Fall 2013 - San Geronimo Valley Community Center

Transcription

Autumn 2013
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The Journal of the San Geronimo Valley Community Center
Honoring the School and Community Center
Partnership: Heart ♥f the Valley Gala 2013
By Dave Cort
Valley Family Jamfest
This year at the Community Center’s Annual Gala on September 28, we
are honoring two amazing people who embody a healthy, thriving community. Larry Enos and Sally Hutchinson have been our Valley’s shining
stars for close to forty years educating two generations of Valley children
at the Lagunitas School District. Their careers as educators in the San
Geronimo Valley have been unmatched and their child-centered educational approach has never waivered. Larry and Sally are the ultimate children and youth advocates. I hope that many of you will join us at the San
Geronimo Golf Course on September 28 to celebrate Larry and Sally.
September 8, 5:00 PM
Larry is currently the Superintendent of the Lagunitas School District
and Bolinas School District. He has served the students and families in
our community since 1976 as a PE teacher, a classroom assistant, a classroom teacher, Principal and Superintendent. Sally has been a teacher in
the Lagunitas Middle School since 1975. The legend is that Sally hired
Larry in 1976 to be her classroom assistant. As they worked together
over the first few years, their relationship grew and their partnership
evolved as a couple. Larry and Sally have two children, Chelsea and
Dylan who are now in their twenties.
In 1994 acting as Superintendent and Principal of the Lagunitas School
District, Larry collaborated with Steve Kinsey, Dave Cort, and Brian Dodd to
write a Healthy Start Planning Grant. This grant provided significant funding for four years to formalize the partnership between the Lagunitas School
District and its community partners. What has grown and evolved from this
funding is fully enmeshed in our Valley. Family Advocacy, Health and Mental
Health Services, Nutrition and School Garden Programs, Emotional Literacy
Classes, Youth Empowerment Programs, Parent and Community Education
Programs, Safety Net Support for children and families, all which are thriving Sally Hutchinson & Larry Enos (photo by Anne McClain)
today, are linked to this Healthy Start Grant. The “crown jewel” of the partnership is the Community Gym and LOFT Youth Center and all of the programming for children, youth, adults, and seniors that takes place
in this facility. None of this would have happened without educators like Larry and Sally who fully embraced this level of collaboration.
Larry Enos, Steve Rebscher, and I collaborated on an article last year in Stone Soup about our Valley Community. In the article we
wrote, “the level of activity that takes place on a daily basis, year around, underscores the effectiveness of the partnership between
the Lagunitas School District and San Geronimo Valley Community Center. Building and sharing facilities and creating meaningful programs are the first steps in offering a positive environment to support personal and academic development not only for our
children, but also for our community at large. Recognizing that learning is a lifelong activity, that it doesn’t stop because the school
bell rings, and that we share responsibility for insuring that we have positive attitudes about educational opportunities for our
entire community is the cornerstone of the long standing and effective partnership.
(continued on page 9)
Inside!
Performing Arts & Events Valley Resource Center
Valley Family Jam Fest, Page 10
Reading by Barbara Swift Brauer, Gerald
Fleming & Molly Giles, Page 10
Gallery Art Shows, Page 11
Visual Arts, Page 11
Betsy Salkind, Page 11
Grow Your Own—Cultural Programming in
Immigrant Communities, Page 11
Holiday Arts Faire, Page 11
San Geronimo Valley Community Center
PO Box 194, San Geronimo, CA 94963
Horizons, Page 4
Senior Programs, Pages 4 & 5
School Readiness Program, Page 5
Food Bank Banter, Page 5
Community News
Healthy Community Collaborative Updates,
Pages 14-15
Marin County Parks, Page 16
Valley Back-to-School Healthy Basics,
Page C-1
The Usual
Rolling Stones, Page 2
Volunteer Profile, Page 3
Volunteers, Page 3
The Loft, Page 6
Milestones, Page 6
Lagunitas School District, Page 6
Gym Update, Page 7
Summer Internship 2013 Recap, Page 7
Summer Camp 2013, Page 7
Fund Development, Page 8
Thank You, Donors, Page 8
ECR WSS
Postal Customer
Heart of the Valley Gala, Pages 1 & 9
Alphabet Soup, Page 12
Q & Artist, Page 12
Wilderness Calls, Page 13
Community Wellness, Page 13
Valley Environmental News, Page 13
Movie Muse, Page 16
Community Calendar, Page 20
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Lagunitas, CA
Permit No. 1
Valley Health Day
Rolling Stones
Thursday, October 3 at the Community Center
by Dave Cort, Executive
Director
A day-long fun-filled event for the
entire community
Recently I had the opportunity to participate at a
Marin County Division of Aging conference which
was titled “It’s Never Too Late to Live, Love, Laugh,
and Learn.” The Marin County Commission on Aging
cosponsored the event and I attended with some of my
fellow Community Center staff members. Two of the
speakers at the conference were Marin IJ columnist
Beth Ashley and her husband Rowland Fellows. I have
been a big fan of Beth’s columns in the Marin IJ for
years. I was especially appreciative of Beth in the early
2000’s when she wrote an in-depth feature story on the Community Center’s Arts and
Events program. This article really helped us increase our audience and countywide interest in the Community Center’s arts activities.
Beth retired a few years ago, but she continues to write columns for the IJ twice a month.
Many of her recent columns have been about her marriage to Rowland and their travels
around the world. Beth is now age 87 and Rowland is 88. They were married a few years
ago after being out of touch with each other for over 50 years. I find their story fascinating. Beth, through her columns, gives a tremendous amount of insight into a loving
relationship as a couple approaches their 90’s. I have been blessed to be with my wife
“Howie” since we were in our early 20’s. Last month we celebrated our 30th wedding
anniversary and I’m really hoping that we have at least 30 more to celebrate. I think that
Howie has the same vision, so we look to couples like Beth and Rowland for guidance.
Good health—exercise regularly, get those hearing aids, make sure you eat a healthy
diet, and don’t forget to take your meds.
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Have enough money to head off misery, starvation or debilitating stress.
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Have at least one strong relationship with another human being — spouse, relative,
friend.
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Have or get a pet.
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Grow something. Vegetables, fruit, or flowers.
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Improve something in and around your home.
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Learn something—read, take a class, or attend a lecture.
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Keep your sense of humor.
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If you’re annoyed at someone and angry enough to explode, count to 10 before you
say anything.
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If you’re really annoyed, count to 100.
Free flu shots, testing, screenings, and
complimentary health services for
people of all ages
Our entire Community Center staff
and dozens of volunteers will be on
hand from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm to
provide our Valley with access to a
variety of health information and
services, including screenings for
blood pressure, diabetes, flu shots and
homeopathic remedies, breast exams,
referrals and more.
Here’s what the day will look like:
10:00 am – Noon: Young families with children 0-5 years and their parents in Room 9
Noon – 1:00 pm: Flu immunizations in the West Room for school staff
Noon – 2:00 pm: Senior Lunch, Food Bank for Seniors and Immunizations
With all of this in mind at the conference Rowland shared his “10 essentials for growing
old happily.” Here’s Rowland’s list which I jotted down; it also appeared in Beth’s IJ column on May 28, 2013.
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Prevention, Healthy Eating and
Active Living, Information, Resources
and Referrals
2:00 – 5:00 pm: Health Fair for All, Food Tasting, Food Bank
Our Valley Health Day is supported by grants from Marin County Health and Human Services
and from Kaiser-Permanente Community Benefit Program with in-kind support from Dominican
University staff and students.
I thought that this would be an excellent list to share with all of you. I am getting to
work on it. I feel extremely blessed to be in a 30 plus year relationship right here in
our beautiful San Geronimo Valley. I look forward to seeing you at our annual Gala on
September 28 at the San Geronimo Golf Course where we will celebrate another amazing
couple, Sally Hutchinson and Larry Enos.
Credits
Community Center Wish List
Stone Soup is printed four times a year and reflects the diverse cultural interests of the
Community Center and the Valley. Though it is a publication of the San Geronimo
Valley Community Center, it is meant as a journal for everyone in or around the
Valley. We are interested in your input. If you have any comments, ideas for articles
or columns, news, art, stories, poetry, photography, or information for the Milestones
column, please forward them to: The Stone Soup Editorial Committee c/o San
Geronimo Valley Community Center, 6350 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. P.O. Box 194, San
Geronimo, CA 94963. Phone 415-488-8888 • Fax: 488-9398 • email: admin@sgvcc.
org, or visit www.sgvcc.org.
Stone Soup does not exercise editorial control on the content of submissions by
organizations, byline columnists, or display ads. We reserve the right to refuse to
publish ads or submissions.
Editorial Committee: Barbara & Larry Brauer, Dave Cort, Suzanne Sadowsky, Christin
Anderson
Proofreading: Dave Cort, Hannah Doress, Larry Rippee, Suzanne Sadowsky
Production: Barbara & Larry Brauer, Wordsworth
Printing: Marin Sun
Ads: Larry Rippee
Center Board of Directors:
Anne McClain, President
John Carroll, Vice President
Marian H. Cremin, LCSW, Treasurer
Barbara S. Brauer, Secretary
Christin Anderson
John Beckerley
Jean Berensmeier, Founder
Page 2 SGV Community Center Stone Soup
Lila Friday
David Lakes
Alexander McQuilkin
Carol Rebscher
If you would like to help the Center by donating any of these items or becoming a volunteer, please call Poko
at 488-8888, ext. #250 or email [email protected]. We look forward to thanking you in the next issue of
Stone Soup!
The Office:
• Copy paper is always welcome, recycled if you can • tape • pencils • dry erase markers • permanent markers
• Feng Shui consultant or organizer
• Volunteers, web designers, events planners, special guest hosts!
• Air Purifier with ultraviolet capacity
• Volunteer painters and carpenters
• New iMac for Suzanne
The Arts/Events Department:
• Powered monitors • Direct box • SM58 microphones • auction items • piano bench
• Inkind support needed: Skilled painters, Skilled graphic design, Sound Operators, Fund raising
The Kitchen:
• Strong volunteers to help move food at the Food Bank on Thursdays
• Teachers for a one-time cooking class! • Dish towels • Cookware — pots, pans, cookie sheets, etc.
• Food Bank Volunteers, skilled and unskilled.
The Loft
• Large area rug • Coat rack • Paper • Wii games • DVDs
• Prizes for raffles • AA batteries • Wii controllers
• Tools • Event Volunteers • Soccer balls, kick balls — in excellent condition, please!
Don’t forget that donations of food are always welcome at the Food Bank, so organize a food drive at your
church, community or youth group today, and we’ll specially thank you in the next issue of Stone Soup!
Volunteer Profile:
Jack Sayers
by Howie Cort
If you’re anywhere near the
Community Gym on a Sunday
afternoon, you’ll see him moving
Table Tennis tables across the
community gym floor. “Hey, who
is that guy?” Well it’s Jack Sayers.
For the past three years, Jack has
volunteered his time, just about
every Sunday afternoon, to open
the gym and set up multiple tables
for kids and adults to sharpen their
table tennis skills. After spending an
afternoon volleying with Jack, you
will come away with a new serve or
spin by the time you walk out the
gym door. Not only that, you’ll have the opportunity to meet and play folks who enjoy the game
of table tennis. You don’t need to bring a paddle to play and it doesn’t matter what your skill
level is. Just show up and Jack will provide you with everything you need, including helpful hints
to improve your game. If you’re looking for great way to spend Sunday afternoons with your
family or friends, show up at the gym between 3 and 6 pm and find out how much fun you can
have playing table tennis!
Wait there’s more….Jack also volunteers his time on Thursdays after the Senior Lunch. All seniors are invited to join Jack in the gym, from 1:00 until 2:00 pm, on Thursdays to grab a paddle,
work on their game, make new friends and get exercise at the same time!
Community Table Tennis: Sunday 3:00–6:00 pm
Senior Table Tennis: Thursday 1:00–2:00 pm
Community Night
The Center has a long history of offering Community Nights for programs of interest
to people in the Valley. We make the space available to community members who have
some program that they want to offer. If you have an idea for a Community Night presentation, please call Suzanne at the Center at 488-8888, ext. #251.
The Healthcare Movie
October 2, 7:00 pm
Valley Room
Full-length documentary narrated by Kiefer Sutherland
Community member Alan Lubow is offering this free viewing of The Healthcare Movie
on behalf of Health Care for All-Marin, a non-profit 501(c)4 organization that works to
build support for single payer health care in California.
From the film’s website:
“This documentary provides the real story of how the health care systems in Canada and
the United States evolved to be so completely different, when at one point they were
essentially the same. Most people under the age of 50, in both countries, are not aware
of the intensity of the political struggle that led to the universal medical care system in
Canada. Nor are they aware of the public relations campaigns, still active today, that have
been prevalent in the United States since the early 1900’s to dissuade the public from
supporting national health care.
“Produced by Canadian/American couple Laurie Simons and Terry Sterrenberg, The
Healthcare Movie reveals the personal and emotional impact on Canadians who now have
access to universal health care because of the heroism of people who took a stand nearly
50 years ago. It also reveals the continuing struggle in the United States for the right to
quality health care for all people.”
Facility Rentals Available
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For gatherings large and small, consider holding your next event
at the Community Center!
Option A: Four-hour minimum rental of Valley Room, West Room, Lobby and
Kitchen starting at $250.
Option B: Individual room rentals $30/hr, $25 each additional hour.
Community Gym and Loft hourly rentals available; ask for details.
Rental discounts for community events and for Community Center contributors.
For more information, contact Poko at 488-8888, #250, or [email protected].
Become an SGVCC volunteer!
Thousands of people enjoy the services provided at the San Geronimo Valley Community
Center and we need volunteers to help us keep our programs running smoothly. We love
working with youth and adults who have community service hours as well as others who
like to volunteer on a one-time or ongoing basis. Below is a list of some of the volunteer
opportunities that we provide. If you have any other questions about volunteer opportunities at the Center, please call 488-8888 and just ask. We always could use a hand around the
Center whether it’s light maintenance, organization duties or just lending a hand with daily
activities.
SENIOR LUNCH
Come help set-up, serve, and enjoy “old” friends, or come and play music, read your poetry,
or share your life story.
FACILITIES
We always need a little help keeping the Center beautiful! There are landscaping, light carpentry, and general maintenance needs that are always cropping up.
SEE AN EVENT YOU ESPECIALLY LIKE?
We are always looking for people to help with events. We need community hosts to email
your network (personally invite 10 friends to come). We need volunteers to set up chairs,
design and/or hand out flyers, sell cookies, run sound, etc., etc. If you see an event you are
especially excited about and want to get involved, we would love to hear from you!
MEET NEW PEOPLE FOR A GOOD CAUSE
The Arts & Events department is looking for friendly, outgoing people who like to meet
new people and go to events — to hand out flyers about the Community Center’s upcoming events. This is a great way to get out in the community, attend interesting events, and
meet new, exciting people. All ages and types of people are welcome to participate. Let us
know what kinds of events you like to attend. Hannah has met hundreds of interesting
people flyering and met her spouse while ushering!
STROLL IN POINT REYES STATION AND WEST MARIN FOR A GOOD CAUSE
We are looking for people who like to walk and enjoy window shopping or actual shopping
to help us get our event posters up in store windows in Marin. Let us know the neighborhood you enjoy and get some exercise, find cool finds and meet interesting shop-owners and
workers while helping the Community Center and independent artists!
AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS
Help with tutoring or drive for field trips.
VOLUNTEERS
The following people volunteered in the Community Center’s Food Bank, Senior
Lunches, Arts and Events, School Readiness, School Dances, Gardening and Maintenance.
Thank you!!! We apologize if anyone was accidentally left off the list. Please let us know
and we will add your name!
Alejandro Alvarado
Gisela Alvarado
Luis Alvarez
Kristy Arroyo
Betsy Ayers
Andrew Bailey
Bard Bailey
Cathy Bailey
Al Baylacq
Dakota Baylacq
Lisa Baylacq
Patricia Benito
Cecilio Trididad Benito
Geoff Bernstein
Beverly Berrish
Nancy Bertlesen
Sarah Brewster
Heidi Calderon
Sadie Carter
Jacob Carter
Josh Carter
Alan Charne
Eddie Joe Chavez
Susan Chavez
Laurie Chorna
Daley Cort
Janet Cort
Sadie Cort
Kathryn Cowen
Dorothy Cox
Donn DeAngelo
Gaetano DeFelice
Sorcha Dolan
Dan Emery
Michaela Fleming
Roberta Floden
Laura Flores
Spencer Gapinski
Tealy Gapinski
Maria Marta Garcia
Maria Garcia
Andrew Giacomini
Antony Giacomini
Giovanni Giacomini
Rakanui Giacomini
Susi Giacomini
Cathleen Glaubinger
Dave Glaubinger
Minouche Graglia
Libby Grant
Steve Granville
Melinda Greer
Jim Griffiths
Libby Groutt
Joy Estela Hanson
Zoe Harris
Ed Healy
Abi Hernandez
Miguel Hernandez
Erin Hill
Don Holmlund
Shirley Holmlund
Michael Howe
Kelly Hunt
Kyle Isaacs
Mindee Jeffery
Doug Jones
Muniera Kadrie
Jack Kamesar
Karlan Kepcke
Jean Kinsey
Veronica Buros Kleinberg
Michel Kotski
Jennifer Lawrence
Inanna LeFevre
Leonard Leinow
Skye LePonto
Joelle Levy
Pete Lind
Michael Loeb
Al Lubow
Becky Maloney
Cipriano Martinez
Ester Martinez Socorro Martinez
Kelly Mason
John McNeil
Diana McNeil
Alexander McQuilkin
Catherine McQuilkin
Michael McQuilkin
Will McQuilkin
Marty Meade
Diana Muhic
Douglas Mundo
Amy Nestler
Para O’Siochain
Peter Oppenheimer
Asher Padua-Freund
Dave Pesce
Marsha Phipps
Cindy Purkey
Laura Flores Ramirez
Ramon Ramirez
Jonah Rasmussen
Molly Rea
Sam Rippee
Jeannette Rosen
Marty Rosenblum
Debra Ruff
Michael Ruggles
Jack Sayers
Anastasia Sheldon
Steve Shimm
Gina Smith
Liora Soladay
Jay Soladay
Sean Sullivan
Tom Tabakin
Angelina Vicenzio
Felipa Vincenzio
JeanA Warner
Conrad Williams
Laura M. Williams
Monica Zimmerman
SGV Community Center Stone Soup Page 3
ValleyResource
Horizons
Center
by Suzanne Sadowsky
Director, Valley Resource Center
A Place to Live and Breathe
There’s a lot of talk in the news these days about the economy,
about the growth in income inequality, higher housing prices, higher
costs for gasoline and medical care, the financial squeeze on the
middle class, and proposed increases in the federal minimum wage
(now $7.25 and $8 in California). These are national issues but they
hit very close to home right here at home in affluent Marin County
where the median family income and the cost of housing are well
above the national average and statewide averages. We are aware of these disparities here
at the Community Center where we are serving hundreds of families each month whose
incomes are far below the average. We do what we can to provide just a bit of a safety net
for middle and low income families and individuals with our food pantry, health fairs,
scholarship assistance for our youth programs, and referrals to social services.
Every day people come into the Center; many are seniors who have lived in the Valley for
many years, but also many young people who are trying to find an affordable place to rent.
Many younger families have left the area because they can’t find affordable housing. When I
moved to the Valley in 1975 the Valley was considered affordable for middle income families. This is becoming less and less the case. Many of these young people grew up here and
now have families of their own. They move to places out of the area or out of state where
wages are more aligned with the cost of living.
People who work in education, non-profits, retail stores, restaurants, the service industries,
and ranches are the ones who are hardest hit by lack of affordable housing and wages that
have not kept pace with the cost of living and who we rely on to keep our community
going with the services that we all rely on.
We are rightfully concerned with protecting our environment and keeping it safe for the
abundant wildlife whose habitat we humans share. But what about the habitat for humans?
Shouldn’t we also care about providing affordable housing for our seniors, our young people
and our children so that our diverse community can continue to thrive?
I am concerned and dismayed about the NIMBYism that has cropped up in other parts
of the County in the wake of recent proposals for the creation of affordable housing. But
I am equally concerned that here in the Valley we have not seen any proposals come forward that would provide more places to live for our seniors and working families. I don’t
have answers, just questions. Are there some things that we could do without having major
development projects? Can some of our larger houses be converted to living spaces for two
small families, or two or three seniors? What about co-housing? What about alternative
waste systems that minimize the impact on the environment? We really need to talk.
Senior Programs,
Activities and Services at
the Community Center
The Community Center offers a variety of interesting and healthy programs events and activities
especially for people 60 years of age and over. More than one in four of us Valley residents are in this
age bracket — the fastest growing demographic in our community. Here’s a rundown of what we are
offering at the Center to keep our lives vibrant. A number of other programs of interest to seniors are
our performing arts programs, monthly visual arts shows and receptions in our galleries. There are also
a variety of reasonably priced classes in Tai Chi, QiGong and Yoga offered by local private teachers and
practitioners. These programs are described elsewhere in Stone Soup and the Catalogue.
Senior Lunch Mondays and Thursdays at Noon
This very popular program has been operating since February 2009 at the Center. We have delicious well-balanced meals brought in from the kitchens of Good Earth Natural Foods with new
menus every week. Some of the most popular meals are taco day, eggplant parmesan, and barbequed chicken. All the main courses have great sides and salads and fresh fruit. It’s the happening event for a healthy meal and great conversation with neighbors and friends. Suggested donation for seniors is $3 a meal and $6 for others. We now have Senior Lunch two times a week.
Emergency Food Pantry Thursdays at 1:00–2:00 pm in the West Room for people attending the
Senior Lunch. Fresh nutritious food to prepare healthy meals at home. (The Food Pantry is also
open on Mondays from 9:00 am-5:00 pm)
Ping Pong at 1:00 pm on Thursdays after Senior Lunch. A free program in the Community
Gym offered by volunteer Jack Sayers.
Senior Computer Lab 1:00 pm on Mondays with Heather Richardson. Wondering how to surf the
internet, create a Facebook page, Skype your friends, create a Word document or Excel spreadsheet?
Heather will help you find your way. Bring your own laptop or use a computer here.
Singing—Just for the Fun of It – Every Other Monday 1:00-1:45 pm after lunch. If you like to
sing old time music, show tunes, Irish ballads, rounds, you name it, this is a time to get together
with Conrad Williams on the piano and the rest of this nascent singing group. It’s lots of fun and
everyone is welcome. You don’t have to know how to read music, you just need to like to sing.
Housing Data for the Valley
Jazz in the Afternoon Thursdays at 1:30 pm in the Valley Room following Senior Lunch. Every
week a Jazz combo with Shawkie Roth, Judy Hall and others play great music for all to enjoy. Free.
How many housing units are there in the Valley, and nearby Fairfax and
Nicasio?
Growing Old Gracefully — a Senior Peer Counseling Group. Eight Wednesdays, October
2–November 20, from 10:00 to 11:30 am. Volunteer counselors help senior members of our
community sort through the transitions and realities of aging that we all face: the loss of independence and control, isolation, and declining physical health. Limited to 10 Seniors. Sign up
with Suzanne, 488-8888, ext. #251.
Counselors provide emotional support and practical tools to help clients deal with change,
remain independent as long as possible, and cultivate a positive approach to aging. Senior Peer
Counselors are trained and supervised by mental health professionals. A free program made available by the Older Americans Act, administered by the Marin Department of Health and Human
Services, Division of Aging and Adult Services. If you have further questions about the program
call Nan Heflin, MFT, at 499-6802.
In the last issue of Stone Soup I wrote about population and income data from the Census
Bureau’s American Factfinder data base which provides information about small communities such as ours. The data are based on a sample survey of the population during the 5
years period from 2007-11. Using the database I researched some of the housing data. Here
are some of the questions that I had and the answers that I found:
There are 1,569 housing units in the Valley. 73% are owner occupied and 27% (or about
400 units) are rental units. Fairfax has 3,822 housing units 62% are occupied by their owners and 38% (or nearly 1,500 units are rentals). Nicasio has 275 dwellings and over 82% of
them are owner occupied.
When were the houses built?
There was very little building in these communities since 2000. Only 39 new homes built in the
Valley between 2000 and 2011, 14 in Fairfax, and 12 in Nicasio. By way of comparison, during
the two decades from 1960 to 1979, there were 577 homes built in the Valley -- more than a
third of the now existing dwellings. There was also a significant home building in Fairfax during
that 20 year period when 1,260 new dwellings were created. A substantial drop in the creation of
new housing began in the 1980s, 90s and continued to the present time.
How do people heat their homes?
Most houses in these communities are heated with propane gas. 59% of Valley homes are
heated with gas compared with 88% in Fairfax and 72% in Nicasio. But Valley dwellers are
much more likely to rely on other heating fuels: 16% of Valley home are heated by electricity, 19% use wood stoves and 2% are solar heated.
How much is the cost of owning a home in the Valley and nearby
communities, keeping in mind that the size, age and quality of homes vary
from place to place?
(continued on page 5)
Field Trips
This past year, the Community Center’s Senior Activities Program sponsored a trip to the
DeYoung Museum. We are planning to take some field trips to museums and other recreational
events outside the Valley during this coming year. We’ll provide transportation. Let us know what
you are interested in.
Mahjong anyone? There are a few people who are interested in learning or playing this Chinese
game that uses tiles and we have a volunteer who can teach us how to play. Four players are need to
play. If you are interested call Suzanne at 488-8888, ext. #251 and we’ll see what we can arrange.
Arts and Events
Each year we have a gallery show of art work from our very talented senior artists and crafters.
Watch for the announcement of the 2014 Senior Art Show. Musicians — are you interested in
performing here at the Center? Let’s talk.
Volunteer Opportunities
We have many ways that seniors provide support to the Center for its various programs and
activities. Please call Suzanne at 488-8888, ext. #251 if you have some time to spare and we will
try to find a job that fits your interests and schedule.
Valley School Readiness
Program
Food Bank
Banter
Programs, Events, Resources & Classes for Families
with Children Ages 0-5
By Nicole Ramirez and Dave Cort
by Heather Richardson, M.S. IMF 76154
Summer Recap!
Summer was SO fun!
Here at the Center, summer was non-stop action. Summer Bridge was in full
swing, and our little guys enjoyed playgroup outside in the playground.
Summer Bridge, our free, 5-week, introduction to kindergarten program had 16
children enrolled this year. With Nicole Ramirez teaching for the tenth summer
in a row, Summer Bridge is a well-oiled kindergarten academy machine! Shapes,
numbers, calendar and friend-making are just some of the building blocks for
successful academics, so it’s no surprise we pride ourselves on providing an
innovative, fun and supportive environment for our students.
Watching these little people grow is amazing. Many of our Summer Bridgers
started at the Center as infants in playgroup, and no matter how long I work
here, I’ve always marveled at how these babies grow so fast and whisk out of
the playgroup doors and into Summer Bridge and end up in the big world of kindergarten. It’s really crazy what a little
food, water, love and community can do for a child.
Here at the Center, our goal is to serve our community members from birth to 100, and it all begins at our free, twice
weekly playgroup, for all children 0-5 years old. Playgroup is where community starts, whether you’ve just moved to
town or your family has been here for generations. Playgroup serves as a child’s first social group outside the family.
And, with preschool being so expensive, playgroup fulfills ongoing connection for parents and their children, in a safe
and stimulating environment, building a web of friendships and support.
Playgroup is open from 10:00 am–noon, Tuesdays and Thursdays in room 9 at
Lagunitas School. Playgroup is always free, but donations are always appreciated. Bring
a snack to share or feel free to make a donation to the Center at any time. Park at the
Community Center and walk on in. No need to call, you can just come by! Tell your
friends! For more information, contact Heather at [email protected].
See you at Playgroup!
Horizons, continued from page 4
Housing Data for the Valley
Over all, the median value of owner-occupied homes was $760,500 in the Valley and $715,000 in Fairfax. In Nicasio,
the median was reported at $1,000,000+. The median monthly home-owner costs those with mortgages was $2,929 in
the Valley, $3,097 in Fairfax and $4,000+ in Nicasio. One way of assessing affordability is to look at the proportion of
income that is needed for housing. The conventional wisdom is that not more than a third of living costs should go for
rent or mortgage payments. In the Valley, 54% of those surveyed were paying 35% or more of their household income
on housing, about the same proportion as in Nicasio where household income is significantly higher. 38% of Fairfax
homeowners were paying 35% or more of their on housing costs.
What about rentals?
Median gross rents in the Valley were $1,691 and 44% of renters were spending a 35% or more of their household
income on rent. Fairfax rental costs were similar to those in the Valley with rents averaging $1,620 and 46% of renters
paying 35% or more of their income on rents. In Nicasio which has relatively fewer rental units, rents averaged $1,077 a
month and 36% of renters were paying more than 35% of their incomes on rent.
More questions?
Give Suzanne a call at 488-8888 or visit the American FactFinder2 website.
Seniors: Free Telephone
Reassurance Program
Dave’s note: Joseph Piekutoski, who has written this column for over
five years, and with tremendous integrity has overseen the Community
Center’s Human Services program has recently moved to Oregon. Our
appreciation for Joseph can hardly be put into words as he has put so
much caring, love, and professionalism into supporting the residents of
our Valley. Under Joseph’s leadership the Human Services program has
grown and evolved in both providing prevention programs and a safety
net to community members going through challenging times. The great
recession that hit in late 2008 and is still affecting families today, brought
unprecedented numbers of new clients to the Community Center. Many
people had never been in need of services like this before. Joseph showed
people ultimate respect and embraced them in the healthiest way. Joseph
was a strong ambassador with our partners at the County of Marin, the
Marin Food Bank, Marin Community Foundation, Center for Volunteer
and NonProfit Leadership, the Coastal Health Alliance, West Marin
Senior Services, and all of our other key partners. We’ll all miss Joseph
and at the same time we are excited about his new adventure.
I am proud to announce that Nicole Ramirez will be moving into
Joseph’s seat at the Community Center. Many of you know Nicole as
she has been on our staff serving as a Family Advocate in our School
Readiness program, teaching both Summer Bridge and our ESL
classes, and coordinating our Revivir La Cultura project. Nicole is
a credentialed teacher and has substituted for years at the Lagunitas
School District. Nicole will be working closely with our Human
Services Team that includes Suzanne, Poko, Julie, Heather and dozens of volunteers to continue to deliver quality services and provide
referrals in the Food Bank, at the Senior Lunch, at Health Fairs, and
during the holidays.
I’m turning the column over to Nicole now so she can tell you about
herself.
Nicole
Blessings happen when you least expect them. I am so grateful and
fortunate with so much I never expected. About ten years ago my
friend Julie Young asked my mother and I if we could volunteer
at her job at SGVCC, for the Toys and Joy’s holiday sign up. The
Center needed bi-lingual assistance and we were happy to help out.
After that day of working with families and actually being a part of
something wonderful, I realized this place and the people who work
here are truly amazing. That was the beginning of my relationship
with the SGVCC. That summer I applied for the School Readiness
Summer Bridge teacher position and got it.
Since then my work at the SGVCC has developed and blossomed
into something I never expected. Change is good for everyone, and I
welcome the changes in my life. I look forward to this new adventure
of learning, developing new skills and working with the families of
the Valley. Serving ages 0-100, this place is a resource for many. My
hope is that everyone who enters those doors, comes to an event, or
participates in our various programs feels safe, comfortable and reassured that whatever their needs might be, our team can help. This
dynamic group has become an extension of my family. Everyone here
has something special to offer this community. I feel honored to be
part of this team who are invested and passionate about the good
work they do.
The SGVCC looks forward to hosting another Health Fair this year,
which will be held October 3. Hope to see you there!
ARE YOU OK?
If you live by yourself and often feel isolated and alone and are looking for connection and peace of mind as to your daily
well being, this new free program may be for you. We offer trained volunteers who phone you three mornings a week to
check in on you. We want to make sure that you are okay and doing well. In addition, if you have any questions regarding
resources or other forms of assistance, we are here to help. Call Leslie at Whistlestop at (415) 456 9062 ext.132 to register.
In addition, we also offer these programs:
Affordable Senior Housing Options in Marin: (415) 456 9062 ext. 132
Get clarity and direction on senior housing availability from Leslie Klor. Leslie has worked in senior housing for over
twenty years and can outline options and answer questions for you. She also operates a Shared Housing Program where she
matches up housemates. Call for an appointment.
Homeshare Program: (415) 456 9062 ext. 132
The Homeshare Program is a free referral service for seniors that provides an alternative. affordable way of meeting
housing needs with numerous benefits to renters and homeowners alike. Do you have a house, apartment or condo
to share? Do you need a place to call home? Call Leslie at 415 456 9062 ext. 132.
Senior Center Without Walls: 1-877-797-7299
Senior Center Without Walls is designed to reach isolated, homebound seniors. This program by phone provides
free activities, friendly conversation, and an assortment of groups on telephone conference lines to adults aged 60
and older in California who find it difficult to participate in outside activities on their own.
Food Bank
Emergency food distribution is offered two days a week, year round to
needy Valley families. Staffed by local volunteers, the Food Bank is supported by the Marin Community Food Bank and by generous donations
from local Valley people and service organizations. Information is provided
on nutrition and healthy eating, and, when available, fresh surplus produce
from the School-Community Garden is offered to Food Bank clients.
The Community Center Food Bank is open Monday from
9: 00 am – 5:00 pm and Thursday afternoons from 2:00–5:00 pm.
Youth Programs Report from the Loft
by Heather Richardson, M.S.
IMF 76154
Back to the Loft!
School is back in session! After a blow-out summer where more than 50 campers came
through our annual Loft Summer Camp, it’s time to kick things into the school year groove!
The Loft is YOUR after school hideaway and chill time oasis. Youth in 4th grade and up are welcome to breeze through any time, Monday through Thursday, after school until 5:00 pm, following
the Lagunitas, school-year calendar. The Loft is filled with the kinds of healthy snack and activities
you’ve come to expect and this year is no exception. Whether it’s for the afternoon or just a quick
stop before practice, the Loft is where our local youth convene after school.
held on the first Wednesday of the month,
from 2:25-3:45 pm, beginning September 4.
In addition to our regularly scheduled
hours, be sure to look for weekend and
weeknight Loft activities, especially for
middle school age youth, including events
with The Lounge and The Den, our Pt.
Reyes and Stinson/Bolinas teen center
partners. As always, look for movie nights,
sushi nights, spa nights and more! The
Loft is FUN, so stay tuned, check for
emails and be a part of things!
Over the summer, 26 youth participated in the Community Center’s Youth Job Training Program,
which will continue throughout the school year. Want to get involved? The Loft’s monthly Youth
Leadership Institute meetings are the best way to get your foot in the door! Y.L.I. meetings are held
in the Loft, and are for all youth in 7th and 8th grades. Awesome snacks and good times are provided at each and every meeting,
and the best part about Youth
Leadership is that attendance
counts towards community
service hours and prepares
participants for internship
placements around Marin
County. Y.L.I meetings are
Loft membership is $235 for the
year and applications can be found
in the Loft, school offices or via
email, by contacting Heather
Richardson at [email protected]
Your Loft staff welcomes you back
for another great school year!
Heather, Buck, Susan, Julie, and
Howie
Lagunitas School District
Sierra Sabec, youth intern with West Marin Senior Services, helping
Michael Rubin, one of the seniors at our Monday senior computer class.
Milestones
by Denise Santa Cruz-Bohman
We were deeply saddened to hear of the passsing of Dave Parle. He was a muchloved part of this community for many years. David Allen Parle was born in San
Francisco on September 24, 1937, to Jack and Edith Parle. His family lived in
Piedmont until they moved to Greenbrae in 1950. He was in the first class to go
all four years at Drake, graduating in 1955. At Drake he played the trumpet, and
began his life-long passion for rebuilding old cars.
Dave attended The California College of Arts and Crafts in Berkeley, and
the Art Center in Los Angeles. He returned home to work as a freelance artist in
San Francisco. He became interested in boat building, and began a career at the
Sausalito boat yards, becoming well known for his woodworking abilities. He
worked for Forster Engineering for 18 years before starting his own woodworking
business, focusing on his love of custom remodeling, and fine furniture building.
Dave married Judith Marian Duerson in 1962. They moved to the San
Geronimo Valley and raised their children Susannah and John in a beautiful loving home. They were happily married for 39 years, until her death in 2001. Dave
then married Sally Harris Fredrickson. They were married for 12 years full of
biking, hiking, woodworking, gardening, traveling and love. They enjoyed membership at the San Geronimo Valley Presbyterian Church.
Dave is survived by his wife Sally, his brother Bob, of Texas, his daughter
Susannah “Zanna” Hernandez (Marco), son “Buck” Parle (Odessa), grandchildren Elys, Emilia, Estella, David, Lua and Shona: Sally’s children, Chuck
Fredrickson (Lisa), Will Fredrickson (Judy), Nikki Kearing (Kevin) and Toni
Shroyer (Jim); Sally’s grandchildren: William, Matt, Torrey, Erica, Jackie,
Conor, Summer, Sean, Luke, and Nicole.
Dave was a loving, gentle and devoted husband, father and grandfather. He
will be greatly missed by all whose lives he touched.
Evelyn Neilsen also passed away recently. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. She was a lovely lady. We will have a full obit for her next time.
Daley Cort had his first ever hole-in-one at the Old Greenwood Golf Course in
Truckee. He works as an assistant golf pro at the course, and was playing the 178
yard 17th hole. He hit an 8 iron which landed 5 feet from the hole and rolled
right in.
Barb Scott has returned to the Valley to live after many years. We are all
delighted.
by Meegan Lee Ochs-Potter
Lagunitas School Trustee
Unity, Equity and Gratitude
When I joined the Lagunitas School Board of Trustees in January of 2012,
I was very focused on equity between the school programs. However, during the appointment process, it
became clear to me that a sense of unity was as important to our unique district, and sadly lacking.
Our district has three elementary school programs, the Montessori Program, the Open Classroom and the
Waldorf Inspired Program, in addition to the Middle School. Students from all three elementary programs
join together in our Middle School.
There is much to celebrate in our district, but there are also challenges. One challenge we face in trying to maintain
three programs in a basic aid district is that supporting the unique needs of each program can exacerbate the feeling
that we are lacking in resources. All school districts are facing budget cuts, and in our district this has tended to put
parents from various programs in adversarial corners from which no good can come.
Since I joined the board, we have held monthly unity meetings where we gather and learn to better understand the
challenges each program faces, and celebrate what makes each unique while creating a stronger sense of community.
We rotate the place of the meetings through the classrooms to see each of the learning environments that the children of our district enjoy.
After our initial meetings, we selected topics like conflict resolution and how mixed grade classes work with
each program philosophy. Most recently, we held district-wide parent education forums on topics universal
to all students, including a No Bully workshop called Bully-Proof Your Kid! where parents learned what
bullying looks like for the current generation of students and what they can do to prevent their child from
becoming either a target or a bully. We also hosted E3: Education, Excellent & Equity, which was founded
to increase student engagement and value cultural resiliency in schools.
To build positive connections between the programs, I proposed “walking in unity” on the upper campus. It is very
easy to find a natural rhythm of walking in and out of the upper campus. However, I thought we might be unintentionally creating some invisible lines that could imply to our children a separation between the Open Classroom
and Waldorf communities of parents, teachers and students. In the spirit of trying to live in unity and understand
and appreciate each other more, I asked that we start to mix up the path we take on and off of the upper campus.
In terms of equity, we do our best to utilize the educational dollars we have to the benefit of all of our
children in the most equitable way possible. It is not an exact science, and the number of children in each
program changes over the year.
Sometimes it seems that we lack a sense of gratitude in our district for the amazing opportunities our children
enjoy. I would love to be able to imbue our parent body with an appreciation of how much we have in variety of
alternative education opportunities, incredible staff and parent involvement, a stunning setting and an amazing
community of parents who, with a different perspective, could enjoy each other more. We can get so caught up in
what we feel we are lacking that we fail to enjoy the abundance that I truly believe we have.
Interest in the unity meetings seems to rise greatly when there is conflict in the district. I would love for the
unity meetings to foster an ongoing dialog that allows for us to achieve less conflict going forward. New
ideas have been proposed, including a district-wide Science Fair, or a district-wide Art Fair, which I plan to
actively pursue in the new school year.
Progress has been made through these efforts. The more we know and understand each other, the more trust we
build, and the less likely we are to confuse and frustrate each other. It is clear to me that we all want the same thing:
the most vibrant learning experience possible for our children. I’m proud to be a trustee of a district that is providing just that.
San Geronimo Valley Community Gym
By Howie Cort and Buck Chavez
Hardwood News:
Women’s basketball, affectionately known as “GirlBall” continues to thrive. Mindy Jeffrey, BBall
volunteer extraordinaire, has been showing up from 5:00. to 6:30 pm on Monday evenings to keep
GirlBall thriving and going strong. Mindy is part the original group of gals who began to play
GirlBall on the school blacktop, before the gym was built. Her love and passion for the game and
our community is what makes GirlBall special. Even if you don’t have experience playing basketball,
the women who show up to play in this game offer their support, knowledge and encouragement to
everyone who steps on the court. GirlBall is not limited to women. We invite men to join the game
as well who believe in the principles of this special gathering of women on a weekly basis.
Coming back in September: We’re giving co-ed BBall another shot on Tuesdays starting at 5:00 pm.
The idea is to have individuals and families, with high school and college-aged kids, show up, divide
into family teams and play each other. It was very successful until summer came along. We would
like to re-energize this game starting Tuesday, September 10. Email Howie at: [email protected], if you
would like to play or have a group of friends who would like to participate.
Men’s Open Gym
If you’ve got game, bring it to the gym on Wednesday nights at 7:00 pm. Shoot your way into
a game by hitting your free throw. Even though a large number of players may show up, games
move fairly quickly. Volunteer Coordinator, EJ Chavez, keeps games moving and tries to get
everyone quality playing time.
Finding Your Inner Rhythm:
Sweat Your Prayers continues to draw participants into its Five Rhythms on Thursday nights
starting at 6:00 pm. Find you inner, sacred space while meditating and dancing in a softly lit
space to pulsating, invigorating and relaxing rhythms.
Middle School After School Sports Update
The Middle School After School Sports program will be ramping up starting in September
with Cross Country, Girl’s and Boy’s Flag Football and Girls Volleyball. If you are interested in
helping to coach one of these teams or helping with our All County Cross Country Meet, the
Bobcat Challenge, in October, contact Howie at: [email protected]
If anyone out there is interested in organizing a Volleyball Night, send an email to Howie at:
[email protected]. Table Tennis continues on Sunday from 3:00–6:00 pm. See page 3 for a feature story on Table Tennis.
See you in the Gym or on the school field!
Save the Date: Valley Games IV, Saturday, October 19 at 10:00 AM.
Summer
Internship
2013
Recap!
by Heather Richardson
This summer, 26 youth participated in the San
Geronimo Valley Community Center’s Job
Training Program, which, combined, had so
many amazing placements I almost can’t believe
we actually offer this stuff! Placements for youth
were as fun and varied as the young people
involved and included the Youth Leadership
Institute, Revolution 9, the SGVCC Summer
Camp, Senior Lunch, KWMR radio, The
Potting Shed, Pickleweed Community Center,
the Intel Computer Clubhouse, West Marin
Senior Services, Z O L T R O N, Summer
Bridge and Playgroup.
Over the summer, our youth ran and participated in events that not only served their community,
but gave them the kind of real world skills and experience they had hoped for. As Intel Computer
Clubhouse participants, our interns ran and operated the 3D printer at the Marin County Fair’s
engineering booth and on a Center improvement day, interns helped rebuild Zoila’s playground.
Countless youth volunteered at the Far West Fest in Pt. Reyes, as well as the Woodacre Fourth of
July parade and the BBQ stand at Dickson Ranch. Our interns kept our summer camp kids engaged
and happy for 5 weeks straight and learned the ins and outs of what keeps a Fairfax retail business
afloat. A sticker company in Forest Knolls is teaching kids how to be an artist for life. Our interns
worked with senior citizens from the Valley to Pt. Reyes, entering kindergarteners, and babies 0-5
years old. They helped with endless setups, cleanups, filing and organizing.
When they weren’t on-site and for extra
fun, our interns enjoyed community sponsored sushi nights, a chocolate tasting and an
Oakland A’s game.
Because of the San Geronimo Valley Youth
Job Training Program, we have newly trained
radio hosts, budding engineers and future
social and health care workers. These young
people are tomorrow’s artists, store owners,
educators and community activists.
I cannot say enough about these kids; they are responsible, respectful, smart and brave. They walk into new
situations and add value, new energy and vibrancy where
it’s needed. And to our community partners…THANK
YOU, for believing in the Center, our vision and our
youth. Your time, space and commitment is invaluable.
As we move into the new school year, our Job Placement
Program will continue, with Youth Leadership Institute
meetings for 7th and 8th graders every month in the
Loft, job training opportunities for 7th–12th graders and specialty career path positions for 18-25
year olds. For more information on how to get involved, either as an intern or as a placement
site, email Heather at [email protected].
Summer Camp 2013
Fund Development
by Dave Cort
On behalf of the Community Center Board of Directors and staff we deeply appreciate the contributions
that we received from the people listed on this page. These contributions were received from May 1, 2013
to August 15, 2013.
THANK YOU FOR
YOUR SUPPORT!
Your contributions both large and small are the key to insuring that our organization is going to be
able to continue to be a critical resource to our Valley by providing programs that meet the needs of all
community members.
As most of you know these are challenging financial times for community based organizations. At the same
time, our Board of Directors and staff members are committed to not reducing our services. With the support of our Valley community we are committed to providing programs for every resident of Woodacre, San
Geronimo, Forest Knolls, Lagunitas, Nicasio, and our neighboring communities.
On September 28 we will be hosting our annual Gala at the San Geronimo Golf Course and in early
November we will be sending out our annual campaign mailer. The Gala and the Annual Campaign are
critical to our financial health and our ability to deliver community based programming.
Other ways to financially support the Community Center include making a monthly contribution, contributing stocks, bonds, real estate or a vehicle, or making a planned gift to the Community Center through
your estate planning.
Please consider joining our Council of Major Donors. It currently includes over 100 individuals, families,
foundations, and businesses who make exemplary financial contributions to the Community Center each
year and support our mission of “fostering a healthy San Geronimo Valley by providing a dynamic center
for locally-based human services, arts and culture, education, health and wellness, and community-building.” Council ‘members’ come from the Valley, Nicasio, Fairfax and a few neighboring communities. Each
member of the Council makes a direct or in-kind contribution of at least $500 year — many contribute
significantly more. The collective impact of Council members’ contributions is enormous given that the
Community Center operates on a budget of less than $1 million each year.
We deeply appreciate your support and your trust in our Community Center. You can make a recurring
monthly gift (that’s what I do) or a one time gift through our website www.sgvcc.org or give me a call at
488-8888 ext.#224.
Individual Contributors
Nadia Al-Samarrie
Dave & Christin Anderson
Joyce Mallette-Bailey, Andrew & Bard Bailey
Bob Battagin
Al & Lisa Baylacq
Kathleen & John Beckerley
Zoila Berardi
David & Julie Bernard
David Berry
Frank Binney
Tim Blain
Patricia & William Blanton
Kevin & Karen Bradley
Laurence & Barbara Brauer
Joseph & Vernona Brown
Matt & Lynn Brown
Veronica Buros-Kleinberg
Thomas & Elizabeth Carmody
Lynn & Alan Charne
Kenn & Vivki Chase
Susan Isaac & Buck Chavez
Daniel Cohen & Jodie Newdelman
Dave & Howie Cort
Marian Cremin & Albert DeSilver
Alexandra & Michael Cusick
Jeffrey & Leona George Davidson
Kevin Davis & Mary Hamilton
Joseph Demaio
Daniel Dibley & Chanda Brewer
Robin & Brian Dolan
James & Cecelia Donahue
Skag Dukkers & Anne McClain
Erin Evans
James & Janelle Fazackerley
Sandra & Daniel Fitting
Deborah Fitzpatrick
Gerald & Geraldine Fleming
Mary Frank
Leslie Franklin
Lila Friday
Ashley Fullerton & Jesse Wernick
Andrew & Susi Giacomini
Joanne & Daniel Giddings
Alyssa & Gary Gleason
Andrew Gleason
Steven & Catherine Granville
James Griffiths & Muniera Kadrie
Maurice & Lavida Groat
Nancy & Dean Hanson
Paul Hegarty & Sonia Perozzi
Richard Hillstead
David Lee Hoffman
Susan Jones & Matthew Steinmetz
Dahlia & Jack Kamesar
Geri & Renee Kientz
Stephen & Jean Kinsey
Margaret & Kit Krauss
David Lakes & Stephanie Fein
Kelly Lawson & Kelly Hunt-Miceli
Peter Lind
Abby Lipman & Bill Painter
David & Veronica Litvak
Michael & Catherine McQuilkin
Rick Misuraca & Sandy Videgar
Susan Moldaw & Bob Stallings
Daniel Morrison & Cyndy Cady
Allan & Elaine Muchin
E. Louis Muckerman
Kevin Ordway
Scott & Diane Phillips
Marcia & Darrell Phipps
Benjamin & Heather Podoll
Cindy & Jim Purkey
C. Delos Putz
Steve & Carol Rebscher
Greg Robbins
David & Jeanette Rosen
Laura Dillon Ross
Michelle & John Rutledge
Suzanne Sadowsky
Rick & Jill Scarbrough
Ernest & Mary Lou Schnorf
Ethel Seiderman
Richard & Ann Seramin
Anastasia Sheldon & Jay Philip Trimble
David Shore
Joana Simonini
Grantors:
Community Development Block Grant
County of Marin
Dino J. Ghilotti Foundation
Endurance Fund
Freitas Foundation
Far West Festival
Hartford Foundation For Public Giving
Kaiser Permanente
Lagunitas Middle School Parent Group
Marin Community Foundation
Marin First 5 — Children and Families Commission
Olympic Club Foundation
Presbyterian Hunger Project
Reliance Fund
San Francisco Foundation
San Geronimo Valley Lions Club
Union Bank
West Marin Community Resource Center
Jack and Patty Wright Foundation
Youth Leadership Institute
Satendra & Ann Marie Singh
Jay & Liora Soladay
Reede Stockton & Peg Hunter
Christopher Stewart
Jasper Thelin & Mia Terziev
Lealya & Justin Thomas
Greg Vernal
Business Contributors
Berardi Tile
Bradley Real Estate
Brownco Construction and Development
Bayline Painting
Evans Brothers, Inc.
Fairfax Lumber & Hardware Co.
Farallone Pacific Insurance
Forster Pump & Engineering
Gardeners’ Guild, Inc.
Good Earth Natural Foods
Hallroan & Powers Construction, Inc.
Holden & Company
Irons Springs Pub & Brewery, Inc.
Marin Produce Co., Inc.
Mason Plumbing, Inc.
McPhail Fuel Company
Meridian Commercial (MCII)
Moresco Distributing Company
Nestler Construction
Phillips & Associates
Sands Construction
Scarbrough Tile
Senior Helpers North Bay
Serenity Knolls
SFE, Inc.
San Geronimo Valley Veterinary Clinic
Swift Tree Care
Union Bank
Universal Green Marketing
Van Midde & Son Concrete
West Bay Builders, Inc.
Wilderness Way
Woodruff Sawyer & Company
What’s In Store
Honoring the School and Community Center Partnership
(continued from page 1)
Heart ♥f the Valley
Gala 2013
When you ask adults who grew up here about their educational experience the conversation inevitable goes to Sally being their teacher. I asked my wife Howie to share her feelings
about Sally as they have worked together for close to 10 years in the classroom.
Little did I know how fortunate I was to have walked through the dark green door of room fifteen of
Sally Hutchinson’s classroom, ten years ago, as a one-on-one paraprofessional for a special needs student.
Saturday, September 28, 2013
5:00 - 11:00 pm
As I entered the classroom, a feeling of wonder and warmth came over me. This was after both
of my children had Sally during their Middle School years. I honestly never looked at the walls!
They were tastefully covered with decorative flourishes; artwork from past students, quotes on stylish cards from various writers and philosophers and colorful textiles from her travels around the
world. I found myself going from corner to corner, looking at every card and reading every quote.
Honoring
Sally Hutchinson & Larry Enos
A benefit for the San Geronimo Valley Community Center
When the first assignment was handed out, I glanced down at the sheet to prepare my student.
The top line was a quote from a famous poet. Standing in front of her of eighth grade English class,
she asked them the significance of the quote in relation to their own lives. After thirty-five years of
teaching, she continues to ask each of her students to contribute their thoughts and feelings whether
it has to do with a school assignment, current event or school issue. She honors each student as an
individual and over the course of the school year challenges them, through the practice of her creative
writing assignments, to find their own voice, not only as writers, but as young adults. There are so
many days after school she is making phone calls to check in with parents, not to mention the gentle,
individual heart to heart conversations she has with her students. She will look them straight in the
eye and with the most genuine, heartfelt voice; tell them she believes in them.
Come Dine and Be Dazzled at the San Geronimo Golf Course
Dance the night away to Howie’s Persuasion
Savor the finest local cuisine and beverages!
Hosted by the
San Geronimo Valley Community Center Board of Directors
at the San Geronimo Golf Course
5800 Sir Francisco Drake Blvd., San Geronimo
Every day I have spent in Sally’s classroom has been a gift. She has put her heart and soul into
creating a classroom that is child centered and focused.
I think these words of the Dali Lama sum up the life’s work of one amazing teacher and caring soul:
“When educating the minds of our youth, we must not forget to educate their hearts.”
I will be forever grateful to Sally for allowing me play a small part in her room fifteen magic.
Pretty powerful words that can be repeated by fellow teachers, school staff members, children,
parents, and community members. We have been so blessed to have Larry and Sally touching
our lives. We look forward to seeing you at the Gala Celebration where we will honor Larry
and Sally with our Valley’s spirit of collaboration, partnership, and caring.
Thank you, 2013
Gala Sponsors!
Presenting Sponsor
Patron Sponsors
Dovetail DCI
San Geronimo Golf Course
Union Bank
Ted Wright & April Wolcott
Supporting Sponsors
Dave & Julie Bernard
Bradley Real Estate
Brian Dodd
Front Porch Realty
Andrew & Susi Giacomini
Marin Financial Advisors
Susan Moldaw & Bob Stallings
Wordsworth
Associate Sponsors
Abbey Rents—Rick & Michael Seramin
David Berry
Brownco Construction—Joe & Vernona
Brown
Dave & Howie Cort
Janet Cort & Family
Crosse Landscaping
David Lee Hoffman, The Last Resort
Farallone Pacific Insurance
Jim Griffiths & Muniera Kadrie
Jack & Dahlia Kamesar
Steve & Jean Kinsey
David Lakes & Stephanie Fein
Steve & Mimi Lewis
McPhail Fuel Company
San Geronimo Valley Lions Club
Senior Helpers North Bay, Robert Nations
Reede Stockton & Peg Hunter
Universal Green Marketing, Mary Frank
West Bay Builders, Paul Thompson
Wilderness Way
A generous friend of the Community Center is matching Sponsorship Funds dollar for dollar.
Reserve your tickets now! Go to www.sgvcc.org org.
Early Bird Price: $95 per person until 9/15. After 9/15, $135.
Wine/Beer/Soft Drinks included; no host cocktails
Adults only. Childcare available.
Howie’s Persuasion.
Fabulous local South of the Border fare provided by:
Arti Cafe
Branching Out Cakes
Christin’s Farmhouse Pastries
Comforts
Devil’s Gulch Ranch
Fiorello’s Artisan Gelato
Hanna’s Restaurant
Hog Island Oysters
Insalata’s
Iron Springs Brewery
Marin Sun Farms
Mauro’s Pasta
McQuilkin Family
Nicasio Valley Cheese
Company
Pancho Villa’s
Revivir la Cultura
Sol Food
Sorella Caffe
Station House Café
Taco Jane’s
Terra Savia Winery
Trader Joe’s
Two Bird Café
United Market
Whole Foods
Silent Auction Preview
Bidding begins online September 22 at www.sgvcc.org
•
1 Bottle of Heitz Cellar Vintage 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon....Martha’s Vineyard
Value $250
•
1 Bottle of Heitz Cellare “Ink Grade Port” Value $150
•
1 Pierce Martin Palecek metal table. Value $1450. 18x 24 end table, custom made.
•
1 Indonesian carved wooden entry piece....“man with basket” Value $250
•
Day of Hiking with Frank Binney with Dinner following for 8 people at Lila
Friday’s home. Chili dinner and Corn Bread with Great Wine to end a perfect
Day....Priceless
•
Dinner for 6 at the Lakes’ home, artfully cooked by Stephanie Fein and Lila
Friday, accompanied by a live string quartet....Priceless.
•
Valley Mover’s and Shaker’s Dinner for 6 at Lila Friday’s home. Have dinner
with Steve Kinsey and Dave Cort in country setting...great wine and gourmet
dinner... Priceless
Live! At the Center
Hannah Doress,
Arts & Events Coordinator & Larry Rippee,
Dear Community Friends,
If you find yourself saying, “I wish they had xyz performing at the Community
Center,” or if there is a special artist you’d like to see back — please get in touch and
get involved! Email me at [email protected] or call 488-8888 and press # and 253.
We pride ourselves on an eclectic line up, so look forward to a wide-ranging Fall —
from the top talents in the jam band world September 8 to fine poets, outrageous
comedy, a documentary about our community and more.
Be part of it!
Hannah
Sunday, September 8, 5:00—8:00 PM
“Valley Family Jam Fest”
Let’s prolong the summer feeling as long as we can! Come enjoy the sweetest, most relaxed family
friendly concert with top shelf musicians who define the jam band world. With affordable, tasty dinner
for purchase, bounce house for kids, and dancing, this is truly the best environment to enjoy rock and
roll with your friends and family of all ages.
The Rock Collection
featuring Stu Allen (Mars Hotel, JGB), Lebo (ALO), Melvin Seals (JGB), Greg Anton
(Zero), Jason Crosby (Phil and Friends), Robin Sylvester (Rat Dog)
Tom Finch Group
These Fairfax Fest faves include Gulf Coast Music Hall of Fame inductee Tom
Finch (Big Brother & the Holding Co.), (J.J.) Jason Jones, Andius Jent (Mill Valley
Philharmonic), Marc Carmi Smith, Ben Isaacs and Charles Moselle
The Rock Collection:
Melvin Seals has performed/recorded with Elvin Bishop, Charlie Daniels, Chuck Berry — and for 15 years
with Jerry Garcia—and was the featured organist for several Broadway hits. Melvin formed JGB with Gloria
Jones and Jackie Labranch, Garcia’s background singers, and released Welcome To Our World, in 1998.
Guitarist-singer Stu Allen joined Melvin Seals & JGB in June 2004 and appears on the Keepers of the Flame
album. With his commitment to making every performance unique, Stu has made extensive contributions to
jam music. Melvin Seals states: “It’s really scary what I see him do on stage… My mind goes to remembering
being on stage with Jerry (Garcia).” He’s also performed with Bob Weir, Steve Kimock, Warren Haynes, and
others.
Dan Lebowitz co-founded and toured with ALO (Animal Liberation Orchestra). He spent a formative
summer performing with members of the James Brown Band, and was a co-founder of nationally touring Global Funk Council. He has opened for/toured with Jack Johnson, G Love, and Galactic.
Greg Anton has played drums with Steve Kimock/Zero, Cast of Clowns, John Lee Hooker, Stanley Jordan
and Jerry Garcia, in addition to composing soundtracks and co-writing songs with Robert Hunter. Greg was
a founding member of Heart of Gold Band. He and Heart of Gold guitarist Steve Kimmock formed Zero,
performing over 1300 concerts and recording eight albums. Joel Selvin of the San Francisco Chronicle writes;
“A musical drummer with powerful dynamics that puts down a beat that is the heart of the band.”
Robin Sylvester has recorded or performed with the Beach Boys, Ry Cooder, Marty Balin, and Bo
Diddley. Robin toured with Bob Weir & Rat Dog for many years. He began his career in a professional boys’ choir whose patron was composer Benjamin Britten. Moving to San Framncisco in the late
1970s, he worked with legendary saxophonist and producer Steve Douglas, working on sessions with
Little Richard, Bob Dylan, Ry Cooder, and Phil Spector, before joining RatDog.
Jason Crosby has performed with Phil Lesh and Friends, God Street Wine, Susan Tedeschi Band,
Robert Randolph Band, Zen Tricksters, RatDog, Furthur, Assembly of Dust, as well as participating in
Weir Here and activities at TRI studios along with working on the Beck Song Reader Project.
Tom Finch Group plays a hip and unique blend of styles best described as but not limited to World
Rock. One of Marin’s most popular bands, the group offers original compositions with infectious melodies, hypnotic grooves, inspiring lyrics, and fiery solos. Families, tell the kids TFG will be playing the
iconic song played by the alien band in Star Wars among their other popular tunes.
Food by Good Earth Natural Foods. Sponsored by KWMR, Jayli Clothing, Waccobb.net and
LocalMusicVibe.com. This event is Approved for Long Living.
Visual Arts Coordinator
Saturday, September 21, 7:30 PM
$5 admission to benefit San Geronimo Valley Community Center
A Reading of Poetry and Prose with
Barbara Swift Brauer, Gerald Fleming,
Molly Giles
Brauer and Fleming willl sign copies of their new collections, At Ease in the Borrowed World
and The Choreographer, both published this spring by Sixteen Rivers Press* and distributed
by Small Press Distribution. Partial proceeds of books sold to benefit the SGVCC.
Barbara Swift Brauer
Barbara Swift Brauer’s poetry collection, At Ease in the Borrowed
World, is at once graceful and unflinchingly candid. These quiet
and cleanly crafted poems invite reflection on the tasks we set ourselves, the choices we make, and the stories we tell. With rigorous
tenderness, Brauer speaks to the redemptive power of the natural
world to reconcile us to our losses. Through identities lived and
unlived, we find our way in the wake of those who have gone
before, discovering what will carry us toward the chosen life, at ease
in this borrowed world.
Barbara Swift Brauer is a freelance writer and editor living
in San Geronimo, where she and her husband, Laurence, operate
Wordsworth publishing services. Brauer’s work has been widely
published in periodicals as well as anthologies. With portrait artist
Jackie Kirk, she is coauthor of the nonfiction book Witness: The Artist’s Vision in The Face of
AIDS (Pomegranate Artbooks, 1996).
Gerald Fleming
In The Choreographer, Gerald Fleming travels across continents
and time with an eye that sees beyond the visible and an ear that
hears music both real and imagined. In piece after piece, the
ordinary world opens to reveal the marvelous in all its dimensions
and variety. From a violin that sounds “like needle-work in the
air” to a man of granite who is suddenly covered with skin that
allows him to move “so much more quickly, more quietly than in
the land of stone,” Fleming makes the reader see with language as
supple as it is precise and clear. In “Sephardic Airs: Variations,” the
author creates a narrative of love and loss so lyrical and intense that
the words themselves turn to music. The title poem of this book
introduces us to a man who at last understands “that all his life had
been choreography for his funeral.” But the real choreography at
work in this collection is Fleming’s: his words dance with wit and passion, and, like the couple
in “Pasencore,” we want an encore, again and again.
Gerald Fleming’s most recent books are Night of Pure Breathing, prose poems
(Hanging Loose Press), and Swimmer Climbing onto Shore, poetry (Sixteen Rivers Press).
The recipient of numerous awards and fellowships, Fleming taught in San Francisco’s
public schools for thirty-seven years and has written three books for teachers, including
Rain, Steam, and Speed (Jossey-Bass/Wiley). From 1995 to 2000, he edited and published the literary magazine Barnabe Mountain Review. In 2013, with his brother and
sister—glass artists Bernie Fleming and Michaela Fleming—he launched the limitededition magazine One (More) Glass.
Molly Giles
Award-winning author Molly Giles is best known for her short
stories. Giles was nominated for Pulitzer Prize for fiction for
her first book, Rough Translations, which also won the Pushcart
Prize, Flannery O’Connor Award for Short Fiction, Small Press
Book Award, Boston Globe Award, Bay Area Book Reviewers
Award, and PEN Syndicated Fiction Award. Her second book,
another collection of short stories, is called Creek Walk, and was
named one of the New York Times’ most notable books of 1997.
Her stories have been featured on National Public Radio’s
Selected Shorts, and her short story “Two Words,”which was
first published in The Missouri Review, won the 2003 O. Henry
Prize. In 2000, Giles published her first novel, Iron Shoes.
*Sixteen Rivers Press, a nonprofit, shared-work publishing collective run by and for Bay
Area poets, was founded in 1999 by seven San Francisco Bay Area writers. The press is
named for the sixteen rivers that flow into San Francisco Bay.
2013 Gallery Art Shows at
the Maurice Del Mué Galleries
Valley Room — Enter through Lobby
West Room — Adjoining Valley Room
SEPTEMBER
Visual Arts
By Larry Rippee
It’s been a busy and rich summer for visual arts in the Maurice Del Mue galleries of the San Geronimo
Valley Community Center with a fall season that promises much the same.
Valley Room
Tobias Berardi
West Room
Tobias Berardi
Opening reception on, Saturday, September 7, 6:00–8:00 PM
We’ve just successfully concluded the 2nd annual photography group show. The show highlighted the work of
19 local photographers. The range of work and approaches ran from traditional landscape, nature and still photography to surprising pieces involving alternative photographic processes such as Polaroid emulsion lift, works
on metal, canvas and even wood.
OCTOBER
This September the Center features the work of Tobias Berardi. Although Tobias received his fine arts degree
from Dominican University with an emphasis in ceramics, his current creative focus is painting. He combines
acrylic with a variety of media including oil, pastels, gold leaf, charcoal and elements of collage. Tobias states that
“My latest works are really taking me in the direction I want to be headed. The whole process, from pain and
struggle, to the ease and excitement, gives me balance.”
Valley Room
Pressing Matters IV: Printmakers Group Show
West Room
Pressing Matters IV: Printmakers Group Show
Opening reception on Saturday, October 19, 12:00–5:00 PM
NOVEMBER
Valley Room
Jenny Hunter Groat Retrospective exhibit
West Room
Jenny Hunter Groat Retrospective exhibit
Opening reception on Saturday, November 9, 4:00–8:00 PM
DECEMBER
Valley Room
West Room
Dec. 7 Holiday Arts Faire
Dec. 7 Holiday Arts Faire Silent Auction
From L.A., outrageous unique comic, mastermind of “Anne Frank
Superstar”, Roseanne sitcom writer and as seen on Tonight Show
with Jay Leno and on Showtime…
Betsy Salkind!
Saturday, October 5, 8:00 PM
$15 advance / $20 door
Betsy Salkind is an actress,
comedian, writer and
former drummer for the
Phenobarbidolls. She was
a founding member of the
Terrorist Bridesmaids (4
comediennes determined
to get a second use out of
those dresses), and alumna
of the improv troupe Guilty
Children and the sketch
comedy group The Other
White Meat. She was also
a staffwriter for Saturday
Night Special and Roseanne
(the sitcom), and a jokewriter for Anthony Robbins.
She is a regular at NY’s Comic Strip and LA’s Comedy Store, and has appeared on “Girls
Night Out,” “Stand-Up, Stand-Up,” “ARLI$$,” “Pet Shop with Andy Kindler,” the Tonight
Show with Jay Leno, and most recently in the Showtime special “Fierce Funny Women.”
Printmakers are too often underacknowledged — but not in October. We’re very pleased to be hosting
the 4th annual Pressing Matters IV: Printmakers Group Show. Once again, local artists who create etchings,
woodcuts, linocuts, lithographs, monotypes and serigraphs are in the limelight. This year there will be
some special events associated with the show. (Stay tuned for details).
A very special exhibit in November will be curated by Peter Groat honoring his late wife Jenny Hunter
Groat. The exhibit — Three Streams: One River — will highlight the many facets of Jenny’s varied art life
including her career in dance, calligraphy, book art and painting.
Every month we offer new art at the Center, creative works made by your friends and neighbors. Please
don’t miss the opportunity to come by and experience the work.
Friday, October 18, 6:30 PM
SGVCC and Los Cenzontles Mexican Arts Center present
A brand new documentary
Grow Your Own — Cultural Programming in
Immigrant Communities
Los Cenzontles Mexican Arts Center promotes its
Grow Your Own methods for building cultural programming around local resources. This video demonstrates their work with community partners in West
Marin County and the Mexican immigrant community. The film offers a unique and important perspective
on West Marin and opens the doors to more deeply
understand the history and diversity of our local community, in particular how local Mexican immigrants
see themselves and how others see them, primarily in
the words of local community members — both adults
and children.
Mexican Arts Festival, June 2013.
The film gives a window into the work of Los
Cenzontles in Marin, both with San Geronimo Valley Community Center on the Revivir la Cultura project and their work with the Cafecita Parents Group at West Marin School. Thanks to Marin Community
Foundation for support of these projects and the film.
The event is free, donations to support SGVCC’s Revivir la Cultura Arts Program are welcome. For
more information call or email Hannah at 488-8888, ext #253, [email protected].
She has written and performed 3 one-woman shows to date, including All My Life (the
darkest comedy this side of hope), Master of Science (an irreverent look at science and
scientists), and most recently Anne Frank Superstar: the Ethel Spiliotes Story” (a satire of
Anne Franxploitation).
Plus featuring the Revivir la Cultura Dancers.
Betsy was Andy Kindler’s Tae Kwon Do sparring partner, and hangs her own drywall.
She has 28 teeth.
Grow Your Own — Cultural Programming in
Immigrant Communities
Saturday, November 16, 8:00 PM
Charlie Varon
$18 advance, $22 door, Children $10
Viernes 18 de Octubre a las 6:30 PM
SGVCC y Los Cenzontles Mexican Arts Center presentan un nuevo pelicula
de nuestro comunidad por Los Cenzontles Mexican Arts Center Y baile de nuestros niños, los bailadores de SGVCC Revivir la Cultura
La entrada es GRATIS. Donaciones son bienvenidas! Gracias por el apoyo de Marin Community
Foundation.
Para mas informacian llama a Nicole 306-1616
“(Charlie Varon is) the city’s brightest satiric star” – San Francisco Chronicle
Saturday, December 7, 12:00 – 5:00 PM
Charlie Varon is best known for hit shows (Rush Limbaugh in Night School, Rabbi Sam)
but he has also been published in The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and Salon. His new
show, The Listener brings together the dramatic and literary strands of Varon’s work, as
he reads original stories with a solo performer’s craft and gusto. In Passenger, on a hot
October day in San Francisco, Bernie, 83, a self-described “tough old Jew,” gets tired of
waiting for a cab, sticks out his thumb, and gets picked up by three 20-somethings in a
fancy new car with surfboards strapped to the roof. By the end of the story, Bernie has
convinced the kids to let him surf for the first time in his life, at the beach in Bolinas.
Save the date for this free popular annual community gathering and
celebration of Christmas and Chanukah at the Community Center!
In Fish Sisters, Selma Cohen, 86, wakes up laughing. All she can remember from her
dream is that she and her best friend Beverly, both 11, were giggling and whispering
in low voices so the mischief they’re planning won’t be overheard by the adults. Selma
soon is lost in memory…. Come enter another world with this masterful artist. Advance
ticket purchase highly recommended.
Holiday Arts Faire, Silent Auction,
and Craft Fair
Plan on music by and for our kids and adults, great bargains and gifts
in the auction, talented artists and craftspeople, delicious homemade
food and drink, and the greatest community in the world!
Visit www.sgvcc.org for a full schedule and additional details of the
event as it draws closer.
Alphabet Soup
by Sara Tolchin
We are lucky to share this Valley with a phenomenal number of artists of every walk, including of course writers. This issue, Alphabet Soup is
delighted (if soup can be delighted) to showcase the work of three renowned Valley writers: Barbara Swift Brauer, Gerald Fleming, and Molly Giles.
The trio will be giving a reading Saturday, September 21 at the San Geronimo Valley Community Center. The reading is a benefit for the Center.
Do not miss it, or you will be forever covered in shame and sorrow.
Barbara’s poem is the title poem of her recent collection At Ease in the Borrowed World (Sixteen Rivers Press, 2013). Jerry’s prose piece is from
his collection Night of Pure Breathing (Hanging Loose Press, 2011). Other books of his poetry include Swimmer Climbing onto Shore (Sixteen Rivers
Press, 2005) and The Choreographer, Prose Poems (Sixteen Rivers Press, 2013). Molly’s publications include Creek Walk and Other Stories (Simon &
Schuster, 1998), and the novel Iron Shoes (Simon & Schuster, 2001). Her story collection Rough Translations (University of Georgia Press, 2004)
won the Flannery O’Connor Award for Short Fiction and was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize.
At Ease in the Borrowed World
By Barbara Swift Brauer
This is no solitary walk: they startle into view,
enter by a jay screech, step out
from the hunch of a boulder’s shadow.
Of course the dead return these last fine days
when we stride most at ease in the borrowed world.
Today the autumn sky opens with an acorn’s crack,
and I set out for the ridge, leaning
into the slope, the steady ache of muscle.
Here my father’s stern patience in a hawk’s pivot,
my friend’s voice threaded among the wind-shaped branches.
They have come to warm themselves in the late-day sun
and remind us of our promises. Ready to be taken in again,
the dead nestle in the nub of a rib,
breathe with our breath, curl in our sleep
against winter’s lengthening nights.
Money
by Roberta Floden
Born in Munich, Germany, to a family of
scientists, Gabriele Schwibach was originally
trained as an engineer and earned her living
as a computer specialist. But she also traveled widely, during which time she discovered
the Bay Area. In the mid-90s, disenchanted
with the corporate world, she decided both to
move to Northern California and to devote
her life to art. Since 2003, she has lived in the San Geronimo Valley and
now calls Lagunitas home.
Preferring to pursue art education informally, Gabriele studied with
friends of hers who were also accomplished artists. She began with
acrylic painting and progressed into various forms of printmaking.
Finally she “plunged into” etching, studying the medium “very hard”
with a friend in Italy.
In October, Gabriele will be showing her work at SGVCC as part of
“Pressing Matters,” a group show of local printmakers.
What attracted you to etching?
I have a scientific background, physics, which really
teaches you how to think, deal with problems that arise. It
actually is good training for etching, because etching takes
planning. Printmaking is creative and technical at the same
time. You have to solve many problems and have great
ideas. I like to be able to use that combination — creativity, planning and technique — that kind of decision-making in the execution of my art.
Your etchings are quite nature oriented: dragonflies,
frogs, sunflowers, fish.
I hope to open eyes to the beauty of nature that surrounds us. It’s important to me to create those moments
that might inspire people to care for the Earth. One of
By Molly Giles
All night money lies cloistered in its vaults & in the
cells of purses & the smaller cells of wallets. It prays, and all
it’s waiting for is day, when it can circulate again. I’ve earned
your interest in me, says money—for you of all people know
I’m alive, have traveled, seen what I could see, felt what I could
feel—in damp hands of customers and whores, absorbing each
scent as I went, in the chicken rancher’s back pocket, the blind
man’s tin box, the matron’s perfumed purse. Not bad for a metaphor, eh? Not bad for a promise? But he who has me does not
hold me: for in silver or paper, filamented or embossed or watermarked, holographed or layered, he who has me knows that I am
liquid, smiles when he holds me in his hand, and when he gives
me away grieves a little.
Money could have been.
Money was once.
Money owns if only.
Its dazzle drawered, its fiber filling envelopes under mattresses, under stone, it will save us, won’t it, from the noise,
from the insult, from the broken back, from mistrust, loneliness, hunger, lust, the last thirst.
You think you own that car, that fat cigar, that speedboat, that black coat? Money owns them, lends them to you.
They come due. And though emblazoned with the pictures
of fighters & heroes, money averages them all, strips away
their names, loves us in its steady green light, there in the firmament, its wholeness just beyond our reach.
And when we’re gone, money takes its spade & threads
us in.
Q & Artist
Photo by Donn DeAngelo.
Young Wife on the Ark
By Gerald Fleming
The clutter, the noise, the stench: those three—oh, and the
rain. If I could be free of those four things, I’d be all right.
My headaches would stop. I’d be able to sleep. I haven’t had
a breath of fresh air or closed my eyes in weeks. Everything’s
wet. Everything stinks. I’d faint and die if I went downstairs,
but even here, in the cabin, it reeks. Odors of camel and parrot and sheep have curdled the last milk left in my breast,
and the baby wails a weak protest scarcely heard through the
clatter of leaks. Each day gets darker, each night the lamp
burns a little bit lower; there’s less fit to eat. Mildew has
ruined the melons and wheat, and the yams have sprouted
beards of white hair, like his beard, old man, kneeling there,
chin on the porthole. He tells us we’re saved. The others
believe him. But I’ve heard him pray. And I pray along with
him through the dull day. I pray the lions will spring on the
apes. I pray the tigers will kill the gazelles. I’d like the turtles
to choke in their shells. I’d choke them myself if I still trusted
violence. I don’t. It does nothing, God himself tried to silence
the world with this rainstorm, a brainstorm that failed. We’re
still trapped, still jailed, in a dark little ark where restless
beasts pace back and forth in their own filth forever. Dryeyed at high tide, I lie awake, my baby a stranger, a stranger
my mate. I’m told there will soon be an end to this flood.
And what then, I wonder. Mud. And more mud.
the reasons I chose West Marin as my home is the love people
have here for their surroundings, the effort and care so many
take in saving the natural setting. Practically all of my etchings
are inspired directly from the creeks and gardens, seascapes and
landscapes of Marin. I’m especially drawn to the coho salmon
and support the efforts to save them by contributing 10% of the
online sale of my ocean prints to that work.
Other interests?
All of my interests are interconnected. I have an abiding love for
nature and for work that is done by hand. To be able to support
myself when I first moved here, I became the U.S. representative
for a small music instrument business, Feeltone, a German company that makes unusual acoustic musical instruments by hand,
piece by piece, and I continue to do this.
I am also very active in Women’s Earth and Climate Caucus
that empowers women
around the
globe in
green businesses and
food and
energy sustainability. Red Umbrellas, another of my
interests, is a non-profit of local independent artists that organize exhibits in public
places in San Francisco. We strive to bring
the public into direct contact with artists,
to meet and talk about making art.
Part of my attraction to etching is that it
requires much work by hand, the engraving on metal plates, the coloring, the
cranking of the press to pull the prints.
Today there is little understanding of the
worth of such hand work. It is my mission
to teach the value of such work, out of
which comes so much creativity.
Wilderness Calls
by Paul Berensmeier
As It Used to Be
I had a beautiful animal experience that was a reflection of the beauty I had
inside. It was a window, a special glimpse into the past that my grandfather told
me about long ago. He was referring to a time long ago in our history . . . a
time when humans and animals worked close together. There was great respect between the two, and
often magical things happened . . . a time when the wild animals guided us in unique ways, showing
us special things when we needed them most . . . a time when we walked side by side as one . . . of
good heart . . . of clear mind . . . filled with love for ourselves and all beings as we walked through the
forest and valleys together . . . in harmony with all life.
Having the unique opportunity to train upon the Valley trails this summer in preparation for the Leadville
100 mile race in Colorado (August), I had plenty of time (6-9 hour runs) to do what I call my moving meditation. I did this most of the summer and, without thinking about it, was able to clear my mind of clutter
and obscurations . . . moving swiftly and efficiently without thoughts getting in the way . . . experiencing a
big, heartfelt sense of gratitude for being alive and able to run like this in such a magical place.
Valley
Environmental
News
by Debra Amerson
Here Snakey Snake
Robert Wilson thought I should mention the increased rattle snake sightings
near Valley creeks this summer and that someone in the Valley was bitten by
one—Yikes! It’s likely that since we got so little rain last summer that the snakes
are naturally seeking hydration. Snakes are a part of our biological systems and as
my grandmother and avid gardener used to say… just watch where you walk and
carry a big stick with you while hiking or gardening.
Only minutes into my dawn run in Forest Knolls, a beautiful fox stood right in the middle of the
road. It looked right at me . . . but didn’t run away! I stopped, and, feeling so incredibly happy, said,
“Hi, beautiful one,” in a soft voice. It did not rivet its eyes on me in fear and tense its muscles for
fight or flight. Instead, in a very relaxed, unconcerned, curious way, it rocked side to side, looking
toward me from different angles. It was odd behavior because it looked like it couldn’t see me. Is it
old, sick? No. It was very apparent it was in the prime of life with all its faculties.
Danger in The Dog’s Bowl
I crooned to it in a soft voice, saying, as grandpa used to say to animals on our nature walks when I was a
boy, “It’s okay, I won’t bother you.” I continued, saying how beautiful it was and thanking it for this wonderful experience. It continued to rock back and forth eyeing me, then carefully sniffed the air. Fascinating. I
was close enough to see that it was looking slightly past me, on either side, as it rocked back and forth to see
better. I turned around to see if a dog or human was behind me, but no one else was there.
Dog Days of Summer
Then I was suddenly struck by the sensation that it recognized . . . glimpsed . . . that time long ago when
humans and animals were as one, when we walked together, side by side in trust, without fear. As if answering my thoughts, the fox completely relaxed and calmly trotted right by me, then onto the lush green grass.
A short distance away, he spun a tight clockwise circle and sat down on the soft grass right in front of the
blackberry bushes, nestling his nose into his thick bushy tail. I was able to watch him in complete peace
there until my legs grew tired of standing and I was pulled to finish my run.
Note: Try going out early one morning when you feel really good and your mind isn’t cluttered. Fill
your being with the thought of how incredibly lucky we are to be alive and able to walk in this special
Valley, and just see how the animals respond to you . . .
I was shocked to hear about a house in Sebastopol that burnt down due to a pet’s
metal pet water bowl left outside. It seems that the the reflection actually ignited
dry brush near the house. Wow! After hearing that story, I promptly removed our
metal pet water bowl on the deck. Yikes!
Last spring I enjoyed several sightings of baby coyotes in the field at Flanders
ranch. And, for the first time in many years, we Arroyo Rd. / Barranca/ Portola
residents are hearing the calls of coyote pack members day and night. The high
pitched yelps become long howls that prompt local 9’s to join in the chorus. The
cat is staying very close to home these days.
Besides my concern for our pets and our neighbors, domestic and barn yard
animals, it’s pretty intense hearing the coyote calls and then an eery silence that
follows a kill. I just hope that “Blind Momma,” the roaming raccoon who resides
near Frank Binney’s house on Arroyo remains safe. She wanders Arroyo and
Barranca at all hours of the day and night. And because she’s blind, it’s always
nighttime to Blind Momma. I’ve actually grown quite fond of her because her
survival skills are impressive. She’s smart enough to climb trees to safety escape
neighborhood dogs that chase her and has avoided roaming coyotes who would
find her rather delicious.
Community
Wellness
by Christin Anderson, MS
HPV— Human Papillomavirus and Cancer Prevention
At least half of Americans who are sexually active have contracted HPV and most do not know they are
carriers. There are 120 different HPV viruses, many are associated with genital warts and some are associated with various forms of cancer. The majority of HPV are harmless but two types, HPV 16 and 18
can cause cancer in areas where moist epithelial cells exist, such as the mouth, throat, penis, cervix and
anus. In fact over 33,000 cases in the U.S. are attributed to HPV. In addition HPV related throat cancer has sky rocketed by 70% in the last 2 years attributed to oral sex, another reason to get vaccinated.
HPV is a sexually transmitted disease that keeps on giving years after contact. Individuals may
not experience symptoms for years and eventually be diagnosed with an HPV related cancer. The
less harmful HPV causes 90 % of genital warts and can be treated.
Who is at risk? About 20 million Americans are infected with HPV at one time according to the
CDC. The highest at risk in the population are:
•
Individuals who have sex at an early age
•
Individuals who have sex with many partners
•
Individuals who have sex with a partner who has had multiple partners.
HPV can infect people at any age, but younger people are at highest risk, so the FDA approved vaccines in 2006 for the younger population.
Even though there are two vaccines that are long-term immunizations which prevent cancer-related
HPV, many people in that young at-risk group have not been vaccinated. The vaccine is most effective
if given to boys and girls between the ages of 11 and 12. There are three doses of the vaccine that are
given through age 26 and must be taken over a period of 8 months. If you are 26 or younger and are
HPV positive, the vaccine may still be effective in preventing another more harmful strain.
Insurance companies see the wisdom in prevention and so they do cover the costs . If you do not have
health insurance, the vaccine can be obtained for free through the Vaccines for Children Vfc Program.
Our Coastal Health Alliance Clinics in West Marin all administer this vaccine. Get your kids vaccinated so that they do not contract this STD related cancer.
For more information on HPV go to the CDC (Center for Disease Control) website.
SGV Healthy Community Collaborative
About the Healthy Community Collaborative
Since 1996 the Community Center has hosted monthly meetings of the San Geronimo Valley Healthy Community Collaborative. The collaborative gives local organizations and individuals the
opportunity to gather at the Community Center and share information about the work they do on behalf of our Valley community. Each member organization of the collaborative is invited to
submit a short update on recent activities and information on upcoming events to each issue of Stone Soup. Submissions are not edited.
Edie Robinson Community Service Awards
The Edie Robinson Community Service Award, founded in 1999 to honor Edie’s longterm service to the community, is awarded every second year (one for the current year and
one for the year just past) to outstanding San Geronimo Valley volunteers.
The 2012 and 2013 awards were presented to Amy Valens and Phil Sotter on June 3 as
part of the Healthy Community Collaborative BBQ celebration.
Phil Sotter.
Author’s Event….. Wednesday, October 23 at 6:30 PM (Tentative)
Any Valens.
A Special Meeting of the San Geronimo Valley Healthy
Community Collaborative (HCC)
what stage of the illness they’re in. Sheff ’s premise is that “addiction isn’t a criminal problem,
but a health problem.”
Clean — Overcoming Addiction and Ending America’s Greatest Tragedy
The HCC comprises non-profit organizations, schools, county agencies, private and public
social service agencies, health organizations and local business, and individuals who meet each
month at the San Geronimo Valley Community Center. This year, the HCC has agreed to
address the serious problem of drug addiction and substance abuse.
We are very pleased that Inverness writer and New York Times best-selling author of Beautiful
Boy: A Father’s Journey Through His Son’s Addiction will be coming to the Community Center
to talk about his latest book. Clean, published in April 2013, has been called “the best book
on drug abuse and addiction to appear in years.” Clean offers clear, cogent counsel for parents
and others who want to prevent drug problems and for addicts and their loved ones no matter
Community Garden
by Liz Lauter, Garden
Coordinator
We have a new exciting sponsor, West Marin
Compost, located just around the corner
in Nicasio. They will be our main source of
locally made organic compost, besides what we
make ourselves. We picked up a first load.
See our happy garden members “digg’n it”:
Barb Scott, John Cook, David Lauter, Carl
Szawarzenski.
West Marin Compost is located at 5575
Nicasio Valley Road. Call them when you need good compost. Their number is 662-9849.
Their website is westmarincompost.org.
Everyone is invited to this special free community event.
SGV Stewards
SGV Stewards are urging all Valley residents
to join with the MMWD program to conserve water during dry summer months after
our driest spring on record.
The baby salmon now in our creeks need
the water when summer pools are drying up.
The water district has mandatory releases
from our reservoirs to ensure adequate flow
for fish and wildlife.
San Geronimo Valley Steward and longtime organGardener Newman recommends reducing
ic gardener, Allan Newman, waters his garden with
irrigation by one day a week. He says “Your recycled water. Photo courtesy of Niz Brown.
tomatoes will love it!” Visit MMWD’s website 20gallons.org for more water saving tips.
Other exciting news: We are creating a Medicinal Herb garden with the help of new garden
member, Cheryl Fromholzer, herbalist, teacher and owner of “Gathering Thyme” in San
Anselmo. Her website is gatheringthyme.com
The Stewards are now receiving requests for information and help from folks who live along
waterways, all around Marin.
Come visit the garden!
San Geronimo Valley Emergency Fund
SGV Lions Service Project
June 29-30, the hottest weekend of the year, the San Geronimo Valley Lions performed major
maintenance to the SGVCC preschool playground. Visit the Community Center and see the
great work:
•
Repaired Rope Ladder
•
Power washed, repaired and water sealed play structures, tables, benches
•
Pruned surrounding trees and brush
•
Shoveled, raked, filtered, cleaned and manicured the sand to beach-like beauty.
•
Rebuilt and refinished rocking boat and play airplane.
Many thanks go to Zoila Berardi for the great lunch and cold drinks on the 100 degree days,
and the Lagunitas school interns Cooper Jansen, Easton Edwards and Rylan Edwards. Parent
volunteers were Rochelle Edwards and Chris Rygg, while Tom Eller and crew completely
rebuilt the tire swing. SGV Lions volunteers were Dave Cort, Jerry Feickert, Matt Morales,
Karl Schleicher, and Louisa and John Young.
Material for the project was generously donated by Golden State Lumber.
From Zoila: A big thank you to Jerry Feickert and the Lions Club for a super work weekend
of pruning trees. shoveling sand, and washing and sealing wooden equipment. This all goes
great with the new tire swing built by Tom and Jon Eller, and partially funded by many
generous patrons of Chris Rygg’s coffee company.
Supreme gratitude to all for all the support and help.
For more information www.sgvstewards.org.
The San Geronimo Valley Emergency Fund is dedicated to providing financial respite to qualifying Valley residents experiencing hardship due to unforeseen circumstances.
“Jazz On The Lawn” is our major fundraiser to continue supporting our community. Last fiscal year, we gave out over $12,000 in grants.
This is the tenth year for “Jazz on the Lawn” and we invite you to join us on Sunday,
September 8, 2013, from 3:00 to 6:00 pm at Zoila’s, 80 Meadow Way, San Geronimo. The
cost is $30 per person and all donations will be matched. We want to thank Jerry Feickert for
refurbishing our picnic table and chairs for this wonderful celebration. We really appreciate
Jerry’s community spirit.
Come join us and enjoy The Tina Marzell Quartet, Oysters, hors d’oeuvres, and the Silent Auction.
See you there!
LEAP
LEAP is happy to begin the new school year. Last school year, LEAP had a great fundraising
year, thanks to you all and $60,500 in matching grants! Your generosity supports such things
as teacher mini-grants, allowing teachers to offer special programs and field trips to students,
our wonderful Bobcat Band, and Staff Appreciation lunches. All this and direct program
allocations help our children experience a more interesting and varied school experience. We
couldn’t do it without you!
Which brings us to Pledge Week! Every dollar makes a difference in what we can offer our
children. Keep your eyes open for our Pledge information.
Participate in LEAP! If you are interested in what we do for our students, and want to be
part of a cohesive group made up of folks from all our programs, please come to a meeting.
Everyone is welcome.
For more information, visit out website: leap4education.org
Salmon Protection and Watershed
Network—SPAWN
In May, 150 prominent biologists and thousands of individuals joined SPAWN to call on
Marin County to establish commonsense creek
and salmon protections that will safeguard our
Valley’s natural beauty. We welcome Valley residents to learn more and participate by contacting [email protected].
In partnership with the San Geronimo Golf
Course, we are studying potential projects
Valley and other community volunteers worked
for salmon-friendly habitat restoration, water with SPAWN to help restore habitat in the floodconservation and low-impact pest manplain of the creek, in order to slow floodwaters to
agement practices. We held a community
protect baby salmon.
meeting on the study and are now collecting
conservation data. A meeting on the findings is planned for late August.
In the past three months,18 community groups and 210 volunteers of all ages have monitored
smolts (young fish) and restored habitat, and moved SPAWN’s native plant nursery to our
headquarters location to raise more plants. We also welcomed a new full-time fundraising and
communications intern — a UC Santa Cruz graduate.
SG Community Church Gets Ready for
Holly Fair!
Everyone in the Valley is welcome at the
63rd Annual Holly Fair to be held Friday,
November 8 and Saturday, November 9 at
San Geronimo Community Presbyterian
Church. Our volunteers are now picking blackberries for homemade pies and
preserves, selecting prizes for the children’s
games, and preparing for our Silent Auction
and the White Elephant Booth.
Holly Fair is a good opportunity to make
Children from San Geronimo Preschool explore the
room in your closet or garage by donating
books, DVDs and CDs donated to Holly Fair Book
gently used household items, dishes, toys,
Nook.
jewelry, fine art and handcrafts, power tools,
and small furniture. Starting Saturday, November 2, you can drop off donations, or call the
Church 488-1757 to arrange transportation.
We serve full turkey dinners on Friday evening, November 8, and offer delicious lunches on
Saturday, November 9. Save the dates!
Learn about volunteering, free Seed Gathering Hikes and a new California Naturalist Program
starting September 9 at SpawnUSA.org.
Gan HaLev
San Geronimo Valley Planning Group
Wishes for a Good New Year…Connecting Past and Present
“This is the last place. There is nowhere else to go.” — Lou Welch
Moving from celebrating our 40th Anniversary to ongoing efforts to protect our rural way of
life and environmental legacy:
•
Giacomini Preserve/Spiral Circle: Recently learned that the PG owns a portion of the
road that leads to the Spiral Circle. We took a leadership role in securing grants and funding (thank you, members) for this acquisition. The County requested a PG quit claim
deed. Our response. Of course! Huzza!
•
Draft SCA: We circulated a letter to six major County environmental organizations urging them to meet and collaborate on issues that protect our aquatic environment, are fair
to property owners and end the moratorium. We collaborated and met with four supervisors. Supervisor Kinsey has requested another meeting with us.
•
Vegetation Management Plan (VMP); Road and Trails Management Plan (R&TMP): We
have attended all meetings and are reviewing drafts now. The VMP deals with pesticides,
invasive species, wildfire concerns, plants and wildlife. The R&TMP is hard hitting. It nurtures healthy use by hikers and equestrians and forbids abusive bike use that endangers users.
Wilderness Way Environmental Center
by Rabbi Elisheva Salamo
One of our sacred texts says, a “righteous person, even when she dies, does not disappear.” A person
lives on in the memories of those they loved and who loved them, in the teachings they shared with
the world, in the works of their hands, through their offspring genetically. One way of honoring
those lives is with charity (tzedaka). You can connect tzedaka to your loved one: bringing food for
the hungry (maybe your grandma was thin), cleaning a public space (her house was always neat),
becoming part of a committee (she spent many years doing volunteer work), donating to the
food pantry (she was an excellent cook), the list goes on. Whatever way you choose to do your
tzedaka, you are binding their souls up in the bond of life. Shana Tova!
High Holiday services are:
Wednesday, September 4, Rosh Hashanah Evening Service
Thursday, September 5, First Day Rosh Hashanah, Morning Service
Friday, September 6 ,Tashlich late afternoon at Samuel P. Taylor Park
Friday, September 13, Kol Nidre Evening Service
Saturday, September 14, Yom Kippur
Sunday, September 22, Sukkot Party and First Day of Sunday School
For more information about Gan HaLev or High Holidays, please call 488-4524 or email
[email protected]. Our website is www.ganhalev.org. Shalom!
By Paul and Jean Berensmeier
West Marin Senior Services
School Year Highlights
Afternoon Tea in West Marin
2012 – 2013
After the Oh’s and Ah’s subsided (faculty, school board and classroom tours), we explored
dry Larsen Creek to learn about erosion, pollution (found 102 golf balls!) and how fish live.
Student watershed models provided lessons in land forms; took field trips; continued primary
and middle school Steelhead-in-the-Classroom programs; rebirthed the Salmon Festival; painted a mural; initiated a wildlife Tracking Program and new Native American studies.
2013 – 14
Repair and make new salmon crossing signs on campus/community; build a Native American
tule boat and new games; make Madrone berry necklaces; dam our backyard swale to prevent
creek pollution; create a Native American Garden with plants for food, medicine and utilitarian objects for kids, adults and wildlife; more animal tracking activities; organize our book/
film libraries and update our old, but still relevant, website. Continue film documentaries.
Care to volunteer? Call Paul at 488-1964. www.sgvwildernessway.org
Meetings
•
•
•
SGV Planning Group
Valley Disaster Group
Drum Circle
St. Cecilia’s Lagunitas & St. Mary’s Nicasio
Tea anyone? Such a cozy habit in such good
company! Join us for our monthly Afternoon
Tea at Stockstill House, West Marin Senior
Services’ unique dome-shaped care home that
looks more like a bed ’n breakfast than
a licensed residential care facility. Our dedicated staff provides 24-hour
care for eight residents in a warm and spacious setting. Emphasis on safety, comfort,
and continuous care and supervision provides our families with peace of mind. Federally funded respite care is available to family caregivers needing a break. Short stays are also
available, vacancy permitting. For information, contact Pam Osborn, RN, at 663-8148 x101. About that tea…it’s held on the fourth Wednesday of each month from 3-4 p.m. Enjoy
refreshments while chatting with our residents and staff. Contact Laura Sherman, SGV Care
Manager, at 663-8148 x102 for information.
by Reverend Cyril O’Sullivan
It seems to me in a Democracy the voter is the most important legislator. What we do in a
Democracy, you go out and vote for it. You do not like something, vote to change it.
The executive branch executes,
the legislative branch legislates,
the judicial branch interprets.
Yet many public policy questions are being decided by unelected judges deciding matters for
us. Judges should interpret not legislate. Are the Courts becoming a third house of Congress in
the U.S. Is this how we envision Democracy?
St. Cecilia’s CYO Basketball Registration Opens In Early September!
Boys & Girls – Grades 3 to 8
Teams form in October • Practices begin in November • League runs January into early March
On-Line Registration will open in early September
Email Mike Davidson at [email protected]
with questions and to ensure you are notified when registration opens.
Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, November 24, 4:00 PM
Movie Muse
by Peter Oppenheimer
Oscar alert. The stirring and masterfully crafted new film, Fruitvale
Station, winner of both the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award
at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, tells a based-on-truth tale of a
single day, December 31, 2008. The last day of that year also happens to be the last day in the life of our protagonist, Oscar Grant, a
young man (22) struggling to do right by the four generations of his family with whom he is
intimately connected.
Even before the opening credits roll, we see the actual cell phone footage of the altercation and fatal
shooting of Oscar Grant by a panicky Bay Area Rapid Transit security guard. In the 90-minute runtime that follows, we are introduced to and welcomed into a rich, intricate and complicated cast of
characters, the majority of whom are a part of Oscar’s multi-generational family.
There’s a common bromide, no
less worthy for its clichéd nature,
that we should live each day as
if it were our last. This becomes
very much the experience of the
viewer, as our affection for and
identity with Oscar Grant grows
through witnessing his many
kind gestures and overall good
intentions in relationship with his
daughter, girlfriend, sister, mother
and grandmother. With his father
out of the picture and his only
brother holding himself at arm’s
length from the rest of the family, Oscar is cast into the role of “man of the family,” one which
he takes on with no bitterness, considerable grace and yet numerous indiscretions.
Oscar is in no way presented as a saint. On the contrary he has been guilty of several betrayals
and bad choices that have impacted all those who love, nurture and, to some extent, depend
upon him. Michael B. Jordan (of The Wire and Friday Night Lights, not NBA, fame) most certainly deserves an Oscar (pun intended) nomination for seamlessly crafting and embodying a
character capable of both heroism and frailty.
Having lost his low-wage job, as a result of chronic lateness, and under pressure to pay the rent
of the small apartment where he lives with his girlfriend, Sofina and their 4 year old daughter,
Tatiana, Oscar resorts to his old gambit of dealing marijuana, which has already led to a previous stint in prison. He doesn’t have the nerve to tell his girlfriend or mother about losing his
job, and there is also reference to a former infidelity in his relationship with Sophina.
Marin County Parks
Community Service outside the Classroom
By Greg Reza and Kirk Schroeder
Now that school is back in session, Marin County Parks has just the thing
for high school students who want get back outside. No, we can’t extend
summer vacation, but we can offer outdoor opportunities for students to
earn their required community service hours.With the start of 2013 school
year, volunteer coordinators Greg Reza and Kirk Schroeder are launching
the new Students in Parks (SIP) program. Greg and Kirk remind students that “many college admissions officers rank community service in the top five most important factors in an
application.We track student service time and provide a letter of recommendation.” Students
will develop a variety of skills, discover Marin’s parks and natural areas, learn about land
stewardship, and understand how fortunate we are to call this special place home.
There are four steps to SIP:
1. Choose a community service project.We conduct a variety of projects in our parks and
open space preserves including trail maintenance, native plant restoration, landscaping, and
beach/shore clean-up.
2. We track student service time. We send e-mail alerts about upcoming events, log service
hours for projects or special assignments, award letters of recommendationupon completion
of 40 or more hours, and prepare SIP end-of- school year hour totals.
3. Gain experience and have fun. Opportunities are geared towards students with limited
or no experience, and everyone has the option to attend regularly scheduled community volunteer work days or develop a special assignment.
4. Start now. Contact Greg at (415) 473-3778 or [email protected] to complete an
application and contract (including parental consent for students under 18).
Marin County parks, facilities, and open space in the San Geronimo Valley include:
Inkwells Bridge, Forest Knolls Park, and the French Ranch, Maurice Thorner Memorial,
Roy’s Redwoods, Gary Giacomini, White Hill, and Cascade Canyon open space preserves.
For more information, visit marincountyparks.org, check out our online events calendar,
and follow us on Facebook (facebook.com/marincountyparks) and Twitter (@marinparks).
Still, Oscar is not a bad person and his
sincere desire to straighten himself out is
evident. He is also capable of great sweetness and kindness as evidenced in his
attentiveness to his mother’s needs, his
tender relationship with his grandmother,
his affection for his daughter, his putting
his sister’s needs ahead of his own, and his
proactive compassion for strangers and even
a stray dog. Although complicated and fallible, Oscar provides an ennobling model of how to
express kindness toward others, that can serve as an inspiration to our own aspirations, we too
who are complicated and fallible.
The filmmaking (by first time director, Bay Area resident 27 year old Ryan Coogler) is top rate
and worthy of several Oscar nominations, including supporting acting nods to Octavia Spencer
as Oscar’s mother and Melonie Diaz as his girlfriend. There are numerous beautiful images that
draw us into the action, such as a long shot with Mt. Tamalpais as the backdrop across the Bay
from where Oscar sits alone contemplating his past and future. My favorite scene was at Oscar’s
mother’s birthday party, where we take the view of the camera as it moves from room to room
and group to group in such a way as to have made me feel almost giddy with the thrill and
stimulation of being a welcome guest in this lively and intimate gathering, as if a participant in
the festivities.
Though the day’s events themselves are compelling, they somehow pale in comparison to what
we know lies ahead just after midnight, while at the same time each encounter paradoxically
takes on a heightened significance, knowing that this day is his last. We would all do well to
effect this same dual correction in our perspective on our own moment to moment activities.
The direction also has clever ways of shifting us back out of the intimacy of what we are witnessing into a wider perspective, by occasionally having either the sound or focus drop out or
the camera perspective shift from that of insider to outsider.
Fruitvale Station is filmmaking with a higher purpose. In feeling Oscar’s deep humanity, we
touch our own humanity. In forgiving him for his failings, we can take a step toward forgiving
our own. And though it hurts to acknowledge and empathize in the face of the societal conditions which this family is forced to confront, we are better people when we do identify with
those who suffer the consequences of injustice and iniquity.
Be sure to stay during the closing credits to see real video clips of a memorial service held in
Oscar Grant’s honor on the 4th anniversary of his death, with footage of his actual daughter,
Tatiana, now 8 years old.
My only complaint with Fruitvale Station is that I wish it had a happier ending. But being
based on the true story, how could it? Perhaps the film suggests that Oscar is calling to us from
the grave, that we ourselves can help rewrite the ending through addressing the numerous personal, interpersonal and societal causes of this tragic loss.
Stone Soup Display Ad Rates:
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For more information, please contact:
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Community
Calendar
September
Wed
Thur
Fri
Sat
Sun
Sun
Sun
Thur
Fri
Sat
Sat
4
5
6
7
7
8
8
11
13
14
21
7:00 pm
10:00 am
Sat
28
5:00 pm
Wed
Thur
Thur
Sat
Sat
Fri
2
3
3
5
5
18
7:00 pm
Sat
Sat
Sat
19
19
19
9:30 am
10:00 am
12:00–5 pm
8:30–10 am
6:00–8 pm
5:00–8 pm
3:00–6 pm
7:00 pm
10:00 am
7:30 pm
October
10 am–5 pm
8:30–10 am
8:00 pm
6:30 pm
Mon 21
Wed 23
4:30 pm
6:30 pm
Thur 31
Noon
488-8888 (be sure to press # before dialing the ext.)
Rosh Hashanah Evening Service
Ist Day Rosh Hashanah, Morning Service
Tashlich late afternoon
Pancake Breakfast for Dads and Kids
Artist Reception: Tobias Berardi
Valley Family Jam Fest
Jazz On the Lawn: SGV Emergency Fund
Back to School Night
Kol Nidre Evening Service
Yom Kippur
Reading by Barbara Swift Brauer,
Gerald Fleming, and Molly Giles
8th Annual Community Center Gala
Comm Center
Comm Center
Taylor Park
Loft
Comm Center
Comm Center
Zoila’s, SG
Lag School
Comm Center
Comm Center
Comm Center
The Healthcare Movie
School Picture Day
Valley Health Day
Comedian Betsy Salkind
Grow Your Own—Cultural Programming in
Immigrant Communities film premiere
TAPS Deli-to-Deli Stroll
Valley Games IV
Artist Reception: Pressing Matters IV
Printermakers Group Show
Middle School Cross Country Meet
Author David Sheff: Clean — Overcoming
Addiction and Ending America’s Greatest Tragedy
Halloween Carnival
Comm Center
Lag School
Comm Center
Loft
Comm Center
Comm Center
Loft
Presby Church
Presby Church
Comm Center
Comm Center
Loft
Comm Center
St. Cecilia’s
St. Mary’s
Comm Center
Comm Center
Comm Center
Loft
November
Sat
Fri
Sat
Sat
2
8
9
9
8:30–10 am
4–9:00 pm
10 am–3 pm
4:00–8 pm
Sat
Sun
Wed
Wed
16
24
27
27
8:00 pm
4:00 pm
9 am–5 pm
2:00 pm
Holly Fair
Holly Fair
Artist Reception: Jenny Hunter Groat
Restrospective Exhibit
Charlie Varon
Interfaith Thanksgiving Service
Holiday Camp
Thanksgiving Food Distribution
Wed
Sat
Sat
Sat
Sun
Tues
Wed
Thur
Mon
4
7
7
7
15
17
18
19
23
6:00 pm
8:30–10 am
12 – 6:00 pm
6:00 pm
2:00 pm
2 – 6:00 pm
2 – 6:00 pm
2 – 6:00 pm
9 am–5 pm
Gan HaLev Chanukah Party
SGVCC Holiday Arts Faire
St. Cecilias Christmas Party
St. Mary’s Christmas Concert
Holiday Gift Distribution
Holiday Gift Distribution
Holiday Food Distribution
Holiday Camp begins
December
Adult
Classes
at the
Center
Community Center Staff Directory
and Phone Extensions
DAY
Mondays
Mondays
Tuesdays
Tuesdays
Tuesdays
Wedesdays
Wednesdays
Wednesdays
Wednesdays
Wednesdays
Thursdays
Thursdays
Thursday
Thursdays
Fridays
Fridays
Fridays
Sundays
SGV Golf Course
Woodacre Mkt.
Lag School
Comm Center
Lag School
Comm Center
Lag School
Comm Center
St. Cecilia’s
Loft
Comm Center
CLASS
Flowga
Wisdom (Zhineng) Healing Qigong
Corematics
Chi Is River
Life Is Art, Memoir to Monologue
Integral T’ai Chi
Wisdom (Zhineng) Healing Qigong
Cathartic Kick Boxing
Family Dog 1
Family Dog I1
Corematics
Gentle Being Chair Flowga
Pure Beautiful Healing Qi Gong
Sweat Your Prayers
Cathartic Kick Boxing
Advanced Long Form T’ai Chi
Meade’s Watercolor Basics
Sound Circle Voice Class
Dave Cort, Center Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .#224
[email protected]
Suzanne Sadowsky, Associate Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .#251
[email protected]
Hannah Doress, Events Programmer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .#253
[email protected]
Larry Rippee, Visual Arts Coordinator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .#252
[email protected]
Susan Shannon, Youth Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Loft
[email protected]
Julie Young, Youth Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Loft
[email protected]
Lynn Charne, VAST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .#214
[email protected]
Alison Pringle, VAST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .#214
[email protected]
Heather Richardson, Youth Program, Family Advocate, First 5 . . . . . . . . . .Loft
[email protected]
Poko Giacomini, Human Services Family Advocate, Wellness,
Facilities Mgr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #250
[email protected]
Nicole Ramirez, Human Services Manager, Family Advocate. . . . . . .#254
[email protected]
Buck Chavez, Gym Recreation, Family Advocate
[email protected]
Howie Cort, Gym Administrator
[email protected]
The LOFT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .488-4118, ext. 218
Gym Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .488-4118, ext. 219
Regular Meetings and Events
Community Center Board mtg.
Healthy Comm. Collaborative
Lions Club Dinner
4-H Meeting
School Board mtg.
Lag. Ed. Foundation (LEAP) mtg.
Serenity Knolls After Care mtg.
SGV Planning Group
WIC Board Meeting
Woodacre Garden Club
Rainbow Playgroup
Rainbow Playgroup
Senior Lunch
Senior Lunch
Artists' Receptions
SGV Al-Anon Family Group
Valley Disaster Council
2nd Thursday
2nd Wednesday
4th Thursday
2nd Wednesday
3rd Thursday
1st Monday
Every Tuesday
2nd Monday
3rd Tuesday
2nd Saturday
Every Tuesday
Every Thursday
Every Monday
Every Thursday
2nd Sunday
Thursdays
Last Wednesday
6:00 pm
3:30 pm
7–9 pm
6:30 pm
6:00 pm
7:00 pm
7:00 pm
7:30 pm
7:00 pm
9:30 am
10–noon
10–noon
Noon
Noon
4:00 pm
7–8 pm
7 pm
Comm Center
Comm Center
Two Bird Cafe
Comm Center
Lag. School
Lag. School
Comm Center
WW Env. Ctr.
WIC
Oval Park
Room 9
Room 9
Comm Center
Comm Center
Comm Center
Presby. Church
WW Env. Ctr.
SGVCC Website
The San Geronimo Valley Community Center’s weekly listing of events
and activities is posted on our regularly updated website. Visit us at:
www.sgvcc.org. Email us at [email protected] to join our email list.
TIME
10:00–11:15 am
6:30–7:30 pm
7:30–8:30 am
8:30–9:30 am
6:00–7:30 pm
8:30–9:30 am
9:00–10:00 am
9:15–10:15 am
7:00–8:00 pm
6:00–7:00 pm
7:30–8:30 am
11:00–Noon
11:00 am
7:00–9:00 pm
9:15–10:15 am
10:00–11:00 am
10:00 am–1:00 pm
7:00–8:00 pm
TEACHER
Florence Schneider
Amy Matthaei
George Adams
Jacob Barnett
Carol Alter
Kenn Chase
Amy Matthaei
Jakana Bishay
Holly McArthur
Holly McArthur
George Adams
Florence Schneider
Kathy Perkins
Jennifer Burner
Jakana Bishay
Kenn Chase
Marty Meade
Tricia Mo’orea
CONTACT
342-5349
342-3579
488-1084
488-4458
251-4860
488-4213
342-3579
259-9481
259-9481
488-1084
342-5349
488-1279
START DATE
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
9/17-11/5
Ongoing
Ongoing
See Catalogue
See Catalogue
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
488-4213
Ongoing
488-4210
Begins
808-635-6739 Begins 9/17

Fall 2013 - San Geronimo Valley Community Center

Transcription

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