June 12th, 2009 By Ginger Wilcox

As you may know, I am a board member at the Kentfield Schools Foundation.  I am sitting in a hotel in Chicago and got an email from a fellow board member directing me to a letter to the parents in the school district.  Even  if you do not have kids in the Kentfield School District, the budget cuts to the school to the school still impact you.  Part of the reason the property values in Kentfield and Greenbrae have not been hit as hard as other locations is because of our every very, very strong schools.

In May 2009, the average sales price in Greenbrae is down 18.4% over May of last year.  In Kentfield, it was down 12.6%.  In the same time period, home prices in neighboring San Anselmo were down 47.4%.

Families in our district pay a premium for homes to be in this fantastic and unique school district.  It is exactly why I purchased my home in Greenbrae when I was pregnant with my daughter.  The programs that make these schools strong are in jeopardy.  In a letter on the Kentfield School District’s website, Kentfield Schools Foundation President Marita Daly says this:

The weak economy has created budget constraints beyond our District’s control. As enrollment continues to rise and funding shrinks, the enriched education we have provided for years is at risk. Our District has already made many budget cuts, which are listed on the District website. The Board of Trustees needs another $1.5 million in revenue to fund current programs that are integral to our schools and dear to our hearts. The state reduces its funding by the hour, so this number will certainly change.

We are asking that every family respond to make sure we are very clear about what you value, so that the Foundation may properly represent you. The future of our schools lies in our hands.

If you would like to make a donation to minimize the impact of these budget cuts on our schools and our community, you may make your donation here.

February 23rd, 2009 By Ginger Wilcox

This year I have the honor of chairing the Kentfield Schools Foundation’s biennial fundraiser.  This year’s event, A Saturday in Seville, promises to be a spectacular evening when approximately 400 guests will feel like they have been transported to Spain for an evening of tantalizing cuisines, scintillating music, and fabulous live and silent auctions.  The event will take place at the Mt. Tam Racquet Club in Larkspur on Saturday, May 2, 2009. 

• What:  A Saturday in Seville, The Kentfield School Foundation’s biennial Tombola fundraiser
• When:  Saturday, May 2, 2009, 6:00 pm
• Where:  Mt. Tam Racquet Club, Larkspur
• Why: Raise key funds in support of the the Kentfield School District (Bacich Elementary and Kent Middle Schools). With drastic budget cuts in the public schools, funds from the Kentfield Schools Foundation are needed now more than ever.  This biennial provides a significant portion of funds to the budget of the Kentfield School District.  Please come out and support our schools!

Save the date and mark your calendars for an exciting escape to Spain benefiting a great cause!

February 17th, 2009 By Ginger Wilcox

I can’t believe I haven’t written about the Half Day Cafe in Kentfield before.  The Half Day Cafe is one of my absolute favorite spots to meet friends for breakfast, lunch or brunch.   Half  Day is located on College Avenue just across the street from the College of Marin.  It has been a Marin County staple for more than 20 years.  The restaurant is tucked into a charming brick building built in the 1930’s.  It was originally the Kentfield Garage.  Half Day is bright and cheery with tall ceilings and huge windows.  On a warm, sunny day, it has  a great outdoor patio for leisurely dining.

I have never had anything I didn’t like on the menu. Half Day Cafe has phenomenal omelettes, huevos rancheros, and french toast for breakfast.  Most of the breakfast options come with a choice of homemade pastry- their scones, cinnamon rolls and muffins are to die for!  For lunch, there are many options.  I typically go the lunch omelette route unless I am craving a burger and fries.  My lunch companions often enjoy delicious homemade soups and tasty salads.  Everything on the menu is fresh.  The service is always good, and they happily oblige my coffee addiction with frequent refills.  This restaurant is tops for me in terms of service and menu.

• Where:  The Half Day Cafe
• Address:  848 College Avenue, Kentfield, CA 94904
• What:  Breakfast, Lunch & Brunch