Computer recycling - be green!

ReNew Computers offers "free computer recycling" the first Saturday of every month from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1241 Anderson Drive, Suite J, San Rafael, near Orchard Supply Hardware, 457-8801. Their flyer states they accept all electronics for environmentally-correct recycling including printers, monitors, televisions, printers, cell phones, fax machines and other small electronic items. No copiers or household appliances. They are an authorized California e-waste collector.

Jan. 3rd Council meeting info.

The January 3rd Council agenda is posted here
http://www.town-of-fairfax.org/TownCouncil/TownCouncilPacket/January%203%20Agenda.pdf (I see there's a typo on it that says it's 2006; it's 2007 of course)

The agenda packet is posted here
http://www.townoffairfax.org/TownCouncil/TownCouncilPacket/

Winter creek tips

Public Works Director Debra Sue Johnson has sent the following letter to the residents in the Deer Park area, regarding creek precautions for the winter season.
http://www.town-of-fairfax.org//News//Winter_tips_letter.pdf

Not closed for Day of Mourning

We are starting to get questions as to whether we will close Town offices in observance of the National Day of Mourning for the late President Ford on Tuesday. The County of Marin will be open and so will the Town of Fairfax.

Year In Review

Here is the Ross Valley Reporter column I've submitted for publication next week, Fairfax - the Year in Review.

This past year saw much change and progress in Fairfax, and as there is so much news to share, I have chosen to highlight those significant items that were new and noteworthy. From my vantage point, the themes for the Town this past year were flood recovery, financial planning, and expanding communication and connection with the community.

Flood Recovery

New Year’s Eve Storm: We all know that 2006 was ushered in with a devastating storm of FEMA proportions. Most of our merchants were reopened within a week of the flood, and some residents spent the early part of the year repairing flood-damaged homes. The Town still suffers due to projects that have yet to be approved by FEMA, such as Creek Road Bridge and the town buildings which are not yet repaired.

The silver lining of the Ross Valley flooding was Supervisor Hal Brown’s initiative to pull all the Ross Valley agencies together for the Ross Valley Flood Protection and Watershed Program, which has made tremendous progress within the course of the year. The Council voted to join Flood Control District No. 9 to work regionally on solutions for flood control and financial mechanisms to enhance flood protection. At the urging of Council Member Larry Bragman (who is now our Mayor), the Council and the Flood District agreed that the Town of Fairfax will retain the right to approve any flood control project within the Town.

Disaster Preparedness: The flood not only called us all into action but reminded us of the need to be prepared at all times for disasters. The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training effort was bolstered and saw more interest, with several Fairfax residents completing the two-day course. Council Member Susan Brandborg, Mayor for 2006, reactivated the Fairfax Citizens’ Disaster Council, a group of residents assisting public safety officials to work on ways to better prepare our community. Two Disaster Preparedness Fairs were held, in March and September; a Pandemic influenza presentation was hosted; CERT training was more widely publicized; and information and resources continue to be shared. An informal volunteer Creek Monitoring Working Group was formed to harness the volunteer energy around manually monitoring local creek levels and providing information to the Town, and also looking at technological solutions for monitoring. Further, the Town entered into a contract for a siren emergency warning system, scheduled for installation this month. In addition, our Police Department, working in conjunction with the Fire Department and the Citizens’ Disaster Council, updated our Town’s Emergency Operations Plan.

Financial Planning

Strategic Planning: Starting in January, the Council embarked upon the Town’s first strategic planning effort, where one Saturday a month is set aside to speak to the larger issues of the future of Town finances and collective goals of the Council. The Council’s work and conversations in this area have been very lively, thought-provoking and productive. The Council has created a preliminary list of goals and is working on a strategic financial plan which will be completed in 2007.

Economic Development Advisory Committee: Through its strategic planning process, the Council created the Town’s first Economic Development Advisory Committee, which includes six business community members as well as the Council, to brainstorm and study how the town’s revenue base can grow in line with community needs and values.

Budget Process: After three months of extensive public hearings and workshops, the Town Council adopted a balanced budget. During this process, I learned what is and what is not acceptable to the community in terms of budget cuts.

Regional Consolidation Studies: In order to study the possible cost-effectiveness and enhancement of police services, the Towns of Fairfax and San Anselmo joined together and are having a police consolidation study conducted by the Peace Officer Standards and Training agency. Pending the results of this initial study, a further study may be conducted or direction given on the future of this idea. In addition, this year, the Ross Valley Fire Service joined in with other area fire agencies to explore the opportunity for regional consolidation of fire services for potential service enhancement and cost savings. In 2007 we will see some resolution in both of these potential public safety consolidation areas.

Expanding Community Communication and Connection

New location for Farmer’s Market: Council Member David Weinsoff’s vision for moving the Farmer’s Market to a more conducive, attractive and economically viable location came true as the Farmer’s Market was held in lovely Bolinas Park this summer and fall. The move was welcomed and strengthened the sense of community, plus Bolinas Park as a gathering place is a beautiful spot.

Youth & Alcohol Task Force: Council Members Mary Ann Maggiore and Lew Tremaine started a new task force dedicated to helping teens with healthy and fun alternatives to underage drinking, and held Ross Valley’s first teen coffee house in December, which was wildly successful. The Task Force works closely with Drake Leadership and parents in looking at longer-term alternatives focusing on engaging youth in the community.

Town Code on-line: Thanks to the efforts of our Town Clerk Judy Anderson, our Town Municipal Code is on-line for the first time, with a link from our Town website, making it easier for residents to look up Town regulations.

News from Town Hall: In order to enhance the frequency and speed of communications, I implemented a blog which logged over 200 entries in 2006, and also started this newspaper column. The Town’s website has also been kept more current this year to keep residents up to date.

We look forward to a great 2007 and I welcome your comments and suggestions any time.

Council meeting next week

Our next regular Council meeting is January 3rd and we will have an agenda and packet posted this Friday.

Storm

I hope everyone weathered the storm okay. The Town did not sustain any damage to our facilities or infrastructure. Did you sustain any damage at your home? The supply of our pre-filled sandbags are gone and we will have a new load of sand delivered this week.

The Spot! This Friday, Dec. 29th

The last scheduled date for the teen coffee house, The Spot!, will be held this Friday, Dec. 29th at the Coffee Roasters, Bolinas and Broadway. Music, games, raffles and great prizes. Admission: $5 at the door, includes a coupon for a beverage and a dessert.

The Spot! Again tonight!

Fairfax is holding the second session of its Teens Only coffee house at the Coffee Roasters, Bolinas and Broadway, TONIGHT, Dec. 22nd at Coffee Roasters, 8-11 p.m. Music, games, raffles and great prizes. Admission: $5 at the door, includes a coupon for a beverage and a dessert.

The IJ recently ran this editorial regarding The Spot!

Fairfax teen night off to a good start

12/19/2006 Marin Independent Journal - Editorial

BIG SOCIETAL problems often are so daunting it's hard to know where to start. Starting with what seems like a small step is usually the best way.

That's what happened Friday night at the Fairfax Coffee Roasters shop.

Owner Ed Wall agreed to keep the shop in the center of town open until 11 p.m. to give teens a convenient place to hang out with friends. It provides an alternative to parties and gatherings involving alcohol and drugs.

Wall usually closes about 6 p.m. because it doesn't make economic sense to stay open, but he said he had always wanted to stay open later.

Marin's high rates of teen drug and alcohol use have prompted debate in the county about what can be done to address the problem. Teens often complain that there is nowhere to go and nothing to do.

Fairfax Councilwoman Mary Ann Maggiore, after talking with local teens and the town Youth Commission, approached Wall about his shop staying open for teens from 8 to 11 p.m. as a pilot program. Teens were charged $5 admission, which included dessert and a cup of tea or coffee.

Organizers figured the night would be a success if 40 teens showed up. They understandably were thrilled when attendance topped 60, with other kids hanging around outside. The night included music by local teens.

Teens who missed last week's coffee night will have at least two more chances to check it out - this Friday and Dec. 29.

The timing also couldn't have been better. Maggiore was right when she pointed out that the holiday season, with its constant stream of adult parties, is an especially crucial time to provide positive alternatives to drinking and drugs.

These teen-only Friday night events also could pave the way for a teen center in the Ross Valley, according to Maggiore, who chaperoned the debut event along with Fairfax Councilman Lew Tremaine.

There is an impressive interfaith teen center in San Rafael, but that's a long way to go for kids in the Ross Valley, especially if they don't drive. They need something closer to home.

It is encouraging to see local officials taking the initiative and tackling this issue in such a positive way. Teen-only events are not a new concept, but they could well prove to be a way to lower the high rates of drinking and drug use by our teens.

Involving local teens in the planning also improves the chances of these events taking off and becoming a local tradition. After all, they are the ones who know what they want

Press Release - Community Office Hours

Here is a press release I issued today.

TOWN MANAGER ANNOUNCES OFFICE HOURS IN THE COMMUNITY

December 20, 2006 – Fairfax Town Manager Linda Kelly has announced that to initiate her second year with the Town in January 2007, she will launch the start of office hours in the community. Kelly will hold office hours in rotating locations throughout the Town of Fairfax, one morning per month. “The intent is to go out in the community and be available to meet people in locations convenient to them,” said Kelly. The sessions will start on a trial basis for the first three months of the year as follows:

January – Wednesday, January 10^th – 8–11:30 a.m., Coffee Roasters, Bolinas & Broadway

February – Thursday, February 1^st – 8–11:30 a.m., BookBeat, 28 Bolinas Avenue

March – Thursday, March 1^st – 8-11:30 a.m., Barefoot Café, 1900 Sir Francis Drake Blvd.

Kelly added, “In January of this year, I began a blog of town information as a way to reach out to the community through a user-friendly media, as a means of providing another link to Town Hall. For the upcoming year, I want to expand our communication with our residents by making it easier for them to speak with us in person.” During her office hours in the community, Kelly will be located in the local business, with a small sign to denote that she is available to speak with residents. No meeting appointment is necessary and she intends to be available to speak with anyone who wishes to converse on questions regarding Town business or to hear suggestions on improving Town operations. “I see it as a way to further integrate our services with the everyday needs of our residents. I intend to do a lot of listening and learning,” she added.

Holiday Town Hall hours

Please note that Town Hall will be closed for the holidays Dec. 25th & 26th and Jan. 1st.

Happy Holidays & Happy New Year!

Property tax query

The Economic Development Advisory Committee asked this question so I thought I'd post my answer here for anyone who is interested.

What % of property taxes goes to Fairfax?

Eighteen percent (18%) of a property’s basic property tax assessment goes to the Town of Fairfax. California Constitution Article XIIIA (Prop. 13) limits the property tax to a maximum 1 percent of assessed value. The assessed value of property is capped at the 1975–76 base year plus inflation — or 2 percent per year. Property that declines in value may be reassessed at the lower market value. Property is reassessed to current full value upon change in ownership (with certain exemptions).

Most property tax that you pay goes to finance the local public elementary, middle, and high schools and community colleges.

In Fairfax, we have some additional property-based assessments that not all other cities have, or some have differing variations of:

• Pension override tax (has been in place since the 1960s, pre-Prop. 13): .0910% of assessed valuation.
• Measure K bonds (approved by voters in 1999): .0416 of assessed valuation (will increase very slightly with the August 2006 sale of the last in the series of bonds.) The revenue is used for streets, drainage and infrastructure repairs.
• General Purpose tax (has been in place since 1980s?): $50 per living unit or business occupancy. Can be used for any governmental purpose.
• Special Purpose tax (Measure F 2005): $125 per living unit or business occupancy. Can only be used for specified purposes as approved by voters, i.e. police, fire, public works and youth program.

All of the above four taxes go exclusively to the Town of Fairfax.

As far as income tax is concerned, in case you are interested, less than 3% of Federal income tax makes it way to cities (most goes to federal defense spending and the national debt) and less than 1% of State income tax goes to cities (most goes to state colleges, health and human services, prisons, and the courts).

The Spot! A Success!

Friday night, December 15^th, was the first Teen Night called The Spot, and I heard it totally and completely rocked! About 60 young people checked in and about 10 were outside on the perimeter of the Coffee Roasters, the event's headquarters. The teens were well-behaved, respectful, and full of fun. With weekly help from Vice Mayor Mary Ann Maggiore who leads the Fairfax Town Council Youth and Alcohol Task Force, area teens really took the challenge and ran with it. Drake High School's Leadership Class under teachers Kendall Galli and Peter Parrish did a fabulous organizing job. Students from the class worked to make it all come together. Alex did posters, Kaila and Matt and friends came early; Tim and Emily stayed late for clean-up. The students organized fabulous music. Youth Commission head, Maya Meissner, not only helped organize but also led the musical line-up. Other students planned the great raffle prizes which they announced with merry flair at each musical break. The teens gathered, laughed, chatted, and played cards. Council Member Lew Tremaine and Vice Mayor Mary Ann Maggiore chaperoned the event and were very satisfied with every part of it.

The Chaperones would like to say: "Thank you to Townspeople Wendy Lee and Shoshana Parry and her sister Tina who stopped by to see that we had enough adult support. And to musician Jack who saved the day with the delivery of a great acoustic system. Thank you, too to Ed Wall, head of Coffee Roasters for having everything ready for us and for organizing it with such enthusiasm. Coffee Roasters staff Shelly and Kelly and others were so patient, professional and generous. A special thank you to them, too."

Vice Mayor Maggiore’s favorite moment of the evening was when singer Denali lifted her voice to sing and everyone sat down on the floor and joined her in the chorus. Great kids, a great accomplishment, a great night!

The December 22nd and 29th The Spot! dates are now a definite "go" and we will have more games, music and surprises ahead. The Task Force is also looking for more adult support staff. "Come on down! It's a lot of fun!"

For more information contact either one of the Youth and Alcohol Task Force heads Vice Mayor Mary Ann Maggiore, 460-1106, or Council Member Lew Tremaine, 459-7807.

2007 CERT Schedule Posted

The schedule of upcoming Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) classes has been posted here. The courses are for anyone who would like to learn how to better prepare for and react to disasters, and are sponsored through Central Marin CERT in conjunction with Ross Valley Fire Department. Fairfax residents are eligible for a $30 rebate on their class enrollment fee.

Teen coffee house tonight!

Fairfax will open its first Teens Only coffee house at the Coffee Roasters, Bolinas and Broadway tonight. "The Spot" is happening Friday nights at Coffee Roasters, 8-11 p.m., Dec. 15, 22, & 29.

Music, games, raffles and great prizes. Admission: $5 at the door, includes a coupon for a beverage and a dessert.

The innovative new teen-oriented hang out is designed to solve a problem that has plagued the County for years: How to help end the disasters of teen drinking? Please join the Town Youth and Alcohol Task Force and Drake Leadership who are sponsoring these Friday night events!

Blood Drive in January

Fairfax resident Cindy Swift, together with the Blood Centers of the Pacific, is planning a blood drive to be held on Saturday, January 27th from 12-4 p.m. at the Fairfax Library parking lot. The event is being co-sponsored by the Friends of the Fairfax Library and the Fairfax Citizens' Disaster Council. Please mark your calendars and consider giving a life-saving gift that day.

Column preview

Here is a preview of the column I've submitted for next week's Ross Valley Reporter:

Economic Development Committee update: The Town’s Economic Development Advisory Committee has held its first two meetings. The community and business representatives on the Committee include Jeff Burton, owner of The Bath and Beyond, Fred Codoni, manager (retired) with Southern Pacific Railroad, Garry Graham, owner of 19 Broadway, Leah Smith of the Marin Farmers’ Market, Mark Squire, co-owner of Good Earth, and Augie Venezia, owner of Fairfax Lumber (Chamber representative), along with all members of the Town Council. The Committee held a general brainstorming and exchange of ideas at the meetings. Some of the issues/ideas discussed were the lack of adequate parking in the downtown which affects the number of people able to shop there, the public events held in the downtown, “growing” what’s working, the need for businesses to provide services needed locally such as a drug store, the constraints on operating a business in town, and budget expenditures for Town services such as labor and benefits of the Town employees who provide services to the community. The community and business members of the Committee will continue brainstorming and plan to come forth with some specific ideas at the next meeting, scheduled for Saturday, January 13, 2007 at 9 a.m. in the Women’s Club. This meeting will once again be combined with a Town Council Strategic Planning Workshop. The Council has in its strategic planning meetings identified and ranked goals in subject matter areas and the next step will be to formalize objectives and strategies for meeting the goals. The Council is also working on a strategic financial plan with the assistance of staff and will be formalizing the document in the coming months.

Creek Road Bridge Update: Per FEMA, this project has been held up for environmental review and is now under further study at the federal level. We have unfortunately been informed that this process may take up to seven months to complete. As it appears right now, the recommended scope of work is eligible for FEMA and State funding. Due to the delay in the environmental review process, we need to protect the bridge from further damage until the permanent repair is approved and we are applying for a temporary repair, which also must be approved by FEMA program and NEPA. In the meantime, the bridge remains closed to vehicular traffic.

Albertson’s Update: There is no new news to report on the Albertson’s property as far as a new tenant for the store. I am informed that negotiations have been lengthy and are still ongoing.

Planning Commission Update: The Planning Commission will be considering the Mixed Use Overlay Zone and the Second Dwelling unit amnesty program at their December 21^st meeting. In addition, they will be considering a use permit to allow the Town to install the first siren pole.

Special Meeting Wed. at 6 p.m.

The Town Council will hold a Special Meeting tomorrow, Wednesday, December 13th at 6 p.m. in the Women's Club to consider the following item:

Funding options for Scenic Road roadway stabilization project to address public safety concerns, possible consideration of resolution and agreement, Tremaine/Weinsoff

This meeting will precede our Adjourned Council Meeting at 7:30 p.m. that same evening.

The meeting is open to the public.

Seniors Luncheon - Winter and Disaster Preparedness tips

The Ross Valley Seniors is hosting its monthly luncheon at the Fairfax Women's Club this Thursday, December 14th. At 11:00 a.m., everyone is invited to bring an ornament to help decorate the tree, and help wrap presents for LITA (Love is the Answer) Holiday Gift Project; at Noon, there will be a pot luck lunch; and at 1:00 p.m., Captain Craig Carroll of Ross Valley Fire will speak to the group about Winter and Disaster Preparedness tips. Everyone is welcome to attend.

2007 Stormwater Pollution Prevention calendars available

Thanks to the Marin County Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program (MCSTOPPP), we have a supply of beautiful 2007 wall calendars available at our temporary Town Hall at 14 Park Road. The calendars were funded through the California Integrated Waste Management Board and are free for everyone. Besides the great nature photos of Marin, the calendars contain tips and information about how to keep our watershed waste-free and preserve our environment. Stop by and pick one up!

Holiday Caroling, Potluck & Wreath-Making Party

With Special Guest Santa Claus

Join the Fairfax Volunteers on Sunday, Dec. 17th at the Women’s Club in Fairfax, 42 Park Road. Santa will be there at 3:00 with the Singing, Wreath-Making/Potluck Party to start at 4:00.

Bring a dish to share, something to drink, and evergreen clippings if you would like to make a wreath. Redwood, Douglas fir, Juniper, Eucalyptus, Bay, Holly, etc. as well as Pine Cones, Pods and other decorative elements work well. We’ll supply the songbooks, a warm fire, and all the utensils. Fun for the whole family!

Interested in helping put on this event? We need volunteers from 12-3 to set-up at the Women’s Club (make decorations, assemble tables, decorate, etc.) and from 7-9 p.m. for the clean-up (take down decorations, sweep, take out trash & recyclables, etc.) Free pizza will be provided to those helping with set-up/clean-up! For more information please call 456-5652 or visit: http://www.fairfaxvolunteers.org

Adjourned Meeting

Due to the 130 Ridgeway appeal item on the Dec. 6th Council agenda which took most of that meeting, we have carried over several agenda items to an adjourned meeting on Dec. 13th at 7:30 p.m. The agenda for this meeting is at http://www.town-of-fairfax.org//TownCouncil/Agendas//12-13-06%20Council%20Agenda.pdf.

Furthermore, the 130 Ridgeway appeal item was continued to a Special Meeting to be held on Feb. 21st at 7:30 p.m. in the Women's Club so that the issues of drainage, the proposed road, and the request for a cross-section topography study can be further worked out and brought back to Council.

These meetings are open to the public.

Strategic Planning & Economic Development Meeting

The agenda for this Saturday's meeting is now posted at http://www.town-of-fairfax.org/StrategicPlanning/12-09-06%20TC%20Strategic.pdf

The meeting is open to the public.

New Mayor and Vice Mayor

Congratulations to our new Mayor Larry Bragman and our new Vice Mayor Mary Ann Maggiore, who were chosen last night at the Council's regular meeting. Each year, the Council rotates the positions of Mayor and Vice Mayor from amongst the Council Members.

Congratulations also to Council Member Susan Brandborg for her leadership and service as Mayor for the past year.

Photo shows from left, Council Member David Weinsoff, Council Member Susan Brandborg, new Mayor Larry Bragman, and new Vice Mayor Mary Ann Maggiore. Not pictured but present at the meeting: Council Member Lew Tremaine.

The Spot! Friday nights at Coffee Roasters

Fairfax will open its first Teens Only coffee house at the Coffee Roasters, Bolinas and Broadway. "The Spot" is happening Friday nights at Coffee Roasters, 8-11 p.m., Dec. 15, 22, & 29.

Music, games, raffles and great prizes. Admission: $5 at the door, includes a coupon for a beverage and a dessert.

The innovative new teen-oriented hang out is designed to solve a problem that has plagued the County for years: How to end the disasters of teen drinking? Head of the Fairfax Youth and Alcohol Task Force, Council Member Mary Ann Maggiore, was fed up with the helplessness of watching kids get in trouble because of alcohol. "Every year we watch with horror as the holiday season fills our lives with reports of teen deaths, accidents and rapes at parties where alcohol is the number 1 culprit. Though many groups start with initiating punitive actions as the first line of defense against teen drinking, we of Fairfax saw a better way ."

Please join the Town Youth and Alcohol Task Force and Drake Leadership who are sponsoring these Friday night events!

This Saturday - Economic Development and Strategic Planning Meeting

This Sat., Dec. 9th at 9 a.m. in the Women's Club we will hold the next meeting of the Fairfax Economic Development Advisory Committee, followed by a Town Council Strategic Planning meeting at 10:30 a.m. The Committee will hold an informational discussion regarding the Marin Town and Country Club property, and owner Michael Mackintosh has been invited to share his vision for the property. The Committee will also review follow-up from their November 18th meeting and plan their 2007 meeting calendar and next steps. The Council will continue its work on strategies and objectives for achieving identified goals, focusing on top goals which they have identified so far.

After this meeting, I will provide more of a summary as to where we are in strategic planning to get you caught up on how far we've come and keep you more in the loop, for those who have not been able to participate in the meetings yet. I also need to refresh the Strategic Planning web page on our Town website with the most recent information.

New Year's Eve Ball Fun Family Event!

Please make a note about the New Year’s Eve Masquerade Arts Ball at the Fairfax Pavilion (Dec 31^s 8 pm to 1 am). This is a ‘fun-for-the-entire-family’ event, which promises to be a truly amazing gig! Dress up as your favorite artist or come in costume as a work of art and add to the festivities. Prizes, including original art pieces, will be given for best and most zany costumes. There will plenty of music, dancing, games, cabaret and surprises galore for only $7. Tickets will be sold at the door (kids six and under FREE). Food and drinks will be available at low cost. All proceeds go to the Artist in Residence Program to enable us to make more public art and involve everyone in art projects. Bring in the New Year in a really fun-filled way! Don’t miss this first ever extravaganza! Hope to see you there!
Click to enlarge the poster.

Special thanks to Shoshana Parry, Fairfax Artist-in-Residence for coming up with this great idea and coordinating the event!

Chamber of Commerce Holiday Party!

It's not too late to reserve your spot at the Annual Fairfax Chamber of Commerce Holiday Party, taking place on Thursday, December 7th starting at 6 p.m. at Deer Park Villa, 367 Bolinas Road. This promises to be a fun-filled festive night of dining and dancing, starting with a no-host cocktail hour followed by a dinner buffet. Enjoy dancing to the music of the Swampfitties (formerly known as the Bonnie Hayes band). Price is $45; advance reservations necessary. Proceeds benefit downtown beautification projects. RSVP to Ingrid Weiss, 456-5574.

Dec. 6th agenda packet posted

The Council Meeting packet for Dec. 6th is now posted on the Town's website at http://www.townoffairfax.org/TownCouncil/TownCouncilPacket/. The meeting is at 7:30 p.m. in the Women's Club.

Volunteers' Holiday Event!

Here is a great message from Adam Neville and the Fairfax Volunteers:

I know we've got a few crazy weeks ahead of us, but how about slowing things down for a couple of hours and joining us for our 5th annual “Holiday Sing Along”. We’ll be meeting in Fairfax, at the Woman’s Club (46 Park Road, just down the street from Peri Park) Sunday, December 17 at 4 P.M. (if you’d like to come early and meet Santa, his sled will be arriving at 3:00 P.M.)

We’ve got a bunch of song sheets printed up, and we’ll have cookies and hot chocolate too. All you have to do is show up and sing your lungs out (or mouth the lyrics while being drowned out by others). It doesn't matter... what does matter is you have fun!

And please join us directly after the caroling for our famous “Pot-luck Party”. We’ll have a roaring fire (O.K., a Duraflame), some great food, and maybe some more singing. Please bring a yummy dish to share and something to drink. We’ll take care of the plates and utensils.

This year we’ve also added Wreath Making to the mix, which will take place during the whole event. If you would like to join this activity, please bring evergreen clippings if you have them (Redwood, Douglas fir, Juniper, Eucalyptus, Bay, Holly, etc. as well as Pine Cones, Pods and other decorative elements). We’ll supply the rings and wire!

This time of year is all about being together with people we care about, spreading love and warmth, and feeling connected. I hope you can join us!

With holiday cheer,
Adam “The Elf” Neville & the Fairfax Volunteers.

P.S. We’d like to continue the tradition of a post sing pot-luck party, but in order to do that we’ll need a few more elves to help out. If you’d like to participate please contact Adam at adamneville@mindspring.com or by phone at (415) 302-6163.