February 2021 Newsletter
Together, we will create a vibrant, intergenerational cohousing community in Novato, California where we know our neighbors well and live more sustainably.
We are welcoming 2021 with open arms. We hope that you will continue to follow our journey, and we hope to see you along the way!

Looking Back
We have accomplished a lot in a year . . .
While staying at home in 2020 we continued our monthly virtual potlucks, virtual play dates, family zoom calls, and monthly webinars until the end of 2020 and will restart events in 2021. 
A New Way of Farming
Kelly Jones, a C St. Village cohouser, farms in water not dirt. Aquaponics is a combination of aquaculture which is growing fish and other aquatic animals and hydroponics which is growing plants without soil. Fish waste is recycled and used as fertilizer for plant growth. The plants clean the water that goes back to the fish. Wanting to be more in harmony with natural ecology, Kelly started experimenting with aquaponics 10 to 15 years ago. Aquaponics uses a faction of the water and the energy than conventional agricultural methods used to grow food.
Kelly set up his first system 8 years ago in his back yard--an 8 ft. x 16 ft. green house plus fish tank. The fish tank is connected with plumbing and air pumps to the produce beds in which the plants are sitting in about a foot of water. If you want to start on a smaller scale, there are small kits that sit on top of a fish aquarium that cycle water up to grow small flowers, herbs and small vegetables. Friendly Aquaponics has designs available to purchase , as do a number of other sources.

Fresh water fish raised in the tank are typically tilapia, catfish, barramundi and trout. Shrimp and snails can also be cultivated. The fish need to be fed daily. Kelly had 15 to 20 mature fish in a 150-gallon tank. He has grown basil, beans, collard greens, chard, squash, lettuces, cucumbers, radishes and some of the best tomatoes he has ever eaten.
Aquaponics has many benefits. It’s a water saver using 1/10th the amount of water that you would use in a soil garden. There is no need for fertilizers, as fish waste provides the nutrients for the plants. This results in healthier and organic vegetables. There is no soil borne disease as there is no soil. The plants grow fast because of all the nutrients they receive. Watching fish is fascinating and relaxing for children and adults alike.

Kelly feels that an aquaponics system would be ideal to be part of a cohousing group that generates and stores not only all of its own energy from solar panels, but also uses some of that energy to grow a large part of its own fresh food as well. It is cost saving, ecological, efficient, sustainable and fun. Hopefully it can be part of our C St. Cohousing gardens!!!

Member Spotlight
Carol and Stan
Carol and Stan met while serving in VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) in Carroll County, Georgia in the late 60’s. Carol (from California) had just graduated from nursing school and Stan (from Maryland) had just graduated from college. After a whirlwind romance, they were married in Oak Mountain, Georgia. Upon finishing VISTA, they settled in Boston, so Stan could obtain a Master of Arts in Teaching. They then traveled west so Carol could obtain her BSN and MSN, while Stan taught junior high school math and science. Then it was Stan’s turn to go to medical school and to complete a family practice residency program. Finally, it was time to start a family--first came Serena and 3 years later, Scott. Serena was recently married and lives in Kirkland, WA. She works remotely coordinating digital media advertising for Undertone. Scott lives with his girlfriend in Santa Cruz where he works in a restaurant as a sous chef. He is also in charge of all the fermentation projects at the restaurant. He has a super green thumb and can grow anything from nothing. Carol and Stan have been interested in cohousing for 20 plus years and are thrilled to be working with C St. Village cohousers to create a sustainable community. Our family also includes a miniature dachshund, Tater and a cat, Oscar.
Struggling to Pass the Time at Home?
In these times of COVID, we may run out of things to do. Here are a few suggestions:
*Bowl in the living room
*Camp indoors or build a fort
*Choreograph a family dance to your favorite songs
*Have a paper airplane content—whose can go the farthest
*Make a family photo album
*Make s’mores over the stove
*Make “Thank you” cards to send to soldiers overseas
*Play balloon tennis using a pool noodle and balloons
*Play charades
*Make Valentine’s Day cards
*Play “Pin the Tail on the Donkey”

We hope you find as much joy in these activities as we did!
Join our next online call!
Family Zoom Call
Wednesday, February 3rd - 8:00 to 9:00 pm 
Join other C Street members with children under 18 years old in discussing the topic of children in the community.

Please email marincohousing@gmail.com to obtain the link to our online meeting room. In your email please state which event you would like to attend.
Have You Seen Our Community Plans?
Elevation of Private Homes / Architecture by McCamant & Durrett Architects.
In cohousing, one receives the benefits of living a connected life, while maintaining a private sanctuary in your own home. The private homes in C Street Village will have open floor plans and are designed to be filled with natural light, built with sustainable materials, advanced sound-proofing techniques, passive cooling and heating, front porches, and more. There are thirty two private homes with two, three, and four bedroom options available. There will also be 8 one bedroom and studio rental units (carriage units).
Building Momentum for Cohousing in Marin
Contact Us Today
If you are interested in learning more or reserving your home, please contact us at marincohousing@gmail.com. You can follow us at our website www.marincoho.com. Growing awareness is essential, but what we really need are future neighbors seeking to live in community in the 2022-2023 timeframe. We understand that commitment takes time. So please join us at an upcoming meeting as we continue the momentum toward securing our site and designing our community. We are in contract on land and making progress.
We can only do this together. Please join us…and send us your thoughts!
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