Looking Back: Histories, Stories and Profiles
History of the SGVCC
fixated on freeways and growth unleashing a backlash of grassroots concerns about the environment and our quality of life. A liberal, agricultural preservationist, and former Lagunitas School District Trustee, Gary Giacomini was elected Supervisor. His was the third vote needed to adopt the Countywide Plan that changed Marin forever. Just before his election there was a community outcry by the
From Art Center to Community Center 1960s–2000 by Founder Jean Berensmeier School Building Condemned In the 1960s the Lagunitas School District learned that the old school built in 1924 did not conform to the State Education Code’s earthquake standards. By condemning it, the Trustees got State funds to construct San Geronimo School. As a parent with a child entering kindergarten I felt duty bound to attend my first School Board meeting, which was held in the “old school.” I was daydreaming of volunteering for the PTA and baking cupcakes when the Trustees announced they were going to demolish the old school building and build a parking lot. I heard someone in the back of the room say, “Tear down this school build- ing? I’ll lie down in front of the bulldozers first.” Oops . . . it was me! After some discussion, the Trustees agreed that it was a shame to destroy the building with its wide porti- cos, arches, and historic WPA mural, and agreed to lease it to me for $1.00 per day per classroom for after school art classes! The kid’s classes were wildly successful. Adult classes were added and the groovy place was dubbed “the Art Center.” But, to my surprise, it was strongly opposed by vocal conservatives of the Valley. People began to take sides . . . point fingers . . . make threats . . . say nasty things. The controversy came to a head when parent supporters of the Art Center incorporated and proposed a new, long-term lease. The hastily formed Concerned Citizens Committee countered and proposed a Sheriff’s Substation, offering to staff it day and night. After long hearings and many heated words, the Trustees, under the leadership of Gary Giacomi- ni, leased the condemned building to the Art Center, Inc., and have renewed those leases regularly ever since. A Changing Time I didn’t immediately understand the reason for such vehe- mence and hostility. But consider the times of the 1960s — The post-Kennedy era, nuclear proliferation concerns, the Vietnam War, Summer of Love, the sexual revolution, proposed Countywide Plan, educational changes at the school, the water moratorium, the drought, developers Today’s San Geronimo Valley Community Center plays a unique and vital role in the Valley, offering myriad resources and activities. Seemingly light years from its origins in the ’60s, the Center, then as now, reflects the multiple needs and priorities of Valley residents. How we got to 2017 is a fascinating story . . .
newly formed SGV Plan- ning Group opposing the 1961 Master Plan for the San Geronimo Valley that called for 20,000 people and 5,000 homes roller coasting the ridges and hills. After Giacomini’s election the ’61 Master Plan was booted, and the Planning Group spent five years working on the first Community Plan that replaced it. The Commu-
Gary Giacomini, 1970s
nity Plan set a boundary around each of the four villages. It protected the Valley’s rural character, ridges, streams and natural resources. A 20-acre zoning requirement for devel- opment outside the villages protected the rural character of the valley and assured minimal development in agricultural lands and open space. These changes had a staid segment of the community reeling, but worst of all was the daily contact, eyeball to eyeball, with back-to-the-land hippies that had defected from the Haight Ashbury after the Summer of Love and settled in run-down cabins, lived in hillside encamp- ments on private property or funky buses. They smoked pot, had long hair, food co-ops, community gardens, tie- dyed clothes and gave things away . . . free! The music of Big Brother and the Holding Company, Quicksilver, the Grateful Dead, Sons of Champlin, Joy of Cooking, Elvin Bishop, and Van Morrison was everywhere and the stories about Janis Joplin’s parties in Lagunitas were a scandal. Sheriff calls were off the charts. Time has a way of embel- lishing events, but probably most of what you’ve heard is true. With hindsight, it is now clear that the Art Center was a focus where new residents seeking change could express and implement fresh, creative ideas for their families and their environment. But the Art Center also became a vis- ible scapegoat where others could vent anger and fear of change. With that background, politics and setting, let’s look at what was really happening at the Art Center. The Art Center—1970s Early classes for kids included macramé, leather craft,
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50 th Anniversary
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