Sweetlife Bakery & Café.  101 San Anselmo Avenue San Anselmo, CA 94960-2800.  Phone: 415-456-4580 www.sweetlifebakerycafe.com

Marin County women will be swapping their jewelry and scarves to raise money to help less fortunate women re-enter the workplace at the first annual Style Swap this Saturday, September 17, in the parking lot next to the The Great Acorn Company located at 800 San Anselmo Avenue in downtown San Anselmo from 10 AM to 4 PM.

Sales and donations of jewelry and scarves will go to benefit Image for Success, a not-for-profit organization that provides two-week wardrobes to disenfranchised people in Marin County who are transitioning toward self-reliance. Image for Success not only provides the suit for the interview, but also clothes for everyday use – a critical need when someone is making the effort to change their life by re-entering the workplace.

How To Participate

There are three ways people can participate in this weekend’s Style Swap:

1. Bring jewelry and scarves that ‘just aren’t you’ anymore to The Great Acorn this week, or the day of the event on September 17, to redeem tickets that can be used to shop for other items at the event;

2.  Donate jewelry and scarves to receive a tax deduction;

3.  Just stop by and shop.

Additionally, Image for Success will accept other clothing donations during the Style Swap event.

“One woman’s fashion past can be another’s fabulous future,” said event co-organizer Laura Adler of Women of Inventions.  “We all have things in our wardrobes that we just don’t wear anymore.  We loved them at the time we got them.  Now, instead of collecting dust, why not pass on the love to others.”

According to the RSVD website the aim of the changes will be to:

• Create and maintain four, independent “k-5” schools of similar size
• Prioritize enrollment for residents who live closest to a school site and within its boundary – taking into consideration natural geographic boundaries – to:
  • enable and encourage walking and biking to school, and
  • minimize the number of people traveling by car.
• Align with Safe Routes to School for students who walk or bike to school.
• Maintain accessibility to District-wide programs (e.g., MAP and the Learning Center).
• Minimize the number of current students who must change schools during the transition phase as a result of these boundary adjustments.

Jack Schreder & Associates, the consulting firm the board hired, has come up with four scenarios for redrawing the boundaries. They say that they’re now going to look at more tax assessor and census data, get input from the Board of Trustees, district staff, and the community, and then do some recalculating before presenting a final scenario.

There’s a special board meeting tomorrow night at White Hill Middle School to discuss the process. The Powerpoint presentation outlining the four enrollment boundary options is available here.  For more info visit the RVSD website or contact the district office at 415.454.2162.

Hot off the press is 40 Oak Springs Rd near Sleepy Hollow. It’s a pristine and spacious 3/2 home, with an updated kitchen and master bath, and a cool open floor plan.  The lot is mostly up-slope, but there’s a good sized flat section that’d be great for gardening or a play area. Asking price is $699,000.

For more info or to schedule a showing give us a ring at 415-578-0572 or email info@sfnorth.com.

Stephen just brought on a new two bedroom, two bath view home at 14 Island Drive in San Anselmo. It’s a cute house in a beautiful setting with lots of cool deck areas, including a sort of secret hot tub area through a door off the hallway. It has a nice updated kitchen, a living room with vaulted ceilings and fireplace, and a two-car garage. Definitely worth a look if you’re in the market for a two bedroom home. It’s on the very eastern edge of San Anselmo, so you get high scoring schools and a good commute to SF.

For a showing give us a ring at 415-578-0572 or email info@sfnorth.com.

So what can you buy in Marin?

Mill Valley

Many first time home buyers moving from San Francisco start their home search in Mill Valley. It’s charming, close to the bridge, and has a lively downtown area.  Its proximity to the city also comes with a much steeper price tag then some of its counterparts.  The median list price in Mill Valley is $1,140,346.

90-day stats for Single Family properties in MILL VALLEY, CA as of October 7, 2011
Median List Price:	$1,039,192	Average List Price:	$1,403,263
Total Inventory:	121	Price per Square Foot:	$510
Average Home Size:	2,259	Median Lot Size:	9,136
Average # Beds:	3.44	Average # Baths:	2.75
Homes Absorbed:	8	Newly Listed:	7
Days on Market:	122	Average Age:	51

Fortunately, not every Mill Valley home is over a million dollars.  Here are a few Mill Valley homes listed for sale under one million:

Showing properties 1 - 5 of 34. See more city of Mill Valley real estate.
(all data current as of 2/9/2012)

1. $999,000 : MLS # 21201090 in Mill Valley
   
   3 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,732 sq ft

   Lot size: 4,008 sq ft

   Listing provided by Fran Donlan, Bradley Real Estate-San Rafael
2. $999,000 : 226 Amicita Ave, Mill Valley
   
   3 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 1,232 sq ft

   Lot size: 5,271 sq ft

   Listing provided by Chelsea Ialeggio, Frank Howard Allen-Tiburon
3. $998,000 : 386 East Blithedale Ave, Mill Valley
   
   3 beds, 3 full baths

   Home size: 1,778 sq ft

   Lot size: 6,250 sq ft

   Listing provided by Linda Saint Amant, LSA Realty
4. $995,000 : 155 Hazel Ave, Mill Valley
   
   4 beds, 3 full baths

   Home size: 2,587 sq ft

   Lot size: 12,502 sq ft

   Listing provided by Bruce Berlinger, Bradley Real Estate Mill Valley
5. $995,000 : 1005 Erica Rd, Mill Valley
   
   4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 2,316 sq ft

   Lot size: 11,543 sq ft

   Listing provided by Robert Craig, Decker Bullock Sothebys International Realty

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

View all Mill Valley Homes for Sale

San Anselmo

The town of San Anselmo is also known for it’s charming downtown area, proliferation of antique shops, and its proximity to hiking, biking and all of Marin’s fantastic scenery.  The commute times in San Anselmo are longer, but your house money will go a lot further as evidenced by the chart below.

90-day stats for Single Family properties in SAN ANSELMO, CA as of October 7, 2011
Median List Price:	$814,835	Average List Price:	$1,059,208
Total Inventory:	59	Price per Square Foot:	$466
Average Home Size:	2,027	Median Lot Size:	10,161
Average # Beds:	3.35	Average # Baths:	2.42
Homes Absorbed:	4	Newly Listed:	4
Days on Market:	111	Average Age:	57

Here are a few San Anselmo homes listed for sale under one million:

Showing properties 1 - 5 of 25. See more city of San Anselmo real estate.
(all data current as of 2/9/2012)

1. $995,000 : MLS # 21108819 in San Anselmo
   
   4 beds, 2 full baths

   Home size: 2,663 sq ft

   Lot size: 15,812 sq ft

   Listing provided by Saeed Shahabi, Coldwell Banker-Mill Valley
2. $849,000 : 408 Oakcrest Rd, San Anselmo
   
   3 beds, 1 full bath

   Home size: 1,400 sq ft

   Lot size: 3.19 ac

   Listing provided by John Ball, Coldwell Banker Greenbrae
3. $849,000 : MLS # 21200725 in San Anselmo
   
   4 beds, 3 full baths

   Home size: 2,141 sq ft

   Lot size: 5,000 sq ft

   Listing provided by Connie Irwin, Pacific Union International
4. $829,000 : 129 Madrone Ave, San Anselmo
   
   2 beds, 1 full bath

   Home size: 1,050 sq ft

   Lot size: 7,800 sq ft

   Listing provided by Bill Johnson, Frank Howard Allen - Greenbrae
5. $829,000 : 800 Fawn Dr, San Anselmo
   
   3 beds, 1 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 2,102 sq ft

   Lot size: 28,314 sq ft

   Listing provided by Karin Narodny, Frank Howard Allen - Greenbrae

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

View all San Anselmo Homes for Sale

San Rafael

Moving on to San Rafael, the county seat of Marin, we also see more affordable homes with a median list price of $702,045.

90-day stats for Single Family properties in SAN RAFAEL, CA as of October 7, 2011
Median List Price:	$726,377	Average List Price:	$941,244
Total Inventory:	177	Price per Square Foot:	$389
Average Home Size:	2,145	Median Lot Size:	8,390
Average # Beds:	3.66	Average # Baths:	2.60
Homes Absorbed:	12	Newly Listed:	12
Days on Market:	112	Average Age:	50

Here are a few San Rafael homes listed for sale under one million:

Showing properties 1 - 4 of 95. See more city of San Rafael real estate.
(all data current as of 2/9/2012)

1. $999,000 : 12 Ninestone Ct, San Rafael
   
   4 beds, 3 full baths

   Home size: 2,785 sq ft

   Lot size: 1.38 ac

   Listing provided by Catherine Munson, LVPMARIN
2. $989,000 : 27 San Marino Dr, San Rafael
   
   3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 1,983 sq ft

   Lot size: 9,375 sq ft

   Listing provided by Stephen Pringle, Alain Pinel Realtors
3. $925,000 : 227 Spring Grove Ave, San Rafael
   
   5 beds, 3 full baths

   Home size: 2,695 sq ft

   Lot size: 16,204 sq ft

   Listing provided by Deborah Solvason, Bradley Real Estate-San Rafael
4. $919,000 : 31 Santiago Way, San Rafael
   
   4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths

   Home size: 2,556 sq ft

   Lot size: 15,682 sq ft

   Listing provided by Sherry Ramzi, Decker Bullock Sothebys International Realty

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

View all San Rafael Homes for Sale

Learn More

These are just three of Marin’s cities. If you are interested in moving to Marin, please contact us to get a more in-depth look at where you can afford to buy.

If you are interested in learning more about Marin County price trends, supply and demand and leading indicators, check out our weekly Marin Market Trends Report By City.

TIBURON: The Tiburon Holiday Festival takes place tonight and will feature an ice rink.  Ice skate by the Bay?  How cool is that?! There will also be a tree lighting ceremony, Christmas carolers, and lots of activities for kids including the holiday standard- gingerbread decorating.  The Tiburon festival takes place on Main Street in downtown Tiburon starting at 5:30 pm. More information at  shoptiburon.info.

SAN ANSELMO: The Town of San Anselmo will light up on Saturday night, December 4th with the annual Holiday Lighting Ceremony.  The event takes place on San Anselmo Avenue at 525 San Anselmo.  Santa will arrive in a firetruck! There will be free photos with Santa, music and more.

The event sponsored by the San Anselmo Chamber of Commerce takes place from 5:00-6:30 pm on Saturday.  Parking is available in the Creek, Magnolia Street, and Pine Street parking lots. More information:  415-454-2510

SAN RAFAEL: The Marin Symphony will be hosting Holiday Concert by Candlelight with the chamber choir, soloists and instruments (including my favorite- handbells!) on Saturday Sunday.  Tickets range from $25-30.  More information at www.marinsymphony.org

The seasons classic- The Nutcracker will be performed this weekend by the Stapleton Ballet for the 22nrd year.  The performances take place on Saturday and Sunday at 1pm and 5pm at the Marin Veteran’s Auditorium in San Rafael.  Tickets are $18-30.  More information:   www.stapletonschool.org.

NOVATO: Novato will also be lit up like a Christmas tree (so to speak!) on Saturday with the tree lighting ceremony in downtown Novato on Sherman Avenue.  The event starts at 4:30 and features special guests of honor- Santa and Mrs. Claus along with a variety of other activities.  More information:   www.downtownnovato.com.

Hope to see you out and about this holiday weekend.

Measure A is on the ballot this November in an effort to raise a $41 Million bond to fix the overcrowding in Ross Valley schools. Two thirds of classrooms at the White Hill Middle school campus are being conducted in deteriorating portables. In two years the high population of fourth graders will be entering sixth grade at White Hill School which is already beyond capacity. The parents of children in the Ross Valley school district put this video together to help inform the public.

Measure A costs $29 per $100,000 of your home’s assessed value. For more answers to your questions about prop A visit their website, or visit  Ross Valley Schools FAQ page.

One of the great things about Marin is the diverse array of cool neighborhoods to choose from when you’re deciding where to buy a home. We love so many of them for a variety of reasons and we’re constantly working to document them all in the Marin Neighborhoods section of the website, but we’ll also highlight areas that we think buyers should be sure to consider in our Neighborhoods to Watch series here on the blog.

One area we think can be a great choice for many buyers is the one surrounding San Francisco Blvd. and Memorial Park in San Anselmo. It’s got a lot of features we think make for a great Marin neighborhood:

• Being able to walk to get coffee, the grocery store or a good breakfast spot.

• Being close to the one of the best parks for kids in Marin where you can play baseball or play on the coolest play structures around.

• Having your own community garden where the kids can pick their own vegetables or collect eggs from the chickens.

• Living close enough so that your kids can walk to their elementary and high schools.

• Close to open space where you can hike or run the dog.

• Having a cool, funky neighborhood bar where you can grab an inexpensive cocktail without having to get in the car.

The area has all of these benefits while also being close enough so that you can ride your bike to downtown San Anselmo or Fairfax, and having a good selection of relatively affordable starter homes by Marin standards to boot. It’s definitely worth a look if you’re a home buyer considering San Anselmo.

To meet the increased demand the district is in the process of adding three kindergarten classes for the coming school year at Short Elementary, the formerly decommissioned school at Marin and Bayview in Gerstle Park. People in the enrollment office said they’ll also have a preschool for special needs kids at the site. They said to keep an eye on the district website for updates.

The Ross Valley School District is also working on options to handle increased enrollment in Fairfax and San Anselmo.  There’s been a lot of talk about reopening the Deer Park School as a K-5, but according to the website they’ll be deciding on a course of action by June.