Volume 68, Issue 10 October, 2024 | |
|
|
October 2024 Community Center Calendar
06 | Local Artist Series Reception with Joan Collett Brown | 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
20 | Local Artist Series Reception with Joan Collett Brown | 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
On-Going 2024 Community Center Calendar
Saturdays: AA Mtg 10:00 a.m.
1st/3rd Wednesday: Tam Design Review Board Mtg 7:00 p.m.
2nd Tuesday: Homestead Valley Land Trust Board Mtg 7:30 p.m.
3rd Tuesday: Homestead Valley Community Association Board Mtg 7:00 p.m.
4th Tuesday: Sanitary District Board Mtg 7:30 p.m.
| |
Homestead Valley Halloween | |
|
Trick or Treat!
Thursday, October 31, 4pm-7pm
Volunteer Park (at the corner of Melrose and Evergreen)
Come by for some community connection + Tricks and Treats before you
make your way through the neighborhood to top off your “kids” (wink-wink) treat bags!
| |
|
The Homestead Valley Community Association (HVCA) Board of Directors has two seats open starting in January 2025. We are looking for enthusiastic, mission oriented people to fill these seats. The HVCA Board is composed of 15 volunteer members from our community. Serving on the Board is a great way to get involved in your community and make sure we continue to provide programming and services that meet the needs of the neighborhood.
Board Members are asked to attend monthly meetings (3rd Tuesday night of the month @ 7PM) as often as practical, given this is a volunteer position. In addition to the monthly meeting, Board Members choose at least one committee to join. These committees provide direction for activities and services like our pool, rental of the Community Center and Meadow, special events like the 4th of July parade/picnic and the Music Festival, communication to the community (like this newsletter!), safety and other important functions related to the overall management of HVCA.
Do you have ideas on how to engage our community? Do you want to get to know your community better and have a role in shaping our future? Do you have expertise that you want to share (e.g. finance, marketing, fund raising, property maintenance)? If you are interested in joining the HVCA Board of Directors, please contact Ashley MacDonald.
| |
Local Artist Series Continues
Joan Collett Brown
| |
|
Artist Receptions
Sunday, October 6 and Sunday, October 20
2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
HVCC
Joan Collett Brown
Joan was born (third generation) in San Francisco and raised in Mill Valley with her three brothers: Elmer, Cedric and Brian. The family performed in the Mountain Play for many years and spent much time on Mt. Tam and at Stinson Beach.
Joan graduated from Stanford University, participated in the Peace Corps in developing communities in Venezuela, and earned her Master’s degree in Counseling from Dominican. She worked in what had been known as the Dixie School District as a teacher, counselor, and administrator.
In 2002, Joan met Ning Hou, a gifted California Delta artist. Through Ning’s guidance and instruction, she has learned to see the world through incredible color and negative space and carve her brushstrokes onto the canvas. Joan has won first prizes in the Marin County and Napa County Fairs. Her work can be found in the residences of people with good taste.
| |
CSA #14 Board Meeting Update | |
|
Homestead Valley residents passed a Bond Measure in 1973 to purchase over 80 acres of undeveloped land abutting GGNRA and a residence on Montford for a new community space. Community Service Area (CSA) #14 became the entity through which these purchases were funded. Today, CSA#14 funds the operating expenses of HVCA and the HVLT. Twice a year the CSA #14 Board, made of up of community, HVLT, HVCA and County representatives, meets to request and approve funds from the CSA #14 budget to maintain and improve HVLT and HVCA property/facilities. While the HVLT and HVCA boards manage the day-to-day operations and maintenance of these properties, the HVLT property and HVCC, pool and meadow are owned by the County of Marin, under Marin County Parks and Open Space District.
There are two primary sources of CSA #14 revenue:
Ad Valorem Taxes
- Based on the assessed value of your property
Measure A Tax (2009)
- $125 per improved parcel for Community Center repair and renovation and open space fire hazard reduction
- 2 percent annual increase
At the September 2024 meeting, funding for the following projects was reconfirmed:
- $200,000 for HVLT to cover Pixie slides
- $85,800 for HVCC for Meadow related projects
- $23,500 for HVCC to repair the water intrusion issue
CSA#14 meetings are open to the public. The next meeting is February 13, 2025 at 5:00 PM, HVCC.
| |
Meadow Restoration Project | |
|
Plans for the Future of the Meadow Shared with the Community
By Leslie Dixon
On September 18th at the HVCC, the Meadow Restoration Committee shared our vision and plans to improve the meadow for future generations to enjoy. Jim Derich shared historical photos/ videos and how the meadow has evolved over the years. We had an interactive conversation discussing design elements, phased implementation over 2-3 years, status of the current gardens and maintenance challenges, funding strategy and our capital campaign to complement funding from CSA#14, HVCA reserves, and grants. Look forward to future articles in the Headlines about the history of the meadow and status of the project.
Key elements of the Meadow Restoration include
-Upgrading the irrigation infrastructure to bring water to the meadow and new gardens
-New bridge that meets ADA requirements and brings water/power to the meadow
-Improved drainage and path to keep the meadow usable all year
-Pollinator and drought tolerant gardens that feature native plants
-New trees to provide shade, borders and screening.
To stay informed about the project click here.
| |
|
Music Class Continues this Fall
In Harmony offers family music and movement classes for children ages 0-8 and the grownups who love them! These group music classes, designed for infants, toddlers, preschoolers and big kids, are backed by a research-driven curriculum that will nurture your child's inner musician, but the emphasis is on FUN! You and your children will grow a strong bond through singing, dancing, clapping, bouncing, instrument playing and other rhythm activities! So much more than a music class, In Harmony Music fosters developmental benefits that will support all areas of learning.
Friday classes offered at Homestead Valley Community Center at 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. The fall session runs until November 15. Save $25 with coupon code HVCC. Additional indoor, outdoor and online classes available around Marin. Register now! www.inharmonymusic.com
| |
|
Pie Making Class!
Sundays at HVCC
9:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
October - 6, 20, 27
November - 10, 24
Have you ever felt intimidated by making pie? Fear not! Come roll up your sleeves and learn to make a tender, flaky pie crust while making your very own humble and delicious apple pie - just in time for the holidays! You’ll learn some tips and tricks and even eat some pie.. mmm. Cost is $95 per person. $105 Parent / Child together (8 and up).
Here is the link to register!
| |
Homestead Valley Vignettes by Chuck Oldenburg | |
|
Homestead Hall
This photo with Mount Tamalpais in the background was taken in about 1930 from LaVerne, probably near #100 at the almost 180° turn. The large brown building in the foreground is Homestead Hall at 155 Linden Lane near Evergreen. Above it in the photo, the nearest white house at 207 Evergreen and the two houses across the street at 218 and 220 still exist as does the house on the left at 163 Linden Lane. Homestead Hall was later converted into a residence – parts of the original building are still in evidence.
Homestead Hall was built in 1904 as a center of community activities such as scout meetings, dances, movies and political meetings. Mary Brabo, who still lives at Reed and LaVerne where she was born in 1910, went to Homestead Hall with other Homestead children for their catechism lessons taught by nuns from the catholic church.
Brown’s Hall on Miller Avenue near the 2AM Club was constructed in 1934, and served as Homestead’s second community center until it was sold to the Buddhists of Marin in 1972. The present community center next to Homestead School on Montford is on a 1.13-acre parcel that had been the residence of the Hughes Call family. Their horse ring is now a meadow used for recreation and education. Their home was extensively remodeled to facilitate community activities and their swimming pool was replaced.
| |
Homestead Valley Contact Information | |
Help 1st Responders Locate Your Home
Reflective Address Placard Order Form:
Click Here
| |
|
|
STAY CONNECTED:
Did you know HVCA is on Instagram @homesteadvalley? Be sure to follow us to stay up to date on events, last minute announcements, and more.
| |
|
Homestead Valley Community Association, 315 Montford Avenue, Mill Valley, CA 94941 | | | | |
