2009 HAPPENINGS

Family Member/Board of Directors meeting planned

There will be a Marin Ventures Board and Family member meeting on Monday, November 16th , 2009. The meeting will be held from 6:45 to 8:00 PM. Marin Ventures encourages anyone who wants to see the new sensory garden to come any time between 5:30 and 6:30 to talk with project manager Belinda Sifford. Hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be served.

Please also save Thursday, December 10th for the annual holiday party.

Master Gardener Grant Blooms

In August, the construction finished for the new sensory garden, designed by Marin Master Gardeners. Thanks to Garden and Gables, we have a series of raised beds which are producing vegetables and flowers, an arbor for next season’s grapes, a water feature and a picnic area. Belinda Sifford, project coordinator, is to be congratulated for her hard work and fundraising to bring this project to fruition.

State imposes a uniform holiday schedule on Marin Ventures

This year’s California state budget trailer bill contained significant changes to services for persons with developmental disabilities. One of those changes is a uniform holiday schedule for providers in the entire state. So that family members and residential providers can plan for the holidays, here are the holidays for the rest of 2009:

• Veteran’s Day (November 11th)
• Thanksgiving and the Friday after (November 26 & 27)
• December holiday closures (December 24, 25, and 28)

2008 HAPPENINGS

Marin Ventures' Annual Picnic

Over 150 people attended MV's annual     picnic at McNear's Beach Park July 25th. .With delicious Bar-B-Q and fixin's, spirited sing-along music by Resonance musicians Jim and Elly, and  a birthday celebration for Sam Leeser, what better way to greet old friends and new on a gorgeous day on the bay. 

Marin Human Race

On May 10th, a group of Marin Ventures siblings ran, walked and rolled in the 1-5K Marin Human Race.  Felice Betlem, Toni Tresco, Bibi Moore, Sean Crawford, Joy Sidon, Terry Sidon, Margaret Thomas Levine, Selma Thomas, Alexis Sifford, Debbie Sifford and Belinda Sifford, and James McKenna comprised the first-ever MV Human Race team.

San Jose Sharks Hockey Game

San Jose Sharks goalie Evgeni Nabokov donated his Executive Box to 13 members of the Marin Ventures community to watch the Sharks beat the Phoenix Coyotes at HP Pavilion in San Jose on March 30th. Thanks to Chrissy, Julie, Mark and Terry De Voto, Chuck, Ginny and Kyle Quick, Luciano Pinheiro, Brian Adamson, Doug Estupinan, Mike Harris, James Scott, Belinda Sifford, and, of course, Evgeni Nabokov and Erin Buchanan of the Sharks organization for Go Sharks enjoyment

Valentines Day at Marin Ventures - February 14, 2008

Friendship and love for our friends and family are the themes we celebrate around Valentines Day. Marin Ventures artists gave, sent and sold their hand-made valentine creations

2007 Happenings:

Marin Ventures' Annual Holiday Party - December 7, 2007

Halloween Party - October 31, 2007

CPR and First Aid Staff Training - October 23, 2007 

Training sessions occur regularly to refresh and update the skills of current staff and prepare our new staff.

Annual Camping Trip - July 24 to 27, Samuel P. Taylor State Park 

21 clients and 8 staff participated in the camping trip this year, our largest group ever.  Once again cookouts, nature walks, outdoor games, and relaxing by the campfire filled the days and evenings.  The visit to Hearts Desire Beach at nearby Tomales Bay State Park brought cool waters and a picnic to our rugged MV campers.

Annual Picnic - July 27, 2007 flyer
Once again a beatiful day for all at McNears' Beach Park.

Estate Planning Seminar - April 12, 2007 - flyer

Sponsored by Marin Ventures, Merrill Lynch, Casa Allegra Community Services and Lifehouse. The workshop focused on:

• Understanding the importance of financial planning - preparing for when you're not there to help.
• Protecting government benefits through proper estate planning. Special Needs Trusts - the basics of how they work and when they are appropriate.
• Conservatorship - What is it? Situations under which it should be considered and when it should be avoided.
• Personal estate planning - basic estate planning documents that every parent should have.

Art Exhibit - March 17, 2007 - flyer
Held at the 333 Studio Gallery in Sausalito.

Friends, family, clients, staff and MV Board of Directors gathered  to socialize and enjoy client art exhibited at 333 Studio.  In addition to light food and lively company, guests enjoyed the playing of fiddler Kit Eakle.

NEWSLETTERS:

To subscribe to the print version of Marin Ventures newsletter, Visions, please fill out our on-line form. You can also view the latest edition in PDF format. If you need the Acrobat reader, you can download it from Adobe.

Prior Issues:

• Winter 2007
• Fall 2006
• Fall 2005 (large file)
• Spring 2005
• Spring 2004 (large file)
• Spring 2002
• Fall 2001
• Fall 2000
• Spring 2000