–Rush Creek is a wonderful family hiking or biking spot, complete with amazing bird watching opportunities. It is a relatively dry trail, not muddy, due to the rolling terrain and tree canopy.
There are several access points to the preserve. I am featuring the more remote Bahia Avenue today. Off of Atherton Avenue, take a left on Bugeia Lane, the lane will change names and become Bahia Avenue. Drive all the way to the end of Bahia and look for the trailhead on the left. Once you reach the trailhead, follow the trail that runs along the wooden fence, not the trail going up.
Here is a little history about the area, in 2003, the Marin Audubon Society (MAS) purchased 632 acres of land with the intent to keep a small portion. They deeded 208 acres to Marin Open Space and 361.7 acres to the Department of Fish and Game.
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Due to MAS's generous donation you can hike or bike along this rolling single track trail, along the recently restored Bahia Tidal Marsh. Bring binoculars, water and a snack so you can linger and view the shorebirds, swans, ducks, egrets and clapper rails.
In addition to birds, keep an eye out for little white mission bells and winter irises blooming. Dogs must be on leash at all times, as this is a protected area. Now decide how long you want to hike and turn back and hike back to Bahia Avenue.
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–Kids under 10 eat for free every Wednesday at , 349 Enfrente Road, Ignacio with the purchase of an adult entrée. For more information, call 883-6292
–It is not spring, but with this inclement weather now is a great time to make room for the presents you received over the holidays. Have the kids sort through their toys and clothes and make a tax deductible donation, before the New Year. Consider donating to :
Goodwill, a drop-off truck is behind the 936 7th St. store and one is also behind Vintage Oaks shopping center, every day from 8:30 a.m. -5 p.m.
Hospice by the Bay's , 910 Grant Ave. 893-9036. Drop-off behind Hodgpodge Store on Scown Lane 10 a.m. -4 p.m.
St. Francis of Assisi, 967 5th St., 898-4659. Drop off 11 a.m. -3 p.m., Monday-Saturday.
–There is no lap-sit story time today at the , but there is preschool story time for kids aged 3-6. Preschool story time is from 11-11:30 a.m. at the library, 1720 Novato Blvd. This event is free and registration is not required.
— Sit down with your kids and watch Novato Public Access TV (NPAT) host Shirley Graves interview Dr. Gary Gruber about his newest book, "The World's 200 Hardest Brain Teasers: Mind-Boggling Puzzles, Problems, and Curious Questions to Sharpen Your Brain." Dr. Gruber is nationally recognized as an expert on the SAT. He has sold more than 7 million books on the subjects of logic, creativity, problem solving, critical thinking and test-taking. The show airs every Wednesday night in December at 8 p.m. on NPAT Channel 26.
[Editor's note: On Jan. 1, 2011, the name Hospice of Marin was corrected to Hospice by the Bay]
