< 17 Class of the 00’s it will prevent further casino development in Sonoma and Marin counties. July 25 Marin poet Kay Ryan is named the 16th poet laureate of the United States. Sept. 19 The Golden Gate Bridge District Board approves a $25 million bridge median barrier project designed to prevent head-on collisions. Oct. 17 Fire erupts at Angel Island campground, engulfs 400 acres. Nov. 7 Proposition 8, a measure to ban same-sex marriage in California, passes 52 to 48 percent; SMART, the controversial Sonoma-to-Marin train commute plan, passes in its second go ‘round with voters. Nov. 14 The towns of Mill Valley, San Anselmo and Belvedere unanimously approve joining the Marin Energy Authority, giving them an option to buy an alternative “green” electricity plan from a supplier other than PG&E. They join Tiburon, Fairfax and the county in the joint powers authority. Dec. 5 San Rafael and Sausalito join Marin Energy Authority. Dec. 12 County supervisors give thumbs-up to the tourism bureau’s latest pro-
motional tagline for Marin: “Marin, just a little out there.”
2009
Jan. 9 The conviction of Crossan Hoover is upheld by a federal court for his part in a 1982 plot to take over Marin County. Hoover was sentenced to 26 years to life in prison for killing a man in a scheme to blow up the Golden Gate and RichmondSan Rafael bridges and install laser guns on Angel Island and Mount Tamalpais. Jan. 16 County coroner says at least 34 people committed suicide by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge in 2008. Jan. 23 Thanks to one of the final moves of the Bush administration toward the end of 2008, a rule allowing concealed weapons in national parks such as the Point Reyes National Seashore and Muir Woods takes effect. Jan. 30 The recession hits home big time: Funding for more than 75 public works projects in Marin are halted by the state; Yardbirds of San Rafael announces plans to close; and San Rafael
Chevrolet closes up shop. Feb. 20 Footloose references abound as Drake High School bans schoolsponsored dances after complaints of provocative dress, dance-styles and behavior at its winter formal. March 13 The “Well Being Index” nationwide health survey ranks Marin 6 out of 435 congressional districts for overall “healthy behavior.” March 20 An appellate court unanimously rules that the contested Ross Valley flood-control fee mail-in election was unconstitutional, thereby negating the county-approved fee. May 1 Marin Health and Human Services confirm that two San Rafael residents—a 60-year-old woman and her 1-year-old granddaughter—are suffering from swine flu after returning from a trip to Mexico. May 8 Disagreeing with findings by the National Park Service, the National Academy of Sciences finds that the Drakes Bay Oyster Company is not harming the estuary ecosystem of Point Reyes National Seashore. May 15 Zany right-wing shock jock Michael “Savage” Weiner, a Tiburon resident, is barred from entering the
® ®
©HFPA
DRAMA
GOLDEN GLOBE NOMINEE BEST ACTRESS • EMILY BLUNT CRITICS’ CHOICE MOVIE AWARD NOMINEES
BEST ACTRESS EMILY BLUNT • BEST COSTUME DESIGN SANDY POWELL
“‘THE YOUNG VICTORIA’ HAS IT ALL.”
United Kingdom due to his alleged “hate mongering.” May 22 In a new report, the county civil grand jury expresses doubt over the Healthcare District’s ability to manage Marin General after it resumed control from Sutter Health in 2010; grand jury suggests that the hospital instead be “transferred to a financially strong nonprofit health system such as Sutter Health.” May 29 The Environmental Protection Agency rescinds its approval of the two Checkmate pesticides previously used in California’s apple moth spray program. The Proposition 8 ban on same-sex marriage is upheld by the California Supreme Court in a 6-1 decision. July 3 Due to budget woes, Gov. Schwarzenegger announces plans to close 220 state parks; National Park Service threatens to seize control of Angel Island and Mt. Tam. July 17 Town of Tiburon announces plans to install surveillance cameras on the roads leading in and out of town. July 31 Novato Sanitary District board moves ahead with plans to privatize the operations of its $90 million wastewater treatment plant—drawing large crowds to its usually sedate public
hearings and, according to some reports, veiled death threats.
2010. The first Habitat for Humanity project breaks ground in Novato.
Aug. 7 Report reveals that Sutter Health has transferred nearly $90 million from Marin General since the decision to part ways with Marin Healthcare District two years earlier; legislators demand an investigation.
Nov. 13 Longtime Novato couple Sam Mejia and Elida Perez, along with 4-yearold daughter Dulce, are deported to Guatemala following a two-year legal battle that ensued with the ICE raids of 2007. The couple, who arrived in Marin illegally in the early ’90s after fleeing their war-torn native country, leave behind their 18-year-old son and 14-yearold daughter.
Aug. 28 Ross School, located in one of the wealthiest towns on the planet, lucks out in a state-run lottery for a $2.85 million school construction bond tax credit. Sept. 4 Marin health care advocates can’t get a word in edgewise, as a town hall meeting with Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey turns circuslike when anti-healthcare conservatives storm the Petaluma Veterans Memorial Hall. Oct. 2 San Rafael bookkeeper Kristy Watts, 47, pleads guilty to wire fraud and tax evasion after embezzling at least $400,000 from best-selling romance novelist Danielle Steel. Oct. 9 Singer Sammy Hagar and chef Tyler Florence announce plans to take over the 61-year-old Mill Valley French eatery El Paseo. Oct. 30 Legendary archin, tect Lawrence Halprin, of Kentfield, dies at thee age of 93. ld Nov. 6 Century-old ue 142 entertainment venue heatre Throckmorton Theatre announces funding needs Mark Pitta of $500,000 in order to remain open in
Nov. 20 Mark C. Anderson, the 61-year-old Sausalito man accused of setting fire to over $200 million worth of fine wines in 2005, reverses his not-guilty plea, avoiding a possible sentence of life in prison on 19 criminal counts, including arson, mail fraud and tax evasion. Nov. 27 A countywide plan to rotate temporary emergency homeless shelters at churches through winter is set to begin Dec. 1 and run through March. Dec. 11 County civil grand jury urges Marin Energy Authority to abandon plans for community choice aggregation of clean energy; critics of the report suggest the jury has been misled by PG&E propaganda. D Dec. 25 Supposedly airqu quality-conscious Mar Marinites get red ho hot when Dec. 25 “sp “spare the air” ale alerts—bannin ning fireplace acti y activity—leave ccounty Yule logs cold; Christmas ruined. ruined e .<
–Thelma Adams,
“EMILY BLUNT MAKES VICTORIA IRRESISTIBLE.” –Roger Ebert,
OPENS CHRISTMAS DAY 26 PACIFIC SUN JANUARY 1 - JANUARY 7, 2010
CINÉARTS@SEQUOIA 25 Throckmorton Avenue, Mill Valley (415) 388-4862
Robin Wright-Penn
Stefanie Coyote