Week Ahead: Vote on Housing Element, Get Involved with Blue Ribbon Coalition and More

Want to get involved in your community? The Novato Blue Ribbon Coalition for Youth, which works to prevent underage drinking, is holding an orientation session on Tuesday. Come find out how you can contribute your passions, skills, or expertise to ensure Novato is a safe place to raise families and thrive. Food, drinks and child care provided. 6pm.

Also on Tuesday, the Novato City Council votes to certify the Final Environmental Impact Report on the Housing Element, the plan for upcoming development in the city. There are six projects on the table, although it’s highly unlikely that any will get built in the next year. The council will also consider approving the Housing Element. If it does not, Novato stands to lose out on some $900,000 in transportation funds from the state. Meeting starts at 6:30pm.

On Wednesday, take a walk at Rush Creek with a Marin County Regional Parks guide. The walk takes participants along the edge of a tidal wetland popular with waterfowl and shorebirds. You’ll see ducks in fresh breeding plumage and possibly even peregrine falcons and other raptors that frequent this spot during the winter months. Ages 15 and up.

Calling all local musicians, singers and spoken word artists! On Wednesday, Hopmonk Novato holds its weekly Open Mic in the Session Room, open to all ages. Sign in person at 7pm. Starts 7:30 and continues until 11:30pm. Performers get two songs or 8 minutes max, whichever comes first. There’s also a feature act that plays from 9pm to 9:30pm.

On Thursday help raise money for Homeward Bound of Marin by eating lunch or dinner at Rickey’s in Novato. Twenty percent of the proceeds will be donated to the organization’s homeless services program. Other restaurant partners include Il Fornaio in Corte Madera, Insalata’s and Marinitas in San Anselmo, Piatti Ristorante & Bar in Mill Valley, The Station House Café in Point Reyes Station, The Tavern at Lark Creek and Yankee Pier in Larkspur and Vin Antico in San Rafael.