Volume 68, Issue 9 September, 2024 | |
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September 2024 Community Center Calendar
15 | Local Artist Series Reception with Amy Kalish | 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
18 | Meadow Restoration Project | 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
19 | CSA#14 Board Meeting (open to public) | 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 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.
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Homestead Valley Music Festival Recap! | |
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2024 Homestead Valley Music Festival – Keepin’ it Local!
By: Alex Scalisi
The 2024 Homestead Valley Music Festival returned to the Meadow on Saturday, August 24th for another gathering of community members young and old. The weather started out a bit questionable - but quickly the clouds parted, the sunlight shined down, the goats showed up and the first notes kicked off what would become one of the more memorable festivals we’ve had.
With an estimated attendance of just under 1,100 adults and children, this year’s festival kicked off with Homestead’s own, Meggy Travers. Our musical theme this year was “Keepin’ it Local” and what could have been better than having your neighbor from up the road come down with her fabulous bandmates to get us started? Meggy’s mash-up of bluegrass, folk and pop rang out beautifully through the meadow and those in attendance got to hear her recently released album in its entirety.
Next up was SF native, Asher Belsky, a Gibson Guitars endorsed guitar phenom performing alongside both his bassist and drummer to create a “power trio” reminiscent of The Jimi Hendrix Experience. Asher’s powerful guitar licks got the crowd moving, capping his set with Hendrix’ iconic “Fire” to put a stamp on what was a stunning display of musicianship from a group of recently graduated high schoolers.
The festival got into full swing with local talent, Corner Pocket Band. The group's soulful blend of rock, blues and funk got the early afternoon Homestead crowd on their feet dancing to hot tracks from The Isley Brothers, Stevie Wonder among others.
Following Corner Pocket Band was Marin’s own reggae act, Lumination, fronted by the legendary Bobby G! If reggae is your jam, and dancing with a frontman bouncing on and off the stage sharing the mic (and sunglasses?) is how you get down - this was your set! Feelings of gratitude, including for our community and being together once again, was on full display with the many smiles throughout the crowd.
Rounding out the day were the rocking sounds of New Orleans “swampadelic” band Talley Up! Getting started with the classic Harry Belafante, and popularized by the Grateful Dead (at least to this writer), calypso number “Man Smart (Woman Smarter)”, it was lift off time for an afternoon of moving and grooving!
Lots of food, beverages and fun accompanied the musical offerings including newcomer food truck, HopMonk Tavern, Mia Greene’s wonderful desserts, sodas with Gracie MacDonald, cotton candy by Rachel Malvin and a slew of volunteers managing the sno-cones station including the sno-cone czar himself, Michael Ferraro.
Lisa’s Bar in the Meadow, run by Homestead residents Lisa Santos, Michelle Fallone and team once again pouring ice cold beverages provided by our sponsors: Mill Valley’s own East Brother Beer Company, and Homestead resident Greg Moore’s TAM CBD Drinks.
Finally, we could never pull this off without the core Music Fest committee and the many volunteers we have. 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, Lindsay Scalisi, Rob Crossley, Rob Clark and Anastasia Scalisi who was apparently registered for five (5) different volunteer assignments at the same time (whoops!).
We’d also like to give a HUGE thanks to our sponsors this year. Please support these local businesses that support your community:
Joshua Deitch Real Estate, Malugani's Tire Shop, East Brother Beer, American Solar Corporation, Good Earth Natural Foods Tam Valley, Mill Valley Dentistry, Marin Horizon School, Mill Valley Little League, Polestar Marin, Golden State Lumber, PizzaHacker/Bagel Macher, Golden State Cider, St. Hildies, Juice Girl, LaLa’s Cafe, Mill Valley Refuse and Grilly’s.
We would also like to take a moment 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. Thank you again.
AND, finally, thank you to HVCA General Manager, Jonnie Alper. Your help with the festival and overall leadership within the HVCA and the community center continues to be greatly appreciated.
Always the Saturday before Labor Day weekend, we look forward to seeing you all at next year's Homestead Valley Music Festival — Saturday August 23, 2025 “...that’s right, that’s right!”
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Local Artist Series Continues
Amy Kalish
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Artist Reception
Sunday, September 15
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
HVCC
Amy Kalish uses color and light to bring her subjects to life. She is a self taught artist, painting for decades, and a long time Homestead Valley resident. She currently serves as Chair of the Tam Design Review Board.
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Homestead Valley Sanitary District | |
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The Homestead Valley Sanitary Board is glad to report that with the sewer pipe replacement currently underway well over 90 percent of the original clay pipes in the valley will have been replaced. This has resulted in fewer breaks and spills. The Board will continue to contract further replacements until 100% of the old system has been replaced.
Your Board is committed to keeping “things” flowing this coming year. Board members shown in the photo are:
Front row: Joan Florsheim, Director; Bonner Beuhier, Manager; Back row: Alan Saltzman, Director; Al Leibof, Board President; Al Wuthnow, Director; Rich Montalvan, Secretary.
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Meadow Restoration Project | |
“Mom, mom I saw a hawk!!”...“Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you”...“Hi, great to see you. How is your summer going?”... “What a cute dog!”. Rock and roll music, kids playing, dogs running, pollinators buzzing - these are the sounds of Homestead Meadow. | |
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If you were at the Homestead Valley Music Festival, you likely stopped by the Meadow Restoration Committee booth to learn a little about the history of the Meadow and our vision and plans for the future. Join us to learn more and share your feedback!
Learn more about the Meadow Restoration Project
Wednesday, September 18, 5:00-6:30 PM
Homestead Valley Community Center
Drinks and Appetizers will be served
The Meadow is a year round gathering place for our community, a crossroads where we can all come as we are, whether for a meeting of friends or simple quiet contemplation. From horse ring to center stage, the meadow has gone through many changes over the years. In its current form it is used by walkers, birthday parties, dog walkers, summer camp, play field for school year, concert venue for the Homestead Music Festival and a place for neighbors to meet and catch up.
Key Elements of Meadow Restoration
- Upgrading the irrigation infrastructure to bring water to the meadow and new gardens, including new, dedicated water service
- A new bridge: meets ADA requirements, ameliorates flooding and brings water and power to the meadow
- Improved drainage and path to keep the Meadow usable during winter rains and durable for summer use
- Educational pollinator gardens with local drought tolerant plantings
- Shade trees and arboreal plantings to provide borders and screening
We look forward to sharing our plans and getting your feedback.
Meadow Restoration Committee
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Homestead Valley Backyard Gardening | |
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Homestead Valley Backyard Gardening:
Invasive Cotoneasters
By Kristin Desmond Ashley and Marabeth Grahame
Hello again neighborhood gardeners! September is here, usually our warmest month, although early rain storms are also not unheard of. Out on the land trust you might see some of our big invasive eucalyptus trees with tape or spray paint markings or our contracted tree workers starting removal. Each year, depending on budget, we work to remove these largest and most dangerous invaders. Homestead Valley Land Trust welcomes donations to help with this, as each one costs several thousand dollars. If you are able to help, contact info@hvlt.org. Thank you.
This month we are looking at a plant that is easier for homeowners to manage on their own, the cotoneasters.
Cotoneasters are in the Rose family and the ones we find here in Marin all came from China in the horticultural trade and escaped from gardens. Like so many of our invasive plants, they thrive in our mild climate. The largest, most common variety, C. lacteus, can grow to over 20’ tall. They form dense stands that collect debris among their many branches, creating a fire hazard. Each plant produces thousands of berries each year, which are loved by birds and mammals, who then distribute the seeds farther. A very aggressive plant, their root system displaces native plants. Cotoneaster is rated Moderate by the California Invasive Plant Council for their substantial ecological impact.
Seedlings and small plants can be pulled, especially if the ground is wet. If you have a large clump, cutting it all the way to the ground, then digging out the root ball is best, since cotoneasters re-sprout readily from their stumps. If it’s too difficult to remove the roots, covering the stumps with plastic, cardboard or a deep mulch for several seasons will work. Because of the number of seeds that are dispersed, you will need to keep up with seedling removal in future years.
Common invasive cotoneasters we see in Homestead:
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Cotoneaster franchetii
“Orange cotoneaster”
Pink flowers, orange fruits, larger leaves than other local cotoneasters. Can grow to a large shrub or small tree.
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Blossoms
Image: Joseph diTommasso, CalIPC
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Fruit
Image: Marabeth Grahame, HVLT website
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Cotoneaster lacteaus
“Milkflower Cotoneaster”
White flower clusters, red fruits. The most common variety in Homestead. Multi-stemmed, can grow to a 20’ tall, dense stand
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Blossoms Image: Marabeth Grahame, HVLT website | |
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Fruit
Image: Joseph diTommasso, CalIPC
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Cotoneaster pannosus
“Silverleaf Cotoneaster”
White flowers, red fruits, small leaves. Smaller than C. lacteus
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Blossoms Image: Marabeth Grahame, HVLT website | |
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Fruit
Image: Forest and Kim Starr, Wikimedia
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There are numerous native shrubs and small trees already fit to take back the niche vacated by the cotoneasters! Here are a few to start with:
Ceanothus, species
Coffeeberry, Rhamnus californica
Elderberry, Sambucus species
Holly-leaf Cherry, Prunus illicifolia
Huckleberry, Vaccinum ovatum
Manzanita, Arctostaphylos species
Red Flowering Currant, Ribes sanguineum
Thimbleberry, Rubus parviflorus
Toyon, Heteromeles arbutifolia
If attracting and supporting birds is of interest to you, check out this article from the Marin chapter of the California Native Plant Society: Native Plants are for the Birds. Happy gardening!
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Homestead Valley 2024 Pool Season
The Homestead Valley Pool will continue to be open until October. The pool is open to Homestead residents and the general public. Memberships and day passes are available.
Please go to our website for updated pool hours, half-season membership/day rates, and membership applications.
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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 from September 13 to November 15. Save $30 with coupon code HVCC. Additional indoor, outdoor and online classes available around Marin. Register now! www.inharmonymusic.com
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Pie Making Class!
Sunday, September 22
@HVCC
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. You’ll learn some tips and tricks and even eat some pie.. mmm.
Stand by for timing, pricing, and details!
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Homestead Valley Contact Information | |
Help 1st Responders Locate Your Home
Reflective Address Placard Order Form:
Click Here
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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.
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Homestead Valley Community Association, 315 Montford Avenue, Mill Valley, CA 94941 | | | | |
