Serena Williams demands Pickleball lines on Marinwood Tennis Courts

She says seniors and adults of all ages are taking up Pickleball by storm.  Why is Marinwood behind the curve in serving the community? Marinwood Tennis Courts at Miller Creek can be modified with pickleball lines without affecting the tennis program.   We pay plenty in CSD park taxes.  The public park is for ALL AGES and people should have a pickleball court to play on. Send your request for pickleball to lfretwell@marinwood.org 

for more on pickleball, visit https://www.usapa.org/what-is-pickleball/

Stressed Out? Go Outside, and Go Alone

Stressed Out? Go Outside, and Go Alone

BRAD DANIEL
ANDREW BOBILYA
KEN KALISCH JUN 5, 2018

Spending time by yourself in nature is good for mental health, and can make you a better leader.

Today Americans live in a world that thrives on being busy, productive and overscheduled. Further, they have developed the technological means to be constantly connected to others and to vast options for information and entertainment through social media. For many, smartphones demand their attention day and night with constant notifications.

As a result, naturally occurring periods of solitude and silence that were once commonplace have been squeezed out of their lives. Music, reality TV shows, YouTube, video games, tweeting and texting are displacing quiet and solitary spaces. Silence and solitude are increasingly viewed as “dead” or “unproductive” time, and being alone makes many Americans uncomfortable and anxious.

But while some equate solitude with loneliness, there is a big difference between being lonely and being alone. The latter is essential for mental health and effective leadership.

We study and teach outdoor education and related fields at several colleges and organizations in North Carolina, through and with other scholars at 2nd Nature TREC, LLC, a training, research, education and consulting firm. We became interested in the broader implications of alone time after studying intentionally designed solitude experiences during wilderness programs, such as those run by Outward Bound. Our findings reveal that time alone in nature is beneficial for many participants in a variety of ways, and is something they wish they had more of in their daily life.On an average day in 2015, individuals aged 15 and over spent more than half of their leisure time watching TV. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, Americans Time Use Survey)
Reflection and challenge

We have conducted research for almost two decades on Outward Bound and undergraduate wilderness programs at Montreat Collegein North Carolina and Wheaton College in Illinois. For each program, we studied participants’ experiences using multiple methods, including written surveys, focus group interviews, one-on-one interviews and field notes. In some cases, we asked subjects years later to look back and reflect on how the programs had affected them. Among other questions, our research looked at participant perceptions of the value of solo time outdoors.


Our studies showed that people who took part in these programs benefited both from the outdoor settings and from the experience of being alone. These findings build on previous research that has clearly demonstrated the value of spending time in nature.

Scholars in fields including wilderness therapy and environmental psychology have shown that time outdoors benefits our lives in many ways. It has a therapeutic effect, relieves stress, and restores attention. Alone time in nature can have a calming effect on the mind because it occurs in beautiful, natural, and inspirational settingsSpending time in city parks like Audubon Park in New Orleans provides some of the same benefits as time in wilderness areas, including reduced stress levels and increased energy levels. (Bill Haber/AP)

Nature also provides challenges that spur individuals to creative problem-solving and increased self-confidence. For example, some find that being alone in the outdoors, particularly at night, is a challenging situation. Mental, physical, and emotional challenges in moderation encourage personal growth that is manifested in an increased comfort with one’s self in the absence of others.

Being alone also can have great value. It can allow issues to surface that people spend energy holding at bay, and offer an opportunity to clarify thoughts, hopes, dreams, and desires. It provides time and space for people to step back, evaluate their lives and learn from their experiences. Spending time this way prepares them to re-engage with their community relationships and full work schedules.

Putting it together: The outdoor solo

Participants in programmed wilderness expeditions often experience a component known as “Solo,” a time of intentional solitude lasting approximately 24 to 72 hours. Extensive research has been conducted on solitude in the outdoors because many wilderness education programs have embraced the educational value of solitude and silence.

Solo often emerges as one of the most significant parts of wilderness programs, for a variety of reasons. Alone time creates a contrasting experience to normal living that enriches people mentally, physically, and emotionally. As they examine themselves in relation to nature, others, and in some cases, God, people become more attuned to the important matters in their lives and in the world of which they are part.
Solo, an integral part of Outward Bound wilderness trips, can last from a few hours to 72 hours. The experience is designed to give participants an opportunity to reflect on their own thoughts and critically analyze their actions and decisions.

Solitary reflection enhances recognition and appreciation of key personal relationships, encourages reorganization of life priorities, and increases appreciation for alone time, silence, and reflection. People learn lessons they want to transfer to their daily living, because they have had the opportunity to clarify, evaluate and redirect themselves by setting goals for the future.


For some participants, time alone outdoors provides opportunity to consider the spiritual and/or religious dimension of life. Reflective time, especially in nature, often enhances spiritual awareness and makes people feel closer to God. Further, it encourages their increased faith and trust in God. This often occurs through providing ample opportunities for prayer, meditation, fasting, Scripture-reading, journaling, and reflection time.
Recommended


As Thomas Carlyle has written, “In (solitary) silence, great things fashion themselves together.” Whether these escapes are called alone time, solitude, or Solo, it seems clear that humans experience many benefits when they retreat from the “rat race” to a place apart and gather their thoughts in quietness.

In order to live and lead effectively, it is important to be intentional about taking the time for solitary reflection. Otherwise, gaps in schedules will always fill up, and even people with the best intentions may never fully realize the life-giving value of being alone.

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.

The Maintenance Shed trash dump, parking lot and materials pile up.

Why are we allowing this in our precious park?

 A rusty dump truck is parked just yards from Miller Creek

 Landscaping waste is allowed to sit for weeks.

 Wood chip piles from our operations and OUTSIDE landscapers waste is often dumped here.

 Endless piles of debris have been allowed to accumulate.  Just a few short years ago this was a nice grassy area where people could gather.

 It is claimed that we "save money" by buying in bulk but the visual cost to the community is never accounted for. We need to return to the practice of only ordering materials as needed. Would you allow a contractor to store materials on your lawn?

Trash begets trash. Spare parts and implements are left in the open to rust.

Marinwood Park Tree Vandal exposed Before and After

Quietwood Dr. Homeowner illegally removes trees in Marinwood Park. Seen above is the satellite photo showing a lush canopy of trees appearing on Google Maps behind the house.



Trees have been clearcut and illegally removed in December 2017

Eric Dreikosen, Marinwood CSD manager refuses to hold the vandal responsible because "she had no malicious intent".


A similar situation happened in McNears Park and the resident was charged with felony vandalism and threatened with civil action up to $80,000. See the story in the Marin IJ HERE.

Do you think we should allow residents to clearcut trees in Marinwood Park when it interfers with their view? Write the Marinwood CSD and Staff:

Bill Shea
IRVING SCHWARTZ  
 Izabela Perry
Jeff Naylor
Leah Kleinman-Green
Shane Demarta
Eric Dreikosen

Marinwood CSD broke the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and must Obey the Law

I don't think Eric Dreikosen, Marinwood CSD manager will have to serve on a chain gang for violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act but the Marinwood CSD MUST OBEY THE LAW.

After seeing the destruction of our Marinwood Park, I informed the new Marinwood CSD manager, Eric Dreikosen that they violated several laws by removing habitat in the middle of nesting season.  I had three simple requests.

 1.) an agreement to create a simple park care plan to improve the parks natural areas.  2.) a look at simple PROCEDURE changes (like not driving heavy equipment on sensitive habitat)  and removing habitat during nesting season as required by law 3.) the acknowledgement that damage has been done to our park environment and should be repaired.

Mr Dreikosen rebuffed all requests.  Furthermore, he said that my concerns were not shared by the "public" and the damage and existing procedures will remain.  Not only did he insult the community and ignore his fundamental duty to maintain the park, he broke the law!  

Over 1000 square feet of prime nesting habitat was removed without permit in Marinwood Park on June 17, 2016.
It is a violation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

The employee drove a bucket loader to scrape the earth clean, damaging more than plants, birds and other wildlife.  He scarred the landscape unnecessarily and left the park looking like a construction site.  The employee was acting under orders from above.  The manager sets policy and oversees the work.  He is the responsible party when things go wrong and is the only person who can address the problem.

The problem has been referred to proper agencies for follow up.

It is disappointing that the highest paid Marinwood CSD manager in the history of the District has to have an enforcement action brought upon the district just to do the right thing.  We deserve better.

If you are concerned about the care of our parks and open space, I encourage you to email  edreikosen@marinwood.org.  You can also attend the CSD meeting tonight, July 12, 2016 at 7:30 pm and speak up for our cherished park.

______________

MIGRATORY BIRD TREATY ACT 
16 U.S.C. §§ 703-712, July 3, 1918, as amended 1936, 1960, 1968, 1969, 1974, 1978, 1986 and 1989.

Overview. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act implements various treaties and conventions between the U.S. and Canada, Japan, Mexico and the former Soviet Union for the protection of migratory birds. Under the Act, taking, killing or possessing migratory birds is unlawful.

Prohibited Acts. Unless permitted by regulations, the Act provides that it is unlawful to pursue, hunt, take, capture or kill; attempt to take, capture or kill; possess, offer to or sell, barter, purchase, deliver or cause to be shipped, exported, imported, transported, carried or received any migratory bird, part, nest, egg or product, manufactured or not. Subject to limitations in the Act, the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) may adopt regulations determining the extent to which, if at all, hunting, taking, capturing, killing, possessing, selling, purchasing, shipping, transporting or exporting of any migratory bird, part, nest or egg will be allowed, having regard for temperature zones, distribution, abundance, economic value, breeding habits and migratory flight patterns. Regulations are effective upon Presidential approval. §§ 703 and 704.

The Act makes it unlawful to:  ship, transport or carry from one state, territory or district to another, or through a foreign country, any bird, part, nest or egg that was captured, killed, taken, shipped, transported or carried contrary to the laws from where it was obtained; import from Canada any bird, part, nest or egg obtained contrary to the laws of the province from which it was obtained. § 705.


Arrests/Search Warrants. To enforce the Act, authorized Department of Interior employees may:   without a warrant, arrest a person violating the Act in the employee's presence or view; execute a warrant or other process issued by an officer or court to enforce the Act; search any place with a warrant. All birds, parts, nests or eggs that are captured, killed, taken, offered or sold, bartered, purchased, shipped, transported, carried, imported, exported or possessed contrary to the Act will be seized and, upon conviction of the offender or upon court judgment, be forfeited to the U.S. and disposed of by the Secretary. § 706.

Violations/Penalties. According to the Act, a person, association, partnership or corporation which violates the Act or its regulations is guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a fine of up to $500, jail up to six months, or both. Anyone who knowingly takes a migratory bird and intends to, offers to, or actually sells or barters the bird is guilty of a felony, with fines up to $2,000, jail up to two years, or both. (Permissible fines are increased significantly by the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984, as amended in 1987, which is summarized separately in this Handbook.)

All guns, traps, nets, vessels, vehicles and other equipment used in pursuing, hunting, taking, trapping, ensnaring, capturing, killing, or any attempt on a migratory bird in violation of the Act with the intent to sell or barter, must be forfeited to the U.S. and may be seized and held pending prosecution of the violator. The property is to be disposed of and accounted for by the Secretary. § 707.