About Us - MORE
Our Three Project AreasCOMMONS SPACES – Gathering places and pathways
Point Reyes Station TOWN COMMONS
The YELLOW HOUSE POP-UP at the Town Commons in Point Reyes Station
Mesa Road Pathway in Point Reyes Station
California Native Garden at Livery Stable in Point Reyes Station
Other Commons
Name the gathering places
Public libraries, Community Health and Resources, Point Reyes Community Garden, Toby’s Community Playground, Inverness Pocket Park, Benches on Main Street, Paths for walking, KWMR-FM, on and on.
COMMONS CONNECT - Online networks for exchanges, sharing, community support, and links to news and information of West MarinThe Economics of Community
SHARING AND COOPERATION
The following includes Google discussion groups that have been set up to facilitate sharing and cooperation within our communities. Over-the-Hill-Gang Ride and Errand Sharing Board, and West Marin Share, help reduce our dependence on cars and fossil fuels, promote sharing and re-use, and build a local culture of mutual aid.
FOOD AND GARDEN
Local Food System Initiative – a West Marin Commons Google group (produce swaps, gleaning, fermentation and canning parties, bulk buying and possibly a cow share.)
You can link here: http://groups.google.com/group/food-system-initiative?hl=en
Heart and Harvest – a food co-op organized by Sebastian Ellis, now has a blog:
http://www.hearthandharvestorganic.org/
RIDES AND ERRANDS
Over-the-Hill-Gang Ride and Errand Sharing – Save gas, spare the air, make a friend. A West Marin Commons Google group
You can link here: http://groups.google.com/group/o-t-h-g?hl=en
REUSE MATERIALS, HOUSING, INFORMATION ABOUT LIVING IN WEST MARIN
West Marin Share – Tools, toys, household stuff and more, somebody might have a spare of what you need. Also, housing, housesitting, and household needs like where to find a seamstress, what internet service is working for you, etc. Free Exchange of Practical Information. A West Marin Commons Google group
You can link here: http://groups.google.com/group/wmshare?hl=en
Announcement Board next to Toby’s Coffee Bar in Point Reyes Station
Recycle Circus — support this free-market annual event in April
PARENTS COORDINATE
West Marin Parents Network – Play dates, music teachers, recommendations on dentists and consignment stores. A West Marin Commons Google group
OPINION
West Marin Soapbox – If you don’t say it, who will? A West Marin Commons Google group: http://groups.google.com/group/wmsbx
ETHNOBOTANICAL STUDIES AND PRACTICE
This West Marin Commons Project area, takes its inspiration and guidance from a study group initiated after a talk by Tending the Wild author Kat Anderson. The group evolved further with the involvement of Nick Tipon, Judith Lowry, Barbara Deutsch, Brock Dolman, Rufus Blunk, and others. To facilitate communication and encourage networking, Ethnobiology Google Group was established. You can find out more on this page and link to the group here: http://groups.google.com/group/wmcommons-ethnobiology-project-a-tending-the-wild-collaborative/about
Other Project Areas
Research and Learning
The State of Our Common Wealth - How to measure it? What is it to begin with? This project tries to start with the questions that don’t often get asked.
Public Art, Street Animation, Historical Awareness
Hand Tile Wall at Toby’s Community Playground (with local artist Madeline Hope).
Reclaimed Redwood Fence and Arbor at Livery Stable Green (with local artist Rufus Blunk).
Native Creatures Installation Piece at Livery Stable Green.
Seasonal Native Plant Poster at Livery Stable Native Garden (with local artist Heather Pratt).
Partnership with Gallery Route One’s Latino Photography Project. This has been an ongoing partnership since 2009. The new Town Commons is a subject for members of the Photo Project.
COMMONS KNOWLEDGE – Workshops, Speakers, and Community Discussions, Events, A Commons Reader
In October 2011, West Marin Commons awarded
California Council for the Humanities Story Fund grant
West Marin Commons is excited to announce that we have been awarded a $10,000 grant from the California Council for the Humanities/Story Fund to create a short documentary film on the process and importance of creating commons in Point Reyes Station. The film will be directed and produced by Corey Ohama.
This project is made possible with support from the California Council for the Humanities in partnership with the Skirball Foundation. The Council is an independent non-profit organization and a partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities. For more information on the Council, visit www.calhum.org.
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In October 2011, Mark Lakeman of City Repair presented a talk and workshop on creating commons spaces.
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In 2010 and 2011 First Five Marin funded classes for young children and their families in the West Marin Commons Native Garden/Outdoor ClassroomTeachers included Ane Carla Rovetta, Rebecca Burgess, and Rufus Blunk
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March 25 and 26, 2010: Creating Community Gathering Spaces with Milenko Matanovic of the Pomegranate Center
Fall 2009 Series: Illuminating Landscape: Inquiries into Land, History, and Culture
Friday, September 25th, Nick Tipon, Southern Pomo Elder, on Sacred Sites
Friday, October 9th, Ignacio Chapela, U.C. Berkeley, on The Wilderness Within
Sunday, December 13th, 2pm Lillian Vallee, poet, writer, teacher brings us Singing Back the Lake – Restoration in the Central Valley
All talks were held at the Dance Palace Community Center, 5th and B Streets, Point Reyes Station
A Commons Reader – a collection of writings on the commons
Jonathan Rowe writings and radio interviews: www.jonathanrowe.org
COMMONS CELEBRATION – Barn Dances, Community Apple Pressings, La Mesa de Las Abuelas Community Potlucks
West Marin Barn Dance Hub
West Marin Commons Quarterly Dances at Toby’s Feed Barn in Point Reyes Station
Musicians: Ingrid Noyes, Michael Harmon, Paul Shelasky, Sue Walters, Erik Hoffman, Ned Riley, Morgan Meadow, Tawnya Kovach, Morgan Meadow, Tim Weed, Sam Sajjapan, and bicycling musical troubadours from Salt Lake City via Seattle, James Miska and Chaz Prymek.
Callers: Erik Hoffman, Evie Ladin, Andy Wilson
Committees
Fundraising – Ann Sheree Greenbaum, John Gouldthorpe, Mark Switzer, Elizabeth Barnet
Website and Publications – Elizabeth Barnet, Lisa Thompson (www.duckdogdesign.com), Uli Weeren; Jasper Blunk and Josh Luftig (technical assistance), Christian Anthony, Holly Gault, Murray Suid
Outreach – Julie Peters, Elizabeth Barnet, Nancy Bertelsen, Murray Suid. Josh Luftig, Madeline Hope
Speaker Series – Elizabeth Barnet, Judith Lowry, John Gouldthorpe with support from Kat Anderson
Online Networks – Murray Suid, Susan Brayton, David Clarkson, Josh Luftig, Elizabeth Barnet
Contact
PO Box 127
Point Reyes Station, California 94956
Online Forums
Commons Connect Forums provide a virtual gathering place to those who live and work in the West Marin Community. (Access to this local online forum is limited to those who work and live in the geographical area outlined here.)
A single registration allows community members to post local events on the Community Calendar, to post items of immediate importance on Alerts, and to access all of the forums including:
- West Marin Soapbox: Campaigns, Causes, and Discussions
- Over-the-Hill-Gang: Rides and Errands
- West Marin Share: Reuse materials; share information and services - a money free zone
- West Marin Marketplace: rentals; things and services for sale
- Tending the Wild Collaborative: An Ethnobiology Project
- Local Food System Initiative: Food and garden related shares and information
- Think Local West Marin: Appreciation and applause for our neighbors
- Commons Connect Tech Support: Help with our Web site features
- Volunteering Opportunities in West Marin: Help our local non-profits
