AMP2 January 2026 Newsletter

January 7, 2026

Casa Nova • Golden Hinde • Homestead Terrace • Kruger Pines • Venetia Oaks

Holiday Light Spectacular!

Experience the wonder of winter like never before at the Holiday Light Spectacular! Your family, friends, and loved ones will enjoy a magical evening filled with dazzling light displays, twinkling pathways, great photo ops, and joyful surprises around every corner.

This is a free event.

4:00pm to 9:00pm daily, rain or shine, until January 4, 2026

Marin County Civic Center will feature nightly:

Illuminated North, South and Middle Arches.
An illuminated 4th Floor Dome at Marin County Free Library. Visit during business hours, 9am-6pm. Monday - Friday.

Repair Fair Is Coming Up!

Zero Waste Marin is working with non-profit Reuse Alliance to bring their free Repair Fairs to Marin County! In 2025, Zero Waste Marin worked with Reuse Alliance to host 10 Repair Fairs across all of Marin County. More are coming up!

What is a Repair Fair?

Repair Fairs are free events where community members can bring an item (lamp, bike, clothes, small appliances, etc.) for free repair. Rather than leaving and retuning later to pick up their item, attendees sit with a Repair Coach who explains their approach to fixing the item. The Coach and attendee work collaboratively to try to fix the item. Repair Fairs keep useful items out of the landfill and spread knowledge and love of reuse and repair!

How Do I Register an Item to Be Fixed?

The campaign for a federal holiday in Dr King’s honor began soon after his assassination in 1968. President Reagan signed the holiday into law in 1983, and it was first observed three years later on January 20, 1986. Official observance in each state’s law as well as federal law occurred in 2000.

Your MHA Contacts

Please reach out to Carrie Smith with any questions: csmith@marinhousing.org. Carrie is your MHA Housing Representative.

Your Program Specialist, Tashi Dhundup: dhundup@marinhousing.org.

Your Housing Director, Michelle Pupiro: mpupiro@marinhousing.org.

Annual Recertifications: We are here to help you complete your Annual Recertifications and interim changes when needed.

For forms and assistance, please reach out to Carrie Smith csmith@marinhousing.org or to Tashi Dhundup tdhundup@marinhousing.org.

Protect Yourself Against the Flu!

Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. Some people are at higher risk for severe illness and complications.

Protect Yourself From the Flu:

Get a flu vaccination every year: please visit your local pharmacy or doctor’s office and schedule a flu shot!
Stop the spread of germs every day, by washing your hands, cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and more prevention activities.
If you get sick, ask your health care provider if antiviral medication is right for you.

People 65 years and older are at higher risk of serious flu complications.

All Eyes on the Rose Parade!

Millions of people will take part in the New Year’s Day tradition of watching the Rose Parade. Broadcast live from Pasadena, the event awes viewers with its elaborate floats. Many of those are engineering marvels; even more amazing is that every inch of every float must be covered with flowers or other organic material such as leaves, seeds and bark.

Rose parade float with large koi fish made of flowers; city backdrop.

Dragon float in parade, green and colorful, with spectators lining the street.

Rose Parade float with large toucan figures and flowers, Pasadena, CA.

Classic Rock Thursdays With Madcap Labs, Live at Trek Wines

Groove to classic rock, jazz, and a few of our very own Pokémon tunes. Plus, enjoy beer, wine, cider, and flatbreads at this FREE all-ages show.

Gold record winner Ed Goldfarb is a longtime collaborator with Francis Ford Coppola, was Music Director for Beach Blanket Babylon, and is the music composer of Pokémon the Series. Nataan Hong and Lucas Holmes are popular Marin School of the Arts music graduates.

WHERE: Trek Wine, 1026 Machin Avenue, Novato

WHEN: January 1, 2026, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Chipotle Veggie Chili

Warm yourself from the inside with a steaming bowl of spicy chili.

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
1/2 teaspoon plus 1/8 teaspoon salt, divided
1/4 teaspoon pepper, divided
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 can (14 ounces) diced fire-roasted tomatoes
1 can (14 ounces) red beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (14 ounces) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup vegetable broth
1 can (7 ounces) chipotles in adobo sauce
2 cans (15 ounces each) sweet corn with liquid
2 limes, juiced

Directions:

In large Dutch oven or stockpot, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Stir and cook 5 minutes until onion is translucent. Add garlic and bell pepper; stir and cook 8 minutes until vegetables are soft.

Add tomatoes, beans, broth, chipotles and corn. Season with remaining salt and pepper. Simmer 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chili has thickened.

Squeeze lime juice into pot and stir. If desired, serve with garnishes such as guacamole, sour cream, jalapeño slices and fresh cilantro.

Protect Your Privacy Online

Data Privacy Day on Jan. 28 reminds us how important it is to keep our personal information secure, especially in this digital age. Use these tips to protect your data online:

On all your devices, keep apps and software up-to-date.
Use long, unique passwords for different accounts. Change them occasionally, or whenever there’s a security breach.
Enable multi-factor authentication for important accounts like banking and social media.
Turn off location and activity tracking on mobile apps, and regularly clear cookies on your browser.