September 2023 Homestead Headlines

Volume 67, Issue 9 September, 2023

Download the Headlines here

September 2023 Community Center Calendar

05| HVLT Board Mtg |

12| HVCA Board Mtg |

19| HV Sanitary District |

21| CSA#14 Board Meeting

1st/3rd Weds. | Tam Design Review Board Mtg |

Saturdays | A.A. Mtg | 10:00 AM

****Save the Date***

CSA#14 Board Meeting

Thursday, September 21st

5:00 – 7:00 PM

HVCC

50th Anniversary of HV Bond Issue

Saturday, September 30th

5:00 PM

Homestead Valley News

Hello Homestead Valley!

As Summer is winding down, things are generally a little quieter at the Center and in the pool, however we still have a number of fun events and programs coming up in the Fall! See below for information about new yoga classes and Sip and Paint evening events.

We hope many of you were able to attend the amazing Homestead Valley Music Festival last weekend. It was a beautiful day in the meadow filled with smiling friends and neighbors. An incredible crew of volunteers comes together to put on this annual event and we are so grateful for them. Please reach out to Jonnie Alper if you are interested in volunteering for this event or in other ways.

2023 Homestead Valley Music Festival

Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Bond Issue

By: Alex Scalisi

The 2023 Homestead Valley Music Festival returned to the Meadow on Saturday, August 26th with another gathering of community members young and old - some with two legs, some with four - to enjoy the beauty of the valley we live in and to hear amazing music throughout the day. This year was extra special as we paid homage to the 50th anniversary of the Homestead Valley Land Trust and the bond measure that allowed for the open space in Homestead Valley by offering an ‘Americana’ theme of musical acts.

With an estimated attendance of just under 1,000 adults and children, the festival kicked off with Marin County Breakdown, an acoustic string family band drawing from traditional bluegrass and old-time, plus some country, blues, rock, and jazz to create a contemporary California bluegrass sound. The festival got into full swing with our annual “youth showcase” featuring 'Til Dawn, Youth in Arts A Cappella ensemble, an advanced vocal music program for local young artists. The group performs a mix of rock, pop, blues, jazz and soul standards and contemporary hits, in addition to original songs by group members. Next up was the beautiful sounds of the pedal steel guitar with DeShawn and Wendy Hickman. Hailing from the “real-life” Mayberry of Mount Airy, North Carolina, DaShawn Hickman channeled the blues-gospel transitions of the Pentecostal-Holiness churches of the 1930s with his Sacred Steel echoing through the meadow for all to witness.

“Cosmic Mountain Music” of Wolf Jett from the Santa Cruz Mountains was up next. A smile-inducing set of folk, blues and Americana music was welcomed by the Homestead crowd as songs highlighting the celebration of perseverance got the dancing going into the afternoon. Rounding out the day was a double bill featuring Los Angeles based duo, Mapache. First with an acoustic guitar set, followed by a full band folk-rock set with harmonies that harken back to the late 60’s and early 70’s - our headliner espoused the very theme of 1973 in tribute to the community members (some of which remain in our neighborhood today) who helped establish our open source including the very meadow we were all dancing in together.

Lots of food, beverages and fun accompanied the musical offering including amazing BBQ from Pig In A Pickle, (best BBQ in the Bay), Mia’s Desserts, snow cones and cotton candy by Mira and Rachel Malvin. Lisa’s Bar in the Meadow, run by Homestead resident Lisa Santos and team, once again poured ice cold beverages provided by our sponsors, Lagunitas, East Brother Beer Co., and TAM CBD Drinks.

Finally, we could never pull this off without the core Music Fest committee and the many volunteers we have, including a few new faces this year! Whether it was meeting throughout the year, organizing music, rentals, food, beverages, green room, traffic, parking and merchandising – it takes a village and we’re blessed to live in a community with people who are willing to give back and contribute on so many levels. A BIG THANK YOU to: Ashley MacDonald, Jen Coyne, Jen Hochschild, Ron Shaloup, Bob Westbrook, Margaret Harding, Patrick Wyman, Diana and Maxine Flasher, Jason Nelson, Michelle Fallone, Mira Kim, Rob Clark and Michael Ferraro.

We’d also like to give a HUGE thanks to our sponsors this year. Please support these local businesses that support your community: American Solar Corporation, East Brother Beer Co., Lagunitas Brewing Co, Fort Point Brewing Company, Pig in a Pickle BBQ, Good Earth Natural Foods Tam Valley, Malugani's Tire Shop, Mill Valley Dentistry, Marin Horizon School, Juice Girl, Ona Life, LaLa’s Cafe, Mill Valley Refuse and the Nelson Fallone Real Estate Team.

We would also like to thank our local Community resident sponsors who stepped up with financial contributions to ensure the Music Festival would happen again this year. Your generous contributions touched all of us on the Music Festival committee and we can’t thank you enough. AND, finally, thank you to our new General Manager, Jonnie Alper. Your help with the festival and overall leadership with the HVCA and the community center is greatly appreciated.

Always the Saturday before Labor Day weekend, we look forward to seeing you all at next year's Homestead Valley Music Festival -- August 24, 2024.

Homestead Valley Music Festival Grant Recipient

‘Til Dawn was the recipient of the newly formed grant program of the Homestead Valley Music Festival to further music and the arts in our community. As an extension of the non-profit Homestead Valley Community Assn, the Music Festival organizers have begun to establish a grant to help fund different youth programs in our community with any financial gains as a result of the events of the day.

Photo Credits: Donovan Walter, Suz Lipman, Ron Shalhloup, Curt Oldenburg

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Local Artist Series Continues

Homestead Valley Community Association is excited to present the artwork of Robb Havassy. Robb is an internationally renown ocean, surf, golf and landscape artist. He creates in multiple styles and subject matter, ranging from large scale atmospheric masterpieces, to iconic surf inspired paintings, to colorful figurative works, photography, emotionally charged land and seascapes, golf paintings, horse paintings and family portraits. The exhibit will run from September 4 - September 30 at the HVCA.

Artist Reception

Saturday, September 10th, 5:00-7:00 PM

Havassy has created art and design for dozens of iconic brands including OP, REEF, Pebble Beach Golf Links, La Quinta Resort and Spa, Sector9 skateboards, Surfrider Foundation as well as for his own Havassy signature apparel and sandal lines.

He currently splits time between Mill Valley and Orange County with studios and galleries on Maui and Costa Rica where he lived and worked until 2020. His inspirations include being a dad to his daughters Marin and Ripley, the ocean, nature, surfing and golf, as well as his partner in love and life, who is herself an award winning interior designer and devoted mom.

For more information about the artist, his art and books visit him:

@RobbHavassyArt on Instagram / Havassy Art on Facebook / Robb's Website /

Surf Story Project.

Fall Class Line Up

Music Class Starts Up 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.

Three Friday classes offered at Homestead Valley Community Center at 10:30am, 11:30am and 12:30pm. Save $30 with coupon code HVCC. Additional indoor, outdoor and online classes available around Marin. The 10 week fall session starts September 11 - Register now! www.inharmonymusic.com

Free Introductory Yoga Class, September 21, 9:30 am.

In mid Oct, we are looking at starting a weekly Vinyasa Yoga class here at the center. We recently engaged in discussions with Naomi Relnick (New Neighbor) about our space and what a perfect spot it is for this type of activity.

Naomi is new to the area but brings 20+ years of teaching experience with her. She and her family moved from NYC about 3 weeks ago and is looking to get involved with the community to teach yoga. Her student base has been professional ballet dancers, athletes and the everyday person who is looking to feel stronger, more limber, and confident in their bodies.

The thought is to start with a free, introductory class on Sept 21st and 9:30 AM, gauge the level of community interest and then build the program from there. Participants would need to supply their own mats, blocks and straps. The class would focus on mid level yoga practitioners and then ultimately be structured to accommodate the feedback we are hoping to receive (beginner level or more vigorous, advance level training).

If interested or if you have any questions, please reach out to Naomi Relnick at: nrelnick@gmail.com Or Jonnie Alper at: jonnie@homesteadvalley.org

Paint and Sip Evening Art Class!

Join Robb Havassy, featured Local Artist Series artist, for a Paint and Sip evening art class for adults on the last Wednesday of the month, starting September 27, from 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Contact Robb Havassy to sign up: Robbhavassyart@gmail.com.

Homestead to Celebrate 50^th Anniversary of Bond Issue

Open Space in Homestead Valley: How did it all happen?

Come to the Open Space Bond Issue

50^th Anniversary Potluck Dinner to find out!

Come hear stories from some of the original founders of the open space! What inspired them and how did they make it happen? The valley is what it is today because of their foresight to preserve over 80 acres of open space, our beloved parks (Stolte Grove, Three Groves, and the Meadow) and acquire the community center. A rolling slide show will be shown to remind everyone what the people and the land looked like back then.

When: Saturday, September 30, 2023, from 5-8 PM

Where: The Homestead Valley Community Center

Program: Memories, stories, Q&A with the founders

Please bring home-cooked food to share - 1970’s-themed food is welcome:

A-F: Appetizers and salads

G-M: Dessert

N-Z: Main dish

Background

On September 18^th, 1973, Homestead Valley voters passed a ballot measure with 79% in favor authorizing Marin County to issue a $600K bond ($4.2 M today) to purchase Homestead Valley open space and park lands. The Homestead community is celebrating the 50^th anniversary of this very significant event. Come and find out how this all came about from the people who made it happen 50 years ago. Current members of the Homestead Valley Land Trust board will also be there to answer questions about Homestead Valley’s open space lands today.

The ad hoc 50^th Anniversary Celebration Committee: Curt Oldenburg, Marilyn Barrett, Mike Cann, Jim Derich, Diana Flasher, and Marabeth Grahame

HVSD 2023 Capital Improvement Project Update

The Homestead Valley Sanitary District (HVSD) is currently in the process of replacing sewer lines as part of the 2023 Capital Improvement Project. Work has already occurred on Chapman Road, Lillian Lane, and an easement at 233 Evergreen Avenue. The next scheduled work will be on an easement connecting on Douglas Drive. After that they will work on Linden Lane from Montford to Evergreen, Ethel Avenue from Montford to Evergreen and Montford Avenue from Melrose Avenue to approximately 370 Montford. There is also some work on Laverne at the bottom of Chapman and a couple of easements off Laverne. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding during this necessary construction. Please see their map and resident notification letter on their website.

Homestead Valley Vignettes by Chuck Oldenburg

This month and year (September 2023) marks the 50th anniversary of the passage of the Open Space Bond Issue by Homestead Valley residents. This history vignette summarizes this and several other important events from fifty years ago.

Significant Events of 1973

The World, 1973: Egypt and Syria attacked Israel in the Yom Kippur war. The Arab oil-producing nations declared an embargo on oil exports to the U.S. The price of crude oil tripled. The energy crisis began with heating oil shortages and long lines at service stations. Coup d’état in Chile—Pinochet replaced Allende.

The Nation, 1973: President Nixon began his second term. Watergate hearings got underway. The Supreme Court decided Roe vs. Wade. Henry Kissinger signed a pact providing for the withdrawal of U.S. Troops from Vietnam. Secretariat won the triple crown. Vice President Spiro Agnew resigned. Gerald Ford replaced him. New York’s World Trade Center was completed. Barcode was invented.

Homestead Valley, 1973: Following the sale of Brown’s Hall in 1972, planning was underway to acquire a home next to Homestead School for a community center. The annual Mozart Festival attracted an audience of 700 in Stolte Grove. A bond issue passed, 79.3% yes, to acquire 80 acres of open space lands. Part of the Three Groves estate was set aside for a publicly owned park, leaving the home in private ownership.

Homestead School, 1973: The Parent Teachers Association published a bread recipe book. For many years, Homestead Valley families had baked a wonderful variety of breads to sell at the Mill Valley Arts Festival. The book was in response to many requests for recipes.

Homestead School was founded in 1908, the second school in the Mill Valley School District. In 1983, the school closed for lack of students. In 1992, the school was leased to Marin Horizon School.

Throughout its history, the Homestead School PTA had played an active and important role in the community. A significant contribution originated in the 1960’s when the PTA sponsored a popular after-school recreation program. When funding became a challenge, the PTA worked with county officials to establish County Services Area #14 in 1967. CSA #14 taxed property and funded Parks and Recreation. In 1973, CSA #14 was the legal entity that passed the bond issue to fund open space land acquisitions. CSA #14 currently funds the operating expenses of the Homestead Valley Community Association and the Homestead Valley Land Trust. Thank you PTA for the creation of CSA #14 in 1967. Thank you PTA for the Homestead Bread Book, a significant event of 1973.