February 2023

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Mill Valley implements DEI coach training requirement

By Sam Kimball

Following the implementation of a new diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiative by the Mill Valley Parks and Recreation Commission, coaches utilizing the city of Mill Valley’s field space will now be required to complete an online DEI course. The stipulation for 2023 was passed by the commission at a Jan. 4 meeting, and completion progress will continue to be discussed at future meetings. According to annual staff reports made by the Director of Arts and Recreation for the city of Mill Valley, Sean McGrew, all coaches from Southern Marin Lacrosse, Mill Valley Soccer Club, Southern Marin Youth Football, Mill Valley Girls Softball and Mill Valley Little League will be required to complete this course by their sports seasons. Spring coaches of the five organizations will have to complete the training by March 31, while fall coaches must finish the training by Sept. 29. serves as the staff liaison to Parks and

Recreation Commission, shares that this process was instituted at the beginning of 2022 with the youth of Mill Valley at the center of it all.

“The city of Mill Valley began to examine its stance on diversity, equity and inclusion. One of the ways we believed that [the next generation could be supported] is through making sure they have mentors,” McGrew said. “Kids look up to coaches, so it was a very interesting concept to explore [because it is] giving coaches the support and education they need to be positive mentors for the youth of today and adults of tomorrow.”

The city’s Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, created in collaboration with the Parks and Recreation Commission, the city of Mill Valley and the Mill Valley Force for Racial Equity & Empowerment (MVFREE), discussed which platform would be utilized to ensure the training was viable and had a purpose.

Once the committee came to an agreement with the “Sports Can Battle Racism” training created by the Positive Coaching Alliance, the commissioners of the youth sports organizations discussed the logistics with the city of Mill Valley.

“[The response] was a nice moment of synergy between youth sports organizations, the commission [and] the city of Mill Valley,” McGrew said. “All of the youth sports organizations felt that the type of training was important and would be impactful for their coaches.”

Jon Porter, the executive director of Southern Marin Lacrosse, hopes that the course will have large effects on the program’s coaches and the over 1000 athletes, but he will continue to strive for more.

“This is a good starting point and basis, but there needs to be more action than only the online course,” Porter said. “It helps with the awareness, but the action behind the words is the real thing. How you measure that is not by an online course.”

While McGrew also emphasizes that the initiative is only one aspect of an extensive amount of diversity work ahead, he sees it as a step in the right direction.

“This is the first step, one of many steps that the

city is taking with [diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives]. This is something that will evolve over time, but it is a critical first step,” McGrew said. “We look at this as a moment of lifelong learning for our coaches, the youth that participate in the activities and society in general.”

skimball@redwoodbark.org

Barnes & Noble reaches end of Town Center chapter

By Ava Carlson

On Jan. 23, the Barnes & Noble Corte Madera Instagram account announced the upcoming closure of its Town Center location. A long-time resident of the complex, the chain bookstore’s 17-year lease will not be renewed. There will be a 40 percent off sale for all merchandise until the last day of operation, March 12.

Kaz Hart, a senior at Tamalpais High School, has worked at the Barnes & Noble Café since October. They are unclear as to why Town Center decided against continuing the lease.

“I know that [Barnes & Noble] tried to reason with [the Town Center management] or figure out why the lease wouldn’t be renewed for the past year. Truthfully, I have no idea why it’s happening,” Hart said.

The Town Center management did not respond to a request for comment on their decision.

Senior Caroline Goodrich was surprised to hear of Barnes & Noble’s closure. She had fond memories of the bookstore and mentioned that she and her dad always celebrated accomplishments with a visit to Barnes & Noble.

“When I finally finished the ACT, that kind of thing, [my dad] would say, ‘Go choose a book,’ which was really fun. [Barnes & Noble] also had really cool author events — [my dad and I] would get to go see people that we knew present their books and it felt really special,” Goodrich said.

Hart similarly noted Barnes & Noble’s role as a community space. During their time working at the in-store cafe, they noted that the bookstore was a special place for regulars.

“Because [Barnes & Noble has] been

[in Town Center] for such a long time, I’ve noticed we have a lot of older customers who come in a lot and will stay there for the entire day. You get to know them by name because of how frequently they come by,” Hart said.

Junior Hannah Ritola is an ambitious reader and longtime customer of the store. Ritola read 106 books in 2022 and plans to read even more this year. Although she does check out books from the local library, Barnes & Noble was her go-to store to purchase copies of her favorites.

“I go to Barnes & Noble about every other week. I’m devastated — obviously, there are other bookstores in the area and I can order online, but Barnes & Noble is so close to Redwood,” Ritola said. “It’s so convenient, and they have such a wide selection of books. I buy gifts there for birthdays and holidays; I do homework in the cafe. Now that it’s closing, where am I going [to go]?”

Hart spoke of the experience of the closure from an employee perspective. They noticed an increase of people coming in for the sales, but also remarked on the mood of the staff.

“A lot [of employees] have worked there together for a long time. It’s sad — it feels like there’s something in the air that says, ‘Oh, this is all going to end,’ and every now and then you’re reminded of it. Someone will say, ‘We’re not getting any more shipments because we have to get rid of everything,’ and you remember the closure is happening,” Hart said.

Despite feeling glum about the situation, they wondered what would come next for the mall.

“Honestly, it’s very hard to picture anything else being in that space. If [I] could [choose what’s] replacing it, [I

would want] another bookstore. I hope that whatever comes next can provide that space for people to just be in. For all of our frequent customers, it just seems like Barnes & Noble was a very comfortable

place for them,” Hart said.

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Photo courtesy of Positive Coaching Alliance

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First Tiburon female police chief arrests male status quo

By Sawyer Barta

Feb. 4 was Captain Michelle Jean’s first day as the new Tiburon chief of police, replacing current chief, Ryan Monaghan. Jean is the first woman police chief in the history of Tiburon.

Monaghan was appointed chief of police in April 2021 after transferring from San Mateo County, where he worked for 26 years. He retired from the department shortly before his two-year mark. There are two ways to go about the process of appointing a new chief.

A department could bring in a member from the outside (another organization), which can include a national search using firms that locate public sector leaders that appear to be fitting candidates.

Or, a department could use a succession plan, where a member “inherits” another role after the current position becomes available. In the case of a succession plan for the chief, the town manager still maintains the final say. When Monaghan, who was appointed from an outside organization, decided to leave the office, the succession plan he established proceeded with Jean after the city manager officially appointed her. Monaghan considers a succession plan

a logical approach since the candidate usually obtains strong knowledge of the organization and ensures continuity.

“Now knowing that my [successor] will be my captain gives me a sense of security, [and also] knowing that the things I’ve been working on to build this organization and get it ready for the future [will be carried forward, gives me security],” Monaghan said.

The emergency services coordinator for the department, Laurie Nilsen, shared her opinion regarding Jean stepping into the chief position with Tiburon city manager, Greg Chanis.

“I told [Chanis] how much we all liked [Jean] when she started as captain. And then when we found out that she’s going to be the chief, I let him know that [the police department was] very happy we have somebody that we’re comfortable with, have faith in and trust,” Nilsen said.

Monaghan notes that the most important quality in a chief is emotional intelligence and being able to understand why people may be feeling a certain way in a situation.

“[Being chief is] constantly a balancing act, so I think having that level of emotional intelligence to understand people and what their interests are is the top quality you can have as a police chief,” Monaghan said.

Jean also recognizes that beyond those qualities, empathy is important for a police officer and she strives to continue to

demonstrate both traits as she steps into her new position.

“I do care [and] I have a lot of empathy.

I think that I’m intelligent enough to figure out the problems that are occurring in Tiburon [and] help solve those problems.

I’m very outgoing, I feel like I’m super easy to talk to and [I’m] approachable, [which is] a real gift because I don’t want to be the scary cop,” Jean said. “I don’t think I’m great [just] because I’m a cop. It’s my job, and I take it very seriously. But I also want to be here for the people and learn from our officers.”

Jean moved to San Francisco from Yuba City where she started at the San Francisco Police Department when she was 26. She spent the following 29 years there, part of the time spent as a captain. After retiring for several years, she decided to return to a smaller department.

Out of multiple candidates who applied for the captain’s position, Jean was appointed to the job in 2022, starting in this role on Nov. 7. Jean notes that it has been a smooth transition and that she feels adequately prepared for her new role due to her prior experience with running a department and scheduling officers at the Richmond Station in San Francisco.

Nilsen has been at the Tiburon department since she was 14, when she was in an internship role, and shares her excitement about Jean being the first woman chief.

“This is the first female [chief] we’ve had, and after 30 years it’s exciting, as a female, to have the head honcho be a female. The level of knowledge and experience she brings is absolutely fantastic and comparable to any other human out there. She’s going to bring a level of compassion that we as a police department need right now because it’s been a rough couple of years for us,” Nilsen said. “[Jean has] seen it all [and] done it all. … She’ll have that knowledge from past experiences to be able to guide and assist us.”

Jean expresses the immense pride she feels being the first female chief. Law enforcement is a predominantly male industry and the role of chief of police is, even more, male dominated.

“To me, I feel like it’s an incredible honor to be the first at anything. To have the confidence from Chief Monaghan, the town manager and the town council to say ‘this is who we want,’ is an honor and I’m very happy that they chose me,” Jean said. sbarta@redwoodbark.org

“Who is your celebrity crush?”

Marco Cleary Freshman

“Zendaya.”

It’s my job, and I take it very seriously. But I also want to be here for the people and learn from our officers.

Michelle Jean, chief of police

Infographic by Sarah Goody

Explainer: Ongoing military conflicts

Story and Infographic by Ben

From the deserts of Syria to the jungles of the Congo, conflicts across the world kill thousands and displace millions annually. It is essential that we know about these conflicts, so that we may move towards a more peaceful world.

of Sana’a, and in 2017, the separatist Southern Transitional Council entered the war, attempting to restore the former state of South Yemen. Hundreds of thousands of people have been killed in the world’s largest ongoing humanitarian crisis.

War in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

Russo-Ukraine Conflict

In February

2022, angered by the eastward expansion of Atlantic Treaty Organization, Russia launched a full scale invasion of Ukraine. With American military and logistical assistance, Ukraine has managed to win several key battles. Both sides have each suffered 100,000 killed or wounded soldiers and millions of civilians have been forced to flee. Many local residents have decided to help Ukrainian refugees, with some even sponsoring displaced Ukrainians living in Marin (read more on page 18).

Meanwhile, Russian anarchocommunists have launched partisan attacks on the Russian military, sabotaging railroad tracks and throwing homemade explosives into military recruiting offices.

The Philippine Crisis

The Philippines is the site of two concurrent crises: a civil conflict and a drug war. Maoist rebels have waged a people’s war against the authoritarian Philippine government since 1969. Meanwhile, the Philippine government has massively cracked down on the drug trade by violently arresting drug dealers— and sometimes innocent bystanders— en masse.

Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict

Armenia and Azerbaijan, two countries nestled in the Caucasus Mountains, have been rivals for decades. In 2020, the two countries fought a month-long war over the disputed breakaway-state of Arteksah, which had declared independence from

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road from Armenia to Arteksah, a violation of the 2020 peace agreement.

Internal

Conflict in Myanmar

A military coup in Myanmar sparked a brutal civil war between the ruling military junta and a coalition of anti-government forces. Armed ethnic militias, prodemocracy rebels and communist guerillas have all managed to win impressive victories against the dictatorship.

Syrian Civil War

Since 2012, various jihadist rebel groups supported by the United States have waged a rebellion against the Russianbacked Syrian government. Kurdish anarchist and feminist groups have used a resulting power vacuum to take control of the country’s northeast. Turkey, wishing to prevent greater Kurdish autonomy, has

Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Clashes between the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) and various Palestinian militant organizations such as Hamas have flared up in 2021 and 2022. Major human rights groups such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International accuse Israel of committing the crime of apartheid against Palestinians, while Israel accuses Hamas of using human shields during the conflict. Israel also occupies most of the strategic Golan Heights, although most of the international community assert that the Golan Heights belong to Syria.

Yemeni Civil War

Islamist rebels are engaged in a war of attrition against a Saudi-led coalition that is supporting the Yemeni government. In 2014, the rebels captured Yemen’s capital

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Dozens of rebel groups are currently clashing against each other and their government in DRC’s countryside. Most rebels are located in the Kivu region, an area economically exploited by multinational mining corporations and still reeling from the effects of the Rwandan genocide. Most rebel groups want either local self-determination or greater control over Congo’s lucrative natural resources. Cathleen Acheritogaray

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A deeper look into the medical abortion pill

By Alexandrea Coe

More than half of all U.S. abortions are medically induced by Mifepristone and Misoprostol, a two-pill regimen. While these pills require a prescription from a doctor, they avoid the concept of surgery altogether. Since Roe v. Wade was overturned in June 2022, popularity rates for this product are expected to rise. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has a new and permanent rule that enables retail pharmacies to fill prescriptions for Mifepristone and Misoprostol. A medicated abortion can cost up to around $800, but it is often less. The average cost for these pills at Planned Parenthood is about $580. Considering a typical surgical abortion with Planned Parenthood can be up to $2,300 per procedure, the accessibility of getting an abortion has become much easier in states that permit these pills.

However, in places with strict anti-abortion bans, these pills have sparked controversy, and pregnant individuals in such areas are finding it challenging to get their hands on the medication.

What is Mifepristone, and how does it work?

Mifepristone was created in the 1980s by the French drug company, RousselUclaf, and is a pill regimen used to terminate pregnancies of up to 10 weeks. Mifepristone works when it is followed up with a dose of Misoprostol, typically taken 24 to 48 hours later. This abortion pill is not to be confused with the morning-after pill, which delays ovulation.

When taken, Mifepristone blocks the body’s receptor for the hormone

progesterone and disrupts the gestation process in its early stages. Misoprostol then provokes contractions so that the uterus removes what is left of the pregnancy, causing heavy bleeding and cramping.

According to Planned Parenthood, this medical abortion process for most individuals feels like having an early miscarriage, which includes symptoms like cramping, heavier bleeding than normal, pain in one’s stomach, pelvis or back and feeling weak.

What kind of change is the FDA’s new rule implementing?

This medication has been approved by the FDA for more than two decades. Despite its authorization, the only way to access the drug has been from certified clinics, due to safety concerns (even though sufficient evidence demonstrates the method’s safety and effectiveness).

However, on Jan. 10, 2023, the FDA announced its revision of access to the drug Mifepristone, stating that previous restrictions are no longer necessary. Now, doctors are also able to prescribe the pill via Telehealth appointments.

Because big pharmacy chains can now carry and fill prescriptions for Mifepristone, this medication can be available at any local drugstore or pharmacy retailer.

What does this mean for anti-abortion states?

Pregnant people living in states that already limit or ban abortion will likely not benefit from this new rule.

According to the Guttmacher Institute, 29 states specifically require physicians to administer medicated abortions. 18 of those states have already banned the pills used in Telemedicine, meaning people must schedule an appointment with no guarantee of actually getting Mifepristone. Texas became one of the first states to ban

the pills after seven weeks of pregnancy.

Community Perspective: How does a female-identifying senior at Redwood feel about this pill?

Senior Magx Auerbach, vice president of the Democrat Club, gives her perspective on the topic.

“It is incredibly important to have safe methods for termination of pregnancies. Considering that more than half of abortions done in the U.S. are attributed to this particular drug combination, under no circumstances should it be removed from the market, especially when the brunt of the impact will be felt by marginalized communities,” Auerbach said.

Why are there lawsuits against the FDA for this pill? What exactly is the controversy about?

Currently, the FDA is in a legal battle with anti-abortion physicians, legislators and activists who have directed the push against abortion medication, saying that easing prescription requirements is dangerous.

The Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, the organization spearheading the lawsuit, asked a federal district court in Dallas late last year to declare the FDA’s approval of Mifepristone as unlawful, hoping to remove the pill from the U.S. market entirely. The court could issue a ruling as soon as Feb. 10, when it will be fully briefed.

The FDA, however, determined Mifepristone is a safe and effective way to end an early pregnancy more than two decades ago based on extensive scientific evidence, the agency’s lawyers wrote. According to the FDA, decades of experience from thousands of women and their physicians have confirmed that Mifepristone is safer than surgical abortion or childbirth.

Community Perspective: How does a wellness professional feel about Mifepristone?

Cassandra Beck, marriage and family therapist trainee, gives information on why as a medical professional she is in support of the abortion pill.

“Outlawing abortions really just means outlawing safe abortions. It is important to lower the many barriers women face when it comes to accessing drugs like birth control and other abortion methods. I am in support of this pill as it allows people to have an abortion in the comfort of their own homes, surrounded by friends or family, versus the typical visit to the sterile clinic environment. Ultimately, having more access to something that gives people more options, I am really for and I support,” Beck said.

Where to find help and resources: If you want to talk to someone or need additional resources/support, you can receive guidance and counseling in Wellness in Room 103. Additionally, sign up to be a part of Redwood’s Sexual Health Clinic Services, where a third party (non-school affiliated) can confidentially connect you or your friends with outside services and programs free of charge.

In their complaint, the anti-abortion physicians argue the FDA abused its power by approving Mifepristone. They contend pregnancy is not an illness, Mifepristone is not more safe and effective than surgical abortion and that the FDA’s actions have put patients’ health at risk. acoe@redwoodbark.org

Infographic by Sarah Goody

Illustration by Calla McBride

IllustrationbyCarsenGoltz

Let’s talk about it: Leaving for college

By Ava Razavi

There seems to be a constantly ticking countdown for college-bound students that starts the moment they begin high school. It’s a loud, deep and seemingly hollow sound, almost as if it’s haunting me. It follows me everywhere — from my dreams to conversations with friends.

This looming countdown is slowly but surely reminding me that my childhood is coming to a close. In a couple of months, there will be no parents to cook for me when I’m being lazy, no dog to make me smile when I’m down, no more seeing my best friends daily and no more private room to hide in when life is a little too much.

I always knew this day would come — when I leave everything I know and love behind. Despite anticipating my departure, I cannot deny that I’m often paralyzed with anxiety when I think of the future. How could I not be? The statistics are horrifying. More than one in four women are sexually harassed on college campuses. Approximately 45 percent of students experience severe depression when in college. California college students are so overwhelmed by this sudden transition that almost half of the students who begin a degree program drop out. So, let’s talk about it: These facts don’t make the college experience look good.

I guess getting a higher education in America comes at a cost. Honestly, the punishment does not feel like it fits the crime — at all. From sorority and fraternity hazing to shared showers to endless hookup culture, college seems to be a cruel concept created by an evil higher power. I feel like an alien, listening to my peers talk about wanting to go to huge college football games or frat parties with perfect smiles plastered across their faces. I wish I could share the same excitement they do about college. I really do. I want to want to go to college.

But I’m afraid. And I’m starting to notice that others are too; they’re just faking that they’re not. Leaving home for the first time is scary, and it’s okay to feel anxious about it. Fear isn’t bad unless you’re constantly demonizing it and trying to push it out of your life. According to Psychologist Russ Hariss, “The more we try to avoid the basic reality that all human life involves pain, the more we are likely to struggle with that pain when it arises, thereby creating even more suffering.”

Life will never be perfect, and college most definitely will not be close to perfect. However, accepting that this major life change will contain feelings of fear, anxiety, loneliness and grief is how we come to terms with our future. Recognizing these feelings will make them seem so much less powerful and open up space for other positive emotions, such as not having to take a math course anymore and not having to shove through overcrowded halls to get to class.

So if you’re scared, please share that fear because I’m sick of pretending like I’m the only one who isn’t excited to start over with no one and nothing I know. Maybe I really am alone in this, but if I’m not, I want you to know: It’s okay to be scared of all this change. I’m scared too.

Give credit where credit is due It’s time to acknowledge the roots of trends

By Rori Anderson

One social media post can start a trend that spreads to millions within hours. While this instant dissemination of content can connect people and ignite careers, it often benefits the wrong people. Many white influencers take credit for starting a trend when in actuality, the trend was created by a creator of color or based on a cultural practice. This pattern is harmful and racist; to mitigate this cycle, audiences need to be more aware of the content they are consuming.

The New York Times identified cultural appropriation as “one of the most misunderstood and abused phrases of our tortured age.” They defined appropriation as “the notion of adapting something so it is particular to oneself, so that it no longer belongs to or is true to the character of the original source.” Many of these popular social media trends have been taken from the culture they originated in, thus underscoring their meaning, significance and history.

Many confuse cultural appropriation with cultural appreciation; however, appreciation can only occur when credit to the creator is given, and the origins and history are fully understood. Appropriation takes without credit, and people on social media often do not understand these key differences.

A popular example is Hailey Bieber’s selfproclaimed “brownie-glazed lips,” or simply brown lip liner and lip gloss. Unbeknownst to many of Bieber’s followers, communities of color had been doing this look for ages. In response to this, TikToker Taija Reed posted a video saying, “When black and brown people do it, it’s called ghetto,” and then noted the mass amount of praise Bieber has received for “discovering” this lip look. Reed’s comparison of these reactions shows the racism, external and internal, of media and society; anyone who donned “brownie-glazed lips” and credited Bieber is a contributor to this, regardless of their awareness.

never give credit to those who started trends when following them. And even if students give credit to those who they believe started the trend, they may not always be correct; hence, contributing to a cycle of misdirected credit. Looking into trends and finding background is really very simple. For example, content creator Charli D’Amelio became famous for the Renegade dance, a popular social media dance to the song “Lottery” by K Camp. When she first posted on TikTok, she could not have expected the fame she received — but nonetheless, she got it.

IllustrationbyCallaMcBrideandCarsenGoltz

While few students claim to follow trends, even fewer claim to credit them. According to a January 2023 Bark survey, only eight percent of students always give credit to original creators and 35 percent of students sometimes do, while 30 percent

Jalaiah Harmon choreographed the dance, but was not credited until fans pressured D’Amelio into acknowledging it. While she later gave the proper credit, it is still her responsibility to acknowledge her lack of creation early on. The lack of credit for choreography reveals a more complex aspect of this issue: While stolen trends are not always culturally appropriated, creators are often not crediting the original creators of color, thus adding to a culture of racism on social media. D’Amelio has had wild success, becoming arguably one of the faces of TikTok; Harmon has not. And that is not to say Harmon would have necessarily reached D’Amelio’s level of fame, but nobody can ever be sure due to the chance being taken from her. When people claim credit or gain popularity for a trend they did not start, they are taking away the success that could have been rightfully gained by the original creator, and all too often this happens to creators of color. On social media, almost everything can be appropriated. Recently, “spa water” and “cowboy caviar” have gained popularity and critique as they can relate back to traditional foods from the Latinx community, like agua fresca, pico de gallo and ceviche. However, had these influencers done some research and credited the original creators of these trends, this cycle of racism and misinformation could have been halted. TikTok, the main source of these problems, has a search bar and Google is free to everyone. Looking things up doesn’t take time, and it can stop a long cycle of miscrediting.

randerson@redwoodbark.org

Finding peace in solitude

Story and Illustration by Charlotte Fishburne

When I see an old man sitting alone in public, sympathetic thoughts race through my mind.

“He must be widowed.”

“He looks so sad.”

“I should go talk to him.”

When I’m alone, I make the same assumptions about myself. I grow insecure thinking about how lonely I must look and find myself mindlessly scrolling on my phone to look busy. No one can catch me sitting still with my thoughts or the whole world will crumble.

Why is it that we as a society have become so afraid of being alone? A common misconception is an association between aloneness and loneliness. Alone is a state of being that can have both positive and negative connotations, whereas loneliness is a feeling associated with pain and a lack of belonging. Spending time alone and embracing your independence doesn’t always mean you are lonely or unfulfilled. Everyone should spend time with themselves to develop a stronger personal identity, increase creativity and improve their relationships with others.

After escaping from forced isolation during the COVID-19 quarantine, the social pendulum swung in the opposite direction and people were frenzied back to constant social interaction. Corporate offices and schools went back in person, restricted social “pods” were abolished and both the deprived extroverts and overwhelmed introverts of the world vowed never to be alone again.

The societal shift to prioritize social

engagements makes sense as human beings scientifically crave social interaction. A 2016 Massachusetts Institute of Technology study researched the responses in the brain when lacking interaction, and found that the need for socialization is a necessity, similar to hunger. A small region in the middle of the brain, called the substantia nigra, lights up when craving both food and human contact. This biological feeling of loneliness motivates people to repair what is lacking, just like when we are hungry. Though we often crave social experiences, we can’t overlook the importance of alone time to our mental health. Spending time alone allows us to develop our thoughts and opinions without outside influence and gives us a chance to get to know ourselves. After all, the most consistent relationship in our lives is with ourselves, and finding comfort in solitude is a meaningful practice.

sociologist at the California State Polytechnic University, Pomona studying solitude, has discovered, “When people take these moments to explore their solitude, not only will they be forced to confront who they are, they just might learn a little bit about how to out-maneuver some of the toxicity that surrounds them in a social setting.”

increase creativity and help us develop new ideas. In a 2020 study published in Nature Communications, researchers found that perceived social isolation led to increased activity in the neural circuits

Combating desensitization: Humans behind headlines

By Lilian Hakimi

In the U.S., 93 percent of adults get some form of news online. We live in a day and age where news is more accessible than ever. With one click of our phones we are exposed to events from all around the world instantly. Having so much information at our immediate convenience results in news being consumed at a higher and faster rate than ever before. Unfortunately, continuous and rapid coverage also exposes us to constant violence, creating a cycle where events can not be fully internalized and processed before we are informed of the next tragedy. This pattern is not conducive to building lasting societal empathy. The global rise in violence along with mass media consumption has resulted in desensitization, causing us to become emotionally indifferent to the struggles of others.

In an article published by the American Psychological Association, Dr. Jurell Riley, a psychiatric nurse practitioner, compares desensitization to trauma and calluses.

“Think about it like this, [when] we work with our hands a lot, we develop these calluses, and it helps you become desensitized and numb. It’s the same thing with your mind. We keep re-experiencing these traumatic situations, these shootings, and we’re building these calluses on our mind,” Riley said.

The problem with desensitization is

that it normalizes crises, so what was once shocking is now ordinary. Within the first three weeks of January 2023, America had already seen 40 mass shootings.

have had in the year. While each event is equally horrific, having to process 40 shootings in less than a month significantly lowers the emotional impact, especially for those not directly affected.

Desensitization is a natural response to traumatic events, in fact, it is a biological defense mechanism to adapt to trauma by not fully internalizing events. Dr. Bruce Harry, an associate professor of Clinical Psychiatry and Forensic Psychiatry at the University of Missouri, says that

Psychological Association, which reported a rise in stress levels related to personal safety. When asked about what adds stress to their lives over the past decade, 31 percent of Americans said mass shootings and gun

people in our country would ever have to contend with. If only that were true,” Nason said.

If this cycle continues, we will paralyze any advancement in gun reform; once we become apathetic towards violence, the need for change will not be recognized.

How can we combat desensitization while practicing empathy? We can start by setting boundaries, particularly by limiting our intake of violent media to avoid compassion fatigue. We can build meaningful relationships and reach out to others to talk about a tragedy and process them completely. More specifically, we must practice emotional endurance and acknowledge the humanity behind these events and headlines. When you find yourself unable to have an empathetic response to a tragedy, try adopting a “think small” mindset and read individual stories to first build empathy with a single person.

Illustration by Carsen Goltz

POLICY: All editorials are unsigned and have been approved by the majority of the Bark staff.

Marin’s hypocrisy in fighting low-income housing

Marin’s socially progressive nature appears everywhere. It’s in the environmentally-conscious surcharges for plastic bags, the Pride flags waving above schools and storefronts, the teachings of social justice-oriented curriculum and its blue voting record. However, its democratic lean stops short of low-income housing.

Neighbors of planned low-income developments, which include units designated for households with an income approximately 50 percent of the county’s median income or $93,200, often spearhead the resistance.

Community-led efforts in Belvedere branded the partially low-income Mallard Pointe housing development “Bad for Belvedere.” In Mill Valley, residents belonging to the “Save Hauke Park” organization have waged a three-year long campaign against the construction of affordable housing units nearby.

These grassroots efforts are not the only challenge to low-income housing. Legislative obstacles, including State Senate Bill No. 106 from 2017, which exempted Marin from statewide housing quotas, have delayed the creation of affordable housing.

Since 1970, Marin’s population has expanded four times slower than California’s — by design. Through the ballot box, Marin voters have repeatedly defeated measures to increase the county’s long-term water supply, weaponizing a human need to deter future development. This culminated in the Marin Municipal Water District’s 2021 consideration of banning new water hookups, which would have effectively halted any low-income housing construction.

This resistance, whether systematic or community-led, falls under the “Not In My Backyard” mentality, or NIMBY. As financial advisor Dave Shore stated in a previous Bark article, “Everybody wants more low-income housing in someone else’s neighborhood.”

Frequently citing the risk of environmental damages, lowered property values and increased strain on public infrastructure, NIMBY proponents raise legitimate concerns around affordable housing but seldom acknowledge the available solutions and the impacted communities.

Environmental issues can be mitigated with high-density redevelopment, which in turn, according to a 2022 University of California Los Angeles study, benefits sustainability through reduced commutes and emissions.

Considering concerns over property values, a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill report concluded that, “Despite public perceptions of affordable housing negatively impacting nearby property values, there is evidence to suggest that the impact is minimal if at all.”

The worries surrounding infrastructure and resource strain are the most valid argument of NIMBY-ism. Yet, they neglect the reality that anti-development attitudes shift the burden of providing low-income housing to communities with less of a voice and often fewer resources.

According to Texas Southern University professor Robert Bullard, “The effect of NIMBY victories appears to have driven the unwanted facilities toward the more vulnerable

A BARK to all the singles on Feb. 14. You’ll always have Team Snapchat to wish you a Happy Valentine’s Day!

A BITE to Tom Brady retiring on the same day he did last year; is this a new annual tradition?

A BARK to the prom location. Wait ... I thought that was a furniture store.

A BITE to the CSU rounds of decisions. We’re tired of keeping up with all these dates and not hearing back! Where’s our (Cal)polygy?

groups. Black neighborhoods are especially vulnerable to the penetration of unwanted land uses — NIMBYism, like racism, creates and perpetuates privileges for [white people] at the expense of people of color.”

This occurs in Marin as the lowest income, most densely populated and racially diverse community in the county, Marin City, contains the highest concentrations of low-income housing, with new developments planned. While the ongoing construction of affordable housing in Marin City fulfills the county’s state mandated quotas, it also distances wealthier residents from affordable housing.

Consequently, Marin City must deal with the legitimate burdens of providing low-income housing as it strains under-funded public resources.

Not only does the discriminatory construction of affordable housing risk damaging diverse communities and evade the responsibility of wealthier ones, but it also hurts those who work in them. For hourly wage earners, with Marin’s rent costs tied for the most expensive in the U.S., the prospect of living close to their workplaces is often impossible.

Even for Marin teachers and other school employees, these prices exclude nearly 43 percent from renting an average studio apartment where they work. While the obvious remedy is expanded local affordable housing, NIMBY-ism ignores this.

Beyond helping those who teach in Marin, lowincome housing also benefits students. A 2019 review of classroom integration concluded that greater socioeconomic diversity “can help reduce bias and counter stereotypes” and “promote more equitable access to resources.” This translates to lowincome students benefiting from learning in Marin’s classrooms while their peers simultaneously gain access to new perspectives.

Marin has the ability to promote this with lowincome housing, while also helping teachers and others who work in the county. However, efforts to redirect this affordable housing elsewhere defeat its purpose.

If Marin residents truly support social welfare programs as the liberals most claim to be, then they must genuinely support affordable housing. And while the addition of any new housing poses inherent challenges, these should not push residents away from supporting ethical developments — least of all should they motivate current residents to force housing upon other communities.

Have an opinion regarding anything that appears in the Bark or in general? We encourage our readers to submit letters to the editor. Letters to the Bark should be 500 words or fewer, typed if possible and signed. They may also be emailed to bark@redwoodbark.org.

A BARK to Congress using Taylor Swift’s lyrics in the Ticketmaster trial. You know us “All Too Well” (“Senator’s Version”).

A BITE to everyone wearing UGGs. Ughhhh.

A BARK to Redwood Mock Trial for beating Tam in round one. Not guilty!

A BITE to freshmen and sophomores organizing their own prom. Have fun at your middle school dance!

A BARK to ChatGPT. Guess

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A BITE to opening early college decisions. We don’t see any confetti...

A BARK to Shakira’s detective skills. Piqué is really going to be in a jam after this one.

A BITE to Phoebe Bridgers taking “Waiting Room” off of Spotify. How is this for the better?

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It’s time to cut the backyard antics.

Stop praising men for the bare minimum

By Caitlin Beard

In December 2019, international musician Harry Styles appeared on the cover of Vogue, donning a floor-length, ruffly Gucci dress and making history as the first male Vogue cover model, wearing a traditionally “feminine” frock, no less. Styles’ fashion statement served as a social commentary on restrictive gender norms and toxic masculinity, defined as manliness that; glorifies stoicism, strength and dominance. Initially, I was thrilled at this step towards deconstructing strict binary gender expression and ready to contribute to the gushing admiration taking over my social media. However, after several months of reflection, I began to feel angry about the continued showering of praise and adoration Styles received simply for wearing a dress on a magazine cover. I realized that my bitterness stemmed from the revelation that Styles had become an unattainable, ideal paragon of the perfect man. Many people revered him just because they viewed his fashion statement as a symbol of his commitment to defying toxic masculinity. After my epiphany, I became aware of how often women, in my own life and in the media alike, excessively praise men for the most ridiculously basic behaviors.

“He’s so nice to his mom,” “He’s so good with kids” or “He actually communicates his feelings” are common exclamations from women conditioned to desire only the bare minimum from men. In traditional heteronormative family systems, where men occupy the role of the “provider” and “bread-winner,” and women are expected to do literally everything else, society applauds men as attentive parents and partners for completing the occasional chore or hour of childcare, or really, anytime they exhibit any ounce of gentleness, thoughtfulness or selflessness that is not in the form of financial support or displays of physical strength.

But as women, have we ever taken a step back from our horribly sexist society and asked ourselves: why do we insist on practically handing men gold medals every time they show even a scrap of human decency? Not only does this mindset sell men short of their potential, but it also normalizes abusive and toxic behaviors, causing women to tolerate unhealthy behaviors from their male partners, bosses, coworkers and family members.

Although society misleads us to believe that empathy, kindness and gentleness are characteristics limited

Centrists need to pick a lane

By Ben Choucroun

Centrism is everywhere. An article headline from The Christian Science Monitor, a news publication, reads, “Why Free Speech is Under Attack from Right and Left.” A particularly vile Washington Post opinion has the title “Yes, Antifa is the Moral Equivalent of Neo-Nazis” calls for “reaching across the aisle,” “healing our divisions” and positioning oneself between two extremes are virtually ubiquitous in politicians’ speeches. Centrism is the belief in moderate political actions, compromising and taking a middle ground between the left and right. However, centrism enables far-right politics, supports oppression enforced by the status quo and is woefully inept in addressing the urgent issues of climate change, poverty and oppression.

Centrist democracies are easily susceptible to the rise of fascism, which is a right-wing ideology based nationalism, military supremacy, the protection of business interests and racism. Centrists believe the free marketplace of ideas and liberal norms of political civility will be sufficient to prevent the rise of fascism in America. However, fascists don’t follow liberal norms of political civility, and their rhetoric is often boosted by wealthy capitalists, giving them advantages in our money-dominated political sphere. For example, in Germany during the the Nazis, supported by German conglomerates like Krupp Industries and I.G. Farben, redirected legitimate anger at

Germany’s poor economic condition to the country’s Jewish minority, aiding the Nazis in taking power, functioning as a pressurerelief valve for capitalism.

Currently, active fascist groups are trying to manipulate centrist democracies in similar ways to the Nazis. Groups like the Proud Boys and Patriot Front are intent on executing the genocidal plans drawn up by former fascist dictators, as evidenced by the Proud Boys’ slogan “6 million wasn’t enough”— a reference to the 6 million Jews murdered during the Holocaust. Additionally, fascist beliefs (such as the Great Replacement Theory, which postulates that Jewish elites are replacing

to females due to their high levels of oxytocin, otherwise known as a “maternal instinct,” testosterone is not a legitimate excuse for failing to exhibit vulnerability or sensitivity. A 2014 study measured the brain’s emotional arousal in males and females in response to emotionally stimulating videos. Although the results found that males had equally as strong, if not stronger, emotional reactions than females, when asked about how they felt while watching the videos, males denied feeling the emotions the physiological evidence indicated. Toxic masculinity not only discourages men from expressing their feelings openly and healthily, it also limits them from practicing kindness and vulnerability.

I have been lucky to get to know men who have done a lot of work with unlearning toxic masculinity in favor of discovering themselves as individuals equally capable as women of showing empathy, gentleness and respect. I’m working on not not praising them for the bare minimum and resisting the urge to gush, “He’s such a gem” or “He’s one of the good ones” because these seemingly complimentary and harmless statements produce unhealthy power dynamics that many women, myself included, have fallen into.

These power dynamics appear in my life in my interactions with men, which have always felt quite lopsided. Likely because society simply expects me, as a woman, to be a selfless and thoughtful person by default, I’ve always felt the need

antifascist action, like disrupting fascist rallies and cutting the funding for fascist groups, is sufficient to prevent the rise of fascism in the United States.

Centrism is also an inadequate tool to deal with oppression because taking a centrist position between the oppressed and oppressor by default supports the oppressor. Across the United States, Black people are 2.5 times more likely to be killed by police officers than white people, women are essentially banned from having abortions in 13 states and laws restricting the ability of transgender people to use their preferred bathroom are on the rise. To remedy those clear instances

to cater to their wants, needs and emotions, even if that’s at my own expense. The compliments and physical affection from the males in my life mean more, but their criticism stings more too. I am often surprised when men show me gentleness or affection. As a result, I raise the sensitive, kind men in my life onto metaphorical pedestals, feeling the uncontrollable urge to remind myself that I’m lucky to have found them. To myself and anyone else who identifies with these feelings: we need to raise the bar.

cbeard@redwoodbark.org

take immediate action to remedy pressing problems like poverty. Over a million households currently live on under $2 per day. Nine million children in the U.S. go to bed hungry on a regular basis because their families cannot afford food. Only radically redistributing wealth and political power will be enough to mitigate this dire issue, a change that is not probable under centrism.

Similarly, we need to carry out drastic action if we are to effectively mitigate climate change. In our current trajectory, the world will warm by about 2.7 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels in the near future. This warming will cause droughts, famines and refugee crises of unthinkable proportions – all of which will fuel ecofascist groups that capitalize off of environmental catastrophes. Torturously slow, moderate reforms are not viable. There are several ways to achieve the change we so desperately need without falling into the trap of mundane centrism.

First, it is essential that we educate ourselves about important issues and the changes we want to see in the world. We must also transform our education into actively making a difference in the world through direct action. Protesting outside homes of politicians, organizing workplaces into unions, conducting rent strikes and educating our peers are practical examples of direct action that affect political change, without being too moderate or polite.

Toxic masculinity not only discourages men from expressing their feelings openly and healthily, it also limits them from practicing kindness and vulnerability.

Illustration by Carsen Goltz

Illustration by Carsen Goltz

feature feature

Understanding loss and grief: Different paths, different feelings

By Emily Block

As a plant grows from a seedling to a fully blossomed flower, there are many factors that play a role in its development: the amount of water it gets, the amount of sunlight, the type of soil and what types of bees travel to and pollinate the flower. All of these factors care for the flower and change how it grows. Just like a plant is shaped by outside elements, our lives are shaped by the people around us. These people affect not only who we are, but how we view the world. Sometimes, that impact will outlive their physical presence in our lives, just like a flower can outlive the bee that pollinated it.

When I lost my dad to cancer last fall, I did not understand grief. I had heard about the so-called five stages of grief. Was I supposed to feel denial for the first week, then anger, next depression and finally after a couple of months was I just supposed to accept that I lost someone so important to me? None of that sat right with me. How could my way of grieving have to follow the same timeline as someone experiencing something entirely different?

It seemed to me that the five steps of grief were society’s attempt to organize something that is impossible to sort out. Grief is messy; it is different for everyone and it is a lasting feeling. Just as we all love others in our own ways, we mourn losses in our own ways.

Minnie Carroll, a mother of two students at Marin Catholic and Branson, shared her experience with grief after losing her husband to kidney cancer. She reaffirmed the point that grief does not follow a specific timeline.

“A lot of people think there’s a metric that should be placed on grief. [If a] grandparent dies, give them six months. A parent dies, give them a year and a half. A spouse dies, give them two years. A child dies, they need three. It is a nonlinear experience, so [this expected timeline] is unfair because it creates the impression [of], ‘Why isn't she over it?’ or ‘Why is she still ruminating on this?’” Carroll said.

For many people dealing with grief, it can feel as if they are experiencing it wrong because they are not following society’s set steps or timeline for grieving. Junior Erin Stolte lost her dad two years ago and felt she had not grieved in the “right” way.

“I felt like if I wasn’t thinking about him enough [and] I wasn’t doing the right thing. Or if I wasn’t living my life, then he would be disappointed in me,” Stolte said. “In the best way, I just wanted to find the right balance between living my life and also being sad and depressed. I realized there’s no right way to go through the first few months and you have to let your mind and your body run their course.

Just trust that everything will be okay.”

The specific traits that shape an individual play a role in the grieving process. Whether it’s a familiar smell, the way they smiled at you or an activity you loved to do together, these specific memories make for a deeply personal grieving process. In some sense, it is not only the person you are grieving for, but the relationship you two had. Carroll spoke to this when reflecting on her grieving

Stolte is not alone in her feelings. Luke

Trusheim, a Redwood graduate who lost his father just over a year ago, also reflected on how his emotions have changed over the past year through his process of grieving.

“I've felt certain emotions repeat themselves. At first, [the feelings I was experiencing and the things I would think about] were new, and I sort of know now that it’s normal. [My feelings] definitely weaken over time and grief does go away with time, but it’s always there, and you learn to live with it. I'll still have very strong waves of emotion, and they hit [me] randomly,”

Trusheim said.

In a fastpaced

trying to be supportive. Some days you’re good, and then some days you’re not,” Carroll said. “We live in a society that tends not to talk about difficult things, and there's a lot of stigmas [and] discomfort around grief because you never want to say the wrong All experiences of grief are different, yet equally significant. These feelings of grief will continue to be present in society, so even if it is a hard subject to bring up, sometimes with the right person and situation, it can be necessary. Even taking time out of your day to support a friend dealing with grief or being conscious of why someone may be feeling a particular way makes a big difference. Handling these complex feelings amongst other societal stressors is far from easy, but it truly speaks to the impact that person had on your life and the power of your love and memories.

“It’s painful to think about what could have been and the future, and what it would be like if this didn’t happen,” Trusheim said. “But the other side of that is, I got time, and as much as I wished and hoped it would have been longer, I get to look back and say to myself, ‘I have memories.’”

We live in a society that tends not to talk about difficult things, and there’s a lot of stigmas [and] discomfort around grief because you never want to say the wrong thing.

Minnie Carroll, local parent

Illustration by Calla McBride and Carsen Goltz

Marin City: seven courts, six drives, four streets, two circles and one avenue. A single road, Donahue Street, leads off Highway 101 and into the city, curving behind the shopping center that holds Target and Panda Express.

Turn left at Phillips Drive, where Bayside Martin Luther King Jr. Academy and the Recreational Center greet you, and loop along Drake Avenue. Golden Gate Village, one of Marin’s largest affordable housing developments, sits nestled in the hills, and, if you continue past it on Drake, it’s only a minute until the highway stares back at you again.

Created 80 years ago during World War II, Marin City has remained resilient through struggles over segregation, housing and gentrification. But more than that, Marin City is a tight-knit and intergenerational community with an incredible history and promising future. Stemming from its wartime origins, continuous development and ongoing activism, Marin City’s evolving legacy is just its beginning.

Marinship

Lifelong Marin City resident Bettie Hodges has lived through the history of Marin City first hand. Hodges’ parents, like many of Marin City’s first residents, moved to Marin from Mississippi during World War II to work in Marinship, a shipyard built in Sausalito that supported the U.S. war effort.

“When I grew up, Marin City was still the temporary wartime housing project that was built during Marinship to house 5,000 shipyard workers. It was the first integrated housing project in the whole country,” Hodges said.

Between 1940 and 1960, 3,348,000 Black Americans left the South in the Great Migration. A handful joined Marinship

and turned to the Federal Housing Authority, who took control of the land north of Sausalito and built temporary homes, thus founding Marin City.

“It was the kind of neighborhood where we never locked our doors when we were kids,” Hodges said. “Marin City was our playground. We used to go up to what’s now the Marin Headlands and play in the orchards. The hill, [overlooking the city], was our slide and go-kart hill. We would climb up and spend the day sliding down on cardboard. It was a fun community to grow up in — a very freespirited kind of community.”

Marin City, known at the time as the bestintegrated shipyard in the West, still faced challenges in preserving its unique multicultural makeup.

According to Felecia Gaston, the founder of Marin City’s Historical and Preservation Society, Marinship’s internal racial tensions drove a pro-integration labor movement.

“Marinship had what they called a Boilermakers Union, and [it] wanted all the Blacks to be in a separate auxiliary,”

Marin City and Individual persistence and

but also a famous performer who had been in several operas and plays back East. When he got the call to work, like many people, [he was] patriotic, so he came out here. He was the instrumental person who led the fight so that the Blacks did not have to be in a separate union, and it [eventually] became a California Supreme Court case.”

Joseph James v. Marinship encapsulated the nationwide equity issues of its era, although the case is seldom discussed in the rest of the county today. History and ethnic studies teacher David Minhondo was especially captivated by the case’s significance in American history, but also disappointed in how little recognition it has received.

“The fact that this one former Broadway worker moved [to Marin City] in the Second Great Migration [and] led this landmark California Supreme Court case [is incredible],” Minhondo said.

“But then to find that it was also led by the famous lawyer, Thurgood Marshall, was like unraveling this thread that I thought

By Gemma Favaloro

of Marinship’s workforce consisted of minorities.

Marinship was incredibly successful in its operations: over the course of the shipyard’s three-and-a-half years effort around 93 vessels were built. After World War II ended, Marinship was decommissioned in May of 1946.

Redevelopment

“When Marinship was over, Marin City was slated to be torn down, so a group of residents got together to try to organize the redevelopment of Marin City,” Hodges said.

In conjunction with county supervisors and, eventually, a redevelopment agency that was granted by officials in Washington D.C., Marin City residents fought to save the community and continue their wartime economic prosperity.

Yet, the county was slow to update the city. In tandem with poor redevelopment efforts, Marin City also faced a new, postwar reality.

“Marin City was integrated when I grew up, but by the time I got back from college, it was [around] 70 percent Black because whites were able to move out of the community and purchase homes in various places in Marin County, and Blacks weren’t,” Hodges said.

Bettie Hodges, lifelong Marin City resident

PLAYING ON THE streets of Marin City circa World War II, children stand beside the community’s original housing.

Photo courtesy of Marin County Library

Marin City was when I grew up, time I got back was [around] 70 because whites move out of the and purchase homes places in Marin Blacks

and the test of time and community resilience

Favaloro and Shyla Lensing

at historically low prices post World War II, allowing them to purchase homes that became highly valued in Marin County.

“Over time, these homes resell for a lot of money, [and] sometimes they’re kept in the family, so white families that stayed here were able to develop legacy wealth,” Martinez said. “By contrast, in Marin City, there weren’t as many single-family homes built, and certainly not with the purpose of selling to Black families. [Instead], public housing was built, and [the community] didn’t get to take much advantage of property taxes in the school district.

“So you see the lack of legacy wealth, and the lack of investment [in public resources] and the amenities that ‘Marvelous Marin’ [touted] for the rest of the county.

“And you saw that families [in Marin City weren’t] always able to remain in public housing, [they] didn’t get to say, ‘Now when I pass away, I bequeath my child my rental;’ that’s not how that works, right? People either had to leave, or stayed in conditions that [weren’t] as set up for success as they [were] in other spaces in the county.” Consequently, Marin City’s evolution followed a different trajectory than other parts of Marin, eventually redeveloping — but into isolation, as it consisted largely of lowincome housing.

Orianna Vaughn, whose greatgrandmother migrated to work in Marinship, attended Bayside herself and witnessed firsthand the educational gaps when compared with her sister, who attended Willow Creek. Through her attendance at Bayside MLK and her transition to Tamalpais High School, those observed inequities became experiences for Vaughn.

“[In Advanced Placement courses], there was a disconnect in how my peers who were not Black and not from Marin City were performing and how I was performing … in terms of how my peers responded to the teacher, how they spoke and how they wrote. [For instance], I didn’t know what an annotation was — I [had] never learned,” Vaughn said.

Vaughn was not alone in her experiences. In fact, because of these disparities, in 2019, the Sausalito Marin City School District received

are a lot better. [They’ve] made some tremendous changes that seem to be more positive this year than last year,” Vaughn said.

Retelling and Reshaping

Beyond education, persistent efforts from community leaders have allowed Marin City to find growth and empowerment throughout the decades.

Inspired by the opportunities she was denied growing up in segregated Georgia, Gaston started the non-profit, Performing Stars, in 1990, serving low-income children through enrichment programs that included music, dance, surfing and other activities. Hodges, who worked with the Marin City Community Development Corporation to head economic development and introduce permanent housing, eventually founded the Hannah Project in 2007 to help first-

Marin City’s history.

“The telling of the experiences of Black people [in this county] was just hidden, lost stories that got out in bits and pieces, but never in a consistent way. That’s why the [Marin City 80] exhibit was so important,” Gaston said. “I have another publication that’s coming out soon [covering] 1942 to 2022 that’s really going to share [Marin City’s] history, the Black experience and also share through adversities and outside influences how the community has been resilient.”

Similar to Gaston, Hodges described a new goal that the entire community is striving to achieve: having every child be able to read in the third grade, while she continues to head the Hannah Project and the summer Freedom School.

Vaughn has plans to open up a bookstore for Marin City, envisioning a space where kids can go to be productive and creative.

She sees the beauty that Marin City offers and hopes, with new projects and initiatives, the community will shine brighter than ever.

“[Marin City] has a lot of problems, but underneath, and what many don’t see, is that there are a handful of people, both young and old, who are collaborating to make Marin City a thriving and robust community,” Vaughn said. “It just takes time and money, and it takes faith. So as long as you have people who aren’t willing to give up on it and on the kids, and you have allies who are willing to lend a helping hand, it will get better — it is getting better.”

bark@redwoodbark.org

HODGES’ NONPROFIT FREEDOM School provides Marin City’s students educational and social opportunities.

Photo courtesy of Bettie Hodges

Illustration by Carsen Goltz

was integrated up, but by the from college, it 70 percent Black whites were able to the community homes in various Marin County, and weren’t. resident

Cover images courtesy of the Anne T. Kent Room and the Marin County Free Library.

Did spell check weaken students’ spelling? Did Grammarly ruin sentence structure? Did Speechify reduce students’ reading abilities? Each of these artificial intelligence (AI) tools have provoked questions in the academic sphere in addition to increasing teacher’s expectations for the quality of student work. As a result, there was widespread concern on high school and college campuses when these new tools were first introduced.

There has been even greater controversy in the educational sector since November 2022 when OpenAI introduced the ChatGPT chatbot to the world via its website. OpenAI is the artificial intelligence research laboratory and company that developed ChatGPT.

ChatGPT is a natural language processing tool that uses data from various internet sources to research and answer questions by writing essays, poems, songs and software code. Using ChatGPT is fairly simple. All that is required is to type in a question on any topic and, in a matter of seconds, it will respond in full

sentences that appear to be written by a human.

As a result, teachers across the country are worried about student plagiarism on assignments and tests. Like many other high schools, Redwood promptly banned the OpenAI website on its Chromebooks. Redwood’s educators, including history teacher Nickolai Butkevich, are also grappling with the implications of this new tool.

“Right now, I’m in a defensive crouch, and I’m freaking out a little bit, trying to limit the damage of [ChatGPT] more than anything else,” Butkevich said.

Computer science teacher Richard Foldenauer is concerned as well.

Foldenauer worries about students using ChatGPT to write or debug code.

“You would not want to make it easier for [students] to copy others’ ideas — that is pernicious because then students do not think about what they are doing,” Foldenauer said. “Generally, copying code or getting it from somewhere else short circuits the whole thinking process.”

Some students are similarly concerned about the effects of the ChatGPT tool. Junior

Jake Southern believes ChatGPT gives an unfair advantage to those who use it.

“You have students trying to do the best work they can, and they’re probably going to end up with a lower grade than someone with an AI tool that can write a professional essay in a matter of seconds,” Southern said. “You could have an Advanced Placement class with a couple of kids cheating the system to get that A [grade].”

Beyond plagiarism, there is widespread unease among educators that ChatGPT will make students worse writers as well. Evidence already suggests that American teens generally do not have strong writing capabilities. According to the

National Assessment of Educational Progress (The Nation’s Report Card), in 2011, only 27 percent of high school seniors scored at or above the proficient level in writing.

Not all teens are rushing to use ChatGPT though, including junior Varun Sanjeev.

“I have not used ChatGPT for any of my writing assignments because that gets rid of the point of school, which is to learn skills,” Sanjeev said.

But ChatGPT is causing educators to question the importance of writing skills versus critical thinking skills. After all, what is the value of writing if you do not have anything original to convey?

ChatGPT’s ability to quickly find and compile data could enhance a student’s ability to evaluate original evidence and different viewpoints. For instance, a student could better understand a historical event or assess different perspectives to arrive at a unique conclusion.

So although many teachers are concerned about the short-term consequences of the tool, some are also enthusiastic about the future possibilities ChatGPT could offer students.

“I think it will enhance learning [by] making students better researchers,” Butkevich said. “It will allow us to focus on what really matters as far as critical thinking and putting information together in a way that makes sense to present an argument.”

With ChatGPT, students will be able to demonstrate a greater understanding of the topic and ultimately draw conclusions based on their own unique reasoning process. Consequently, ChatGPT could help students focus more on what they are thinking rather than how well they are communicating those thoughts. This tool could elevate students’ academic performance and critical analysis skills beyond what is currently demanded in

school.

Also, teachers may be able to use ChatGPT to generate lesson plans, class materials and different prose for students to evaluate and edit. Butkevich believes that his curriculum could become more creative and engaging as a result.

Students like Sanjeev believe that ChatGPT has to be integrated into the curriculum and blocking it on the Chromebooks does not make sense.

“Teachers’ plans should be changed and worked around ChatGPT,” Sanjeev said. “It’s going to be something that is used in the future and everyone’s going to have to learn how to use it eventually. Right now the school is just delaying the inevitable.”

Since basing a student’s grade solely on a paper, piece of code or online final exam may no longer be appropriate, teachers will likely have to turn to other evaluation methods such as oral exams.

There is little doubt that ChatGPT marks a revolutionary educational change. It also represents an opportunity for students and teachers to improve their learning and teaching in ways yet to be identified.

[ChatGPT] is going to be something that is used in the future and everyone’s going to have to learn how to use it eventually.

Varun Sanjeev, junior

Illustration by Calla McBride and Carsen Goltz

Right now, I’m in a defensive crouch, and I’m freaking out a little bit, trying to limit the damage of [ChatGPT] more than anything else.

Nickolai Butkevich, teacher

review review

Shop ‘til you stop unsustainable shopping

Story and Infographic by Anna Royal

Organic or not organic? Locally sourced or imported? We are unconsciously met with a plethora of questions and choices while out shopping for our favorite grocery items. However, it is important to remember that these choices have an impact on our environment. So, how can we choose to shop more sustainably the next time we

are at the grocery store? Here is a guide to making decisions on some common choices while grocery shopping.

Organic vs. Inorganic

The word “organic” may be one of the most common labels on the packaging of meats and produce. To understand its impact on the environment, it is important to know what organic food is. Organic foods are produced by farming without the use of synthetic pesticides, fertilizers and genetically modified organisms. Organic farming is beneficial to the environment, as it does not require chemical fertilizer or produce pesticide runoff, thus reducing toxic pollutants in soils and waterways which lead to algae growth and harm sea life. The U.S. Department of Agriculture created guidelines for organic products to help people shop sustainably. If labeled “100 percent organic,” the product is fully organic. If labeled simply “organic,” at least 95 percent of the ingredients or methods used are organic. A “made with organic” label implies that at least 70 percent of the ingredients are organic. While grocery shopping, it is important to pay attention to the organic

vs. inorganic food labels in order to purchase a more environmentally friendly product.

Water Consumption by Food Group

Especially living in California, a state prone to droughts, it is important to keep in mind the water footprint (the amount of water a food product needs) of the groceries we shop for.

According to the World Economic Forum, beef has one of the highest water footprints, using 15,415 liters of water for every kilogram of beef produced. The second food with the highest water usage is nuts, consuming 9,063 liters of water per kilogram of nuts produced. The World Economic Forum also lists 8,763 liters of water for every kilogram of sheep/goat meat produced, 5,988 liters of water for every kilogram of pig meat produced and 4,325 liters of water for every kilogram of chicken meat produced. Limiting the consumption of these highwater footprint foods is important to ensure a more sustainable lifestyle and conserve water. When deciding on a protein at the grocery store, it is a more environmentally friendly choice to choose chicken or plant-based proteins such as legumes (eg. beans, lentils and peas), as chicken and plant-based options have lower water and resource consumption.

Source of Foods

Purchasing locally sourced groceries rather than imported groceries can be

beneficial to both the environment and the economy. By buying locally grown foods, you can stimulate your local economy, as it encourages more community jobs and boosts revenue in your area. Additionally, buying locally sourced foods reduces greenhouse gas emissions, as transportation distances are much shorter. Many local farms also follow organic farming methods, which includes avoiding pesticides and limiting preservatives, reducing pollution and making locally sourced foods better for you and the environment.

Foods that are organic, locally sourced and created with low resource consumption are often the most environmentally beneficial grocery options. Next time you visit the grocery store, remember these tips to live a more sustainable lifestyle!

aroyal@redwoodbark.org

Flex your green thumb with these plant stores

By Pasha Fooman

There are few better ways to take advantage of a rainy winter season than stocking up on plants. They are versatile, fun to take care of, come in endless varieties and have a place in just about any home. On top of that, plants have the possible added benefit of producing food. For those wishing to add a decorative splash of green to their life, these are the best plant stores in Marin that will add a nice touch to any decorative layout.

Sloat Garden Center (Mill Valley)

Located in the center of Mill Valley on Miller Street, Sloat Garden Center appears to be a small and modest store at first glance. However, passing by would be a mistake. The garden center’s small entrance masks a massive space, filled with endless varieties of plants. The catalog is extensive, with 27 different types of plants available for sale. Whether one is looking for some easily manageable succulents or annual plants to usher in spring, Sloat Garden Center has it covered. The store also has detailed descriptions for a majority of the plants, providing the growing dimensions and tips for ideal growth of the plant species offered. They also sell many important complementary products for anyone looking to get into gardening, from elegantly designed pottery to extensive garden layout services. Sloat Garden Center is ideal for anyone looking to add a natural touch to their room, whether or not they are an experienced gardener.

California Native Landscapes

DISPLAYING WOODEN CARVINGS, California Native Landscapes plant nursery exhibits an inviting ambiance.

started.

Flourish Succulents

Succulents are some of the easiest plants to own. They require very little water and come in many sizes and varieties, making them a great choice for anyone.

California

Native Landscapes (CNL) is a plant nursery and store also located in Mill Valley. The location is quite striking, with intricate wooden carvings and artwork decorating the winding paths of the nursery (many of which are also for

sale). Additionally, CNL places a heavy emphasis on sustainability. All the plants sold at this location are organic, chemicalfree and from local California landscapes. This emphasis on native plants means that CNL has a selection of ferns, vegetables, succulents, fruits and an especially vast collection of wildflowers that synchronize perfectly with any garden scheme. Additionally, CNL participates in habitat restoration efforts. CNL also carries goods to further improve one’s garden, including the aforementioned pots and planters with the addition of various crystals and minerals. For anyone looking to grow their garden and sustainably support local habitats, CNL is the ideal place to get

If one is looking to add some succulents to their garden, Flourish Succulents is an ideal option. Located in Tiburon, Flourish Succulents specializes in arrangements that combine a variety of contrasting succulents with modern pottery designs. These arrangements are fully customizable in terms of size, specific plant use, the purpose of the arrangement and more. Of course, the store also sells many preset

Photo courtesy of California Native Landscapes arrangements, all of which are placed in pottery just as appealing as the succulents themselves. The overall customizability and uniqueness of the succulent arrangements make for an experience that any shopper won’t want to miss.

For its inviting aesthetic, massive selection of plants and sustainable practices, CNL stands above the competition. That being said, any of the stores above are ideal for any shopper looking to get into gardening.

pfooman@redwoodbark.org

Illustration by Calla McBride

A single’s guide to Valentine’s day

By Cameryn Smith

On Valentine’s Day, many people yearn to have a significant other, often looking down on themselves when not meeting that goal. However, being single on Valentine’s Day comes with some bonuses, more free time and less stress.

The highly anticipated holiday of love comes around every year, and each time, I have remained single. Though depressing, Valentine’s Day presents itself with many opportunities for singles. I am here as a guide to help you find the Joy of Missing Out (JOMO) in this holiday with a series of activities designed to provide a fulfilling day, sure to leave you satisfied as a single person.

Movies:

The first activity worth doing on Valentine’s Day is having a movie marathon. Whether you are by yourself or with your best friends, cuddling up to watch romantic comedies with your favorite snacks is sure to make you feel better … or worse. As jealous as it may make you feel, these movies are sure to keep you entertained. Here is a list of some watch-worthy romantic comedies this season to get you started on your

entertainment for the holiday:

“How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days”

“To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before”

“13 Going on 30”

Picnic: Nothing is cuter than enjoying a nice, wellplanned picnic with your closest friends. Celebrating someone you love does not always have to mean a significant other, and enjoying a yummy lunch with dessert is a guaranteed good time. Ranging from a beach to Piper Park, Marin has endless options for picnic spots. Go get a festive

Baking:

Baking is a fun activity all year round. Especially on Valentine’s Day, the shelves are stocked with red and pink heart-shaped desserts waiting to be bought. Go treat yourself this February and stock up on all of your favorites! Here is a list of the best (and easiest) things to bake by yourself.

Chocolate-covered strawberries - This two-ingredient dessert is the easiest, and arguably most delicious thing to make. Start by melting chocolate chips and

then finish by dipping fresh strawberries in the melted mixture. Let the berries sit until the chocolate has hardened and enjoy!

Valentine’s funfetti cake — a super easy recipe in a box! Customized Valentine’s Day mix is sold at nearby stores, like Target, and comes with simple instructions on the back of the box. Be sure to remember pink frosting to accompany the cake, and have a great (and yummy) time.

Enough of the sweet desserts. If you are looking for something savory, this is the perfect recipe for you. Take pizza dough and shape it into a heart, then add your favorite toppings and bake. This pizza is best enjoyed alone, although someone to share this pizza with would be nice too...

Guy & Galentine’s:

“Galentine’s” has become a popular term, used to describe taking this day to celebrate your friendships with your gals or guys! Though you can do any item on this list with your friends, these two extra ones are sure to wow the crowd.

Party:

Throwing a party for your closest friends is the last and possibly most

Cupid’s unfiltered methods of love confession

By Isabella Wagner

As the day of love approaches, people are starting to worry about the daunting task of securing a significant other to spend Valentine’s Day with. Lucky for you, I have created this detailed list of ways to confess your love and make whomever you may be pursuing fall flat on their face for you. No one wants to be alone on the day of love, so don’t hesitate to go above and beyond.

The Confrontational Method:

This bold approach is a perfect way to make your crush fall instantly in love with you, but does require practice and precise execution. In order to be successful, pick a time and place that you can catch your crush off guard so you can have dominance in the situation. Meeting your crush after their therapy session, rainy soccer game or a job interview are all ideal times. Then wait for the right moment to kneel down on one knee and begin your profession. When you speak, scream as loud as you can, and if they complain about your voice being too loud, raise it even more, as this will show that nothing can stop you from confessing your love. It will make them feel so overwhelmed … with appreciation. During your speech, straight up saying “I’m obsessed with you” is highly suggested in order to get your

point across! After this, if your crush looks at you speechless, it simply means they are too stunned by your glorious presence to even form words. This may lead to a bit of awkwardness, so if your crush starts running away, don’t be alarmed, and no matter what, make sure to chase after them: it makes them feel comforted knowing that someone is always there.

The Celebrity Method:

This scheme is incredibly genius and very effective in winning the heart of your beloved. First, start simple: venture to (insert crush’s code name here i.e. Sweet Cheeks, McDreamy, Boo Thang’s) Instagram and like all of their posts. Be especially sure to “heart” the ones from many years ago, as it is crucial to demonstrate your interest. Second, make your way to their tagged photos and like all of those as well; don’t forget to also follow their friends and family! Then make sure to repost ALL of their posts. If for some reason after that, you can’t access their account, it means it’s time for some variety; transition to Snapchat and swipe up on ALL their stories, screenshot ALL of their messages and even dedicate a private story to them. And finally, if you are feeling extra, post a TikTok thirst trap to your crush’s favorite song—it’ll show that you care about their interests.

This approach may seem easy, but it is not for slackers. With consecutive hints at love, you will confess your feelings through romantic acts of affection. The key is to start small and gradually progress. Ideas can include: filling your crush’s mailbox with love letters or sending anonymous candy baskets. Attempting this might require some research on Zillow to find their precise address, but it will eventually help you in the future when you want to stalk, ahem, I mean follow them around. After those simple acts, you may find that your crush moves houses, so you will need to ramp things up in order for them to really notice your dedication. One way to do this is by hiring a commercial airplane to fly a banner across the sky. This astounding sight may blow your crush away, so if

countless games, this party will become a longstanding tradition and hold many memories.

I hope you have come to terms with your current relationship status, and wish you all the best this Valentine’s Day. Watching movies, cooking and having fun with your friends is sure to keep you entertained for at least the weekend, and feel free to always come back to this article whenever you are feeling lonely, especially around Valentine’s Day. The Bark is with you this season, and hope you have an amazing holiday filled with whatever kind of love you desire.

csmith@redwoodbark.org

they start hyperventilating, don’t hesitate to drive them to the closest emergency room. It would be the perfect opportunity to show the lengths you are willing to go to for them. A final idea is to consider sitting their family members down and asking for their approval. By being upfront like this, you will surely win them over. When one of them kicks you out the front door or starts calling 911, pat yourself on the back, you are officially being initiated into their family!

Now, with this set of schemes, you won’t need to rely on Cupid to help you find love this year. I wish everyone the best of luck, and I fully expect there to be no complaining on Feb. 14 with access to these extraordinary, intelligent methods.

Illustrations by Julia Frankus

Illustrations by Calla McBride

ValenFinds: Open your heart to diverse romance films

By Bowen Rivera

Flowers, chocolates and falling in love are hallmarks of Valentine’s Day, yet they can’t compare to the true bread and butter of the holiday: Romance movies. Everyone knows the classic examples: the doomed love story of Rose and Jack in “Titanic,” the cross-clique romance of Sandy and Danny in “Grease” and Noah and Allie’s relationship through time in “The Notebook.” Besides a plot focused on romance, these movies are united by entirely white leads and zero queer representation. However, not all romance movies lack diversity, and there are many exciting movies with diverse casts and captivating romances that aren’t entirely white and straight.

The complicated love story

Carol “Carol” is an incredible watch that follows the unexpected love story of two women, a young shop worker, Therese (played by Rooney Mara), and an older divorcee, Carol (played by Cate Blanchett), in 1960s America. First, the chemistry between Mara and Blanchett’s

IllustrationbyCarsenGoltz

characters on screen draws the audience into the main relationship, a testament to both the talent of the actresses and the writing team. The movie also has a unique look that helps it feel more dated than its actual release date in 2015. This film is not light, with the largest subplot of the movie focusing on Carol’s messy divorce, as her ex-husband fights for full custody of their daughter. To cap the movie off, although it could be much worse, the main couple certainly doesn’t get their fairytale ending. If you’re looking for a movie to cry over this holiday, “Carol” is the one.

The traditional teen rom-com Love, Simon “Love, Simon” follows Simon, a closeted high school student who falls in love with an anonymous

Bark’s books

student, known only as Blue, over email conversations. Flat out, “Love, Simon” isn’t perfect. The plot suffers from pacing issues, as most of the movie is spent watching Simon trying to find Blue without any significant success until the end. Additionally, the coming-out narrative, while well done, further complicates the movie’s plot structure. Caveats aside, this movie is a strong coming-of-age story reminiscent of a traditional John Hughes movie like “Sixteen Candles,” which is refreshing for a movie about a Queer relationship. The movie’s slow pace allows the audience to bond with the incredible supporting characters who are at the heart of the movie. Additionally, the big romantic gestures shown in this movie rival scenes from classic romance movies. Furthermore, the 2010 pop-focused soundtrack deserves a shout-out for adding to the exaggerated teen feel of the movie. If you’re looking for something fun to watch that will leave

A recurring collection of current and classic favorites

Song of Achilles

you feeling satisfied, “Love, Simon” may be the movie for you.

Fun for everyone

Crazy Rich Asians

“Crazy Rich Asians” has the glitz, the romance, the charm and the comedy for a perfect fun romcom experience. It follows the main couple, Rachel and Nick, who travel to Singapore to attend a wedding with Nick’s extremely wealthy family. Although there are some bumps in the road for Rachel and Nick, they’re already together from the start, creating a more comforting experience without the “will they or won’t they” of many traditional romcoms. This movie’s cast and crew is comprised of mostly people of Asian descent. The movie’s cast is absolutely perfect, although Christine Wu’s performance as Rachel and Gemma Chan’s as Astrid stand out above the rest. The movie’s score is incredible at setting it apart from anything else, combining elements from both Chinese and Western musical elements. If you’re looking for something to show to your grandma while still having a great time yourself, “Crazy Rich Asians” is for you.

By Mia Ginsburg

Looking to diversify your reading list? “Educated,” a memoir by Tara Westover, is the perfect introduction to the creative nonfiction genre. “Educated” allows the reader to follow Westover as she navigates the complexities of a survivalist household and the implications of religious upbringings. Westover doesn’t step foot in a classroom until she’s nearly 18, as her Mormon father forbids Westover and her six siblings from accessing an education, in addition to medicine, identification papers and modern society. “Educated” tells the story of the pursuit of knowledge and how the lack of education only encourages the desire for understanding. Even though many don’t share Westover’s extent of religious trauma, there’s something for everyone to relate to in “Educated.” From love-hate familial relationships to battling pretentious peers, connecting with Westover’s experiences is inescapable. For those who are searching for a book to widen their perspective and teach them about an often untold story, “Educated” is the perfect option.

Little Women

brivera@redwoodbark.org

By Ava Carlson

Did you like “Percy Jackson” but reading it didn’t damage your tear ducts as much as you wanted it to? Read “Song of Achilles” by Madeline Miller! It is a modern retelling of the Iliad, from the perspective of Achilles and his partner, friend and eventual boyfriend, Patroclus. The original tale was written over 2,000 years ago, so if you are upset about spoilers, take a look in the mirror. The two men are extremely close until the war against Troy tears them apart in more ways than one. Although the book is rooted in Greek mythology, do not fear, you won’t get a freshman-year “Odyssey” flashback. The “Song of Achilles’’ is focused on love and legacy, more on a personal level than a philosophical one. It dives deeper into what it really means to be a hero and the fatal consequences of becoming one. The book discusses the point of life in a new and unique way, forcing readers to decide what really is more important in life: love for a few decades, or fame for eons. The answer might appear clear, but “Song of Achilles” teaches that everything is more complex than it looks. We all (should) think Achilles’ weakness is his heel, but after reading this book, you will know it is actually Patroclus.

mginsburg@redwoodbark.org

By Claire Silva

Educated

Looking for something warm and reassuring to get you through the chilly months? Read “Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott. Published in 1868, this book’s themes, characters and humor ring true over a century and a half later. Alcott tells the tale of four sisters (Meg, Amy, Jo and Beth March), and their friends and family growing up during the Civil War era in Massachusetts. From Jo’s quest for creative independence and artistic fulfillment to Meg’s struggles with trying to fit into wealthy society, or Beth’s pursuit towards self confidence to Amy’s work to overcome her vanity, the book features stories for anyone to connect to. Alcott wasn’t afraid to dig into difficult emotions in her work as well, covering the sadness of losing a family member, and the pains of unrequited love. Come Valentine’s Day, “Little Women” has a storyline for you, whether you’re single, happily taken, fighting off suitors or just want to celebrate your friends and family. The mishaps and situations the sisters endure through the years remain relatable and funny, and ultimately bittersweet when you finish the book to find the Marches grown up into wise, self-possessed women.

Image courtesy of IMDb

Image courtesy of Madeline Miller

Image courtesy of Gretchen Ellen Powers

Image courtesy of IMDb

Image courtesy of IMDb

sports sports

Opinion: Must the show go on?

By Gil Ladetzky

In many ways, sports in America are sacred. Not only are sports a source of entertainment, or a time where friends and family can come together to watch a game, but they also encourage values of fair play, sportsmanship, teamwork and hustle. Watching and participating in sports is about more than just winning. It

Basketball Senior Night recap in photos

and everyone on the team knew how happy and positive he was. On Jan. 7, just a week after the accident, our varsity basketball team, on which I play, faced off against a grieving Terra Linda team. As I walked on the court and saw two Terra Linda players who had once played alongside me and Jameson, I noticed their usual smiles were gone. While we won the game, the thrill of victory was lost because the opposing team didn’t have their hearts in it.

At some point during the game I started

gladetzky@redwoodbark.org

Illustrations by Carsen Goltz

Photo by Arjun Aujla

Photo by Arjun Aujla

Photo by Dani Steinberg

Photo by Arjun Aujla

Photo by Arjun Aujla

Photo by Dani Steinberg

THE STUDENT SECTION shows their support for the basketball team by sporting the USA theme.

SENIOR BASKETBALL PLAYERS and cheerleaders are honored on Senior Night.

SENIOR BELLA HANN leaps in the air, attempting to gain possession of the ball.

STUNTING IN THEIR halftime show, varsity cheer’s performance keeps the crowd excited.

EMERGING THROUGH THE celebratory tunnel, senior Ingrid Houtkooper laughs with joy.

CONCENTRATING ON THE shot, senior Ains Fish prepares to take the free throw.

Bench to baller: Senior Johan Swildens thrives on the court

By Erica Block

Throwing on number 24 and lacing up his shoes, senior Johan Swildens prepares to step on the basketball court to help lead the boys’ varsity basketball team to another victory. The buzzer blares and he takes off as a stampede of players storm the court. Swildens glances to his teammates, preparing to commit to a powerful shot, as he rigorously practiced to do.

Swildens was first introduced to basketball in middle school when he began playing pickup games with his friends during recess. After discovering his joy for the sport, Swildens committed to an organized basketball team in the seventh grade through the Christian Youth Organization, and joined the Del Mar Middle School team shortly after. With a large group of supportive players and knowledgeable, disciplined coaches, Swildens’ experience at the high school level cultivated his passion for basketball as well as provided him with the opportunity to grow into the versatile player he is today.

Swildens began on the freshman team, playing junior varsity for one year before making varsity his junior

year. Now as a senior, he is a key starter and dedicated member of the varsity team. Varsity coach Jay Demaestri recognizes the pure determination and power Swildens holds

“[The team] loves his ability to get to the rim on offense, his cuts and finishing at the rim. He also has the ability to step out and hit a three.

It’s nice because the players all bring something different and his accuracy, extra possessions [and] being a very good offensive rebounder, are [very valued],” Demaestri said.

Swildens attributes a great deal of his growth to his consistency in practicing, as well as his perfectionist qualities that motivate him to become the best player possible.

“[Playing] on varsity has taught me about the importance of being consistent. You want to be playing consistently and getting better so you can improve and outplay your competition,”

Swildens said. “I

guess I have developed into a perfectionist. Every time I play, I’ll analyze what I’ve done, and how I can do things differently the next time around, always in search of the perfect game.”

During the off-season this past summer, Swildens took that perfection to a new level by playing regularly in tournaments affiliated with Redwood basketball, and he was able to see an immediate transformation in his confidence and playing skills.

Teammate and fellow senior Ainsworth Fish voiced the major growth he has witnessed from Swildens over the past year as well as his joy in watching Swildens develop more trust in himself on the court.

“When I came back [from ankle surgery in 2022] to watch a game for our summer league, I watched [Swildens] for the first time that season and he had made such a big jump from junior year. I remember thinking to myself, ‘Okay, wow, we’re [going to have] another incredible player who can really bring it,’” Fish said.

So far, Swildens has accomplished a great deal this season. He makes about 54.8 percent of the shots he takes, and when he is on the court, the team scores about 7.6 more points than their average. This is a notable improvement in his statistics from previous seasons.

“[Before this year] I didn’t really get any playing time because I was a junior. This year I have a whole new perspective on the game because I already [experienced] varsity for a year. The difference between playing varsity [your first year] to your second year is pretty drastic. You get a lot more comfortable and things open up for you. Every game this year I feel like I’m gearing up for the climax of how I’m playing,” Swildens said.

With years of stringent practice, team bonding and self-growth, Swildens continuously demonstrates his ability to help the team when they are in a challenging position and hopes to do that for future matches. Although Swildens will focus on academics in his career, he still plans to continue playing basketball on a club team in college.

“[Swildens] is a very committed player. He’ll do anything to win. It doesn’t matter if he scores 20 points or two points, as long as he contributes however he can to help us get the win. [Helping the team] is enough for him; it’s pretty noticeable out there. He’s a very selfless player,” Fish said.

ericablock@redwoodbark.org

Photo by Arjun Aujla

I guess I have developed into a perfectionist ... always in search of the perfect game.”

Johan Swildens, senior

lifestyles lifestyles

Nightingale Refugee Relief offers new beginnings

When Russia invaded Ukraine last February, Marin resident Jami Coulter immediately wanted to support people who were fleeing the country. By researching how to help, Coulter found a website, Ukraine Take Shelter, that connected people around the world to refugees. Wanting to do more, Coulter put out an ad and through a network, families began to reach out to her.

“I started working separately to support families [getting] to safe places. Then I started having people within our community offer to volunteer, [or] to give money, supplies or housing. That was when I decided to start a nonprofit organization so I could accept bigger donations and be more organized,” Coulter said.

Coulter created a nonprofit organization, Nightingale Refugee Relief, in October 2022. Since then, Nightingale and its volunteers have worked every day to assist Ukrainian refugees.

One of the many refugees aided by Nightingale, Narine Iengibarian, was eight months pregnant when she made the journey from Ukraine to the United States. Iengibarian and her family arrived in Marin on April 24, and were among the last people allowed into the country under humanitarian parole. The journey to the U.S. took a month, since the family traveled first across the Russian border and then to Armenia, Georgia, Turkey and

Mexico.

While the journey was a difficulty for Iengibarian, leaving her old life behind was another challenge.

“We lived [in Ukraine] for many years. I planned my whole life there. In just one day it was ruined. I was confused — I didn’t know what to do, where to go or how to leave. It was very emotional,” Iengibarian said.

Thanks to Coulter and Nightingale Refugee Relief, Iengibarian and her family were able to buy a car and will be able to bring her parents to the United States soon. Iengibarian expressed gratitude to the nonprofit, emphasizing the emotional support she received.

“They gave us the most valuable thing for us at the moment — the feeling that we are at home. They are always in touch and ask if we need something. Such care is always pleasant and gives us a sense of confidence that we will succeed, as well as the feeling that we are not alone here,” Iengibarian said.

Iengibarian also spoke very highly of Coulter as an individual, as the two have developed a close relationship.

“Jami has an infinitely kind heart. What she does for absolute strangers can only be compared with caring for family members. She is very understanding and incredibly tactful. We are all very lucky to have her,” Iengibarian said

Sofia Bikus is another Ukrainian refugee who has received aid from Nightingale. Bikus left Ukraine in March of 2022 and didn’t arrive in the U.S. until that May. Since then, Coulter has continuously provided Bikus support, helping her find housing and an education for her 11-yearold daughter, who had spent six months without schooling.

“We have received so much care from

[Coulter]. What she has done for us is what someone would do for their family.

During Christmas [season, Coulter] brought handmade gifts, it was a special environment and touched my soul,” Bikus said.

While there is no doubt that the work of Coulter and Nightingale Refugee Relief has impacted many Ukrainian families, Coulter expressed that the families have also had a powerful impact on her.

By Lili Hakimi lhakimi@redwoodbark.org

“[The Ukranians] are all so grateful. I’ve been really struck by how similar we are in so many ways, and how easy it is to actually connect … When they explained their lives back home, they [said they] lived in a beautiful city [and] had a good life. Their kids took the same dance classes and volleyball lessons and all that stuff my kids take, and then it just got destroyed in a day,” Coulter said.

Moving forward, Coulter hopes to collect donations on a larger scale, start asking for grants and expand her volunteer

“100 percent of what we get is what we give to them. No one is getting any salary. My family is personally paying for all the administrative costs,” Coulter said.

In the meantime, Coulter’s organization continues to help Ukrainian refugees find a home in the United States and shine as a beacon of hope for many families, including Iengibarian’s.

“We have not been here for long, but I have already managed to fall in love with this country. My son was born here, and for the first time in a long time my daughter has begun to smile,” Iengibarian said.

Living off the grid: Marin couple moves to Maui

By Aanika Sawhney

“It’s hard to live on the planet right now and not be concerned about the state of the world, the climate, the overuse of fossil fuels, plastics and the devastation that humans have created. I feel like we’re doing our tiny little part,” Lauren Vanett said.

Couple Vanett and Rod Windle met in Marin County and later traveled across the Pacific to Maui to start building their off-the-grid home together in February 2020. Windle grew up in the Bay Area and Vannet also spent most of her professional career locally. They crossed paths in Marin and their journey together has continued to the islands of Hawaii. They started construction on their new home just as the COVID-19 pandemic spread globally. As a

result, the two decided to stay in Maui for the remainder of the pandemic. They then continued work on the second structure on their acre property, where they now live.

After being inspired by the idea of a hurricane-proof roundhouse, the couple researched previously developed designs. They visited an existing house on the Big Island and met with the original creator of a specific style house called the “Dodeca Don,” named after the 12-sided structure. They laid out a skeleton of the house to scale with PVC pipes in order to configure the shape and placement of each room. Vannett spent time organizing the space’s interior design and format while Windle focused on the mechanics of the structure and its sustainable integration with the land.

“We were creating something so unusual and unique and [it was] something neither of us had ever done before,” Vanett

said.

There are three structures on the property: an original house, “The Ohana,” the “Dodeca Don” and a pool. All are off the grid, meaning their systems are entirely independent of utility companies. Vanett and Windle rely on solar power, a rainwater catchment off the roofs and a septic system. The water they use is stored in a 12,000 -gallon underground tank. Additionally, they have 36 solar panels with a generating capacity of 9000 watts, which doubles as their surfboard storage. Vanett and Windle reduce their carbon footprint and conserve water through multiple systems in their home.

“Living here, because our power comes from the sun and our water comes from the rain, we have to go back to being in touch with the cycles of the natural world. That feels really good,” Windle said.

Vanett and Windle have made Maui

their home in different ways. Vanett uses art to connect to the island and highlights her new home in landscape pieces. Windle continues the watersports he started in California and appreciates the warmer water temperatures on the island.

“I always knew I wanted to be on Maui ever since I landed here as a college student when I was 20 years old. I landed on the islands in Honolulu and got off the plane and just felt the air and I burst into tears. It was like ‘Oh my god, I’m home,’” Windle said.

Windle and Vanett were able to make the transition to Maui with their environmental impact in mind. Living on the island allows them to disconnect from the many unsustainable habits often perpetuated on the mainland.

“Our privilege has afforded us a certain amount of consciousness that we’re lucky to have and we should be responsible because we can be,” Vanett said.

THE SECOND STORY view from inside the Dodeca Don

Photo courtesy of Rod Windle

THE POOL IS completely carbon neutral with six thermal solar panels on the nearby roof.

Photo courtesy of Rob Windle

THANKS TO NIGHTINGALE Refugee Relief, many Ukrainian children were able to have presents this Christmas.

“I’VE [ALWAYS] BEEN an innovator. But the technology I’m using, I didn’t innovate. It’s just weaving everything together to make it all work here in this space,” Windle said.

Elijio Arreguin puts the Red (Card) in Redwood

Counselor by weekday, referee by weekend

By Jordan Kimball

Elijio Arreguin may be a school counselor on the weekdays, but by the time the weekend rolls around, he is traveling around the country to be one of the few referees in a game for four professional soccer leagues, including Major League Soccer (MLS), the National Women’s Soccer League, the United Soccer League and MLS Next Pro.

Arreguin grew up in Fort Bragg, a small town on the Mendocino Coast. When he was young, he always had a love for soccer, but his environment didn’t offer many playing opportunities. Even with limited

be involved with the sport, whether it was playing with friends or watching older kids play. While Arreguin loved playing soccer, he also found a passion for refereeing the sport starting at a very young age.

“I started refereeing with a friend of mine at age 12. We would referee for the local youth recreational leagues, and I started to realize how [refereeing] was a whole different side to soccer,” Arreguin said. “Being a referee, you aren’t in the game, but instead thinking more on the technical side and making the important decisions.”

As Arreguin grew up, he realized he had found a real passion. Immediately

San Francisco in 2013, Arreguin decided to look for higher refereeing opportunities with the goal of refereeing the best soccer players in the world.

“I started focusing on trying to advance in refereeing by seeking out tournaments where I could be seen by people in positions of power in the refereeing world,” Arreguin said. “Along the way, you gain more experience. If you make the right connections, you can get invited to the right events. As long as you perform well in terms of decision-making, professionalism and fitness, then you have the opportunity to keep advancing.”

As Arreguin pursued his dreams, he occasionally faced issues.

“Refereeing is extremely timeconsuming and tough, and you need to be up for the challenge to get to the professional level,” Arreguin said.

Now a professional soccer referee, Arreguin spends a lot of time on the job. As a referee for many leagues, he is occasionally forced to miss school days during the MLS season, which lasts from March to November. Arreguin leaves on Fridays, referees on Saturdays and returns

“One of my coolest experiences was definitely refereeing the [Los Angeles] Galaxy and one of their stars, Zlatan Ibrahimović. Getting to see a player of his caliber was truly amazing,” Arreguin said.

As Arreguin continues his refereeing ventures, he has noticed that being a counselor and a referee are very similar in surprising ways.

“With both jobs, you are interacting with someone in an emotionally volatile situation; you’re trying to help them manage conflict and cope with frustration,” Arreguin said. “It’s essential to be calm and composed. Ensure the player knows outright that even if you can’t do what they’re asking for, you hear their concern and frustration.”

With the World Cup coming up in the United States in 2026, Arreguin would love the opportunity to referee a game, but for now, he is staying in the present and focusing on 2023.

“My plan is just to keep doing the best work I can on the opportunities I’m given and see where that takes me,” Arreguin said.

Diana Fernandez records her last days on the job

By Sam Sumski

Making the 90-minute commute from Fairfield to Larkspur is no joke. However, Diana Fernandez, the Records Secretary, has made it every day for the past seven years. Through her commitment and work ethic, Fernandez has been an essential part of the counseling office.

“My favorite thing about this job was getting to interact with the students on a daily basis and help be a small part in their day-to-day life,” Fernandez said.

Fernandez appreciates how rewarding it is to work with high school students, as it is her job to take care of students’ full school records and transcripts for however long a student has been taught in public education. She works closely with Simone Davis, the Counseling Secretary, and over the years the two have become close friends.

“Even though I have only been working here [for] two years, we have built a great relationship of trust, [and] it has been extremely fun and light at the same time,” Davis said.

Fernandez liked the counselors when she first took the job, but she did not know how much she would come to cherish them in the end.

“I was the athletic director at Archie Williams and then I was told this job had opened up [at Redwood]. I was not aware of the strong relationships I would be able to build with Ms. Davis and the other counselors,” Fernandez said.

Although Fernandez enjoys seeing her students throughout the school year, a highlight for her is senior clearance.

“At the end of the year, all of the seniors have to check to see if everything is up to date and [if there is an error], correct their records. There is no way to describe

the excitement of seeing [the seniors] off to college,” Fernandez said. “Even though students may be nervous, I can tell from the glimmer in their eyes that they are ambitious to do great things in the world.”

As future classes go off into the world, Fernandez will continue her career in the Solano County Treasury working in records.

“The hour-and-a-half drive started to take a big hit on me, and I realized it was time to move on to something new,” Fernandez said. “I am extremely ecstatic to start the new chapter of my life in something different, but I am very sad to be leaving the students and the counselors that I have become very close with.”

Coming to the realization that she will never work with Fernandez again, Davis is grateful for the good times she had with her.

“We both know so much about the flow of this office [and] it was nice to have somebody that I could look at and laugh with, without even directly talking,” Davis said.

Even though Fernandez was sad about leaving everything at Redwood, she was happy about the fact that she could be closer to her family.

“It was so great to be a part of the Redwood community, but I am so happy that I can now spend more meaningful time with my family and my kids as it will be easier to be there for them on a more regular basis,” Fernandez said.

Looking at the impact Fernandez left on the school community her value can not be underestimated. As Fernandez departs onto her next chapter, she will be missed, but not forgotten.

STAYING CLOSER TO home and her family, Diana Fernandez left Redwood at the end of January and is starting her new job in the Solano County Treasury.

Photo courtesy of Diana Fernandez

POSING ALONGSIDE HIS colleagues and players Zlatan Ibrahimović and Nicolás Lodeiro, Elijio Arreguin (third from left) prepares to referee a game between the Seattle Sounders and the LA Galaxy during the 2019 MLS season.

Photo courtesy of Elijio Arreguin

Refereeing is extremely timeconsuming and tough, and you need to be up for the challenge to get to the professional level.

Elijio Arreguin, school counselor and professional referee

Finding freedom through capoeira

By Charlotte Martin Cub Reporter

With the graceful seesaw of a kick to counterattack, a pair of capoeiristas challenge one another with this Brazilian dynamic art form that infuses music, dance, martial arts, rhythm and spirituality. They challenge one another with defensive and offensive techniques. The hoda, a circle of onlookers, fuels this fiery duel with encouragement by rhythmically singing and clapping.

Using capoeira, Lisa Willoughby, a Brazilian native and Redwood mom, propels inclusion and belonging into Marin through her non-profit organization, ABADÁ-Capoeira Marin. She created the studio to encourage capoeristas to use their body and minds to achieve selfimprovement inside and outside practice.

“I wanted to be able to make a difference in the community by donating my time, mind and physicality towards a program that would help people. Capoeira was an instrument for that and the best instrument for me, a Brazilian here in the U.S., because I was able to be closer to my culture,” Lisa said.

She chose to fulfill her childhood interest and began pursuing capoeira training, with intention to teach.

“I decided to focus more on the social aspect. I have the ability to talk to different people, and I wanted to use that more to help communities,” Lisa said.

Robert Willoughby, Lisa’s husband and treasurer of their studio, supported Lisa in sharing her passion with the community.

“As an American, [Robert] had more of a voice. He also believed that Marin needed more diversity for real — not just talking about diversity,” Lisa said.

After teaching for two years, Lisa met her business partner, Diego Priesta. Priesta shared her vision to build inclusion through capoeira, and they joined forces in April

2022 to open a studio in San Anselmo.

“Our progress is inclusion — we accept everybody right here. … No matter where you’re from, everybody is the same in our studio,” Priesta said.

Priesta grew up in social project and learned the importance of a welcoming community. Being raised in these circumstances helped them further implement an embracing environment for everyone. During their capoeira training, they have learned this fu mindset of becoming equals.

“When the uniform is on, you’re a capoeirista. You’re not a doctor or a maid — you work on your own skills. It’s not just the physicality of it but also the community, art, culture and language that I think is much needed here in Marin,” Lisa said.

Lisa and Priesta’s intentions are correlated to capoeira’s origins. When Portugal first conquered Brazil, African slaves of more than 50 different dialects were separated from their families and intermixed with strangers on plantations.

“In capoeira, we speak Portuguese because they had to learn the language to figure out how to survive. … Today, capoeira is known as a dance, but [slaves] were actually practicing their training of different martial arts from Africa. They secretly trained takedowns, kicks and strikes,” Lisa said.

Capoeira became a training practice, camouflaged by musicality and dance. These infrequent moments of feeling a sense of freedom became an important part of enslaved peoples’ cultural identity. The plantations became a melting pot of heritages, and capoeira initiated camaraderie among African people of many different cultures.

“You can imagine life as a slave — so brutal and repressive. The only way for

both a community center and a training for freedom,” Robert said.

The roots of capoeira have translated into a modern morality of inclusion. Lisa has embraced cultural differences as a native Brazilian married to a white American. Hence, the Willoughbys and Priesta have exemplified this mentality of acceptance within the studio and support diversity.

“We’re not allowing any prejudice because capoeira came during the slavery period, so we won’t exclude [anyone]. We’ll work together because it’s microcosmic of what the world is,” Lisa said.

Finding purpose in life is something that Lisa and her team have been teaching to their training capoeiristas, students of all ages, genders and abilities.

“‘Why do we have capoeira nowadays?’ people ask. We’re not fighting anybody. … It’s for freedom. Mental freedom. In your soul, in your body,” Lisa said. “There’s nothing choreographed, and everything is selfexpression. … There is no race, no difference in culture that explains what it is to feel freedom. But it’s feeling the security to be who you are, not just what society tells you.”

cmartin@redwoodbark.org

It’s feeling the security to be who you are, not just what society tells you.

Lisa Willoughby, Founder and President of ABADÁ-Capoeira Marin

Photo courtesy of Lisa Willoughby