Events and services planned for fire victims

The sun through the smoke.
(Photo by Richard Blair © copyright)

By Jennifer Henderson
West Marin has rallied to support those affected by the Inverness Ridge fire. Following is a list of events to benefit fire victims and inform residents, listed in the order they will occur:

  • A meeting for owners of property within the burned area will be held at 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 12 at the Dance Palace in Point Reyes Station.

    Members of the federal Burned Area Emergency Rehabilitation team will discuss both short- and long-term restoration strategies for land owners. Those with questions about the meeting or these issues can call Park Chief of Interpretation John Dell'Osso at 663-8522.

  • For emergency workers only: Bill O'Callahan of the American Red Cross is inviting all community volunteers to a meeting designed to help emergency workers deal with the normal stress of fire response.

    Session are set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 12 at the Red Barn and 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 14 at the Point Reyes Station firehouse. Meetings will last 90 minutes and snacks will be served.

    Call the West Marin Volunteer Center at 663-8361 to say which session you plan to attend.

  • A Vision Fire Benefit concert will be held at 8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 13 Dance Palace on Friday. Set to perform are Marshall's Ramblin' Jack Elliott and others, including humorist Wavy Gravy and slide guitarist Roy Rogers.

    Food and drinks donated by the Knave of Hearts bakery in Inverness Park will be available. All proceeds will go to either the Bank of Petaluma's Vision Fire Disaster Relief fund or the Gannett Corporation's Lend-A-Hand fund. Those with questions can call the Dance Palace, 663-1075.

    Concert organizer Jan Currie is looking for volunteers to help set up the stage and take it down after the show. Currie can be reached at 663-8809.

  • Author Philip L. Fradkin of Point Reyes Station, who wrote The Seven States of California, will give a free talk and reading from his book at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14 in the Dance Palace. Proceeds from the sale of his book will go to the fire victims' fund. Tomales Bay Library Association is sponsoring the event.

    In his book, Fradkin remarks that there are three alternatives for dealing with natural disasters: "Depart California, take up religion, or learn to live and enjoy one day at a time. I am working on the last. We are criticized by outsiders for living this way, but I see it as environmental adaptation."

  • Lawyers Pat Sadler and Phil Decker -- two victims of the fire -- will hold a free workshop on dealing with insurance companies at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 16 at the Dance Palace.

    Homeowners and tenants can learn their rights, the responsibilities of insurance carriers, and the best ways to file claims. Those with questions can call 663-8252.

  • A group of victims from the 1991 Oakland Hills fire will tell about their personal experiences of recovery at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18, at the Dance Palace.

    They will address several issues, such as how to deal with insurance companies, whether a lawyer is needed, how to evaluate a lawyer, and how to avoid pitfalls.

    Television reporter Betty Ann Bruno, a former Oakland resident who spent two years battling State Farm Insurance over her settlement, will be one of the speakers.

    Those with questions can call Karen Ward at (510) 735-2078.

  • The Volunteer Center of West Marin and the West Marin Lions Club are planning a celebration of "hope and renewal" for the victims, volunteers, firefighters, police agencies, and all community members.

    The event, which is set for 3 p.m, Saturday, Oct. 28 at the Red Barn, will include food, drinks, entertainment, and activities. Anyone interested helping or making contributions can call Don Pidd at 663-8281 or Vicki Leeds at 663-8303.

    Services for victims
    The following is a list of the ongoing services offered to fire survivors:

  • American Red Cross is offering a wide range of emergency services. Those in need should go to their service center at Red Barn in Point Reyes Station or call 663-1188.

  • A special account for survivors of the Inverness Ridge fire has been set up at the Bank of Petaluma in Point Reyes Station. All donations, which are tax deductible, should be marked "Vision Fire Disaster Relief Fund" and sent to: P.O. Box 100, Point Reyes Station, 94956.

    Some $5,000 has been collected so far -- $2,000 from the community, $2,000 from West Marin Community Thrift Store, and $1,000 from the Bank of Petaluma, reported Steve Sammut, financial services manager.

    Starting Thursday, October 12, the bank is giving $300 to every individual and $500 to every family that survived the fire. This includes both renters and homeowners -- anyone that was displaced by the fire.

  • West Marin Human Services Center in Point Reyes Station is offering free drop-in group and private counseling for individuals, families, and children.

    Individual appointments, available from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., can be arranged by calling 663-8231. Group sessions run from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays. The center is part of Marin Health and Human Services department.

  • Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of San Francisco is collecting funds for survivors of the fire. Working with county Health and Human Services, the group is also bringing in teams of counselors to help people deal with stress and loss.

    Donations to fire victims should be marked "Fire Relief" and sent to: Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, 814 Mission St., Ste. 300, San Francisco, CA, 94103.

  • West Marin Volunteer Center has compiled a list of people willing to help with trucks and moving vans, as well as chainsaw clearing and tractor work. Those who can offer such help, as well as victims needing those services, can call 663-8361.

  • Sacred Heart Parish in Olema (663-1139), Point Reyes Presbyterian Church (663-1349), and St. Columba's Episcopal Church in Inverness (669-1039) are all offering free grief and loss counseling.

  • MarinSEED, a nonprofit organization, is collecting tax-deductible donations of business supplies, books, computers, cameras, art/craft materials, and other equipment for fire survivors.

    Those needing items or wishing to donate them can call Mary Golden, executive director, 331-5900.

  • Robbie Engelmann, a marriage and family counselor, is offering free counseling to fire victims. Appointments are available by calling 453-1577.

  • Marin Humane Society is assisting animals lost or injured during the fire. Several pets have been rescued, given medical care, and returned to their owners, including a cat belonging to singer Jesse Colin Young.

    Anyone missing or finding an animal can report it to the Red Barn or call the Humane Society at 883-4621.

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