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Local government agency behind schedule to remove mariners anchored in Richardson Bay

Jan 23, 2024

Local government agency behind schedule to remove mariners anchored in Richardson Bay

The Richardson Bay Regional Agency (RBRA) issued a press release this month to recognize 2023 as a “banner year.” Many people living aboard boats anchored in Richardson Bay dispute that statement.

While the RBRA celebrates milestones reached last year, including a 27% decrease in “boats illegally anchored in Richardson Bay,” mariners still living on the anchorage say they’re worried about their future.

The sailors face two looming deadlines. By October, most of the 40 boats anchored in Richardson Bay must be removed, according to a 2021 agreement between the RBRA and the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC), a state agency. The few in the Safe and Seaworthy program may stay until October 2026. After that, the regulation limiting vessels to a 72-hour stay in Richardson Bay will be enforced for all.

Mariners who live on the anchorage, often referred to as anchor outs, wax eloquently about their love of nature and the nautical lifestyle. Yet they also admit that they can’t afford the hefty price tag to rent a marina slip or apartment in Marin County—ranked as the 4th wealthiest county in the nation by a 2023 SmartAsset study.

In May, the RBRA threw a lifeline to the sailors by launching a state-funded program to secure temporary housing vouchers for those meeting eligibility requirements. The RBRA and the Marin Housing Authority have said that those who receive the temporary housing will transition to a Section 8 housing voucher, which doesn’t have an expiration date.

Initially, the program aimed to house 17 anchor outs a year for the next three years. But it got off to a slow start because the case management team from Episcopal Community Services (ECS) didn’t come on board until October. Consequently, 2023 saw only four people housed.

About 35 people currently living in Richardson Bay qualify for the housing program. Fortunately, the pace is picking up for voucher distribution, but not fast enough to meet the October 2024 deadline.

“Six people have vouchers in hand and are actively seeking housing,” Brad Gross, executive director of the RBRA, said. “We will house as many people as we can by October 2024, but there is a very good likelihood that we will be going to the BCDC to ask for an extension.”

Gross believes that another 13 vouchers can be distributed this year, in addition to the six recently issued vouchers. Contacting landlords about providing housing to people in the program is the next step—often a lengthy process.

Even with accelerated momentum, many eligible anchor outs fear that they’ll be forced from Richardson Bay before receiving housing, rendering them homeless. Gross seems confident that he can successfully negotiate with the BCDC for an extension. In fact, in three instances during the last six months, Gross has obtained extra time for mariners subject to other deadlines.

“I believe the BCDC will see the wisdom in the program,” Gross said. “It’s just timing to get people into housing. Timing and the cooperation and support of the BCDC. The program is working; just give us the time we need, and we won’t go past October 2026.”

Those words should go far in alleviating the apprehension felt by those who qualify for the housing program. However, several people living on the anchorage aren’t eligible.

Lisa McCracken, who is about 60, is falling through a crack in the RBRA’s housing program. Since 1989, she has lived aboard vessels anchored-out in Richardson Bay, with an occasional brief hiatus on land. McCracken resides on a 50-foot sport fishing yacht owned by Steve Fischer, 65, a long-time friend. They are roommates.

While both roommates said Fischer was offered a spot in the housing program, McCracken did not receive an invitation. It appears that leaving McCracken out in the cold is not an oversight.

“Sasha [the case manager], from Episcopal Community Services, when I asked, said it was the owner of the vessel who gets housing,” McCracken said. “One housing voucher per boat.”

The vouchers only allow relatives and married couples to live together. Unmarried couples and friends are out of luck.

It was difficult to pin Gross down on the one voucher per boat policy. He claimed that the RBRA is not a party to such decisions, despite agency press releases and Gross himself referring to the “RBRA’s housing program.” At the same time, Gross said that the RBRA is aware that Fischer and McCracken occupy one boat.

“We fund the vouchers that place people in housing,” Gross said. “There is a complete disconnect between RBRA and the housing program—the actual processing and the paperwork, who gets a voucher and whatever,” Gross said.

A statement provided by Episcopal Community Services contradicts Gross. The nonprofit declined to comment on McCracken but confirmed the policy of distributing only one housing voucher per boat. The statement also acknowledged that the RBRA provided the policy to ECS—not vice versa.

A few sailors living on the anchorage don’t qualify for housing because they weren’t present for the RBRA’s two censuses of boats anchored out on Richardson Bay. In June 2022, the agency took the first count, with the second in April 2023. Boats present during both surveys meet an important requirement for the housing program. The other vessels must be removed, without the RBRA providing a housing voucher to the owner.

In recent years, the RBRA has seized and crushed boats that overstayed their welcome. Some were unoccupied. Others were people’s homes.

It remains unclear how long the RBRA will give boat owners who arrived after the June 2022 census to pull up their anchors and leave Richardson Bay. According to Gross, the agency is trying to be accommodating.

“We don’t want to take anybody’s boat unless we really have to, but we do have to continue with the enforcement process,” Gross said.

Seizing and crushing boats can be expensive. The RBRA has settled some lawsuits filed by people whose boats were seized or destroyed, all at taxpayer expense.

Robyn Kelly, a former anchor out, said the agency paid her a $150,000 settlement this month. When Kelly went ashore for Thanksgiving a few years ago, the RBRA seized and destroyed her boat. Since then, she has been homeless, frequently residing in a Marin homeless shelter.

Kudos to the RBRA for taking a new tack and coming to the table with its housing program for the mariners. In addition, the RBRA established a boat buyback program that pays the registered owner $150 per foot to turn in their vessel.

One of the first four mariners to receive housing, Shel Snyder, 58, has been in her Gerstle Park apartment for four months. Although Snyder loved living on the anchorage for the last 25 years, she finds that dwelling on land also has its perks.

“When people want you gone [from Richardson Bay], it’s not a peaceful place to live anymore,” Snyder said. “I sacrificed my boat but now I’m in another phase of my life and I’m happy.

It appears that the housing program is working. Still, the RBRA could take one more tiny step by providing vouchers to the few ineligible boaters anchored in Richardson Bay. It would surely beat forcing vulnerable people into homelessness.

Fierce competition at national fencing tournament in Bay Area

Nikki Silverstein

Jan 16, 2024

Fierce competition at national fencing tournament in Bay Area

When I heard a four-day national fencing tournament was coming to the Bay Area, I thought watching a few bouts might make for an entertaining morning. Instead, the tournament was exciting, peppered with political intrigue, fierce competition and strong camaraderie.

The field of competitors included Olympic medalists and hopefuls, veteran fencers in their 50s to 80s, teens, international fencers and local enthusiasts—both men and women. In fact, the January North American Cup (NAC) hosted more than 2,300 fencers from a dozen countries and 40 states at the San Jose Convention Center.

Some fencers were trying to earn points to qualify for the Olympics or Junior Olympics. Other competitors participated because they love fencing.

By chance, during the first bout, I stood next to Igor Chirashnya, the knowledgeable owner of the Academy of Fencing Masters, located in Campbell and Sunnyvale. Chirashnya explained his passion for the sport.

“Fencing is the most romanticized sport in the history of the world,” Chirashnya said. “We all grew up on stories of Alexander the Great, The Three Musketeers and Zorro. This is about sword fighting—beautiful and elegant.”

Chirashnya calls fencing the most democratic sport because it doesn’t discriminate against gender or body type. Unlike other sports, a fencer can be tall or short, slow or fast. Physical strength doesn’t guarantee a win. The key is intelligence—analyzing opponents and exploiting their weaknesses—comparable to a game of chess.

I eagerly accepted Chirashnya’s offer to introduce me to an Olympian who coaches at his fencing academy. While waiting, I Googled the coach’s name and discovered there was far more to his story.

Sergey Bida, 30, and his wife, Violetta Bida, 29, fled Russia last summer because they oppose the country’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Russia appears unhappy about the Bidas’ sudden departure to the U.S. The couple is now wanted by the Russian police for unspecified criminal charges, according to Mediazona, an independent Russian news outlet.

Currently, the Bidas are seeking U.S. citizenship, with Sergey Bida hoping to represent the USA in the Paris Olympics later this year, according to a text message from Jack Wiener, the couple’s attorney. Sergey Bida represents no country at the moment, but competes at tournaments as a “neutral.”

Fencer Sergey Bida, who defected from Russia with his wife, is seeking U.S. citizenship. Photo courtesy of Sergey Bida.

Both Bidas are remarkable athletes. Sergey Bida ranks as one of the top epee fencers in the world, winning the silver medal in the Tokyo Olympics and numerous medals in international competitions. Violetta Bida captured a silver medal in the 2019 World Fencing Championships and competed in the Tokyo Olympics.

Coaching is challenging but rewarding, Sergey Bida said. From his own experience, he understands the nuances of shaping fencers.

“I can see that my (coaching) system is working, as the technical and physical improvements of my students are significantly visible,” Sergey Bida said. “It is very interesting and exciting to combine the career of a professional athlete and a coach at the same time.”

Bout after bout, I watched men and women of almost all ages compete. Fencers are often graceful, moving like dancers. Then comes the attack, where a fencer tries to score a point by touching their sword to the opponent’s body.

There are three types of fencing disciplines, dictated by the weapon of choice: epee, foil and saber. The rules vary for each. For example, in epee, the entire body is fair game. Foil limits the parts of the body the sword can touch—torso only. When competing in saber, the target is from the waist to the top of the head and includes both arms.

I was hooked on fencing, even going back to watch the January NAC finals. Sergey Bida placed 5th in a field of 350 epee fencers.

Wanting to learn more about the sport, I contacted a local fencing school, the Marin Fencing Academy in San Rafael. Owner Tom Tully, along with other Marin and Petaluma fencers, also competed at the NAC tournament earlier this month.

“This is my sport,” Tully said. “Some people have a sailboat. I have a fencing academy.”

Tully, who loves fencing and enjoys talking about it, invited me to the academy to meet some of the 100 members.

Ernie Simac, 82, started fencing at age 65. The Petaluma resident was introduced to the sport through a summer class at the Petaluma Recreation Center. Although Simac has always been an athlete, going to the 1960 Olympics as an alternate for the U.S. equestrian team, he said fencing is now his only sport.

Simac holds the honor of being the most senior competitor at the January NAC tournament. While he keeps up with a rigorous training schedule—three to four days a week, for a couple of hours each day—Simac said that he puts in the time because he enjoys fencing and competing.

“It’s fun to compete and match your skills with somebody else,” Simac said. “Fencing is a strong mental challenge, and it inspires me.”

The Marin Fencing Academy also has Olympian coaches, including Dorina Vaccaroni, who started fencing when she was five or six. Vaccaroni has won Olympic gold, silver and bronze medals in women’s fencing.

“If you’re good, you continue,” Vaccaroni said. “I went to the Olympics at age 16 because I followed my dream. I never give up, and I teach the kids to never give up.”

Vaccaroni helps coach Lorenz Finney, 17, a foil fencer who’s following his dream. Finney, a Tam High student, started fencing when he was eight. Three years ago, he began competing in tournaments. Now, Finney is the highest-rated fencer at the Marin Fencing Academy, according to Tully. Finney doesn’t necessarily want to go to the Olympics, but he plans to continue fencing in college.

“I really like the competition aspect, strategizing against the opponents,” Finney said. “Through fencing, I’ve made friends and know different people across California.”

Desmond Evans, 10, is another impressive fencer who loves competing. Last year, at his first tournament, Evans placed 8th out of a field of 40. Not surprisingly, the Novato resident also gets straight As in school. Evans calls fencing his number one sport and encourages other kids to try it.

“I think they’d like fencing,” Evans said. “There are good coaches here (at Marin Fencing Academy), and the people are nice. One of my favorite things is traveling to tournaments and meeting new people along the way.”

After spending the weekend at the January NAC and visiting Marin Fencing Academy, I learned that every fencer is wildly passionate about the sport. It’s clear that fencers appreciate the camaraderie, even as they compete against one another. And who doesn’t love a sport where height and speed don’t matter?

Tully’s trying to convince me to take a fencing lesson. I think that I’ll take him up on it. En garde!

‘The Lion King’ rolls out red carpet for Marin City children

Nikki Silverstein

Dec 25, 2023

‘The Lion King’ rolls out red carpet for Marin City children

When Felecia Gaston, director of the nonprofit Performing Stars, says she wants to bring 40 low-income kids from Marin City to see a live performance of The Lion King, she makes it happen.

And when Miss Felecia, as the children call her, decides to fill the entire day with activities that even adults would envy, she dials up VIPs from her Rolodex and makes it happen. After all, she’s been at the helm of Performing Stars since founding the organization 32 years ago.

“This is just one of the many experiences I’ll expose our children to,” Miss Felecia said. “It’s especially important for low-income kids and children of color. They’re going to a live Broadway show; these children couldn’t afford to do that.”

Miss Felecia chose The Lion King for several reasons, including its relevance for Black children. The musical tells a story from South Africa, with numerous Black performers gracing the stage. Not to mention that it’s a fabulous, Tony Award-winning show.

“The show could inspire our children to be on stage,” Miss Felecia said. “We’re introducing them to professional training in the arts, and it opens their horizons. The lightbulb could go off, and they realize, ‘I could be an actor in The Lion King or perform with the Dance Theatre of Harlem.’”

On Dec. 16, the magical day arrived. At 9am, parents delivered their children, ages 8 to 10, into the capable hands of the Performing Stars’ staff and volunteer chaperones, who were waiting in a Marin City church parking lot.

The little girls looked beautiful, decked out in fancy dresses and black patent leather Mary Jane shoes. The handsome young boys donned their Sunday best.

The first surprise waiting for the children involved eight officers from the California Highway Patrol and Marin County Sheriff’s Office, whom Miss Felecia invited to do some community building with the kids before the bus departed for the theater. The girls and boys readily hopped onto CHP Officer Andrew Ashley’s motorcycle, gleefully—and loudly—revving the engine to their heart’s content.

**VROOM VROOM** CHP Officer Andrew Ashley watches over Isha Kambi revving his motorcycle. Marin City, Dec. 16, 2023. Photo by Nikki Silverstein.

About an hour later, 40 excited children and 15 adult chaperones boarded a Marin Airporter bus for the trip to the Orpheum Theatre in San Francisco. Miss Felecia provided etiquette tips and announced the most important aspect of the day—having fun.

The merriment began in earnest when the kids received special treatment typically reserved for visiting dignitaries. As the bus pulled out of the lot, several law enforcement vehicles surrounded it. The officers turned on their flashing lights and escorted the bus from Marin City to the Golden Gate Bridge. Every child gazed out the windows, mesmerized by the blinking blue lights atop the officers’ vehicles. The youth understood the convoy meant they were important.

The rest of the drive to the theater was uneventful, although some of the kids were awestruck by the large buildings in San Francisco. Once the bus arrived at its destination, everyone disembarked and entered the theater—for most it would be their first time at a professional live performance. Cheerful children’s voices rang out as the group moved toward the theater’s dining room, reserved just for them.

A catered buffet offered a delicious array of healthy food and cookies for dessert. The youth ate lunch, quietly conversed and colored lion cub and lion king masks. But they became lively when they learned a true VIP was in their midst, Yvonne Cagle, M.D., one of the few Black women astronauts.

Cagle, a chaperone, came dressed in a flight jumpsuit and had a comfortable style with the kids. It wasn’t just her NASA astronaut claim to fame—Cagle spent time with each child in the dining room, asking and answering numerous questions on a variety of topics.

**STAR-STUDDED DAY** Marley Miller (l) feels like she’s on top of the world with NASA astronaut Dr. Yvonne Cagle (c) and chaperone Meloni Gail Page (r), who is also Miller’s grandmother. Orpheum Theatre, Dec. 16, 2023. Photo by Vicky Tierney.

Finally, the group moved into the theater. The next surprise became apparent when the theater attendants showed the kids to their orchestra seats. As anyone who’s had the pleasure of seeing The Lion King knows, actors dressed in animal costumes dance down the aisles of the orchestra section on their way to the stage. The children could practically reach out and touch the performers, letting out oohs and aahs every time the animals passed by.

The kids remained engaged throughout the show. Malakai Wayne, a nine-year-old boy from Marin City, was enamored with Simba and waved to the young lion prince when he entered the stage. Many of the kids knew The Lion King songs, belting out “He Lives in You” and “Hakuna Matata” when the actors sang those tunes.

During intermission, Wayne eagerly expressed his opinion of the show. Although he had never before attended a live theater performance, Wayne certainly knows what tickles his fancy.

“I like it 1,000%,” Wayne said. “I like Simba the best. This show is better than the movie because of the costumes and the music. They put their sweat and tears into it.”

It seemed that every child had their own unique take on the show, all of it positive and upbeat. Ta’Nyla Wilson, a 10-year-old girl from Marin City, noted details about the set and one particular costume.

“I really liked how the colors kept changing in the background,” Wilson said. “The green grass was nice. And I liked the giraffes, how they have big, tall necks and little arms.”

After the show, the children enjoyed their biggest surprise of the day. They met a few of the show’s actors and heard inspiring stories about their start in theater and the hard work that goes into learning the Lion King roles. The grand finale included the stars answering the kids’ questions.

Actor Khalifa White plays the part of Nala, a lioness who eventually marries Simba, the lion prince. White has a strong, clear voice and sings like a nightingale. Still, she auditioned four to five times before she got the Nala role.

Gerald Ramsey stars as Mufasa, the benevolent lion king. Growing up, Ramsey said he was a shy person, often stuttering. He credits acting for helping him overcome those challenges.

Pumbaa, played by John E. Brady, explained that it takes 18 18-wheeler trucks to transport the sets and costumes to the different cities where they perform The Lion King. Brady said that most cast members play several roles and wear 9 to 12 costumes each show. It takes four weeks of constant rehearsing for each person to learn their parts.

The children had plenty more questions, but the actors had to eat dinner and rest before their evening performance. Reluctantly, the kids filed out of the theater and back to the bus. They clearly didn’t want the day to end.

Miss Felecia has been receiving letters from the children that express their gratitude to the donors, including saxophonist Dave Koz, who paid for half of the children to attend the performance.

Thanks to Miss Felecia’s ideas and the generosity of donors, 40 kids had an experience they’ll remember for years to come.

Judge takes 10 days to review criminal case against ex-cops, perhaps struggling with decision

Nikki Silverstein

Dec 12, 2023

Judge takes 10 days to review criminal case against ex-cops, perhaps struggling with decision

Two former San Rafael police officers accused of beating a local gardener will soon learn whether they’ll be standing trial on felony charges.

Last week, after closing arguments in the preliminary hearing—a proceeding to determine if there is enough evidence for a case to go to trial—Marin County Judge Beth Jordan stated that she would render her decision on Dec. 15.

Jordan is contemplating whether the former police officers, defendants Daisy Mazariegos and Brandon Nail, will answer to charges of assault under color of authority and making false statements in a crime report, both of which are felonies.

The prosecution also alleges that the beating, caught on police body-worn cameras, caused “great bodily injury” to the victim, allowing for a sentencing enhancement if the case goes to trial and the defendants are found guilty of assault. Both Mazariegos and Nail have pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Typically, preliminary hearings result in defendants being bound over for trial. However, Jordan could reduce or dismiss the charges for one or both defendants.

Alison Berry Wilkinson, defense attorney for Mazariegos, believes that Jordan is struggling with the decisions. Although Wilkinson is a seasoned lawyer, she said it’s difficult to know which aspects of the hearing are giving the judge pause.

“It is unusual for a judge to take 10 days to consider her ruling before announcing it,” Wilkinson said. “The most common and expected thing, since we were at lunchtime, is that she’d take the hour and a half lunch break and issue her ruling. It’s the standard practice. I don’t have a crystal ball, but clearly, she has not decided as of yet that the district attorney met his burden.”

Or it could be, as Jordan said, that she needs time to review the exhibits and precedent cases presented at the hearing. It seems sensible, given the hearing has started and stopped several times over a two-month period due to scheduling issues, the death of defense attorney Chris Shea and Mazariegos giving birth.

Prosecutor Geoff Iida insisted throughout closing arguments that he presented sufficient evidence to meet the probable cause benchmark Jordan will use to evaluate the case. Some legal pundits who watched the hearing from the courtroom gallery said that Iida made his case against Mazariegos and Nail, noting that probable cause has a much lower bar than the higher standard used in trial—proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The charges against Nail and Mazariegos resulted from an incident last year on Windward Way in San Rafael’s Canal area. A relatively new officer, Mazariegos had been riding solo for only four months when she saw Julio Jimenez Lopez and two friends on the street with open containers of beer. Mazariegos ordered the three men to sit on the curb. Nail soon arrived as backup.

Police videos show Mazariegos instructed Jimenez Lopez to retrieve his identification and he stood to do so. Nail yelled at him to “Sit the fuck down,” which Jimenez Lopez did temporarily. However, he stood again, attempting to explain why he was standing. The then-officers grabbed Jimenez Lopez, with Nail maneuvering his leg to trip the man. As all three tumbled to the ground, Jimenez Lopez briefly grabbed Nail’s vest. Nail then punched the man in the nose with a closed fist.

Jimenez Lopez was arrested and charged by the district attorney; however, after the DA reviewed videos from officers’ body-worn cameras, all charges were dropped. According to the prosecutor, the videos contradict the police reports written by Mazariegos and Nail.

Mazariegos’ report lists Nail as the “victim,” due to his “injuries.” Jimenez Lopez was identified as the suspect, despite the report noting that he is 5 feet tall and 130 pounds, while Nail is 6 feet two inches and 250 pounds. Both officers stated in their reports that Jimenez Lopez tried to put Nail in a headlock. Nail wrote that Jimenez Lopez struck him in the head several times. None of these actions appear in the videos.

Jimenez Lopez testified in October that he suffered a broken nose, concussion and injuries to both shoulders, with the left shoulder requiring surgery.

During closing arguments, Iida stated that both defendants caused great bodily injury to Jimenez Lopez. Nail threw the punch, but when Jimenez Lopez was bloody and lying face down on the pavement, Mazariegos and Nail pulled the man’s arms behind his back and put their weight on his shoulders.

Iida also contended that Jimenez Lopez meant no harm when he grabbed Nail’s vest as the trio fell. Jimenez Lopez never aggressively held onto the officer’s vest, because he was holding his wallet in one hand and his identification in the other. Yet, Nail punched him.

Mazariegos and Nail acted without lawful necessity, Iida maintained. Jimenez Lopez remained polite and cooperative, was not a threat to the officers and did not resist efforts to handcuff him, according to the prosecutor.

“That is essentially the issue in this case—whether the officers were justified in using force against Julio on July 27, 2022,” Iida said.

Nail’s attorney, Julia Fox, relied heavily on the testimony of the defense’s use of force expert, Sean McCann, to establish that the amount of force used was reasonable. A former police officer who is currently an administration of justice teacher at Napa Valley College, McCann asserted that Jimenez Lopez actively resisted commands to sit down and moved his arms when Nail and Mazariegos tried to handcuff him.

McCann’s primary premise centered on the fact that Mazariegos and Nail didn’t know Jimenez Lopez and his two companions. Therefore, the officers needed to evaluate whether Jimenez Lopez’s alleged resistance posed a risk to their safety.

Another former law enforcement officer who attended much of the hearing and spoke on the condition of anonymity disagreed with McCann’s assessment.

“Cops rarely know who they are dealing with,” the former officer said. “That argument allows them to do whatever they want to anyone. I can’t support that.”

California Penal Code 835 states the decision “to use force shall be evaluated from the perspective of a reasonable officer in the same situation…” And that is the bone of contention. From use-of-force experts to members of the public, folks can’t agree on whether the officers behaved reasonably.

But McCann never wavered from his position, saying this incident evolved quickly, and the officers caught in the moment must determine the risk and course of action.

“If there’s a risk, then it’s a justifiable use of force,” McCann said.

In her closing argument, Fox said Nail threw the punch because Jimenez Lopez grabbed the officer’s vest, which contained “a hotbed of weapons,” including a taser and OC [pepper spray].

After the hearing, Fox remained adamant that there was not enough evidence to send the defendants to trial. When asked if Mazariegos and Nail could have prevented the incident by attempting to de-escalate the situation, perhaps by stepping back from the sidewalk to reduce any risk posed by Jimenez Lopez or the other two men, Fox didn’t give an inch.

“They did not have a duty to retreat,” Fox said. “Taking a step back is a retreat.”

Officers are required to use “deescalation techniques, crisis intervention tactics, and other alternatives to force when feasible,” according to California Penal Code 7286. The former officer who has been watching the hearing believes putting distance between the officers and Jimenez Lopez and his friends could have de-escalated the situation.

“I don’t think that’s retreating,” the former officer said. “I’ve asked people to step back.”

And so, the debate continues about what is reasonable and if Mazariegos’ and Nail’s actions were lawful. It’s not surprising that Judge Jordan needed 10 days to rule on whether the ex-cops will stand trial. We’ll all have the answer when court reconvenes on Friday, Dec. 15, at 1:30pm.

UPDATED: Everybody poops, yet stingy San Rafael stymies sanitation

Nikki Silverstein

Dec 8, 2023

UPDATED: Everybody poops, yet stingy San Rafael stymies sanitation

Editor’s Note: This article was updated with additional information on Monday, Dec. 11.

Homeless people cite many challenges when it comes to living outside. Lack of public restrooms is always a chief concern.

For about nine months, the City of San Rafael has repeatedly refused to pony up for porta-potties and handwashing stations at a homeless encampment on the Mahon Creek Path.

Approximately 20 homeless people relocated to the Mahon Creek Path in March, after the city evicted them from Albert Park, which has bathrooms. It seemed the least the city could do was provide a couple of toilets at the new site, dubbed Camp Integrity by the campers.

A homeless activist, Robbie Powelson, says he asked city officials numerous times about paying for porta-potties and they shot down the idea. In July, I asked City Councilmember Rachel Kertz and San Rafael’s assistant director of community development, Chris Hess, why.

“We’re not doing that,” Hess answered, without further explanation.

Fortunately, Powelson took matters into his own hands soon after Camp Integrity was established. He set up a GoFundMe page for donations to buy a handwashing station and rent a single porta-potty for the campers. Within a week, the Honey Bucket arrived.

Every month, the GoFundMe barely raises enough money to pay the bill. The handwashing station broke, so the campers now rent that device, too. The population of the camp gradually doubled, which created the need for an additional porta-potty and handwashing station. Currently, two toilets accommodate more than 40 people.

The monthly bill totals $610. However, the December invoice jumped to almost $1,200 because the porta-potties had to be moved down the path. Powelson sent out an urgent email requesting donations.

A generous contribution soon arrived from Frank Shinneman, a retired CEO who volunteers his time for social justice issues. Not only did Shinneman donate $500, but he also challenged San Rafael Mayor Kate Colin and the other city councilmembers to match his gift.

Dear Mayor Kate,

I want to wish you and your council peace and health this holiday season. While we have disagreed over resource policy this year, I believe that as individuals you are all caring and compassionate. I fully understand the constraints of your guidance of a municipality compared to your personal desires.

I want to give you an opportunity to publicly demonstrate your personal generosity and goodwill by challenging you to match my $500 contribution of one month’s cost for bathrooms at Camp Integrity. If each of you accepts this challenge, your most needy residents will be assured the minimum hygienic resources through the spring of next year.

Hygiene facilities are amongst the most fundamental of human rights. To intentionally degrade people by denying toilet facilities is unnecessary torment and tantamount to incitement to break the law.

Attached you will find notice of my contribution as well as a link for you to make a contribution.

Best Regards,
Frank Shinneman

A little more than three hours later, Colin replied to Shinneman’s email. Apparently, she has no intention of opening her own pocketbook.

Mr. Shinneman,

Thanks for caring about all members of our community. The City continues to work with the ‘Camp Integrity’ plaintiffs in the lawsuit (as you know the City is currently being sued) and as the City will be entering into a settlement agreement, items like the one you suggest will be considered. The City is committed to working with advisors who have ‘lived experience’ with homelessness and their input will be important when considering the prioritization of limited resources.

Warmly,
Kate

There’s a lot to unpack in the mayor’s three sentences. First, many of those living at Camp Integrity sued San Rafael after city officials passed an ordinance limiting the size and number of homeless campsites allowed in an area. Although the ordinance required that more than half of the campers leave the Mahon Creek Path, it didn’t address where they could go.

Colin’s email seems to suggest that San Rafael will only pay for the porta-potties as part of a lawsuit settlement. Are toilets for homeless people now the city’s bargaining chip?

And if resources are limited, should San Rafael spend its budget fighting a lawsuit about an ordinance that should never have been passed in the first place or on toilets for homeless people? Crying poor seems especially absurd since city officials have acknowledged they expected to be sued over the severely restrictive camping ordinance.

Finally, Colin says that the city will seek input from people who have experienced homelessness to determine whether porta-potties are a priority.

C’mon, Mayor Kate. Shinneman, who is a human being, already explained to you that it’s a matter of dignity for people to have access to toilets. Are you really saying that only those with “lived experience” can verify that people don’t want to poop on the sidewalk in front of strangers?

I contacted Jason Sarris, a member of the Marin Lived Experience Advisory Board—a group appointed by the county to give guidance on homelessness policies— to find out if he believes porta-potties are a top priority for homeless people. Not surprisingly, he does.

Sarris spent a decade living on the streets and remembers the difficulty of finding bathrooms. While a few grocery stores and gas stations remain open 24/7 and allow the public to use the facilities, he couldn’t always find a spot near the stores to camp. In fact, Sarris developed gastrointestinal issues from not eliminating.

“I didn’t want to poop without using a bathroom,” Sarris said. “I tried to have a routine, but in camp life, you don’t eat when you want—you eat when you get food.”

Sarris confirmed that the Marin Lived Experience Advisory Board met with representatives from San Rafael this week. They discussed porta-potties, and Sarris recommended that the city provide the portable toilets for its homeless residents.

The next question is, of course, will San Rafael begin paying for the porta-potties and handwashing stations at Camp Integrity? I asked.

Hess, the city’s assistant director of community development, responded via email. Actually, he sent two emails, the first indicating that porta-potties and handwashing stations are among the recommendations under consideration.

A few minutes later, a second email arrived, stating that I should use this “tighter response,” which contained no mention of porta-potties or handwashing stations. Instead, Hess said that the city would conduct a needs assessment with the homeless people living on Mahon Creek Path. I emailed and called Hess for clarification but didn’t receive a reply by publication deadline.

Shinneman’s attempt at shaming the mayor and city council didn’t work. Powelson’s pleading has fallen on deaf ears. The Marin Lived Experience Advisory Board appeared to make some impact, yet not enough for the city to commit to anything but a needs assessment.

How many more people, homeless or housed, must tell the City of San Rafael that humans need toilets?

Hours after the publication deadline, the City of San Rafael abandoned its gobbledygook messaging and finally responded with some straight talk. Assistant City Manager John Stefanski sent an email to the ‘Pacific Sun’ revealing that the city will provide porta-potties and handwashing stations for the homeless campers.

Marin sheriff installing license plate readers amid concern of eroding civil liberties

Nikki Silverstein

Dec 5, 2023

Marin sheriff installing license plate readers amid concern of eroding civil liberties

The Marin County Sheriff’s Office will soon install new surveillance cameras throughout unincorporated Marin County to keep a record of the coming and going of vehicles.

Supporters believe these automated license plate recognition (ALPR) cameras will help reduce or deter crime, with opponents citing concerns about the erosion of civil liberties.

Last week, the Marin County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved Sheriff Jamie Scardina’s proposal for an ALPR system with 31 cameras in nine locations. Scardina received the green light to spend $198,650 for a two-year contract with Flock Group Inc., a privately held Atlanta company that will lease the cameras to the county, as well as install and maintain them. The funds will come from the sheriff’s existing budget.

The ALPR cameras capture still images of the rear of vehicles, including the license plates. The system runs the license plates against “hot lists” from law enforcement databases, which contain vehicles associated with active investigations, such as stolen vehicles and those involved in alerts for missing children. If a vehicle on a hot list is detected, the sheriff’s dispatch center will be notified in real time.

The sheriff provided the supervisors with success stories of other agencies using Flock Group cameras. In Georgia, a Flock camera identified a suspect vehicle involved in the kidnapping of a one year old, and in less than six hours, the baby and mother were reunited. In San Bruno, police created a hot list for a suspect vehicle in the smash and grab robbery of a jewelry store. When the vehicle entered the area again, officers located it within seconds of the alert, potentially preventing another robbery.

These cases are gripping, but Marin isn’t exactly a hotbed of crime. The sheriff’s own website shows that most categories of crime have decreased over the last two years in the county. In 2022, property crime in unincorporated Marin dropped to its lowest level since 1985, according to FBI data.

A local activist who has kept his eye on Marin law enforcement for years, Frank Shinneman, says the low incidence of crime in the county doesn’t appear to justify increased surveillance. Shinneman suggests that each of the five county supervisors participate in a 60-day ALPR tracking demonstration of their own personal vehicles.

“It will show their travel in great detail and demonstrate how much of their lives are revealed to anyone who has access to the system,” Shinneman said.

For years, civil rights groups have been sounding the alarm about law enforcement’s use of camera systems with tracking ability. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is especially concerned about ALPRs supplied by the Flock Group, claiming the company is building a nationwide mass-surveillance system through its cameras in 3,000 communities across the country.

Drivers will soon notice the sheriff’s Flock cameras in Marin City, Strawberry, Tam Valley, Greenbrae, Oak Manor, Santa Venetia, Peacock Gap, Marinwood and Lucas Valley, as well as at Atherton Avenue near Binford Road and Highway 37 in Novato and the east and west ends of Indian Valley Road in Novato. The sheriff’s office selected locations based on crime “heat maps” for retail and vehicle theft, with the targeted areas having only one or two ways in and out.

Several Marin cities and towns already use Flock cameras. Police departments in Sausalito, Belvedere, Tiburon and Novato have contracts with the company. San Rafael recently approved the installation of 19 ALPRs from Flock.

Marin neighborhood groups and homeowner associations also use Flock cameras, including Wolfback Ridge in Sausalito, Paradise Cay in Tiburon, Los Ranchitos in San Rafael, Oceana Marin in Dillon Beach and Dillon Beach Association. Some of these private groups allow law enforcement to monitor and access the camera data.

The Marin County Sheriff’s Office is quick to point out safeguards to protect privacy, including that it owns the collected data, and Flock won’t have access. Yet, the sheriff will share the information with law enforcement agencies around the state, which is perfectly legal.

While the sheriff stated the data will be destroyed after 30 days, critics say that’s a relatively long retention period. In New Hampshire, if a plate doesn’t get a hit, the state requires law enforcement to purge the data within three minutes.

Flock’s camera network reminds many of George Orwell’s “Big Brother” concept in 1984. It’s not unfounded. Last year, then-sheriff Robert Doyle settled a lawsuit claiming his office illegally shared the license plate data and location information of Marin motorists with hundreds of law enforcement agencies across the country, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Still, other Marinites welcome the surveillance technology. Some in Marin City, a historically Black community that has long objected to over-policing by the county, favor ALPR cameras.

In February, the Phoenix Project, a Marin City organization mentoring at-risk young males and adults, surveyed 105 people in the community about installing ALPR cameras in the area. Almost 63% of respondents said it was an idea that should be considered. Others commented that the cameras were an invasion of privacy.

Felecia Gaston, director of the Phoenix Project, understands both sides. But she wants the cameras.

“As a Black woman, Marin City resident and the founder of the Phoenix Project of Marin, I am very conscious and aware of the issues around the use of cameras by law enforcement, especially when it comes to Black people and Black men, so I can see how this can seem invasive,” Gaston said. “However, this issue is dealing with safety in our community, and the use of license plate readers can be useful to work on solutions when an incident happens.”

Although criminal incidents occur less frequently in Marin County than in surrounding areas, Sgt. Adam Schermerhorn of the Marin County Sheriff’s Office points out that crime does exist here.

“What we’re trying to do is solve the crime that just occurred,” Schermerhorn said. “These cameras are a fantastic tool to help us identify who may have been in the area at a particular time. We can go and search those records to see which vehicles were there. It’s a great way for us to start generating leads, where we otherwise would have absolutely no information.”

As for the Flock cameras being a slippery slope that tramples civil rights, Schermerhorn isn’t worried. The cameras don’t collect identifying information, such as photos of drivers or passengers, and there’s no facial recognition component, according to Schermerhorn.

Nonetheless, if innocent drivers pass an ALPR camera around the same time as a vehicle making a getaway from a crime, identifying information for the owners of all those vehicles will be accessed by law enforcement.

Marin County Supervisor Eric Lucan, a former member of the Novato City Council, said that when the Novato Police Department acquired ALPR cameras, they recovered quite a few stolen vehicles. The situation then plateaued, perhaps indicating that word got out to car thieves not to come to Novato, according to Lucan. He believes that since no new budget was allocated for the ALPR system, the county should try it.

The ACLU remains wary, with Flock Group’s rapid growth causing particular concern. In an article published earlier this year, Chad Marlow and Jay Stanley, two senior ACLU staffers, urged communities to oppose Flock and other mass surveillance systems.

Although that ship has sailed in Marin, the board of supervisors directed Scardina to come back in a year to review the implementation of the Flock cameras.

“In our country, the government should not be tracking us unless it has individualized suspicion that we’re engaged in wrongdoing,” Marlow and Stanley wrote.

50 days in Gaza, released hostages have local ties

Nikki Silverstein

Nov 28, 2023

50 days in Gaza, released hostages have local ties

On Oct. 7, a pineapple farmer opened his door to Avigail Idan, a three-year-old girl covered in blood. Quickly, he ushered the little girl, his wife and their own three children into the home’s safe room.

With his family and their young charge locked indoors, the farmer, Avichai Brodutch, who is training to be a nurse, left his home to determine what was happening outside and to try to help.

Unbeknownst to Avichai, Hamas terrorists had invaded Kibbutz Kfar Aza, extinguishing the peaceful existence of the farming community where he lived with his family. The kibbutz, located in southern Israel, is just four miles from Gaza.

The village massacre left approximately 52 to 60 people dead, including tiny Avigail Idan’s mother and father. Tragically, she was present when Hamas murdered her parents during the early morning rampage.

About 17 others from Kibbutz Kfar Aza were kidnapped by Hamas, transported to Gaza, held as hostages and then used as human bargaining chips.

By the time the terrorists withdrew, Kibbutz Kfar Aza, once home to about 765 residents, was left in ruins.

Avichai, 42, the patriarch of the Brodutch family, survived the brutal attack on his village, although he sustained an injury from shrapnel. Sadly, by the time he returned home, it became apparent that his wife, three children and Avigail, the bloodied little girl who had hidden with them, had fared far worse. They were among those kidnapped.

Many know Avigail Idan’s name. President Joe Biden has recently spoken of the young child, who is also called Abigail Edan, as she holds dual American and Israeli citizenship. But other hostages aren’t as well-known to the public.

One person who grew up in Marin, however, is very familiar with Avichai Brodutch and his family—wife, Hagar, 40; daughter, Ofri, 10; and sons Yuval, 8, and Oriya, 4. The Brodutches have kin from Marin.

The local family member, an Israeli-American, fears revealing their identity due to the chaos of the conflict. We will call them “Ariel.”

About a week after the Hamas attack, Ariel, who was living in Israel, relocated temporarily to the North Bay with their children. Ariel’s spouse remains in Israel.

“Everything shut down in the entire country,” Ariel said. “Schools stopped. We went into emergency mode, with only supermarkets and medical facilities open. We wanted to shelter our children.”

However, Ariel and their spouse can’t shield themselves from the news of the Israel-Hamas war. During the last seven weeks, the couple has quietly suffered, feeling constant terror over the fate of their kidnapped family members, stolen away from the kibbutz where they’d lived for years. Avichai, the pineapple farmer, is their cousin.

In October, after Hamas kidnapped his family, Avichai and his dog, Rodney, sat outside Israel’s Ministry of Defense in Tel Aviv to draw attention to his family’s plight, according to Ariel. At first, Avichai sat alone in a plastic chair, dog at his side, but soon many others came to support him with signs and chants, telling the Israeli government to bring the hostages home.

Finally, on Sunday, Ariel learned that their four relatives were among the 17 hostages released earlier in the day. Avichai was reunited with the rest of his family, who were flown by helicopter to Schneider Children’s Medical Center of Israel. The hospital is equipped to deal with the immediate physical, mental and emotional needs of the former hostages.

Avigail, the orphaned little girl, was also brought to the same hospital. Her extended family is now by her side.

Physically, the Brodutch family members who were held hostage appear to be in good condition, Ariel said. But the emotional trauma that will haunt the kidnap victims remains unknown, and the scars may never disappear.

“One can only imagine what they are going through,” Ariel said. “But they are all now surrounded by loving family and communities who will rally to do everything possible to care for them. But who really knows what to do? There is no playbook for child hostages. Nothing prepares you for this.”

Some of the children’s life milestones passed while they were in captivity. Avigail turned four years old without her family to make her birthday wishes come true. She also missed her parents’ funerals.

The day after being kidnapped, Ofri had her 10th birthday. The Brodutch family had planned a special celebration lasting more than a day.

“They were supposed to start celebrating [Ofri’s birthday] the morning of Oct. 7, but instead they were kidnapped by Hamas,” Ariel said. “Her birthday cake and candles were later found by soldiers, who broke down crying when they opened the refrigerator and saw her cake.”

The impact of the attack will continue to weigh on civilians and soldiers. Israel is small enough, according to Ariel, that most everyone either knows someone who was killed or held hostage—or they are acquainted with someone who does.

For the Brodutch family and others who lived on Kibbutz Kfar Aza, the egalitarian, agrarian lifestyle they endeavored to live is gone—at least for now and the foreseeable future.

“They’re not going home because their homes were destroyed,” Ariel said. “The villagers have been displaced. People can’t go back. Each village is temporarily housed elsewhere. But we will do everything we can to help them recover and rebuild. The people in this farming community really lived peacefully with the neighbors across the border.”

The current ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has helped bring home some of the hostages, who are being traded for Palestinian prisoners being held by Israel. While the ceasefire is scheduled to end Wednesday, negotiators working with both Israel and Hamas say they hope it will be extended to allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza and the release of the remaining hostages.

Clearly, there are too many variables to predict whether the ceasefire will continue and for how long.

“You can’t go down the slope of your fears because these feelings are just too much,” Ariel said. “Life was suspended. It still feels like that. There is a sense of helplessness. No one really knows what to do. Of course, we’re relieved our family has been released, but we can’t be happy, because there are so many people still being held hostage.”

Marin scientist shaking up Stanford’s stem cell research scene

Nikki Silverstein

Nov 21, 2023

Marin scientist shaking up Stanford’s stem cell research scene

Royce McLemore, a Marin City leader and activist, couldn’t stop smiling when we chatted about her 21 grandchildren, one in particular.

“My granddaughter is the first Black stem cell research scientist from Marin County,” McLemore declared proudly.

“How do you know?” I asked.

“Do you know another one?” McLemore replied.

Good point. Until last week, I didn’t know any stem cell research scientists—of any race—from Marin County or anywhere else. Clearly, my circle of acquaintances is lacking.

Then, I met Malachia “Melli” Hoover, 33, a Black woman poised to earn her Ph.D. in stem cell research from Stanford University, School of Medicine. Last month, Hoover successfully passed her oral exams by defending her dissertation on stem cell biology and regenerative medicine.

Since 2017, Hoover has been conducting research on spine degeneration and potential treatments at the Stanford Institute of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine. While I’d like to say that I understand the research Hoover excitedly explained, mmm, she blinded me with science.

Then she broke it down in layperson’s terms.

“As we age, our spinal discs degenerate at a very alarming rate,” Hoover said. “It’s a common problem, and we have to find novel ways to regenerate this tissue. Right now, there are not a lot of effective treatments. Treatments include taking out the disc and fusing together the bones. But it’s not pinpointing the crisis. How can we regenerate that tissue, without replacing it?”

Fortunately, Hoover is well on her way to answering that question. During her research, she identified factors that can regenerate spinal disc tissue via skeletal stem cells, which has enormous implications for keeping humans upright and moving pain-free.

It will be a while before people can benefit from Hoover’s research, but her experiments on mice with injured discs show great promise. Hoover inserted a hydrogel of special factors—proteins—into the rodents’ spinal injury sites. The mice were observed over the next three weeks and then tested for cartilage and bone growth.

“We see with these factors that the disc is completely regenerated,” Hoover explained. “I’ve been working on this project for six years. I’m proud to be done. Now, I’m working on submitting these findings to a top tier, peer-reviewed scientific journal.”

Clearly, Hoover is going places. The scientist has obtained trademarks on the special factors that she identified in her research and protected the intellectual property. Next up, she’ll start a company.

“Then we’ll go into clinical trials and eventually have a treatment for spinal regeneration,” Hoover said.

Hoover’s research achievements are remarkable, and her journey to Stanford is equally so. While she lives in Novato now, her roots are in Southern Marin. The eldest of five children, Hoover and her siblings were raised by her mother and stepfather in Golden Gate Village, a public housing project in Marin City, the county’s only historically Black community.

Her early education took place at Marin Country Day School. By the time Hoover graduated from Tamalpais High School in 2008, she was already keen on science and math.

Learning was always emphasized in Hoover’s home. Her mother, Lori Fall, is currently working on her own Ph.D. in public administration. Two of Hoover’s sisters are working on their graduate degrees.

“My mom pushed me to reach all my educational goals,” Hoover said. “When I was a little girl, she would tell me that I was going to be a successful doctor.”

Other strong women also played a role in encouraging and supporting Hoover. Her grandmother, McLemore, lived around the corner, and was a significant influence.

“My grandmother is an important educator, active in civil rights and what’s going on in Marin City,” Hoover said. “I knew that I couldn’t be mediocre.”

Bettie Hodges, who runs the Hannah Project, a Marin City nonprofit offering scholastic support for children of color, also looked out for Hoover and helped her focus on her objectives. It was obvious early on that “Melli” was a very bright student, according to Hodges.

“Ms. Bettie played such a major role in my academic journey,” Hoover said. “In high school, she helped me with SAT prep classes and took me on a Southern California tour to look at colleges. Then in college, the Hannah Project gave me a scholarship for many years.”

The Sausalito Women’s Club also provided scholarships for Hoover, starting with her freshman year at Cal State University, Northridge in 2008. The club assisted Hoover until she finished her studies.

“For almost 15 years, the Sausalito Women’s Club has given me a scholarship,” Hoover said. “I think I’m their longest recipient.”

Hoover’s academic achievements drew national attention, too, and she was awarded prestigious fellowships. The Ford Foundation bestowed Hoover with a pre-doctoral fellowship.

During Hoover’s Ph.D. studies at Stanford, the National Institute of Health (NIH) presented her with a doctoral fellowship, of which she is particularly proud.

“Only 1% of people applying get this NIH grant,” Hoover said. “I worked on it for several years.”

As if all of Hoover’s accomplishments aren’t impressive enough, she also enjoys a well-balanced life outside of Stanford and her stem cell research. Hoover is married with two young children, ages one and three.

The kids from the Hannah Project are never far from Hoover’s thoughts. She still makes time to visit the Marin City nonprofit and speak with children about her experiences growing up in Marin City, committing to her education and her love of all things science.

In her spare time, which she somehow finds, Hoover loves baking, likening trying out a new recipe with following a protocol in the lab. Then there’s her secret “bad addiction.”

“I am addicted to reality TV,” Hoover confessed. “Everything on Bravo. All the Housewives. The Bachelor, too.”

I’m tired just thinking about Hoover’s schedule. She’s inspiring—a true force filled with boundless energy and optimism.

“It’s impossible not to be proud of Melli because I’ve seen her journey,” Hodges said. “There was never a question that she could be whatever she wanted to be. Melli’s beautiful, humble and giving, as well as an intellectually strong person.”

By March, Hoover will turn in her written dissertation to Stanford and then walk across the stage in the springtime to pick up her hard-earned doctorate degree. Dr. Malachia Hoover. It certainly has a nice ring, doesn’t it?

Loneliness Epidemic: Help for Seniors Just a Call Away

Nikki Silverstein

Nov 14, 2023

Loneliness Epidemic: Help for Seniors Just a Call Away

The U.S. Surgeon General recently issued an 82-page advisory about an epidemic that’s not talked about much—loneliness.

Approximately half the adults in this country report feeling lonely, and the phenomenon began before the COVID pandemic.

“Loneliness is far more than just a bad feeling—it harms both individual and societal health,” Surgeon General Dr. Vivek H. Murthy said.

It makes sense that loneliness can lead to anxiety and depression, which is cited throughout the advisory. Yet, it also negatively impacts health in many other ways. A combination of data from 16 independent studies reveals that loneliness substantially increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, dementia and more.

Researchers reached the bleak conclusion that a lack of social connection is as dangerous as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, according to a 2017 study, Advancing Social Connection as a Public Health Priority in the United States, published by American Psychology. And it’s worse than consuming six alcoholic drinks daily.

In his advisory, Murthy called upon the public to build connections and relationships to help reduce loneliness and isolation. Although that might be relatively easy for some folks, it’s certainly more challenging for others. For example, how does an older person, who may be homebound because of a disability or isolated after losing a spouse, meet new acquaintances?

Anja Gibson, a Mill Valley preteen, aimed to answer that question for her Junior Girl Scout project. The project’s goal was to identify a problem in the community and find ways to address it. Because Gibson, 12, enjoys a close relationship with her “Nana,” she decided to help seniors.

Carol Brooklier, Gibson’s grandmother, and her neighbor, Sandra Otanez, live in the Rotary Valley Senior Village in San Rafael. Gibson sat down with the two women to ask about issues they face on a regular basis. Both agreed that everyone in their village feels loneliness and isolation to a degree, with some residents rarely leaving their cottages.

While Brooklier, 77, and Otanez, 85, live alone, the two friends are outgoing and enjoy socializing. They’re not necessarily isolated, but loneliness still creeps in.

“Mainly, I feel lonely in the evening,” Brooklier, who is a widow, said. “In the day, I go to the YMCA and take Hawaiian dance and strengthening classes, so I’m around people. Sometimes, when I’m driving, a song will come on the radio that my husband and I liked, and all of a sudden, I’ll get a sense of loneliness.”

Otanez, like Brooklier, spends time visiting with nearby family. And she joins the activities at the community center in her village, such as the recent Halloween party and the occasional happy hours.

“It is hard to be alone,” Otanez said. “But I have Mike, my cat, which certainly helps. I talk to him.”

Brooklier and Otanez are fortunate to have solid relationships to keep loneliness at bay most of the time. However, they expressed to Gibson their concerns for neighbors who stay isolated in their homes, only venturing out to retrieve the mail.

The summer meeting with the two women had a profound impact on Gibson, giving the Girl Scout project a new importance. She became determined to help her grandmother’s neighbors alleviate their loneliness.

“These are problems that won’t go away on their own,” Gibson said. “The main one was feeling isolated. A lot of people there are living alone and don’t have contact with their family members.”

After the meeting, Gibson began the research phase of her Girl Scout project. Some ideas seemed a bit complicated, such as establishing a cooking club, enabling neighbors to prepare and eat meals together. And perhaps the people most in need wouldn’t participate.

Then Gibson discovered Friendship Line, a free statewide service for people 60 and older and adults living with disabilities who want to have a conversation. The line is answered by extensively trained, compassionate volunteers and staff who listen and provide emotional support to callers.

“It’s not just a warm line,” Katy Spence, senior director of Friendship Line, said. “It’s also a crisis line, offering interventions for people feeling hopeless. We’re here 24/7, 365 days a year.”

Friendship Line, in existence for 50 years, receives an average of 7000 to 9000 calls a month. Call volume jumps 20% to 25% during the holiday season.

The holidays can be a difficult time, particularly for people with ambulatory issues who can’t travel to family gatherings. Others must contend with bittersweet memories of past celebrations with loved ones now gone. Winter’s shorter days offer less sunlight, which plays a role in feelings of loneliness and depression, according to Spence.

“Sometimes, we all need a friend,” Spence said. “That’s the basis of the Friendship Line. Our connection to others is what binds us to life.”

Friendship Line, Gibson knew, could provide her grandmother’s neighbors and others with a respite from loneliness. Now, she had to get the word out. She created and printed flyers with information about the service and ordered magnets with Friendship Line’s phone number.

Gibson delivered the information to her grandmother’s village, where the materials remain posted next to the mailboxes. Brooklier asks everyone to take a magnet, saying that even if they don’t need Friendship Line’s services, they should give it to someone who does.

Next, Gibson visited Varenna, a luxurious independent living community for seniors in Santa Rosa. At first blush, it might seem that residents of the upscale property, which offers numerous amenities, fitness classes and social activities, wouldn’t be interested in calling Friendship Line.

Yet, loneliness is still an issue.

“We have a pretty robust group here, but activities that we take for granted, like carrying in the groceries, become challenging as we get older,” Jenny Latourette, Varenna’s life enrichment director, said. “A big part of mental well-being is maintaining independence.”

Varenna staff was greatly appreciative when Gibson reached out with Friendship Line flyers and magnets. The info is prominently displayed in the activities room, which receives foot traffic all day.

“When residents are in crisis, it’s one of the first resources we give them,” Latourette said. “Money can’t buy happiness. It’s all about your optimistic outlook and meaningful connections with other people.”

Last month, Gibson earned the Bronze Award, the highest honor in Junior Girl Scouts, for her project that has helped lessen loneliness for seniors in Marin and Sonoma counties.

Inspired by Gibson, I set out to find a nonprofit that assists Napa County seniors, especially those who are homebound, in building relationships with people. Molly’s Angels fit the bill.

This remarkable organization provides folks, age 60 and older, with a variety of free services. The Hello Molly Care Calls program matches each senior with a volunteer who calls them once a week to help reduce feelings of loneliness.

“These calls are a friendly chat to see how they’re doing, but more importantly, a connection to the community and reassurance someone is there,” said Jill Jorgensen, program director at Molly’s Angels. “For some, the care calls are the only people they hear from. Beyond a phone call, the weekly chat provides a safety check-in by trained volunteers.”

The relationship between the senior and volunteer sometimes becomes more than a check-in. A 97-year-old woman with a wide repertoire of songs sings to her volunteer. Another senior and volunteer exchange vegetables from their gardens. Yet another pair regularly swaps books.

Friendship Line and Hello Molly Care Calls offer just what the U.S. surgeon general ordered—the power of social connection.

Give them a call.

Friendship Line may be reached at 888.670.1360 and Molly’s Angels of Napa Valley at 707.224.8971.

Marin teen vying for prestigious international science award

Nikki Silverstein

Nov 7, 2023

Marin teen vying for prestigious international science award

If this were a radio show, I’d cue “Rocket Man” by Elton John or maybe David Bowie’s “Space Oddity.”

Then I’d launch into the narrative of a brilliant Marin teen promising millions of people around the world, “I’ll make you love space,” and in about 60 seconds, he actually does.

Bayanni Rivera, 18, has a knack for breaking down complicated astronomy concepts and creating stellar videos to share the science scoop on social media, allowing average folks like me to relate to the universe. A recent video by Rivera explaining the rare blue supermoon garnered almost 30 million views on TikTok—and he knows exactly why.

“It’s the difference between being a science nerd and a science communicator,” Rivera told me during a lengthy conversation about astronomy, rockets and earning a place in the final round of the Breakthrough Junior Challenge, a prestigious international science competition.

It certainly doesn’t come as a surprise to those who know Rivera that he’s one of 15 finalists in the contest that seems tailor-made to his unique skills.

This year, more than 2,400 high school students entered the Breakthrough Junior Challenge by submitting an original video on a complex science theory, with the goal of making the idea easy for everyone to understand. Sound familiar?

While Rivera’s video, “The Crisis in Cosmology,” is vying for the $400,000 grand prize, he sounded remarkably calm when we spoke about the competition. But the Greenbrae native couldn’t contain his excitement when describing this cosmology crisis, which is about two different methods for calculating how fast the universe is expanding—with conflicting results. And this probably isn’t anything to worry about right now, but will the universe expand to infinity? Could it reverse or even stop? Yep, I caught Rivera’s contagious enthusiasm on the topic.

To make it to the finals in the extremely competitive Breakthrough Junior Challenge, Rivera’s affinity for astronomy and effective communication weren’t quite enough—he also had to polish his video-making skills. He spent 90 hours producing “The Crisis in Cosmology,” which is just two minutes long. Rivera used animation in his video and found the learning curve a bit rocky.

“Animating things is very time-consuming,” Rivera said. “The first animation that I made for the Challenge lasts 15 seconds and took me eight hours to produce. It’s harder than it looks.”

Rivera finds the painstaking attention to detail worth the effort because he thoroughly enjoys sharing astronomy info with others. He credits Elise Rubio, his science teacher at Redwood High School, with inspiring him. Rubio brought an upbeat energy to her teaching, especially in astronomy class, according to Rivera.

Rubio, however, sees the beginning of Rivera’s fascination with astronomy somewhat differently. During astronomy class, Rubio said Rivera constantly remained engaged, worked hard and asked good questions, even during COVID, when many students were challenged by the online-only curriculum.

“Kids like Bayanni tend to think that someone else is responsible for sparking their interest in a subject,” Rubio told me. “Really, it was inside him all the time. The astronomy course gave him the platform he needed to study the thing he loved.”

And Rivera’s passion for astronomy has grown over the years. In 2021, during his junior year, Rivera founded Redwood High’s astronomy club, with Rubio as the advisor.

Last year, Rivera began posting his imaginative astronomy videos to TikTok. He came up with the idea when he wanted to learn more about astronomy and searched the internet for videos less than 10 minutes long. There weren’t any.

“I wished there were more condensed videos, to learn science essentials on the go,” Rivera said. “At the time, a lot of people thought TikTok was just a place to be entertained. But I thought maybe people would want to learn some cool science in 30 seconds to a minute. I decided to do it.”

Of course, Rivera was right. His TikTok videos, delivered with flair and humor, have already amassed over 100 million views. Followers can learn about phenomena including black holes, wormholes and a dark matter star with the mass of a million suns.

However, Rivera is no longer producing his videos from Marin County. Since September, the astronomy devotee has been contemplating all things science from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he’s now a freshman.

“Getting into MIT was a goal that was long in the making,” Rivera said. “In my freshman year at Redwood [High School], we wrote a letter to our senior selves. I wrote that my dream school is MIT. There you go. I got it.”

The TikTok science star is currently deciding whether to focus his undergraduate studies on aerospace engineering or physics. Perhaps Rivera’s leaning on the aerospace side since he just joined the MIT rocket team. The group will be building a rocket, called Prometheus, eventually entering rocket launching competitions against other schools.

With Rivera’s full schedule, somehow, he manages to carve out time for his other interests. Last week, in time for Halloween, he posted a spooky new astronomy video to TikTok about three stars that mysteriously disappeared from the sky in 1952.

Rivera is also a talented musician. While he’s given up the French horn for now, he’s still playing the piano and composing classical music. Some of his compositions are posted on YouTube.

As my conversation with Rivera was winding down, he admitted that he is a tad nervous about the Breakthrough Junior Challenge. The $400,000 prize includes a $250,000 scholarship, a $100,000 science lab for the winner’s school and $50,000 for the science teacher.

The champ will be chosen by a committee of prominent scientists, professors and teachers from around the globe; however, the competition hasn’t yet determined a date to announce the winner. That’s leaving me on pins and needles, too.

It’s clear that Rivera is a winner in every sense of the word. I asked Rubio, the Redwood High teacher, what propels Rivera to succeed. She didn’t hesitate for a minute with her answer.

“Bayanni needs no nudging to get out there and learn, find opportunities or just explore,” Rubio said. “He has this internal drive that is otherworldly. Bayanni craves learning and craves human interaction. It’s a gift that he has. He loves his friends, his family, his teachers and his community. Bayanni’s a once-in-a-lifetime kid.”