Rachel Kertz for San Rafael

Busy day yesterday representing on the Cal Cities Community Services policy committee. I am one of the catalysts to help evolve the Cal Cities policy statement to support older adults.

Once finalized and approved, this statement will give Cal Cities staff and lobbyists the direction to advocate for legislation addressing the needs of Older Adults.

As we advocate for Racial Equity, we need to advocate for Older Adult Equity.

Existing Statement - Seniors

Cal Cities encourages cities to recognize seniors as a valuable state resource and to develop and improve intergenerational programs and activities. Cal Cities supports legislation that would provide funding for side-by-side day care facilities for California’s youth, adults, and seniors.

Proposed Statement (pending final edits and approval)

Older Adults

Cal Cities encourages cities to recognize older adults as a valuable state resource and to develop and improve programs, services, community planning, and opportunities. Cal Cities supports legislation that would provide funding for care facilities for California’s youth and adults of all ages. Cal Cities also supports policies that promote age-inclusive communities and address ageism. This includes efforts to ensure that older adults are integrated into the economic and civic life of their communities.

To learn more visit:

https://www.calcities.org/docs/default-source/advocacy/2026-summary-of-existing-policy-and-guiding-policies.pdf?sfvrsn=918fea96_1

What About Age? - Curious About Cannabis Explore how cannabis can enhance both wellness and leisure, to help you sleep, reduce anxiety, and to provide relief from pain

Please plan accordingly, give yourself plenty of time, and have lots of patience.

Beginning tomorrow, the Civic Center Drive / Manuel T. Freitas Parkway intersection will be fully closed from February 26 through approximately June 2026. This is due to a Caltrans project to construct a roundabout at the U.S. 101/Manuel T. Freitas Parkway interchange.

What to expect:

- No vehicle access through the intersection
- Traffic can exit from the north off-ramp at Freitas Pkwy, but can only turn left onto Freitas Pkwy
- Redwood Hwy accessible via Smith Ranch Rd; northbound on-ramp to remain open
- Civic Center Drive accessible via Merrydale Rd
- Longer travel times
- Walkway open for pedestrians

Detours list:
https://dot.ca.gov/caltrans-near-me/district-4/d4-news/2026-02-12-us101-full-closure-civic-center-drive

I’m truly honored to be recognized as a Community Impact Honoree at Ritter Center's Under the Stars on April 30, 2026.

For decades, Ritter Center has been a lifeline for our neighbors facing homelessness and housing instability—providing not just shelter, but integrated health care, mental health support, case management, and pathways to stability. Their work reflects the very best of our community: compassion paired with action, dignity paired with opportunity.

It is a privilege to stand with Supervisor Mary Sackett and Mario Lopez and this extraordinary organization, dedicated staff, volunteers, and partners who make this work possible.

I hope you’ll join us Under the Stars at Peacock Gap to celebrate impact, lift up our neighbors, and support Ritter Center’s mission to prevent and end homelessness in Marin.

Learn more and get involved: www.rittercenterunderthestars.org

New updates and changes. Please be aware of these changes and plan accordingly.

ADVISORY: Full closure scheduled for Civic Center Drive, Redwood Highway as part of Freitas Parkway roundabout project in San Rafael

You will still be able to exit the freeway and go west onto Freitas but you will not be able to turn either right (to go to the mall or civic center) or left (professional parkway)

Roundabout project at Manuel T. Freitas Parkway/US-101 interchange | Caltrans State of California

The exhibit is on display through May 6th. Please take the time to visit. Recognizing and addressing ageism is critical to how we strengthen and support our communities.

The exhibit is at the Civic Center 1st and 3rd Floors (same building as the library)

A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL WHO ATTENDED THE OPENING!

Some art you glance at. Some art stops you in your tracks.

Last week's opening reception for "What About Age?" on loan from NYU Art in Public Places, had people stopping in their tracks. The exhibit examines ageism, a pervasive form of discrimination that affects everyone and consists of our attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors towards ourselves and others based on age. This exhibit uses art to challenge aging stereotypes and bridge generations. Local senior and youth artists (Youth In Arts) partnered to create collaborative works, proving that creativity knows no age limit.

Dr. Stacey Gordon, the exhibit's original curator, made the trip from NYC to share the story behind "What About Age?" - from its New York debut to why making ageism visible matters for building age-friendly communities. Exhibition design by Pamela Jean Tinnen, Lead Curator NYU Kimmel Windows. Artwork by Aubrey Hirsch.

But here's what really made the night special: the conversations. Watching different generations engage with each other, hearing Youth in Arts student artists share their creative process, and art teachers sharing their experience working with the student artists. One teacher shared the moment when two of her tween students had their minds absolutely blown discovering she was once also a tween. Those authentic, unscripted moments are magical.

Additional programming focused on aging will be presented by Vivalon. For the most up-to-date program information click the link below: https://bit.ly/4thv93W

A big thank you to Classic Culinaire Catering Service for the incredible food.

🗓 On display through May 6, 2026
📍 Marin County Civic Center — First & Third Floors
➡️ Enter through the South Arch
Open 9 AM - 6 PM Monday - Friday

Thank you to the following organizations:
Marin Cultural Association, Youth-in Art, Vivalon, Kaiser Permanente, CHAI at NYU Marin Community Foundation NYU Silver School of Social Work NYU Kimmel Windows The Wrinkle Project

Thank you to Classic Culinaire Catering Service for the incredible food

The launch of the exhibit is here. Stop by the Civic Center 1st and 3rd fl (same building as the library) anytime before May 6th.

Good news to share.

US-101 Marin-Sonoma Narrows Carpool Lanes Update

UPDATE on Dec. 18: Caltrans and its transportation partners have agreed to reduce HOV hours in early 2026 in both Marin and Sonoma counties. Permanent HOV hours will be decided by the end of January and scheduled to be changed in February. The exact hours will be determined after Caltrans completes its traffic analysis along the US-101 corridor.

https://dot.ca.gov/caltrans-near-me/district-4/d4-projects/hwy-101-marin-sonoma-narrows-carpool-lanes-update #:~:text=HOV%20lane%20hours%20and%20directions,the%20evenings,%20Monday%20through%20Friday.