Volume 65, Issue 8 | August 2021 |
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August 2021 Community Center Calendar
3 | Firewise Committee |
10 | HVLT Board |
17 | HVCA Board |
24 | Sanitary District Board |
1st/3rd Weds. | Tam Design Review Board |
Saturdays | A. A. Meeting | 10:00 AM |
Fridays | SingDancePlay - Music Together | 11:00 AM
Saturday, August 28 | Homestead Valley Music Festival | 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
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Homestead Valley Pool Refresh |
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Finally...it's here!
By Ashley MacDonald
It is with great excitement that we announce the Homestead Valley Pool Renovation Project is scheduled to commence the week after Labor Day. Many HVCA Board members, staff and community volunteers have worked for years to make this project a reality. Currently the project is expected to be completed by March 2022 and we will be ready to open for a full pool season next Spring. Construction hours are Monday - Friday from 8am-5pm. We will try our best to communicate early and thoroughly if there will be any planned deviations from the schedule.
This project will entail replacing the existing bathrooms, changing rooms and shower areas, a new pool deck and new and improved pumps and filtration systems. The pool will remain the same size and shape but will be completely resurfaced. Plans for future additions include new landscaping, pool deck furniture and a snack cart. We can hardly wait to share this new space with our Homestead Valley community!
As this project is being led by the County of Marin, any questions or concerns about the construction process should be directed to the Project Manager Tara McIntire.
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Homestead Valley Community Association |
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By Alan Cowan
Our beloved Executive Director, David Ross, has decided it is time for his next chapter. He is retiring from his role at HVCA at the end of August, so he can spend more time with his better half, Gwen (who is also retiring), exploring new horizons together.
David has been here at HVCA for 14 years. Under his leadership and guidance we have rebuilt the Community Center, improved our financial health, run our own summer camp, then created a new partnership with Camp Funderblast, planned for the upcoming pool remodel, and survived the pandemic. In other words, we could not have navigated the past 14 years without David, and his day-to-day presence will truly be missed.
When asked what he will remember most about hist time at HVCA, David quickly replied, “the people – I really enjoy working with this community and watching the kids grow up”. In fact, many of our children gained their first work experience under David, as lifeguards and gatekeepers at the pool. “It has been extremely satisfying to watch the kids work at the pool, then return as successful young adults” he added.
Also during David’s tenure, we established new traditions in the Valley that will live on and remind of us of his positive impact. Two of his favorites are the 4th of July parade and picnic in Stolte Grove, and the annual Music Festival in the meadow every August. These are great examples of how David put in tremendous effort behind the scenes to insure we all enjoyed these events with friends, family and neighbors.
We wish David and Gwen happiness and good health in their retirement. They will be working side by side in their garden, traveling, and maybe even learning to play golf! When asked for any final words of advice for all of us here in Homestead, David was very succinct. “Get involved! Volunteer!”. He knows that is the key to a healthy neighborhood, and we can thank him for showing us that for the past 14 years.
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Homestead Valley Music Festival |
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Saturday, August 28th, 2021
11am – 6pm
Who else has sorely missed listening to live music, gathering with friends and neighbors in the Meadow and seeing smiles on faces?
We are incredibly excited to be back this year to present another Homestead Valley Music Festival. The event will be held outdoors on Saturday, August 28 (the weekend BEFORE Labor Day weekend) at the Homestead Valley Community Center. The event is free for all to attend; however, we greatly appreciate donations at all levels. Below is a rundown of set times and musical acts, but you won’t want to miss out on surprises throughout the day.
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Homestead Valley's 4th of July |
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What A Turnout!
By Lindsey Tucker
Photos by Suz Lipman
HVCA was thrilled to be able to bring back our Annual 4th of July Celebration this year after pausing last summer due to Covid. We had a wonderful crowd turn out for the parade to Stolte Grove, dressed in festive attire and showing lots of patriotic spirit. The Southern Marin Fire Dept graciously led our group through the neighborhood safely and soundly. At Stolte Grove, neighbors and friends gathered together to relax and catch up. As usual, fog gave way to a sunny, blue sky just in time for the picnic. We had a fantastic music duo playing guitar and mandolin as we kicked back in the grove and enjoyed Mia Wyman’s delicious homemade baked goods. The kids were entertained by our talented balloon artist and face painter. Josh Davis and Patrick Wyman kept everyone hydrated and laughing serving drinks and snacks. Thanks to everyone in the community for coming out to celebrate, it was fantastic to see you all!
Special thanks to all the community volunteers who helped make the event a success: Jonnie Alper and the Southern Marin Fire Dept., Leslie Dixon, Jim Derich, Rachel Carlin & Family, Josh Davis & Family, Patrick & Mia Wyman, MV Refuse, Suz Lipman and David Ross.
For those wanting more of Mia's yummy sweets, click the button below for one of her favorite recipes for Blueberry Pie. Thanks Mia!
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By Summer Shapiro - Camp Funderblast
Summer got off to a great start with our stable cohorts full and ready for fun! We are grateful to report that the HVCA meadow, community center and pool have been a safe and beautiful place for Camp Funderblast campers and families to make new friends, get much needed social emotional connection and enjoy aquatic recreation during this unprecedented time.
After operating last summer 100% outdoors, with no access to the pool, and with only 24 children per session, this summer is a happy step forward. With a year of pandemic childcare under our belts, Camp Funderblast is grateful to be able to serve slightly more children this summer and get in the water! Next to maintaining safety protocols and stable cohorts, spreading love has been our top priority! We are hearing again and again how grateful families are for this service and the words we hear most about campers are, "They're just so happy!"
Camp Funderblast and the Homestead Valley Pool have teamed up to offer swim lessons for the campers. With over a year out of the water for most, children near and far have not gotten much needed practice to become confident in the water. Swim lessons have been going great with the skill of Paul Law and the pool staff team! You should see some of these campers faces when they are in the pool... it's pure joy!
Despite a pandemic and all the logistical and staffing challenges that have come along with it, camp, and all who participate, is strong, happy and healthy! The pool is a key player in this and we are so grateful to continue to collaborate with HVCA to bring joy, recreation and learning to the community!
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By Paul Law - Homestead Valley Pool
It has been a wonderful 2021 Pool season! Thank you to all our members for making it a fun and safe summer. Watching so many families have fun at the pool this summer has been great to see.
Also, a big shout out to Camp Funderblast for adding so much joy and excitement to the pool. My guards and I loved swimming and getting to know the campers this summer.
Especially after a year of not having a normal pool season, it meant so much to us to spend this summer together with our pool family.
Also, a big thank you to our terrific lifeguards - Lia Pletcher, Carley Lehman, Eleanor Octavio, Lucy Samuels and Charles Winstead - who all truly helped make this summer successful. I’ve been really lucky to have such a genuine, happy, and hardworking group of lifeguards.
Editor's note: Thank you to Paul Law for his steadfast leadership of the lifeguards and daily management of the pool. Paul brought an overflowing amount of positive energy with him to the pool everyday this summer, always with a big smile on his face! He has been a wonderful and valuable addition to the leadership team here at HVCA!
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The Almost Bivouac
One summer evening, I was seized with the feeling that life was passing me by, that I was not long so adventurous as in my youth.
So I tossed a sleeping bag into my rucksack, and headed up Homestead Trail along the south curve of the valley. I didn't have to call my dog; she was more than eager to go.
During the first part of the walk the late evening sun was behind the fog pouring over the ridge in a giant avalanche, which gave a Wagnerian mood to the outing.
In the fast-dimming light I reached a little redwood grove high on one spur of Homestead Hill. I couldn't find a level spot. I moved to some scrub oak; they were beginning to drip as the wind-blown vapors condensed on their leaves.
I moved onto a grassy clearing in the rabbit brush. It seemed awfully desolate in the open; the fog wraiths shot by at expressway speed.
I decided to mosey on. In fact, I decided to walk home and spend the night in blessedly unadventurous fashion. The white tip of the dog's tail was a big help staying on the trail in the dark woods.
Some owls hooted; a deer almost let us walk by before he crashed off through the brush. The old Baker House was a welcome sight, lights ablaze in the lonely darkness.
September 1986
These timeless articles are reprinted from "On Foot in Homestead A Hiker's Journal of a Coastal Valley," by Matthew Davis, 1988. Matthew Davis (1935-2015), a former HVLT Board member, wrote articles which appeared in the Homestead Headlines beginning in 1984. In 1988 Matthew compiled his columns into a book "On Foot in Homestead - A Hiker's Journal of a Coastal Valley," published by the HVLT.
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Homestead Valley Vignettes by Chuck Oldenburg |
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Brown's Hall
In 1934, Bill Brown loaned the Homestead Progressive Club $2000 for construction of a community center on Miller Ave. near the Brown Jug that he had founded in 1906, now named the 2 AM Club. Brown’s Hall became the site of plays, concerts, dances, parties, celebrations, meetings, and rummage sales. It was also rented out for such events as a weekly dog training class. During the 1963 Candlelight Concert Series, the internationally acclaimed Alma Trio gave an outstanding performance before a standing room only audience. Early the next morning, a fire broke out and destroyed the interior of Brown’s Hall. The cause of the fire was never determined, although a closet containing paint and solvents was suspect. Reconstruction was made possible by a $10,000 loan courageously made by the Mill Valley branch manager of the Bank of America. Homestead craftsmen volunteered their services. After several months of effort, a completely renovated and improved Brown’s Hall was ready for community activities and cultural events. An upstairs conference room was new. In 1972, Brown’s Hall was sold to the Buddhists of Marin for their temple. A home next to Homestead School was purchased for a community center.
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Homestead Valley Contact Information |
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Community Center Office
David Ross, Executive Director
415.388.0137
Community Association
Alex Scalisi, President
Ashley MacDonald, Vice-President
Land Trust
Brian Spring, President
415.497.2880
Firewise
Steve Quarles
Sanitary District
Bonner Beuhler, Manager
415.388.4796
Stolte Grove Rentals
Sheila Nielsen
415.388.2162
Joint Marin Horizon School/Homestead Valley Committee
Christina Oldenburg, Co-Chair
415.388.9315
Bill Perrine, Co-Chair
415.388.8408 x225
E-mail HVCA Board, Center & Headlines
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Homestead Valley Community Association, 315 Montford Avenue, Mill Valley, CA 94941 |
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