URGENT MEETING RE: Proposed hospital next to heliport

When: MONDAY JULY 17,2006 --- 4PM
Where: TAMALPAIS VALLEY COMMUNITY CENTER, 203 MARIN AVE.

The Cirrus Group and architect Don Olsen have requested a public meeting to discuss the hospital they are proposing to build on Krystal's property next to the heliport. The Tamalpais Planning Area Bayside Coalition has already written a letter to the planner, Christine Gimmler, as to the reasons why this project on this site would not be beneficial to our community. Also addressed in the letter were all the reasons why the proposed project conflicts with our Tamalpais Community Plan. Obviously they wish to meet with members of our community to try to convince us of the appropriateness of their project and the benefits of it being on this site.

We need you to come to this meeting and express your thoughts. At this point they have only done a pre-application and they are "testing the waters" to see what the community thinks.

This meeting is replacing the Gateway Committee which usually meets on this Monday.

Come to the meeting -- Monday July 17,2006 --- 4pm Tamalpais Valley Community Center 203 Marin Ave. Tam Valley CURRY ECKELHOFF

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Tamalpais Valley's Flood Control Zone 3

New program to help alleviate flooding problems

Telephone Numbers:
Daytime:415-499-7388
After hours & weekends: 415-499-7513

Local members of the Flood Control Board, the Marin Flood Control District Staff and the County Department of Public Works have worked out a program to help our residents who have flooding problems during storms and high tide. The Flood Control Board voted unanimously to fund cleanings of our catch basins, creeks and gutters on a regular basis in hopes of alleviating some of the damage flooding can bring. They are also working to development and implement other projects and programs that will help to alleviate flood damage.

As a resident you can help by reporting any on-street flooding as soon as possible to the County of Marin dispatch:

Telephone Numbers:
Daytime:415-499-7388
After hours & weekends: 415-499-7513

These phone numbers go from the dispatch directly to the County garage where personnel and trucks will be immediately dispatched to Tam Valley. This is a very special program and is only done in one other community in Marin. Post these phone numbers in a conspicuous place by the phone in your home.

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Become a TVIC Board member

Would you be interested in becoming a TVIC Board member? We need you on the Board for your input and discussion on Valley issues.

We meet once a month on the first Thursday of the month. We sponsor the Annual Rhubarb Revue variety show every Spring for three weekends and this is our main social event. The TVIC is the watchdog group of the Valley and always has been. We are the sounding board of what's going on in our community. You can be as active as your time will allow.

For more information contact Curry Eckelhoff, TVIC President, at 388-7247 or by email president@tamvalley.org.

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Fernwood Cemetery Update

Margaret Heller
815 Marin Drive
Mill Valley, Ca 94904

Sept 20, 2005

Several years ago I wandered into the Fernwood Cemetery to see what it was about, as I have always loved walking in cemeteries. I have only lived in Tam Junction for 5 years and I was curious about this little corner of my new world. Immediately at the entrance on Tennessee Valley Road, I was met by a monolithic stone wall; it imparts a serious tone before you come upon a typical Tam Junction landscape of bay trees and interior live oak. It turns out that the wall is the northwest wall of the building that houses the business offices and facilities for memorial services. It was a Sunday and everything was locked except for the front gate. I followed the steep, paved road up to the right and I found that all was quiet. At the top it seemed to be a deserted, old, Western cemetery with weathered headstones containing fascinating bits of information. The headstones were in disrepair; many of them tipped over and lying upside down where they had fallen. I thought that the charm of the place was in the fact that it was a nearly abandoned cemetery with very old gravesites most with Hispanic and Asian surnames. There was no fertile ground, no fresh flowers (only plastic), and no order. It was intriguing and I vowed to come back in the winter months after the rains had restored the grass, ferns, and wildflowers and also had brought moss and lichen to the trees.


Then I read in AARP magazine and in a local newspaper that the cemetery was being bought by a national corporation that had a unique idea to turn cemeteries into hiking and meditative places. They also had taken the casket out of "burial" in by allowing families to choose a "green burial" (see web links below). I also heard dark rumblings about how "outsiders" were coming in and taking over "our cemetery". Well they have arrived and from what I can see they are doing an outstanding job. Last fall I saw that they had done some hillside work cleaning debris and pulling out uncountable loads of scotch broom; then they sprayed in the wildflower seeds and fertilizer onto the steep banks. It looks artificial until the spring brings vibrant California wildflowers and all is forgotten.


I returned again the other day after watching increasing activity taking place in the hills. Life is returning to our cemetery. Now in September 2005, heavy equipment is being used to make new trails and solitary workers with rakes and hoes are restoring old trails. There are rows of plants (festuca and mountain mahogany), and potted trees lined up for planting. Hundreds of feet of broken waterlines are being repaired; and in such a vast, steep space there is a need for plenty of water! Some of the old gravesites have plants and flowers in bloom as though someone cared instead of the benign neglect of the past years. There are California native plants- California poppies, lupine, sage - lining pathways to the gravesites. There are trails that lead off into the woods and old gravesites restored that were toppled and buried by leaves and downed branches. The headstones have been righted in the Fernwood Section and the Tiered Family Estates. They follow no typical pattern of the traditional cemeteries of the East Coast in which all is orderly, precise and predictable; ours is random, surprising and engaging as you pass rows of marked graves and a few headstones off by themselves on a hillside. Beautiful new retaining walls wander through the hillside making steps and seating in quiet places facing out towards Tennessee Valley or Coyote Creek. The mausoleum that is built into the hillside has been cleaned and a tasteful, living sculpture hangs from the back wall. From the very top of the hill one of the best views of Tam Valley can be found and the climb is well worth it as you pass interesting sites and guess a little bit of history.


"Maria Daughter of J.S. and Rose Nunes. Died September 29th, 1902. Age 5 years. 3 months and 28 days. "

"Denh Su Phung 1908-1990" with a photo of him as a young man.

One head stone with three disparate names and lifespans: "Joseph A Avilla 1920-1936, Edward W. Bettencourt 1907-1947, Mary Knight 1881 -1950"

"Florence Nightengale Worley 1861-1934 Native of England"

And a small white stone bleached by the sun and the characters worn by the elements "Anton M. Beloved son of Miguel M and Anna Terra 2 mo 1892"

To read about green burials:
http://www.aarp.org/bulletin/yourlife/a2004-06-30-green_graveyards.html

To read about Fernwood Cemetery:
http://www.foreverfernwood.com

Margaret Heller heller@sonic.net

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