Marinwood Association

On Wednesday, September 30th the Marinwood Association convened to discuss future plans.

Present:
Walter Dods, President
Bruce Anderson, Vice President
Denise Castellucci, new Boardmember
Kel Harris, Safe Routes to Schools

Walter opened the meeting stressing the importance of letting residents know that the planned October 14th meeting with a Grady Ranch presentation by Lucas Film has been canceled and needs to be rescheduled before the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays. It is important that in regards to the Grady Ranch plans that the community has a forum to voice their concerns. Marin county recently asked Lucas to spend an additional 400k and is impacting their time table to speak with the community.

James “Jamie” Shaw, a member of the community who lives on Cedarberry is running against the incumbents of the Las Gallinas Sanitary District. While the Association does not endorse any candidates, we wanted to acknowledge that one of our own is participating in local government. People are encouraged to contact Jamie with questions at jameshshaw@sbcglobal.net.

Bruce brought up a need for a permanent sign that is a closed letter board to post information on meetings and events. The board could be shared by the CSD as well and can be an alternative to the sandwich boards. We are going to research the cost of such a sign and see if the CSD can contribute.

Denise asked about the size of the Membership list and found that there is about 400 people on the list. Walter pointed out the need for us to acknowledge each membership contribution with a thank you with contact information of the board and website address. This membership list needs to be made available. Speaking of website address, we need to have a sign that moves around the community promoting the website: marinwoodassociation.org.

Bruce introduced the topic of a Spring Fundraiser which would be a Garden & Art Tour with 5 gardens and 5 artists. Bruce offered his garden as one of the five. He knows of several artists as well who may want to participate. The date for this event is to be determined.

Another event to coordinate will be Spring Community Day which would be scheduled either before or after the Dixie District Spring Break. Possible dates would be the weekend of April 3rd, or the weekend of April 24th. Spring Community Day would enable local organizations to have a table to do outreach to the community. Organizations like the Lions Club, CERT, Sheriff’s office, Marinwood CSD, DYSO, Little League, Marinwood Fire, Watershed Stewards, Boy and Girl Scouts, Rotary Club, Safe Routes to Schools, Marin Bike Coalition, Waterdevils, Waldorf, Marin Day School, Marin Formative, Oakview School, Marinwood and San Rafael Mothers Clubs, and any other non-profits that serve the community.

The October 14th Association meeting could have a presentation from the Marin Energy Authority to explain to residents what they are doing and discussion Community Choice Aggregation. We are still trying to get a representative to come.

In past years, the Association has hosted Dumpster Day, where residents can take their large greens, wood boards, old furniture and dump it in a large dumpster. Given the state of our financial resources we may need help paying for the dumpster. We could contact someone who can also recycle electronics and computer parts. Kel brought up Dumpster Day could be combined with the Spring Community Day, where you can bring your dumpster fodder, grab a glass of wine and learn about the resources of our community.

The last Sunday afternoon-evening of the Month there is a Sunday Supper Jam at the Howard Council Community Center or the Marinwood Community Center.

The next CSD Meeting will be October 13th.

Kel Harris notified us that the sidewalk on Huckleberry now has access to the multiuse path on Lucas Valley.

First, I would like to thank everybody who came out to our Annual Marinwood Association meeting on September 9th, and especially those who paid their annual dues or became members for the first time. This is one of the things that makes Marinwood such a special place to live… our neighbors. The level of civic participation and care for the community exhibited by Marinwood residents never fails to impress.

I also want to quickly mention that the debate planned for the upcoming CSD Board election has been cancelled. Eugene Elliot has decided not to run, and that leaves just two candidates for the two open seats. You an read a bit more over at the Independent Journal.

We had a great meeting with a number of interesting topics. Our newest director, Denise Castellucci has an updated play-by-play report of the meeting available on the Marinwood Association Facebook page.

If you have not yet paid your annual dues, or you would like to become a member of the Marinwood Association, you can do so here: Join the Marinwood Association

The Marinwood Association’s Progress Marinwood program is scheduled for September 9, 2009 at 7:30 at the Marinwood Community Center. You will have the opportunity to hear from our County Supervisor about the county’s response plans for the H1N1 flu virus that is expected to strike this fall. In addition, Supervisor Adams will bring us up to date on other activities within Marin County District one.

You have probably noticed new “striping” on Miller Creek Avenue allowing for a bike lane? One person who put in a lot of time and effort to get that lane is Kel Harris. Kel will tell us about those new lanes on Miller Creek and Las Gallinas along with some other future plans to make safer routes in Marinwood and along Lucas Valley Road. Kel will also talk about the very successful if unsightly (think orange cones) traffic calming that occurred earlier this year.

For you creek lovers, Rachael Kammen will tell us about the Miller Creek Watershed Stewards and the efforts to preserve and protect Miller Creek.

There is much more. This is a wonderful chance to learn about your community.

This is a free information meeting provided by the Marinwood Association. For over 30 years the Marinwood Association has been your local non-profit community organization. We are not a homeowners association; we are an association of home dwellers and local businesses here in greater Lucas Valley. If you live or work or have an interest in Marinwood you are considered a member. The Association is mainly supported by voluntary annual dues of $10 per membership. Only current paid-up members may vote in elections. You may pay your dues at the meeting. There is no charge for this meeting.

We hope to see you at the meeting.

The Marinwood Association invites you to a general meeting of the community, Progress Marinwood. The meeting is scheduled for September 9, 2009 at 7:30pm at the Marinwood Community Center.

Progress Marinwood is an evening to inform you of a number of community topics. We will have an election of officers of the Marinwood Association after some opening remarks by Association President Walter Dods and a treasurer’s report by Association Treasurer Geoff Mack.

Supervisor Susan Adams will bring us up to date on the county budget and other items affecting Marin County District one. Kel Harris, chair of the Marinwood Safer-routes committee, will make a presentation regarding the progress his committee is making towards creating safer streets in Marinwood. One of our neighbors in the “Berries”, Jennifer Brooke will discuss the steps taken by the “Neighberries” to deter crime. Tom Horne, the Marinwood CSD District Manager, will inform us our local CSD financial status. Geoff Mack will give a short introduction to the Lucas Films project at Grady Ranch. This is a prelude to a community meeting scheduled for October 14, 2009 where Lucas Films has agreed to present the Grady Ranch project and take questions and comments from our entire community.

We will receive an update regarding the Marinwood Plaza. Bruce Anderson, Marinwood Association Vice President and a Marinwood CSD Director will discuss the effort underway at the CSD to review and possibly increase the powers granted to it.

Finally there will be an opportunity to meet the three candidates for the two open positions on the Marinwood CSD Board of Directors. The candidates, Bruce Anderson, Gene Elliot and Leah Green will introduce themselves and be available for a couple of questions. This is not a debate just an introduction of the candidates.

Please plan to attend Progress Marinwood. It is an excellent opportunity to learn about your community.

You can help increase awareness of the meeting by printing and distributing this flyer to your neighbors.
general-meeting-2009-flyer

Take a look at the flyer below for an upcoming special event being held by the Miller Creek Watershed Stewards. I expect this to be an inspirational meeting and plan on attending. Please forward this e-mail to anybody that you think may be interested. Mark your calendars and I’ll see you there.

–Geoff

Ever wonder what Lucas Valley looked like 100 years ago?

Come to a special presentation by Chuck Striplen of the San Francisco Estuary Institute and learn about the history of Miller Creek.

Miller Creek Watershed Stewards Community Meeting

Tuesday, November 13^th

7:00pm to 8:30pm

Dixie Elementary School, Multi Purpose Room

1175 Idylberry Rd, Lucas Valley

Free admission and refreshments!

For more information contact Mike Elgie at melgie@lucasvalley.net or Craig Murray at craig.murray@comcast.net or visit Miller Creek Watershed Stewards online.

Dixie School District is not a sponsor or responsible in any way for this event.