There's plently do do in and around the Twin Cities this weekend, based on all the cool stuff listed on the Larkspur Corte Madera Patch Events Calendar • Mimi the Sardine kicks off a two-day grand opening spectacular in Corte Madera on Friday with its “Eat, Spill, Be Happy Fest.” The event includes wine tasting, kids art workshops, cheese and rye bread slicing demos and tasting, live music, fusion finger foods, coffee and pastries from a local bakery, an open house by a local cookbook author, and more. The store is located at 305 Montecito Avenue. The festivities will run between 10 a.m. – 8 …

Thursday, Oct. 13 Highlights: • Mayor Larry Chu, Ann Morrison and Brad Marsh will be in the spotlight at Thursday night's Larkspur City Council election debate at 7 p.m. The three candidates are running for two open seats in the Nov. 8 election. Another council post will be filled by appointment after the election. The debate, at 501 Via Casitas in Greenbrae, will be moderated by the League of Women Voters. Mayor Chu and Marsh already met once in a televised debate, which is available online. • Supervisor Steve Kinsey will be the guest of honor at Thursday night's Lions Club of Corte Madera …

Looking for fun or a way to make a difference? Here are five things you can do today: • Dr. Kimberly Allison is the director of Seattle's Breast Pathology at University of Washington Medical Center, where she specializes in breast cancer diagnosis. She diagnosed breast cancer in so many others, but never expected to find it in her own body. Allison is scheduled to visit Marin Cancer Institute Wednesday, 5:30-7:30 p.m., to discuss her own story of discovery and determination as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Allison is in a unique position as she shares her experiences as a patient and…

Here are five reasons to get out of the house today: • TV chef/mad scientist Alton Brown is spending the day in the Twin Cities today. Brown will stop by Book Passage in Corte Madera at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday to get things cooking with his latest kitchen adventures Good Eats 3: The Later Years. If that makes you hungry, you might want to stop by Left Bank Brasserie at 6:30 p.m. for dinner with Brown. Tickets for the dinner are $140 each, including the meal, wine, coffee, tax, tip and a signed copy of his new book.• Ever wonder what it takes to get out of a nice, warm bed before dawn and dive into …

• Federal offices will be closed today, along with many state, county and city offices. • The screen at the Century Cinema in Corte Madera is just big enough to capture all the action and thrills of The Raiders of the Lost Ark. The Mill Valley Film Festival presents a 30th anniversary screening of the amazing adventure film that helped make Harrison Ford a superstar. Fans are invited to come dressed in their fedoras and leather jackets, but leave the bullwhips at home, please. • The Larkspur Citizen Advisory Committee will meet at Town Hall tonight from 6:30-8:30 p.m. to discuss trails, …

Iconic MarinVisit Gallery Bergelli for a unique perspective on Marin through Bryn Craig's paintings. The free exhibition continues through October 19. The gallery is located at 483 Magnolia Ave., Larkspur.Arabian NightsThe College of Marin Drama Department offers a "pay what you will" preview of its upcoming production of Arabian Nights. Enter the big tent on the Kentfield Campus main lawn and be swept into the fabled 1001 tales of Sheherezade. The show starts at 8 p.m.Farmers MarketsFresh berries steal the show at the local farmers' markets. Stop by the Corte Madera Town Center on Wednesday…

Cool for SchoolThe public is invited to tour Neil Cummins Elementary School on Tuesday and Wednesday for a meeting to discuss the challenges facing the Larkspur-Cote Madera School District. The district has placed a facilities bond on the November ballot which, if passed, would help fund the construction of a new school to relieve anticipated overcrowding. Meet with Superintendent Valerie Pitts at the school gym, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Building a Path in LarkspurThe Larkspur Citizens Advisory Committee for the General Plan meets tonight, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at City Hall. The CAC will discuss the …

The Corte Madera Town Council recently identified its top priorities, but they're the same priorities that every local government faces. What do you think are the top concerns in your town? Vote for your chief priority, or suggest another concern.

FUN UNDER THE REDWOODSThe Tavern at Lark Creek continues its Biergarten in The Grove series on Sunday, with traditional German fare and entertainment. The fun continues Monday night with the new weekly Ballroom & Dining Room series. Learn the foxtrot, then settle in for a three-course prix fixe dinner by chef Aaron Wright. Classes start at 6 p.m., with dinner at 7 p.m. $40 includes dance lessons. Space is limited.FOOD AND MUSICEnjoy a cup of coffee and a snack Sunday while listening to the jazz sounds of Lili Layton & Friends at the Corte Madera Town Center clock tower, 2-4 p.m.REDWOOD …

National Gleaning Day Students and volunteers can harvest the ingredients for a healthy school lunch right from the farm today in recognition of National Gleaning Day.The Marin Organic Glean Team will glean leftover crops from the fields of Star Route Farms at 95 Olema Bolinas Road in Bolinas starting at 4 p.m. The gleaning efforts support the Marin Organic School Lunch and Gleaning Program. Pre-registration is not required.The school lunch program, which serves more than half of the county's public and private schools, offers more than 10,000 students the choice of healthy organic foods, …

LARKSPUR ELECTIONS: The deadline for candidates to file to run for Larkspur City Council has been extended to Wednesday, Aug. 17. Candidates are advised to get their paperwork in early. COUNCIL MEETINGS: The Corte Madera Town Council meets Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. The Larkspur City Council meets Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. Twin Cities Police Chief Todd Cusimano has written a report for both meetings regarding the plan to share services with the San Anselmo Police Department. FARMERS MARKETS: Fresh berries steal the show at the local farmers' markets. Stop by the Corte Madera Town Center on Wednesday, …

BOOK PASSAGE Brandi Lynn Ryder talks about her suspense novel at Book Passage on Monday, August 8 at 7:00 p.m. In Malice, Quite Close French ex-pat Tristan Mourault is the wealthy, urbane heir to a world-renowned collection of art and an insatiable pervert. He becomes fixated on a 15-year-old girl in San Francisco. He decides to kidnap her and stage her death to mask his true crime. BEES/CHICKENS WORKSHOP The Corte Madera Planning Commission Workshop to discuss the keeping of bees and chickens will be held Tuesday, August 9 at 7:30 p.m. at Corte Madera Town Hall.  The agenda, staff Report and…

Here's some news about upcoming events in the area: MEETINGS CANCELLED: There will be no Corte Madera Town Council meeting on Tuesday, also tonight's Flood Control Board meeting is cancelled. Wednesday's regularly-scheduled Larkspur City Council meeting is cancelled. MOVIE NIGHT: The Wednesday night Movie on the Green series at Marin Country Mart continues this week with Ratatouille, from 6-8 p.m. on the green. FARMERS MARKETS: Fresh berries steal the show at the local farmers markets. Stop by the Corte Madera Town Center on Wednesday, noon-5 p.m., and Marin Country Mart on Saturday, 9 a.m.-2…

CLASSES • The Marin Cancer Institute is hosting "Foods for Health" with Jeannine Vitall-Schulz, RD and Janet Dresser, RN and chef. The class begins at 5:30 p.m. • Concussions are being taken more seriously in light of recent injuries. The Marin County Office of Education is working with the Marin Brain Injury Network to educate parents and students about the effects of concussions with the "Heads Up" Forum today, from 5-6:30 p.m., at the Marin County Office of Education in San Rafael. • A free bicycle safety class is being offered today, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at Marin General Hospital. Think you …

FAMILY TIME• Join the party during afternoon storytime at the Corte Madera Library, today at 3:30 p.m. The free session is designed for children ages 5-8.• The Larkspur Library presents Baby Bounce Storytime today and every Tuesday, from 9:30-10 a.m. The free program is designed for children ages 6-24 months and their parents and caregivers. For details, call 415-927-5005.SCHOOLS• The Tamalpais Union High School District Board meets at 7 p.m. tonight at Redwood High School. The Board is expected to take action on proposed staffing guidelines among other elements.SPORTS• Redwood High School …

ENVIRONMENT• Peter Coyote talks with actor and activist Ted Danson about "Oceana: Our Planet's Endangered Oceans and What We Can Do to Save Them." The lecture, part of a series at Dominican University, begins at 7 p.m. The event is free, but guests can receiver preferred seating with the purchase of Danson's book at Book Passage in Corte Madera.• Learn ways to reuse common items you have around the house to give them new life during this Earth Day-inspired crafting class at Paper Source in the Corte Madera Town Center, 7-9 p.m. SPORTS• School's out for the day, but there's still plenty of …

MUSIC• The 17-piece Ray Simpson Big Band is swinging tonight at 8 p.m. at the Corte Madera Recreation Center. You'll hear arrangements created by the late Ray Simpson, along with favorites from Count Basie, Les Brown, Jimmy Lunceford, Duke Ellington, Stan Kenton, and Glenn Miller. You can simply sit and listen to the band's crooners and guest singers perform favorites like, "It Had to Be You," and "Mack the Knife" or get out on the floor and dance the night away! The band is a perennial Italian Street Painting Festival favorite and fills the Main Hall at the Corte Madera! Come on over! For …

SPORTS• Redwood High School hosts two events Monday at 4 p.m. The girls soccer team plays Napa High and the softball team takes on Windsor High. Games are subject to change due to weather.ARTS & MUSIC• Rock historian Richie Unterberger will show rare film clips of some of the greatest and most important women in the history of rock. This list includes Brenda Lee, Aretha Franklin, Dusty Springfield, Grace Slick and more. The free presentation, held at Redwood High School's Little Theater at 7 p.m., is open to all.• James Dunn and the College of Marin players take to the stage through March …

NOTE: Tuesday's regularly scheduled Corte Madera Town Council meeting has been cancelled. RECREATIONDrop in on the Wildcats for a game of Wiffle Ball. This Larkspur Recreation program is designed to give people with special needs an outlet for physical activity. Games are played every Tuesday at Hall Middle School's gym, 6:15-7:30 p.m. The drop-in charge is $5. For information, call (415) 927-5110.• Holly Salamun teaches Hatha Yoga for adults at the Marin Art & Garden Center, 30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. The class is open to all and meets 4:30-5:30 p.m. For more details, call (415) 453-6020 or …

GOVERNMENTThe Corte Madera Parks and Recreation Commission meets Monday at 7 p.m. at Town Hall. Agenda topics include reinstating a youth advocate on the commission and a discussion about security doors at park restrooms. There will be time for public comment.• The Marin County Planning Commission meets Monday, 10 a.m., at the Marin Civic Center. On the agenda is the proposed Master Plan Amendment to the Spirit Rock Meditation Center. There will be time for public comment.RECREATIONThe Larkspur Walkers meet weekly Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at Piper Park at 9 a.m. for a three-mile, round…