San Anselmo: Book Sale, Police Front Counter Hours, Tax Rebates, Water-Wise Gardening, Energy Upgrade

Friends of the Library Book Sale

The Friends of the Library will hold their next book sale on Saturday, May 3, 2014, on the Town Hall lawn.  The sale will begin at 9:30 a.m. and close at 4 p.m.

Police Front Counter Hours

The front counter of the San Anselmo station of the Central Marin Police Authority will have extended open hours starting immediately.  The new hours are:

           Monday – Friday                     8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

            Saturday & Sunday                  9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., 1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

            Closed Holidays

Tax Rebates

San Anselmo property owners with a financial hardship due to unemployment, a catastrophic emergency, or low income are invited to apply for a rebate of the Town’s Municipal Services (also called “General Purpose”), Pension Override and Library Parcel Taxes.

The rebate program defines low income as below $25,935 for a one-person household, $29,535 for a two-person household, $33,235 for a three-person household, and $36,902 for a four-person household.  Rental property is not eligible to be considered for the rebate program.

The Town of San Anselmo’s Tax Equity Board reviews the applications, which must be filed by Monday, May 5, 2014.

For more information and application forms, please stop by the Administration Office on the second floor of Town Hall or contact Daria Carrillo at 258-4678.

In addition to utilizing a drip system, mulch and compost that we learned about last week, here are some ideas for saving water when growing vegetables:

·            Choose early ripening varieties and plant close together in blocks instead of rows to create shade for roots and reduce evaporation.

·            Chose plants that fit your growing conditions and try heirloom varieties adapted to hot climates.

·            Harvest fruits and vegetables as soon as they are ready, and pick up fallen and over-ripe fruits that may attract pests.

·            Grow fewer varieties and choose vegetables that will produce a lot of food on one plant, like tomatoes, squash and peppers.

Resources

·            Our Water Our World: www.OurWaterOurWorld.org, A wonderful collection of fact sheets with tips on healthy gardening, caring for roses, lawn care, and managing common pests.

·            UC Statewide IPM: www.ipm.ucdavis.edu Extensive information on managing pests and diseases that may affect drought-stressed plants.

·            Plants and Landscapes for Summer-Dry Climates, EBMUD, 2004. A perfect resource for choosing appropriate plants and designing your garden.

·            WaterSmart Gardening: www.watersmartgardening.com Plant lists, visual tours of gardens, watering guides, and resources all organized by county.

·            Your local water district: http://www.marinwater.org/136/Conservation.   MMWD has sections on water conservation, gardening and more.

·            Greywater Action: www.greywateraction.org – Ideas for using water from sinks, showers and washing machines to irrigate your garden.

Energy Upgrade California

Is your house leaking energy and money?  You can get rebates to upgrade now. 

Energy Upgrade California Home Upgrade is a one stop shop for Marin County homeowners to find everything they need to make home improvements that save energy, water and other natural resources.  The program connects you with qualified contractors who can plan and complete your project – and get you rebates to help pay for it.

Increasing your home’s efficiency isn’t just switching out light bulbs or adding low-flow showerheads – that is just the first step.  The next step is approaching your home as a complete system, with heating, air-conditioning, water and other systems working together more effectively to help lower your bills.  Home Upgrade provides the professional resources you need to take that “whole house” approach.

To speak with a Home Upgrade Advisor call:  (866) 878-6008.  Learn more at www.MarinCounty.org/EnergyUpgrade.

San Anselmo News, published weekly on Fridays, is available at the San Anselmo Town Hall, Library, and on the Public Notice Bulletin Board. It is also available on the Town’s website, www.townofsananselmo.org, and by email subscription.