HVCA Board Measure A progress HVCA and County of Marin ...€¦ · 6/12/2014 · HVCA and County...

1 Deadline for the July Headlines: June 15th, 2011

HVCA Board Tues., 6/7, 7:30 PM

HVLT Board Tues., 6/14 7:30 PM

CERT Committee 3rd Tues., as called

Sanitary Board Tues., 6/28, 7:30 PM

Tam Des Rvw Bd 1st/3rd Wed.,7:00 PM

Log Cabin, Tam Vly

A. A. Meeting Saturdays, 10:00 AM

N. A. Meetings Thurs & Fri, 6:30 PM

Homestead Village Walking Group

Fri., 1:15-3:15 PM

Blue Bear Music Fridays, 4:30 PM

Puppy Training Gentle Touch Classes Thurs., 6:30 & 7:30 PM

Ali Weiss Music Thurs., 9:30, 10:30 &

11:30 AM and 3:30 & 4:30 PM

T’ai Chi Chuan Mondays, 6:00 &

7:00 PM

Group Meditation Wednesdays, 6:30 PM

Music Together Fridays 9:30, 10:30 &

11:30 AM

Mat Pilates Wednesdays., 9:00 AM

Volume 56, Issue 6

HomesteadHomesteadHomesteadHomestead HeadlinesHeadlinesHeadlinesHeadlines JUNE, 2011

Measure A progress...

HVCA and County of Marin Announce Partnership for Improvements to our Community Center

By Dana Schmidt

On May 23rd, the community gathered for an update on the Community Center Im-provements project being funded by the Measure A tax proceeds. The meeting was hosted by the HVCA Improvement Committee and the County of Marin and the pur-pose was to provide funding details, rough scope of plan, and next steps.

Greg Lehman, Chair of the HVCA Improvement Com-mittee, reiterated that funds generated by the tax assess-ment are split between the HVCA and the Land Trust 60%/40%, respectively, with some flexibility implied. All 60% of the HVCA allocation, approximately $75,000 per year, is dedicated to the upgrade of the community center, pool and grounds. Upgrade plans do not affect the current or future split.

Given the scope of the necessary upgrades, and the de-sire to incur as little disruption to day to day Center activities, the Committee decided to approach the County about borrowing funds in advance. In formulating some possi-ble upgrade plans and cost estimates, the Committee developed the following goals:

Rectify any accessibility shortcomings of the existing building, pools and grounds Correct current deterioration of the building, including foundations, exterior enclosure, drainage and finishes Consider a main entrance to the building that is identifiable from the street Create 3 separate program spaces that can hold independent events, while giv-

ing each space access to restroom facilities Gain additional main meeting room space, proven to be too small for annual community events/meetings if possible, and Allow our program spaces to open up to outdoor spaces, allowing larger group

functions to occur without building additional enclosed space.

The Committee then developed a ‘dream plan’ as a tool to request financing from the County, which totaled from $1.85 million (building only) to $3.25 million (for build-ing, pool and meadow.) When we approached the County for financing assistance, Supervisor Kinsey worked with the county administration and was able to offer our community association approximately $1 million for a 20 year loan based on our Measure A proceeds. The scope of the plan will need to be narrowed to focus primar-ily on the building, which is in greatest need of Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), foundation, and other safety and usability upgrades.

continued on Page 8

Steve Kinsey, Marin County Supervisor

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Homestead HeadlinesHomestead HeadlinesHomestead HeadlinesHomestead Headlines

Images of Early Homestead Valley By Chuck Oldenburg

La Verne Avenue

The earliest reference to La Verne Ave. in Homestead Valley is the 1902 Tamalpais Land & Water Co. Map #6. The history of Homestead is replete with the name La Verne. From 1909 to 1914, the La Verne post office was in Cooper’s Grocery on what is now Linden Lane—Homesteaders’ mail was addressed to La Verne, California. During the La Verne post office era, the Homestead community was called La Verne, and Homestead School became La Verne School. In 1911, the La Verne Heights development offered lots for sale in what is now the Pixie Trail area. In 1914 there was a La Verne base-ball team. In 1916, the La Verne Public Highway Lighting District main-tained the street lights.

The question is often asked, “Where does the name La Verne come from?” Le Petit Larousse French dictionary confuses the issue: Le Vergne or Le Verne are old nouns which are masculine not feminine. The English mean-ing is alder tree. Today, the French word for alder tree is l’aulne, and it is masculine.

La Verne, California today is a city of 32,000 near Claremont. In 1888, La Verne and Lordsburg had been two side-by-side townships. In 1917, the city of Lordsburg changed its name to La Verne, which was the name of a neighborhood in Lordsburg. Good timing—three years earlier La Verne, Cali-fornia was in Homestead Valley.

The name La Verne for the original township had been chosen by Mrs. L.H. Bixby and her sister Mrs. Lyman Allen. Their family had been camping in the area since 1883 and had moved there in 1886. The sisters chose the name La Verne, they thought meant “growing green” or “spring-like” in French. They knew the French word also meant “alder tree”, but they focused on its other meaning. Perhaps they thought that “verne” had something to do with the Latin word from which we get the adjective “vernal”. But what about the noun gender problem? Even though Le Verne might have been correct, La Verne sounds so much better.

My French etymological research into the origin of the word la verne came up with many possibilities. One that I liked was a goddess of Greek origin named “Laverna” which people worshipped in a grove of trees. The best ex-planation is that for many centuries in the south of France, la verne referred to an alder tree or a grove of alder trees. In the south of France there are a few villages and two ancient monasteries named La Verne. However, when the French language of the south, Langue d’oc, was integrated into the French language of the north, Langue d’oil, all names of trees became masculine nouns. Thus La Verne became Le Verne. I conclude that on the 1902 map, La Verne Ave. likely refers to the alder tree. A 1897 map of Mill Valley has Birch St. and Cypress Ave. which both terminate at Edgewood Ave., the north border of Homestead Valley. Thus Laverne Ave. is in good company.

Chuck’s articles are posted on www.millvalleyhistoricalsociety.org. Photos are clearer on line than in print. He can be emailed at [email protected].

Homestead Valley

Contact Info.

Community Center Main Office Les Lizama,

Executive Director (415) 388-0137

[email protected]

Programs Desk David Ross

(415) 388-0128 [email protected]

HVCA Fax Number (415) 388-0150

HVCA Board Pres. Devi Brown


HVCA Bd. Vice Pres. Bob Carreras


Land Trust Philip Moyer


Sanitary District Tom Roberts


Stolte Grove Rentals Sheila Neilsen

(415) 388-2162

E-Mail Center & Headlines

[email protected]

HVCA Web Site www.homesteadvalley.org

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4444thththth of Julyof Julyof Julyof July Parade & PicnicParade & PicnicParade & PicnicParade & Picnic

An Annual Homestead Valley CelebrationAn Annual Homestead Valley CelebrationAn Annual Homestead Valley CelebrationAn Annual Homestead Valley Celebration

Monday, July 4Monday, July 4Monday, July 4Monday, July 4 11am11am11am11am---- 2pm, Stolte Grove2pm, Stolte Grove2pm, Stolte Grove2pm, Stolte Grove

Featuring:Featuring:Featuring:Featuring:

11:00 PARADE11:00 PARADE11:00 PARADE11:00 PARADE Dress up you and your dog (or goats…) & parade from Volunteer Park

(corner Melrose and Evergreen) to Stolte Grove!

11:30 PICNIC11:30 PICNIC11:30 PICNIC11:30 PICNIC Hot dogs, sausages, corn, watermelon, chips and sweets!

Sodas, beer and wine will be available. $5 and $7 meal tickets.

12:30 PARTY12:30 PARTY12:30 PARTY12:30 PARTY Prizes for kids’ parade costumes, dog show, piñatas, face painting!

≈≈ Volunteers help make this event a success! We need all talents Volunteers help make this event a success! We need all talents Volunteers help make this event a success! We need all talents Volunteers help make this event a success! We need all talents ---- pie bakers, grill-pie bakers, grill-pie bakers, grill-pie bakers, grill-

ers, ticket takers, judges, face painters, bartenders and more. ers, ticket takers, judges, face painters, bartenders and more. ers, ticket takers, judges, face painters, bartenders and more. ers, ticket takers, judges, face painters, bartenders and more. If you’re interested, please call 384If you’re interested, please call 384If you’re interested, please call 384If you’re interested, please call 384----0685.0685.0685.0685.

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Summer Camp Tam June 20– August 19

“Summer Vacation Adventures”

Nine Weekly Themed Sessions

Session 1: June 20-24 Around the World In 5 Days Session 2: June 27-July 1 Wild Animal Safari Session 3: July 5– 8 Olympic Medals Session 4: July 11-15 Tam Cafe Session 5: July 18-22 Hollywood Heroes Session 6: July 25– 29 D.I.Y. - Everyone’s A MacGruber Session 7: Aug. 1-5 Flash! Kids Make News Session 8: Aug. 8-12 Rock Stars Session 9: Aug. 15-19 Game Show

Mon—Fri 9:00 AM—4:00 PM $250.00 per Week (Week 3 $200.00)

Deposit—$25.00 per week (non-refundable) Pre and Post Camp Available (additional fee)

Spend Your Summer At...

At Homestead Valley

2010 Summer Day Camp

June 21—August 27, 2010

For children entering grades K through 5

Main Phone: (415) 388 - 0137 Camp / Pool: (415) 388 - 0128

Fax: (415) 388 - 0150 email: [email protected]

Camp Tam Authorization and Indemnity Agreement

Indemnification: I, as parent or guardian of the minor child(ren) enrolled at Camp Tam, do hereby agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Homestead Valley Community Association, and its officers, directors employees, agents and volunteers, acting offi-cially or otherwise, from and against any all losses, liabilities, claims, damages, judgments, and costs of any kind which arise out of or in any way are connected with the minor’s participation in a Camp Tam program.

Medical Treatment Consent & Sunscreen Permission: In case of a medical or surgical emergency, I hereby give permission to any medical personnel selected by the camp staff to administer treatment. I will assume full responsibility for any such action, in-cluding payment of all costs. I also give permission to the camp staff to apply or provide sunscreen to my child(ren).

Travel Permission: I give permission for my child(ren) to leave campus on frequent walking trips located within Homestead Valley and Mill Valley.

Authorization for use of photographs/videos: I hereby agree that any pictures or videos of me or my child(ren) may be used for camp training, advertising, or promotion without any compensation to me or my child(ren).

Risk of Injury: I acknowledge that some camp activities may pose risks to my child(ren), including the risk of serious injury or death.

Refund Policy: All session deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable, except for deposits made to secure a place on a waitlist. Waitlist refunds are refundable until notification of an opening is provided, at which time they become non-refundable. Payments for camp sessions are refundable if requested on or before May 15, 2011. No refunds will be made after May 15, 2011. Eligible refunds are subject to a 10% Processing Fee.

Acknowledgment and Agreement: I hereby acknowledge that I have asked any questions I have about the camp’s policies and operations and all such questions have been answered to my satisfaction. My signature on the Camp Tam Registration form evidences my agreement to all terms and conditions set forth above and my consent to my child(ren) participating in all camp activities on site and off site. (Signature required on Camp Tam Registration form.)

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2011 Camp Tam at Homestead Valley Registration Form

Camper’s Last Name:__________________________ __ Age:_____ Gender (M/F) ____

Camper’s First Name: ___________________ Birth Date: ___/___/__ Grade In Fall___ MO DAY YR

Address: __________________________________________ City/Zip: __________________________ Home Phone: _____________________________ Buddy Preference: __________________________ Parent’s Name (1): ________________________________ Wk./Cell Ph: ________________________

Parent’s Name (2): ________________________________ Wk./Cell Ph: ________________________

E-Mail: (Parent 1): ___________________________________ @ ________________________________

E-Mail: (Parent 2): ___________________________________ @ ________________________________

Registering for Week(s) [circle]: 1 (June 20-24) 2 (June 27-July 1) 3 (July 5-8) 4 (July 11-15)

5 (July 18-22) 6 (July 25-29) 7 (Aug. 1-5) 8 (Aug. 8-12) 9 (Aug. 15-19)

Options [circle]: Pre-Camp AM Post-Camp PM

By signing below, I hereby acknowledge that I have received a copy of the Camp Tam Authorization and Indem-nity Agreement and agree to all the terms and conditions set forth therein:

Signature: ____________________________ Print Name: _________________________ Date: _________

Camper Pickup (Maximum of Three) & Emergency Contact Information:

Name #1: __________________________ Relationship:_______________ Phone: _____________



Emergency Contact: ___________________ Relationship:__________ Phone:_______________ Doctor: _____________________ Dr.’s Phone:_________________ Hospital:__________________ Medical Insurance Carrier ___________________ Account. #_______________________________ Medical/Psychological Info. (Confidential) — Camp Tam needs to know if your child has any allergies, food sensitivities, be-havioral issues, is under psychological or medical treatment, or taking /prescription drugs that need to be administered. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Registration Fee: Deposit $25.00 x ______ weeks = $_______ _ Paid: $________ Bal Due: $__________

Include payment for deposits or full amount. Fees may be paid by Cash, Check (payable to HVCA), or Credit Card (VISA/MC /Discover - in person only—ID required). Mail completed form and registration fee to: HVCA /315 Montford Ave / Mill Valley, CA 94941

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Land Trust Notes…

Wet Spring...Everything’s “Bigger, Greener and Stronger” By Philip Moyer

We are having a lovely, wet spring which means everything grows bigger, greener and stronger. This includes plants we call weeds: Thistles, Poison Oak and Broom. You can do your part to help keep our open spaces and trails free of these scourges. A “Maverick Says”, “Pull thistles especially if your property is adjacent to open space.” We would like to prevent thistles from getting a stronger foothold in Open Space Lands. Always pull broom where ever you see it. Of course, it will still come out with roots until things dry out.

Finally, the great leaning redwood on the edge of Stole Grove has fallen. The roots gave way a few Saturdays ago and it slowly came down amazingly missing the Port-a-Loo, electrical box and since it was about 7:30 am, walkers as well. The Department of Public Works, whose land it was on, came out the following week and, with our field man-ager Maverick adding direction, cut up the trunk into sections, which remain, and chipped the rest.

Another “Maverick Says” part of this article needs to address the growing problem of people putting their dog waste into plastic bags and dropping them by the edge of our paths and hiking trials. In a word DONMT do this! Take it home! The bags look unsightly and they last forever, probably longer than you will! If you forget your bag… cover the fresh waste with bark, leaves, dirt something that will decompose, and just leave it off the path.

Thanks for reading and get out there and walk the trails!

Celebrating Homestead history...

Marin’s Oldest Married Couple By Chuck Oldenburg

Tony and Mary Brabo are the oldest married couple in Marin County. They were married 82 years ago on July 3, 1929. They have lived together in Homestead Valley ever since their marriage on the corner of Laverne Avenue and Reed Street. Tony is 99 years old and Mary is 100 years old.

Mary was born in 1910 in the farmhouse on her father’s 3-acre farm, and has al-ways lived on the same property. Tony was born in 1912 in Mill Valley. At age 12, he was orphaned and at age 14 he began a 365 day/year job that lasted over three years milking cows twice a day on dairy ranches in Tennessee Valley.

Parents of both Tony and Mary emigrated from the Portuguese Azores. Tony and Mary met at the IDESST Hall, a Portuguese lodge in Sausalito. She was 18 and he was 17. Two months later they eloped and were married at the home of Mary’s half-brother in Alameda. It was a memorable day. Across the bay they saw smoke on Mt. Tamalpais and Mill Valley—the great fire of 1929. When they re-turned to Mary’s home in Homestead Valley, they were pleased that her father, Man-ual Bettancourt, welcomed his son-in-law and the bride. Tony and Mary lived in the farmhouse with her parents and grand parents until 1932 when they had a house built on a lot split off from the farm. A daughter was born in 1932. During the great depression they lived off the land. The farm had a milk cow, chickens, goats and vegetable crops. Tony did a lot of fishing and hunting. They provided food to friends and relatives in need during those tough times.

Tony bought a small concrete business with a concrete mixer, two wheelbarrows and four shovels. Building up the business was interrupted by World War II when he was drafted into the navy and sent to a naval base in North Africa where he worked on maintenance and construction projects. During Tony’s absence, Mary and her daughter lived in the farmhouse with her parents. Rent from the other house was of great help. After the war Tony made a great suc-cess of his concrete business. He was awarded several contracts by the city of Mill Valley where many of the side-walks are stamped with a Tony Brabo label. He also did demolition work for the National Park Service on Angel Is-land. Mary spent much of her life managing the household, raising their daughter and caring for her mother, an inva-lid for many years.

Tony bought land for development in the Mill Valley area as well as a commercial building in Lytton Square—the Brabo building. After Tony retired, the couple traveled in their 30-foot trailer, mainly fishing trips to northern Califor-nia lakes. They currently live in a home that they had built in the 1950s overlooking the old farmhouse and a view of Homestead Valley with Richardson Bay in the distance.

Tony and Mary Brabo

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Homestead Headlines

Homestead Valley Classifieds LOCAL PLUMBER Residential plumbing repairs and small installations. Toilets, faucets, and garbage disposers carried in stock. Many excellent local references. Lic #287544. Stanley Searles, 388-8260. searlesplumbing.com ELVES, FAIRIES, EARTHWORMS, & BUTTERFLIES appreciate my work in the garden. I do maintenance gardening, weeding, and yard clean-up. Tree & shrub pruning. Garden and irrigation system design, installation and repair. Fences, non-toxic pest management, and handyman jobs. Gutters cleaned. Steve 389-0345. MATH TUTOR Retired JPL/NASA/ Boeing engineer, MS in Mathematics. Junior high through college-age. David Hilt, cell 415-342-5030, hm 415-380-8775. 300 Ridge-wood Ave., [email protected] FOUNDATION TO FINISH—Bicknell Construction Licensed Contractor—State Lic. #562860 James Bicknell (415) 461-5822 LOCAL REALTOR® Live in Homestead—Raised in Homestead. Caring. Professional. Kim Strub, Frank Howard Allen Realtors (415) 218-4255 HOUSECLEANING Reliable, hard-working, excellent references and experience, free estimates, reasonably priced, apartments/homes/offices. Alba Rivas 350-3368 DOMINGUEZ PLUMBING New water heater/copper piping, drain cleaning, all remodeling repairs. Installation of toilets, faucets & garbage disposals.. References. Miquel Dominguez (415) 990-2008 Lic. # 895436 PEREZ LANDSCAPING Pruning, Hauling, Tree Service, Retaining Walls & Fences, Irrigation, Garden and Clean-ing Services Free Estimates Arnulfo Perez 271.4412

ADVERTISING RATES: (Per monthly issue)

$50 FOR A DOUBLE BOX AD $25 FOR A LARGE BOX AD $6 FOR A SMALL 3 LINE AD ($1.50 for each additional line)

CALL 388-0137

E-Headlines “Green” Delivery

Receive the Homestead Headlines notifications via email and view the Headlines as

each issue is posted at www.homesteadvalley.org. Please contact our office and

provide your full name, mailing and email addresses at

[email protected] or call us at (415) 388-0137 and we’ll happily add you to our confidential

email distribution list.

Homesteadvalley.com is an interactive community website where neighbors can add free ads, news and photos. Find current Homestead listings and sales in the Real Estate section. Sponsored by Kat Ryan of Frank Howard Allen Realtors, 271-4994.

20 Years as Homestead Valley Specialist

JAMES P. NEVIN SR.JAMES P. NEVIN SR.JAMES P. NEVIN SR.JAMES P. NEVIN SR. Attorney At LawAttorney At LawAttorney At LawAttorney At Law

305 Holly St., Mill Valley, CA 94941 305 Holly St., Mill Valley, CA 94941 305 Holly St., Mill Valley, CA 94941 305 Holly St., Mill Valley, CA 94941 415415415415----389389389389----1777• [email protected]• [email protected]• [email protected]• [email protected]

Estate Planning Estate Planning Estate Planning Estate Planning ProbateProbateProbateProbate

Trust AdministrationTrust AdministrationTrust AdministrationTrust Administration

HOMESTEAD HOMESTEAD HOMESTEAD HOMESTEAD RESIDENTRESIDENTRESIDENTRESIDENT Since 1976Since 1976Since 1976Since 1976

LOOKING FOR A SUMMER JOB?

LOVE THE OUTDOORS? BECOME A HOMESTEAD LIFEGUARD

Homestead Valley is looking for lifeguards & swim instructors for the 2011 pool season,

beginning April 16th.

Attractive hourly wage and flexible hours, including after-school. Must be

lifeguard, CPR, and First Aid certified...and be at least

15 years old.

For information visit www.homesteadvalley.org

or call David at 388-0128 or email

[email protected]

Bound editions of Chuck Oldenburg’s History Articles—on sale now, $15.00.

Having a Party? The Homestead Valley Commu-

nity Center and Pool are available to rent for parties, events, meet-ings, and more...check rates at

www.homesteadvalley.org or call Les Lizama at (415) 388-0137.

8


THIS NEWSLETTER IS PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THE HOMESTEAD VALLEY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION 315 Montford Avenue Mill Valley, CA 94941 VOLUME 56 ISSUE 6 June 2011

Editors: Les Lizama and David Ross


The mission of the Homestead Valley Community Association is to enhance community for theThe mission of the Homestead Valley Community Association is to enhance community for theThe mission of the Homestead Valley Community Association is to enhance community for theThe mission of the Homestead Valley Community Association is to enhance community for the Homestead Valley residents through cultural, educational and recreational activities, events and service.Homestead Valley residents through cultural, educational and recreational activities, events and service.Homestead Valley residents through cultural, educational and recreational activities, events and service.Homestead Valley residents through cultural, educational and recreational activities, events and service.

Non-profit Corp. POSTAGE

PAID Mill Valley, CA

94941 Permit #26

Return Service Requested

from Page 1 HVCA and County Partnership

The pool upgrades are not immediate, but do need to be factored in, and the meadow improvements were con-sidered icing on the cake. Interim routine maintenance of the building, pool and grounds will continue to be funded by CSA funding. The $1 million would cover construction costs, required ADA updates, permits, ar-chitects and servicing of the loan.

Supervisor Kinsey commended Homestead Valley for tak-ing the initiative to self support this project and pledged his and his staff’s dedication to working alongside us to make it happen. As evidence of their commitment, the County is contributing $25,000 up front to defer the costs of obtaining more refined costs and plans and initiating the bid process to select an architect. As an added incentive, Kinsey committed to appealing to the Board of Supervi-sors to contribute another $100-$150,000 over a period of years. Finally, the Committee expressed its intention not to undertake a capital campaign within the community over and above the Measure A proceeds.

Supervisor Kinsey and Greg then took questions from the audience regarding financing, ADA costs, and some very preliminary feedback on building improvements. We then took an informal vote by show of hands and gained majority agreement from the attendees to move forward with obtaining more refined costs estimates, pursuing the County loan, and initiating the process to select an architect. The Committee will schedule another community meeting this summer to update everyone on the more refined design plans and provide another opportunity to gather feedback.

On the Calendar…

Camp Tam Begins Monday, June 20, 2011

Next “Homestead Walkabout” Saturday, June 25, 9:00 AM Get acquainted with Homestead Valley's wonderful hiking trails, get some exercise, and meet some of your Homestead neighbors. Dr. Jerry Freedman will be leading a 1 1/2 to 2 hour leisurely paced walk. Dogs and children are welcome. Call Jerry at 383-1270 for details and meeting place.

4th of July Parade and Picnic Monday, July 4, 2011 Parade line-up starts at 10:30 AM Parade begins at 11:00 AM

HVCA Board Measure A progress HVCA and County of Marin ...€¦ · 6/12/2014 · HVCA and County...

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Transcript of HVCA Board Measure A progress HVCA and County of Marin ...€¦ · 6/12/2014 · HVCA and County...