Tiburon Peninsula voters will decide Nov. 5 whether to renew and extend an existing Reed Union School District parcel tax officials say is crucial to maintaining high-quality academic programs and keeping class sizes low at Del Mar Middle and Bel Aire and Reed Elementary schools. Measure E, a 12-year renewal of the existing tax, is on the ballot in the upcoming local election, where it’s the only measure being posed to peninsula voters. Residents of the school district, which covers Tiburon, Belvedere and a portion of East Corte Madera, are paying $589 under the current tax, which was approved in 2014 and carries an annual 3-percent escalator. If two-thirds of voters approve Measure E, the tax would be renewed at the $589 rate through June 2031. The tax would continue to carry a 3-percent annual increase, putting it about $815 by its expiration. 

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Before Maggie Mason started playing pickleball, she had some preconceived notions about the sport, which combines elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong. But after playing semi-regularly for the past two months — including taking a three-session introduction class to the sport at the Strawberry Recreation District — her perspective has changed. With more than 3 million current players of all ages in the U.S., pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country — and now Strawberry is getting in the game. (Frank Fennema photo / For The Ark)

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A bathroom break at a pivotal moment in a thrilling Tiburon Challenger finals match Sept. 29 led to a controversial penalty that helped first-seeded American Tommy Paul take home the top tournament prize. Australian finalist and eighth seed Thanasi Kokkinakis was penalized a full game for taking a long bathroom break between the second and third set of the final singles match. Paul then seized on the momentum, hitting a number of high-speed aces in the third set to dispatch the Australian and win the Challenger tournament 7-5, 6-7 (7-3) and 6-4. (Frank Fennema photo / For The Ark)

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Ryan Aytay of Tiburon was the top local finisher in the sixth annual Tiburon Half Marathon on Sept. 29, coming in 12th overall and sixth among men 40-49. Aytay, 42, finished the 13.1-mile loop from downtown Tiburon to the Strawberry peninsula in 1 hour, 28 minutes and 5 seconds. Amanda Boyd, 41, of Belvedere was the top local female finisher, coming in 64th overall and fourth in her age group of women 40-49 with a time of 1:41:28. (Frank Fennema photo / For The Ark)

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The 13th annual $100,000 Tiburon Challenger tennis tournament returns to the Tiburon Peninsula Club Sept. 22-29, bringing emerging men’s pro-circuit players from around the world while offering several special events focused on locals. The tournament kicks off 10 a.m.-noon Sept. 22 with the annual Kids’ Play Day, in which children ages 6-12 will have a chance to play noncompetitive games and meet the pros during a special exhibition performance and a courtside chat with players. The professional action begins with qualifying matches Sept. 23. Main-draw matches start the same day and run through Sept. 26. Quarterfinals are Sept. 27, semifinals the following day and finals on Sept. 29.

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