Community Organization Updates The organizations on pages 14 and 15 are community based groups or groups who serve the San Geronimo Valley and Nicasio communities. Many of these organizations attend Healthy Community Collaborative meetings which generally take place quarterly. San Geronimo Valley and Nicasio organizations are invited to submit a short update on their work, as well as a photo. Each organization is responsible for the content and accuracy of their submission. The Community Center does not exercise editorial control of these submissions. If your organization is interested in submitting an update please email druss@sgvcc.org.
San Geronimo Valley Lions Club At the Annual Christmas Meeting held at Rancho Nicasio the SGV Lions recognized Nicole Ramirez as the SGV Lions “Person of the Year”. Nicole has worked many years with the San Geronimo Valley Community Center and has been involved with many valuable programs. The Annual SGV Lions Crab Feed was held on Feb. 3, 2024 at the Woodacre Improvement Club. In addi- tion to the many Lions Members that usually step forward several community members also assisted with making the event a success. The Lagunitas School 8th Graders under the coordination of Teacher Katherine Sanford contributed greatly to set- up, serving and clean-up.
San Geronimo Childcare Center Meet the New Director at San Geronimo Childcare Center My name is Maria Allis. I identify as a Latina woman. I was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. I came to the US in 1981 and I have settled in the small town of Fairfax, where I currently live. I have been an Early Childhood Educator for over thirty years. Personally, and in my work, I consistent- ly demonstrate sensitivity and humility with regard to issues of race, learning or other abilities, ethnicity, religion, gender, socio-economic group, sexuality or other orientations or cultural markers.
My professional career has been shaped from experiences working directly with communities in
publicly funded licensed Early Care and Education settings, Special Education Inclusion programs, College Laboratory sites, and from teaching and coaching adults. I have a Masters’ degree in Early Childhood Education from Sonoma State University and I have also participated in three fellowship programs at UC Berkeley with a focus on Early Literacy Development. I continue to be engaged in my own professional development by attending and presenting at seminars, conferences, and workshops. I am thrilled with the opportunity to serve this vibrant community as the new director of the San Geronimo Childcare Center. Rotary Club of West Marin Around the world, there are at least 1,200,000 members in 32,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas. Rotary is extraordinary in its service to the world. Each club is autonomous, non-governmental, non-political and non-religious. The Rotary Foundation’s Ambassadorial Scholarships program is the world’s largest privately funded international scholarship program. Exchanges promote cultural understanding by fostering the free flow of ideas and opportuni- ties across borders. Rotary clubs around the world address critical issues including poverty, hunger, need for water, illiteracy, burns of children, health clinics and peace are just some of the global pursuits. Rotary makes a difference. In Rotary, there is a Four-Way Test of the things we think, say or do. 1. Is it the TRUTH? 2. Is it FAIR to all concerned? 3. Will it build GOOD WILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? 4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned? Contact: Michelle Clein, 415-686-8544 Cell www.rotaryclubwestmarin.com mc@michelleclein.com River Otter Ecology Project It’s your friendly neighborhood River Otter conservation group wishing you a wonderful 2024! We have some fun outreach events coming up this spring and summer, including the always-fabulous Martinez Beaver Festival. And, if you’re interested in volunteering for field or outreach events, please check out our web- site at www.riverotterecology.org and apply there. Please make sure to submit your otter sightings to www.riverotterecology.org and become part of our treasured Otter Spotter team. You can sign up for our news- letters at the same place, whether you’ve seen an otter or not. Will you be the next to win the coveted Otter Spotter of the Year award? It’s quite possible!
Design and Planning is being reviewed for a new Bus Shelter in San Geronimo near Giaco’s Roadhouse to be built by the SGV Lions. This will be the same or similar to three other Bus Shelters built in the San Geronimo Valley. InSpirit’s Mother’s Day Plant Sale InSpirit is getting ready for our annual Mother’s Day Plant Sale! Please join us outdoors at Lagunitas School District’s upper campus on Saturday, May 11th to find seedlings and plants of all sorts, including many with low water needs, and other garden-related goodies. All purchases from our plant sale fundraiser will go directly to providing financial support to people living with paralysis so they can continue living at home with their families and avoid nursing home placements. The path of people living with paralysis is arduous, and services can be limited and difficult to navigate. If you or someone you know is in need of assistance email info@inspiritmarin.org Interested in donating plants or volunteering with the plant sale? Please email amylvalens@comcast.net For more information or to make a donation, see our website, www.inspiritmarin.org, or send checks to PO Box 383 Woodacre, CA 94973 West Marin Senior Services Are you 60+ years, or someone you know, and in need of support? West Marin Senior Services offers: • Care Management support – home visits, care plans, in-home evaluations for safety, caregiver placement, and assistance in navigating the challenges of aging - in rural West Marin. • Friendly Visiting – weekly in person or over the phone • Home Delivered Meals – up to 7 meals, delivered 3X’s a week • Information & Referrals • Assistance with shopping, errands, and transportation • Durable Medical Equipment Loans • Workshops, educational and social community-building gatherings on Zoom • Stockstill House – WMSS’ State-licensed residential care facility in Point Reyes Station Doing what we have done for over 40+ years With the support of volunteers! If you would like to volunteer please contact: amena@wmss.org For Care Manager support contact Pam@wmss.org or 415-663-8148 x101 Wilderness Way A few months before Jean Berensmeier passed, she had the brilliant idea to do a Valley Elders Interview project. So, true to Jean’s form, she waltzed right into the Senior Lunch at the Community Center and announced her idea to the seniors. She got fourteen elders to sign up on the spot! Fortunately, Jean was very persistent in following up with phone calls and scheduling. This enabled us to conduct each film interview before she passed. Tina and Paul are continu- ing “Jean’s Legacy” through Wilderness Way by editing the interviews and work- ing with Valley historian Owen Clapp, who has now uploaded them to the San Geronimo Valley Historical Society website. Now everyone can view these histori- cal interviews of Valley elders! We at Wilderness Way are saddened by the passing of Valley elder “Skye” LePanto. Fortunately, Jean did a good interview with Skye before he passed. So we can all remember this special individual in this interview (info@sgvhistoricalsociety.org). Enjoy!
Page 18 SGV Community Center Stone Soup
Made with FlippingBook - Share PDF online