervisors. Topics covered include COVID-19 activity in the county, new local and statewide restrictions, and recommendations for a safer holiday celebration during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Outdoor Dining on Caledonia Street. On-street dining along Caledonia Street's "restaurant row" will be unavailable from Friday, November 20 to Sunday, November 22 due to the cold weather. The opening status for weekends through the end of the year will also be weather dependent.
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Regional Bus Changes. Golden Gate Transit continues to modify bus service during the COVID-19 pandemic. The schedule changes listed below will go into effect on Sunday, December 13:
- Routes 4 and 18: Service suspended
- Route 27: Service modified to accommodate southern Marin riders
- Routes 27, 54, and 72: Northbound boarding stops modified in the Financial District of San Francisco
- Routes 30, 40, 70, 72, and 101: Number of trips and/or span of service reduced
A table from Golden Gate Transit details the modifications and lists alternative routes and transit options.
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Recap of the City Council Meeting on November 17
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A regular meeting of the Sausalito City Council was held on Tuesday, November 17. Pursuant to Section 3 of Executive Order N-29-20, issued by Gov. Newsom on March 17, 2020, the meeting was conducted remotely via Zoom and broadcast live on the City website.
Below, in red italics, is a brief summary of actions taken at the meeting. For more information and supporting documents, including public comment via email, please see the meeting agenda. The complete video recording of the meeting is also available on the City website.
Special Presentations: Watch the video recording of this portion of the meeting
Received and filed.
Consent Calendar: Watch the video recording of this portion of the meeting
- 5A. Approval of Holiday Street Parking Meter Waiver (Staff Report)
Approved three hours of free parking at street parking meters downtown from December 1, 2020, through January 1, 2021, and approved the donation to local charities of any funds collected from street parking meters during that period.
Received and filed.
- 5C. Adopt a Resolution Adopting a Housing Program to Incentivize the Development of Affordable Housing by Allowing for Density Bonuses up to 40% and Initiating a Zoning Code Amendment to Include the Program in the City's Density Bonus Ordinance and Other Changes as Required to Incorporate Amendments to State Density Bonus Law (Staff Report, Attachment 1- Draft Resolution)
Adopted Resolution No. 5997.
- 5D. Southern Marin Fire District Storm Season Outlook and Planned Actions (Staff Report)
Received and filed.
Received and filed.
Adopted Resolution No. 5998.
Received and filed.
Adopted Resolution No. 5999.
- 5I. Authorize the Mayor to Send a Letter to the Association of Bay Area Governments and, if Necessary, a Similar Letter to the State Department of Housing and Community Development Regarding the 6th Cycle Regional Housing Needs Determination Methodology (Staff Report, Attachment 1- Draft Letter)
Authorized the Mayor to send the letter to the Association of Bay Area Governments.
Adopted Resolution No. 6000.
Received and filed.
- 5L. Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a second amendment to the RGS Agreement for COVID-19 Strategic Consulting and HR Services (Staff Report, Attachment 1- Resolution)
Adopted Resolution No. 6001.
Public Hearing Items:
Received the presentation regarding the first reading and adoption of an ordinance to create regulations to permit and streamline electric vehicle charging stations consistent with state law. Watch the video recording of this portion of the meeting
Received the presentation regarding the Final Draft General Plan and approved the revised schedule. Watch the video recording of this portion of the meeting
Received the presentation from First Carbon Solutions. Watch the video recording of this portion of the meeting
Business Items:
Adopted Resolution No. 6002 to approve the LEAP. Watch the video recording of this portion of the meeting
Authorized the city manager to execute an agreement regarding the waterfront management of existing vessels. Watch the video recording of this portion of the meeting
Future Agenda Items:
- Future Agenda Items
- List of Items for the December Meeting
Did you know you can watch City Council meetings live via webcast? You can also watch video recordings of past meetings on the City website.
Council meetings are also broadcast live on television via Comcast Cable Channel 27. If you miss the live broadcast, check the rebroadcast schedule.
The next regularly scheduled City Council meeting will be held on December 8, 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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There are no scheduled meetings of City of Sausalito boards and commissions during the week of November 23.
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News from City Departments
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Police. The City Council has selected the Community Safety/Disaster Preparedness Committee to be the conduit for public input regarding the Sausalito Police Department's Draft Body Worn Camera Policy.
At a meeting on October 29, the committee members discussed the draft policy and how the committee would hear public input. At its meeting on November 11, the committee members and members of the public reviewed the policy, asked questions, and provided feedback.
The third and final opportunity for the public to provide live feedback will be at the Community Safety/Disaster Preparedness Committee meeting at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 9. The meeting will be held virtually via Zoom. When available, access information for the meeting will be posted to the committee's meetings and agendas page. Access information will also be included in the December 4 edition of Currents.
Written feedback on the Draft Body Worn Camera Policy may be directed to Captain Bill Fraass at bfraass@sausalito.gov.
Police Chief John Rohrbacher will report on the policy development process and a deployment date for the cameras at a City Council meeting in January 2021.
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Southern Marin Fire. Did you know that cooking equipment causes 49% of all U.S. home fires, 21% of home fire deaths, and 45% of home fire injuries each year? With holiday cooking starting up soon, Southern Marin Fire recommends you take the following precautions to avoid a fire or burn injury.
- Be on alert! Don't use the stove or stovetop if you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol.
- Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, boiling, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
- If you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
- Keep anything that can catch fire — oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels, or curtains — away from your stovetop.
If you have any doubts about fighting a small kitchen fire, just get out! Close the door behind you when you leave to help contain the fire, then call 9-1-1.
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Library. The Sausalito Library's no-contact curbside service is available for pickups at the far end of the parking lot behind City Hall. To request items, you can place holds using our online catalog or by calling (415) 289-4121.
During the week of November 23, the hours for pickups and returns are Tuesday from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m. and Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Pickups are by appointment by calling (415) 289-4121. Please wait until you receive a confirmed time slot from a library staff member before coming to pick up items.
Library materials may be returned off-hours at the book drops located at the far end of the City Hall parking lot and on the Litho Street patio. Please note that, due to quarantine, returned materials may remain on your record for up to seven days before they are checked in.
Any questions about library services during the COVID-19 outbreak may be directed to City Librarian Abbot Chambers at achambers@sausalito.gov.
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Administration. Property owners who disagree with the assessed value listed on their 2020 regular property tax bill have until 5:00 p.m. Monday, November 30 to file an appeal with the Marin County Assessment Appeals Board.
The form and instructions to appeal an assessment are available on the board's web page. Hard-copy forms may be picked up in the Board of Supervisors' office at the Marin County Civic Center, Suite 329, 3501 Civic Center Drive, San Rafael.
Residents must fill out an Assessment Appeal Application for each assessor's parcel or property identification number. There is a $50 non-refundable processing fee for each application.
The Assessment Appeals Board is governed by the rules and regulations of the Board of Equalization and property tax laws of the State of California. For additional information about the board, check the website or contact the assessment appeals clerk at AAB@marincounty.org or (415) 473-7345.
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Public Works. A portion of Atwood Avenue will be closed between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Monday, November 23 to create a trench for an electrical service connection. The closure will take place in the vicinity of the Atwood intersection with Harrison Avenue. Detours will be in place.
The construction schedule is subject to change due to weather or other delays. Additional road closures will take place after the Thanksgiving holiday for pavement restoration. Please contact PG&E at (628) 234-5824 or arif.khalik@pge.com for more information.
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Public Works. A restoration project is currently underway in the vicinity of the catastrophic mudslide that struck Sausalito's Hurricane Gulch neighborhood in February 2019. During the week of November 23, the affected area of Crescent Avenue will be repaved.
Weather permitting, the restoration project is expected to be completed during the first week of December. Any questions about the project may be directed to Senior Civil Engineer Andrew Davidson at adavidson@sausalito.gov. As always, please drive carefully in construction areas.
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Public Works. A project is currently underway to install new curbs, curb ramps, sidewalks, gutters, sanitary sewers, storm drains, and asphalt roadway surfaces on Bee Street between Bonita and Caledonia streets, and on Bonita between Bee and Litho streets.
The final paving of Bonita Street will take place during the week of November 23, at which point the project will be near completion. Please drive carefully when in the area of construction workers and equipment.
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Southern Marin Fire. The Southern Marin Fire Protection District is currently recruiting for an information technology manager to serve all of the district's IT needs. Qualifications include three years of IT experience, the ability to develop and manage a trouble ticket system, proficiency with Apple and PC platforms and products, and the ability to manage telecommunication systems. The deadline to apply is 5:00 p.m. on Monday, November 30.
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Administration. Golden Gate Transit and the Golden Gate Ferry have announced the following service modifications for Thursday, November 26 and Friday, November 27.
- Golden Gate Transit Buses:
- Commute service (Routes 4, 18, 27, 54, 72): No service
- Regional service (Routes 30, 40, 70, 101): Holiday service
- Golden Gate Ferry: No service
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Programs and Events for Our Community
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Chair Yoga. Chair Yoga is online! Rayner Needleman is offering a free class every Monday, with the next one taking place at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 23. This class presented by Sausalito Village is suitable for everyone, so no excuses! Please RSVP online for details on accessing the Zoom session.
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Daffodil Planting at Dunphy and MLK Parks. Brighten your spirits and brighten our parks by helping Sausalito Beautiful plant lots of daffodils! We aim to plant over 1,000 daffodils around Dunphy and MLK Parks on two separate community planting days. It's a great family activity, and we hope daffodil planting will become an annual tradition. Sign up online for Saturday, November 28 or Saturday, December 5 from 10:00 a.m. to noon, noon to 2:00 p.m., or 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. The separate sessions will help ensure social distancing, among other precautions we'll be taking. Bring gloves and a water bottle; Sausalito Beautiful will supply the rest. Rain postpones the activities.
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Battery Backup and Energy Efficiency Webinar for Homeowners. Join the Marin County Community Development Agency Sustainability Team and the Bay Area Regional Energy Network for a free webinar on home battery storage, energy efficiency, and programs that can help pay for those projects. This free program from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 9 will provide the basic info a homeowner needs to know before investing in a power backup system.
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The Racial Divide in California in the 1800s. Join Oregon State University professor Stacey Smith, author of Freedom's Frontier: California and the Struggle Over Unfree Labor, Emancipation, and Reconstruction, and Sausalito Historical Society board member Jim Scriba for an examination of the racial divide in California in the 1800s. This online presentation at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 9 will explore how the United States Constitution, federal law, and California law and labor practices laid the foundation for the racial inequality that persists today. Please RSVP in advance for Zoom access information. A Q&A session will follow this program sponsored by the Sausalito Library. Questions may be submitted via the RSVP form, by email to achambers@sausalito.gov, or via chat during the presentation.
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Le Cirque Des Étoiles. Join Performing Stars of Marin City from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 12 for a magical night of inspiration and entertainment to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Performing Stars. All proceeds from this virtual gala will directly support programs providing involvement in art, music, and theater for low-income and at-risk children. Performers include Nick Brently, John Lam, Anngela Burt, Cuream Jackson, Elena Sanders, Erin Shredder, and the Prescott Circus. There will also be appearances from local celebrities and silent and live auctions, including the auction of a guitar signed by Carlos Santana. Tickets start at $30.
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Sausalito Village Art Show. This year's 8th Annual Sausalito Village Art Show is being held virtually through December 15. A seven-minute video includes the work of 13 different Sausalito Village artists in a variety of media and is accompanied by string music from the Nob Hill Quartet. Much of the art work is for sale, with purchase information included in the video.
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