The Importance of Locking Arms to Make Change
A long, long (really long) time ago a smarter person than I was laid this on me: Soon as you know what it is you want to do, find someone who’s doing it and do what they do. To that end, TVCLT has joined with the Community Land Trust of West Marin (CLAM), the Bolinas Community Land Trust and the Stinson Beach Affordable Housing Committee and locked arms as the West Marin Hous- ing Collaborative to increase capacity and support for policy change that benefits affordable housing. From the Collaborative’s WHY Statement: “While the lack of affordable housing is an issue in many communities across America, in West Marin, California it is dire. We believe that affordable housing is essential to main- taining healthy communities and that, by working together collectively, our four housing organizations will be more successful in fulfilling the mission of each orga- nization to meet the housing needs of our respective communities.” I’m of the mind that for all the interventions we all believe are essential to preserv- ing healthy communities, they all begin and end with affordable housing. But that’s me. That said, I tend to believe that very few of the interventions our many committees and organizations have committed to, for as varied as they are, are incompatible. With the exception of our all-important donor bases, we’re not particularly proprietary or competitive. We’re generally supportive of one another. We’re connected by email and yet for whatever reason it still feels like we’re discon- nected. Isn’t there something more we can do to share our work with each other, with our communities, with all the committees and organizations in all our com- munities, to find common purpose, to support each other and garner support from our communities, to link arms to leverage our combined strength to make the change we want to see? We need a hub. A single nonpartisan West Marin hub that connects all the non- profit organizations, the activities they’re engaged in, the services they offer, all of them, with each other and where the families and individuals who would benefit will know to go to. Ping Pong is also great for honing your reflexes, hand-eye coordination, balance, while providing a lower body and core workouts. Table tennis is also a sport that is low risk for injury. Dr. Daniel Amen says Ping Pong is the world’s best brain sport. He reiterates Ping Pong’s benefits for hand-eye-coordination, balance and light cardio workouts. He also notes that Ping Pong is a social sport, and that socialization is paramount to good health, especially as we age. Dr. Amen also stresses that table tennis is a great brain exercise which requires us to strategize on the fly, discern spin and react, plan our next play — and to dismiss any angst about the shot that one missed previ- ously and stay calm. He calls table tennis “aerobic chess”.
by Hal Russek, Executive Director, Two Valleys Community Land Trust
How is it change is still so bloody difficult when almost everyone you run into agrees with what needs to change? Many of us sit on multiple committees, all of which were created to address a community issue, an unmet need perhaps, to discuss the need for change. I wouldn’t be sur-
prised if there are as many committees in Unincorporated West Marin as there are residents, and all of us doing meaningful, important work. And yet how much of what we mostly like-minded individuals discuss in committee and the actions we want to commit to emerge from within the four walls where those commitments are made? Speaking as the Executive Director of the now year old, a little more really, Two Valleys Community Land Trust, our Board is aligned on mission and purpose. That’s the easy part. How do we build capacity? Where do we find the experience and the expertise to carry us into our next phase? That’s the next hurdle and I’ll be honest with you: This is a piece of the puzzle we’re struggling with right now. Table tennis, Ping Pong or Whiff Whaff by Patty Bredt Whatever you call it, It is a lot of fun!! Ping Pong at the Lagunitas Gym is alive and well. Every Sunday night from 6:00 pm until 9:00 Ping Pong enthusiasts gather to hit the ball across the net. The gym is well stocked with eight (that’s right, 8) professional-level tables and nets, paddles and hundreds of balls. All ages and skill levels are welcome. Ping Pong has long been recognized and promoted for its health benefits. It pro- vides light aerobic exercise that one can play well into their eighties. In fact, we have regular participants in their 80’s who play a great game. There is plenty of time to get good at playing Ping Pong.
https://www.danielplan.com/healthyhabits/worldsbestbrainsport/
Ping Pong is also a sport that anyone can start at any age and improve their skills. Tom Lodziak, an online Ping Pong enthusiast and coach notes that “a 78-year-old can beat a 28-year-old. A 10-year-old can make a grown man cry. Table tennis is not all about ‘power’. You need good technique, good touch and good tactics to win.” This is shown by the diverse group of Ping Pong enthusiasts who come out every Sunday night. Additionally, if you’d really like to hone your skills, private les- sons can be arranged during the Sunday Ping Pong session.
SGV Community Center Stone Soup Page 17
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