We are excited to announce our new partnership with Marin Produce!  Starting in February, we’ll be donating 15% of sales to the day’s sponsored organization – 10% from us, 5% from Marin Produce.  It’s great to work with another local group that wants to give back to the community.

February 7th – Marin Search and Rescue

Marin Search and Rescue is a volunteer organization that searches for missing people in urban and wilderness areas all over California.  They assist the Marin Sheriff’s department in variety of work, and are there to help day and night.  For more information go to http://marinsar.org.

February 14th – Ceres Community Project of Marin

Ceres Community Project of Marin’s Healing Meals program is a one-year-old program that provides culinary and nutritional education to Marin County youth and delivers nourishing, health supportive free meals to those dealing with serious illness.
Where the Ceres program truly excels is through the organization’s integrated model and underlying commitment to youth development. Since beginning one year ago cooking one afternoon a week, Ceres has worked with dozens of youth between the ages of 13 and 18 from local middle schools and high schools. These youth have donated more than 1,200 volunteer hours by spending 2 ½ hours each Wednesday or Thursday in the kitchen where they learn cooking skills and the value of whole, nourishing foods.  These youth also develop skills in team work, project management, communication, and leadership through their participation in the program.  Go to www.marin.ceresproject.org for more information.

February 14th – Bay Area Ridge Trail Council

The Bay Area Ridge Trail Council’s mission is to create a continuous 550+-mile trail for hikers, mountain bicyclists, and equestrians along the ridgelines overlooking San Francisco Bay.  The Council works in close partnership with agencies and local government, parks, land trusts, and other stakeholders and volunteers to plan, acquire, design, build, care for, and promote the Ridge Trail.  Careful planning and design of the Ridge Trail frequently dovetails with preservation and restoration of key upland habitats – opening the trail often allows the public to experience and enjoy restored natural areas for the first time.  For more information go to www.ridgetrail.org.

February 28th – San Anselmo Cooperative Nursery School

Founded originally in 1947 as the Fairfax Community Nursery School, the San Anselmo Co-Op is celebrating its 64th year in operation. Except for the faces of the children and their parents, since then little has changed. The goal of the preschool is to foster physical, emotional, intellectual, social and spiritual growth in each child.  The school provides a unique experience for families who wish to be involved in their children’s education and learn alongside them. By sharing parenting issues, insights, joys and struggles, parents gain a sense of community with one another and a greater understanding of their own child’s development. Through their participation, parents create the kind of school they desire for their children. Their many talents, strengths and interests provide the energy that fuels the school. By relying on parent ingenuity, teamwork and labor, we keep fees low and the school available to a wide spectrum of people.  Find out more at www.sananselmocoop.com.

In January we will be supporting the YES Foundation, which provides support to the Ross Valley School District for programs like art, PE and music that otherwise wouldn’t have enough funding.  Find out more at www.yestokids.org.

December 6th – WildCare

Everyone wants to do the right thing for wildlife… WildCare is here to help! They are located in downtown San Rafael, California — Marin County’s largest city — making them a truly urban wildlife rehabilitation center.
WildCare works to make sure all species can coexist– not just by treating sick or injured animals (over 3,000 of them a year), but also by teaching people how to live peacefully with wildlife and by advocating for better protection of wildlife and our remaining open spaces.
In addition to operating their wildlife rehabilitation hospital, they also provide numerous other resources to the local and larger community. Their Living with Wildlife Hotline is available any time of day or night to help anyone deal safely with the wildlife they encounter. They’ve also been a leader in developing new and innovative ways to address problem wildlife issues humanely. And when wildlife needs us to advocate on its behalf, they take a stand.  All these activities help foster an understanding of and appreciation for wildlife in all people.
For more information go to www.wildcarebayarea.org.

December 13th – Marin Open Space Trust (MOST)

MOST is devoted to helping save more than 15,000 acres of critical open space area in Marin. Many parts of Marin are protected only by regulatory control, which can change over time. Many key parcels are are in private hands but become available for purchase from time to time. Although land development has slowed recently, plans are still moving for subdivision of some of these properties and the potential exists for all of them to be developed.

Marin Open Space Trust raises funds to protect Marin County’s remaining open space lands which have significant habitat, aesthetic and linkage values for the benefit of current and future residents.

For more information go to www.marinopenspacetrust.org

December 20th – Fairfax Theatre Company

This Tuesday we’ll be supporting the Fairfax Theatre Company, who will be performing Jacked!  an original comedy by Sam M. Parry this holiday season.

Based on the age old tradition of British Pantomimes (and yes, the actors do speak!) in which men play the female characters and women play some of the male roles. The story line is usually based on a well known fairy tale adapted to poke fun at politicians and current affairs and the dialog tends to be bawdy! There will be only four performances so don’t miss this fun filled and hilarious experience to bring in the New Year. Performance dates and times are as follows:

Fairfax Pavilion

Thursday, December 29 at 7 P.M.
Friday, December 30 at 7 P.M.
Saturday, December 31 Matinee at 2 P.M.
Saturday, December 31 8 P.M.
Please note the final show will include the New Year’s Eve Party after the performance.
Tickets at the door or in advance at Fairfax Town Hall.
Further information call any of the following: (415) 302-2558/(415) 302-2559/(415) 302-0659

November 1 – San Geronimo Valley Community Center

The San Geronimo Valley Community Center mission is “To foster a healthy San Geronimo Valley by providing a dynamic center for locally-based human services, arts and culture, education, health and wellness, and community building.”  Their Food Pantry is a non-judgmental user friendly place which serves over 300 families a month.  Check them out at www.sgvcc.org.

November 8 – For Words

Established in 2007, ForWords is a literacy and publication project for students in the San Rafael, California “Canal” area. Their students have been historically under-served, are generally from immigrant families, and are often learning English as a second language.  ForWords provides a variety of resources to help these students develop the ability to write effectively, and have their work published, whether poetry, fiction, music, drama, essays, or non-fiction.  ForWords has provided training and mentoring for local teachers, has purchased computers, software, cameras, and other material, developed and implemented 21st century curricula, hired the world-renown University of California Bay Area Writing Project to work directly with our students and local teachers, and hired a talented digital-arts teacher. Since ForWords began in 2007, our students have graduated from high school and gone to 2 or 4 year colleges. Find out more at www.forwords.org.

November 15 – Whistlestop

Whistlestop ends loneliness and social isolation by getting people out of their homes, taking them where they want to go, and offering a full range of fun programs at the Whistlestop Active Aging Center.  Their services are not age or income dependent, everyone is welcome.  If they succeed in our mission, ultimately the result is a thriving and happy community.  They need your help today to keep rolling tomorrow, please support them at www.whistlestop.org.

November 22 – Drake HS Mtn Bike Team

The Drake HS Mountain Bike Team are the 2009, 2010 and 2011 California State Champions, and 2004 & 2006 NorCal High School Mountain Bike Racing League Champions.  They are very excited to have just completed their 9th year of competition in the NorCal League, and their third year of competing in the state finals with the new SoCal League.  Check them out at www.drakemtb.org.

November 29 – Parent Services Project

Parent Services Project is a non-profit based in the canal area of San Rafael founded in 1980 that offers case management and referrals to community resources at no cost to our clients. They also provide parent workshops at some of the local schools, a Dad’s group at San Pedro Elementary School, and a free drop-in playgroup for parents with children 0-5 years of age. They provide workshops for parents and teachers in other states as well. Find more information on their website at www.parentservices.org.

September 6th – Marin Search and Rescue

Marin Search and Rescue is a volunteer organization that searches for missing people in urban and wilderness areas all over California.  They assist the Marin Sheriff’s department in variety of work, and are there to help day and night.  For more information go to http://marinsar.org.

September 13th – Sleepy Hollow Nursery School

The Sleepy Hollow Nursery School is a parent cooperative school which has been operating since 1946. It is a child centered, developmental school with a play based curriculum. The program is state licensed for children beginning at 2 years 6 months up to Kindergarten entrance.  For more information go to http://www.shha.org/nurseryschool.html.

September 20th – Next Generation

Next Generation believes young people have the power to understand and change the world! We engage youth and adults through school-based activities, outdoor experiences, leadership development and community events. Our activities encompass our core values of sustainability, social justice, and peace while promoting inspiration, hope, community, youth leadership, local action, and practical solutions.  Next Generation believes that cultivating sustained partnerships with schools is critical to helping youth develop a life-long love and respect for nature and an understanding of how simple actions in their daily lives impact the environmental health of their communities and the planet.  We work with staff at our school sites to create a year-long program beginning with garden lessons and visits to local parks and open space, then progressing towards full-day field-trips to wilderness areas or farms. We provide mentorship to students by facilitating garden and eco-clubs and working with students to take on projects to green their schools. Our engagement with a school on this level raises the environmental awareness for an entire school community as well as the individual.  Last year we conducted 890 activities, engaging over 4550 students at 17 schools in Marin and are aiming to reach similar numbers this year.  Please visit http://gonextgeneration.org/ to find out more!

September 27th – Fairfax-San Anselmo Children’s Center

The mission of the Fairfax-San Anselmo Children’s Center is to support a population of families, build a sense of community and provide quality early care and education to children. Our goal is to enhance family well-being, foster parent leadership within our community, support and increase children’s school readiness skills while providing a safe and healthy learning environment.  Go to http://fsacc.org for more information.

August 2nd – Trips for Kids

For  23 years, Trips For Kids has been providing lessons in self-confidence, environmental awareness, and healthy habits to disadvantaged youth through the simple act of having fun on mountain bikes. Trips For Kids started in Marin and has grown into an international organization with 76 chapters operating in the United States, Canada, and Israel.  Trips For Kids Marin serves at-risk youth throughout the San Francisco Bay area, working with over 300 local organizations. The core offering of mountain bike rides is supplemented by the Earn-A-Bike programs and the Re-Cyclery bicycle thrift shop.  For information www.tripsforkids.org/marin or info@tripsforkids.org or 415-458-2986.

August 9th – Slide Ranch

Slide Ranch is a Marin-based, nonprofit environmental education center that offers a variety of programs for schools, community groups, and families on our coastal farm and wild lands.  Through hands-on activities—from gardening to goat-milking to exploring tide pools—visitors to Slide Ranch discover the connections between the plants, animals, elements and human efforts that sustain life and bring food to the table.  To learn more, please visit their website at www.slideranch.org.

August 16th – Ceres Community Project of Marin

The Ceres Community Project’s mission is to restore locally-grown, organic whole food to its place as the foundation of health for people, communities and the planet. They do this through an integrated model that provides those facing cancer and other life-threatening illnesses with nourishing meals, gives teens experiences of preparing healthy food, and educates the larger community about the connection between food, healing, and wellness.  The Ceres Community Project of Marin brings a diverse corps of local Marin youth into a professional kitchen in an after school program where they are taught to cook by a professional chef and mentored by adult volunteers.  They learn valuable cooking skills, gain an appreciation for whole, sustainable, local ingredients, learn the value of teamwork, and experience the simple satisfactions of giving back.  They prepare nourishing, health supportive free meals that are delivered by volunteers to members of our community struggling with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. They acquire skills that not only enhance their personal and family lives through healthful connections, but have the potential to open doors to future job training in the culinary arts.  Go to www.marin.ceresproject.org for more information.

August 23rd – the Marin Literacy Program’s FLAGship Project

The Marin Literacy Program’s FLAGship project offers FREE preschool and health workshops to adults and their children aged 0-5 years old.  Storytimes, kids songs, games, puppets, crafts and other fun Kindergarten-readiness activities are presented daily to children and modeled for adults.  Referrals and brochures about family health and literacy services are always available.  Drop-ins are always welcome!  Call for our calendar at (415) 497-1666 or email the Coordinator, Ambre Dailey at adailey@marinliteracy.org.

August 30th – Point Reyes National Seashore Association

PRNSA is the primary nonprofit park partner of The National Park Service at Point Reyes. With community support they are helping to fund and implement resource preservation projects within the park, while also providing people a way to explore, discover and connect with the natural world through their environmental education programs.  Find out more at www.ptreyes.org.

July 5th – Five4Five

Five 4 Five is an educational non-profit organization designed to help ambitious young people from the North Bay and Los Angeles educate themselves and prosper in meaningful work lives. They call their organization Five 4 Five because they work in teams of five young people for five years.  They believe in capturing student interest in high school, aiding them through college and then guiding them into worthwhile jobs in their community once they have completed their degree.  Learn more at www.five4five.org.

July 12th – Marin Community Bicycle Association

The Marin County Bicycle Coalition (MCBC) has been steadily improving our county’s road and path facilities for walkers and bikers since they were formed 1998. You’ve seen the impact of our advocacy efforts in each of our towns: permanent bike racks, bike lane striping, green-and-white bike route signs, road resurfacing, ‘sharrow’ road stencils, and so much more.  Their goal is for 20% of all trips in Marin to be made by walking or bicycling by 2020. Visit them online at www.marinbike.org.

July 19th – Sunny Hills Services

Sunny Hills Services is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing the highest quality of care to vulnerable children and their families. The mission of Sunny Hills Services is to transform young lives by giving hope and by teaching skills that enable our clients to face their challenges, develop their strengths and lead productive and satisfying lives. Founded in Marin County in 1895 as an orphanage and farm, Sunny Hills Services has since grown to become a regional organization widely recognized as being at the forefront of best practices in child welfare. Today, Sunny Hills Services operates 15 distinct programs in Marin, Alameda, and Sonoma counties which are focused on the educational, mental health, housing and developmental needs of vulnerable youth. This year, they expect to provide services to approximately 1,450 youth in their agency facilities, community venues and home settings. In addition to the youth served, clients’ parents and siblings are also engaged through their family services programming.  Find out more at www.sunnyhillsservices.org.

July 26th – Community Wellness Foundation

The Community Wellness Center is an organization formed to give back to our community. They offer professional holistic healthcare at affordable prices. Based in Fairfax, they have over twenty practitioners offering many different modalities. They have acupuncture, chiropractic, many different kinds of body work, clearing of environmental sensitivities,homeopathy and different methods of counseling – all starting at $20.  Visit them at www.communitywellnesscenter.org.

June 7th – Bread & Roses. Bread & Roses is dedicated to uplifting the human spirit by providing free, live, quality entertainment to people who live in institutions or are otherwise isolated from society.   As an extra special treat, San Francisco indie-pop singer-songwriter – and Bread & Roses staff producer – Francesca Lee – will be performing from 6 to 9 pm.  For more information check out www.breadandroses.org

June 14th – West Marin Little League.  West Marin Little League offers co-ed instructional baseball league for kids ages 5 to 14 in San Anselmo, Fairfax, Woodacre, San Geronimo, Forest Knolls, Lagunitas, Nicasio, Olema, Point Reyes, Inverness, Stinson Beach and Bolinas..   You can find out more information at westmarinlittleleague.com.

June 21st – San Geronimo Valley Community Center. Their mission is “To foster a healthy San Geronimo Valley by providing a dynamic center for locally-based human services, arts and culture, education, health and wellness, and community building.”  Their Food Pantry is a non-judgmental user-friendly place which serves over 300 families a month.  Check them out at www.sgvcc.org.

June 28th – Drake HS Mountain Bike Team. This Tuesday we’ll be supporting the Drake HS Mountain Bike Team.  They just won their third state championship in 2011!  Check them out at www.drakemtb.org.

In May we will be supporting the YES Foundation, who provides support to the Ross Valley School District for programs like art, PE and music that otherwise wouldn’t have enough funding.  Find out more at www.yestokids.org.  We have two special YES nights in May:

May 10th

White Hill Jazz Band concert

May 24th

Celebrity waiters night – have your favorite teachers wait on you!

Come on down and support the YES Foundation each Tuesday in May.

The San Anselmo Preschool Center is committed to the growth of each child in an emotionally supportive environment that encourages self-acceptance and self-exploration.  Learn more at www.sananselmopreschool.org.

April 12th – Fairfax Open Space Committee

- FOSC’s mission is to preserve the visual and environmental values of our community through the purchase of undeveloped land in and around Fairfax.  Our goal is to provide sanctuary for indigenous flora and fauna for future generations.  Find out more at www.fairfaxopenspace.com.

April 19th – ForWords

Established in 2007, ForWords is a literacy and publication project for students in the San Rafael, California “Canal” area. Their students have been historically under-served, are generally from immigrant families, and are often learning English as a second language.  ForWords provides a variety of resources to help these students develop the ability to write effectively, and have their work published, whether poetry, fiction, music, drama, essays, or non-fiction.  ForWords has provided training and mentoring for local teachers, has purchased computers, software, cameras, and other material, developed and implemented 21st century curricula, hired the world-renown University of California Bay Area Writing Project to work directly with our students and local teachers, and hired a talented digital-arts teacher. Since ForWords began in 2007, our students have graduated from high school and gone to 2 or 4 year colleges. Find out more at www.forwords.org.

April 26th – Cascade Canyon School

Cascade Canyon is a small, independent, progressive, co-educational K-8 school serving families in Marin County from our campus in Fairfax, California. Since the school opened in 1981, we have dedicated ourselves to offering progressive education in a small, community-oriented setting. Our multi-age classes of no more than fifteen students, in combination with our balanced, integrated curriculum foster our students’ natural creativity and desire to learn. For more information visit http://www.cascadecanyon.org.