On December 7, 1944, he walked into his office in Marin and found a sealed envelope. Inside was a property deed, paid in full. This large donation has benefited hundreds of thousands of youth since.

The Marin Council of Boy Scouts had been searching for a local property they could use for camping. And they thought they found the ideal location in the hills above Fairfax. However, they didn’t have the $20,000 to make the purchase and assumed it was a lost cause.

Can you imagine the surprise when this envelope was opened? At the donor’s request, the gift remained a secret for many years.

Ken Bechtel was the secret benefactor. He was President of Marinship, leading the local shipbuilding efforts for the war. At the same time, Ken was also elected Council President for the Boy Scouts in Marin. He changed the trajectory of the organization, including securing donated land at Second and A Street for a headquarters (by Jacob Albert, the same man who donated land for Albert Park in San Rafael).

Camp Tamarancho is a crown jewel Boy Scout camp. It’s only two miles up from the town of Fairfax, not the long journey many others require. This makes it a draw for troops all over the Bay Area, but also other organizations that use it as well, including Girl Scouts. It’s estimated that over the course of 50 years, there have been over one million camper-nights (counting how many nights stayed per person, not a million people).

Bechtel only held the Marin Scouts position for a couple of years, however, he would also later serve as the national President of the Boy Scouts of America. He’s left quite the legacy.

p.s. I recently had the chance to tour this property with someone who stayed at Camp Tamarancho as a kid and volunteered as an adult. Thanks Pat Townsley (owner of Creekside Pizza and soon the new spot taking over the Hilda’s location).

If you’d like to be considered for Scenic Photo of the Week (nature, architecture, wildlife, etc.), please fill this out!

We partnered up with these two local brands to bring you an educational experience in curated small groups. Enjoy a great happy hour spread (including tacos and sliders) while an expert leads you through crafting and sampling a series of drinks. Sausalito on 4/29, 5/6, or 5/13. $60. (The first one is almost sold out, don’t wait.)

This double Grammy winner was recently announced by the Hopmonk Cookout Concert Series and is likely to sell out. Saturday 9/19, $44.

Some impressive robotics founders are coming to Marin, I’m glad to see more business and entrepreneurship content here without traveling to SF. They recently changed this from a $40 event to free, so don’t wait to grab your ticket.

Because leaving Marin might take more planning. Look for our Marin events in the Wednesday email.

If you are into wine, this is your chance for tastings at as many as you can fit in at a fixed price. This is in the Healdsburg area and each winery also has food options. Saturday or Sunday for $130.

This is a free bluegrass street fair in SF. Noon-6.

This is a massive event in Fort Mason to benefit Lifehouse. The goal is to raise $1M for locals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Many Marin spots are participating, including Buckeye Roadhouse, Burmatown, Sushi Ran, and more. Saturday, $500. There’s also a virtual auction to check out.

Please note that this property isn’t associated with the banner sponsor above or Marin Buzz in any way. It is just a unique home you might be interested in seeing, for entertainment purposes only!

99 Brighton Avenue, Bolinas

This was the home of Jefferson Airplane’s Grace Slick. That’s Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Grace Slick. You know the songs Somebody to Love and White Rabbit?

Not only can you claim to own the home that hosted icons like Jerry Garcia and David Crosby, there’s also something you can point to (and swim in) that proves it. A guitar-shaped pool added by Grace Slick.

I would replace the tiles to be a neck and head of the guitar as well. However, if you buy this for $3M, that could be difficult: you’ll only own a quarter of the house! Yes, this property that was for sale for $10M last year, is now 4 x $3M.

I’m really not clear how a quarter ownership works here. Is it only sold once there are four buyers? How do you split the year?

Check it out:

Zillow link

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Thanks for reading. We will be back with the regular events and activities email Wednesday morning!

— Allison + Brian