Rolling Stones by Alexa Davidson Executive Director
Peace continued from page 2
Credits Stone Soup is printed four times a year and reflects the diverse cultural interests of the Community Center and the Valley. Though it is a publication of the San Geronimo Valley Community Center, it is meant as a journal for everyone in or around the Valley. We are interested in your input. If you have any comments, ideas for articles or columns, news, art, stories, poetry, photography, or information for the publication, please forward them to: The Stone Soup Editorial Committee c/o San Geronimo Valley Community Center, 6350 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. P.O. Box 194, San Geronimo, CA 94963. Phone (415) 488-8888 • email: dfogel@sgvcc.org, or visit www.sgvcc.org. Stone Soup does not exercise editorial control on the content of submissions by organi- zations, byline columnists, or display ads. We reserve the right to refuse to publish ads or submissions. Editorial Committee: Danielle Fogel, Alexa Davidson, David Russ Proofreading: Alexa Davidson, Danielle Fogel, Albert DeSilver, Poko Giacomini Production: David Russ, Russ Ranch Productions Printing: Marin Sun Ads: Danielle Fogel and Albert DeSilver Frank Dittle , was a lifelong Marinite and Navy veteran who served aboard the USS RATON submarine during the Vietnam War. After earning a degree from San Francisco State, he dedi- cated 40 years to the Richardson Bay Sanitary District before retiring in 2006. A passionate athlete, coach, and devoted 49ers fan, Frank is remembered most for his love of family—his wife Jill, sons Sean (Tish) and Craig (Stacey), grandchildren Jackson, Kaitlyn, Sloane, and Quinn, and his four brothers. Sherri Mills of Marin passed away in 2024 after a brave battle with cancer. Since moving to Fairfax in 2014 to work with renowned choreographer Anna Halprin, Sherri became a vital part of the community as a dancer with Tamalpa, Anna’s trusted assistant and caregiver, a devoted yoga teacher, and one of Marin’s most sought-after massage therapists. Known for her booming laughter, radiant presence, and ability to inspire creativity in everyone around her, Sherri gave deeply of herself and touched countless lives with generosity and grace. She will be profoundly missed by her partner Vince, her friends, and the wide community she uplifted with her spirit and care. With Respect Todd Berger , born October 10, 1945, died on August 1, 2025. He was a loving husband, father and member of the West Marin Community for four decades. His family invites you to his celebration of life at the Woodacre Improvement Club on October 11, 2025 from 3-5pm. All are welcome. Pete McCullough , a longtime San Geronimo Valley resident, passed away on June 14, 2025. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather whose warmth and pres- ence will be dearly missed. • This year the Peace Festival will culminate with a concert with the legendary Barry “the Fish” Melton Band on Saturday September 20 at Giaco’s Valley Roadhouse . Please visit our Event Highlight page for more info about this show. • On Sunday, September 21st from 2 - 5 pm , there will be an art reception, mural unveiling from the Connect the Dots project and Greenstitch Climate Action, side- walk chalk art making and an ice cream social in the Community Center Courtyard. • On September 19th at 6 pm there will be a Film Festival Night - This year we will be curating a night of film. The films will focus on and share personal stories of the ways people have found and cultivated inner peace in a world where it has become increasingly hard to do so. We are still working on the exact line up but it will include several specially chosen works. • On September 20th at 10 am we are so excited to welcome back, Martine Algier who will be joining us again to facilitate her very popular Non Violent Communication Workshops . As a dedicated NVC counselor and trainer, Martine brings a wealth of experience and empathy to guide you through this transformative process. Her ses- sions are designed to be engaging, supportive, and highly interactive. Some of the tools you can expect to leave this workshop with include Practical Skills : Learn how to articulate your feelings and needs without blame or judgment and listen empatheti- cally to others. Personal Growth : Embark on a journey of self-discovery and emo- tional intelligence. Conflict Resolution Techniques : Gain the ability to navigate and mediate conflicts in a manner that is beneficial for all involved.
Hope in a Tiny Shopping Cart
A few weeks ago, I was charged $900 for a bunch of grapes at the Summer Bridge play supermarket. I paid it gladly, twice. That same morning, I also went mag- net fishing, got “served” pretend fried fish by a team
of proud kindergarten chefs, beaded necklaces alongside budding artists, and took in a roomful of kids during story time, some of whom had never set foot in a classroom before this summer. This was just one of my many visits to our five-week Summer Bridge Program , a free TK/Kindergarten readiness program the Community Center has run for decades. I made it a personal commitment to stop by at least twice a week, and each time, I walked away reconnected to why we do what we do. In a world so often overshadowed by headlines filled with division and fear, the joy and pure humanity I witnessed in that classroom offered a renewed sense of hope and optimism. These kids are just beginning their journey, untouched by the things that can divide us. They are open, curious, brave, and funny. I watched them learn to share—even when it was hard. I watched them ask for space and have their boundaries respected. I watched friendships form, confidence bloom, and tiny humans come into their own in an environment rooted in kindness and care.
Summer Bridge Readers
Each summer, some of our students arrive with no formal preschool experi- ence. For them, Summer Bridge is the first real step into a social, structured environment. What they are learning—how to be with others, how to take turns, how to express emotions—are the building blocks of a just and con- nected community. But the program goes beyond social-emotional develop- ment. It helps children catch up on critical academic and developmental mile- stones like recognizing letters, numbers, and colors; writing their names; using scissors; and holding a pencil with confidence. These are small but essential skills that set the stage for a successful start in tk/kindergarten. Summer Bridge helps level the playing field—especially for those who haven’t had access to preschool—giving every child a fair and confident start.
This is early childhood equity in action.
When young children don’t have access to the things their peers might, like preschool, swim lessons, or basic early developmental experiences, they start school already behind. At the Community Center, we believe every child deserves to start strong. That’s why we’ve made early childhood equity a grow- ing priority. This summer, thanks to a grant from the West Marin Fund, we integrated swim lessons into Summer Bridge, ensuring that every child left with a basic sense of water safety and skill, critical for both safety and inclu- sion. Now, all of our kids can participate in beach field trips and summer fun, safely and confidently. Year round, we also continue to offer free development playgroups for 0-5 year olds , we host car seat giveaways and safe installation training , and this fall, we’re excited to launch an expanded pediatric health element at our October 16th Community Health Fair . The Toys & Joys program in partnership with Dickson Ranch is another incredible program that supports childhood equity. This program demon- strates how a thoughtfully chosen gift during the holidays tells a child, you matter, we see you, and your happiness matters to us . That kind of message stays with a child. It builds safety and love. We loved participating in the Barn Dance on August 2nd to support this incredible program. All of this is part of a bigger picture, one where being a kid in the San Geronimo Valley and Nicasio communities is like holding a winning lottery ticket. Not because of luck, but because we’ve made a collective commitment to care for our children as a community. There are days when the world feels heavy. But when that happens, I remem- ber I can walk across the hall to Summer Bridge—or any of our children’s programs—and watch the future unfold with humor, warmth, and resilience.
San Geronimo Valley Community Center Board Members
David Lakes, President Amy Waterhouse, Co-Vice President Alexander McQuilkin, Co-Vice President Alan Weiler, Treasurer
John Beckerley, Secretary Carolina Balazs Sarah Brewster Buddy Faure
Kelly Lawson Morgan Patton Heather Richardson
Liora Soladay Alan Weiler Gordon White
Zachary Goodman Brandon Johnson
Page 2 SGV Community Center Stone Soup
Jean Berensmeier, Founder
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