Rolling Stones
With Respect by Tara O’Siochain Parra O’Siochain, 83, of Forest Knolls, CA, passed away on July 29, 2026, after a brief illness. Born in Dublin, Ireland, Parra came to San Francisco in 1965 and ultimately settled in Forest Knolls where he was a beloved part of the community for nearly 50 years. A quintessential artist and self-described old hippie, he was also an engineer, whose gifted hands created beautiful and powerful sculptures and paintings as impressively as they built and tuned some of the fastest racing motorcycles of his era. Parra approached everything with boundless energy and curiosity. Fiercely indepen- dent and adventurous, he lived life on his own terms, embracing every challenge with creativity, determination, and passion. He brought infectious enthusiasm to everything he did. A gifted storyteller with an unmistakable wit, Parra had a rare ability to captivate those around him. His stories will live on in the memories of the many people whose lives he touched. Parra leaves behind a legacy of art, motorcycles, and friendship that reflects a life lived boldly and without compromise. He will be remembered for his larger than life spirit, gifted hands, and his unwavering belief that life is meant to be created, explored, and fully lived. He is survived by his daughter Tara O’Siochain, granddaughter Anneke Bleeker, and grandson Ryan Bleeker. A memorial celebrating Parra’s life was held at the San Geronimo Community Center on Saturday, August 15. Casey Misuraca, a longtime Forest Knolls resident, mother of Rachel and Tina and grandmother of Tyler passed away in July. More information to come in a future Stone Soup .
Returning home reminds us what matters most by Alexa Davidson, Executive Director
Summer has a way of making me take stock. Maybe it’s the lon- ger days, the slower evenings, or the invitation to step outside our routines for a little while. Every year around this time, I find myself reflecting on the small choices that shape our days: what we make time for, what we notice, and the moments we decide are worth holding onto.
This summer, my husband Danny and I had the chance to step completely outside our every- day lives with a trip to New York City. Like we often do when we travel, we found ourselves asking the same question: Could we live here? We’ve asked ourselves that question in Japan, on Kaua’i, and now while weaving through Manhattan. New York dazzled us. We walked 25,000 steps a day, rode the subway, wandered museums, lingered over unforgettable meals, and marveled at the edge of central park where nature met the incredible NYC skyline. There was something unexpectedly freeing about blending into a city of millions, where no one knew our names and every block held another surprise.
Alexa and her husband, Danny, explored New York City this summer before returning home with a renewed appreciation for West Marin.
And then we came home and the very next day, I found myself hiking our familiar hills, breathing in the dry summer air. I stopped by the post office and ran into half a dozen people I know. On Monday morning, I walked back into the Community Center, sur- rounded by people I genuinely love working alongside. What a gift it is to leave and explore. And what an even greater gift it is to return. I’ve been thinking a lot about how both things can be true. We can crave adventure while deeply loving home. We can imagine other versions of our lives while feeling grateful for the one we are building. We can be inspired by places far away while recognizing the extraordinary things that exist right in front of us. In July after returning from vacation, our Summer Day Camp found itself short a driver for the annual Tomales Bay kayaking field trip. My calendar was full, and it would have been easy to stay behind my computer and keep moving through budgets, meetings, and strategic plans. Instead, I cleared my schedule, grabbed a life jacket, and headed to Hearts Desire Beach with 30 campers. I ended up in a kayak with two young adventurers who quickly decided we weren’t just paddling across the bay—we were creating a “crabitat” for two tiny beach crabs they had named Burger and Jerry. Together, we ferried our tiny passengers across the water, cheered each other through the headwinds, and I watched the campers grow more con- fident with every stroke before we carefully returned our crab companions to the surf before heading home. It was one of those simple, joyful days that reminds you why this work matters. Many days, much of my work can happen behind a screen—planning, budgeting, strat- egizing, and innovating about what comes next. Important work, but work that doesn’t always let me see the impact up close. That afternoon, the impact was right there beside me, floating across Tomales Bay in a kayak full of laughter, curiosity, and tiny beach crabs… Wonder isn’t reserved for vacations or once-in-a-lifetime experiences. It’s often waiting for us right where we are—and West Marin is a treasure trove of those moments.
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 infor- mation 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 organizations, byline columnists, or display ads. We reserve the right to refuse to publish ads or submissions. Editorial Committee: Danielle Fogel, Alexa Davidson, Jessica O’Connell, David Russ Proofreading: Alexa Davidson, Danielle Fogel, Poko Giacomini, Jessica O’Connell, Kaya Clementi Production: David Russ, Russ Ranch Productions
A day on the water with summer day camp campers was a joy- ful reminder of why this work matters.
In a recent interview process for our new Advancement Coordinator position, several candidates asked me the same question: What’s your favorite part about working at the Community Center? The answer came quickly: the people. Even on the most ordinary days—the ones filled with meetings, emails, and the thou- sand small tasks that keep an organization moving—I am surrounded by people who are thoughtful, funny, creative, and deeply committed to this community. The work itself matters, but so do the people who make the work possible. The conversations in the hall- way, the shared laughs during a busy day, and the moments of connection in between are what make this place special. So here’s to exploring new places and appreciating the places that have shaped us. To dreaming about new horizons while being grounded in gratitude for what is right in front of us. And to remembering that the lives we love are built in the everyday moments—with the people and communities we choose to show up for every day.
Printing: Marin Sun Ads: Danielle Fogel
Amy Waterhouse, President John Beckerley Buddy Faure Zachary Goodman Amena Hajjar Morgan Patton Heather Richardson Liora Soladay Al Weiler Gordon White San Geronimo Valley Community Center Board Members Elysha Irish Brandon Johnson David Lakes Kelly Lawson Alexander McQuilkin
Jean Berensmeier, Founder
Page 2 SGV Community Center Stone Soup
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